Non-NPC???

[Zillini]

It is your life, not your sister's. Follow your heart.

[gee_ess]

I encourage you to take the bid. Your post shows that you have found a place that is right for you - which is exactly what we all want for anyone choosing to join a GLO.

Your sister is displaying a typical, uninformed reaction to something different than her Greek experience. At her age, I doubt she really has as much knowledge of Greeks across the country as she thinks. (no offense to your sister, many newbies on GC sometimes make the same mistake) The Greek experience can be very different from campus to campus or from region to region. There is not a right group and a wrong group. Don't let her lack of information sway you.

Simply put, there is no reason to NOT join this group based on their NPC affiliation or lack thereof.

I hope you will let us know what you decide!

[MysticCat]

Just to add my voice to the chorus:

Originally Posted by Rubberduckie

Is my sister right?

No.

Good luck, and after initiation, come back and tell us who the fortunate sorority is!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by als463

I was actually thinking she may be talking about Omega Phi Alpha or Gamma Sigma Sigma. If that is the case-then go for it! I have to admit that I am partial to NPC sororities, myself. I do think, however, that Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha are great organizations! Since they are both National/ International-you would have a great experience.

While you don't always get the same benefits of joining a local sorority-joining one of those Service Sororities would be very beneficial. They are very respected, as well.

Good Luck! Besides, if you choose to join one of those organizations, you are able to (at some campuses-so, KSUViolet or OTW, please correct me if I am wrong-I know you both are always up on that stuff) usually also join an NPC later on. I'm pretty sure at my school you were able to do that.

Go for it! Good Luck!

I'm proof that you can be a member of both. Neither organization, on a national level, has a prohibition to cross-membership. A few of GSS's founders were in NPCs already.

[als463]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I'm proof that you can be a member of both. Neither organization, on a national level, has a prohibition to cross-membership. A few of GSS's founders were in NPCs already.

ree-Xi, thank you for clarifying that for me. I actually contemplated joining GSS, even though I am an NPC member, because I am VERY involved with the Alumnae Chapters of Phi Mu and love community service. I'm still thinking about it.

[33girl]

I'm guessing that GSS or OPA is not the sorority in question, rather one of the agricultural or engineering sororities. GSS and OPA usually are not full PHC members, as it sounds like this one is. (They shouldn't even be associate members, although some schools are stupid and bollocks that up, but that's another thread.)

Again: if a group is a member of Panhellenic Council at State U, you cannot join another group that is a member of PHC at State U while you are at State U, regardless of any national policies.

[Rubberduckie]

It is a member of PHC, so I cannot join two. Which is my sister's concern. I know she is just looking out for me.

I think, however, that you all confirmed my decision. I'll sign the bid on Monday.

(P.S. My mother is going to take me shopping for an initiation dress tomorrow!)

[33girl]

Yay!!! You sound so happy and excited - congrats!! I'm glad we were able to help you out.

[AGDee]

The first one that came to my mind was SAI... another strong national organization whose sisters seem to get a very similar experience to NPC sorority groups.

[AOEforme]

I am in an international, non-NPC sorority that is a member of our school's Panhellenic. I cannot join an NPC sorority, per both the Panhellenic's rules and the bylaws of our international organization.

I love it. I don't feel like anything (except living in a house. I would have loved, loved, loved to do that) is missing from my experience.

We have mixers. We do Homecoming and Greek Week. (We also get E-Week, which is just like Greek Week for the Engineering Campus!). We get study tables and formals. We do trips and sisterhood events.

I don't feel like anything is missing from my experience and I adore each and every second of it.

Most importantly, these are sisters I'll be friends with for life. I can be myself around them.

If you've found a group with that, take it. I'm happy you are excited! Let us know how everything goes....

[Rubberduckie]

Thanks again for the support everyone.

I did accept my bid and I am very happy! Since it is so late in the semester, I will not begin my new member period until next semester, but I have not been treated as if I am an "outsider" or on a wait-list!

There is something to do with the chapter every night this week (thank goodness three of them were study nights! ). There is a "Letter B" mixer on Friday with SAE that I am very much excited about. I just need to find a clever costume. There is a formal in a few weeks, too, so I am scrambling to find a date and a dress.

They are such fun girls to hang out with, I am--even though it has only been two days--very pleased with my decision and think it is for the best.

My sister was disappointed to hear my decision, but she did send me a bouquet of the Sorority's flower today, so I am happy she is trying. She was glad to hear how busy I am going to be. I think she worried, because the Sorority is for people of certain majors, that I wouldn't get to do anything social or fun. It seems this is not the case!

I do worry a little bit, because they are a smaller group of girls, that it's going to be hard for me to worm my way in. They are very welcoming, but they have so much history with each other and inside jokes and things that I sometimes feel left out. My mother warned me that this is a normal feeling at first and that I have to work to make friendships. My new sisters are making this easy. I am going out to lunch with one of them today and have a coffee date for tomorrow!

Once my new member period begins next semester, I will stop back and let you all know how it goes.

Thank you again for the advice.

--RubberDuckie

[gee_ess]

Yea! Enjoy this fun time in your life!


(and listen to your mom, she give good advice!! )

[Rubberduckie]

Hi, everyone.

School has begun again and I just completed my new member initiation! I am so excited to be a new member of this sorority. I have 5 other women in my class, which is very exciting. One of them even lives on the floor above me so we have been walking to meetings and socials together.

I have three classes with women from my chapter, which is really exciting. I am feeling very much at home and am very pleased with my decision.

My sister, seeing all my photos and Bid Day presents, has recanted her statement that I will be unhappy. She is very happy that I am happy, so I am glad that everything worked out.

Thank you again for all the advice you gave me. It was reassuring to hear knowledgeable people agree with the decision I wanted to make.

I would really like to let you know what Sorority I am a new member of. Do you think I can say so now or should I wait until Active Initiation?

Thank you again everyone.

--RubberDuckie

[lovespink88]

You may get the OMGLOLPRETTY PLEASE TELL US NOW response from a few GCers, but I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Some GCers reveal their affiliation during their NM period and some never tell (well, at least in recruitment stories and such...)--but regardless, it's up to you!

I'm glad to hear your experience is going well so far!

[AOEforme]

I'm glad to hear everything has worked out so well! It sounds like your sister has come around.

I think it would be safe to let us know.... after all, you haven't said anything terrible and I can't see why revealing your group would be damaging. You asked for honest advice in a classy way. (I'm a member of a non-NPC and I was not offended by anything you said.) However, if you feel like revealing it would somehow prevent you from being initiated, I guess you are better safe than sorry....