Question for all

[cfields431]

Hey , names Chris fields i live in central Florida im 18 years old. Due to my having a child on the way and lack of funds i was not able to go to college and more than likely will not be able to in the near future. It has always been my dream since i was younger to join a fraternity and although i know at times that non collegiate fraternities are frowned upon by collegiate fraternities i would still like to fulfill my ambition to join one regardless of the circumstances that life has given me. My question to all of you in the Greek life being , are there any respectable non collegiate fraternities that anyone would recommend? i would prefer suggestions that have a good reputation and are. are respectable. Any help would be truly appreciated , thank you .

[Nanners52674]

Originally Posted by cfields431

Hey , names Chris fields i live in central Florida im 18 years old. Due to my having a child on the way and lack of funds i was not able to go to college and more than likely will not be able to in the near future. It has always been my dream since i was younger to join a fraternity and although i know at times that non collegiate fraternities are frowned upon by collegiate fraternities i would still like to fulfill my ambition to join one regardless of the circumstances that life has given me. My question to all of you in the Greek life being , are there any respectable non collegiate fraternities that anyone would recommend? i would prefer suggestions that have a good reputation and are. are respectable. Any help would be truly appreciated , thank you .

I don't know of any specifically, but if you're really in a bind financially and time commitment wise due to becoming a father, I would suggest you take a long look at fraternity membership and why it's so important to you that you'd join some no collegiate "frat". You're low on income with a child coming, focus on that. I don't mean sound glib, but your chance at a typically 18 yr old college and greek life experience has more than likely sailed.

[Sen's Revenge]

If you had gone to college, what type of fraternity would you have rushed? Large, national general fraternity? NPHC/African American? Latino, Multicultural?

[cfields431]

To respond to nanners first it is not as simple as saying that i would have liked the college "frat" life. that seems to insinuate that i am attempting to find a fraternity to party , drink , and otherwise short my duties as a father. this could not be further from the truth i look more toward the tradition of greek fraternities and the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that comes with it, although my opportunity for "college frat life" has indeed sailed i was hoping to find someone who would know more about non collegiate fraternities as i was told by a couple of my friends that there are some out there. Responding to sen i was hoping to find a national general fraternity but am open to suggestions however i am white.

[Sen's Revenge]

So I am not sure that there is a comparable non-collegiate Greek-letter fraternity that will give a vibe similar to traditional fraternity experience.

But I also don't believe your ship has totally sailed. You are 18. When your kid gets older, you might have a greater opportunity to attend a traditional university with fraternity life. (I know, my understanding of teen parenthood is almost exclusively from Teen Mom, BUT....)

I think you should chill for a little while. Enjoy being a dad. Take time to figure out what your next educational steps should be. Map that out.

After you map out your future a little better, then start thinking about fraternal options. Traditional fraternity life may still be an option. If it is not, then you might consider other fraternal orgs like becoming a Freemason.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by cfields431

Responding to sen i was hoping to find a national general fraternity but am open to suggestions however i am white.

Masonic orders and similar organizations used to fulfill this roll but have been dwindling. Depending on where you live it might be the thing for you.

[cfields431]

Thank you, I have considered all those options but as of now i am planning to apprentice a trade, i would have preferred a traditional college experience but being that i have another life to take care of i don't have time for that but still need a steady full time job which is why i chose to learn a trade being that it is a much quicker route to a career . I am just not sure i will ever have the opportunity to go to a university full time. However though i understand that my options are severely limited i just wanted to see if anybody would have any suggestions or information to point me in the right direction. Thank you for the suggestion though.

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

So I am not sure that there is a comparable non-collegiate Greek-letter fraternity that will give a vibe similar to traditional fraternity experience.

But I also don't believe your ship has totally sailed. You are 18. When your kid gets older, you might have a greater opportunity to attend a traditional university with fraternity life. (I know, my understanding of teen parenthood is almost exclusively from Teen Mom, BUT....)

I think you should chill for a little while. Enjoy being a dad. Take time to figure out what your next educational steps should be. Map that out.

After you map out your future a little better, then start thinking about fraternal options. Traditional fraternity life may still be an option. If it is not, then you might consider other fraternal orgs like becoming a Freemason.

[cfields431]

We do have several mason lodges where i live and it is definitely something i have considered but i was looking for something with brothers more around my age and my lifestyle as ignorant as that sounds lol i am just not sure how well id fit in or how much i would have in common with members of the masons, elcs, etc.

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

Masonic orders and similar organizations used to fulfill this roll but have been dwindling. Depending on where you live it might be the thing for you.

[DubaiSis]

I think you might be thinking too many steps ahead. Start the trade school (good for you by the way for making a realistic plan) get the whole fatherhood thing going and just take a deep breath for a few minutes. Once you have all that going, if you feel like you have some time to spare, find some networking groups to join. As you make some new friends outside your old circles, some opportunities may well present themselves.

And while the common fraternal or civic orgs might be full of old guys, they would probably be thrilled to have you and you could meet some fantastic mentors.

[cfields431]

Thank you, as i have been thinking about it more the idea of a organization such as the masons does sound more realistic.

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think you might be thinking too many steps ahead. Start the trade school (good for you by the way for making a realistic plan) get the whole fatherhood thing going and just take a deep breath for a few minutes. Once you have all that going, if you feel like you have some time to spare, find some networking groups to join. As you make some new friends outside your old circles, some opportunities may well present themselves.

And while the common fraternal or civic orgs might be full of old guys, they would probably be thrilled to have you and you could meet some fantastic mentors.