You don't have to do a damn thing and neither do we. I was never pressed to join in with the activities on campus because I thought they were silly (fight nights, foam parties, etc.) so I never pressed any of the members I brought in to either--didn't give a damn one way or the other. My chapter was so active with programs on campus and off. BUT, it bothered me that we when we were approached, we were asked to step.

Flame if you like, but I'm cool with us being separate....I can't begin to say that I understand how or why things are done the way they are on that side and I'm sure thats some on the other side feel the same about my side..I didn't feel slighted in the least that NPC/IFC had their Greek Week at my school and that my chapter had our own Founder's Week....I didn't feel compelled to encourage my chapter members to participate in "Air Band" nor did I feel compelled to teach or help anyone step....its ok if we don't all hold hands and sing camp songs, really it is....ya'll do ya'll, we'll do us...it's ok...as long as everyone shows respect for everyone else, just go about your org's business.....my org focuses on addressing the issues in our community, if you don't share that community than you may have little interest in that focus...again, IT'S OK!!! I just honestly don't get why people get so bent out of shape about this topic...

soror, we're ::here::

But the websites do tell you what our programmatic thrusts are, which is my main point.

Dang Harris Stowe. I was homesick for a second there. :D But now I see what you mean about the citywides--I forgot you were in the Lou.

The ironic thing is our Alpha Omega chapter started as campus-based at Harris, but Wash U., STLU, Webster, Fontbonne, etc. would not allow chapters, so Alpha Omega was redesignated (by Delta) as a citywide because we wanted to encompass as many African American women as we could. At the time Harris Stowe still recognized us as a campus org and we were able to use the facilities, etc. (I was a member while I did my college internship at home.)

Delta at one time also had a campus-based at UMSL, but it dwindled and they too became part of Alpha Omega citywide.

Here in the Twins, our collegiate chapter is also a citywide. But since the members of the chapter who attend the U of M (the majority) pay student fees, the chapter can function as if it was based at the U.

Because you all seem to be the ones affected by this. We are not. And have you not read anything I have said? We have are own programmatic thrusts targeted to the Black community. We set our service calendars at the beginning of our program year, and trust they are full. And in most cases not conducive to adding anything later on that is not part of our focus for the sororal/fraternal year. The last part of the previous sentence is the KEY.

Of course we are. When we have our Chapter of Excellence reports at our schools, they tell us, "Why don't you do things with minority GLOs?" They ask us, "Why is your chapter 90% white?" [I go to a school with [I'd guess] about 95% WASPs.] We are being constantly told that we need to do as much as possible with NPHC groups, and our status as affiliated members on our campus can be affected by this. Yet, despite the fact that we try, we cannot gain any ground.

Go back and read my edit. Plus, your problem with your school should not become ours. And from what you just said you only want us to participate with you to keep your status as an affiliate from being negatively impacted. We are not here to be your saviours.

The edit helps. I didn't realize your calendar was set in stone like that. I can see that being a good way to help reduce overscheduling or conflicts. And no, it's not your problem. But I fail to see why people make a huge deal when an NPC sorority refuses to cooperate with an NPHC group, but not when an NPHC sorority refuses to do the same with an NPC group. If it's not your problem, then why do we hear people complaining about it all the time?

Where have folx complained about NPC not cooperating with NPHC? Serious question.

Well that is your imperative, not ours. We are accountable to accomplish our own missions ..... You are accountable to accomplish yours. It would be time well spent to have 'real' conversations with the 'real' BGLOs with whom you are unsuccessfully trying to collaborate. There are certainly reasons that perhaps can be addressed and resolved, bridges that can be built ....If you are being rebuffed, it's for a reason. Can you honestly say that you know the reason and have attempted to address it? It's easier to make up a story about why it's happening instead of finding out why.

"Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding."

I pointed out earlier about the COE reports; there's one group. Greek life councils get on our butts about it hardcore [on the IFC groups, too]. Even the PHC makes a point to tell us all the time to schedule things with NPHC groups. They fail to mention that it's damn near impossible.

ETA: The thing, I think, that really grinds my gears about this is that there are some women [I don't know a whole lot, so primarily AKAs] that I have met through other campus activities whom I really like. I would love to spend time with them! I have tried to get socials or something organized with them, but we never get a response from anyone. And that really sucks!

soooo...this thread has gone way off course, but i'd just like to say that this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5K1cBBB4fw --the SGRho's with blindfolds from page 1) is so flippin fiya. that is all.

ok now i have an opinion. i know it's not like this on every campus, but here's my gripe. sure, NPC/IFC and NPHC have separate events. duh. but tell me why not a DAMN group wants to have just one event per semester that incorporates everyone. i'm trying to plan unity day for october 24th (and have been since before the semester started) but no one from any org seems to be interested in getting together. nooooo onnnnneeeee. arg. not asking advice; just a comment. i'm very frustrated :(

That's the thing; we don't GET a response. If we do, it's nothing but, "We'll call you back." They never do.

It IS frustrating, and I appreciate that you see that. I really am sincere about wanting to do something fun with such a great group of women.

For your situation only:

Our undergraduate chapters are STRONLY supervised by an alumni chapter. There may be things that are going on that the undergraduate chapters must do to remain a chapter. Those are in our documents as to how Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is governed.

If your chapter wishes to interact, your best bet is to speak to the grown adults--namely the Graduate Advisors and you organization will be required make a presentation as to what you all had in mind. Then, you all will have to expect there is a 4-6 month planning time if said event is huge...

In other words: Poor planning on "your" part does not constitute an emergency on "our" part.

I hear you. My recommendation (not that you asked for it! :D) would be to have a sit-down. There may be a question about your intentions (stories can be made up on both sides!), especially if the invite is coming out of the pink without a foundational social context upon which you are building. That could be the answer -- the sorors in both organizations that have classes together (and know / like each other) could maybe take the lead on bridging the gap.

Programmatically, there may not be room for the BGLOs to work on issues external to their internal focuses .. and the HWGLOs may not be interested in working on the BGLO missions ....but there is always time to just get to know each other.

It may be as simple as a matter of 'trust'. Or you may find there is just no interest, but it's nothing personal. I wish you well in your endeavors : )

I think you misunderstand. What we wanted to do was something FUN. Like, for example, a simple social or mixer where we could do something fun, hang out, and get to know each other. I have no idea what such a thing may be; I'm not the social chair in my chapter, and that's not my responsibility. But I'm not talking about anything big.

PrettyinPink:

Your recommendation was welcomed! I think we will just have to go with it; if we just can't get a response, maybe that is just a sign that they are not interested. I would like to do something, but I'm not going to [nor can I] force them to show up.

Dang, you just gonna show us your "hole card" and what not. *lol*

There's (in part) your problem. From what you just posted, it appears that your desire to work and socialize with our orgs isn't genuine, nor are you taking the initiative to do so unless there is an external incentive(s). To NPHC org members, that comes off as insincere and condescending. Because oftentimes, once the mission is accomplished, the joint events and fellowships cease.

If you want to get to know us and work with our groups, it must be with a genuine desire and intent to know, understand, and accept what we're all about and why we do (and don't do) certain things that you might do the opposite of.

Don't patronize our orgs. Be sincere, but also be patient.

Are the AKAs aware of the pressure you are getting from the school? If so maybe they question your sincerity. I agree that a sit-down heart-to-heart talk may be in order. Have your campus advisor talk to their campus advisor.

I have no idea. Perhaps that would be a good solution.

Being the optimist, as another poster alluded to, it could be that there are some internal goings-on in the chapter that precludes them from socializing with you at this particular time that has nothing to do with you. At this juncture, unless you get evidence to the contrary, don't take it personal.

But don't give up either. Try again next semester.

I was just about to ask that same question...because I didn't see it...nor have I heard it....

Like others have said we plan stuff far in advance. We (at my school) have been asked to participate with a couple of NPCs and IFCs, but with all of our internal stuff (corporate, regional, cluster) we can not budget any more time. If they do schedule something else I will not be able to attend due to having to so things for me, church, school, and AKA. Not every member will be at every event (for any org)so we have to take that into account too.

Hopefully you can plan for something in the spring semester. YOu may want to speak with the Graduate Advisor, President, and/or Vice President.



BTW this week is Iota Phi service week please see the Facebook group named 'AKA Service Week'....this is at UAB. We had a really great turnout for Meals on Wheels and I missed the Red Cross speaker due to class.

>>HERE<<

THIS is how it works. My chapter had members from 4 different schools during the time I was there (there are two other schools included in the charter as well that have contributed members at other times) and we held activities on all 4 campuses. I don't remember whether we had to register as individuals or as the org but we were able to do it.

Yep. Yep. Yep.
If you wanted to go to NPC events, you probably would have joined an NPC chapter...and an invitation to Greek-wide events would be a nice gesture, but it shouldn't come with expectations. The NPHC chapter should be able to just say "Thanks for the invite, but we'll pass this time".
I guess I just don't know, because on my campus, we had 8/9 of the NPHCs, but we were never pushed to do anything together.

Aint that the truth! When I was in school, we planned our whole calendar for the coming year at the end of the spring semester. We never did programs on whimsy. Come to think of it, we never did joint programs with any other groups except a mixer with the Omegas when I was in school.

ETA: That mixer wasn't "just for fun" either--admission was school supplies that were donated to an elementary school.

Right!

The school does have a point but it's really hard to maintain members at schools where they were struggling for members in the first place, the students there won't attend programs, etc. Sometimes the campus even takes it upon itself to decide it no longer wants the organization there (often not for liability reasons, either) and works towards that by refusing to let the group reserve rooms for programs and post informational fliers. Whenever there's a policy, there's a way to get shafted by it.

Neither do we because everything fits into a programmatic thrust.

There's a difference between NHQ providing program initiatives (based on need and demand from the community and our chapters) and people being forced to only do THAT.

LOL.

This is that superficial diversity initiative and quota bullcrap that I referenced earlier. If there is no genuine interest, don't bother. Because many NPHCers can tell the difference between nonNPHCers who sincerely want to work with us and nonNPHCers who are afraid their membership is at stake.

Unity is a process.

That goes for every type of unity there is. You don't have separation and then think people are going to give a darn enough to plan an event together. If you didn't start the process before the end of September, you might not get any response from people.

Believe me I'm aware of the plethora of ways that student orgs can get shafted. It's an interesting dilemma and not one that I see an easy solution to, except perhaps with schools that allow non-campus based orgs access... or something.
Honestly, I agree. I'm not aware of our chapter ever being required to have diversity quotas or diverse activity quotas or whatever. The reason I think it is something to be worked toward is because a lack of (constructive) contact with each other means there's a lot of ignorance. Greater contact = Greater knowledge/understanding. I think it would mean that NPC/IFC doesn't just see NPHC as good at stepping and NPHC wouldn't only see NPC/IFC social events.

cute. Interesting. that is all.

No, I understood what you meant. And I will say again, all Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. undergraduate chapters must have their "official" activities approved by the Graduate Advisor(s) and the Graduate Advisory Council. Those are in my Sorority's internal documents.

If you want to hangout and it is not a school night, then by all means go to a "Gameworks", "Dave and Busters" or "Jillians" for a fun day or your campus' recreational center.

The key is the professors at my graduate school started providing extra credit if students attended the seminars presented by the Undergrad Chapters. Most seminars are on simple stuff like avoiding alcohol infractions and police interactions; date-rape; breast cancer, etc. The afterward, the undergrads would hangout somewhere.

I KNOW this because I was graduate advisor. I am telling you these are our rules...