Chapter V. National/International

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Let me throw this into the mix....

Some NPHC members DEFINITELY care more about their chapters. It depends on the person and the chapter, but I think it relates less to recruitment and rush and more about their level of activity once they graduate and what sort of brotherly or sisterly relations they have with people outside their chapter.

I think this is true, BUT I don't think that you see members joining an org because of the chapter very often. It isn't common that someone will arrive on campus and make their decision based on whether they like the local chapter of Delta or AKA best. Now, you will have some members who, AFTER that point, will be very dedicated to their chapter, moreso than the national org, but it's not the same as choosing your org based on the local chapter. I just don't see that happening very often, in my (admittedly limited) experience.

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I think this is true, BUT I don't think that you see members joining an org because of the chapter very often. It isn't common that someone will arrive on campus and make their decision based on whether they like the local chapter of Delta or AKA best. Now, you will have some members who, AFTER that point, will be very dedicated to their chapter, moreso than the national org, but it's not the same as choosing your org based on the local chapter. I just don't see that happening very often, in my (admittedly limited) experience.

I agree 100%...if for some reason my undergrad chapter hadn't selected me or if there was no Delta chapter at my school, I would have waited and persued DST at the grad level...no other org was an option...the activities of Delta in the community that I witnessed from a young age shaped my desire to pursue membership though..so I guess you can say that the inter./national misson of the organization influenced my interest and my decision...

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

I agree 100%...if for some reason my undergrad chapter hadn't selected me or if there was no Delta chapter at my school, I would have waited and persued DST at the grad level...no other org was an option...the activities of Delta in the community that I witnessed from a young age shaped my desire to pursue membership though..so I guess you can say that the inter./national misson of the organization influenced my interest and my decision...

Hey Sisterfriend!!!
That is exactly how I felt, but about AKA. I had interaction with members at an early age and their influence taught me that it was moreso about the ogrganization rather than a chapter.

I'm not knocking how other people choose their orgs, but I would rather pursue Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated rather an undergraduate chapter that I would only be involved in for a year or two.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

I agree 100%...if for some reason my undergrad chapter hadn't selected me or if there was no Delta chapter at my school, I would have waited and persued DST at the grad level...

Exactly. Once I decided that Delta was what I wanted, then nothing else would have been right. There are a lot of wonderful sororities, and I have much love and respect for them, but my research kept pointing me toward Delta.

I'm getting all emotional now, thinking about all of that ...

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Many of the NPC organizations have very similar foundations...basically, we all strive to be good people and good sisters/brothers. When I was going through rush I had five options. My mom was interested in me going Chi O because of the national reputation, and while that is an important factor in the decision, I chose to be sisters with the girls that I fit in with the best.

NPC Recruitment itself is more about chapters than organizations. It doesn't bother me, because I think all 26 are good organizations on national/international levels, so you can't go wrong. NPHC is structured much differently. It is admirable to join the organization instead of the chapter when they are so different...it's just that I think for most NPCs we really aren't that different on the basic level.

I joined a sorority to have friends for college. I wasn't thinking much about afterwards. I think that's common and it is one drawback of the way NPC recruitment is run. But I love Alpha Gam because of the girls who are AGDs...I wouldn't last through college if I joined a chapter that I did not fit in, just for the benefit afterwords. It's short sighted, but college is hard enough as it is.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

NPC Recruitment itself is more about chapters than organizations.

Yes. Until/unless this changes, the majority of NPC alums, if you ask them, will hold more affection for their chapter than their national organization.

I joined ASA because of the women I met during rush. If those women had been ZTAs, I would have joined ZTA. If they had been ASTs, I would have joined AST. I could have cared less about philanthropy or networking or alumnae involvement. I chose women who I liked, who I thought liked me (I was right, LOL) and who hopefully would be my friends for the rest of my life.

And guess what? They still are. If I had joined because of a philanthropy or because of the national strength of the group, I don't know if that would be the case.

There's something I see a lot in the NPHC forums when women bring up problems they are having with a certain person in the chapter - "see to the business of {insert sorority name here}" and don't let your personal feelings get in the way. I think because the women and men who started the NPHC groups had to go through SO much to get there, they're not going to let petty BS get in the way of the mission they have to accomplish.

Not that NPC groups DO let petty BS get in the way, but I don't think the same kind of responsibility to a community as a whole that is felt by the NPHC groups is there.

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yes. Until/unless this changes, the majority of NPC alums, if you ask them, will hold more affection for their chapter than their national organization.

Considering recent activity, I'd say that the above is 100% true with me.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

OMG! the total opposite is true for me! My chapter can come and go but Phi Mu is so much bigger than my chapter!
If my chapter wasn't there it would be because of ...Whatever reason you can throw at me violently out of anger.

However, for those who are SLOW THIS IS MY POINT COMING UP:
I'd still be a Phi Mu. <---- (MY POINT RIGHT THERE!!!! WOW! YAY!)
My littles would still mean the world to me.
I'd still seek out an alumnae chapter (as I will be doing soon after graduation!).

Having been to 2 State Days and the Southeastern Panhellenic Conference and meeting former and current national president's of various orgs. (including my own and Theta Phi Alpha's-I love that woman! FOR CLARIFICAION FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOST-these women are NOT my best friends!)
I know that I could work for my nationals and contribute far more there and with other chapters than I can do in my own because I only have 21/2 years in my chapter, but a lifetime to give back to all of them.

I chose my org. for the history and beliefs and symbos as much as I did the women. The girls brought me in and Mary, Mary, and Martha sealed the deal.

[KSUViolet06]

I considered both when I joined. I fell in love with the chapter when I started COB. Once I started talking to the members and learning more about the national level of Sigma, I wanted to join even more. I loved the prospect of having sisters EVERYWHERE and having something to be involved in AFTER graduation.

Now that I am an alumna in training to become a national volunteer, I see the "bigger picture" of Sigma much more. I am still a big help to my collegiate chapter when they need it, but I realize that working with nationals helps to ensure the longevity of the sorority, which is most important. Without volunteers and support, there would be NO Sigma for anyone to enjoy.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

OMG! the total opposite is true for me! My chapter can come and go, I would feel a little bad

If my chapter wasn't there it would be because of their own fault

WOW.

I bet your thisclose second choice is saying "WHEW" right now.

[ErinIsBadNews]

I was one of those bad PNMs who go through recruitment dead set on a certain house. I spent the summer before looking at the sororities offered at FSU. I found three that I really liked and then found one more during recruitment. I was open to every sorority, but I was dying to be a Phi Mu.

To me, Phi Mu has always been more than just my chapter. I wanted to be part of the national organization, just as much as I wanted to be an Alpha Epsilon. My best friends are in my chapter, but am close to sisters across the country. I have met so many wonderful women through Phi Mu.

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

The girls brought me in and Mary, Mary, and Martha sealed the deal.

I love this.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I think this is true, BUT I don't think that you see members joining an org because of the chapter very often. It isn't common that someone will arrive on campus and make their decision based on whether they like the local chapter of Delta or AKA best. Now, you will have some members who, AFTER that point, will be very dedicated to their chapter, moreso than the national org, but it's not the same as choosing your org based on the local chapter. I just don't see that happening very often, in my (admittedly limited) experience.

I don't know, but I have heard NPHCers say I joined XYZ because I didn't like the chapter of ABC. And I have heard of NPHCers waiting until alumnae, because they didn't like the XYZ chapter. At least with the latter they maintained their interest in the org as a whole, but I suspect the opposite could be true to.

[Wolfman]

One big difference is that NPHC orgs are "branded" on a national level, so for many, this reputation, whether it be from home, family, friends, casual acquaintances, school, a step show or some aspect of Greek life, people do identify with a specific group. For historically white NIC groups and NPC groups, I don't think this holds true as much. It's more about the chapter where one goes to college.

In my Fraternity, fraternal identification also extends to the district where one became a member. Districts have reputations and political power is brokered along these lines, where alliances are made for international political office.

[blackngoldengrl]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

One big difference is that NPHC orgs are "branded" on a national level, so for many, this reputation, whether it be from home, family, friends, casual acquaintances, school, a step show or some aspect of Greek life, people do identify with a specific group. For historically white NIC groups and NPC groups, I don't think this holds true as much. It's more about the chapter where one goes to college.

In my Fraternity, fraternal identification also extends to the district where one became a member. Districts have reputations and political power is brokered along these lines, where alliances are made for international political office.

Actually, I would venture that there is a simliar sort of "branding" that goes on in the NPC and NIC as well. I think it may have more importance in different regions of the country.
Ex. -in the south a few sororities may be known for certain aspects/qualities/characterisitcs, where as in the midwest they may not be as important.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

One big difference is that NPHC orgs are "branded" on a national level, so for many, this reputation, whether it be from home, family, friends, casual acquaintances, school, a step show or some aspect of Greek life, people do identify with a specific group. For historically white NIC groups and NPC groups, I don't think this holds true as much. It's more about the chapter where one goes to college.

In my Fraternity, fraternal identification also extends to the district where one became a member. Districts have reputations and political power is brokered along these lines, where alliances are made for international political office.

Oh, you guys do the district/regional/province Intake, too? Do all of the frats? It's interesting that the NPHC sororities don't do that.