Non-collegiate sororities: the list

AGDAlum · #1 08-02-2004, 09:44 AM

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

Beta Sigma Phi (www.betasigmaphi.org)
Delta Theta Chi (www.deltathetachi.org)
Delta Theta Tau (www.deltathetatau.org)

P.E.O. Sisterhood
www.peointernational.org

Phi Beta Psi (www.phibetapsi.org)
Psi Iota Xi (www.psiiotaxi.org)
Sigma Phi Gamma (www.sigmaphigamma.com)
Tri-Kappa (www.trikappa.org)
[I think these are good links....I tried most of them.]

added 9/05:
National T.T.T. Society
http://www.altrue.net/site/tttsociety/

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....

Are there others to add to this list?

AGDAlum

seraphimsprite · #2 08-02-2004, 10:54 AM

It looks like most of these were founded in Indiana. Does anyone know why?

ATO/terp · #3 08-02-2004, 10:56 AM

wow there is a tri kappa..

33girl · #4 08-02-2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ATO/terp
wow there is a tri kappa..

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

Measi · #5 08-02-2004, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
It was around long before the Ku Klux Klan, so there's nothing "eek" about it.

It actually wasn't, as the KKK has been around since the Civil War... but it's still nothing to be eek about.

Hence why they go by tri-Kappa. *shrug*

~ Mel.

sageofages · #6 08-02-2004, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Measi
It actually wasn't, as the KKK has been around since the Civil War... but it's still nothing to be eek about.

Hence why they go by tri-Kappa. *shrug*

~ Mel.

While Tri-Kappa is a great organization (I know lots of members who are diverse in ethnicity), the "KKK" was headquartered in Indianapolis for years and year. :EEEkkk::: is reasonable at first glance.

sageofages · #7 08-02-2004, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AGDAlum
I thought I'd pult 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

Beta Sigma Phi (www.betasigmaphi.org)
Delta Theta Chi (www.deltathetachi.org)
Delta Theta Tau (www.deltathetatau.org)
Epsilon Sigma Alpha ([url]www.esaintl.com)
P.E.O. Sisterhood (www.peotinternational.org)
Phi Beta Psi (www.phibetapsi.org)
Psi Iota Xi (www.psiiotaxi.org)
Sigma Phi Gamma (www.sigmaphigamma.org)
Tri-Kappa (www.trikappa.org)
[I think these are good links....I tried most of them.]

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....

Are there others to add to this list?

AGDAlum

Your PEO link is messed up.

Measi · #8 08-02-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sageofages
While Tri-Kappa is a great organization (I know lots of members who are diverse in ethnicity), the "KKK" was headquartered in Indianapolis for years and year. :EEEkkk::: is reasonable at first glance.

Oh, I completely agree that the eek is reasonable-- and I would have to wonder if it hurts their membership roles a bit.

~ Mel.

aopirose · #9 08-02-2004, 01:09 PM

Just until she has a chnce to fix it, P.E.O. - http://www.peointernational.org/

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #10 08-02-2004, 02:55 PM

Thanks for putting this list up, AGDAlumn!

SnowLady · #11 08-02-2004, 04:00 PM

I visited all the sites and probably from a web design two really stand out from the others.

But what surprised me was their membership info for most. I felt that you had to know the chapter to be able to check it out. I wouldn't just drop $70 on an online membership form without meeting the members, but there were not always links to the chapter or chapter president.

Membership is what keeps all of us up and running.

OleMissGlitter · #12 08-02-2004, 05:42 PM

I checked out their sites and they seem like very well-put together organizations with purposes. However, I didn't notice any chapters here in Mississippi...

amgn253 · #13 08-02-2004, 05:49 PM

As a member of one of these organizations, I am so happy this thread was started! I had no idea non-collegiate sororities existed when I graduated from college. I thought my chance to be in a sorority had passed. I love being a Beta!!

As many of my sisters and PNMs who frequent the Beta board know, I think our Int'l webpage needs a HUGE facelift. It just doesn't get updated enough and there isn't a lot of info provided about the organization, IMO. Hats off to the organizations who have a comprehensive site!! Hopefully someday we'll be there with you!

Glitterkitty · #14 08-02-2004, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Measi
Oh, I completely agree that the eek is reasonable-- and I would have to wonder if it hurts their membership roles a bit.

~ Mel.

It does not hurt their membership in the least. Tri-Kappa has a ton of chapters and sisters, but all of them are located in Indiana. The people of Indiana are very familar with it and to join a sorority there as a non-collegiate is extremely common. My boyfriend's family is from there and they were joking that if we moved there I'd have women from each sorority knocking on my door checking out the "new prospects".LOL

AXORissa · #15 08-02-2004, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Glitterkitty
It does not hurt their membership in the least. Tri-Kappa has a ton of chapters and sisters, but all of them are located in Indiana. The people of Indiana are very familar with it and to join a sorority there as a non-collegiate is extremely common. My boyfriend's family is from there and they were joking that if we moved there I'd have women from each sorority knocking on my door checking out the "new prospects".LOL

maybe they have high membership in Indiana but I'd imagine expansion is difficult-- I know in NJ, a kappa-kappa-kappa shirt would NOT go over well. Ha, go to Newark, and I think their lifespan would be all of 1 minute.

No matter how great the organization may be, I would never in a million years join it. the fact that they would keep that name knowing people would associate it with a very very negative connotation is more than enough reason for me...