Membership in Multiple GLOs

[Lisally]

Hi, I'm new to the forums here...

I am a member of Phi Sigma Pi national Honor Fraternity, and have just started rushing sororities on campus. I was wondering if anyone here was a member of multiple GLOs, and if there were any time or membership conflicts involved.

Thanks!!

[Tom Earp]

Hi Lisally, welcome to Greek Chat.

Membership for Social Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs) is strically one and only one Orgaization.

But for Honoray or Social Organizations, it is recommended for Social GLOS.

[Erik P Conard]

I belong to about ten various outfits with greek names, from
Phi Delta Kappa (education) to Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish) and a
few more, some of which are creeping into the social realm.
The NIC outfit is the one who does not permit "dual" membership,
but decades ago Sigma Tau Gamma was an "educational fraternity" later joining the NIC. Phi Sigma Epsilon, now merged
with Phi Sigma Kappa, was likewise. Several members of TKE, now quite old, belonged to Sig Tau and TKE as they transferred
from a teachers' college to a large university and joined the NIC
fraternity. I am sure that the old Delta Sigma Epsilon, Pi Kappa
Sigma, Theta Sigma Upsilon...all now merged...were sororities of
the same sort...Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Zeta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau--somewhat in the middle, I do not know
how they handled theirs in the '50s and before. There were a good many "educational" groups on traditionally teacher college
campuses who never entered on the larger campuses. This was
prevalent in the '50s and before, and no longer an issue.
But professional, honorary, non-collegiate greek letter groups can
indeed join the NIC organizations. But, check it all out first....
The black fraternal organizations....well, they have chosen to be
separate so I do not know their stance, likewise Asian and the
Latino ones. Perhaps they could clarify.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
I belong to about ten various outfits with greek names, from
Phi Delta Kappa (education) to Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish) and a
few more, some of which are creeping into the social realm.
The NIC outfit is the one who does not permit "dual" membership,
but decades ago Sigma Tau Gamma was an "educational fraternity" later joining the NIC. Phi Sigma Epsilon, now merged
with Phi Sigma Kappa, was likewise. Several members of TKE, now quite old, belonged to Sig Tau and TKE as they transferred
from a teachers' college to a large university and joined the NIC
fraternity. I am sure that the old Delta Sigma Epsilon, Pi Kappa
Sigma, Theta Sigma Upsilon...all now merged...were sororities of
the same sort...Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Zeta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau--somewhat in the middle, I do not know
how they handled theirs in the '50s and before. There were a good many "educational" groups on traditionally teacher college
campuses who never entered on the larger campuses. This was
prevalent in the '50s and before, and no longer an issue.
But professional, honorary, non-collegiate greek letter groups can
indeed join the NIC organizations. But, check it all out first....
The black fraternal organizations....well, they have chosen to be
separate so I do not know their stance, likewise Asian and the
Latino ones. Perhaps they could clarify.

The HBGLOs were founded when they were not permitted to join HWGLOs and to my knowledge they have never been asked to merge with the NPC or IFC even though a few have membership in NIC as well as the NPHC.

ETA: We do not allow dual membership in more than one of the four sororities or five fraternities in the NPHC. And if you have joined an NPC sorority you are not eligible for membership in an NPHC sorority.

[AngelPhiSig]

I am a member of Phi Sigma Sigma (Spring 00) a social org, also a member of Tau Beta Sigma (Fall 00) honorary sorority for college band members and Beta Sigma Phi - a womens organization for women 18 and up, not affliated with a school. BSP chapters CAN be on a campus though (check it out, always an option and really easy to start a chapter!)

My Phi Sig two little is in like 20million orgs and I told her Im buying her a shirt with the greek alphabet on it so she can wear all her orgs.

You can be in ONE social org, and ONE honorary PER DEPARTMENT (I could not rush Kappa Kappa Psi, but I COULD be made honorary) - then you can also go on to things such as professional orgs, special interest orgs, service org.

So at MY school one could say be a Zeta (social), in TBS (honorary-Band), SAI (special interest on our campus), Alpha Phi Omega (service), a language honorary, KDPi (ed honorary), Order of Omega etc... really you can be super greek, but also SUPER poor and busy!!

[KSUViolet06]

I am a member of Tri Sigma sorority (Spring 2004) AND the Kappa Phi Club (a service group for Christian women)- Fall 2002.

I joined Kappa Phi first. I love it. Kappa Phi is very different (open membership, focused on God and service, no cheers, bids).

I wanted the experience of being in a sorority too. I'd wanted to be in a sorority, but didn't end up checking them out until spring of sophomore year.

I'm not going to lie to you, there is a time commitment involved, but it can be done:

*Budget your $$, keep a calendar and be sure you know when each org has dues due.

*Be sure each org knows your schedule for the other org. Make sure ritual dates are clearly listed.

* At some point, both orgs are bound to conflict. Whichever org's event you can't attend, make SURE they know in advance.

*This is just my opinion, but RITUAL and recruitment events for the sorority take prececence over the other org. This is of couse assuming that the other is an honor/service org without an actual rush period. For example, I'm excused from Kappa Phi events for NM ceremonies, initiation, informal & formal recruitment b/c as an initiated Sigma, it is a privilege/duty for me to attend these things.

*If you're an officer in an org, do NOT neglect your position for another organization.

*Be sure your Phi Sig brothers understand. Are there others in the group who are also Greek? That makes dual membership easier b/c you know there are others who understand you. I have 2 other Kappa sisters who are XO and DZ so I know they understand my commitment.

IT IS TIME CONSUMING. A sorority is a different level of commitment than alot of service/honor orgs b/c it encompasses so many things- service, social, scholastics. You won't be able to make EVERY Phi Sig event, but that's part of the trade off.

[Lisally]

Thanks!!!

I know that people can be members of professional (FSP is techically a member of the professional fraternity association), but i was mainly wondering if it is possible to balance membership in both organizations, timewise mostly. I'll have to see if how it works out, I have a couple of brothers who are also Greek, but I noticed they are less involved.

I guess the best thing for me to do is to see if I'm able to handle the commitment if i decide to pledge a sorority.

[Sister Havana]

Several of my APO brothers were also members of social GLOs. Offhand, I know we had a DZ, an SDT, two Sigma Kappas, and two Phi Sigma Kappas when I was active. They were all active in both, so it can be done.

[GPhiLlama]

I'm a Gamma Phi Beta and an Alpha Psi Omega (Theater Honorary), and there's time to do both and juggle classes. It's all about balance.

[KSigkid]

Kappa Sigma and (if you want to count it) Order of Omega. Not really any conflicts, as our Order of Omega chapter didn't do a whole lot.

[nauadpi]

While in college I was involved with many different greek letter organizations... The time I put into each group varried, and some I was more active in then others... To list some, I am a sister of Alpha Delta Pi, a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor/Service Society, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, aka Mortar Board, Honor Society... In addition to these groups I was also a member of other organizations on campus without greek letters... You really just have to organize your time... And learn when to back off so your school work does not become hurt in the process...

[TSteven]

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
The black fraternal organizations....well, they have chosen to be separate so I do not know their stance, likewise Asian and the Latino ones. Perhaps they could clarify.

Actually...

Iota Phi Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi are members of both the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Lambda Theta Phi, Phi Iota Alpha and Sigma Lambda Beta are members of both the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc. and the NIC.

Phi Eta Psi, a historically Black fraternity, is exclusively a member of the NIC.

Lambda Phi Epsilon, a historically Asian American interest fraternity, is a member the NIC.


Apologies in advance if I misrepresented or missed an organization.

[Measi]

Lisally~

It definitely is all about your ability to afford membership in two GLO's-- both financially and timewise. Before you decide to join a second organization, take a look at your classload now, as well as what it's going to be in the next couple semesters, and evaluate if you can do it.

It's a lot of juggling... but if your schedule will allow it, I say go for it. Just remember that you don't want Greek commitments to affect your education-- which is why you're there in the first place.

Good luck!

~ Mel.

[adpiucf]

Being a social Greek is very time-consuming. While your social Greek experience is "what you make of it," remember that you will have a set weekly meeting, required service hours (and an additional weekly meeting during your new member period). There is most likely a semesterly retreat, as well as the "fun stuff" -- social events, university football games, date functions, homecoming, etc. And don't forget that should you chair an event or become an officer in the social Greek org, your time will also go toward that. AND you must balance school work, a job, family, etc. I encourage you to test the waters as a social Greek and maintain your current service/honor Greek obligations, but don't try to take on the world and join a million extracurriculars-- you will be spread very thin if you suddenly decide it is time to run for Student Government or president of the math club! And you won't enjoy the activities as much because you will be running from place to place. Less is more!

[Lisally]

Thanks for the adivce everyone!!!

This weekend was visitation days for COB at my school-but now it's tuesday and i haven't heard anything from Panhel or any houses.


Does this mean I'm cut from every house?

I rushed last spring and hated the cold trek from house to house. There were too many girls, too few houses, and lots of early cuts, and I didnt go through with it. Afterward, I did COB with one house, but that didnt work out either . A house that was colonizing didnt take me, and they said they were looking at GPAs mostly (I have a 3.2, that's not that low, is it?)

I guess I'm too much of a loser and not meant to be greek