LXA did away with what we called Cresent Sisters a back not sure when.

It usuall was members of Soroities or even indepents who helped with different events as hostesses or what ever was needed.

It was decided for Risk Magement and Women want to join as I understand it.

Sweet Hearts is a designation usually given at Home Coming to Ride on the Float and is someone dating a Brother. Some times not.!:(

Last one wqs a Soroity not lady and was a skank when it came to having a few toddys. Unbeleiveabley bad in Her decorum:mad:

I was embarresed along with The Brothers, thier Wives, and Her Sotority Sisters!:(

Oh, and her intensions were towards me!:eek: :o Oh, on a dance floor!:(

I don't recall sterotypes being a reason.

The main reasons to abolish little sister programs were:
* Potential to lose single sex status
* Increased liability

National sororities also pressured fraternities to get rid of them, because they provided competition to sororities.

Russ hit the nail on the head there. Having Little Sister or Big Brother subgroups jeopardizes the single sex status of the organization and is a potential liability risk....

For those who wonder what they were and why they existed, I can tell you what I experienced. I was a Phi Kappa Psi Sweetheart of the Shield in the early 80s. We would help the guys with rush parties, help set up and clean the house for open parties and get in free for the parties (frat parties were different then... no guest lists but you did pay $1-$5 to get in) We also would support the guys during campus events. Yes, I did it while being in a sorority. I would guess that about 50% of the fraternity little sisters on my campus were also in sororites and those who weren't were rushed constantly so it was their choice not to join a group... not that they weren't ladies. The Sig Ep's little sis group was as large as most of the sororities on campus and as well organized. They DID participate in campus events competing with sororities. I suppose you could call it a '50s concept and the fact that it disappeared doesn't bother me. Even though I was one, I do think it was competition for the other sororities.

Tell us how you really feel! LOL

We had Lambda Chi Crescents and TKE Little Sisters on my campus in the mid 80's. I agree that they were banned when there were challenges to the single sex organizations.

On my campus, those two groups supported the fraternities. They cooked for them for special banquets (like after Initiation). They were their cheerleaders during Greek Week, they cleaned their house before and after parties, etc. They had private parties with the guys. They wanted to participate in Greek Week as their own team but the College Panhellenic never let them. Our Lambda Chi Crescents decided to form a local sorority and eventually contacted AST and as an interest group, re-colonized their Alpha Chapter. I'm not sure if, by the time they became AST, any of the original Crescents were still around because they were a local for a while before changing to AST.

I think the TKE little sisters just kind of disappeared. I don't remember them being around, but I was engaged to a Lambda Chi so I knew more of the women who were Crescents.

Dee

the way we def. it on my campus is

Sweetheart: when a frat's philanthropy comes up, each sorority sends a sister up for a "sweetheart interview" and the frat pics out of the girls who interview, its bascially a female representative of that frat to promote their frat on campus and to promote RUSH ___ whatever frat is it..

Lil Sis: a lil sis to a frat guy is just like a lil sis/big sis thing they are sorority girls its just like another mentor in your life that can help guide you though greek life, they are of a older pledge class than you and just a male guide for you, my big bro has become one of my good friends! they are usally appointed by your big sis and usally a friend of hers.

I'm inclined to agree with Jubilance. I'm not about to go picking up after boys. In fact, one of the things that first impressed me about my favorite fraternity on my campus is that they clean up after themselves. It's quite something to walk into a house full of guys and see them vacuuming, dusting, etc. Sweetheart/Little Sis groups used to exist here, and from what I'm told, cleaning wasn't the only sort of "service" they provided.

My feeling is that a sorority is a place for a woman to establish herself as a strong individual, independent of men. Why a group of women would want to attach themselves to men to service them in whatever way is beyond me.

I think that most of these girls used is as a stepping stone or wanted to be in a sisterhood without going Greek. I even know some girls who became Sweethearts after they went Greek. I don't think its a bad thing, but I know everyone has a different opinion about it. I respect all orgs. I know some Kappa Sweets and they believe in their org and they are not hoes or anything but they see themselves as brothers of the Kappas. They have their own functions too. It just depends.

Just for clarification some orgs are:
Alphas- Alpha Angels, Ladies of Black and Gold, Ladies of the Yellow Rose, LBGs, Alpha Sweethearts
Kappas- Kappa Sweethearts, Krimison Kourt Inc., Kappa Kittens, Kappa Diamonds,
Sigmas-Sigma Doves, Sigma Souls
Ques- Omega Pearls, Que Pearls, Ladies of Essence, Ladies of Purple and Gold
Iota- Iota Sweethearts(these Sweets are national recognized)

Besides the Iota Sweets, the others are banned by their nationals but they still run with their respective orgs.

But, I have also heard that they get hated on by some divine nie sororities because of it but it could be a rumor.:rolleyes:

It really seems like sweetheart orgs are fun and temporary social clubs. From what I've seen, though, it gets old. UNLESS, the org is really independent of the father/mother organization.

That's not a rumor,lol.

Perhaps stereotypes wasn't quite the right word. Perceived sexism?

In Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the policy prohibiting little sister orgs is included in our risk management policies, and it outlines the reasons that little sisters orgs are prohibited. Along with risk management/liability, endangerment of single-sex status and the potential (and reality) of adversely affecting relationships with sororities, these reasons are given:

-- "Women's organizations and female faculty members often consider these auxiliary groups to be demeaning and sexist because the women involved in such groups are faced with the responsibilities of membership without the reward of full membership status in the fraternity."

-- "Many individuals outside the Fraternity world view these organizations as formalized dating services. They are critical also because the women's focus in such groups is totally on the men rather than on their own personal development."

So perhaps it wasn't as much an issue in other fraternities, but in Sinfonia at least, there was some concern that little sister orgs promoted a sexist, "dating service" or "waiting on the men" image that the Fraternity would prefer to avoid.

Sorry to be an ignoramous, but why would you hate on them? Just curious how their affiliation with the fraternity affects you.

We didn't have formal orgs at my school, but each Fraternity had women that they called lil sises / Rush Hostesses. Basically the groups were made up of women (sorority or not) that were good friends with the guys and were asked to help represent the Fraternity. They were not asked to do any "personal" favors for the guys - whether that be cleaning up or sexual. These women most often just went to the rush events and mingled. I don't think anyone viewed these orgs as demeaning - most viewed it as an honor to be asked, and everyone knew that the groups were unofficaial. They also weren't viewed as independent social groups or wanna be GLOs.

Along the same lines the sororities had "coaches" that were elected and would help out with intermural sports and come to parties and stuff. Again nothing formal, just something to honor the guys that were there for us.

I'm a sweetheart, and I have never slept with a brother, or even done ANYTHING sexually with them. I am their sweetheart because I support them wholeheartedly and love them. I understand sweetheart status varies campus to campus. So I don't think they should all be classified together.

no comment.


:D

There is a big difference between being a Sweetheart (i.e. Pike Sweetheartor princess or whatever) this is usually one girl that is very close the fraternity(girlfriend of a brother) and a sweetheart org.. A sweetheart org. is a group of girls that are connected to the fraternity - they consider themselves sisters to the brothers and share some ritual(I'm not sure of this). The thread I believe was originally talking about sweetheart orgs.

Exactly. Our chapters may have sweethearts, but there can be only one chapter sweetheart at a time. What is prohibited is an organized group of sweethearts or little sisters.

I believe there are legal reasons for the elimination for the auxilary groups. Can anybody remind me what they are?

Basically,

(1) such a group can be considered an arm of the chapter, so that a fraternity's liability could extend not only the acts or negligence of a chapter itself but also to the acts or negligence of the auxilliary group;

and

(2) the functioning of a fraternity chapter and an auxilliary group as a common unit at social and other events could jeopardize a fraternity's single-sex status.

MysticCat, that is exactly true! This all arose about the same time that Risk Management became a domonite issue!

Whether you called the ladies who assisted ,Sweethearts or as we called them Cresent Girls makes no difference. They were there not to clean, do sexual favors or anything else, they were there to make help make a Nice Presentation and put some class to any function.:D

Guys can dress up, but some of the social functoins of a young man leave a lot to be desired!:)

What is the issue between the Sweets and Divine Nine Sororities? I have a friend who is a Delta and she seemed upset at the whole thing. If those frats arent your brothers what's the problem?

(This is a million years after this discussion started but everybody else said their point and I have too, LoL)

Titles make a big difference in this discussion.
The "sweetheart" process is an interview process in which you sift through the girls that are interested or have been brought to the table to find who should take the next step into the Angel (or Diamond, or Pearl, or Dove) process.
Im an Alpha Angel. If you look up the definition of an auxiliary, it basically states that an auxliary is subsidiary to a bigger organization. Although I was asked by my boyfriend at the time to become an Angel and we were no longer together by the time he crossed, me and my LS's helped all the boys equally while they were going through their "in-take process" and anyone who went through a true "in-take process" knows that there's certain times when you just need help, support, and comfort, and when your LB or LS is going through the same thing as you are, they cant always give that support. And we continue to be a support system to them because we have that bond amongst each other which is why I consider them my brothers, and they consider me their sisters.
It has nothing to do with tagging along with them around the yard, or doing anything sexual because we are LADIES FIRST. Alpha Angels INC. is an organization on its own and although and YES we are INCORPORATED so we dont need Alphas to exist, we are sisters on our own and participate in many community service activites that have no affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha. They are just the men who gave me a peek into what it means to have unity and helped me decide whether I want to take that step into becoming Greek or not.

And sororites do hate on us. Being an Angel, AKAs especially hate on us because although they are non-officially considered the sister organization to the Alphas, we were there during their process, and we have a tighter bond. My aunt became an Angel in the 70s and she told me even then that there was tension between auxilaries and sororities because of the bond between auxilaries and the fraternities. And sororities felt that auxilaries created a competition for membership so... they hate. I respect members of sororities (the ones who went through a real "in-take" process) and the ones who know me personally and know what I represent respect me also.

K I'm done guys, LoL.

Um. No.

I couldn't decide between :eek: or :rolleyes: for this part. I'm off to flip a coin . . .

Alphas don't need any help.

Thanks.

:wassat:

You resurrected a thread from 2004 to say this? You are so out of order and you're just making yourself and your group look bad. No NPHC sorority sees you (or any other auxillary) as competition. Are you kidding me??!!! Don't come on gc with this mess; the gc regulars will have you for lunch. This is the reason that the D9 banned these groups in 1990...no humility. If you are now an incorporated group that functions on their own, then do what you do and leave the rest of us out of it.

Hmm... What's a REAL in-take process??

And did you go through one?

I hope you didn't get hazed just to be known as a fraternity groupie. lol

This brings up a question I've always had about little sister or "sweetheart" organizations. Did the members of the group go through initiation of some sort? I've heard references to membership selection, pledging, etc., with these groups. So at some point do the little sisters go through an initiation or crossing over ceremony? Even if it's not the same as the fraternity's?

If you do go through initiation and learn some of the fraternity secrets then :eek:. But at the same time it would suck to be a member of such an org and get nothing out of it in terms of ceremony/ritual.

The NPHC no longer has these groups although some fraternity chapters are still risking their chapters by engaging in this illegal mess. Initially the sweets did not endure a pledge process and were the friends and girlfriends of members but as time went on, things got more and more out of hand which is why they were banned in 1990 by the NPHC. Today if a chapter has them illegally then yes they are probably also pledging them illegally. Why anyone would want to pledge (and be hazed) to get into an auxillary is beyond me. As far as being privy to fraternity rituals and secrets, they are not but who knows what they have discovered by being around fraternity members as much as they are. Over the years, I'm sure they have created their own rituals and initiation process. Either way they are not supposed to exist today; however, some have established themselves as separate groups that "supposedly" do not function under the fraternities.

babygirl, it's alright. don't let these folks hem you up like this.....

just check out this site....

www.pledgepark.com

it's aux friendly. in fact, there's all kinds of aux's on there who talk about aux type things.....

Im glad to say that Iota Sweethearts are still around after 43 years.....Still till this day have kept up with the tradition by which we were founded on but still are holding up with our fraternitys motto of building a tradition. However we DO function under the fraternity we're not allowed to exist as our own organization...because we're not a sorority. We're the sisters of Iota yes, and we do a lot of service WITH the brothers and we DO programs but I mean what educated black women do you know that dont participate in or throw workshops, etc etc?? I think its a good stepping stone because if I DO decide to join a sorority I know what its like to not only do service but to do one related to a greek organization. But yeah I agree, why females want to pledge to join an auxiliary and get hazed is beyond me :mad:

LOL. Sweetheart, I could not care less about what you fathom about my Sorority. And the gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. do their own community service programs. I am just happy to see Black men doing positive thangs, period.

I still am clueless as to your allegiances, though... What are you "pledging" to? What ritual do you uphold? What hymns do you sing?

And sororites do hate on us. Being an Angel, AKAs especially hate on us because although they are non-officially considered the sister organization to the Alphas, we were there during their process, and we have a tighter bond...And sororities felt that auxilaries created a competition for membership so... they hate.

HMM...I wouldnt really say that sororities feel auxis create membership contribution. Because of what they see and what they heard a lot of women are like "why pledge an auxiliary when I can pledge a sorority and have greater status". I viewed it as personally, you mean to tell me I can be affiliated with an organization and have the brothers of that organization that Im joining look at me with a greater light than they do other greek organizations? I can do service and aid my community (which is my first love and priority FOR LESS THAN HALF THE MONEY?? IM DOWN!! LOL Its a good way to test the waters! Can you see yourself in a lifelong comittment with a sorority doing service for the rest of your life!!

Imma keep it real and I hope no one is offended...it seems that auxis look at sororities as "they are hatin on sweethearts" but really nowadays depending on what auxiliary your apart of it seems to be pointless in MY opinion. Krimson Kourts are an incorporated service organization and Ive seen them do programs and stuff and Im impressed. Iota Sweets, are apart of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. BUT THEN from my impression SOME SOME SOME (not all) sororities walk around with this attitude of superiority as if anyone cares. I never was really all about greek life because I grew up in it...my mother, father, older sister, grandparents, etc etc.... so Im not really impressed. Sororities kind of look @ auxis like "if you arent upgraded to our standards you dont exist" when really again, nobody really cares haha. (again, just my experiences)

I just wish everyone wouldnt look @ each others status...and judge by the service they do in the community

umm.....

Between this and your previous post, I'm at a COMPLETE loss for what point it is that you're trying to get across in this thread. Even aside from the lack of quotes in the beginning.

As far as sororities are concerned, we are superior and many sweethearts do care. ;) This is why sweethearts have seen sweetheartdom as a stepping stone and many disassociate when they finally become a sorority member.

To be fair, there are sorority members who feel threatened by the existence of auxilliaries. But it isn't on a membership competition basis but rather about competing over male attention. Then they realize that most of these men will pay attention to a drag queen with an ass pad. No need to get butt hurt if a sweetheart is kicking it with fraternities. If the frats (not Iota) are dumb enough to still claim and "make" auxilliaries that's on them. We can all respect each other as long as no one acts wild with it.

That sounds well and good but many campuses don't have auxilliaries or the auxilliaries that they have don't do anything but roll their necks saying "nah nah nah boo boo...we got the frat" and copy sororities. At the post-undergraduate level, auxilliaries are relatively invisible.

EXACTLY. It's at the alumnae level that you really start running your org and being about the business of your org. I can't even remember the last time anyone in my grad chapter even spoke about auxillaries. We are too busy handling business. And to "brownsugardivah" yes, we do pay more dues, because it takes money to run your OWN organization. Nothing compares to having your own so if you are fine assisting the Iotas, then more power to you but I like running things. You look at undergrads and think that's all there is but you have no idea obviously just how big this thing is and how much you can grow, be empowered, and develop as a leader beyond undergrad membership. You obviously have no idea because if you did you would never compare an auxillary to a sorority and you would never think that the fraternities (including the Iotas) see you and your group as their equals in Greekdom. Maybe one day you'll get the opportunity to become a sorority member so you can run your OWN organization and I'm sure your ideas will change.

Well as I stated those are the views that people have. I am a sweetheart in a graduate level so I really dont get into what sororities have to say about auxiliaries. Im not in their organization so their validation means nothing to me. If certain members of orgs want to walk around with superior attitudes but arent doing any work in their organization or community. Im not here to judge nobody what they do or dont do is their business. But keep that stuff away from me...dont come to me like your better than me because they have 2 more letters than me but arent doing anything to uphold them...doing more damage than anything. So they dont say nothing to me I say nothing to them... and yes I dont mind helping organizations in my community succeed. But Ive been doing this before Iota... so until I join a 3 letter org I just observe. Dont really like what I have been observing where I am....so I continue to stay assisting the Iotas and paving my OWN way as a sweetheart. Because we do our own things too its not just about smiling and helping Iotas get the glory.