Local Fraternity Merging with a National Fraternity

local fraternity

This question was submitted by one of our readers. If you have a question you want me to answer go here to submit it: Fraternity Advice.

Question:

My local fraternity has recently merged with a national Fraternity, Alpha Phi Delta. Now, as a new alumnus, I am on board with the change as well as 60 other alumni from our 15 years of existence. After this weekend we are becoming a Colony of theirs and there will be a waiting period of about a year before we became a chapter.

My question is…they told us there was no way to maintain our old letters to represent our chapter. We would have to go in their alphabetical order.

Has it been unheard of for a Colony to try and get an amendment passed to change the national constitution? I would like to try and give an argument and present our case in front of a board. We would like to represent our chapter with our former fraternity letters.

Answer:

First off, congratulations on joining a national fraternity.  A national fraternity has the resources and support structure in place to ensure your fraternity will prosper for years to come.  I think that was a wise decision.

Regarding keeping your letters, you are unfortunately at the mercy of your new fraternity.  That being said, I don’t really see anything wrong with trying to keep your old letters as your chapter designation.  That is an important part of your chapters past.  It should be honored and remembered.

My suggestion is to get on the agenda with the fraternity’s governing board.  Plead your case with them.  Let them know why you would like the exception to their rule.  Let them know this is in no way trying to hold onto their old name.  It is just a way of remembering the chapter’s past.

I think reasonable men will agree and let you keep the letters as a chapter designation.  However, I still think you are coming out way ahead in the long run if they don’t.

This question was submitted by one of our readers. If you have a question you want me to answer go here to submit it: Fraternity Advice.

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