Chapter V. National/International

[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.

Originally Posted by 33girl

WOW.

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

Exactly what I was thinking.

[amanda6035]

I didn't have much of a choice. My first semester in school, there was only one sorority on campus, and for the specific reason that I DIDNT have a choice - it was them, or nobody, I didn't join. Even though the girls in the chapter at that time were nice enough to me, I had other things going on in my life that it felt retarded to me to join the single sorority on campus for the sheer fact of "if you want to join a sorority, we're you're only option. Deal with it." No, they never actually said that - but me knowing that they were my only choice made me not want too join.

My second semester in school, Alpha Xi Delta colonized and I became a part of it. Did I join for the chapter? Nope, there was no chapter. At the time, I DID join for what it (the organization as a whole) could offer me, in the big scheme of things. However, once we got things off the ground and running, I become incredibly devoted to my chapter. On a national level, I went to my first convention as delegate a year after we installed. I began to meet sisters from the other state of GA chapters, due to regional officer training, and state day (which is our founders day celebration). I began to learn what Alpha Xi Delta was on a larger scale, but as an undergraduate, my devotion was to my chapter.

Since I am an older member, one of the alumnae associations has invited me to alot of their events they've held this year - I went to one last week. It sorta depresses me when I go to hang out with them, and realize I'm STILL older than half the women in the room! But - I have fun, and I enjoy meeting sisters who arent from my own chapter and having a good time with them. I'll always be devoted to MY chapter - but I'm finally beginning to experience the "big picture" part of it as well.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I think you ladies misunderstood me. I meant that if in the furture my chapter wasn't there, it would be due to something internal, whatever would be going on as that is normally why chapters close. I didn't mean I wouldn't care at all, I only meant that if they HAD to close for whatever reason, it would most likely be bad and deserved. I'm not saying they are closing or are doing anything wrong now! DO NOT OVERREAD! LOL!

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I think you ladies misunderstood me. I meant that if in the furture my chapter wasn't there, it would be due to something internal, whatever would be going on as that is normally why chapters close. I didn't mean I wouldn't care at all, I only meant that if they HAD to close for whatever reason, it would most likely be bad and deserved. I'm not saying they are closing or are doing anything wrong now! DO NOT OVERREAD! LOL!

I understood what you meant. Because I feel that personally, I have busted my butt the past 3 years to keeep my chapter going since our colonization and installation. I've done everything I could on a local level. If once I graduate, something were to happen (but it's totally not), there's nothing more I can do other than be a supportive alumna.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I think you ladies misunderstood me. I meant that if in the furture my chapter wasn't there, it would be due to something internal, whatever would be going on as that is normally why chapters close. I didn't mean I wouldn't care at all, I only meant that if they HAD to close for whatever reason, it would most likely be bad and deserved. I'm not saying they are closing or are doing anything wrong now! DO NOT OVERREAD! LOL!

There's no overreading involved. You're just automatically assuming that if your chapter was closed (God forbid), that it would be because of something your chapter sisters did. You're assuming the worst of people who are supposed to be your best friends, which I find absolutely disgusting.

Chapters close for LOTS of reasons and not all of them are due to internal strife or policy violations. New policies regarding Greek life that harm chapters, housing issues, new colonies coming on campus...there are as many reasons as there are chapters. Please talk to some of those national presidents who are your BFFs, I'm sure they could fill you in.

[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.