Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[KSUViolet06]

What? I'm confused. There are 26 NPC member organizations. Are those the ones that you feel there are too many of? All of them have hundreds of chapters at various schools, so they're hardly new.

As a member of one of them, I'd hope that you are familiar with them (and don't think they're new):

http://npcwomen.org/about/member-organizations.aspx

*About local sororities and other newer sororities: Yes, there are unfortunately situations where people "just want to start something" and decide to start a sorority. But the majority of newer sororities are founded because a group of girls on campus didn't find their niche in any sorority already present on campus.

[FSUZeta]

i'm not sure that i fully understand the question, but i will take a stabbed at it.

i think that most greek organizations were begun by a group of friends who wanted a way to make the friendship lasting and make it something more than just a friendship.there were other circumstances that called those founders to begin a new group, depending on the group. i think that is why new greek organizations are still being started today.

they obviously fulfill a need, or the group would die out. for instance, as ksuviolet said, there are 26 npc sororities. if someone decided that there were too many npc sororities and some had to be eliminated, which groups would be the ones to go?

every year during npc recruitment, many pnms go bidless-on a large campus enough usually to start several new chapters. if we were to limit the number of npc sororities, more women would be going bidless.

i think there is room for all of us.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

i'm not sure that i fully understand the question, but i will take a stabbed at it.

i think that most greek organizations were begun by a group of friends who wanted a way to make the friendship lasting and make it something more than just a friendship.there were other circumstances that called those founders to begin a new group, depending on the group. i think that is why new greek organizations are still being started today.

they obviously fulfill a need, or the group would die out. for instance, as ksuviolet said, there are 26 npc sororities. if someone decided that there were too many npc sororities and some had to be eliminated, which groups would be the ones to go?

every year during npc recruitment, many pnms go bidless-on a large campus enough usually to start several new chapters. if we were to limit the number of npc sororities, more women would be going bidless.

i think there is room for all of us.

I completely agree...and I don't think that this is a new trend. If you look on ebay, there are numerous badges for sale from old defunct local and national organizations. You just don't know about these groups because they aren't the 26 NPC groups that you hear about.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by GirlNextDoor1

On my campus all other social greeks are national organizations. Here is why my founding sisters and I started a local:

1. We believe the sisterhood and fraternity can get lost when it gets caught up in the policies & procedures of nationals & npc.
   
2. We believe its easier to communicate and follow ideals, morals, and values as a local organization. Thus, we believe in being a sole, independent, local chapter.
3. We do not believe in recruitment parties. Therefore, how we recruit is alot different.

There are a lot of policies and procedures that go along with being in a national organization, but that shouldn't prevent you from experiencing brother/sisterhood. Most of my bonding has come from "Hey, bro, let's go hang out today!" rather than "Hey, bro, nationals said we have to have a brotherhood retreat today!" Also, there are several non-NPC organizations that hold recruitment without the parties, so there are other options out there.

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

that's what I meant, there are so many NPC, NPHC, IFC, professional orgs, interests orgs, all greek letter orgs that it seems a little crazy to be creating brand new ones all the time. all of the ones currently have many years of tradition (especially npc, ifc, and some pro groups) so why continue creating so many new ones? to me, the point of joining an org is to give something back to them and get something out of it as well. you're supposed to make it your own and mold it into the best experience you could possibly have. if you can't find your "niche" maybe greek life isn't what you expected, but there are still many ways to create a niche in your org or join some other org. I just feel we're a little "if it's not exactly what we want, then we'll just make our own!" crazy. =) I'm for joining pre-existing orgs because each one is different but let's face it, if you are going out to join a social sorority, then you have to be ready too meet those expectations like being social, outgoing, attending public events like greek week and philanthropies. if you're more interested in something academic, there are plenty of honor societies out there or honor frats.

I agree. Speaking from the NALFO aspect, I think there are WAY too many organizations (in the council, and the new ones popping up every day -- that's a WHOLE 'nother topic though). Back in the 70s/80s, it's understandable since most of the organizations were regional back then. But with the creation of the internet, I find it hard to believe that someone can't find ANY organization already in existence with aligning goals/values. Too many people with founder-itis.

FYI - NPHC and many of the NALFO Greeks have rich histories as well, so let's not count them out

[H0NEY1987]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

that's what I meant, there are so many NPC, NPHC, IFC, professional orgs, interests orgs, all greek letter orgs that it seems a little crazy to be creating brand new ones all the time. all of the ones currently have many years of tradition (especially npc, ifc, and some pro groups) so why continue creating so many new ones? to me, the point of joining an org is to give something back to them and get something out of it as well. you're supposed to make it your own and mold it into the best experience you could possibly have. if you can't find your "niche" maybe greek life isn't what you expected, but there are still many ways to create a niche in your org or join some other org. I just feel we're a little "if it's not exactly what we want, then we'll just make our own!" crazy. =) I'm for joining pre-existing orgs because each one is different but let's face it, if you are going out to join a social sorority, then you have to be ready too meet those expectations like being social, outgoing, attending public events like greek week and philanthropies. if you're more interested in something academic, there are plenty of honor societies out there or honor frats.

My local is my only access to an organization that makes me feel comfortable. And as stated in previous posts, we'll see how many of these newer orgs will be able to stand the test of time. There's so many personal reasons as to why people begin new groups. But I think it relates to more than just greek life. In general, some people find "new" to be of more interest.

Example, while many people choose to stick to a a daily exercise regime and healthy eating to stay in shape, more and more "doctors" are producing new methods, pills, patches, and equpiment that all could have similar results. We know of weight watchers, and slimfast, but what about jenny craig and others? People continue to create while there already exists a number of programs that have been scinetifically proven to be effective. Not even just living healthy, this "new is needed" is diplayed in other areas of life. The production of "new" shopping stores, they all sell the same things, so why are we seeing so many new store fronts opening up?

My point is, though there exists 'older' orgs with strong effective memberships, many people still choose to create something new, because there are people out there who believe there needs to be something else. Some founders were previous members of other organizations, just because they couldnt make their experience in the former group more appealing to them, shouldnt mean that they are forced to change things from within. It could be difficult to change years of tradition. But very easy to say "enough is enough, im out of ABC and im creating ABD, where we wont do this, but we'll do that"

these newer orgs arent a representation of what 'we couldnt have' but a representation of 'what we really want'