Chapter V. National/International

[BabyPiNK_FL]

sweetie, why do you assume i meant people i know within my chapter? I'm talking about beign attached to the chapter more than the national to the point where if 10 years down the road the chapter is doing god-know-what then it's not a HUGE loss because I don't put my chapter before all because I'm not crazy obssessed alumna.

You obviously don't understand what I'm saying, because you are talking about a COMPLETELY different scenario then I am and it's the internet so no amount of typing that I can do can make you because you've taken my words and run...

But I can very clearly tell you that you aren't thinking the same scenario that I was trying to describe and leave it at that.

[SWTXBelle]

I think most PNMs go thorugh recruitment knowing that any of the NPC GLOs offer benefits because of their national/international presence. When I went through rush, Gamma Phi Beta was my second choice (!), and one reason was because I did not know of it nationally. During my collegiate days I loved my chapter, just as I love my immediate family - they are the ones I know best. I've come to think of other NPC members as my cousins - not as close as sisters, but still related and beloved.
Once I graduated and became involved in Alumnae Panhellenics (which I strongly advise for all alumnae!) I learned of Gamma Phi Beta's international presence and reputation. That was a pleasant surprise - and since my chapter closed, I have devoted myself to advancing the NPC system through my work with Alumnae Panhellenic. I've also been a chapter advisor, and of course do everything I can to support Gamma Phi Beta in particular.
As an aside, my chapter was closed not due to anything the members did or were. They were fantastic girls - we had the winner of the Outstanding Senior Woman award twice in three years, for example. But housing concerns and lower numbers meant they simply could not compete against better housed, larger groups. One reason I loved my chapter was because I love my alma mater. Not having a chapter at the school I am so fond of is sad for me. I'd love nothing better than to see it come back on campus. That's my somewhat selfish wish.
But here and now, I want to do all I can to encourage local girls to go through recruitment and share the joys of membership to any of the fine NPC GLOs. It's possible to love both - your chapter and your national/international GLO. The loves may be a little different, but that's okay!

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've come to think of other NPC members as my cousins - not as close as sisters, but still related and beloved.

I like how you said that! It's how I feel about it too...it took me past freshman year to get over rivalries and such but that's how I feel about the other organizations now...I have respect for them all.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've come to think of other NPC members as my cousins - not as close as sisters, but still related and beloved.

I think this is a great description! I always love hearing of friends (when I was in college) and now the children of friends who have gone greek. It doesn't matter which one they chose-- just that they found a home.

I would expand the "cousins" idea even beyond NPC. I remember the day I found out that my son's teacher was an AKA- we spent half an hour just talking about greek life and what a great experience it is.

As for national verus chapter- I will always love my chapter, and I will always support them. However as I get older, I understand some of the decisions that our International Org has made, that I might not have understood when I was an undergrad. So I guess I have gone from 100% my chapter to 50-50 chapter-international org.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

sweetie, why do you assume i meant people i know within my chapter? I'm talking about beign attached to the chapter more than the national to the point where if 10 years down the road the chapter is doing god-know-what then it's not a HUGE loss because I don't put my chapter before all because I'm not crazy obssessed alumna.

You obviously don't understand what I'm saying, because you are talking about a COMPLETELY different scenario then I am and it's the internet so no amount of typing that I can do can make you because you've taken my words and run...

But I can very clearly tell you that you aren't thinking the same scenario that I was trying to describe and leave it at that.

I understand what you're saying, although I can see where others would take it differently.

I feel somewhat the same, but I'd be pissed if the girls in my chapter did something to close my alum chapter. (like getting shut down for behavior or hazing or if they stopped caring about recruiting... not if it's something they can't help)

Being that I live so close to my alum chapter and still attend recruitment and some Greek Week events, I still kind of hold my chapter as more important. This used to totally be the case, until I attended regional leadership conferences and saw what Phi Mu was as a whole. Plus meeting Kathy Williams (past Natl President) gave me a whole new perspective of being a Phi Mu and made me see that the National level was just as important. Robin Fanning (current Natl President) has made me feel proud to be a member of my local chapter because not many sisters can say that their Natl Pres chartered their chapter and used to be their advisor. These two higher up Phi Mus give me different reasons to hold the local and National levels to similar importance.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

sweetie, why do you assume i meant people i know within my chapter? I'm talking about beign attached to the chapter more than the national to the point where if 10 years down the road the chapter is doing god-know-what then it's not a HUGE loss because I don't put my chapter before all because I'm not crazy obssessed alumna.

wow, you keep digging your hole bigger.

All I know is if anyone in my chapter, or any of my sisters in ANY chapter for that matter, would have spoken as callously as you did for no reason whatsoever, I would be extremely hurt. I'm not saying back up your chapter if they act like a bunch of a-holes - there are times when some of the actives in my chapter made me want to tear my hair out. However, to automatically assume that any time a chapter closes it's entirely the fault of the active chapter alone is just not the truth.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by 33girl

wow, you keep digging your hole bigger.

All I know is if anyone in my chapter, or any of my sisters in ANY chapter for that matter, would have spoken as callously as you did for no reason whatsoever, I would be extremely hurt. I'm not saying back up your chapter if they act like a bunch of a-holes - there are times when some of the actives in my chapter made me want to tear my hair out. However, to automatically assume that any time a chapter closes it's entirely the fault of the active chapter alone is just not the truth.

If I'm not mistaken, she is relatively new so I don't think she knows of all the other reasons for a chapter getting shut down, such as housing and filling membership totals. I didn't know any of this before Greekchat because we don't have houses or a numbers problem so back then I just assumed that you could only close for bad behavior or hazing.

[Phimuteach]

My loyalties lie with my chapter and my sisters from my chapter. Most of my best friends were met in my sorority. In fact, I'm going on vacation with 5 other sisters in June.
Based on my personal experiences, I won't donate time or money to our HQ. I wholeheartedly believe in and live by the ideals of Phi Mu, but I do not agree with some of the decisions that have been made by TPTB in the recent past. I will gladly donate time and money to my chapter, however.
Oftentimes, chapters do not close "because it's their fault". There are many other reasons.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by Phimuteach

My loyalties lie with my chapter and my sisters from my chapter. Most of my best friends were met in my sorority. In fact, I'm going on vacation with 5 other sisters in June.
Based on my personal experiences, I won't donate time or money to our HQ. I wholeheartedly believe in and live by the ideals of Phi Mu, but I do not agree with some of the decisions that have been made by TPTB in the recent past. I will gladly donate time and money to my chapter, however.
Oftentimes, chapters do not close "because it's their fault". There are many other reasons.

What is TPTB? I'm curious what decisions you don't agree with. You can PM me if you want.

[33girl]

The Powers That Be. aka, in your case, the Big Lionesses.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The Powers That Be. aka, in your case, the Big Lionesses.

Ahh I see. Lol that's what I thought, just wanted to be sure.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

sweetie, why do you assume i meant people i know within my chapter? I'm talking about beign attached to the chapter more than the national to the point where if 10 years down the road the chapter is doing god-know-what then it's not a HUGE loss because I don't put my chapter before all because I'm not crazy obssessed alumna.

You obviously don't understand what I'm saying, because you are talking about a COMPLETELY different scenario then I am and it's the internet so no amount of typing that I can do can make you because you've taken my words and run...

But I can very clearly tell you that you aren't thinking the same scenario that I was trying to describe and leave it at that.

I think it's a sensitive subject for some who have been undergraduates (or recent grads) when their chapters were closed.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

I think it's a sensitive subject for some who have been undergraduates (or recent grads) when their chapters were closed.

What the hell is your problem?

Quit post stalking me, and quit acting like I'm not allowed to offer an opinion because my chapter closed. Or maybe it's because I'm not from a good southern sorority.

Anyone who would say, in effect, that they don't care if their chapter closes and that if it does it's 100% because the actives screwed up, has a lot to learn. There are plenty of people on here whose chapters closed who could tell you differently.

I have no problem with saying you feel more attached nationally than locally - there are lots of people who didn't have a great collegiate experience and then reconnect as alums and as national volunteers. I have a HUGE problem with someone who says that the thing that brought her to that point - her local chapter - is as disposable as a Kleenex as far as she's concerned.

[NutBrnHair]

Yikes!

[Sock Puppet2]

Originally Posted by 33girl

... maybe it's because I'm not from a good southern sorority.

That was an ugly thing to say about your sorority.
There's this new drug that might help with your symptoms: Midol