With all due respect to my good Kappa Frater, NUPE4 LIFE http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif, Iota Phi Theta does have a recognized Sweetheart Auxiliary - and it the fact that we continue to have them has nothing to do with being "Grandfathered in."


It's important to note that the NPHC does not and cannot legislate policy for any member organization. In some instances, the NPHC groups will make collaborative decisions in the interest of unity and the greater good but each of the nine groups retains its own governance and autonomy regarding its business and operational affairs. The NPHC is a collaborative organization - not an umbrella organization.


"Iota Sweethearts" are definitely recognized as a legitimate auxiliary to our Fraternity. This has its roots in the early days of the Fraternity. Before the present days of our being NPHC members, life on many campuses for Iota chapters was brutal. If not for our Hearts, we literally didn't have anyone who "had our backs." The Sweethearts have been there for us time after time after time.

We feel so strongly about our Sweethearts that we actually have a woman who holds the title "Eternal Sweetheart." Her name is Miss Audrey Brooks and she is in her late 80's (She will never tell us her exact age - when asked, she always tells us she is 99 years old! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif)

As background, Miss Brooks was an administrator at Morgan State University in the early 1960s and she did many "behind the scenes" things for Iota to protect us from those individuals in the power structure who were trying to do serious harm to the organization.

Miss Brooks actually attended our recent Conclave (Oakland, CA, August 1999) and participated in a workshop for Iota Wives and Sweethearts. She is revered by all Brothers and Sweethearts of Iota and has a special place in our history. (Her son was actually a member of the first pledge line of Iota Phi Theta in 1964!)

With that in mind, there is an important point that should be made here: Unlike Diamonds, Pearls, Angels, et al., Iota Sweethearts never "pledged." They were always there to help and support Brothers and Chapters of Iota Phi Theta. This was always a mainstay of the concept of Sweethearts ... men cannot and do not pledge women.

In the Sweetheart Workshop at Conclave, Miss Brooks made the statement, "The Purpose of Iota Sweethearts is to smile and be gracious on behalf of Iota. Anything else is inappropriate." I like that - I like it a lot. It goes to the heart of the matter and it sets the tone for our involvement with young women who choose to support us. Sweethearts are not Brothers, they are not members of a fraternal organization -- they are an auxiliary.


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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
3AH80

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

[This message has been edited by IotaNet (edited October 28, 2000).]

Iota, how dare you give up some info on your org?

Is not everything a secret?

Forgive him MN :=)

Very well said Iota.

Equeen- for more information on Zeta Phi Beta's auxilliaries. Check out our website- http://www.zpb1920.org . There is a good amount of info there http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

ZetaAce

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A FinerWoman since 1997...

Dewgirl:

I can't speak for the NPHC orgs, but 4 of the IFC fraternities on my campus had little sisters. When our campus outlawed them, these were the reasons:

1. They took away time from the brothers focusing on each other and the fraternity.
2. Their pledging practices were not able to be regulated by IFC or Panhel, as they were not part of either org.
3. Some of the sororities resented them...I for one did not, but I seemed to be in the minority on that opinion.

that's the skinny from my corner of the world..

equeen You can find out more about the Philos and Rhoers of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. through our national website www.sgr1922.org

For the most part (and I am speaking generally), the auxillary groups like sweethearts, angels, gents, yada yada....not only helped the sorority/fraternity with regards to putting on programs, fundraisers, and the like, but played a large part in assisting pledges during their process. And since pledging was outlawed in the early 90's, so were these groups.

and equeen, if you do a search on "philo club" or "rhoer club" you should be able to pull up various chapters of each.....hope that helps!

And for my divine niners...I was under the impression that the following were considered "Official Auxillaries" to our organizations: Sigma Beta Club (Phi Beta Sigma), AKAteens (AKA), Kappa League (KAPsi)... I thought these were the groups that the OG question was looking for, not sweetheart orgs?

Thank you, ZetaAce, HU1922, and prettypoodle6. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Always
Seek
Knowledge
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

Soror, What is the Kappa League? I have not heard of it.

I think that the Kappa Leaque is a youth initiative. One of my Kappa friends in Cali was telling me about it some months ago...maybe 7 months ago!

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Director #2
LMAC, Spr 99
Galveston Council of Greeks NPHC, President