it really isn't any of my business how other orgs conduct their interest groups or what the rules of their interest groups are..... but I'm curious what people think about an interest group that has their own hand sign, call, colors, etc? I feel these things, while they can bond the members, can also detract from the org they are interested in.

Since CULater is digging up old threads that I forgot existed, LOL:

This will definitely be based on the specific members in a chapter, as well as chapter and campus dynamics (for instance, small campuses and small chapters). We never had problems with friends coming to programs together. That could be 2 friends or 5 friends. It is silly to try to break friends up. If they are all qualified and wanted, then they are all qualified and wanted. If only one or none is/are qualified and wanted, you know the rest.

better than getting flamed for not using the search button :p

Search and read does not always equal post, though. :p

Although I'm non-greek, my mother was/is a sweetheart. Back when she was in school 70's-80's I believe certain fraternities had sweethearts and some referred to them as little sisters and such. However, there were some that were used for "other purposes". I'm not sure whether or not sweethearts are as big now as they were when my mom was in school, but I do know that they are frowned upon by some. They are commonly known as being auxillary groups and only "have" 2 letters. Many have their own calls, chants, etc. and I've seen old vids of actual lines and probates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GggwMk1d3V0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ub62uWZw60

yeah it is silly, but I know a chapter that purposely tried to split up twins.

From what I understand the only NPHC frat with nationally recognized sweethearts are the Iota.

The Kappas have Silhouettes (their wives) that is its on group. But their used to be sweethearts (friend and gfs) are not recognized. Many of those groups supposedly have incorporated on their own.

umm i'm new to the site but i was online "looking around" and have a question. You ladies seem to know your stuff.

SIDE NOTE: IF I EVER GET TOO SPECIFIC, FEEL FREE TO SAY "SORRY SISTAH GIRL, I CAN'T TELL YOU"

Suppose Patty Pledge wants to be a member of an org in the NPHC called "XYZ".. she is encouraged to go to ALL events correct? How would Patty per se make her "interest" known discreetly without walking up to a member of "XYZ" and saying "Hi, my name is Patty and i would be so thankful if you extend me an invitation etc" I mean is there a code word to show interest? lol I know that sounds silly but Patty may not know ANYONE and may be there by herself scared "ishless".

Also, how common is it for NPHC to have "intakes" over the spring and summer months to be revealed at a Fall probate?

For your last question, I have only seen that once, and that was this past year. It was a fraternity.

You can figure out the answer to both of those questions on your own.

I'd be more curious to know why an aspirant is asking that question. You're an aspirant. Why are you thinking about the probate? LOL

Yeah, it is interesting. But not uncommon to think about (among undergrads these days) because all the stuff in between is private, secret, or just plain unknowable.

Think about, yes.

But you answered the question. :)

I mean i've heard of it happening in my area but as far as how often is up in the air. The websites that I "haven't" looked at are VERY out dated like 4yrs..

Dr. Phil, I just knew somone was gonna say that ;)... oh dear..

Well i do have what i think is a MAJOR determining factor for my "non-interest" type issue, but like Dr. Phil said "i'm figuring it out on my own"

I'M JUST ON FRIGGN PINS AND NEEDLES!

in the mean time.. How likely is it for a 2nd semester junior/1st semester senior to be accepted for NPHC? Would it be frowned upon like "why, her she's just going to vamp out in a year anyway" type attitude?

OMG! i didn't mean it like that i swear! :eek: i was just asking about the likely hood for "intake" over late spring/summer for a fall line. Because i'm at the brink of Junior/Senior so.. if it is entirely unlikely wouldn't that cross me off the list because i'd graduate that spring?

I bet you that some of the aspirants on your campus have figured out or have been told the answers to some of these questions by the members on the campus.

Ask yourself why you have to ask us these things. You may not know for a reason.

Its not anything like that, I'm not on the same campus as them but on one of the surrounding ones. So my chances of running into ppl with answers aren't as likely as those ON the campus 24/7. That's why I have to ask.

You don't have to ask us. ;)

What do you think members of citywide and core chapters did before message boards became popular?

We can only provide vague answers because we don't know.

And leave the probate question in your mind. When you talk to the members, only tactfully ask them about their programs and then see if it is appropriate to ask if there may be a rush this semester.

If someone is attending ALL of the events, then her interest is known, ne c'est pas?

Thanks Dr. Phil... I am actually in the process of umm "hunting down" members so i know who they all are so if I am presented with an opportunity, I can DISCREETLY ask questions. I'll definately keep the other question in my head because at this point I feel like it's "you do it now or you make an attempt after graduation" and i thirst for undergrad..

i just think i have a different story & am in a different type situation than a lot of inquisitive ladies..

you guys are helping alot. believe me. :)

That's the idea I was leaning towards. Just to give you all a better understanding of where I'm coming from, I'll give a few deets about myself.

I'm across the country from my fam, entirely by my choice but never the less. I have to work full time to maintain a standard of living and I also attend school full time. Therefore, my time is stretched. That's why I asked about attending ALL events because I may not be able to do so. After high school I had every intention of attending "my choice" HBCU (thus not having to work so much) but my parents at the time couldn't afford it. I'm sure i could've thrown a tantrum but I've been through a great deal of things over the past 6 years so I put on my big girl britches and came to the realization maybe what I wanted wasn't for me.. Come to find out it was for my baby sister (love that girl dearly) and she is doing OUTSTANDING. Typically you'd think I would be super green but she's my sis & she's over there making all of us proudest people we could be right now. So I am content (but not entirely satisfied) that my post-high school plans didnt go as planned. So I'm here alone with ABSOLUTELY NO FAMILY & VERY few (& few is a stretch) friends (i do have my long time bf & his fam but you know "there's no one like your own mama or your own fam"). Before this, my family was EVERYTHING!

In a nutshell I have ALWAYS felt the urge to be a part of something bigger than myself helping people who otherwise wouldn't be helped & being a part of " a group in which i'm not seeking" OMG would just satisfy my spirit to the fullest because it's family, no matter what no one will ever understand you or be there for you or nurture you like family. I love my blood sisters to death & I just wouldn't know how to act if someday somebody told me I had thousands more! I just thirst for this in so many ways.. it's so hard to explain..

I could go into more detail but for the sake of all reading, I'll keep it right here ;)

I stopped here.

The long and the short of it is that you need to stop telling us and worry about the real life women who you need to talk to.

I personally don't care about your story because everyone has one. We can't help you either way beyond what we've told you. Good luck.

:rolleyes: precious lamb.. funny that you say that. I told myself the same thing a little bit ago.. however, i just felt like somebody in here (this thread) would understand because Patty Pledge wasn't born "Patty member of XYZ".. she had questions & at a point i'm sure was just looking for someone to say "i understand" because they too were at one point in her same shoes. but i also understand you all are literally unable to help outside the norm.

In any case, you guys have been a great help and I am extremely gracious that this website has so many people willing to help out those of us who "are not interested".

keep posting <3
:)

IDK? Sounds like you want our Sororities/Fraternities to compete for your "interest" and frankly, why? Either, you want to be a part of us or you don't. It's that simple.

The other issue is, your decision to join is yours alone. If extended an invitation to join, your questions about what its like will not be assuaged until you actually become a member. If you want to "pledge", then pledge yourself at the library and make all "A's" on all your next tests and classes... Seriously...

If that's what it sounds like, I may have been misunderstood... I thought the whole I idea was Patty Pledge competing for XYZ's interest not vice versa...

Yes, its my decision & based on my own merits "not the qualities or accomplishments of any other" (i read that on here a while back i forgot who posted that) and I was never intending to jump on anyone's back in the first place. And I have not posted any questions about what "im not interested in" is like after the intial business because if its meant for me to know, I'll know.. soo i am confused as to where one can confuse anything I've said or asked as me "asking" for anything other than the answers to a few basic questions..? Which have been answered already & have helped..

Don't take it as me being fresh or anything but i'd like to know so i can avoid it in the future.
<3
:)

First of all, I don't appreciate the term "Patty Pledge". That's me. It is offensive to me and it is dumb thing to say on public messageboards about NPHC BGLO's in general.

Second, I do not understand what you are saying. It is cryptic at best. To me that means you are trying to ask questions beyond what we are willing to give and indicates you have failed to do your required research and actions to want to get to know the members on your campus. Others have kindly told you that if you attend all the "functions", they actually do know who you are...

Here's a bit of advice: Hustle for this, because it will not be handed to you on a silver platter. From my vantage point, there are no basic questions...

Ok, that's understandable. I had no clue the phrase existed until a few days ago. I wasn't aware that it was offensive because I have seen it so many times on this site and I'm definitely not the offensive type... But the note has been taken, and the term has been disintegrated.

I haven't been making any attempts at filling any of my posts with anything that may be deemed cryptic. I have only been asking the questions that I feel will lead me in the right direction of where I want to go. I'm not a huge fan of wasting time, so if I didn't ask what I feel is basic, I could be wasting time running around in too many directions and not getting anything accomplished.

Thanks for the advice! Every bit helps.
<3
:)

You are.

?? I don't see how. Just because I'm on this site posting, doesn't mean im stagnant in my real life endeavors (particularly this one). Since you all seem to know your stuff, it would be silly not to take advantage of the info & advice being given. Which THEN would be wasting time. I am simply taking what you all say and adding it to my knowledge bank as I go. Like I said before every bit helps.

The websites to NPHC provide answers to BGLO questions regarding how to apply/join and the requirements......undergrad and grad....I know my org's website does. ;)

Whether you ask here or ask someone personally, the answers SHOULD be the same no matter how many times you pose the question.

That's the problem.

I do not care about what you do in your real life. The assistance services I provide costs money and I have a business to run. So, if you desire that kind of support, there is a cost to it.

Like I said before, if you want to impress us, make all "A's" on all your tests...

What's your plans for Spring Break?

I have already had spring break. I worked the whole time. I also did some studying for some exams I have this week.

I have been to the websites and they do answer the general questions for those that are ON any particular campus. I have found that they are not as helpful when it comes to information on membership pertaining to those who are not ON the campus where the active chapter is. I was only asking for a little insight when it came to that...

I have not met any members yet because I am not a student on that campus. They also have not had an event in a while. I am however involved in something this week that could potentially put me in the presence of such members!! ;)

You are right, most "on it" "interests" would do just like you noted... That is the way it has been done for decades. But for some reason, IDK, these new crop of "interests" are lazy and demand to be spoon-fed. I wonder how they are handling the recession these days for being so lazy? :rolleyes:

Maybe you need to rethink your pursuit for membership after you complete college? Sounds like you are in college by a wing and a prayer and it is probably better for you and anyone else who loves and cares for you to not have these activities in your life at this time, and try to finish school, get a job and move on with your life.

If you still want to join, then it will be available after you have improved upon your communication skills, which only come by maturity and life experiences.

@bolded: Now you know that is a lie because I know for a fact my Sorority's International Website has specific language regarding that kind information. Which means to me (Thank God and Praise Jesus!) you are not interested in my Sorority!!! Unfortunately, my sistergreeks have to contend with you and I will let them speak to their websites...

Basically you are lazy. Reading is fundamental! So, I don't want anyone who chooses not to read my Sorority's website to desire membership after I paid to put accurate information in there! If you really do attend a HBCU, your professors would have told you anything in the book is fair game. Same thing with website. Same thing with the LIBRARY!!! Same thing with the campus or campi that the chapter of your interest GLO is present.

Hustle!!!

I tried to tell her that 7 posts up^^. :rolleyes:

RIF....which goes to show, well.....nevermind.......

OMG!! Yall are so rude. Does it really take all that to answer this person's question?? I think, as Greeks, sometimes we forget how it was to be a GDI. She stated in her message that she is not even on the same campus as the greek organization that she is interested in and she just wants to know what would be a subtle way of letting them know she is interested. I think the simple reply of showing up to activities and various community service projects of the organization would have been a sufficient answer. I know we Greeks are supposed have the mentatlity of "we don't need you but you need us" but does it have to go to this extreme? I think we can all agree that BGLO's are already being viewed in a negative manner by outsiders because of hazing and lawsuites, do we really need to add fuel to the fire by being rude and condescending to potential applicants??

How about some discretion, perhaps?

She is loaded with "excuses"...

It is a liability for me to speak about anything related to membership beyond the International Website, campus/local websites, Google, libraries and what is said to her face-to-face in her local area--assuming it is a "her" because one never knows on the internet these days...

We do not KNOW her, so it is unwise to tell her anything...