That depends on who/what I encounter. I even have to remind myself not to be patronizing when I'm talking to people who are "elite" sometimes. Dumb is everywhere. :D

We're talking about whatever "community" interests me and will make the most use of the services. ;)

true story

I am a neo and Alpha Kappa Alpha is enough for me. Doing sorority work, in addition to my job, my other service activities, and so forth, is more than enough to fill my time--and I don't even have a family yet.

Not to mention that, more than anything else, I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha for the sisterhood. As I have said elsewhere, I served my community before I became a soror, and I would have continued to serve my community even if I never become a soror. So it was not that I was looking for a way to serve in joining Alpha Kappa Alpha; it is that my sorority offers me more avenues to be of service as a perk of the sisterhood.

I can say that right now that I have no plans to pursue membership in any of the other organizations mentioned. I am not much of a joiner anyway, and as others have said, I enjoy my down time.

Long
 

Yes, Soror Conskeeted, even if there was a mandatory service requirement, folks will weasel their way out of it. All I am saying is if sorors do not want to do it upon joining our Sorority whose motto is "By merit and culture to be of service to ALL mankind", then refrain from submitting your name into the applicant pool. Moreover, if you just cannot serve, because your a neurosurgeon, an astronaut or part of the CIA, Secret Service, Homeland Security, special forces Black ops mission specialist, then, hey, PAY to the Educational Advancement Foundation whatever hours you are unable to serve.

Hayle, if you have served consistently for 25 years and have the requirements for Life Membership, I would even give you a break.

But if you just joined and dropped out after 3 years because you say "it is not for you", then the concept of "living your day after your locks are grey" says to me, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was NEVER in your heart. And I doubt any other NPHC sorority for that matter can fulfill your needs. And you will always be in that first circle of Hell in Dante's Inferno as a T-shirt wearer.

Because, I know sorors who have zero time that make it on time to adjudicate Sorority Meetings as presidents. And I know sorors who actually do a triple bypass surgery with the anesthesiology for the patient, and still show up for the walks. Then I actually do know Rocket Scientist Sorors, that drive over 100 miles to attend a grad chapter meeting, with 4 babies. And I hear NARY a peep from them. They just serve.

Hayle, I know a sorors right now who moderates this board and lost EVERYTHING over some craziness, but STILL shows up for her beloved Sorority with a smile...

This is what it takes to do "things that are worthwhile"... And outright full hazing with pledging is not going to do it. Our current MIP is not yet there. But if the major universities are starting to require a minimum 300 hours of community service to graduate, then how come we cannot incorporate those rules?

If you commit a low level felony, you still get some level of community service...

And from my viewpoint of the cities, we NEED people to serve... And from my chapter, some sorors who need to be out there serving--either walking a walk give too much talk about what Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is not... They show up to all the hoity-toity stuff or they come outta the wood works for MIP, but when we need to feed the homeless, or when we need to see the sick and infirmed--that's another story.

We can either make them do it or make them pay for it. Especially, if they are under 25 years...

We can say we join for sisterhood, and that's cool. But, realistically, it is the service to ALL mankind which is what we are about. One of the largest perks is Sisterhood. Can you serve without AKA--or another sorority? Certainly! People do it with their church all the time. But IMHO, "pushing the clods of dirt aside..." with your sorors makes the heart-wrenching work more meaningful to me, rather than arguing with people about what the communion drink should actually be--grape/cranberry juice vs. red wine.

When we work together to fulfill the true vision of our Founders, we solidify our bonds of sister to brighten our lights and heighten our flames. When we serve our character is strengthened and we become closer to envisioning His true meaning for our lives. An isolated soror cannot get that feeling if she is hurt, alienated, or choses to only where T-shirts for the accolades. An isolated soror must be reclaimed!

Let's be honest: Haft the crap that is said to me on GC affects me somewhat. But it has no comparision of the fury inflicted on my by own "co-initiates" (linesisters) and current chapter sorors. I get told all kind of craziness by these women. And I am one of the few that has a buffer zone with soror-family members. And sometimes, my sister and brother greeks come into the fold when craziness happens. Oh, I have vented. But that is a part of family. At the same time, we have decorum, and if it is not about the best interests of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. then it is not right. Let's avoid making this a history lesson. As members, we have to be realistic about our expectations of people. My experience as a professor, has taught me, that I just can randomly organize a quiz without giving all students a fair chance. The same must be done with our sorors. What is the minimum basic requirement for ALL sorors?

That is why we are to KNOW our documents.

The public sees us an exacts judgment by our actions. So, if we say we are about service, then shut up and start walking...

Soror AKA_Monet, I have been feeling all of your posts in this thread. This part especially.

Skee-Wee Soror!

I do think that community service helps to solidify the bonds that we share as a sisterhood. It should be something that members want to do simply to better themselves and represent the programs of their beloved sorority. Realistically, there are sorors who do not participate much (or at all), for whatever reason.

If community service is added to the membership requirements, people will just find a way to get enough done to submit the application. People have been doing that for years.

I don't just want to be the dissenter here, I just think that with the variety of reasons that people join it is difficult to mandate what they are going to make of their membership.

AKA_Monet is making too much sense for a Tuesday afternoon

Pretty much... :D

Even though you are not speaking/referencing me......I am still one of the above mentioned sorors...but I make it do it what it do b/c I have this organization in my heart and it means so much to me. Plus, serving the community always heals the heart, no matter what you are going through. :o

From what I understand (Soror BlackSocialite, please correct me), a few of these orgs, including the Girl Friends, are more social-oriented.

Soror,

You are right. We all know what people will do. Alpha Kappa Alpha still has rules, standards and ethics. Every member goes through the same vows upon initiation. We all sign our names and state our names to what we will uphold. Moreover, we pledge our hearts to the teachings of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Yes, you are right, sorors will finagle their way out of doing what they promised themselves to do. Don't you now think that after 100 years, we need to hold each member to loyalty?

And if all they can manage to do is the bare minimum, that is sufficient enough for me. At least they serve or they pay. But at least each chapter is stabilized in its programming because Every Soror Participates...

Some members can view us as a "volunteer organization". But I find that a lame excuse to not be of service to all mankind. And it gives fodder to those people that hate what we stand for...

And one's minimum service requirement continues upon membership until one becomes Silver and Goldens/Diamonds are exempt. Attendance to Sorority Meetings does not count toward service to the community. Moreover, the Directorate has these passports for attendance to Clusters/Regional Conferences/Boules/Leadership.

I think it should be 1000 hours for 25 years, pro-rated, grandfathered. Now, if that is not easy, I don't know what is...

This statement resonates with me. How many times do we invite alumnae prospects, because they have the above credentials knowing full well they will not have the time to attend chapter meetings or service activities? But we want to say that they are a member. So yeah pay the org's charitable foundation the hours you cannot personally contribute. This could also be applied to honorary members. Sounds like a plan.

Wait, so when I get famous will I have to pay MY hourly rate to the Education Foundation? Shooooot, it's cheaper to just go to chapter meeting. :D

Yep, they are. They may have a scholarship fundraiser, but basically they are strictly social clubs. And for the guys you have orgs like the Monitors.

Wait!!! How many times we invite these interests and we know they do not have time, but we would NEVER choose an interest that may not have all the accomplishments or accolades, but are willing to make a difference in the projects we serve?

Like I tell my chapter sorors, I am not voting on someone I have not seen attend any--preferably ALL--our functions... It is unfair to me.



You don't get credit for attending chapter meetings. You have to attend functions or pay...

That's not quite how it would work in my chapter, but I understand you.

Yeah, but if you all had chapter meetings on a Friday, like your Brother--my Dad, it justifies why the fellas are out at night... ;)

Hey there Soror,

The Girl Friends is social primarily I believe. The Links combine friendship and service with a requirement for service to remain an active member. Jack and Jill is social and service as well.

Chums and Moles are social but some chapters do provide scholarships to teens for college. The Girlfriends is also a social organization primarily.

Black folks love exclusive member organizations - so much so that there is an old saying 'If there are three Black people in the room together, two of them will form an organization to keep the other one out.'

maybe it's the foreigner (sp?) in me, but when y'all say social... you mean like parties, get togethers, and dinners, etc?

With regard to GLOs, "social" has traditionally meant that the GLO exists primarily for social reasons in the broadest sense ("pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations; seeking or enjoying the companionship of others") rather than professional or service reasons.

Yes, pretty much. There are organizations where people just get together for social fellowship only.

Now, why you have to form an organization to do that....I'm not sure.

That's what I am saying... It is tough to be a perpetual body without some level of shared values or beliefs. My boss hangs out with some "communists" over beer and they jabber on about how bad the Bush Admin is doing every other Tuesday, or so... It's called "Drinking Liberally". But, there are no motions on the floor, no one takes minutes, and folks pay for their drinks. There is a lot of talk and no action. And it sounds cool just to hang out and talk about the world's problems.

But when it comes to a Sororities and the actions we leverage in our respective communities, the sociality happens while we work for effective change. Or after a project is completed... I have friends all over, I will always love my sorors, and while working for the chapter, there is a beginning, a middle and an end. Then we can partay.

I'm a mom, wife, sister, daughter, bestfriend, teacher, doctor, lawyer, judge, (and the jury), chef, butler, maid, and the dang police.

I'm also an AKA with a full time job, and in school part-time. I am a member of several school related orgs. and extra curricular activities at the school I teach.

And you ask me is my organization enough???

Knowledge
 

Soror AKA_Monet

You have spit knowledge throughout this entire thread! But this^^^^^^ just sums it up for me. I am a neo with a lot to learn from those "older" in my org and others. I found myself copying and pasting the link to this thread and sending it on to my fellow "co-initiates." Kudos!


To address the topic: I hold a "road to leadership" position within Junior League. Along with your positon you also have a set amount of service/development hours and meetings to attend. AND with AKA: though I am only 3 months, old my chapter did NOT take a break over the summer b/c we are a small chapter planning a regional conference. I am an active participant on 4 regional planning committees, 2 chapter committees and as everyone knows the neos.. excuse me "new initiates" (if they are doing what they vowed to do) are involved with helping out for every single thing! And I love it! Wouldn't trade it for the world.

Is my sorority enough? It's more than enough. Junior League provides me with a specific training that has actually been useful with my sorority work. I can't see myself adding anything else to fold right now. I work full-time, freelance, write screenplays, and try to have a semblance of a social life.

This is probably the best way I've seen to answer that question I get all the time.
As for me my orgs are more than enough, but if I see another opportunity to join with people who support my life's mission then I may consider adding another. It's all about balance though, if I can't devote actually time to the organization I won't take up space on the membership roster

Bumping this because somebody brought it to my attention early this morning. I believe my views on this topic have evolved.

Since this thread, I have joined a professional fraternity and have become very active in it. I am also not averse to joining any other social clubs/organizations. I know which I would consider and which I would not.

I also advanced about as far as I could in APO and in Alpha (ran for national office for one, received a national committee chair for the other) and then when GXP came along, I realized I was really, really into smaller, more intimate organizations.

Anyway, let's keep the party going.

SGRho is enough fraternal org for me. I'm thinking about getting back into Girl Scouts to offer my camera skills. I do volunteer with my local Sickle Cell community. Considering where I am in life, I'm going to join my career trade organizations, about 5 of them. Yes, it's enough for me.

This is an old post thread, but I'm new here...

I think comparing NPHC organization with other organizations is comparing apples with oranges, particularly when comparing a sorority with Jack and Jill which is, at it's core, a leadership development program for our children. A sorority is NOT Jack and Jill, but Jack and Jill is most certainly NOT a sorority. Someday I will tenure out of Jack and Jill, but when I die, I'll go to Omega Omega chapter. I'll be a Delta beyond the grave...

The Links, Incorporated emphasizes 'friendship', and uses the term 'friendship' in lieu of 'sisterhood', but would be closer in its' mission to a public service focused sorority than would Jack and Jill. In fact there is a minimum requirements for service hours in order to remain in good standing, but again, some day we will all tenure out of The Links, if blessed to live so long...

I'm not a Girlfriend, but I have a Jack and Jill sister-mom who is, and she gives me the impression that the Girlfriends are a bit more social and relaxed with a much less intense public service arm...

And some of us are legacies of our NPHC organizations, but we are legacies of other organizations as well, and we have fond memories of our mothers enjoying all of their affiliations and grow up anticipating the same for ourselves...

Each organization is unique and can meet a need at a particular point in ones life, that another organization doesn't - or not - but for me the Sorority is set apart. It's not just an organization. It is NOT a club. It's a SISTERHOOD.

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