Non-collegiate sororities: the list

[AGPhiBete]

Before my other chapter founders and I started our chapter of Phi Beta Psi, we were considering starting a new Non-Academic Sorority...the main problem we ran into was the fact that there just isnt all that much interest in them...many of the people I've spoken too have said the same thing.

What is the reason that you want to start a new organization? Do none of the groups listed above appeal to you or stand for the same things you do?

IMO, and it's only my opinion, I think it might be easier and in the end, more fruitful to start a new chapter of an existing non-academic sorority...that way you will have your National Organization to guide you and help you out along the way.

www.alphagammapbpsi.bravehost.com

[cutie_cat_4ever]

Originally Posted by AGPhiBete

Before my other chapter founders and I started our chapter of Phi Beta Psi, we were considering starting a new Non-Academic Sorority...the main problem we ran into was the fact that there just isnt all that much interest in them...many of the people I've spoken too have said the same thing.

What is the reason that you want to start a new organization? Do none of the groups listed above appeal to you or stand for the same things you do?

IMO, and it's only my opinion, I think it might be easier and in the end, more fruitful to start a new chapter of an existing non-academic sorority...that way you will have your National Organization to guide you and help you out along the way.

www.alphagammapbpsi.bravehost.com

Wow, I somehow got bored and found this wonderful thread

Actually I've been meaning to start an Asian based non-collegiate sorority since there's none (as far as I researched) and my area as a fairly large asian
population. I was wondering how one would start one besides finding members. Do you have to register somewhere as a non profit org and that's it?

Thanks a lot

[GDIfly]

Dumb question:

The Beta Sigma Phi website says that "Beta Sigma Phi is not a secret society. The Greek letters of its name represent Life, Learning and Friendship, which is the organization's motto."

However, one of the requirements the OP had for sororities was secret rituals, and according to some other stuff I'm seeing, it seems secret. So is Beta Sigma Phi secret or not? I would assume the international website is right, but there's probably something I'm missing.

[cutetiger]

Originally Posted by GDIfly

Dumb question:

The Beta Sigma Phi website says that "Beta Sigma Phi is not a secret society. The Greek letters of its name represent Life, Learning and Friendship, which is the organization's motto."

However, one of the requirements the OP had for sororities was secret rituals, and according to some other stuff I'm seeing, it seems secret. So is Beta Sigma Phi secret or not? I would assume the international website is right, but there's probably something I'm missing.

Just like most collegiate sororities, we do have an open motto and one that is secret. We promote ourselves with Life, Learning and Friendship because those are the main parts of our sorority. Life comes at you pretty fast, either in college or out. We always learn something at each one of our meetings (it's a requirement to have a program set up of this sort). I've met some of the greatest friendships I'll ever have through Beta. Like with every greek lettered organization, we too have our own rituals. Each one has different meaning based upon the years that you have been in the sorority. The International website is correct in the information that we are not a secret society. We are a friendship organization...that just happens to be a sorority too. LOL

[erica812]

Just to add what my sister has said...

Beta Sigma Phi is NOT secret. Our rituals are private, but they may be viewed by special guests. For instance, family members may be asked to attend. A member may only view rituals that are appropriate for her degree.

[SmileHigh]

Does anyone know of any multi cultural non collegiate sororities or organizations?

[priss22]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It was around long before the Ku Klux Klan, so there's nothing "eek" about it.

Actually that is incorrect. Tri Kappa was founded quite a while after the ku klux klan. The Ku Klux Klan was founded sometime before 1868.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by priss22

Actually that is incorrect. Tri Kappa was founded quite a while after the ku klux klan. The Ku Klux Klan was founded sometime before 1868.

The same poster you quoted also later said, in the very same thread:

There's also a local fraternity at Dartmouth called Tri-Kappa, which HAS been around longer than the KKK (that's what I was thinking of).

http://www.tri-kap.com/ -- 1842

[chickenoodle]

Because this thread is referenced in another (more recent) thread, I thought I should point out a link that is not working properly.

This is the correct website for Sigma Phi Gamma.

[rhoyaltempest]

While not a greek letter organization, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has an affiliate organization known as the Philo Club for adult women, which is structured much like our sorority. Potential members must have a high school diploma or equivalent but do not possess Bachelor's degrees. For more information, visit the following websites and send me a PM if you are interested in the Philadelphia or surrounding areas.

http://www.sgrho1922.org/page.php?pa...rent_id=124144

www.philoclub.org

www.sgrho1922.org

[ChinaBuffet]

Originally Posted by AGDAlum

I thought I'd put together a list of non-collegiate sororities.

To be on this list an organization meets these criteria:
* must have more than one chapter in more than one city, town, or community (therefore is not a local)
* may not be part of NPC, NPHC, or MCGLO (multi-cultural Greek-letter org. e.g. Hispanic, Asian, mixed)
* is not affiliated with a fraternal organization (e.g. Eastern Star/Masons, Rebekahs/Odd Fellows)
* its chapters are community based; there may be collegiate chapters but the emphasis on on the community chapters
* its members are adult women, generally out-of-school
* its membership is by invitation
* it has a ritual and secret work known only to members

There are many women's organizations that provide networking, lifetime friendships, opportunities for action and involvement in the community or nationally, and tremendous civic service. In the large sense of "sorority" or "sisterhood," these qualify. But I'm narrowing it down to the "special circle," those who are invited to share a particular sisterhood. I think you all get it....

This is incorrect.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha is not invitation-only. We believe that service is a gift and anyone should be able to share their gift. ESA is not allowed to be selective according to our international bylaws and we could lose our charter and/or be forced off campuses if a chapter is found to be excluding potential members.
ESA says that none of its rituals are secret, however I've never found any except for the member's only area, which to me shows that rituals aren't too secret because no rituals are on the Pi Phi member’s only area. Some chapters include some of the meanings of our symbols on their websites. Chapters are encouraged to adopt their own symbols with meanings that are important to them and those can be written into the initiation ritual, and are usually kept secret. The only thing I know is that the grip and password are secret, at least as I understand it.
On some campuses, ESA is affiliated with NPC or other GLO governing bodies. It depends on the university and the chapter. If there are few sororities, they may petition to be included to participate in formal recruitment and can serve on NPC committee. This has been rare and I'm not sure if any chapters still exist that are a member of NPC.
ESA is also co-ed. This changed within recent years however, so most chapters that have been around since before this took effect still only recruit women. But there is a giant collegiate chapter with a ton of men, I just can't think of which one. There is also MESA (Men of Epsilon Sigma Alpha). This is not husbands, sons, brothers, etc that support ESA, these are actual ESA chapters that are for men. They operate the same as the ESA chapters. This can become confusing because ESA is supposed to be open to men. Also, ESA has two organizations for different ages of children, these I believe, are girls-only.
When it comes to calling it a "sorority," it all depends on the region the chapter is in. Some states have adopted and enforce the new policies, but in my experience, most don't. The target women but will allow interested men to join. My chapter established in January, our charter was written by our state committee and it says "Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority."
But you did get something right, the fellowship is strong and we love our symbols and meanings just as much as social Greeks.
I am a NPC alumnae and I’ve just gone back to school for another degree at a campus that does not have Pi Phi so I joined this service “sorority.” I missed my sisterhood and these girls definitely gave me that sense of family and sincere friendship! We are founded on service but we are EXTREMELY social. We have social events, dances, etc.
I hope this gives helpful information on ESA!

[ElieM]

From persual of the above listed websites, am I correct in thinking that Beta Sigma Phi is the only International sorority open to members from countries other than the US and Canada?