how can a local become national?

[Greekgal7]

[quote=33girl;1333019]Greekgal7 - Just to let you know (cause I wasn't sure if you knew from your post) Sigma is not a deaf sorority on a national level. The chapter at RIT (where I'm assuming you are) just happens to be deaf.

I think the school telling you to merge w/ the Sigma chapter is kind of offensive, just because it sounds like they're saying "well Sigma's deaf and these girls are deaf...sounds like a plan!" If you wanted to join Sigma, you would have joined Sigma to begin with.

I would definitely take steps with your other two chapters to create a national constitution and obtain insurance and such and become national like that. Especially if being part of the deaf community is a big part of your sorority's mission. You don't have to be NPC to be national.[/quote]

how is it possible to become national without NPC? i looked online and couldnt find anything and but came across this forum.

yes the Sigma chapter at my campus is deaf and i know its the only deaf national chapter out of all Sigma chapter out there.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Greekgal7

how is it possible to become national without NPC? i looked online and couldnt find anything and but came across this forum.

NPC is only a conference, like the Big 10 or SEC. Just because Old Miss is SEC and Illinois is Big 10, doesn't mean they can't play against eachother. Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Gamma Rho (I know I'm missing one, I'm having a brain fart, and apologize to that group) are national sororities, but they are in a difference conference, the Divine 9. And, you don't necessarily have to be in a conference to be national.

ETA: Zeta Phi Beta...I knew it would come to me as soon as I hit the "post" button.

[Greekgal7]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

NPC is only a conference, like the Big 10 or SEC. Just because Old Miss is SEC and Illinois is Big 10, doesn't mean they can't play against eachother. Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Gamma Rho (I know I'm missing one, I'm having a brain fart, and apologize to that group) are national sororities, but they are in a difference conference, the Divine 9. And, you don't necessarily have to be in a conference to be national.

Thats new to me, the college didnt mention about not necessarily joining the NPC. Do you have a process how to become a national on our own?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Greekgal7

Thats new to me, the college didnt mention about not necessarily joining the NPC. Do you have a process how to become a national on our own?

It has to do, mainly, with having a National Board that oversees all the chapters of your sorority, and of course, insurance, which I'm sure is one of your campus' main concerns.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Greekgal7

Thats new to me, the college didnt mention about not necessarily joining the NPC. Do you have a process how to become a national on our own?

There's a forum on here called "up and coming nationals." Some of the people there could probably give you ideas on where to start.

The Greek advisor may not have told you about this possibility because she may not have known. Some people (even those in authority who should know better) think there's NPC and NPHC and that's it as far as nationals are concerned...so not the truth.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There's a forum on here called "up and coming nationals." Some of the people there could probably give you ideas on where to start.

The Greek advisor may not have told you about this possibility because she may not have known. Some people (even those in authority who should know better) think there's NPC and NPHC and that's it as far as nationals are concerned...so not the truth.

Or is it possible that she wants them to go NPC or NPHC only? That's osmething you have to look into.

And telling you all to look into Tri-Sigma becauses both chapters have deaf members is wrong. First off, you would all have to go through rush like a typical PNM, and some of you might not get bids...and I'm asuming that if you wanted Tri-Sig, you would have gone there in thef irst place.

Good luck

[aopirose]

SoCalGirl, pretty much hit it on the head. A key component in becoming “national” is having your business side in order and being a legal entity. It would involve being incorporated according to the laws of your state. Those laws definitely vary from state to state so you may find an attorney helpful. Things to include are national officers and/or a board of directors, a tax ID number, and liability insurance. Your alumnae association can be a valuable asset in getting these things together. Rally them.

Here is a list of some sororities with less than 15 chapters.

Kappa Beta Gamma – www.kappabetagamma.org/
Arethusa (Sigma Gamma Phi) - www.arethusa.org/
Agonian (Alpha Kappa Phi) - www.agonian-kappa.org/
Clio Sorority (Phi Kappa Pi) - www.geneseo.edu/~clio/

Your president and chapter adviser really need to sit with the Greek Adviser. Have the GA outline in writing what is expected of your chapter. Only then can you determine what to do next.

[SoCalGirl]

This does raise the valid and rarely addressed question of what actually makes a national sorority a national sorority. Besides having plural chapters. I think, from reading way too many national websites, that it starts with INCORPORATION. Sorry about the caps, years of reading posts in which the D9 members are so very very proud of it have rubbed off on me.

[erica812]

I'm certainly no expert, but it is possible to be a national organization without being a member of the NPC. My sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, is an international sorority, but we are non-collegiate and therefore non-NPC. Kappa Beta Gamma and Phi Beta Chi also come to mind. They are both national sororities (one social, one Christian...not that these are mutually exclusive). They have multiple chapters and are governed by a national executive board. There are many others. Some are catered to a specific interest group (religion, ethnicity, nationality, cause, or common academic field); others are not.

I don't know very much about how a group like yours would become national, but you will certainly need a constitution and board of officers as 33girl suggested.

Other posters will probably have more info.

Erica