Dual Memberships

[33girl]

When we had our last rush, we were straight up with the girls after they signed their bids that we were having some issues, and told them if they wanted out we'd release them then and there. That was our choice, not a directive from hq. If this was the Chi O chapter at Penn State (who does not have pre-freshman rush, it's delayed) as much as it sucks, I do have to kinda say caveat emptor.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

Frankly, I don't think too many women who experienced this kind of thing go on to be super active alumnae.

Oh, I don't know about that. A number of women from my chapter, which closed after I graduated, remain highly active on the regional and national level. These are women who were there when it closed and women who graduated long before I did. Many of us agree that we got active because we didn't want to miss any opportunity for our chapter to return.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Oh, I don't know about that. A number of women from my chapter, which closed after I graduated, remain highly active on the regional and national level. These are women who were there when it closed and women who graduated long before I did. Many of us agree that we got active because we didn't want to miss any opportunity for our chapter to return.

And put me at the top of that list! That's exactly why I signed on as a province officer 2 years after we closed. I wanted to be there in case we came back and I wanted to help other chapters that were struggling.

[WhiteRose1912]

I think there's something to be said for the type of women who join a struggling chapter, though--that even if their collegiate experience is short or less than optimal, they might be more committed and willing to work for their organization as alumnae than women who join a chapter that gets removed from campus for behavioral issues. Just a theory.

[33girl]

Supermods - can you please move the posts that have gone off on a tangent into a new thread? The original thread topic is one that needs to stay active.

[DubaiSis]

One really big takeaway from this situation for all collegiate members is your headquarters is not kidding around where it comes to safety and public image. These are multimillion dollar corporations that are not going to be brought down by some entitled teenagers. And also that your stupid mistake can really snowball into screwing with people's lives who had nothing to do with causing the problem.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

One really big takeaway from this situation for all collegiate members is your headquarters is not kidding around where it comes to safety and public image. These are multimillion dollar corporations that are not going to be brought down by some entitled teenagers. And also that your stupid mistake can really snowball into screwing with people's lives who had nothing to do with causing the problem.

Another take-away: if you mess up in a big way, when the National headquarters tells you what you have to do to fix the situation, you don't argue with them. You do what they tell you to do.

This news article says that their National laid down some requirements for chapter members to fix the situation and many members declined to meet the requirements.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/ind..._sorority.html

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

One really big takeaway from this situation for all collegiate members is your headquarters is not kidding around where it comes to safety and public image. These are multimillion dollar corporations that are not going to be brought down by some entitled teenagers. And also that your stupid mistake can really snowball into screwing with people's lives who had nothing to do with causing the problem.

This. What's most disappointing is that Chi Omega was the first NPC on Penn State's campus way back in 1926. Almost 90 years of history, traditions, and sisterhood, and it all ended because of one party.

And another lesson: what you post on the internet never goes away. I went to look up some pictures of "Chi Omega, Penn State", and aside from a few pictures, the entire page had their mistake plastered all over it.

[andthen]

What chapter or HQ wants to close a chapter? Its a crummy situation for all those involved regardless of reason. For those who are closed due to RMF issues it's still just as hard, but a small group of people going rouge can bring down the reputation of the larger group. Sadly in these situations the actions of a few does have a trickle down effect for those who are caught in the cross-fire.

[Sciencewoman]

^^^ I feel the same way, but in my experience, I still think we're the exception. At least, that has been my observation and experience, but it could be sorority-specific.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Jen

I took her question to mean her local group would be affiliating with a current NPC group as a new chapter.

In which case, if the local merges with a current NPC (ABC), any alumnae would be eligible to be initiated into ABC, correct? However, if she had since joined a different NPC (say, DEF) in grad school, she wouldn't be permitted to initiate with ABC since she's already a member of DEF, but many (or all) of her local sorority's alums could initiate as an ABC.

I looked at her other posts - she's a KBG - she means her entire sorority becoming the 27th NPC member.

[AlwaysSAI]

Off topic to the above posts, but this thread prompted me to look at our current CPM (revised, 2010) regarding dual membership in SAI. Looking at the CPM then prompted me to look at our National Bylaws (Amended March 2011).

I was surprised. I found something in both documents I hadn't noticed before. It could have been there when I was a collegiate, but if it was, I didn't notice it. (I was pretty involved and served on the Bylaws committee for 3 years, so I really think it's new, but....)

Our bylaws are plainly labeled on the homepage and no password is required, so I assume I'm allowed to discuss them here.

-No person who has held membership in Mu Phi Epsilon, Delta Omicron or Phi Beta shall be eligible for any category of membership. (<--Knew that one)
-No person shall be eligible for membership who has been accepted to but not initiated by any other national music fraternity or sorority within the previous 12 months. (<--was surprised by this one)

It sounds very NPCish to me. Makes me wonder......but I doubt we're headed there.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Off topic to the above posts, but this thread prompted me to look at our current CPM (revised, 2010) regarding dual membership in SAI. Looking at the CPM then prompted me to look at our National Bylaws (Amended March 2011).

I was surprised. I found something in both documents I hadn't noticed before. It could have been there when I was a collegiate, but if it was, I didn't notice it. (I was pretty involved and served on the Bylaws committee for 3 years, so I really think it's new, but....)

Our bylaws are plainly labeled on the homepage and no password is required, so I assume I'm allowed to discuss them here.

-No person who has held membership in Mu Phi Epsilon, Delta Omicron or Phi Beta shall be eligible for any category of membership. (<--Knew that one)
-No person shall be eligible for membership who has been accepted to but not initiated by any other national music fraternity or sorority within the previous 12 months. (<--was surprised by this one)

It sounds very NPCish to me. Makes me wonder......but I doubt we're headed there.

That surprises me about Phi Beta, personally, since it is not exclusively a music GLO.