How were calls started in BGLO's???
 

I certainly don't want to pry into anyones secrets but I am interested in knowing how and who was the first sorority/fraternity to start doing calls, if anyone knows any back up history on calls and why they are done it would be greatly appreciated...

And in what context do calls get used? If you see a soror or frater across the street or something, you can "call" to them? Please let us know (without compromising your ritual secrets).

The answer to your query is privileged information with respect to all of NPHC. And chances are no one will tell you on this board. You have guts for asking. But tell me this...would you have actually asked a member of the organization you are interested in this question in person?



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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

1. Thanks for stating that it is privileged information. I didn't know.
2. Prior to this post, since I didn't know that it was privileged information, yes, I would have asked a member the same question. Then they can just respond with "Sorry, but I can't tell you that. It's privileged information", and I would have left it at that. No harm, no foul. If persons are going to making calls on campus, they shouldn't be surprised that people who aren't in their organization would wonder what they are doing.

Thanks all!

Yes I would and have asked that question,I just wanted to get more imput from other greeks... Thank you for I certainly don't want to step on anyones toes...

Since you have asked the question before (as InterestedGDI stated), then it shouldn't be a surprise that you aren't getting much more information from any of us here.

A non-defensive response like "Sorry, but I can't tell you that. It's privileged information" would suffice. Thank you.

Sorry, I can't tell you that. It's privileged information. Are you happy now?

YES!

Wow, I think I can hear the Sarcasm.

I think AKAtude's point is, if you already asked someone and you got the exact same answer, what in the world makes you think that you're going to get more information on the internet. A lot of times people who are interested ask questions on the net that they KNOW they would not ask a member face to face.

ZetaAce

Thank you, ZetaAce. My point exactly.

Well, if anyone has been hearing the calls for years on your campus (or anywhere for that matter), then common sense would tell you that yes, it is done between one frat/sorority member to another. I knew that without anyone telling me. If you observe then you will learn.

To all those who do not understand why such information is considered priviledged then that's probably why you don't know. The original question was how and who started the calls then it asked why the calls are done.That IS indeed priviledged information. I get "something" when people act like people in BGLO's are like frontin' or trippin' when we say information is priviledged. It really is! Who came up with the calls first is something that MAY be answered privately. The why portion is DEFINITELY for members of respective organizations ONLY!!! I think the basic "when" question is obvious. You see people calling to their Sorors/Frat in public places. What else is there to know?
When I sought DST, yeah, I was like WOW about EVERYTHING Deltas did. But I never made it my business to ask certain questions. It just seems obvious to me that there would be things you wouldn't and shouldn't know. My MOM and GRANDMA and all my AUNTS (except one who is a Zeta) wouldn't tell me ANYTHING even if I asked. Even while I was pledging the Sorority, they were like...you'll find out when the time is right.

"I didn't imagine that giving someone the basic history of the calls (i.e., who started doing it first) was such priveleged information."


It's not that it's priveleged per se, it just that if we tell every Sue, Melissa, Monique, Derrick and Tyrone things like when and where calls started, which chapter did a particular well known step first, etc., in addition to them being able to find out our national histories before they pledge, what would we have to teach them when they are pledging (other than the rituals and secrets)? Nothing would be new information. We'd like to have something different to tell them, something to make them even more proud of their choice, something to make them say "Wow, I didn't know that."

Kel

Why does it so often seem that the moderators on this post can sound so hateful in their responses? AKATude - your response really makes me wonder about how non-greeks view the greek system as a whole. I don't understand how a person is supposed to know not to ask a question. I have been asked numerous times by non greeks a question that relates to secret information. My reply to them is (and always has been) "I'm sorry but that information pertains to initiated members only." They then respond with "oh - sorry" or something on that line. Why would I ever want to reply hatefully or sarcastically that its none of their business. I think the posts on here were very straight in saying they weren't seeking personal or private information. And yes - if I had thought to ask the history of the calls, I would certainly have asked an AKA on our campus because the AKA's there are known for being very friendly, outgoing, and classy ladies. I have never heard one of them being anything but gracious to a poor soul who did not know that he or she was not supposed to ask a question. I just think that these type of responses really reflect poorly on the greek life system as a whole.

As far as Bglos are concerned they all have national websites and alot of their chapters have websites also. These different sites are out there for those that are interested to to get basic (what you need to know) information. If there are questions one might have that are not answered on any website or in any book that may be published about each org then one should assume that the answer to such questions are on a need to know basis. If such info is not out there for you to get a hold of then it must be something sacred for the members to know. I mean if we learned EVERYTHING during our research what would be the purpose of them teaching us anything. I do not think that the members of the BGLOS were trying to be mean I think that maybe that just figured one would already know their limitations on what to ask and what they are allowed to know. Thats just my $2.10.

AXO,

You have the right to your own opinion. I make no apologies for my responses because I don't bite my tongue. I did not start out being sarcastic, but simply making an observation about something that was posted.

Since you don't know me, then you don't know how approachable I am. If someone came up to me and asked a question that I could not answer I would be kind to them, flash my smile and dimples and say "I'm sorry. I can't divulge that information, but will tell you what I can." Anyone who has even sent me personal e-mails knows that for a fact.

If you get a different impression of me by my post, then there is nothing I can do about that.

AXO Alum-

I think the reason why some of us get 'irritated' is because a lot of people who are interested in our organizations try to get 'more information' on the internet that they know they wouldn't get from talking to a member in the Student Center (for example).

If a person has asked a question of one of our members before and gotten a nice response saying "it's privelaged" and then ask the exact same questions on the 'net hoping to get more it's just disrespectful in my opinion. (I am referring to interestedGDI's post not any others). Interested said that she has asked someone before, I'm willing to bet they gave her/him the same exact response.

I very rarely give nasty responses when someone asks me a question about Zeta, BGLOs, etc. but sometimes people can be downright rude!! Especially on the net.

ZetaAce

I didn't regard YOU personally as being approachable or not in person. But should it matter? Shouldn't you represent your org. with a "smile" on the net when replying to a question that had no harmful intent? Did I misread the "Happy Now?" in your other post as being a bit on the sarcastic side?

Again I ask How is a person supposed to know what questions not to ask?

ZetaAce -
I posted this on another thread but wanted to copy it here so you'd see it! Thanks for posting this information - you really helped me understand this issue from your viewpoint!
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

"Once again I must commend you on your exemplary efforts at replying and
posting with grace and style. Your posts are very educational & informational, and
although we may not always agree on certain topics, you always make me proud to be a
member of the greek system! Just wanted to say thanks!"

Yes, I was being sarcastic with that statement. However, I didn't think my first response was defensive to begin with. In my opinion, if someone has doubts about posing a question to a frat/soror in person, then maybe they shouldn't ask.

Someone hit the nail on the head when they said that if we tell everything now, what is there for them to learn and look forward to when they are initiated? Also, ZetaAce was correct that people use the interenet to get information they know they would not get otherwise.

As I stated before, I make no apologies for being direct.

Not to beat a subject to death, but we ALL need to be carefull about information that is given over the internet. One of the beauties of the internet is that I can say and express anything that I want from the comfort of my home or office, and not have to divulge who I am. Basically you never know who you are talking to on-line. For all you know, I may not be a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (I am of course), but you don't know.

I know brothers that have been asked secrete informatio by people on-line. We really need to be very carefull about what we say on-line. This is not a swipe at non-greek members (I hate the term GDI), but there is information that really shouldn't be shared with you, or anyone outside of our respective organizations for that matter.

Respectfully,

Manndingo Nupe

AXO,

I think the issue here (as with alot of posts I have read and responded to) is that when people write it is difficult to conclude what type of feelings they had when writing it. I think some people are obviously overly rude and sarcastic. I didn't think AKAtude was. But if she was, perhaps that's her personality. I personally think it is obvious what questions to ask and not to ask. Some people come onto these boards and ask questions they KNOW they shouldn't and try to disguise it as PUR inquisitiveness. "Just a Question...no harm intended but what do your sorority colors mean?" Then they put all these happy faces and stuff to make it seem innocent.

You feel me?

I pesonally feel tis e-mail stuff leaves a lot of miscommunication issues to abound.

Just my $19.13.

Am I going to get sued for sexual harrassment if I say "yes" to the "feel me" part? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif That was just a joke for anyone who may not catch it http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

That part, about the pure & innocent routine, I do wholeheartedly understand. But I just don't see how a person (being non-greek) is supposed to know or not know whether to or not to ask a question (geez...now I've got the lawyer speak going on http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif) I think it is obvious sometimes (such as the "what does your crest mean" kind of thing), but others aren't so obvious (like for me the colors thing because the choosing of our colors is not secret info). The whole point of me even contributing to any of this is I just don't want a non-greek to be turned off (by comments like "happy now?" and other intended sarcastic remarks) and decide to revert to the stereotypical image of greeks (that we're too good for anyone, we're all snotty, etc.) AKAtude even said she was being sarcastic and said this was being direct for her. I just try to speak to people the way I would want to be spoken to, whether on the internet, phone, in person, whatever. But thank you for your comments - you have helped further my understanding of this issue http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

WOW!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif I didn't think that I would get such a response to this question. I understood that it was privlaged information because I was told that by Finer Woman10-A-91... can we all forget about it now? I have asked a greek this and they told me in simple terms to "do your research"
so that is what I thought I was doing...

AXO Alum has a good point, how does one know what to ask when they don't know. AKAtude, you are absolutly 100% correct in regards to the classification of that information, BUT you came across kind of COLD http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif No is asking for any apologies, because you were right, but it's not always what you say(type), but how you say(type) it. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Much LOVE for everyone ALWAYS!

Well said 12dn94dst and ZetaAce http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Cool...(you know this whole discussion was not about you specifically...it was about the question...glad you understand)

Peace


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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

I think there is a misunderstanding. I never asked someone this question, since I don't know anyone in those organizations and there aren't any on my campus. However, if the Internet did not exist as a forum through which to pose this question, and I met someone who was making a call, then I would ask the person the same question, because I would be curious s to what the heck they were doing. After all, how am I to know that the question is a faux-pas? Then if they said, "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that", then I would respect their response & leave it at that.

It is kind of like when the media ask a lawyer something that is privileged ...the lawyer would just say, "I'm sorry. That is privileged information".

Alsocurious, if you read my first post correctly I attributed that bit of information to InterestedGDI, not you.

Interested GDI and alsoCurious, if you are still interested, email me at rainmain1925@hotmail.com and I will give you basic information. I am not at liberty to discuss GLO specifics, but I will give you enough to wet your appetite. I am not above giving you the basics. Thanx for asking.

Rain Man

<<I am not above giving you the basics.>>
--Well, at least someone isn't. I didn't imagine that giving someone the basic history of the calls (i.e., who started doing it first) was such priveleged information. I can understand certain parts of the calls being something that's regarded private.
<<If you see a soror or frater across the street or something, you can "call" to them?
--Was this question answered? Can it be answered without compromising ritual secrets? Believe me, I have no desire to learn anyone else's ritual secrets (my hands are full with just mine!), I do know that I've been hearing these calls for years, and I just wondered.

OK, so I've learned a very good lesson here: make sure to educate our candidates (new members/pledges/littles/etc.) on how to firmly but pleasantly respond when an inappropriate question is asked by a non-sister, or someone who doesn't need to know. It's not a crime on the questioner's part to ask (unless they just *know* better, as is often the case on the 'net)...however it depending on how a sister responds, the questioner's opinion of the sister and our sisterhood could be compromised. And no one needs that.

equeen - DITTO! Thanks for summing it all up for us on a positive note! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

EQueen...Sister Greek,
I understand you want to make everything by way of "interests" neat, clean, and simple and fun. But the real truth is... that's not how it works with the NPHC organizations.

Quite possibly, its a cultural difference. For example, the very referral of "interests" as "candidates-new members/pledges/littles" is out of line with our way of initiating business.

Truth be told, any sincere candidate of any NPHC organization knows and understands the unwritten rules without any stroking or cuddling. Its not expected. We don't pledge potentials with the understanding this is a fun college thing. We are looking at LIFETIME COMMITTMENT potential. Consequently, the tolernce level is low in the area of aloof "how can I be down with the Zetas or any other NPHC organzation".

My observation of nearly 10 years in an NPHC organization takes a show and PROVE approach. If you have to talk about it...you probably are not doing it....and probably are not WORTHY...and yes, I meant WORTHY. Bottom line, every young lady who expresses an interest in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is NOT worthy.

As we continue to learn and observe more about "Interest X" more than likely at some point there will be a demonstration or illustration through actions that will define whether or not Interest X is a viable potential. And if they deemed so fortunate then and only then will they be considered a candidate.

I say all of this illustrate, we take the process of weeding out interests to potentials VERY seriously. And by the way there is a difference between being an "interest" and being a "potential".
More often than not we don't mix intention. In other words, you will not get the okie doke on issues of importance.




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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

A few clarifcations and then hopefully a non-intrusive question.

With equeen's reference to candidate, she is not refering to a potential, rush guest, but rather new un-initiated sisters undergrowing education. Formally known as a pledge.

I didn't go back and re-read what Sister Greek wrote, but I believe equeen was attempting to write a resolve to the discussion. In doing so, she was refering to how to educate committeed sisters on dealings with non-sisters and non-public information. Some of us are young groups and we do not have all of this down. ;>

Finer Woman: I agree action and deed are two different thing, but a misconception does exist that non-NPHC sororites and fraternities arn't for life. I recognize comparing persception the NPHC have a stronger visual commitment then NPC/IFC. But that doesn't mean some of us don't get it. Look at the number of senior memebers that post on greekchat - a majority of us are alumn.

Now, hopefully the un-intrusive question:
NPHC's recruitment/rush is structured differently then NPC/IFC. Was this always the case? Or did the current process evolve?

You are right. I was a bit presumptious regarding non-NPHC organizations's life long committments. I was not aware that you participate in graduate chapters and continue your service to the community long after college.

On another note, the current way things are done is not new at all in terms of expressing interest. We excercise our interests "humbly". You will hear this OVER and OVER by NPHC members.

Actually in the past it was even more difficult



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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!