"Incorporated"

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

Randy,

The emphasis is because, at the time of their founding, it was very difficult if not almost impossible for African-Americans to form legal corporations, etc. It is a great source of pride that the founders of the NPHC groups were able to incorporate their organizations at a time when many in their community could not do so.

Barbara

Alright, I understand this explanation.

But I was wondering how come the minority GLOs do the same, since they were founded much later (1970s on up, for the most part- not saying all of them were) than the BGLOs.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Alright, I understand this explanation.

But I was wondering how come the minority GLOs do the same, since they were founded much later (1970s on up, for the most part- not saying all of them were) than the BGLOs.

That's a good point. I can understand the BGLOs. But there's orgs that were formed in the last 10-15 years who like to throw on the "Inc."... it's like, so what? You can fill out a form and pay a fee to your state's department of state? In this day and age, it's not like it's a major accomplishment, and it's not something that sets you apart.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by kddani

That's a good point. I can understand the BGLOs. But there's orgs that were formed in the last 10-15 years who like to throw on the "Inc."... it's like, so what? You can fill out a form and pay a fee to your state's department of state? In this day and age, it's not like it's a major accomplishment, and it's not something that sets you apart.

I'll speak for Theta Nu Xi. Incorporation is a major accomplishment for an up-and-coming organization. Few people on Greek Chat (or offline) have any concept of the dedication and confidence it takes to claim membership in an organization that is not mainstream and is still very young. The current members of Theta Nu Xi are building a reputation through hard work and social action; a reputation that will be appreciated by the women who will eventually celebrate our centennial.

Our formal title is "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated." There was a time that we were "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority." Gaining incorporated status was an enormous status leap for a small organization like ours and serves to remind us all of our commitment to professionalism.

Calling the sorority by its full title is an expression of respect for us. We formally recognize each woman who signed the incorporation papers, because it was a historic and important moment for us. It is part of our tradition.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Few people on Greek Chat (or offline) have any concept of the dedication and confidence it takes to claim membership in an organization that is not mainstream and is still very young. . . . There was a time that we were "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority." Gaining incorporated status was an enormous status leap for a small organization like ours and serves to remind us all of our commitment to professionalism.

Please know that I mean absolutely no disrespect to Theta Nu Xi.

But I don't want anyone getting the idea that it's really, really difficult to form a corporation. It's not; it's actually pretty easy.

Keeping it going, of course, may be another story.

[H0NEY1987]

I only asked because I had the impression that incoroporated organizations with five or less chapters were considered national organizations. I didnt think it was true but it seems like a growing trend. I have a new question: what exactly does the inc change for a group. i can understand the significance of the title. but my fear is that once my sorority becomes inc. things that take place now might have to change. I dont want my sorority to become a business... is it REALLY necessary to incorporate a greek org.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by H0NEY1987

I only asked because I had the impression that incoroporated organizations with five or less chapters were considered national organizations. I didnt think it was true but it seems like a growing trend. I have a new question: what exactly does the inc change for a group. i can understand the significance of the title. but my fear is that once my sorority becomes inc. things that take place now might have to change. I dont want my sorority to become a business... is it REALLY necessary to incorporate a greek org.

There are a number of benefits, but the two I find most important are:

1) A corporation is its own entity, separate from the owners/founders. So, there is a layer of protection against lawsuits and such. If you're not incorporated, you can personally be sued.

2) Because the corporation is its own entity, it continues on after leadership changes (or even after the death of the founders).

I'd recommend going online to research what incorporation entails and how to do it. You wouldn't need to ask these questions if you'd familiarize yourself with Google.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Please know that I mean absolutely no disrespect to Theta Nu Xi.

But I don't want anyone getting the idea that it's really, really difficult to form a corporation. It's not; it's actually pretty easy.

Keeping it going, of course, may be another story.

Woops, didn't see this one. You're absolutely right. Submitting the paperwork is the easy part. The hard part is getting an organization to the point that it can sustain a corporation. That's what we celebrate when we holler "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Innnnnnnncorporated!"

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Woops, didn't see this one. You're absolutely right. Submitting the paperwork is the easy part. The hard part is getting an organization to the point that it can sustain a corporation. That's what we celebrate when we holler "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Innnnnnnncorporated!"

I can appreciate your responses and explanations regarding how you feel about your org's Incorporation but IMO your org (like many others today) stresses the "Innnnnnnnncorporated" (and did so initially) because NPHC orgs traditionally do and people think it's cool, as I'm sure your founders did. And there's nothing wrong with this but...let's be real.

[H0NEY1987]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

There are a number of benefits, but the two I find most important are:

1) A corporation is its own entity, separate from the owners/founders. So, there is a layer of protection against lawsuits and such. If you're not incorporated, you can personally be sued.

2) Because the corporation is its own entity, it continues on after leadership changes (or even after the death of the founders).

I'd recommend going online to research what incorporation entails and how to do it. You wouldn't need to ask these questions if you'd familiarize yourself with Google.

that is helpful, thanks!

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Woops, didn't see this one. You're absolutely right. Submitting the paperwork is the easy part. The hard part is getting an organization to the point that it can sustain a corporation. That's what we celebrate when we holler "Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Innnnnnnncorporated!"

''sustain a corporation'' what does that mean, if you can explain it?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

I can appreciate your responses and explanations regarding how you feel about your org's Incorporation but IMO your org (like many others today) stresses the "Innnnnnnnncorporated" (and did so initially) because NPHC orgs traditionally do and people think it's cool, as I'm sure your founders did. And there's nothing wrong with this but...let's be real.

NPHC orgs originated many Greek traditions as did non-NPHC orgs. Newer orgs were influenced by the established Greek traditions and adopted certain traditions, assigning meanings to them that are relevant to the orgs. So, for example, you have organizations that only salute (no stepping/strolling), but have adopted "Innnncorporated." We all learn from each other. However, I don't know of many viable newer organizations that adopt traditions simply because they "think it's cool" without really considering the effect.

Again, I can only speak for Theta Nu Xi, but we understand where this particular tradition came from within BGLOs. I realize that members of mainstream organizations often have in their minds that members of younger organizations have no grounding in history. The truth is that, at least for Theta Nu Xi, we are serious about what we're doing and we don't take things lightly. This isn't a game.