Question Sorors/other Greeks
 

I wanted to know if having a Neophyte is just a Midwest thing. (Yes I do know that the definition of Neophyte...A person who just crossed into Greekdom) but in Illinois we have what you call a Neophyte.(this is totally different from a "coming out show, or a probate show which we also do) That's when you have a banquet at either a Ball Room, or a Hall and the neo's dress up in fomal gowns/dresses or tux/suits for the Fraternities). You also do a step show , skits, presentations to your Dean and AD (oops did I say that???) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif ( http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif) and to your ships (or if you are from other regions called your LS's (Line Sisters) or LB's (Line Brothers). The night usually ends with gifts first from all the other Greek organizations (AKA's ZphiB's, SGRho's AphiA, KAPsi.....) Then you get gifts from family, then friends, then your spec's then sorors.
I am just curious to see how many other regions participate in this?
I remember when I had my neophyte (it wasn't that long ago just in FEB and I got a LOT and I mean a TON of gifts. Now I see why my chapter have the tradition of not buying any gifts/paraphernalia until your neophyte. Even the gifts from the other organizations were nice as well. I have a Room FULL of gifts and no where to put them!

[This message has been edited by DableST_1 (edited May 01, 2001).]

I haven't EVER heard of that b4....it must be a regional thang....

What a way to get MAJOR gifts... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

It might be a midwest thing. I remember a similar event described in Sister Secrets which is set in Missouri.

Here some of our collegiate chapters have neophyte receptions where they do a presentationa and give gifts. It is orors only, though. They give gifts to their advisors, specs, etc. Not formal, just that gorgeous Crimson and Cream everywhere!

Nope, never heard of that, but THANKS for sharing! Ideas, ideas...

The "ship" thing was new to me when I heard a soror say it shortly after I crossed. She pledged on the west coast, so I assumed that was a regional thing, too. For them, the "ace" is called a "rock" and isn't necessarily the #1. She (or he if it's a frat) could be anywhere in the line.

Isn't it amazing that, as different as we are, we are still somehow the same?

And I'm Out!

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

wow...i've never heard of that, but i think it is sweet. i always use the phrase "my neos or neo" for those that i've help come into membership.

i think it might be a midwest thing...something we need to pass on to the southern region and the eastern region.

[This message has been edited by MaMaBuddha (edited May 02, 2001).]

I think it is a Midwest or Illinois thing. I'm from Illinois but I pledged at an HBCU in Atlanta and we didn't have that. However, I know this SGRho who went to school in Illinois and she had asked me a little after we both had crossed if I had had a neophyte. I had no idea what she was talking about. I told her that down here, you are a neo until you bring another line through, even if that means two or more years later. But she explained they have some sort of party or something and then they are no longer considered neos. As far as gifts, we receive our gifts after the probate show.

I pledged in the west and I haven't heard anyone out there call each other "ships" we say "sands" for those that are your Line sisters/brothers and "parallel sands" for those that crossed the same year. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

And the "Neophyte" sounds fun, wish I had heard of this when i crossed.



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Treblk
MSK94

[QUOTE]Originally posted by the411:
[B]Nope, never heard of that, but THANKS for sharing! Ideas, ideas...

For them, the "ace" is called a "rock" and isn't necessarily the #1. She (or he if it's a frat) could be anywhere in the line.

Isn't it amazing that, as different as we are, we are still somehow the same?
B/F Quote:

THIS is quite interesting. I also noticed how in Illinois we have what you call the Captain, the Navigator, (which is what I am)and the Midship,the and Anchor. I will NEVER forget right after we crossed I met some sorors from Jackson State, and my captain was like "where's my club, where's the captain of this ship? and they were like huh? Some chapters down south ususally just make thier pledgees line up by hieght (therefore if you are the shortest, you are the one, and if you are the tallest, then you are at the end. Just as soon as we crossed, I remember me and my "ships" went on a road trip and a soror couldn't undertand how my Ace (Captian) was number one when she was the tallest, and the MidShip was in the middle b/cause she was the shortest. I guess everyone (all greeks) do things differently depending on where you did your intake process. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Da' Assassin
#2 (Navigator)
D.S. 9 Millimeter
Spring '00

I crossed in Jersey. Ace means our #1. We lock up shortest to tallest A club is someone you share the same number with. For instance Soror6 and i are in the same club because we were both #6's on line. We say sands in reference to our LS's and anyone who crossed the same semester. Our anchor or tail is the last person in line. There are so many more. In some areas however you answer or the terminology you use is used as an indication of your process.

Well I'm an old schooler, SPR 86. I had a fabulous Neophyte. I'm from Chicago, went to College upstate. Neophyte simply put is a way of introducing the "NEOs" to the "YARD". You step, step, chant, etc. You are presented with gifts from your Sorors, other greeks, family, friends. It's a big deal in Illinois.
Also our #1 is Captain, based on smartet usually, and ability to hold the line together. Anchor is at the end, usually based on toughest(he, he). Height has nothing to do with it.

Just to be clear, is everyone saying "neophyte" meaning once you do this or have this you are no longer a neo? Because of course we have probate shows that introduce the line or neos to the yard and then you receive gifts afterwards. From my understanding, the "neophyte" is more so an end to being a neo.

[This message has been edited by DST Love (edited May 02, 2001).]

Soror, the term Neophyte have many different meanings in the State of Illinois. We usually use the term "neo" many that you just crossed and you are consider a neo until you bring in another line. Now the term "neophyte" is used to the same way, as well as a quote unqoute "coming out show". Now that I have read everyones responses I am convinced that this IS a Illinois Thing. Once you bring in a line you are known as a prophyte (sp?).

I feel ya soror, Our captain is the person who things fast on thier feet, but our MIDship is the one that holds the line together. As far as the Anchor goes, well I think you stated it best, they usually can ENDURE all things!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Usually at our neopyte everything that the captain recieves as far as clothes have a Captain's Wheel on the back, and the Anchor ALWAYS have an Anchor on the back of her Jacket, shirt, ect.

It wasn't until last year when I attended the National Convention in Chicago is when I first heard about the height thing. It was then I learned that not everyone who is a 1 is a Captain, and not everyone who is at the end of the line an Anchor.

We had that http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif and I am in the South, but of course with slight variations.

[This message has been edited by D.COM (edited May 02, 2001).]

I don't think it's a Midwest thing-- at least it's not popular here in Ohio. We do the height thing (Ace=#1).

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

I pledged in Chicago, Illinois and I am familiar with Neophytes, the "coming out" show of the midwest. I am not sure how far this tradition extends, obviously based on these posts not too far, however, my experience with Neophyte shows have been that the noes are introduced to whomever comes to the show, it is open to the public and free. They do a step or two, some skits maybe, overall the spotight is on them. Following the presentation gifts are given and most often a party follows. Now, as far as the event being formal, I suppose that depends on the chapter and organization. I know my chapter usually just wears a lot of nalia. I had a Neophyte lunchoen that was quite formal and we sat upon a dais and had a keynote speaker and the whole shabang. We have yet to have our Neophyte show though where we can really cut up! Currently it is tentatively scheduled for Delta Derby weekend in July, which is one of the largest greek events in the Midwest (sponsored by my chapter!!) So I look forward to it even though I received the bulk of my gifts already I think,ya never know) ANyway, my question is how many of you are familiar with and have in your chapters family trees? By this I mean, do you all hve pledge mothers, grandmothers, and so forth? That is another thing that may be confined to the midwest. My chapter has very extensive family trees that date back to the 70's. Just curious..I wonder how these differences have evolved to such extremes? Who originated thes e local traditions? *sigh*...Neos...so full of questions! Oh, by the way, I am still considered a Neo....and those, at least in my experience, who have had Neophyte shows are still considered Neos until they bring in another line.



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P.H.A.S.A.D.
#14
D.S.G.H.O.S.T.S.
LAMBDA
4/15/00

OOOO-OOOPPP my sorors. This is my first time responding to the message board and I just had to respond to this one. I am from Milwaukee, WI and I am a neo. I have never heard of a neophyte. In Wisconsin we consider greeks neo until there is an intake and then you are consider a prophyte.

Sentinel #2
Lambda Alpha
The line of Tension

[This message has been edited by dst22000 (edited May 02, 2001).]

Well, I am the ace of my line, I am #1 ( the shortest). We use the term neo meaning new. We are neo's until we cross a line. However, I have another question. My prophytes say we are not a "probate" show because we have already crossed. They say we should call it a "coming out" show. What do y'all think?

Old Skool, East Coast in da' house!

Well, let's see...

We had a probate show when I was on line. If the show is held BEFORE you cross, it is a probate show; now shows are held AFTER you cross so it is a coming out show.

I had never heard of a neophyte party until recent conversations with midwest sorors. We also did not have the pledge mother/daughter tradition but we do/did have speshs. Reading 'Sister Secrets' and 'Sorority Sisters' gave me another perspective on pledging and also conjured up some memories of my time [sic]! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

I also hadn't heard the term 'ship' until the last few years however it is ironic that my line literally was a ship. My line was the Starship Enterprise (much of my chapter were Trekkies!); and I was Dr. McCoy (hence the screenname).

We also didn't use the term Rock or Anchor but we did use Ace and Tail. All three of us were almost the same height so I ended up being the Deuce in the middle.

Ahhhhhh memories....

Also Sorors, the term Dirty Reds or just Reds began as a regional thing because even though I pledged in Baltimore, I had not heard the term until I went South. Now I hear it all over the place but I don't like it because it sounds like a gang, ie Bloods. I know some sorors think it's okay because mostly the Bruhs use it as a term of affection. What do you guys think?

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[This message has been edited by the411 (edited May 04, 2001).]

Though I have not heard of this particular tradition-- My mother and other more seasoned soror always speak of the times when these traditions were quite common..

They even did the toga thing http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I think we miss out on a lot because of the hazing issues http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

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IVY in my HAND-- AKA in my HEART

[This message has been edited by loviest95 (edited May 03, 2001).]

This neophyte thing sounds fun! I like getting presents. I got a lot during my new member education period, and afterwards, but I didn't get any gifts from my new member education class or my family!

I think that Greeks as a whole out on a lot due to hazing issues. The line is so thin that anything can be considered hazing nowadays, plus if someone whines about ANYTHING, you can get in so much trouble.

Does anyone else have any neat traditions that can be shared? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I beleive they are both AKAs.



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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

You know what Soror McCoyred, when I crossed, back in 94, in California, the bruhs used "Dirty Red" when they referred to a "loose" Delta. I remember going to my first Que-Feast and hearing how a Delta was known for sleeping with bruhs of the same chapter and she was called a "Dirty Red". But that was back then, I am not sure if they use it now, but I've never liked that terminology.
Has anyone else heard it used in this context?


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Treblk
MSK94

That is terrible! I also do not like the term Red or especially Dirty Red for many reasons, one of which is the one that Soror mccoyred pointed out. I just don't see anything positive in it. I prefer to be referred to as Soror or Delta and I let the bruhs know this when I come across it. Most of them apologize and succumb to my wishes, which I appreciate. I have heard Sorors say that it does not bother them so I guess to each his own, but I for one will not have it.




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P.H.A.S.A.D.
#14
D.S.G.H.O.S.T.S.
LAMBDA
4/15/00

That's tight...we don't do that out on the East Coast...but I sure wish we had!...lol

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The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

Well, I just crossed, and I am considered a Neophyte because of that. You are referred to as a Neophyte (or Neo for short) until you have made another line, then you become a prophyte. I did a probate show, the night before I crossed, so I was still on when I probated. It was mostly so I could be presented to the other Greeks on the yard, so they could get a sample of my knowledge, and so I could get respect. I didn't have any nelly on or anything like that, and it wasn't no dancing and singing and then voila, I take off my jacket and have a Delta T-Shirt on. That's not a probate, that's a coming out show. I'm from Eastern Region, and as far as I know, lines go in height order and the shortest is the ace and the navigator, and the tallest is the Anchor. I have heard of the one who is the strongest mentally and physically being called the Rock, but since I was a Solo, I was the ROCK!

All the sorors and bruhs that I have met in my area have used the term "Red" but it never had any negative connotation. It's used as a term of affection from the bruhs, and it's also used to differentiate between those that pledged and those that didn't. Similar to the terms "Kappa" and "Nupe".

Greetings Sorors and SFs,

I just wanted to pose this question, mainly to the old-heads, if you were not necessarily numbered according to height, what were the guidelines to giving out numbers? I am just interested in how they used to do it in the "good ole days." When I was online, we lined up (w/out shoes) and according to height were given our line number. Our "Ace" is the #1 and our "Tail" is the last one.

[This message has been edited by dst3800 (edited May 06, 2001).]