Is YOUR NPHC Sorority Enough?
 

OK, with several NPHC Centennials coming up, I have starting having some very interesting philosophical discussions about the future NPHC sororities.

I was chatting with a few folks recently about why they desire to join other selective membership organizations after they join an NPHC sorority (i.e. Links, Jack and Jill, Chums, Moles, Girlfriends, etc.)

All of the folks present at this discussion are members of at least one other selective membership organization. Reasons for joining other organizations included frustration within their sorority, family tradition and legacy, and desire to network with a larger group of women.

I shared that some older members believe that their respective NPHC sorority should serve all of our organizational need states and; that we shouldn't seek to join other selective member organizations.

Is your NPHC Sorority enough?

If you don't mind a fraternity man's response....

PERSONALLY, I have thought about joining other social/fraternal orgs that were SMALLER than Alpha in that I was looking for a more intimate fraternal experience.

I decided against it because, well, who has the time??? I'm in Alpha Phi Omega as well as Alpha Phi Alpha and currently sit on a local board for each, with national elected or hired aspirations for each. Right now, APO and Alpha are all I need and serve very different purposes in my life personally and professionally.

Now I know a woman who is an AKA, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Wives, Link, Archousa (sp?), Red Hat Club, and a few more I can't think of. I guess she has the time and resources to do all that, but I don't see the point. Do one or two things really well, not everything kinda okay.

(I don't think she's in OES that I think about it.)

ETA: I wanted to respond to something else you said.... I guess for me, I needed to pledge Alpha after APO because I knew that neither org would fulfill ALL my needs. To paraphrase what Jitterbug said about OPhiA.... in APO I gain brotherhood through the service... in Alpha I serve because of the brotherhood.

NPCer throwing in a thought here:

The people who join Greek Orgs, tend to be all-around "joiners". It's not that one group isn't "enough", it's that they LIKE being involved.

I agree with Senusret... who has the time? If you're serving in your NPHC org to the fullest, then there really isn't much time left over for other groups. I know that after joining AKA, I was initially a little overwhelmed (in a good way, of course!) by the sheer number of service activities and committees in which I could participate.

While I think all of the orgs you listed are valuable, if you're devoted to your sorority or fraternity, there just isn't time for them.

But I'm just a neo, so what do I know? :p

Hi Soror,
This is an interesting question. Personally, the Sorority serves all of my needs. I have neither the time nor do I want to shell out any more money being a member of this group and that group. I also have friends that serve the needs that I have for friendship (in addition to sorors who are close friends). Because I have my needs for service, interacting with elite AA women, friendship and the lack of any idea that I must join other orgs to be elite, all of my needs are met through the Sorority or just everyday life. Further, I have my fill of positive dealings with women through my Sorority and my other everyday life so I really don't have a desire to add any social/service orgs to my plate. I would only consider joining an org that complemented my other interests (career, dating, etc.).

It is also not feasible for me because I try to keep things in balance and if I join any other orgs, then my org life is taking up the time that some other portion of my life could have, such as dating, family, career, which are also important to me. I do notice that some women who join this group and that group don't do as much in the way of dating, don't spend as much time with family or have a career that provides them with much more free time. I prefer to have a balance and to still be able to sleep a sufficient number of hours at night, which is hard to do if you are running from this committee meeting to that planning meeting, trying to date, working late sometimes, etc. It is tough, at least it would be for me. So that's my preferred approach.

SC

Personally, all orgs/groups I joined (or am considering joining) post-DST initiation were not because of a void left by Delta. For the most part, I was asked to join said groups because of the leadership and committment I've shown to Delta. In reference to those that I joined on my own (as in it was my initial idea, not as result of a suggestion/nomination/outside encouragement), I did so because I felt that my experience within Delta would be benefit that org, or because, as Summerchild stated, it highly complemented another personal interest.

ETA: Which is not to say that DST does not have some sort of small group of Sorors with the same "other" interest. Delta is about scholarship, service and sisterhood - things that I engaged in pre-DST, support through DST, and outside of DST. If I limit all those interactions to just within Delta, I'm gravely robbing my community of the gift that is me. ;);):):p

Good question.

Personally Delta takes up most of my discretionary time.

On the other hand, my mother who was also a die-hard Delta was also in Jack and Jill (which was for the sake of us kids,) TLOD, and the Association of Business Women. And she held leadership positions in all. Plus she was in two bridge clubs.

As someone mentioned above, my mother was a "joiner" and needed all of those interactions.

I treasure my alone time.

I started the Alpha Renaissance for that purpose. We are a group of Alphas who are in artistic professions. Although it's a pain in the heiney to organize, it's worth it to professionally network with brothers who understand the arts.



So does my mom! Although I'm not quite the exact opposite, I do value the notion of making plans to "do nothing." I am no good to Alpha or APO if I am too burned out to work! Plus, with 182 financial brothers, I'm sorry, I REFUSE to be at each and every program.

I would not say that Alpha Kappa Alpha is not enough for me, I am very active in my chapter and I even serve on the exec. board, but I am a joiner.

I am in several other organizations, such as MO Black Legislative Caucus, National Association of Black Journalist, NAACP to name a few and I do take a lesser role in those orgs because I do spend so much time with Alpha Kappa Alpha.

As I get older I want to join other women's orgs because I love the networking opportunities and I also like to align myself with like minded, success women.

At this point in my life, Alpha Kappa Alpha is enough for me. I am educated and professional, but I am not in a profession that would put me at the income level I think you need for the Links, Girl Friends, etc., and I'm not married.

AKA keeps me wonderfully busy and engaged!:)

I have not joined other orgs besides DST (other than NSBE when I was still in school). I am an introvert, so I also treasure my alone time, which is not much when my mother, grandmother and husband/children demand so much of my time.

I have, however, pursued educational opportunities which fulfill other goals (career advancement, networking, learn new skills, leadership opportunities, etc.). IF I join another organization, it will be professional in nature specific to my business/career. I have explored several business sororities, co-ed fraternities, black and/or female orgs as well as geographically and industry-specific orgs. I haven't found 'the' org yet...

Yes.

I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to get the leadership, exposure and training for interactions I normally do not develop in my career. Such as, budgets, organizing a 501c3 non-profit, interacting with other non-profits in my local area, people connections. My career, is about exactness, as a scientist, I have precision, I only interact with co-workers who are introverted by nature and I read very complex articles that are sometimes boring.

I like just serving my Sorority because it gets me out of that shell of my work life. And I feel good by serving others. I am sure you can get that elsewhere, i.e. church, etc. But I like to keep my faith separated from my politics...

Of course, realistically, I know I cannot serve as a representative of my sorority in everything because there is too much. I can join other groups for that purpose. So, slowly, I am joining my college alumnae association that has different kinds of rules of interactions than my Sorority. I did join a church, but I found that they did not want to be an example of Christ by choosing which Sundays to serve communion... Or argue with various groups of people about their lifestyles rather than feeding the homeless. I felt became a waste of my time.

With Alpha Kappa Alpha, I know where I will always stand. Her perpetual body is unwavering. And through the years, we find that things are worthwhile to allow me to have truly lived my day... ;)

[hijack]

Where have you been Miss Missy or Dr. D?!? Hi!!! :D

[/end hijack]

Delta is more than enough for my social service and sisterhood needs.

I have friendship ties for other social and sisterhood needs. I join other organizations because they are professional memberships.

I don't like people enough to always be in meetings and stuff. Some people feel they have to have a hand in everything. I'd rather sit back and let others help the community and kick it without me.

I know that I'll reap the benefits from many other organizations' social networks and service projects directly or indirectly.

Hello, Lady!! :D

Are you Dr. DSTChaos yet??? Or a few more pages and meetings to go? :rolleyes:

Don't get :mad: about it, because it happens to EVERYONE I KNOW!!!

Delta is enough for me. I was a J&J mom for a while, but it became far too time consuming for me and the babies. I am thinking about trying to join J&J again when my oldest becomes a teen, because I find the organization more beneficial for teens.

I personally don't have enough spare time to do all that I would like to within AKA. So, right now, I can't imagine having another major organization to split that limited time amongst. However, I also work 40+ hours a week, am married and like to travel. I am involved in professional organizations, but that's different.

However, as my free time increases and I've reached some personal goals within AKA, I would consider membership in another social organization. I don't see this happening for several years though, maybe in my late 40s.

This is what my cousin did. She is very active in her local J&J chapter now that her girls are pre-teen and teen. She is also an AKA, but I don't know if she is as active in AKA as she is in J&J.

As for me SGR is enough. Like others have said, there is more than enough in the sorority to keep me very busy, but I do what I can.

As of now I have no interest in joining another structured organization. I enjoy my very casual interations with my needlepoint group, and I am considering getting involved in some dachshund-related events. Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs and there are groups where you can particiapte in mock hunting games for dachshunds.

Ditto!

I am an introvert for the most part and love my alone time (which is why many could not believe that I wanted to join a sorority) so I don't think joining other organizations is in my future unless the focus is on something that my sorority isn't offering and it doesn't require a lot of my time. I also like to put my all into whatever I'm involved in and if I had to split my time between two or more organizations, I would always wonder if I could be doing more in Sigma.

See that's the thing I wonder about. I think it's fine for people to join all of these organizations but you have to ask yourself, how important is the work that you do within your NPHC org and could you be doing more for your NPHC org if your time wasn't split between the different orgs? And regarding those who join other orgs because they are frustrated with their NPHC org, isn't it a cop out to seek another org as opposed to trying to work hard and fix what's wrong with yours? Or does the frustration come after they have worked hard to try and change things?

I wonder.

...be it fraternity or sorority
 

I think your fraternal/sororial organization ought to be an extention of what you believe in. My ideals and standards about what manhood and brotherhood are -- and what these ideas should push me to do in the community as a result -- are exemplified in my fraternity.

But my energies and desire go well beyond my frat. I work/serve in my church, within my profession, in community service with area youth; these are all key drivers for me. A 100 Black Men chapter recently started in my city. I was asked to join but I declined, not because their efforts aren't laudable but because I'm already involved in similar efforts through other organizations.

And trying to have some semblance of a social life, duplication, I do not need. :p

I agree with you wholeheartedly and I, too, often wonder about these things.

In a forum that I am a member of, there is a member of another NPHC Sorority that has about 15 orgs in her siggy - Greek, Masonic, social, etc. I am wondering how she ever has time to do ANYTHING other than list them on her resume :confused:

So, there are 2 issues you have going on here: So folks join as undergraduates when all they have is classes and school. Maybe they are active in their Student Unions and few other activities, but not "entrenched" in activities like that of being in a GLO.

The there are some members who join at the graduate level where they have started establishing their professional networks or other organizations that they are a part of and then kindly extended an invitation for membership to a NPHC organization and chose to pursue it. At the graduate level, the discussion of time management is not well described.

My issue is that SOME graduate members join without any concept of the time or monetary commitment because those kinds of things are not "firmly expressed" when members are inducted. Not to say that it is easy... No, just not firmly expressed as much as it ought to be.

Personally, IMHO, I think that folks should have a minimum community service hours requirement before, during and perpetually for membership. I know that the university I work for is considering a community service hour requirement to graduate...

As far as frustration within the organization: Well, my membership process--skrait out Pledge process--was hard, I narry got a long with my "co-initiatiates" (linesisters) ( ;) :mad: ). So, essentially, I had to deal with it...

But the way it is now, I can see why folks are frustrated. It is like a marriage, communication is key. That is why we tell folks to do their research that when they are extended an invitation to join and pursue membership, then there are no surprises. In excellent, award winning chapters, it is like that, but in other requiring audits and under probation chapters it is not. That is the reality.

We all have to make a effort to help each other achieve the dreams of our founders. The reasons for the start of each of our GLO's are uniquely woven into the African American experience, just like a huge quilt and we must make sure this fabric does not fray...

So, what I am saying is: since the experiences of many African Americans has been lacking that still does not mean we fail the fight the good fight and quit. Sometimes we just have to show some Affirmative Action for our own folks and take in a less than stellar person to mold them into our Founder's vision. (That is what a Big Brother/Sister does).

One way to do it is require attendance to all functions prior to membership. Mentorship with Golden/Diamond members. Allow interests to assist in the planning and implementation of some public programs at the graduate level. Etc.

Not all chapters do that. Most that I have seen in my area, like to look cute... And we are talking GRADUATES/ALUMNI--undergrads are trying to graduate...

You are saying a whole lot right here. A whole lot.

Call me crazy but I've never heard of some of these organizations (Chums, Moles, Girlfriends...)??? Are they service related? or professional? Just was curious...

see, my experience when i came in as an undergrad, all my peers who crossed weren't just doing classes/school. they were holding job(s), on e-boards of student clubs, doing the RA thing, on student council and in addition, the honorary GLO of their respective major, and who knows what else... so essentially doing the same things - being "joiners." and that's not a bad thing at all.

i would hope that my sorors have something else going on aside from the Sorority. while your org should be more than enough to keep you busy, i would hope members have some additional outlet to serve and be social. For me, it was my RA circle (sounds silly but we rolled deep - 500+ of us campus-wide yearly), my mentoring group and student council. As a recent grad, it's my grad chapter... and well me. I havent found another organization to give myself to, but that doesn't mean i'm looking either. Right now, i'm about being the best i can be (OK i know corny... but it is what it is) for Sigma.

Yeah, you are right, those are the things you mentioned that undergrad members are doing. My point was they are generally focusing on being in and graduating from school, rather than doing things that graduate chapters usually do: i.e. HUGE fundraisers with gross receipts of $20,000+ with high school student programs attached and mandatory chapter assessments for these things.

The other thing is most members who join at the graduate level are probably well qualified and would serve as excellent members throughout their lives. Some serving as International officers.

For every member taken in, there are numerous reasons why some are financially inactive and do not serve graduate chapters. Aside from a heavy work schedule, graduate education or family obligations that seems understandable, avoiding serving at any level of membership in the organization hinders than helps, especially for those members who are under 5 years of membership.

me too... there is soo much to do in Zeta, I'm considering not retaining my community leadership roles in 2008 so I can focus more on the work of Zeta.

I would suggest scaling back but not completely letting go. I am sure that you can achieve the balance you are looking for.

Okay, I'll come right out and say it. Too many folx join orgs, including the NPHC, because they are elitist. They aren't thinking about service or sisterhood/brotherhood. They are thinking of status. A prime example is here in the Twins, the majority of the members of the Links become inactive in their NPHC group and devote all of their time to the Links. Why? It is given more status, because it is considered more selective.

And also let's be honest about why some folx want to join certain NPHC orgs v. another. That is why I do respect those that take the "road less traveled."

Yes, Sigma is enough for me given my multiple commitments related to my full-time job, consulting business, volunteer service (apart from Sigma), advisory board participation, etc. I am committed to remaining financial and active in my chapter so that means I personally can't take on an additional obligation if I wish to do well in all of my current responsibilities.

I do think that joining at the grad level has some bearing on my attitude toward service. I came in expecting to be about the work of the organization. I served on committees, will be heading a committee for the next sorority year and I support our national, regional and chapter programs as much as I can. It can be a juggling act but through the work I do for Sigma, I get to both work with and socialize with like-minded black women that I wouldn't have the opportunity to do in my faculty position.

But I know within my own chapter there is at least 1-2 major programs per month plus our regular chapter meetings so with my other commitments (including family), I just can't take on another obligation. I am a neo but my attitude is that if you are unsatisfied with your NPHC, work to change it instead of complaining about it and not participating in moving it forward. To me, folks who don't try to make their orgs. better completely undermine our whole concept of NPHC membership as being members "for life".

PhDiva

Sister Ladygreek,

Don't you think though that if our organizations had a "more focused membership"--i.e. attainable goals to achieve by the amount of service rendered for a certain number of years, like say, 25 years? If folks cannot serve in the smallest of ways, then they should pay...

Not to diminish the Links, Inc. but people see our member's behavior and make judgments on the segregation between groups. But, look, we have representatives from all NPHC sororities posting here AND we have a few fraternities and other GLO's that are participating. So outsiders views become irrelevant.

Personally, I think that most folks who are intimidated by us are insecure with themselves. So, they have to say hateful statements to justify why they do like to join as an antisocial behavior.

Folks think they are joining a unified group when they join a church, a social group or whatever. But once entrenched with the daily tasks, they stand back on the sidelines and run off at the mouth rather than rolling up sleeves and being part of the solution...

I think that at least with the current intake process, we dispel some the myths about our respective organizations. So if someone goes inactive, for bogus reasons (i.e. it not their thing, etc.), then it is really his/her fault, not the GLO's. They should have done their research before they accepted the invitation to join.

Where I am from, some members serve both organizations. Where I live, most folks are the same way it is in your city. It sounds like it has to do with money and mandatory assessments at least in my current location. Folks where I live think they are hot to trot, but are really not. Otherwise, the city where I am from, you would see it universally. I am sure there are a few. But most serve both organizations and their churches.

just the leadership roles :(... but I know I'm just kidding myself, I'm not going anywhere

I support both statements 1920%

Yeah so many people can't multitask.

You can be an elitist and serve the community. :p



I only respect them if they are doing it because their heart's in it versus just trying to be different. I hate it when people always say or do anything just to make themselves the loner. It's like the punk rockers who do it to be "oohhhh soo different" when, in fact, they're just like every other "different" punk rocker.

I also know people who joined the "road less traveled" orgs and when you talk to them they'll say things like "if I had to do it all again, I'd stay GDI" or "I just wasn't feeling XYZ." As if their organization doesn't stand on its own and always has to be compared to another.
You can be an elitist and serve the community. :p

Yep, I know you elitist can as long as you don't do it in a patronizing way. But then on the other hand what "community" are we talking about? :p :D

Yeah, that bothers me, too.

I agree that attending planning sessions with the graduate chapter before initiation will give a prospective graduate initiate a realistic idea of the tasks and time needed to accomplish the goals of the chapter, region, and organization as a whole. However, if they have been watching the chapter in the community and are truly connecting with sorors in a proper way to make their interest known, they will have some insight to the time it takes and the variety of programs to coordinate within the chapter.

Unfortunately, I don't think that mandatory community service will help. Those who are already doing community service and who joined their orgs to support their founders' vision are going to continue, whether its required or not. Those are the people who are going to work for their organizations no matter how many other memberships they hold.

There are some people who might become more active if service was mandatory. However, there are several categories of people who will not change their behavior. The fact is that once you get your letters, you can do whatever you want with them. If you want to wear nalia and never serve a day in your life, it's really up to you. I'm not in favor of that, but some people are ok with not going to regionals or knowing who the new President of their org is or what the national programs are. They just want letters and status. And these people will join whatever organization they can to attain that.