Fraternities can provide a great opportunity to develop a community. There are many great fraternities; however, it is totally understandable to feel that neither is perfect for you. If you want to form your own fraternity, there are some steps you should take to make sure your initiative is successful.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Establish an Interest Group
Step 1. Choose the type of objective that your fraternity will defend
Most fraternities have a code of conduct or beliefs on which their existence is based. What do you believe in? Why are you going to create this organization? What are your main beliefs? These are essential questions you must answer if you want your fellow students and the administration to recognize your fraternity.
Loyalty, leadership, service, and high academic standards will appeal to your school administration. Sports are also often seen as very attractive
Step 2. Determine if you want to create your own fraternity or just start a branch
In the US, there are many national fraternities that may not be present at your school. If you are in the US and wish to establish a branch of a certain fraternity, you can visit the website of the national fraternity and follow the process indicated there. There are many different fraternities; however, the process is somewhat similar. They will assist you in raising funds and finding suitable members for the fraternity.
You can also count on an independent fraternity. There are few independent fraternities, since they do not have the funds that the national fraternities have. Alumni networks are essential to maintaining a fraternity
Step 3. Determine the type of people who might be interested in your fraternity
If you are starting a brand new fraternity, you will need to identify what makes it attractive. An independent fraternity could be distinguished by being more spontaneous and moving away from many of the much-used slogans of national fraternities. Try to give your unique touch to your fraternity.
- Maybe you want your fraternity to be related to athletic activities, theater, or a different activity.
- Try to choose something that interests you and that interests many other people as well. For example, you could create a fraternity that has a keen interest in community service or one that wants to be known for hosting lots of fun social events.
- For example, many fraternities have their own songs. However, Omega Xi (a popular fraternity from Nevada, USA) became known for choosing the song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”.
Step 4. Start getting people interested
Build interest through word of mouth and social media posts. Post flyers throughout campus and promote your fraternity constantly. To go to the administration and request that your fraternity be recognized, you will need to have a large number of people who are already interested in joining it.
The administration will likely try to convince you not to create a fraternity, as they consider it inappropriate to support failed projects
Method 2 of 4: Set the Basics
Step 1. Choose a name for your fraternity
Fraternities make up the Greek system; therefore, you must choose 2 or 3 letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters should represent the values you want your fraternity to embody. You must choose a name that they have not chosen. You can determine if the name is available through a quick search on the Internet.
You could also design and choose a royal emblem, symbols, and mascots
Step 2. Pick a mantra
Most fraternities have a good Latin phrase that matches their belief system. Your motto does not have to be in Latin, but it is the norm.
Step 3. Establish your organizational structure
All fraternities have a hierarchy. For example, there will be a president, vice president, treasurer, etc. Determine how you would like the fraternity to be organized. Some schools may have specific requirements for student organizations; therefore, it would be a good idea to consult with a Greek life coordinator or the Student Life director, if you are in the US.
Step 4. Create your constitution and write the policies of your fraternity
These should cover topics such as academic achievement, personal conduct, and public relations. You should create a section that allows your siblings to sign the document. This will force people to follow policies and will allow you to kick anyone who causes trouble out of the fraternity.
You must include all members in editing and modifying your constitution, which will be essential to establishing a good organization
Step 5. Determine if you want a central location
Many fraternities are popular for their homes. These houses serve as meeting places for the brothers of the fraternity, and are also great places to organize parties and other social events. A home or some other central location is essential to the long-term well-being of a fraternity. If you don't have a home for your fraternity, you will have a hard time getting your fraternity to differentiate itself from a club.
Method 3 of 4: Join Your Fraternity
Step 1. Understand what the requirements are
If you are in the US, contact the Greek Life office on your campus. When you have a notion of a fraternity and a decent speech, you will need to go to your school's Greek Life office and inform them of your plans to create a fraternity. Ask them what they want you to accomplish so that they will recognize your fraternity. They will likely refuse at first, so you'll need to come to them with a pretty solid speech and plan. Do not improvise, you must be quite prepared.
Provide details on the name, values, and organization, as well as a list of all the people you've met who are interested in your fraternity. Management will be much more receptive to your idea if it is clear that you are fully informed about it
Step 2. Create a solid speech
Present your fraternity safely. Show everyone what the void you will fill in campus culture. Prove to them that you will be a positive influence. Don't try to create a fraternity that is identical to the others, which will make it look redundant. However, you shouldn't look so strange that no one wants to join your group, either.
- Your speech should address all the aspects that you have organized so far, such as the structure, constitution, name, mantra, royal emblem, and location. However, you should also explain how the fraternity will thrive and fit into everyday campus life. What will you contribute and that no one else can contribute? Why will you be successful?
- Make a plan that begins with the basics and then moves on to the details. For example, you could offer a fraternity that focuses on political activism. You will not only have to explain the idea from which the fraternity has been generated, but also the way in which you will organize the events focused on political activism and how this coincides with the mission of the university.
Step 3. Join a national fraternity
If you want to join a national university, you will have to contact that fraternity and tell them that you want to open a branch at your school. Let them know that you have formed an interest group and ask them what are the next steps to take. They can guide you through the process.
Step 4. Convince your university to recognize your fraternity
After you have adopted the measures indicated by the Greek Life office, you can request that your fraternity be recognized. This will allow you to host campus events, advertise on campus, and participate in school-sponsored events. If you want your fraternity to be legitimate, it is necessary for the university to recognize it. Keep in mind that the chances of management approving your fraternity will be higher if you prepare as well as possible and can show them more details.
Method 4 of 4: Implement a Convocation for Fellowship
Step 1. Create a program to summon potential new members
You must not admit anyone who comes to your fraternity. It is essential that you have written and defined criteria. Don't select members just because they look cool. You must have a defined set of criteria, such as grade point average, community service, and whatever other qualities you look for in members. You should never discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other trait of people.
Step 2. Develop a process for prospective members
These processes often get a bad rap because of initiations. This is not always necessary. A proper process for prospective members should determine if they are suitable for your fraternity. Use this process to inform them about your group's values.
A proper process for prospective members should allow members of your fraternity to know your oaths and vice versa. This will allow both of you to evaluate whether the union will be adequate. You should organize many events with potential members that match your fraternity values so they can see what life is like in the fraternity. For example, if your fraternity focuses on political activism, you could ask prospective members to organize and hold a protest or event that informs people about a particular issue that your fraternity considers important
Step 3. Allow prospective members to join the fraternity
Initiate these members with personalized rituals that express the values of your fraternity. Initiation rituals are great ways to develop friendship and make your fraternity legitimate.
Step 4. Host an event for the alumni
If you are starting a new fraternity, you are likely to have financial difficulties, particularly since you will only have young alumni for a long time. Creating an annual event for alumni is a great way to keep in touch with them. Hopefully, you can convince them to give some donations!
Some great alumni events include roast pork or sports games
Advice
- It may be very difficult for you to create a fraternity on your own, as you will only receive help if you are opening a branch of an existing fraternity. If you are going to create yours from scratch, you will have very few resources.
- If you are opening a branch of an existing fraternity, you should speak with a representative before the start of the semester.