Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I think what you have to understand that there is a cultural difference between the two types of Greek systems, not just with regard to the racial makeup, but in how the orgs are run, their aims, and their purposes. I didn't choose an NPHC sorority because of my race, I chose it because of that cultural difference (among other reasons) - what the NPC system has to offer wasn't something that was appealing to me, although that's great that it works out for others.

If you look at each system simply for its merits without thinking about the racial aspect for a minute --- or better yet, taking your own race and GLO-bias out of the equation and just looking at the whole thing objectively that way, it's a pretty interesting perspective. It may help you understand better what I'm talking about.

I strongly co-sign this, sistergreek. It's what I was trying to hint at when I said:

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

You also have to consider that the internal culture of Latin/Asian/Multicultural orgs is different from that of NPC/IFC or even NPHC. You can't get the multicultural Greek experience in an NPC/IFC group.

It seems as though too many people really have no idea what goes on outside of their own organizational type or they have notions that are false. For instance, I have had to correct my own sorors who had it in their heads that NPC organizations were only about socializing and tea parties. One of the things that I admire most about NPC orgs, particularly where you have larger chapters, is the organization and effort it takes to keep things running smoothly. Those skills will serve the members well in the business world.

On the flipside, NPHC, AGLO, LGLO, MCGLO, etc. org generally operate with few very few members (intentionally) but produce massive programming for their size. Even if you have only two members on a campus, you shouldn't be surprised to see them hosting large-scale events. In most cases, there's a lot of local and regional support where, though you may only see two members, there are really dozens behind the scenes providing assistance in some way.

[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.

[PhiMu_Gator]

I'm loving all the responses! I've never heard of a local frat or soror until greekchat since my entire campus has national glos. I think someone pinpointed my frustration earlier with the "founder-itis". I think in a lot of cases we have a few people who want to dyi with a frat and soror. So, they make up traditions, rituals, meanings, everything, but the purpose behind this all was that they themselves maybe are spiting other orgs or they might have missed the point of a glo in the first place. Each one, whether it be social, professional, cultural, academic, or religious has that as a very important part of it. I come from a massive campus that hosts numerous glos, so options are rampant here. I've never had experience with a smaller campus and smaller numbers of glos, so I didn't understand the reasoning behind creating more. I do think that innovation and new ideas are extremely important for progress and encourage people to create a new chapter or new glo all together, but I just worry that many of the founders of new glos don't really research all the options and existing glos available. I'm not insulting anyone who is in a local or newly founded org or looking down upon them, simply wanting a little input in a subject I don't know much about. The posts have been very enlightening and I've enjoyed reading them all! Thanks! =)

ps- one of the most confusing decisions for me was joining an academic glo honor society. there seems to be a bajillion so it's difficult to pick one that you think is prestigious or exclusive. I think some of the alternate academic orgs might have been created because they are shying away from what they are all about - academics - and they don't want to be bothered to follow those national rules like having a high gpa, instead they lower standards to a mid-range gpa and up the social activities. I guess I don't understand where those founders are coming from because I thought the whole point to an academic glo was to keep a high gpa... You can see my confusion, so any input would be lovely!

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

ps- one of the most confusing decisions for me was joining an academic glo honor society. there seems to be a bajillion so it's difficult to pick one that you think is prestigious or exclusive.... You can see my confusion, so any input would be lovely!

Phi Beta Kappa is the best one. I think there's a thread about their "prestige" somewhere on here.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by GirlNextDoor1

We do not believe in recruitment parties. Therefore, how we recruit is alot different.

NPC recruitment is not exclusive to recruitment parties - I realize it may be this way at your campus, but more and more NPC groups have been impressing on their members that they should "recruit" rather than "rush."