National VS Local Debate

[Tom Earp]

Maybe because the only things set out were Name, Badge Associate Pin, Coat of Arms, and Banner(Flag) but not a Ritual or other things that needed to be aligned out!

I did the same thing when I started a Local that Affilliated with an International!

Guess, they will have to have a Major Meeting to get this laid out in stone very soon if going to become a Big Regional or A National!

I can see a ton of work ahead of them!

[chideltjen]

Originally posted by msn4med1975
I'm really only asking this because I'm confused. How can a second chapter of the same sorority have different rituals, philanthropy and pledge program? I mean I know my organization may implement our national service initiatives in different ways but we still work in the same areas. The rituals and pledge period thing being different is just not gonna happen in my organization so that's really why I'm scratching my head right now.

Philanthropy: Our philanthropy is a local org in Sacramento, but not to Sonoma. So the girls in Sonoma had to find a local charity in Sonoma. And our major event for our philanthropy is a baseball tourney for the fraternities. I guess at Sonoma, the greek system is a lot smaller so having a baseball tourney isn't really possible. They have a different event, I forget what it is though.

Ritual: I am pretty sure initiation and bidding/pinning are pretty much the same. But individual rituals... our ritualist sometimes makes up brand new monthly rituals, just to make things interesting. I don't know how often she goes and tells the beta chapter's ritualist about a new ritual.

Government/Pledge Program: The basic premise is the same. Tests are the same and interviews are the same. The difference between us is that when the beta chapter was created, the alpha chapter changed their form of government for a trial run. The beta chapter also got that form of government. Well the alpha chapter didn't like the new form of government and decided to modify it back to what it was and still keep some of the changes. The beta chapter kept this form of government. It included a 9 week pledge program and the big sis' played a huge role in the new member education. At the alpha chapter, we thought 9 weeks wasn't long enough because EVERYONE got stressed out. So we made it an 11 week program or so.

Does that make more sense? Probably not, but I try.

[msn4med1975]

Whatever works for ya but it just sounded strange to me. I guess it's interesting that you would let each chapter change things as they see fit but I was thinking part of the bond I have with my members is knowing that we basically share all of the same experiences as members. Thanks for answering.

[Monkey]

As a member of a local sorority (my college only has local chapters), I would have to say that I am proud of my group. National chapters may offer the prestige and help you know people from all over, but my group offers me a kind of specialness (for lack of a better word). Because we are the only chapter, we know there is only a small group of girls who are given the opportunity to learn the secrets of EKO. After becoming a greek, I started checking out other websites, and organizations were giving out far more information than we would ever dream of putting up.

One thing local chapters are often associated with is hazing. The state and the school have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing. It happens, and you're gone. Like all greeks, we take pride in giving our club or section a good name and reputation. Unlike national greeks, however, we are the only people who can give a good impression of the club. We do something wrong and our charter is taken away . . . not only is it our fault, our group doesn't exist anymore.

So, which is better, national or local? I don't really believe there is a correct answer to that question. If you're interested in becoming greek, it simply a matter of finding the right organization for you, regardless of the type of chapter.

[Tom Earp]

YES, Becoming A Greek is the most improtant thing!

But with National Greeks what does help is networking upon Graduation and The Backing of an Alum Association of Sisters who span many areas and Job Placements, who is in an National Association that you can be with to further you Sisterhood!

None of are saying not being a Local Greek Organization is bad, We Once were All Locals until expansion that some and many people helped to do!

Remeber, All Of The Greeks, Big ones (old) as we know today were started many years ago. Today the advent of MCGLOS is a new thing and I am glad for one reason, there are more Greeks who beleive for the most part as we do!

There have and will always be Changing Times among Social Greeks.