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  #1  
Old 04-19-2000, 05:24 PM
Carissa921 Carissa921 is offline
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Question Creating a New Chapter: Please Help!!

Now, just because I'm mentioning my affiliation and you may be a member elsewhere, please don't hesitate to respond! This may seem like a repeated question, but it is different in a sense that I am an initiated member of ZTA and want to start a colony/chapter at the University of Rhode Island (not just an independent trying to go greek like many of the other posts.)

I am passionate about this and am ready for the hard work, I just would like to know if it is too large an undertaking and since I will only be there for 2 years will I leave before things are set up. Also can you please elaborate on the process behind becoming a chapter, what other chapters may be involved such as becoming the new girls' big sisters and who presides over initiation, and if I can carry on any traditions local to my old chapter such as family line animals.

Another thing that would be helpful is how to get members for an interest group/colony. Should I wait until school starts to make friends and then ask them if they are interested (I want to get started on the whole process now if at all possible, even if I don’t have people interested yet), or if I asked publicly in the fall, how would I be able to ensure the quality of the members? I feel like if I ask in the fall, people will be drawn to already established chapters, and any interest would come from people that were not accepted during formal rush.

Also, I would love to hear stories from other chapter founders about how you got your start and what you thought made you successful. Thanks so much!
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  #2  
Old 04-19-2000, 07:04 PM
LXAAlum LXAAlum is offline
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Carissa,
The first thing to do is contact ZTA's HQ - see about their expansion program, and how to get things started with their help - that will make it a far easier and more rewarding experience than trying to do it solo.

You might want to contact the Panhel organization at school too - depending on the nature of the campus and/or Greek system - there might be a chance they don't want to expand just yet - that is something else to consider.

Finally, find ZTA alumns in the area of the school, they might already have some organized folks just waiting for the right moment. Sororities always seem to have very solid and organized alum associates all over the place - that would be a great asset to tap into.

Good luck! Founding a colony is something to be proud of!

------------------
Don't be your brother's keeper; rather, be your brother's Brother.
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  #3  
Old 04-20-2000, 10:30 AM
PenguinTrax PenguinTrax is offline
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Carissa -
It's wonderful that you want to bring our sisterhood to your new campus. Your first step is to contact ZTA's national extension director (Julia Hill) by way of sending a message to zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org. (Or check your last issue of Themis for her address). She can advise you on how best to go about acheiving your goal. Until then, I recommend you get involved with the local ZTA alumnae chapter. Email IO for the contact name of the local Alumnae Chapter - most likely in Connecticut as there is currently no chapter in RI.

Next, it will be up to you to contact the Panhellenic on campus and receive their approval to form an interest group for the purpose of colonization. Even though you only want to bring ZTA to campus, the NPC colonization rules must be followed.


Please realize, however, that if ZTA does not wish to colonize at this school, but Panhell wants another sorority on campus, the interest group could become something other than ZTA.

Please contact me for more info.

Zeta Love,
Barbara
President, Tallahassee Area Alumnae chapter of ZTA
http://tallahasseezta.tripod.com
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  #4  
Old 04-20-2000, 11:14 AM
equeen equeen is offline
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I'm a Chapter Founder, and while it was (and continues to be) a huge labor of love, it is definitely worthwhile. If there are a lot of enthusiastic women who want this as much as you do, the task becomes much lighter (and a lot more fun!). I say go for it!

I can only describe what it was like for our (Beta) chapter to become a chapter of ASK...and that may not be anything like any other sorority does things. So do be sure and consult with your Nationals.

We had a lot of lattitude in going about things, since we were the first chapter to be colonized since the establishment of the original chapter, and we essentially helped Nationals to start writing the book on expansion and colonization.

Our Founders' big sisters were active members from our Alpha Chapter. Initiation was presided over by initiated members from the Alpha Chapter, both active and alumna (members of the Chapter, as well as our National Board of Directors).

It never hurts to informally talk to friends and others about starting a chapter...this is basically how our Chapter was formed.

Hope this is insightful, and best of luck!

[This message has been edited by equeen (edited April 20, 2000).]
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