want to bring a Tri-Delta chapter to my university!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty22

I wasn't going "OMG EXPANSION." In fact, nowhere did I say that I thought this was a great expansion opportunity for DDD. I also never said that starting a chapter was easy or likely.

I do, however, think that when we are answering a person's question, we should be helpful. Saying, "forget it, it will never happen" in post after post is not helpful. Even if something is difficult doesn't mean you shouldn't try and doesn't mean that we can't give her the best advice we have. Especially since the OP never asked us to weigh in on whether starting a chapter was a good idea, she just asked us to give her our best advice and to tell her our experiences, if we have any, with this situation. Is our best advice really don't try it's too hard?

Where did anyone say either of these things?

We are just pointing out what technically needs to happen before an expansion may take place, and that even if your school does choose to expand, everyone in said colony is not going to be your BFF.

I really don't think that's harsh. I'd rather people be realistic (and make sure that people know what it entails) rather than saying "oh yeah, go for it! It's easy and it works out perfectly allllll the time!" That's just not the case.

Also, if you think that's harsh, you should probably hang back and lurk more.

[33girl]

It's also not just that she wants to bring a new group to her campus. It's that she seems to have a very overly romantic notion of how it happens.

I would understand "most of the groups at my school are local and I want to bring on another national." She shot on past that to "I am in love with this sorority solely due to the contents on a website and I don't think any other sorority could ever give me the same feeling."

Anytime you build something up that much, you're likely to be disappointed afterwards. If I'm coming off harsh, that's not my intention; I just hate to see people look past opportunities in front of them for those that are a zillion miles away.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would understand "most of the groups at my school are local and I want to bring on another national." She shot on past that to "I am in love with this sorority solely due to the contents on a website and I don't think any other sorority could ever give me the same feeling."

This.

If she generalized her statements and simply wanted to bring a new NPC on campus, that's one thing. But we've already seen one too many threads here where girls have said, "My friend is in this sorority at another school, so I want to be in it, too!" or, "I only like that sorority, so I need to figure out how to get it here."

Expansion simply doesn't work that way.

[sarolasju]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

This.


If she generalized her statements and simply wanted to bring a new NPC on campus, that's one thing. But we've already seen one too many threads here where girls have said, "My friend is in this sorority at another school, so I want to be in it, too!" or, "I only like that sorority, so I need to figure out how to get it here."

Expansion simply doesn't work that way.

Why would it have been better if I generalized my statements just to bring any NPC sorority to my school? Just any sorority with no knowledge of what they stand for, any group will do? I don't really have a romanticized idea of what expansion is, clearly; I came here seeking help from people who may have seen it and been through it, but the majority of the responses I've received really do sound (to me anyway) like "don't bother, its too hard."
If all the NPC groups were the same, your own founders never would have started new orgs, and you probably wouldn't be wherever you are now. Thank you to those who were supportive, but I guess I can't get help here. Thank you anyway.



Edit: also; I've already stated before; my reason for wanting to bring a new chapter to my school has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO with hoping everyone in my chapter or colony will be my "BFF". I do not 100% support and identify with the already present sororities philanthropies, mission statements, and purposes. I simply felt I found a more appropriate match for me and yes; it is based on the contents of a website, but isn't that how most people expand??? There would be NO PURPOSE for expansion WHATSOEVER if all groups were, as more than one person mentioned, "basically the same".

Again, thank you.

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by sarolasju

I don't really have a romanticized idea of what expansion is, clearly

You didn't really have a strong understanding of how expansion works. Clearly.

When people tried to tell you about the process (which is difficult, particularly if you have your heart set on one particular group, we're in an economic recession, and your campus has unique circumstances), they weren't trying to be Debbie Downers who just want you to take the easy way. They were trying to paint a realistic picture of the process.

[NutBrnHair]

I am curious which school this is...or actually, which NPC groups are presently there.

[als463]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

I am curious which school this is...or actually, which NPC groups are presently there.

From her name, I'm guessing she is at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA. If I am right, then the NPCs that are presently there are:

Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Phi
Sigma Sigma Sigma

This leads me to also think that she must be a complete airhead. All three of these organizations have something great to offer. Both AGD and Alpha Phi were founded at Syracuse University (a very good school-I'm bias, though because my boyfriend attends that school). Tri-Sigma has "The Robbie Page Memorial (Providing play therapy for terminally ill children" as their philanthropy.

Alpha Phi supports American Heart Association's "Go Red" philanthropy, as well as, they have their own foundation.

Alpha Gamma Delta also has its own foundation.

Each of these NPCs has great tag lines and incredible chapters nationwide. I am annoyed she thinks she is too good to join any of these GLOs.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by sarolasju

If all the NPC groups were the same, your own founders never would have started new orgs, and you probably wouldn't be wherever you are now. Thank you to those who were supportive, but I guess I can't get help here. Thank you anyway.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Most sororities were founded because of a group of women who wanted a closer bond with each other. Maybe they didn't like the women in other groups, maybe there wasn't another group on campus. Maybe they were denied for various reasons. Regardless of when and why a sorority was founded, honesty the values they hold are similar. You ever hear of the four pillars of Greek Life. They are called so because those four virtues are what most orgs at their heart care about, whatever their mission statement might be.

[HelloKitty22]

Originally Posted by als463

I am annoyed she thinks she is too good to join any of these GLOs.

I don't think saying you didn't feel a connection with 3 chapters, which isn't exactly a huge number to choose from, is the same thing as saying you're too good for them. The OP may be being a little "orthodox" insisting that she completely connect with the chapter's mission, philanthropy, values, etc. but she never disparaged any of these groups or said she felt she was superior to them in some way.

[KSUViolet06]

All this discussion of Tri Delt is neither here nor there, because your school has to be OPEN for expansion before it can happen.

You can love Tri Delt til the cows come home, but if your school is not open for expansion, there will be NO NEW chapter.

Focus on that.

We all expand using the same prodecures. When you contact Tri Delt, I can pretty much guarantee that they will want to know if your school is OPEN.

They cannot colonize unless it is.

The existing Panhellenic Council will make the decision about whether the school needs another sorority. This means that typically every sorority on campus is at maximum membership and there are enough girls interested in starting a new colony. The school only considers it when they feel like there are enough interested women to support a new colony. There has to be a genuine need for a new group.

This is what you are failing to understand. Expansion is not about your love for Tri Delt. They don't say "Oh you love Tri Delt, so we'll colonize here." They are not going to be interested in your school unless it is open because they HAVE to follow procedure.

This has to go through the proper channels.

Contact your school and see about expansion.

Then contact Tri Delt.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by sarolasju

Why would it have been better if I generalized my statements just to bring any NPC sorority to my school? Just any sorority with no knowledge of what they stand for, any group will do?

I would encourage you to read recruitment stories on this website. I bet you any amount of money you won't find one where the PNM's main focus is on a sorority's philanthropy, their colors, where they were founded, etc. The #1 thing that everyone talks about is a CONNECTION. PNMs want to be in a chapter where they can find some true friends... actual SISTERS. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

I do not 100% support and identify with the already present sororities philanthropies, mission statements, and purposes.

This statement worries me. I don't think I could find an NPC sorority whose philanthropies, mission statements and purposes I don't identify with. My sorority means the WORLD to me, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. But loving something, no matter what it is, takes time. It takes getting to know your sisters and the organization through readings, teachings, rituals and experiences. And while every organization is different, they all essentially have the same goals and purposes.

I simply felt I found a more appropriate match for me and yes; it is based on the contents of a website, but isn't that how most people expand???

Expand how? Expand Greek life? Expand their knowledge? Any way you look at it, it saddens me to think that you believe a website (any website) could give you all of the information you need.. about anything.

[Barbie's_Rush]

Originally Posted by sarolasju

Why would it have been better if I generalized my statements just to bring any NPC sorority to my school? Just any sorority with no knowledge of what they stand for, any group will do? I don't really have a romanticized idea of what expansion is, clearly; I came here seeking help from people who may have seen it and been through it, but the majority of the responses I've received really do sound (to me anyway) like "don't bother, its too hard."
If all the NPC groups were the same, your own founders never would have started new orgs, and you probably wouldn't be wherever you are now. Thank you to those who were supportive, but I guess I can't get help here. Thank you anyway.

Edit: also; I've already stated before; my reason for wanting to bring a new chapter to my school has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO with hoping everyone in my chapter or colony will be my "BFF". I do not 100% support and identify with the already present sororities philanthropies, mission statements, and purposes. I simply felt I found a more appropriate match for me and yes; it is based on the contents of a website, but isn't that how most people expand??? There would be NO PURPOSE for expansion WHATSOEVER if all groups were, as more than one person mentioned, "basically the same".

Again, thank you.

Because every other sorority apparently has inferior philanthropies and their purposes are dedicated to sacrificing puppies and worshiping Satan. You are an insulting embarrassment and have absolutely no comprehension of the real bonds of sisterhood.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by als463

From her name, I'm guessing she is at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA.

Actually, I think it's St John's U in Staten Island. They have 2 NPCs, one NPHC (3 nationals, she didn't say 3 NPCs) and a ton o' locals. The locals are the distinguishing factor.

The presence of NPCs is very new at the school.

ETA: Waiting for people to look at the sororities and have a "national tier discussion" ensue.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Actually, I think it's St John's U in Staten Island. They have 2 NPCs, one NPHC (3 nationals, she didn't say 3 NPCs) and a ton o' locals. The locals are the distinguishing factor.

The presence of NPCs is very new at the school.

ETA: Waiting for people to look at the sororities and have a "national tier discussion" ensue.

I don't know what school she is from, but if we're talking St. John's in Staten Island, they just added Tri Sigma in 2009. I don't think they're looking at expansion right now.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty22

I wasn't going "OMG EXPANSION." In fact, nowhere did I say that I thought this was a great expansion opportunity for DDD. I also never said that starting a chapter was easy or likely.

I do, however, think that when we are answering a person's question, we should be helpful. Saying, "forget it, it will never happen" in post after post is not helpful. Even if something is difficult doesn't mean you shouldn't try and doesn't mean that we can't give her the best advice we have. Especially since the OP never asked us to weigh in on whether starting a chapter was a good idea, she just asked us to give her our best advice and to tell her our experiences, if we have any, with this situation. Is our best advice really don't try it's too hard?

my best advice based on experiences i have had........a campus has to have a need to expand if there is an already established greek life on campus. the campus panhellenic usually does a study based on several years worth of statistics, has a meeting where they submit their findings and then the officers and representatives vote whether to open the campus for expansion or not. if they open for expansion, they notify the NPC of their decision to expand and the NPC in turn notifies all of the NPC sororities not represented on that campus that state university is open for expansion. sororities that are interested in colonizing there submit an information packet to the college panhellenic and after much perusal usually 3 sororities are invited to come to campus to give presentations. the sororities accept or regret the invitation and dates are set for the presentations. if one of the sororities regrets the invitation, panhellenic might go to the 4th choice and invite them to present. the sororities bring in national officers & local alumnae to participate in the presentation. the presentations are usually done on separate days. after all the presentations are done, the committee or the panhellenic officers and representatives vote on who will be invited to colonize-they notify the sorority and the sorority either accepts or regrets that invitation. SOMETIMES(but not very often) there is a pre-existing interest group that has a preference, and SOMETIMES that groups wishes are taken into consideration, however sometimes they are not. in addition, there is no guarantee that any or all of the members of the interest group would be invited to be members of the colony. that is a decision that the sorority would make(most often its national officers). the whole process can take as little as a couple of semesters or it an be longer.

that is the reason everyone is saying to look a little closer to home and give the existing groups another chance. the chances are slim to none that everything would work out in her favor-heck, she would probably stand a better chance transferring to a school that has an existing tri delta chapter and taking her chances going thru recruitment-and there is no guarantee in that either.