Yes, you should respect the older members in your organization and be humble. You can learn alot from older members.

On the flip side, there membership is not greater than yours. You have the same rights and priviliges (sp) as they do.

In my experience, deference is given based on your years as an XYZ, not you actual age. Cause when it comes down to BUSINESS, the members that have been in the organization longer are more wiser, know correct protocol, usually hold higher positions.... and should be given proper respect because of that.

I came in Spring 96--- most of my neos from 97 and 98 were my age or older, but I (and my sands) are entitled to a certain amount of respect just for making them......

If you all don't mind I would like to post a response that I gave in the AKA forum.

Although I was made after the MIP process was introduced, I was "prepared" by women in my family who pledged starting in 1963 until 1989. Something I was taught was humility, deference and discretion.

This does not mean that you are any less thatn a member of XYZ BUT it does mean a few things.
1. Regardless of grades and who much community service you have done. Even if you have done everything "right", they still have the right to reject you. This is something that all interest shoul know before they even think about going to a rush.
2. Deference means realizing that these people who came before you either helped you get it or have what you want and they are more experienced. I look at it like elders. You respect your elders because they are more wise when it comes to life. Likewise, I, even as a memberhave been taught to defer to anyone made before me(1997), not disrespected but to deferbecause they are generally more wise about AKA than I. If someone is putting a prospective or neo in his/her "place" it is not because they hate you but because there are certain ways that we as women/men should act. It is called protocal.
3. Maybe because I was "trained" by a different generation, but, I would have never dreamed of asking some of the questions and saying some of the things that some interests have said to members. It is as if the concept of deference as we in BGLO's know it has been distorted into attitude by interests. Now peopel think "XYZ or no XYZ, I'm not letting her/him talk to me like that". Usually, because they don't understand, they fail to realize that it is not about being nasty, it is often about helping you prepare for something that you will never understand until you get there.
I personally can not understand this new mentality. No, a woman should never be disrespected but since when did humility and deference become equal to disrespect. These lessons I have learned before and after I made line have helped guide me through life.
So while we should be nice to interest and respectful of neophytes, I still believe that all organizations and their mysticism should be sought and not just given. There does come a time when some of these "questions" should lead back to good ol'common sense. IF people applied their greek experience to real life , I think, that many questions would not be asked and perspectives would know the answers that they would receive.