How do I start a collegiate chapter?

Collegiate women on campuses where Alpha Sigma Alpha does not have a chapter are encouraged to pursue affiliation with a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) member sorority such as Alpha Sigma Alpha. In order to pursue this affiliation please considering the following steps:

1. RECRUIT! Continue to recruit new members to your group. Most NPC groups require a minimum of 25 women or more in order to start a new group, known as a colony, on a campus.
2. ORGANIZE! As you are building your membership base, begin to organize your group. You may want to start with naming your interest group so you may build name recognition on campus. Begin meeting on a weekly basis and establish your group’s purpose or mission statement and goals. What does your group stand for? What is important to you? Why do you want to start a new sorority? As you put this vision into writing, it will demonstrate to those around you the seriousness of your efforts.
3. OBTAIN PROPER AUTHORITY! You must obtain proper authority to proceed with national affiliation. At many universities/colleges it is the University/College Panhellenic Association or Greek council, but if neither of these exist contact your Director of Student Activities or Dean of Students. Most university/college Panhellenic and Greek councils have specific rules and guidelines to the expansion process.
4. WITH THE PROPER AUTHORITY! Meet with the proper authority to discuss your request to start a new sorority on campus. You may want to present your interest group’s vision and reasoning for pursuing affiliation with a national organization.
5. REQUEST THE PROPER AUTHORITY TO VOTE TO EXPAND! Request the proper authority to vote to expand the existing number of sororities on campus by permitting interested women to affiliate with an NPC member sorority. If the proper authority votes to support your request, then you are ready to continue. In the event the proper authorities deny your request, continue to work closely with them to strengthen both your interest group and the Panhellenic system. Strive to fulfill the requirements set forth by the proper authorities to become part of a national organization.
6. REQUEST MATERIALS FROM THE NPC MEMBER SORORITIES THAT INTERST YOUR ORGANIZATION! Although we are anxious to provide you with an Alpha Sigma Alpha extension proposal, we need to know whether you have received permission to expand from the proper school authorities.
7. PLEASE SEND EVIDENCE OF PERMISSION! Send permission. For example, a letter from the Panhellenic advisor or president to Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters (see address below). As soon as we receive notification from your Panhellenic advisor or university/college president, we will be sure to send you our extension proposal. The Alpha Sigma Alpha extension proposal is a packet of useful information that outlines the heritage, philosophy and programs of our organization. Note that the university/college Panhellenic association may want to inform the NPC extension chairman of the decision to expand the Panhellenic as well.
8. SELECT AN NPC MEMBER SORORITY OR SORORITIES TO VISIT! Invite a sorority or sororities to make an extension presentation. Once you have reviewed the materials submitted by the national sororities, select the groups that you would like to get to know better and issue an invitation to visit your campus. During the campus visit, interested women and the representatives of the national sororities currently on your campus will meet and learn more about one another. Campus visits may also include meetings with campus administrators and Panhellenic officers, campus tours and formal presentations.
9. PETITION THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF YOUR CHOICE FOR MEMBERSHIP! Decide which NPC member sorority will make the best match for the campus and interested women and request to become affiliated with that national organization. Once the petition for membership is accepted by the national sorority, representatives will again visit your campus to colonize or begin the new sorority. Each national sorority has requirements and procedures that must be followed during this process. It is important to determine what these requirements and procedures are while the sororities are visiting your campus.

Your decision to become part of a national organization is one of great vision and requires much determination! We wish you complete success in this worthwhile endeavor and hope to be in further contact with you soon.

For more information please contact:

Christy Adams, Membership Services Coordinator
Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters
P.O. Box 681130
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-871-2920
cadams@alphasigmaalpha.org

Alpha Sigma Alpha is a women’s organization that promotes high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among our four aims of intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development. Alpha Sigma Alpha provides structure and guidance through sisterhood, which is a strong bond of unconditional friendship based on common values and experiences; heritage, which is expressed through creed, Ritual and history; and, opportunities, for leadership and involvement in chapter, campus, and community.

As a new chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha you will be given the necessary support needed to succeed. Resources such as our FOCUS Colony Development Program, marketing and PR campaign materials, financial materials and supplies, Ritual trunk and paraphernalia and a consultant and support team with numerous volunteers and staff to help you achieve success. Our goal is to establish a strong partnership with the group and quality programs that promote leadership for life. If you are interested in establishing an Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter please contact Christy Adams, Membership Services Coordinator for more information.