Theta Chi at Duke Going Local

[Blue Violets]

Originally Posted by g41965

Lets check back in 10-20 years. The percentages are not what they were in the Northeast anymore. Bet 60% of students are not Greek at Duke in 20 years.

Fact Check: Only 37% of students at Duke are Greek-affiliated.

[ColumbiaPike]

Lots of chapters at Columbia have expressed interest in going local. Too many people here think that Nationals doesn't do anything for them except bill them.

[LPIDelta]

Ok this brings a question to mind--

What is it that collegians expect their nationals to do for them?

Run their chapters?

Give them things?

Get people to show up to things?

Why do people think they get no value from being national?

[ColumbiaPike]

I'm not sure what people expect their national chapter to do. Generally, though, when one pays for something, one gets something in return. I guess for a lot of people in other chapters here they feel they don't identify with other chapters of their national organization.

[Elephant Walk]

Lots of chapters at Columbia have expressed interest in going local. Too many people here think that Nationals doesn't do anything for them except bill them.

Well nationals destroyed pike along with sig ep, beta, and tke. I'm not sure where you're going with this?

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Heather17

Why do people think they get no value from being national?

Because they don't like the ruuules.

[LPIDelta]

Well...connecting with other chapters is not always going to happen--there are different types of people in different chapters. What should tie chapters together are common history, common values, ritual.

It's unfortunate that some collegians do not see value in having nationally proven programming readily available, trained advisors, alumni support, lifetime opportunities for involvement, insurance, national name recognition, the respect that comes from many campus administrators for national organizations, badges and symbols networking opportunities, long history to inspiration draw from, time tested values, leadership training, connections to strong national philanthropies etc. The list goes on and on.

I would surmise that if members are questioning the value, there is probably something much more significant going on, in terms of how the chapter members are being educated about the org.

Not that I think being national is the only way to go--I understand there is a place for local organizations. I guess this situation seems to scream "We don't like rules" that I don't like that as a reason to abandon national affiliation. There are rules in life....get over it.

[amanda6035]

yippee! Lets go local so we can haze!

[SigmaPezY60]

Coming from a local sorority I can say a few things.

Not ALL locals exist because we don't like rules. We've got plenty of rules of our own. We just didn't like the kinds of rules and wanted to make our own. Most that exist were founded because they wanted to fullfill a need that had yet to be met on their campus by existing groups.

Also we don't exist so that we can get away with hazing. My sorority does not haze. Before making that assumption joking or not, you may want to take a look at the Risk Management Section of Greek Chat where you will find stories of many national organizations that have been caught hazing.

In my opinion the best benefits to being part of a national organization is the connection you have with other women/men accross the country because of the traditions of your organization. You may not like the image of another chapter, but you do share the same letters and traditions.

Also insurance. That's why national dues are so high. And insurance is a very big deal.

[ColumbiaPike]

Originally Posted by Heather17

Well...connecting with other chapters is not always going to happen--there are different types of people in different chapters. What should tie chapters together are common history, common values, ritual.

It's unfortunate that some collegians do not see value in having nationally proven programming readily available, trained advisors, alumni support, lifetime opportunities for involvement, insurance, national name recognition, the respect that comes from many campus administrators for national organizations, badges and symbols networking opportunities, long history to inspiration draw from, time tested values, leadership training, connections to strong national philanthropies etc. The list goes on and on.

I would surmise that if members are questioning the value, there is probably something much more significant going on, in terms of how the chapter members are being educated about the org.

Not that I think being national is the only way to go--I understand there is a place for local organizations. I guess this situation seems to scream "We don't like rules" that I don't like that as a reason to abandon national affiliation. There are rules in life....get over it.

Many (indeed most) of those things listed we already derive from the university itself. I happen to like having a national organization even if I don't like all of the rules and obligations.