NOT looking to go National!

[LexiKD]

Well here's another NPC girl putting her opinon out there.
My chapter was a local, back in the day. The reasoning behind the decision to search for a national sorority was the "times were a changing", they were the only local "social" organization, sat on Panhellenic and played by NPC rules. They began as a "little sister" group and founded their organization about 11 years ago. The campus culture at ECU was ready to expand and they took the oppurtunity to better the chapter and the campus.
I personally feel that a local organization has its benifits, but a National sorority has endless oppurtunites and networking capabilities, not to mention, our KD chapter gave a scholarship to a non-KD when we came on to campus, our local could not have afforded that. And our dues are not expensive, not when you measure our lifetime membership and what we recieve from being a KD.
We lucked out because at the time tons of NPC groups were looking to expand so we got to be very selective. We chose Kappa Delta and it has been the best thing that has happend in my life. We now have 125 chapters and 400 Alumnae chapters, so I have sisters EVERYWHERE!
Even the idea to know that there are 170,000 other KDs out there amazes me and every day I find out something else that makes me love KD even more. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's nice to know my chpater is a small part of a larger group and we all work for one common goal. I love Kappa Delta and would have never had the chance to be one if our local was never here, so for that I am thankful, but in our situation our local had to do someting to stay on top and KD was the right move, FOR US...not everyone!

[This message has been edited by ecukd (edited March 14, 2001).]

[prdlocal]

I appreciate everyone's opinoins, thank you so much. I guess the views on locals vary from campus to campus. I would like to stress, though, that I AM a "NPC girl", I am a member of Panhellenic Council, as my whole local sorority is. I, myself, am the philanthropy chair, and the president of our Panhel is a member of my sorority as well. We actually carry 75% of the executive board of our University's Panhellenic Council. I would like everyone to understand that locals are welcome to be part of some college's Panhellenic Councils. That it is not just an opportunity open to nationals. I respect everyone's opinions, thanks guys!

[ECUGSS]

Originally posted by pbear19:
We would never really consider affiliating, because we feel we're unique from the other service sororities out there.

I was just wondering, what other service sororities have you compared yours to that makes you feel that you are unique compared to them. Which sorority are you in? Thanks and I hope you are having a GREAT DAY!!



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"All our young lives we search for someone to love, someone who makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope, all the while wondering if somewhere and somehow there is someone searching for us."

[pbear19]

Originally posted by ECUGSS:
I was just wondering, what other service sororities have you compared yours to that makes you feel that you are unique compared to them. Which sorority are you in? Thanks and I hope you are having a GREAT DAY!!

Well, we've looked into Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha, the only two national service sororities that I could find that were not ethnic based. Our principles and practices are quite different from both, although I think that they are great organizations! I meant absolutely no disrespect to GSS, as I think you guys are great, but we just don't feel like we would fit in with your org. Besides, there's so many more people wanting to do service out there these days that we feel that we would be an asset to the national service scene, and we certainly don't want you to think that we would necessarily be competition for you.
Anyway, if you have any other specific questions about my org that you would like me to answer, please feel free to email me!

[This message has been edited by pbear19 (edited March 16, 2001).]

[siglambshsu]

I am a member of a local, and my college is bringing in a new sorority who will be looking at us. We are somewhat eager to go national. The reason for this mainly has to do with how much we are struggling.

Every semester we struggle with recruitment and retention...and we've been on campus for almost 9 years. Because of the constant struggle to survive on a campus where national greek life is fairly popular, we feel this is the next step for us. We were actually founded to become tri delt oneday.

In any case, if could ever make it and have a decent membership I know all of our girls would want to stay local for the reasons you described. But the fact remains, it's a CONSTANT struggle for us.

[LexiKD]

I think the advantages for a local organization's members are so great that going national should be a considerstion.

We never had a problem being compettive(numbers, grades...) so it was more a question of how will we survive "long term". We NEVER guessed how wonderful it was going to be. KD has opened doors and taught us so mush that I will be forever greatful!
AOT

[Tom Earp]

Two ways to look at it! I started a local and became a Brother of LXA.
We helped start a local Soro who became very strong and when they had an offer from Phi Mu, they said NO. Well they are no longer on campus. They have many but short memories.
Each campus is different and each is unique but the main thing is to be able to maintain and keep on campus.
We as Greeks all have the same ideals in mind it is just longevity.
We went up against a small National and we won and stayed on campus so far for 36 years.
I do not think that National Orgs. look down thier noses as we all started out for a reason! We did not agree with what was available and looked for something that we coulod fit in and be comfortable!



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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

[Energizer96]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to greekchat and just came upon this discussion. My organization is, like Pbear19's (that is if I interpreted you correctly) looking to go national through expansion, growth and time not through affiliation. I see nothing wrong with going national through affiliation if that is what you and your organization want, but as seen in this discussion there are some that aren't looking for that.

What are peoples feelings about organizations that aren't quite local anymore (i.e. have multiple chapters and governmental boards) and consider themselves regional (still only in one state)? What other organizations out there see themselves in this light? My sorority is almost 6 years old (yes I know..young) and our brother fraternity is 15 years old, but between the two of us there is a unique history and foundation that represents US (as with all organizations).

I guess what I'm looking for, as I asked above, is peoples thoughts on those organizations that have been around for 5+ years and aren't quite local anymore, but not at national status either.

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"A coincidence is a small miracle where God prefers to remain anonymous"

-Author Unknown

[LexiKD]

Don't get me wrong, I am greatful for our old school local, but it had nothing on KD. KD was the best thing to happen to us and ECU in a long time!

[Vixenradio]

Hey there. My sorority Kappa Gamma Chi is a local... At one time there were 3 of us (in the early 1900's) but one chapter went national and the other is now defunct so we are the only one left.
Our sorority has been around since 1902 and is still going strong! As for one girls comment...

"One thing that makes me feel uneasy is the fact that the locals welcome anyone to join them. By anyone I mean some of them DON'T EVEN ATTEND A COLLEGE and they still are allowed to join!"


That is SO NOT TRUE for us. To be a sister of KRX you must be a student at Emerson College and you must go through the pledge process!
In the end I don't think it matters if you're local or national, just as long as you love the sorority you represent.

-Meri
www.geocities.com/kappagammachi

Hi Vixenradio,

When I made my comment about the locals, I was doing so about the locals on my campus.

I understand that the Recruitment/Rush process of Locals aren't the same across the country. The Locals' Rush programs on my campus is a very disorganized one, IMO...and I know this because I pledged a local prior to joining AGD.

During my brief pledgeship with the local, I inquired about the students who didn't attend UH. One sister admitted that they extend bids to non-UH students to boost their numbers. Apparently their UH student membership has been low in recent years. It's ironic, however, that despite this, their numbers haven't improved at all.

All local fraternities and sororities are recognized by our school, but many of us are afraid that their actions might spell the end of Greek Life on campus.

[prdlocal]

I glad to see my topic is still raising h#ll! It's always good to know people are expressing their opinions. Also, hello to all you new greekchatters, and what's up to you oldheads! Sorry I haven't been around. I'll try and visit a little more often!

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"For every lie I unlearn I learn something new..." Ani Difranco

[MoxieGrrl]

I am a member of a national sorority (Kappa Delta!), and very proud to be a part of such a wonderful, strong organization.
However, if there is every any question about the strength of local greek organizations, I suggest that you take a look at the Greek system at Heidelberg Colleg in Ohio.
A male friend of mine transferred to Bethany from there, but he took me with him when he went back up for his Greek Sing and a party at his fraternity house afterwards. I got the chance to talk to some of the fraternity members and girls from different sororities on their campus.
It was amazing! Their Greek system was very strong, existing with all local organizations. They had so much pride, tradition, and spirit in what they stood for.
And when a sorority member from there saw my lavalier and said, "Kappa Delta? Is that National?" I knew that we were not the be-all-end-all in the Greek world!
Being in a sorority at a school where 80% of the population is Greek (and sometimes a bit apathetic about PHC & IFC), it was very refreshing to see the Greeks at Heidelberg.
To all of you locals who are planning on going National, best of luck to you. To all of those who are planning on staying local...rock on! You are something special!!

[This message has been edited by MoxieGrrl (edited August 03, 2001).]

[Cntrychk00]

prdlocal - You asked why some chapters wanted to go national, and others stay local...well this is kind of like a mix between the two...in a way...I think you'll understand in a minute.

I attend Southern Illinois University, and I rushed for a sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, a nationally linked sorority. Well a few weeks before initiation, nationals sent 2 representatives to us to tell our sorority that they were taking our charter, and at the end of the semester we would no longer be an active sorority. That's just about every sorority\fraternity's nightmare...even if they don't know it.
After what felt like being ripped apart from something that we all held so dear to us, we were devistated, and it felt like we had lost everything.
Maybe it was the name...Alpha Chi Omega...that held us together. That's how we met, that's how we became friends. That's how we are sisters. Then again, maybe not. After realizing what nationals can do, and what little power we had when they came to deliver to us the news, I think it actually made us stronger.
Here we are....most of us, that is...trying to form a local sorority.
I'm not trying to bash national sororitys, but I think more credit should be given to the locals. It may be just a name...but the name makes many bright, wonderful individuals part of something much stronger and gives a chance to be more than they ever imagined.

Locals wanting to be part of nationals? It's something to strive for, and a goal some want to reach.
Nationals becoming locals? They want individuality...no big name that people may associate with others...it could mean cheaper fees, more freedom, a chance to form something bigger and better than what they could be under restrictions from nationals. It's just a choice.

[LexiKD]

I think it boils down to type of member.

Being local has advantages and being National has advantages. It may have to deal with rules and regulations and your campus.

For me KD was the answer, maybe not everyone's answer, but it is mine.

AOT