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Originally posted by cristinasmile
I've already got the A-OK to create a social women's club. As far as how we handle recruitment, etc. that will be left to determine by members.
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Firstly, you might want to consider getting a copy of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised" (make sure to get 'newly revised' as there are many books by similar titles and they are not the same book) as it tells you how to write a Constitution, start a club, run meetings, and is also considered to be the official "Rules of Order" for almost every club in existence. Almost every one of our organizations runs by this rule set, at least loosely. Panhels and IFCs across the national run by them. In short: You need to get this book. I never attend an IFC meeting without one.
It is good that you choose to be diplomatic and choose your words carefully (ie: club instead of sorority) when going before the administration.
You didn't lie to them, as a sorority is in fact a social club. In fact, you even asked them about membership discrimination by sex. The only organizations with legal grounds to do this in existence today (TITLE IX) are social sororities/fraternities, and like the boy scouts/girl scouts--THATS ALL. Normal clubs cannot restrict membership at all, or discriminate by sex.
So, you need to make a decision whether or not you are going to start a secret society--a sorority, or "normal" social club as the foundation is different and you can't change your mind later.
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As far as our name, whether our school allows us to use a Greek name with no affiliation, that will be determined by them.. I have no say in it. [/B]
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This worries me, because I am concerned that you may be giving the university way too much power. I have seen this situation before. The further you allow the university into the development of your organization, the more they will try to control it.
You can't fear the university, either. There will be times that your wishes do not align with theirs, or that they do things which you do not feel is right and you will have to stick up for your sisters. But do so wisely, and diplomatically. In my experience, they do things which are down right wrong, and expect your group to help them accomplish it (either through IFC vote, or some other means). Gamma Phi has told the VP of the university many times, "No, we will not vote in that manner, just because you want us to" and they've existed for 100+ years as a local.
They especially like to control organizations through advisors. In these organizations which are puppet-ed by the university, there is of course a president, and executive officers, but they play second fiddle to the "Advisor" who strong arms everything the group does.
Our university attempted this tactic with our group. The advisor was the one truly running the show, he told the president what to do, and the president did it. Instead of doing what WE wanted to do, we were doing what would "make the university look good." They tried to mold us into a little catholic boys club. Eventually that president was expelled, and the advisor along with him. In fixing this problem we paid a heavy price. Almost a half-year of my life was spent trying to expel these two individuals from the fraternity--along with about 5-6 of my brothers.
Now this "advisor" that you have, is this a university official? Is this person Greek? More importantly, is this person Anti-Greek? Do you trust this person enough that they are with you and the group's wishes to the very end? Can you consider this person a "sister?" If not, I suggest finding a new advisor, as I assure you, you are headed down the same road we went down.
See our history at the link below for more information. It encompasses the full 4 years, from start to chaptering... There were earth shattering problems that happened and hopefully we can prevent these problems from happening to your group...
Our censored, non-secret, history on page 8 of this document:
http://www-home.duq.edu/~destro969/petition.pdf
You also bring up recruitment. If you are forming a sorority, and not a social club, then you have to pretty much have unanimous/near unanimous vote to 'bid' them in.
If one person cannot consider a prospective member a brother, for whatever the reason, then the organization as a whole cannot consider him a brother. We have had numerous debates about this subject in our group. If you let in people who hate other people, you don't have brotherhood/sisterhood, you have a bitching and whining club, the entire organization will struggle and, in the case of young greek organizations, sometimes collapse entirely.
This vote in itself is not enough, for the long term, this is why pledging is implimented later on, when the organization shows need for it.
-Tony
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