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.'