Quote:
Originally Posted by AGDAlum
I thought I'd put together a list of non-collegiate sororities.
To be on this list an organization meets these criteria:
* must have more than one chapter in more than one city, town, or community (therefore is not a local)
* may not be part of NPC, NPHC, or MCGLO (multi-cultural Greek-letter org. e.g. Hispanic, Asian, mixed)
* is not affiliated with a fraternal organization (e.g. Eastern Star/Masons, Rebekahs/Odd Fellows)
* its chapters are community based; there may be collegiate chapters but the emphasis on on the community chapters
* its members are adult women, generally out-of-school
* its membership is by invitation
* it has a ritual and secret work known only to members
There are many women's organizations that provide networking, lifetime friendships, opportunities for action and involvement in the community or nationally, and tremendous civic service. In the large sense of "sorority" or "sisterhood," these qualify. But I'm narrowing it down to the "special circle," those who are invited to share a particular sisterhood. I think you all get it....
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This is incorrect.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha is not invitation-only. We believe that service is a gift and anyone should be able to share their gift. ESA is not allowed to be selective according to our international bylaws and we could lose our charter and/or be forced off campuses if a chapter is found to be excluding potential members.
ESA says that none of its rituals are secret, however I've never found any except for the member's only area, which to me shows that rituals aren't too secret because no rituals are on the Pi Phi member’s only area. Some chapters include some of the meanings of our symbols on their websites. Chapters are encouraged to adopt their own symbols with meanings that are important to them and those can be written into the initiation ritual, and are usually kept secret. The only thing I know is that the grip and password are secret, at least as I understand it.
On some campuses, ESA is affiliated with NPC or other GLO governing bodies. It depends on the university and the chapter. If there are few sororities, they may petition to be included to participate in formal recruitment and can serve on NPC committee. This has been rare and I'm not sure if any chapters still exist that are a member of NPC.
ESA is also co-ed. This changed within recent years however, so most chapters that have been around since before this took effect still only recruit women. But there is a giant collegiate chapter with a ton of men, I just can't think of which one. There is also MESA (Men of Epsilon Sigma Alpha). This is not husbands, sons, brothers, etc that
support ESA, these are actual ESA chapters that are for men. They operate the same as the ESA chapters. This can become confusing because ESA is supposed to be open to men. Also, ESA has two organizations for different ages of children, these I believe, are girls-only.
When it comes to calling it a "sorority," it all depends on the region the chapter is in. Some states have adopted and enforce the new policies, but in my experience, most don't. The target women but will allow interested men to join. My chapter established in January, our charter was written by our state committee and it says "Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority."
But you did get something right, the fellowship is strong and we love our symbols and meanings just as much as social Greeks.
I am a NPC alumnae and I’ve just gone back to school for another degree at a campus that does not have Pi Phi so I joined this service “sorority.” I missed my sisterhood and these girls definitely gave me that sense of family and sincere friendship! We are founded on service but we are EXTREMELY social. We have social events, dances, etc.
I hope this gives helpful information on ESA!
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