Non-NPC??? - Page 2

PhoenixAzul · #1 11-13-2009, 11:21 PM

Keep in mind, any sorority will give you valuable experiences that will carry over into your professional life (time management, delegation, obligations and responsibilities, dealing with difficult people and committees). You're also going to have nationwide alumni to connect with, just like an NPC woman would. Go for it, be happy, and tell your sister she needs to put her panhellenic socks on.

Leslie Anne · #2 11-13-2009, 11:17 PM

You have to do what makes you happy. I would accept the bid. You sound so excited about it. The NPC is not the end-all, be-all of Greek life.

If they're a national organization then there will be alumnae associations around the country so you won't be missing out there. You love the national organization. You love the girls in the chapter. And you love the programming. NPCs are unhoused at many schools so what's the difference? As long as you can accept that you won't have a house (and it seems like you do) then there isn't any reason not to grab that bid and start enjoying this new chapter of your life!

Good luck to you!

Kansas City · #3 11-14-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubberduckie

The only thing I can see I am missing out on is living in a house, which isn't the end of the world for me. I would like to live in a sorority house, but it is not the deciding factor for me. In fact, I really wanted to be an RA so this may be a great opportunity for me!

Sounds to me that your sister just wants you to have the same positive Greek experience that she had and she probably has a lot of positive memories around living in a house. You will find tons of members on this board that never lived in a house for one reason or another and had just as gratifying of an experience as those house dwellers. You know what is right for you and your sister will eventually get over whatever her hang-ups are.

Zillini · #4 11-14-2009, 10:36 AM

It is your life, not your sister's. Follow your heart.

gee_ess · #5 11-14-2009, 10:50 AM

I encourage you to take the bid. Your post shows that you have found a place that is right for you - which is exactly what we all want for anyone choosing to join a GLO.

Your sister is displaying a typical, uninformed reaction to something different than her Greek experience. At her age, I doubt she really has as much knowledge of Greeks across the country as she thinks. (no offense to your sister, many newbies on GC sometimes make the same mistake) The Greek experience can be very different from campus to campus or from region to region. There is not a right group and a wrong group. Don't let her lack of information sway you.

Simply put, there is no reason to NOT join this group based on their NPC affiliation or lack thereof.

I hope you will let us know what you decide!

MysticCat · #6 11-14-2009, 12:06 PM

Just to add my voice to the chorus:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubberduckie

Is my sister right?

No.

Good luck, and after initiation, come back and tell us who the fortunate sorority is!

Rubberduckie · #7 11-14-2009, 07:28 PM

It is a member of PHC, so I cannot join two. Which is my sister's concern. I know she is just looking out for me.

I think, however, that you all confirmed my decision. I'll sign the bid on Monday.

(P.S. My mother is going to take me shopping for an initiation dress tomorrow!)

33girl · #8 11-15-2009, 10:25 AM

Yay!!! You sound so happy and excited - congrats!! I'm glad we were able to help you out.

AGDee · #9 11-15-2009, 01:37 PM

The first one that came to my mind was SAI... another strong national organization whose sisters seem to get a very similar experience to NPC sorority groups.

AOEforme · #10 11-15-2009, 02:21 PM

I am in an international, non-NPC sorority that is a member of our school's Panhellenic. I cannot join an NPC sorority, per both the Panhellenic's rules and the bylaws of our international organization.

I love it. I don't feel like anything (except living in a house. I would have loved, loved, loved to do that) is missing from my experience.

We have mixers. We do Homecoming and Greek Week. (We also get E-Week, which is just like Greek Week for the Engineering Campus!). We get study tables and formals. We do trips and sisterhood events.

I don't feel like anything is missing from my experience and I adore each and every second of it.

Most importantly, these are sisters I'll be friends with for life. I can be myself around them.

If you've found a group with that, take it. I'm happy you are excited! Let us know how everything goes....

Rubberduckie · #11 11-18-2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks again for the support everyone.

I did accept my bid and I am very happy! Since it is so late in the semester, I will not begin my new member period until next semester, but I have not been treated as if I am an "outsider" or on a wait-list!

There is something to do with the chapter every night this week (thank goodness three of them were study nights!

). There is a "Letter B" mixer on Friday with SAE that I am very much excited about. I just need to find a clever costume. There is a formal in a few weeks, too, so I am scrambling to find a date and a dress.

They are such fun girls to hang out with, I am--even though it has only been two days--very pleased with my decision and think it is for the best.

My sister was disappointed to hear my decision, but she did send me a bouquet of the Sorority's flower today, so I am happy she is trying. She was glad to hear how busy I am going to be. I think she worried, because the Sorority is for people of certain majors, that I wouldn't get to do anything social or fun. It seems this is not the case!

I do worry a little bit, because they are a smaller group of girls, that it's going to be hard for me to worm my way in. They are very welcoming, but they have so much history with each other and inside jokes and things that I sometimes feel left out. My mother warned me that this is a normal feeling at first and that I have to work to make friendships. My new sisters are making this easy. I am going out to lunch with one of them today and have a coffee date for tomorrow!

Once my new member period begins next semester, I will stop back and let you all know how it goes.

Thank you again for the advice.

--RubberDuckie

gee_ess · #12 11-18-2009, 08:03 PM

Yea! Enjoy this fun time in your life!

(and listen to your mom, she give good advice!! )

Rubberduckie · #13 01-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Hi, everyone.

School has begun again and I just completed my new member initiation! I am so excited to be a new member of this sorority. I have 5 other women in my class, which is very exciting. One of them even lives on the floor above me so we have been walking to meetings and socials together.

I have three classes with women from my chapter, which is really exciting. I am feeling very much at home and am very pleased with my decision.

My sister, seeing all my photos and Bid Day presents, has recanted her statement that I will be unhappy. She is very happy that I am happy, so I am glad that everything worked out.

Thank you again for all the advice you gave me. It was reassuring to hear knowledgeable people agree with the decision I wanted to make.

I would really like to let you know what Sorority I am a new member of. Do you think I can say so now or should I wait until Active Initiation?

Thank you again everyone.

--RubberDuckie

lovespink88 · #14 01-25-2010, 07:41 PM

You may get the OMGLOLPRETTY PLEASE TELL US NOW response from a few GCers, but I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Some GCers reveal their affiliation during their NM period and some never tell (well, at least in recruitment stories and such...)--but regardless, it's up to you!

I'm glad to hear your experience is going well so far!

Rubberduckie · #15 01-25-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespink88

You may get the OMGLOLPRETTY PLEASE TELL US NOW response from a few GCers, but I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Some GCers reveal their affiliation during their NM period and some never tell (well, at least in recruitment stories and such...)--but regardless, it's up to you!

I'm glad to hear your experience is going well so far!

Thank you for your advice. I really do not want that response (I have looked through recruitment stories and that is quite annoying) so I think I'll just let you all know, but I will not reveal my school for safe-keeping.

I was initiated as a new member (well, a candidate) of Alpha Omega Epsilon sorority. Someone mentioned that initially and I was very pleased. I really love the international organization, and, as a Biomedical Engineering Major, it is 100% perfect for me.