Organizations founded AFTER 1930, Why did you pledge?
 

So there's a thread about those who pledged orgs founded BEFORE 1930, what about those folks who are members of Organizations founded after 1930? What was your reason for joining?

Before 1930 (and actually much later than that) the time wasn't ripe for the multicultural organizations to develop. Our culture first had to grasp the concept of cultural organizations (for better or worse), those to which multicultural GLOs owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

The first 'minority multicultural sorority' wasn't founded until the 1980s and inclusive multicultural sororities (founders were not majority Latina or Asian and the organizations are very open to non-'minority' members) were founded in the 1990s.

In Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., I saw the beginnings of a social movement - something different from "diversity" and "melting pots" - a place where people are situated in such a way that they can't avoid each other and they have to come to terms with their own perceptions of the world and the consequences that follow.

I suppose it sounds more idealistic than what generally occurs in reality, but my organization still provides something that I don't see very often and that is a place to openly learn, ask questions, realize how much bigger the world is than the self and have an opportunity to make a positive change in someone's life in the face of the oppression that still occurs in the U.S.

I wasn't joining a sorority for the social aspect although the networking is certainly a plus. I made the decision that if I were going to put my blood, sweat and tears into anything, it had to be progressive, inclusive, socially aware and willing to stand against the norm. For this reason, I personally take cues from and deeply respect NPHC sororities. I see that they are doing similar things in their contexts. I would like to see my organization grow to the level of influence that these organizations have though I realize getting there will be a drastically different process.

hey wicked,

do you know anything about phi iota alpha?

Isn't Phi Iota Alpha's founding year still in question? There are many that say they are not the first Latino org founded since they are a product of two mainstream fraternities (one was a Hispanic society), an a product of Pan Americanism philanthropy. (this is the argument i've heard)

I know they didn't resurface until the 80's due to alot of Latinos being involved in all the wars.

I've always put Phiotas founding (well the very beginnings) at RPI in 1898. Of course they went through a shitload of mergers and stuff and were inactive on the collegiate level for awhile.

idk...I went on their main website and the history was very confusing so I'm just gonna stick to what I know..

from what i see on their website, it seems they are the result of several fraternities/secret societies/student organizations that were scattered all over... they seem to have been different from the contemporary definition of a latino fraternity, more of an organization or secret society. then they died out and re-emerged in the 80s, perhaps in response to the development of the Latino Greek Movement as it has been since 1975.

When I was in highschool and applying to college I never thought of joining a sorority because they all seemed pretty wack. basically. I always thought greek life was what you saw on TV and that was definitely not what I was about. Then I started attending UCF and one of my room mates (who went to the same highschool as me) started becoming interested in a mainstream organization...and after a while she stopped because it did not feel right for her (I don't blame her)...then she started attending meetings for LTA in fall 04 and she kept on trying to make me come with her. I was still against sororities so I never went. Then in spring 05 I started to go to these meetings and I realized how different minority greek life is! These girls I went to meetings with were so professional and passionate :) It was right where I belonged! I remember seeing another sorority doing tables outside the student union but they did not say anything to me, so I grabbed one of their goodie bags..ate the candy...then threw away the rest. The LTAs were actually interested in what I had to say and were very down to earth and caring. I was an interest for 8 months and the rest is history :)

I became a sister FALL 05 and I could never be happer!

I love my chapter, without them I would not be here

I thought that I would join a particular kind of sorority when I came to college (I may have mentioned before that I was a little "sister" in high school), but was very dismayed at what I found when I actually got there. It was a lot of the stereotypical stuff you think of when you think of greek life, and as a pre-med, who wanted to pass my classes, who already had friends, and already knew how to party - I just didn't think there was anything greek life could offer me.

That was until a good friend of mine told me about Lambda Tau Omega - a brand new sorority at FSU that was trying to get established. I had heard of them before, but didn't know much about it, but whatever... went to an interest meeting anyway with my friend. I immediately was blown away at how professional, genuine, and DIVERSE these womyn were. They weren't your stereotypical sorority girls, just some really cool people who were trying to make moves. I could feel the bond they had, and as a bi-racial womyn I appreciated their focus on multiculturalism. I fell in love....

And some time later, I became a sister. My friend who introduced me to the sorority is my Ace, and through graduation and grad school I've seen our sorority blossom at FSU. It's been hard sometimes - being post 1930 and all (lol) - because this multicultural concept is still new in the South. But I don't regret it for a second. I love my sisterhood and everything it stands for. Seaquin!!!!!

I just crossed last week into Sigma Beta Xi Sorority. we are technically pretty new, having only been around for about 4 years. i had options to join better known/larger/older sororities, in fact my family includes about 5 Zeta Phi Beta's, but i knew that wasnt an option for me.

i had pretty much given up until completely by accident, i ran across SBX. it was everything i wanted, and even more than i expected. my chapter only consists of 9 women, but we are slowly and steadily adding to our regimen nationwide.

the intimacy of a smaller, newer sorority is amazing. Right after i crossed, i recieved emails and calls from sorors all across the country who had heard my line of three crossed. ask someone in a larger BGLO if a soror halfway across the country has that type of closeness with her sisters!

i look foward to learning from these new sisters, and teaching them as well...

aww you just crossed last week? Congrats and Welcome to the Wonderful Greek Family! :)

That is a beautiful thing, and I know exactly what you are talking about. Congrats!

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Est. 1975
 

When I first heard about LTA it was through a friend of mine who had just become a sister. I wasn't really interested in going greek because in my experience I didn't like the attitudes and what I felt was exclusion that was associated with being Greek. My friend gave me an invitation to an informational and I went, mainly because I didn't want to be rude. At that first informational the attendees were ladies I had known since starting college, from varied races and backgrounds, and all were so sweet and friendly. Little did I know that most of them would become my line sisters.

I knew LTA was the first and most prestigious Latina sorority in the country, but until I became an interest I wasn't aware of their diversity. I am African American, and in talking to sisters, visiting websites and meeting other interests I realized that there were sisters of all backgrounds and that diversity was an important part of what makes LTA so strong, and that was a major aspect that was exciting to me. Also, the LTAs were leaders on campus, in the Latino community but also in the greater campus community. They were role models, and I looked up to them. I was drawn to Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. for lots of reasons, but the biggest was their genuine sisterhood. As soon as I became involved with the interest group, I felt such a strong connection with the sisters on my campus, and I could really feel that as a reflection of the sisterhood and love that they shared among themselves. I knew I wanted to be a part of that. Joining a sorority was something I never expected myself to do, but when I made the decision to pledge, it didn't even feel like I was making a decision: I couldn't have pictured myself doing anything else; it just felt so perfect for me.

This is probably gonna be repetitive of some of the above replies, but here's my story:

I was originally never really interested in Greek life. The Greek life I knew about was things I had seen in MTV's "Sorority Life", which I looked at and knew I didn't want any part of it. I go to school at Rutgers, and despite it supposedly being "diverse", it's not. Yes, there's many religions and ethnic groups represented, but when you look closely: the white people stick with the white people, the Hispanic with the Hispanic... etc. I come from a diverse town that was TRULY diverse - all I had to do was look around at my best friends to see - and I was REALLY missing that multicultural way of life. In addition, I myself, am a whole bunch of nationalities/ethnicities - English, Norwegian, Czech, Spanish, black, and Cherokee, so it was important to me to join an inclusive group rather than an exclusive group. I wasn't black enough to feel comfortable joining a historically black org, nor was I white enough (more in actions/mindset than physicality) to feel comfortable joining a historically white org, and same goes for the Latina orgs.

So I began researching the multicultural organizations on campus. I came across the sororities, and saw how much work they put into the community - Rutgers and New Brunswick, both, and how nearly every single sorority had student leaders in their organizations. I began to realize that maybe this side of Greek life was a different one.

Skipping forward to Lambda Psi Delta - I saw a TRULY diverse, welcoming group of women in them. I always say it, but it really is true, meeting them for the first time and going to their meetings was like coming home for me. I literally mean they reminded me of my hometown, but more importantly, I felt as if I could be myself with these women all while growing with them.

I think that about sums it up - but I also want to say that the small size and alumni involvement was also very important to me. When I was still an interest, I was able to meet a founder, and she took the time to get to know US as people - not just another number. Although when I was an interest there were no alumni from my chapter, through meeting the founder, I was able to see that LpsiD is a LIFE time commitment. Now that we do actually have alumni from our chapter - they're ALWAYS coming back to support our events, and they always show they care - emails, calls, im, even a message on myspace/fb.

And to wrap it up... I love my org... waaaaaaaaa-ooooooooooo-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Actually I do send out emails/call new members around the country. ;)

random thought: the internet has done WONDERS for the greek community (regardless of your focus/size). My sorority has a messageboard that has connected Sorors from Japan, Mexico, Europe and across the U.S.

Here's my story:

When I first started college I had no knowledge of Greek Life. Nobody in my family is Greek so fraternities and sororities were totally new to me. I thought about joining a sorority; and even went so far as to formally express my interest. However things didn't work out for me.

I was working in Student Activities at the time when I received a phone call from someone who was about to be a transfer student. She asked if we had Gamma Sigma Sigma on campus and we didn't at the time. I asked what it was about and she shared with me that it was a service sorority. I was really impressed with the examples of service that her chapter had been doing on her campus; so much so, that we arranged a meeting for the next day! She and I met and clicked almost immediately. I did some research on my own and found that GSS was a perfect fit for me. I have always enjoyed giving my time and service to others and I knew of others that were just like me. We decided to take a chance and have some interest meetings--close to 30 ladies showed up in two days!! It felt good to know that there were others out there who wanted to affiliate themselves with an organization so focused on Service and Friendship.

Making a long story short, the girl on the telephone ended up being my Dean :D I and 11 other ladies crossed into GSS in May of 1998. I have never stopped being active since that day!! I continue to show support to the chapter in which I founded, and I am currently serving on our National Board of Directors--I love my job! :D It really doesn't seem like close to 10 years ago I took a leap of faith and started Gamma Sig on my campus. I just went to my undergrad chapters' Spring '07 probate show--I remembered when we didn't even probate on campus and the support they got from other greeks, was a really great thing! Just to see GSS grow so much here in Atlanta alone--from having two collegiate chapters, a collegiate colony, AND an alum chapter is wonderful. What's even more wonderful is that I have had a hand in ALL of it. :D

Most of you probably haven't been in your respective organizations for a long time (and I haven't either, LOL) but always remember that you have a responsibility to your organization! There are always gonna be people AFTER you that will look to you for guidance. Be active, be active...and again, BE ACTIVE!!

i think that is stellar considering what a large org. Zeta Phi Beta is...

i have friends who just felt that they wanted more closeness, and i dont necessarily think it is the choice of sorority, but sometimes just the chapter they are involved with. i know it means a lot when a new sister gets recognition from another!

beautiful...and exactly why i joined my org. i've grown up in the deep south where change is often talked about but rarely seen. i'm proud to be a soror in an organization dedicated to opening people's minds about what a sorority can be.

I was approached to join a sorority by a teacher of mine way back in grammer school. I was actually so interested in it but I didn't have the time. It is only as of late that I have found out that the sorority Phi Delta Kappa was for women who wanted to become teachers/educators. That's the furthest thing from my mind... I just crossed in my sorority, Iota Theta Eta Christian Sorority and I could not be happier. I looked at the Divine Nine and just could not bring myself to endure some of the things that I had heard from people that had been on line. I love the sorority life, I love this sisterhood and I say for anyone who is interested in joining, go for it after you RESEARCH IT! Don't make a fool of yourself for something that your heart is not in. Iota Theta Eta was created in 2006 and this is what I have been waiting for, a true sisterhood!

Soror Sweetie Pie
Iota Theta Eta Christian Sorority Inc.
www.iotathetaeta.org
"How Pretty is she in purple and pink"
#8 FALL 2007 DELTA CLASS

Why did I join a Greek Org that was founded after 1930? Because there really wasnt a Latino Fraternity created before 1930. I am a proud Hermano of Lambda Alpha Upsilon!

I loved reading the stories on here, so I thought that I would share mine:

I never really had an interest in greek life. I started college in Fall '03 and the thought of joining a sorority had never crossed my mind. No one in my family has been in a GLO. Around my second year in college I had started to notice the presence of greek life on campus and started thinking that maybe I could be a part of it.

Spring '05, Delta Zeta colonized on campus and I went to their informational sessions and to a few of their events to get to know people, and scheduled an interview. Unfournately I wasn't called back for prefs. Afterwards, a friend of mine in one of my classes was an Alpha Gamma Delta and they were doing continual recruitment because their numbers were really low. I also had another friend in that sorority as well. I would have became a new member pledge with them, however their nationals closed that chapter down (I heard something about why, but I won't disclose it here) and I figured out that I wouldn't have been able to afford it.

Next semester, Fall '05, I didn't really think about going through formal recruitment or anything. I was in one of my classes and saw a girl with a tote bag that said "Omega Phi Alpha". I hadn't heard of them before, so I went home and did some research and really liked how they were a service sorority, and started sending out some emails to find out about the particular chapter on campus and some rush events. I went to the events, and immensely enjoyed the girls there. Turns out the girl in my class, she was the membership director! The other factor that I loved was that the dues were considerably lower than the other sororities (which honestly, was bonus points in my book!).

I was installed as a pledge that semester, and was activated in December. I got to spend one semester as an active before I transferred out of state (long story). I loved my time then, and miss my sisters sooo much! At the school I transferred to, I tried to start a chapter here, but couldn't get enough interest needed :( .

I love this organization so much, and they not only focus on service, but have such a strong focus on sisterhood as well! Every girl I've met has been amazing! We do have a smaller number of girls, but everyone knows everyone better than having larger numbers, and I think the closeness is stronger! I also love how diverse everyone is, its great to be connected through this strong sisterhood bond that we have! I can't be prouder to be a sister of OPA!!!

Well I was a transfer student living off campus. At first I was looking for a way to quickly find a group that could expand my social life options. At my first school, a friend of mine was a Delta Sigma Theta soror...but since that school was predominantly male (and the Black student population was also pretty small)...she often went to other schools to participate in Greek life events. That did not really appeal to me...but at my second school, it was a different story. Greek life was pretty popular on-campus.

However, the schools were not so different in that they both had a really small number of Black students percentage-wise. What I noticed among the Black Greek organizations is that they sort of all lumped together; which was needed and important in order to get things done. I was friends with a Zeta Phi Beta and found those women interesting...but in my limited exposure...it just was not something I could see myself comfortable in.

Through some of my own research, I found out about my sorority. Back then, it has only been in existence for a few years. But I was excited to see that other women had actually pulled together to found a totally new undertaking. I also was impressed that the sorority did not start in a metro area far away....and many of the founders were just like me; Black women who grew up and involved themselves in many activities that did not mainly focus on their cultural background. Again, I have only the utmost respect for the Divine 9 NPHC groups -- it just wasn't my thing (and I'm sure they are not interested in women who are not totally on board with their mission and purpose).

The NPC groups looked interesting. But I wasn't interested in all in all of the costs and the aspect of living in a house. Yeah...again, not really my thing. :rolleyes: But I love NPC groups too...especially the ones at my alma-mater. They are really cool and supportive, you know?

The past 10 years have been great; given I had practically nothing to do with my sorority in the years right after my graduation. It was amazing to get back involved and see what type of women had joined our sisterhood in the meantime. I couldn't be more proud really :) . Now instead of just "expanding my social options" I have a network of women all over the country I can just call up for help or for advice or just to say "hey". It's an awesome feeling really. Plus, I just love busting the "sorority girl" stereotypes too. :D

If you don't mind saying, what school did you go to?

Hmmm...I'm not quite sure which one you mean...so I'll list all of them :D

1st - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
2nd - West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
3rd - Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, West Mifflin, PA

The 3rd is where I founded a chapter/pledged (it was a city-wide chapter).

"Combating against"? That struck me some kinda way.

Strange thread. For a few reasons.

Isn't your organization going to be around long enough to get old and have a lot of members and history? :)

I think she meant that "combatting against" is redundant. "Combatting" means "fighting against" or "opposing."

But I see your point.

I chose both. :)

I'd believe this if most of the responses in this thread didn't reference other organizations.

We know. :)

And there are other reasons why some of them reference other organizations. But I won't go there because it doesn't apply to all of them. It's just funny that someone asks "why'd you chose XYZ organization" and the responses are more about the other organizations than their own.

Missed me this time. It was the idea that one would join an organization to try to change it that was odd (not a strong enough word) to me.

uh oh....:(

Moreso influence it than change it. I guess she felt she'd get lost in the shuffle, which was an assumption on her part of course.

On a silly change note:
I actually knew a couple of NPHC frat and sorority members years ago who played with the idea of joining an NPHC org that was NOT in their heart. They wanted to join because they felt they could help the orgs blossom and succeed at the local level. Essentially, they wanted to turn the orgs into the org that is in their heart. LOL. Needless to say, this idea died down quickly and they diligently pursued and got accepted into the org that's in their heart--and no one held the brief lapse in judgment against them. Smart move on their part. The org you pursue because it's small and potentally changeable won't become the org that's in your HEART. EVER.

Oh well. I tried. :D

Agreed, 100%. I loved my chapter to begin with. I also love the idea of how I really make a difference in it.

Your GLO is a national one, right? You confused me when you gave the hypothetical of getting a bid from a different chapter of XYZ.

I made a mistake along these lines before joining my sorority. And, you're absolutely right.

I was interested in GBX for a few reasons.

A) It is the First Black Service Fraternity

B) The organization caters to students from 4yr, 2yr and tech, related, institutions of higher learning.

C) I have the opportunity of making history by aiding not just in the internal structure of the organization but also it's growth on a national scope.

Even though you were founded in 2002? Wow. I didn't know that.

I was pretty surprised myself. But, though, other older Black Greek Lettered Fraternities do service projects they are Social. Hence, where we come in.