You're right it would be.

I'm glad we agree.

TonyB06 always on point! LOL @ Krispy Kreme with the founders.

Re: Exactly!
 

That's a rather hasty generalization there, Skee. As far as non-NPHC sororities go, there MAY be some merit (I don't know of any such orgs being founded in the 60s, 70s, 80s, or even early 90s, with the exception of Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, founded 1988). But as far as fraternities goes, that's another story altogether. Some non-NPHC fraternities that have been around for a while include:

Phi Eta Psi (1965)
Delta Psi Chi (1985)
Beta Phi Pi (1986)
Alpha Nu Omega (Christian fraternity & sorority--1988)
Gamma Alpha Chi (1989?)

Hope this helps.

Re: Re-inventing the D9 sororities?
 

I recognize the second one. The pictures look like Dillard University's campus. The last line looks like a lineup for NOPD. I wonder how they are recieved on the yard...
I don't necessarily think that anything is wrong with doing your own thing as long as your thing is original. If they don't see the purpose or if THEY think the purpose of the D9 sororities is flawed, then power to them in doing their own thing.;)

Re: Re: Exactly!
 

So you don't think NPHC members are picking on you...you're totally missing the point. The thread is NOT about non NPHC organizations...its about these random groups that keep popping up with greek letters on various campuses and last no longer than the founders or first two lines graduation dates (or last semester of classes as students). They come up spouting goals and aspirations with traditions that mimic those of D9 & then fade away soon after the first step show (if they were even allowed to participate). They ususally have step shows dissing other groups and while it may sound like a generalization 9 times out of 10 one of the founders was unable to make it into an NPHC org thus the "sudden need" for a new one on the yard.

We can only judge peoples organizations by what they put out there - copying artwork and mimicing signs doesn't say much about their original vision. What happened to their alumnae outreach? Shouldn't they be developing other ave's for members to stay active after graduation? They were so dedicated that they let the organization die after 2-3 years?

If you must copy then copy a successful program and make it work in your area-earn respect by your deeds-don't expect it from a fly website or bootleg nalia.

Re: Re: Re: Exactly!
 

I swore that I was done with this, but I have to CTFU at your reference of a "fly website" and "bootleg nalia." I will take my org.'s 96-year history of service and sisterhood any day.

Re: Re: Re: Exactly!
 

My apologies if what you just said is the case; however, that was NEVER made clear in the initial post or with subsequent posts; thus you had to read into what the original poster was trying to convey. In other words, the thread started with, "Look at these new GLOs starting up; whaddya think?", the initial responses went along the lines of, "Why everythang gotta be a Greek letter sorority?" I was responding along the general vibe(s) the thread originally conveyed. Skeephistakate's post on new orgs starting and fading w/in one to two years was the first post that even remotely touched upon what you are saying here. So even now I am not 100% sure that that was the general message the original poster was trying to convey, but for the sake of peace in this thread, I will take your word for it.

If this is the true spirit of the thread, I have a question: What "new" GLOs do you know (other than Xi Gamma Phi) have sprouted up and died w/in, say 5 years? IMHO responses of this nature will give those who dissent of these new GLOs more merit with their views and give this thread a better sense of direction as far as the overall messages being conveyed.

ummm..
 

This is funny that this thread was posted.....because I was thinking of asking the same questions....however, i even thought of starting a sorority..one that was philanthropical and professional in nature...I even came up with a name, purpose, colors, and the likes...those things that were important to me...For this particular organization, I had no interest in it being apart of the NPHC or IFC or others. More along the lines of a sorority like Eta Phi Beta, etc. it is something that i have seriously thought about....and still thinking... Don't get me wrong I really would like to be apart of one particular org that exemplifies all of these things...yes I feel that I could accomplish some of the same goals but with limits....and that's where the lines are blurry. For instance, in my org i wanted to have undivided chapters meaning no undergrad or grad chapters just chapters .... certain requirements for membership beyond ethical/moral character, gpa and sorts (although to get in the D9 you need more than that, so i hope you understand what i mean...) and the lists goes on. I do feel from a GDI perspective, that there needs to be a reassessment of how AA org's are addressing the needs of the AA community. So I guess the greater question to ask is are those needs being met? if so then why do people feel the need to start new orgs when they can just work through what we already have than just starting their own....once again JMGDI perspective.

Re: ummm..
 

Miss Priss,
This is not targeted to you personally but all those who have the view of inadequacy in the current organizations that is expressed above in your statement.

I have heard this question of whether the needs of our community are being met by the D9 posed over and over by non-members so b/c I KNOW how hard I work in my chapter and how hard my chapter and sorority works, I am curious to know what this "reassessment" that non-members are always talking about would find. Do you have specific ideas of how the D-9 is not serving the African-American community based on your standpoint?

Please do tell b/c I am just baffled at how we are not addressing the needs of the community when my sorority is addressing everything from Education to Economics to the Black Family to the Arts to Health. Alot falls under those areas.

I know that you are not privy to knowing of everything that we are doing in our communities (b/c it is alot and much is not publicized in a newspaper for all to see) and this may actually be the problem - that non-members do not KNOW how we are affecting the community and therefore do not understand the impact that we are having, but from your perspective, exactly what would a "reassessment" yield as an answer? You can pm me if you are apprehensive about giving a public critique but I must know - I am just dying to hear SPECIFICALLY what need in the community that none of the D9 is addressing.

I ask this b/c everyone is quick to yell about a reassessment but I'm baffled b/c me and my Sorors are working HARD to provide service to all mankind and we ARE making change in our communities. What else do you want us to do? What is it that another organization can come in and do that is not covered under Education, Economics, the Black Family, Arts and Health (the current targets for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated)?


SC

Re: Re: Re: Re: Exactly!
 

If you want to know specifically then do a search of past threads - I don't have the time or care that much to look it up. If one must know the actual names there are plenty threads discussing new orgs that had websites touting "the newest playa on the yard" yet if you check closely the site hasn't been updated since 97, 98, 2001...check further with current students at the school and the group doesn't exist anymore. Most never made it past their one campus or were ever legitimately registered as an organization (even as a campus group).

I also think we are all smart enough not to assume that only 9 organizations can serve all or that there isn't room for more or that all sororities/fraternities have to belong to NPHC. I also don't see anyone downing legitimate new efforts to form a new sororitiy/fraternity...you seem to be reading more into people's posts and want to keep sticking to that premise.

Like I said- copy a national program and make it work in your local community. Once you have enough members and are making real contributions then worry about getting some art that has meaning specific to your org commissioned.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Exactly!
 

I don't think the frequency of website updates is a good indicator of whether or not an org still exists, so merely doing a search of past threads is pointless.

That is why I am asking those here on GC who know for a fact and can vouch for the continuing existence of any given org.

We may have to mutually disagree, but when I hear folk questioning why others are forming a sorority, that can easily be construed as downing new efforts to form a new GLO. Read Birtha Blue's and Eclipse's posts on pages 1 & 2 of this thread.

I am merely taking the posts at face value, and I am obviously not the only one doing so.

Agreed. Good point. ;)

Re: Re: ummm..
 

Oh No offense taken...this is an intellectual conversation...right? ;)
1.) Do you have specific ideas of how the D-9 is not serving the African-American community based on your standpoint?

2.) but from your perspective, exactly what would a "reassessment" yield as an answer? You can pm me if you are apprehensive about giving a public critique but I must know - I am just dying to hear SPECIFICALLY what need in the community that none of the D9 is addressing.

3.) I ask this b/c everyone is quick to yell about a reassessment but I'm baffled b/c me and my Sorors are working HARD to provide service to all mankind and we ARE making change in our communities. What else do you want us to do? What is it that another organization can come in and do that is not covered under Education, Economics, the Black Family, Arts and Health (the current targets for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated)?

Because this is a tri-part question, I'll address them separately....

1.) and 2.) In fairness the D-9, gives heavily to the community and, in some cases, work actively in them; however, unfortunately, (this has been discussed before somewhere) the D-9 is regarded as a bourgeois group of people who attack needs when deemed for media purposes...just because it sounds/looks good.....now we all know that's not true for all the D-9. But some people feel that they are not taking a more active role in the political infrastructure of (Black) America, not making full commitments to community charity not just giving to them like they did in the sixties/seventies, and the persistent crutch of approaching the new millennial problems with the old millennial ways. These are only a few that I hear....For me ideally, I would love to see a communal interaction occur with people in the D-9....like they do with Habitat for Humanity.....In my community, for instance, most of the Black/Latino community has trash and dilapidated homes everywhere...who's going to take the first step in seeing that these things are done? I personally take part in yearly clean-up...but we have a (Greek) mayor who has the power to say Hey let's get to work...and although he has made some initiative...the work must be continuous not just one weekend...and this is what poor Black folks see....it may not be true but that's what they say they see. The premise is that the D-9 only dedicates a weekend to (that) communities needs, but only a premise, and unjustifiably so!
2.) We need to empower our people with understanding the true definition of wealth, making a impact on how we address health; also, creating jobs for the jobless, issues like gay marriage and its impact on the Afro-American community, addressing the social ills of welfare, black on black crime, warfare involving the Tutsis in Rowanda, take back our urban schools by insisting that we have quality schools in neighborhoods and the presence of (professional) role models for our young Black men and women to name a few…The reassessment needs to take a hard look at how the needs are being addressed to the culture of that community. We (volunteers) tend to take a more global approach when addressing those needs. See I think that the issue is in the question, "specifically addressing the need"…the specifics are the need itself…I like this phrase "It’s more than just a grip of hands, it’s an idea conceived." (quoted from a source:0) )

3.) You are right what more can they do? I read this, "Groups such as Nun Phi Nun, Hound Phi Hound and Vash Na Ha were short-lived groups formed to parody NPHC organizations," ….."Other organizations saw themselves more as reflections of the Black Power ideology espoused…. and saw their purpose on campus as challenging the status quo of the more conservative Greeks." Individuals finding a home that reflects their current value system, thoughts, and search for acceptance which causes people to form other orgs. We all know that the D-9 are considered as elitist organizations that separate the wealthier middle/upper class from poor black folks…So people tend to fight that "elitist" system by forming these new orgs. How effective they are determines longevity and that's why the D-9 continues to survive. Alpha Kappa Alpha does wonderful things in the community as well as the others …But personally for me, I look at my surroundings and ask myself am I making the difference? Has these orgs. empowered me to want to make one(a difference)? Do I feel important to them? Are they impacting me? Do I have take ownership by what they (the D-9) have given me? These are all personal accountability questions. Can the D-9 implement a desire for the AA community to be (socially) accountable? Keep in mind they are the same questions being asked intuitively and individually by many communities…so I guess (political/social) activeness/accountability is decided by where you are and what the D-9 does in that community. (which depends on chapter involvement/numbers, assumably)
Sorry so long….
BTW , a list of interesting websites…..

www.playahata.com/pages/morpheus/blackfrats.html
www.newsavanna.com/meanderings/me94/me6.
www.kappabetasigma.org/Are_Frats_Relevant.html

These are some good questions.

And I also agree with a lot of what you said in your post. It just saddens me the message that I'm getting, and perhaps I'm misinterpreting what's being said; you tell me if I have it right or wrong.

The assumption (I realize that it's an assumption and perhaps not everyone's) is that we are stuck up snobs who only do good to get noticed by the media. We do a little service here and there but we are neither social nor political activists. It is our responsibilty to inspire civic duty with the rest of the African-American community. Do I have this assumption correct? If I do, that saddens me, for real. All the work all 9 of these orgs have done over the years has gone completely and totally unnoticed. :(

I have a question for the GDI's (or whoever, really). Do you think that the work that is done must be done by the organization as a WHOLE or by it's members? Because it seems as if all of the questions (though they may be rhetorical) are addressed to the D9 and not individual members of those organizations. What does the D9 do or what has the D9 done? Because if I get drunk and act a fool, then I represent Alpha Kappa Alpha. But when I go to Ethiopia to study famine and drought and come back and work on trying to get to the root of that problem and solve it, I represent Monique. Is this what people think? If ONE member is a social and/or political activist, does it reflect on that person's organization? What about chapters? Does it make a difference if there is a chapter that is boycotting something? Or a chapter is having a voters registration drive? Of if chapter members are writing their senators and representatives to lobby for one cause or another? Does that make a difference? What if the senator or representative IS a member of an org; does that make a difference? Or are we only seen as a collective, and all the good that we do has to be done as a group. Because if that is how we are seen, then we have already failed (in the eyes of our communities, and will continue to do so). Am I making sense?