Need some help here

[ΣKΞFounder]

Originally Posted by Kevin

OP, I'm trying to stand in your shoes here. I was part of the beginning of a colony of a major national NIC affiliated group (as evidenced in my signature below). I recall not having clue #1 as to how we were supposed to interact with IFC (even though we were members by default and design), let alone with the community as a whole.

No offense, but it appears you guys are really flying blind on this thing. It seems really unclear what you are offering. How is it different from say... Circle K or Rotary?

I just don't get what you're trying to be here.

And, we are not a store and do not sell anything. We are a Multicultural Fraternity that is joining the NMGC in two years (when we have the Gamma up and running). We have our constitution, we have our rules, we have our rituals, we have our beliefs, we have our academic stance, and we have our ties with other Greeks like Phi Sigma Chi and others in NY that we openly talk with and they openly help us. Our situation at the Alpha chapter is just, a little special. IFC refused to listen to us and what we believed in, so we refused to conform. But, at our other chapter, no problem at all. Welcomed with open arms and helping hands. Just the way it goes sometimes.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ΣKΞFounder

And, we are not a store and do not sell anything.

That's not quite accurate. You have to sell membership as something which is desirable. To be able to do that, you need a why. Here's a good TED talk on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMOlfsR7SMQ

That aside, when dealing with municipalities, at least in my home state, YMMV. Some may recognize you as a civic organization. Others, such as the town we have our chapter home in, require Greek orgs to have chapter facilities which are held to the same safety code as multifamily housing. We must, for example, have fire suppression systems installed and at least two ways out of every bedroom and an ADA compliant suite. We also have to be within a certain geographic zone and must be recognized by the school.

Other towns are probably a lot more laissez-faire. If I was in your shoes, I'd get in touch with the town's code enforcement people, explain your situation (probably not a good idea to volunteer your address) and see what they say.

If it comes down to having to make a pitch to some sort of governing body, I'd sure want to be able to answer the "why" question as well as be able to sell yourselves.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ΣKΞFounder

Towns and cities recognize Greeks as long as they are helping the town/city I have one in my home town as a matter of fact that is full of wonderful people who give out scholarships every year to the high schools in the area.

Of course, every town has civic organizations, and every town has groups—civic organizations or otherwise—that the town allows to use town property as meeting space, as long as certain criteria are met. That's nothing new.

But I've never heard of a town "recognizing" a fraternity or sorority in the same way that a college or university "recognizes" student groups. That's the concept that's throwing me—"recognition," which suggests some level of approval and oversight, permission to function even, not just equal access to facilities.

Originally Posted by Kevin

That aside, when dealing with municipalities, at least in my home state, YMMV. Some may recognize you as a civic organization. Others, such as the town we have our chapter home in, require Greek orgs to have chapter facilities which are held to the same safety code as multifamily housing. We must, for example, have fire suppression systems installed and at least two ways out of every bedroom and an ADA compliant suite. We also have to be within a certain geographic zone and must be recognized by the school.

But that's not recognition of a fraternity per se. That's a housing code. The town isn't approving the operation of the chapter, just the building its members live in.

And if the reason they're going to the town is meeting space, I'm guessing there's no house involved.

[ΣKΞFounder]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Of course, every town has civic organizations, and every town has groups—civic organizations or otherwise—that the town allows to use town property as meeting space, as long as certain criteria are met. That's nothing new.

But I've never heard of a town "recognizing" a fraternity or sorority in the same way that a college or university "recognizes" student groups. That's the concept that's throwing me—"recognition," which suggests some level of approval and oversight, permission to function even, not just equal access to facilities.


But that's not recognition of a fraternity per se. That's a housing code. The town isn't approving the operation of the chapter, just the building its members live in.

And if the reason they're going to the town is meeting space, I'm guessing there's no house involved.

Yes, we have an adviser, yes we have a Greek affiliated person helping us, and like I said ALPHA chapter is the only chapter doing this. Beta is fully recognized and affiliated. Gamma colony will be the same, if it is opened. If it is opened, it will be when I travel to NY for spring break. We have tried, and tried with the school and they refuse to listen to us and we have been told to our faces that we aren't a real fraternity by Greek leaders here and mainly just because we are not part of any Nationals and have no "history". I pointed out to them that when their org started, they had no history and were probably not associated with any Nationals as well. And they usually walk away at that point. It's just a game of locals versus nationals here. So, like I said, JUST Alpha chapter having issues. And yes, we have help with everything we are doing by other, older, individuals who do know what we have to do. Just waiting on our Inc. papers....still....and we will be joining the NMGC within a few years after we get a few more chapters/colonies open because we will have to have more insurance when we join them.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Kevin

That's not quite accurate. You have to sell membership as something which is desirable.

Lol. I'm thinking this person thought you were talking about THIS Circle K: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_K

---------

Anyway, there seem to be a lot of elements missing from this story, so it comes off very confusing. I don't have any experience with a local council requesting changes to constitutions -- I've heard of "if you want to join, you need to do X, Y, and Z" but never "You're required to change this thing or you aren't real Greeks" -- so that seems very odd to me. Also, I don't get this "registering with the town" business.

OP -- Do you all have an advisor? As Kevin said, it seems like you all may be confused about 1) what exactly you want your organization to be viewed as and 2) how to go about getting yourselves there. Maybe someone with some Greek or university experience can help steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

[Kevin]

[QUOTE=knight_shadow;2242837]Lol. I'm thinking this person thought you were talking about THIS Circle K: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_K

Nah, this one: http://www.circlek.org/home.aspx

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Nah, this one: http://www.circlek.org/home.aspx

Yea, I am familiar with it, but with the store reference, I think he was confused.

[ΣKΞFounder]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Yea, I am familiar with it, but with the store reference, I think he was confused.

Yes I was, because I have worked at a circle k and it is a gas station here.....