Definition of "Chapter"

[emb021]

Originally Posted by FΔithHΩpeLoΛe

Oh ok, I see - but not all organisations follow that system, right?

Most do.

Those that don't follow the style of 'alpha of state x', 'alpha of state z', 'beta of state x', etc.

As noted, each Chapter is given a designation. These is determined by the org's National office, and done in order of ther groups chartering. You always know what chapter you joined, and when you met other members from your org, telling them your chapter designation (Chapter XYZ) along with the school is the norm.

If I was starting a new Sorority could I just randomly pick three Greek letters based solely on the fact that a Sorority does not exist with that name? Especially if it's the founding chapter?

First off, greek letters are NOT picked randomly. And yes, you'd need to pick a set not already in use, as pretty much all national groups have trademarked their names.

And yes, if you were founding a new org, you would be founding the first chapter (Alpha Chapter of new org XYZ).

Basically, with GLOs, the greek letters are the initials of the group's *real* name, rendered in the greek language. For instance, Phi Beta Kappa is called that because the letters are the initials of a greek phrase that means "Love of learning is the guide of life".