NALFO/NPC

[Jinxy13]

I've looked all over GC and I haven't found a thread that answers this.

I went through formal recruitment at my school and ended up getting dropped from all the houses. I still really wanted to join a sorority for the sisterhood, and I pledged and was initiated into a NALFO sorority (I will not go into which one) and thought I would fit better there because I am Latina.

After a semester of being in it, I realized that it was not a good fit for me and ended up disaffiliating.

Currently there is a colonizing NPC sorority on my campus that I'm interested in. I know that I could potentially pledge this sorority and it would be allowed, technically, since the other sorority is not NPC. My question is if the sisters in the colonizing sorority would have a problem with it. Since it was not an NPC sorority and I have valid reasons for disaffiliating, do you think that would hurt my chances and the sisters would look down on that? Even if they don't ask, should I take it upon myself to tell them I was previously affiliated with a multicultural sorority or should I keep it to myself if they don't ask?

I only have this concern because they are on the same campus. Please let me know your thoughts.

[DubaiSis]

I can't speak for all women, but I imagine they wouldn't care if they found out. Unless you are constantly saying, "in ABC, we did it this way," which will just annoy them. I could be wrong, but I'd take your previous membership as having been in a totally different thing.

[FSUZeta]

Usually national officers of the NPC colonizing sorority interview the prospective members and then hold a couple of rush type parties on successive days.Your former membership in a NAFLO sorority should be a non-issue. If you want to share with your interviewer, go ahead, but it is not necessary. Good luck.

[DrPhil]

For this, Greekchat can only speak to official rules and regulations. Greekchat cannot speak to unofficial rules on that campus; and how the people in that chapter feel about this type of thing.

[Jinxy13]

I know that no one here can give a definitive answer, I guess I just want to know what the NPC greek community's general opinion on this is. Obviously I wouldn't lie if they asked about it, but I'm wondering if it would be bad if I didn't outright give this information without being asked. Either the sisters would think I was being deceitful or they think that it's irrelevant information and that's what I'm trying to determine as to not step on any toes.

I understand there is a big stigma attached to crossing between NPC and NPHC, but I was unsure about NALFO since it's less talked about.

[DrPhil]

Whether there is a stigma varies by campus and by circumstances.

It can vary by GLO practices. It can also vary by the racial climate of the campus. And it can vary by how you, yourself, have expressed your racial and ethnic identity while on campus.

[33girl]

If you tell, the worst thing that can happen is you don't get a bid.

If you don't tell, the worst thing that can happen is you become ostracized from your new group because they don't know what else you lied about.

Unless you want to spend your entire college career waiting for the other shoe to drop, I would come clean. Colonizing rush often involves older volunteers from the national sorority. You may find it easier to discuss your situation with one of these ladies than someone your own age.

[Sen's Revenge]

If I was on your campus, I would refer to you as the disloyal girl who dropped one lifetime commitment in pursuit of another one.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

If I was on your campus, I would refer to you as the disloyal girl who dropped one lifetime commitment in pursuit of another one.

And, after only a semester of active membership. If I'd only given ΣAI a semester, I would have missed out on the wonderful experience I've had as an alumna.

[OPhiAGinger]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

If I was on your campus, I would refer to you as the disloyal girl who dropped one lifetime commitment in pursuit of another one.

This makes me wonder about the timing of her disaffiliation. OP, did you disaffiliate from the NALFO sorority before or after the NPC colonization was announced? If you disaffiliated right after learning that you might have another shot at a colonizing NPC chapter, that kind of supports Sen's perception of your shaky loyalties.

[Sciencewoman]

We had an alumna initiate at Convention in 2010 who joined a NALFO sorority as an undergraduate. This was included in her biographical blurb in the Convention program. However, she hadn't resigned from that group...she was still a member, so co-membership is obviously fine with us. I can't speak to other NPC sororities.

[DrPhil]

Would co-membership have been fine with your sorority if this was collegiate and not AI?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

If I was on your campus, I would refer to you as the disloyal girl who dropped one lifetime commitment in pursuit of another one.

Quoted for wig snatching.

I don't see this going well for the OP at all.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

We had an alumna initiate at Convention in 2010 who joined a NALFO sorority as an undergraduate. This was included in her biographical blurb in the Convention program. However, she hadn't resigned from that group...she was still a member, so co-membership is obviously fine with us. I can't speak to other NPC sororities.

With all due respect.... and I really mean that.... that is a bad policy which sets a bad precedent. At some point, social fraternities and sororities need to see each other as equals. NALFO, NMGC, NPHC, and NPC may all be different types of sororities, but they are all still general sororities. What is it about non-NPC "otherness" which makes dual membership okay?

It honestly says to me, as a person of color, that NPC orgs which allow this don't take the other orgs or councils seriously. Either that, or don't take themselves seriously. But I doubt it's the latter.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I don't see this going well for the OP at all.

Nope.

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This thread is reminiscent of previous threads in which certain councils and conferences need to be told they are not THE definition of sorority and fraternity.