Before You Found a New Sorority

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DEKmel

What can you suggest that we do and what are the best ways to go about doing it?

Yikes. That's a pretty vague question.

Refer back to page one and look at these sections: "Starting a special interest sorority" and "establishing/developing a newly founded sorority"

[Senusret I]

I googled "health sorority" and found three so far... who knew?!

(Not counting the nursing sorority I've heard of)

[DEKmel]

Thanks for your help...yeah that was vague sorry

Ok so we recently picked our name Delta Epsilon Kappa and figured out a few more details.
I guess some of my major questions are more directed towards rushing and pledging and dues.

We have 9 members including of myself right now but within the next few weeks we hope to have more.

We were trying to figure out how much we should make our dues. We won't have a house.

Also about rushing have any suggestions on what we can do.

Also about pledging we thought of some stuff but we need more.

What are some of your policies for things?

Thanks

Mel

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DEKmel

Thanks for your help...yeah that was vague sorry

Ok so we recently picked our name Delta Epsilon Kappa and figured out a few more details.
I guess some of my major questions are more directed towards rushing and pledging and dues.

We have 9 members including of myself right now but within the next few weeks we hope to have more.

We were trying to figure out how much we should make our dues. We won't have a house.

Also about rushing have any suggestions on what we can do.

Also about pledging we thought of some stuff but we need more.

What are some of your policies for things?

Thanks

Mel

As far as policies: If you're wanting to found a sorority, you're going to have to figure out these things on your own. If you use other organizations' standards and practices, potential members might be more inclined to pursue the other organizations. Make up policies, rituals, etc that fit your organization's (and its current members') goals and values.

As far as dues: Contact your Greek life office. Ask them what typical dues are at your school and make yours comparable.

Also, like Sensuret said, do a Google search. It may be better to bring an existing organization to your campus rather than starting from scratch.

[DEKmel]

thanks for your help,

actually i originally did set out to branch off another prehealth sorority. I came into contact with the Rho Psi Eta in cali. The pres told us we were alll good to go so we started some stuff. Then all of a sudden i get an email from the founders saying that their pres never consulted with them and they don't want to extend because she didnt ask them first.

After this happened the ladies and I decided to do our own.

another question is we started what we called a "sister contract" which is what we want our members to sign say they agree to our rules and what not that we almost finished today. Did anyone else do this?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DEKmel

thanks for your help,

actually i originally did set out to branch off another prehealth sorority. I came into contact with the Rho Psi Eta in cali. The pres told us we were alll good to go so we started some stuff. Then all of a sudden i get an email from the founders saying that their pres never consulted with them and they don't want to extend because she didnt ask them first.

That's too bad. Were there any others out there that you looked into?

another question is we started what we called a "sister contract" which is what we want our members to sign say they agree to our rules and what not that we almost finished today. Did anyone else do this?

My organization doesn't have a physical contract. By accepting membership, we're accepting the fact that we have to adhere to certain policies. If those policies aren't followed, membership can (and often will) be terminated.

[KSUViolet06]

You need permission from your school in order to proceed with bringing an NPC sorority onto your campus. They do not negotiate/help talk to the school about opening up the school to sororities, you need to discuss that with the proper authorities. Start with that before you contact any of the NPC sororities.

There's no way to look at a state and determine how "interested in a particular area" a sorority is. Most sorority expansion teams look at a lot of different factors when deciding whether to come to a school or not. Some of these things include: # and size of sororities on campus, administration's support of greek life, alumna chapters in the area, whether there is alumna support available to the new group, etc. Most of what they are looking at has to do with the probability of a chapter thriving at the school.

This is really of no consequence if your school isn't open for expansion, so that should be your priority because there's no point in contacting a particular sorority if you don't have school permission.

[minitien]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

You need permission from your school in order to proceed with bringing an NPC sorority onto your campus. They do not negotiate/help talk to the school about opening up the school to sororities, you need to discuss that with the prpoer authorities. Start with that before you contact any of the NPC sororities.

Maybe the person who gave me the original advice didn't know this. I'm going to talk to the school though (cause you have to, as you said). Right now, we're trying to make our "interest" group an actual club with the school. That way if they say no to recognizing/allowing Greek Life, we still have a club.

Thank you!

[smc112]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Since we don't have a comprehensive thread about founding a new sorority and because founderitis isn't treated in hospitals today, how about we put together a How-To for folks. If you are thinking about starting a new sorority or if you are looking to nationalize your local, please stop here first.

Greeks, please only post about your own type of organization/council so that the recommendations will be as accurate as possible.

In fact, I will even work on compiling a list of groups/individuals who have come onto GC asking about founding a sorority.

EXPANSION...THE SAGA
Rush at UCSC

WHAT NOT TO DO
SKEPi

NON-NPC NATIONAL/REGIONAL SOCIAL SORORITIES (RECRUITMENT-BASED)
Running List

STARTING A NEW SORORITY/NEW CHAPTER OF AN ESTABLISHED SORORITY
Alpha Theta Nu
Rho Sigma Zeta
New Greek Girls
Alpha Grl
dixiegirl09
ehanline
New Christian Local
Rhode Island College
Genevieve
cep1017
NPC Interest
New NPC Sorority
Redraidergirl
Theta Xi Beta
jcolon
jayhawkgirl
ashb316
audrasue
MissJai
Swtmartini
MySTiK BaLL
dallasdoll
MissVirginia
MissVirginia
dreamsmanda
Cody46
Rechartering a sorority
Omega Phi Sigma
Culver8824
Silmanarmo

STARTING A NEW SORORITY ON A NON-GREEK CAMPUS
Alpha Mu Sigma
bianca131
Mimi6389
mckid

STARTING A SPECIAL INTEREST SORORITY
Non-Collegiate Sorority
Sorority for Grad Students
Academic Sorority
Technical College
Creating a Co-Ed Local
Christian Sorority
Plus size Sorority
Hospitality Sorority
Attracting Potential Co-founders - Christian
Dance Sorority

AFFILIATING WITH A NATIONAL SORORITY
Ramapo College Interest
That1LoudChick
MDJenny29
klplovely
Jfurr1126

ESTABLISHING/DEVELOPING A NEWLY FOUNDED SORORITY
LaDy B
Zeta Xi Delta
Pi Rho
Pledge Ideas
Delta Rho Delta
Inductions

LOCALS GOING NATIONAL
Zetagymnast
Sphinx101
MissyKramer
dhgirl
Omega Phi Delta
Alpha Sigma Delta
Theta Kappa

PARTIAL LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS

(More to come - feel free to send me links)

FOUNDERS OF SUCCESSFUL LOCALS AND NATIONAL EXTENSIONS/EXPANSIONS, PLEASE POST HERE!

Thanks for the information. You spent some time researching all this stuff. Anyway, the information is helpful because I might start my own sorority one day!

[H0NEY1987]

I havent posted in a few weeks... but i wanted to say that I hope this thread will help people understand the time and dedication it takes to commit to an new organization. Its tough competing with well known- longer existing groups, but it is very rewarding. Keep up the positive work.

[KSUViolet06]

This thread needs to be added to the list of expansion related threads:

OHNOITSJESS founding Alpha Omega Epsilon (engineering sorority) @ Texas Tech [after participating in NPC spring recruitment]

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

This thread needs to be added to the list of expansion related threads:

OHNOITSJESS founding Alpha Omega Epsilon (engineering sorority) @ Texas Tech [after participating in NPC spring recruitment]

Added - Thanks!

[erica812]

When I founded the Massachusetts Delta Pi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, I wrote this thread:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...light=erica812

It might be helpful for someone starting a non-collegiate sorority. I was a graduate student at the time, so it might be helpful for grad students who are interested in sororities as well.

Note: I've since graduated and moved away from my Massachusetts chapter, but I am still an active member in good standing!

I think that expansion is awesome, if the Greek community is in need. Why wouldn't you want to expand. ? ?? ?? ?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by hopeful:)

I think that expansion is awesome, if the Greek community is in need. Why wouldn't you want to expand. ? ?? ?? ?

The SCHOOL has to see a need.

Typically, a school will consider it if ALL chapters are at or near total and recruitment participation numbers are steadily increasing.

This means more students are interested and there are sufficient numbers to SUPPORT a new chapter.

For the record, a school is typically NOT going to expand:

*Because hopeful is in LOVE with ZTA or Phi Mu and like, NEEDS them to be on campus.

*Because hopeful thinks the school needs a new sorority.

You can say EXPAND EXPAND EXPAND all you want, but one person can't encourage it. It has to be a school decision. So relax a little bit.