Greek Members: The presence of non-greeks at our Inter(national)/Reg. Conferences:
 

Do they have a "place" there?

This question has been out there for a few days. I'm not sure how other organization's conference structure is set up, besides the regular Public events. Should our conferences include participation of interests where their questions, concerns etc. are addressed? Should the organizations (if they do not already do so) include informationals during the conference schedule?

What are your thoughts?

IMO: Boules and Regional Conferences are primarily about AKA business and should be reserved for that purpose. I was a FWRC delegate, which kept me hopping. :)

I don't mind the public meeting, but I wouldn't go any further than that within either a Boule or Regional Conference structure.

My .08.

I agree with my Soror Steeltrap...Public Meetings are really the only appropriate forum for non-members to participate.

I agree with what my sorors said!
 

I like the idea of being amongst JUST sorors. And it's really something to look forward to. A time to address questions and concerns of interests???? Soror, please, LOL!! Where's the time?

I believe that National COnferences and regionals are for business and pleasure but business being the most important. I don't think informationals are needed because questions can be answered at anytime thru chapters.

Sister-Soror, I agree with you. I feel if a non-member or interest wants to know the business of the sorority, then take the proper steps to become a member. Then they shall be privy to the info!:)

Hmmmmm...
 

Well....

I feel a little different...as I stated on the Sisterly Forum.....I wouldn't say pack your bags....Boule' is in Nashville 'sisterfriends', however, if our convention is in your town and there's a public event...by all means...stop by and visit our public events (step-shows/Apollo Night/Public Luncheon/Public Meeting and etc).

Actually, I would like us to have more public events -- where the public can see us in action ...giving away $300K in scholarships, honoring sorors and great community activists, having fun at a step-show and etc. What better event than our Nat'l/Regional conventions where 1000s of sorors show up to handle the business of the First and Finest Sorority ever created!

Lastly, as a Soror stated on that same forum....it also let's interest see that it is more to AKA than that 1 chapter (all Sorors don't act alike, look alike or etc.) and that AKA is a lifelong committment (seeing our Golden/Silver/Diamond Sorors).

Have a wonderful day Sorors. Soror AKA2d...I think I saw you at Boule', but I was running to the next event (smile).

I agree with Soror Happydays about having more public events where everyone can see the work that we have done and are continuing to do. I also think it would be an excellent way for siserfirends to learn but I just don't think we should designate time to answer questions.

I can totally co-sign to that!
 

^5 HappyDays91!

All of my chapter's neos went to their first Boule' they were totally overwhelmed and in awestruck.

Informations???
 

In response to Soror Serious...

By NO means would I want 'interests' harrassing us at our events. That's a big NO, NO.....we already have too much to do in such a short time!

But one thing could be worked out is an informational type event. No questions and answers. Just getting 'good' informationa about the sorority, what we do, what we expect out of candidates, the 'cost', commitment level and etc. There is so much 'bad' information out there. And I understand what 'people' say about 'research'. However, there's nothing like hearing 'correct' information out of the 'horses' mouth and seeing 'such' in action. Besides, most of our (all D9) organizations grad process is Wby invitation only. Some of these ladies 'don't' really know what they are getting into..... And yes, that's the responsibility of their sponsor...but we know everybody who sponsors someone is not a 'good' sponsor/soror. Thus we keep getting these 'weak' links in our organizations.

Just a thought.....but as I stated previously, NO...I wouldn't be down for a question and answer period and I wouldn't want interest to fly around the country for the event. It would simply be an informational that can be given at Regional/Clusters/Boule' -- and if we are in your area....stop by see and learn.

Re: Informations???
 

I sent you a private message Soror.

You are not going to believe this....
 

Non-members should not be privy to the business of AKA, especially little children. I attended Boule and on my plane ride back home I was informed by the daughter (a high school junior) of a graduate Soror that not only was she going to be an AKA because of her mom and the whole legacy clause thing but she had input on what my sorority should do about our business, the problems with our election process and she discussed several other issues. Now you already know I had to shut her down in the nicest way I could without pulling her lil but in the cut.. anyway I was concerned that she would tell her mother. She informed me that she reads the IVY LEAF all the time and has seen lots of "stuff" that is suppose to be secret. Her words exactly. :rolleyes:
WTF!!! My "stuff" is on lock down and my husband does not even glance its way and if I had a daughter no matter what I took a vow to protect AKA's secrets and I would not tell anyone.

Re: You are not going to believe this....
 

Wow. :eek:
The child's mother is obviously at fault on this one.
Clarification (prompted by Soror Prayerfull's post): I'm not speaking of Ivy Leaf-style information.;)

Re: You are not going to believe this....
 

Sorors - I don't see an "issue" regarding the Ivy Leaf. I grew up reading my mother's Ivy Leaf issues. That's how I learned so much about the sorority and it's programs. I, personally, don't see any problem with it. That publication is available to ANYONE...soror or not! None of our "secrets" are revelead in that publication. We have many other documents and publications that all sorors know are for our eyes only. In high school, I read every issue that came to the house. I was able to read about undergraduate chapters and their activities. Being a legacy has it priveleges....;).

I attended a couple of Regionals and Boules with my mother when I was in junior high and high school. Soror Endroad...this young lady that you met on the plane was just one of those non-discrete, busy-body people...there's one in every bunch! Her mother may be the same way! Even though I was raised around AKA, I still understood the essentials of poise and discretion.

Soror Prayfull there have in fact been secrets published in the Ivy Leaf for example, I understand that one issue contained the pledge. Now obviously you did not go around sharing the information you were able to gain like this young lady I mentioned. I could care less what her mother may be telling her. The problem is that she would tell ANYBODY else. We all have tidbits of information we may share with a friend or significant other but you need to be sure this person is trustworthy and able to keep a secret. Personally, I would not let an interest or anyone else for that matter view my Ivy Leaf. If there was a significant article or something I wanted them to see then they would see just that. I was not aware that anyone could get a subscription but I guess so, if that is the way corporate wants to do it.

Now when I see the rituals posted in the Ivy Leaf, then that's another story.... :eek:

I, too "read" the Ivy Leaf growing up, the thing about it was, I didn't know what I was reading or who I was reading about. LMAO!

I looked through my aunts and friend's mothers Delta magazine too. I didn't know what or who I was looking at either.

They were just out there on the coffee table with House Beautiful, Ebony, Jet, Essence, etc.

Well...
 

Every D9 publication is sent to each other's HQ. Its not like other members subscribe. But, I imagine its done to keep eachother informed of issues of mutual interests. I would imagine corporate sponsors probably receive copies as well...to show the organization is on task...especially, since money is being exchanged.

Re: Well...
 

A Lot of things we hold dear are really public knowledge. Any orgs history book can be acquired through a libary. I am sure the US Congressional Libarary has a copy of every Sphinx, Ivy Leaf, Oracle, Archon or anything else that was ever made! They have a copy of everything else! LOL. But I think besides the public programs there should not be any non-greeks/non-orgs up in the business sessions.

Sphinxpoet

Yes the pledge was printed, and at the Dallas Boule, we let Coroporate have it for letting that happen. They admitted their mistake and apologized. Our Ivy is mailed to all of our corporate sponsers in addition to others. It is a semi-public publication.

About conventions and interests - as I stated on another board, I think the public meeting is wonderful place for interests to learn more about what we do. However, I would not want them to feel free to ask questions and disturb our business. We are not advertising or recruiting for membership, so we shouldn't have forums for interests. However, a public anti-hazing roundtable right before the public meeting (maybe with reps. from other orgs) might help dispell some rumors about membership for interests. Otherwise, we are there to take care of business - we have a few events to show our stuff (public meeting, community workshops, step show etc.) and that's it. Plus now that Boules are shorter, we shouldn't be adding more stuff to do.

Well speaking from a soror that is married with children. I would like to see forums on

How to live with an AKA

Being the husband of an AKA

What does AKA really mean?

What is it that my mother does as an AKA

Why does my mother do what she does

Where do we fit in

In light of the conference periods, SCRC next week, I think this is appropriate...

Well Sorors, my take on the issue is that OUR conferences are just that. OURS. A time for Sorors to discuss business of AKA. We need the time to deal with issues of Alpha Kappa Alpha in a setting with no distractions. Like Soror Ideal08 said I would like time to be with JUST Sorors.

However, I do not see anything wrong with interests coming to public events. I just don't want to see these events turning into a questions and answer thing where they are trying to seek information that they really don't need at this time. All they need to know right now can be found on our homepage. Some information should just be kept private for when or if they cross. Just my $19.08 worth.

In light of...
 

In light of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. interests, I think we may want to considers SOME things being public, i.e. the public meeting, formal dances where some older SORORS have cute sons/grandsons and would want to hook a younger soror up--and funtime events, i.e. stepshows.

But as far as our plenaries go, I think that is sorority business and we need to keep it that way as best as we can. Including all voting activities.

The question is posed to GREEK MEMBERS. Refer to the title. :D