BGLO/GLO-Honorary..Good or Bad........
 

First of all, greeting to my brothers in the bond!!!of The Honorable Kappa Alpha Psi!!!!Some of my sands & my other partners in other frats had this discussion. Having honorary members in your org. Is it good or bad thing? They don't go thru the pledging or intake process as other members. They only get in because of the prestige or the amount of money they have. On the contrary, they bring more funds in to the org.....I can't speak for every other org,however as far as I know...K.A.Psi do not have any honorary members........(Just one Ex.) I question my close partner who is a Que, was Shaq a honorary or legit...he assured me that Shaq was legit because he was there when he went over....along with some other bruhs.....Shaq is one of very few famous people in org. go thru the tru process.
Does this bring the org. down or help build the org up with these honorary members?

I'm a member of Kappa Alpha Psi as well as Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. I use to be of the mind frame that I did not support the concept of having a honorary member. I felt like my letters were being given away. But then I thought about it. What about the people we let in everyday who pledged, or went through MIP who do nothing for the organization. They only joined to step, stroll, and wear the letters. Brother Burning Sands, you know the Dreamer visioned more than that. So to say that honorary members bring down the org. is not true. I've seen people who have claimed to have gotten the organization beaten into them literaly and they do nothing for the org. They're always the ones trying to call others out because they did not get beat down like they did. They are also the main ones you see on the yard when it's time for a stepshow. But the ones who don't show up to the seminars and the service projects. So an honorary member who doesn't give a lot of his/her time to the org. once initiated is the same as someone who is in it for the wrong reasons.

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

Before I comment on the subject. I was wondering if "Honorary Members" are prominent people who seek the orgs or do the orgs seek them? If they seek the organization, they should know what the detailed history of the org is all about, and what the org stands for. This should be done via a/the process. It is understood they bring more prestige to an org and money, however I think it looks better when someone has went through something to become a member of the org, rather than being selected b/c of prominence. Honorary Members more than likely will not have as much appreciation for the orgs, as the members who have went through something to earn the letters. I could be wrong, just my take on the subject. Please school me on the requirements or process of someone becoming Honorary Members if the the requirements are other than what I mentioned.

Peace,

Soror, I second that emotion!


People should know that Delta's honorary members are selected because they ALREADY embody the principles on which DST was founded. They are extended membership because they have pledged LIFE, not because they are cute or rich or famous. In fact, many famous Deltas are NOT honorary but made the old-fashioned way.




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MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Brother Nupe4Life, thanks for you komment on this topik. I just want to klear something up. i am not saying that honorary members bring the org. down or even aren't worth. I am just posting a topik to see how other members of orgs. feel about honorary members. This topik came from a discussion some other frat. members & myself had over this weekend. We were talking about all the famous & honorary members in orgs. So please for give me if I have offended any honorary members or chapters with honorary members..................

This is FYI, but months ago there was a topic regarding honorary members/status. You might want to do a search and check it out! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Well I have to say that I sorta disagree with the notion of approaching someone about becoming a member. I am sorta against having honorary membership(that's just my humble opinion, everone is free to disagree with me)
Personally I feel that if Kappa is in your heart, then you will work to gain membership, and there will be no need of honorary membership. I can understand a person wanting after many decades to be a member, but that should be of their choosing, not for us to decide for them.

If they had that burning love in their heart for Kappa, they would have been knocking at that door themselves. This goes to another topic me and my LB were having today about our intake, and who we let in. We have to be really carefull about who we bring into our frat.

There is just something in me that is totally against asking someone if they want to join my organization. I start to think, is this person going to really work to uphold our ideals and goals. Of course we would only approach them if we thought this, but still something about this just doesn't sit right with me. Can't put my finger on it, but I just don't like it.


MN

EXACTLY! We do not approach just ANYONE just as we don't extend regular membership to just ANYONE. There IS a process and the invitation CAN be REFUSED. It's like Soror McCoyRed said "Delta's honorary members are selected because they ALREADY embody the principles on which DST was founded." The have pledged their LIFE to a cause that's in line with our Five Point Thrust.

I respect that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated chooses not to extend honorary memberships, and I respect the opinion of those who concur. However, do not postulate that those organizations that do extend honorary memberships are somehow reducing the value or sacredness their organization's letters.

[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited January 30, 2001).]

I'm going to answer your question with the name of one of my most favorite honorary Deltas: Fannie Lou Hamer. If you have not had the opportunity to read about her life, her struggles and her contribution to the Civil Rights Movement, for the opportunities African American have, I urge you to do so. KMOT, I don't know where you get the notion that honorary members have not gone through anything to get into the organization. Just because they do not go through the organizational pledge process, does not mean they have done anything. In fact, by virtue of the fact that they have DONE SOMETHING in their lives, they were offered honorary membership. And not all honorary members are readily recognized. We all know about the Nikki Giovannis, Aretha Franklins and Myrlie Evers-Williams, but how many of us know about the Rae Lewis-Thorntons, Niara Sudarkasas...or the Fannie Lou Hamers?

I view honorary members in the light that is doesn't matter if they do anything for the organization per se. They were selected because they spent their lifetime making tremendous strides for a cause that the organization holds dear. In my eyes, as long as they continue working for that cause, they are fulfilling their honorary membership and thus not taking that honor for granted.


"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired" - Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977)
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Click on the Delta Nu link for information about Icebreaker Step Show 2001, March 3 at Savannah State University

Kelli
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
12-Delta Nu-94
MAL, Southern Region
Savannah State University c/o 1997


[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited January 30, 2001).]

I appreciate your reply 12dn94dst. I hope my message didn't sound as if I were knocking Honorary Members. I was not trying to knock them. I was trying to find out the quintessence of their affiliation with the organizations, and whether they seek the organiztion or if the orgs seek them. Bare in mind, when I posted my message I was interested in getting information on the process "Honorary Members" go through. Thank you again for your information. BTW, I have studied the legacy, and history of your soror Fannie Lou Hamer, who I also think is a remarkable woman. You made a good point by saying "they have already went through something to become an Honorary Member". Now, my question is, do they have to know the history of the organization they are representing once they accept the title as Member?

QUOTE]Originally posted by 12dn94dst:
However, do not postulate that those organizations that do extend honorary
memberships are somehow reducing the value or sacredness their organization's letters.

12dn94dst

Lady, I step back, tip my hat, and offer a heartfelt apology if I in any way made it seem
that I was speaking negatively of anyone's organization.

Trust me I was not. I was simply saying that I do not think that we (in my frat) should
be approaching people about joining. It was in no way ment as a slap to your or any
organization that does honorary membership. My knowledge of how this honorary thing
works is very limited, and I only spoke from my own limited knowledge.

I was unaware that the applicant approaches you for membership. Thank you for
enlightening a brother. I still disagree with it, but that is of course my option. We can
agree to disagree.

Peace and Love

MN


[This message has been edited by ManndingoNUPE (edited January 31, 2001).]

Peace & Blessings

I agree with Sister Soror 12dn94DST on Honorary Members being feathers in our respective caps.

However, my only concern is, that when Honorary members are sought out--if they are local people but high profile, the alumni/nae chapter should court them for membership. For example, if Jane Doe civil activist lives next door to me, there's no reason why I couldn't or shouldn't court her and invite her to chapter functions, etc. Especially since the majority of Honorary Members (or potential) have their degrees.
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SapphireSensation
RoyalBlueDiva
The Epitome of Finerwomanhood

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[This message has been edited by SapphireSensation (edited February 01, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by SapphireSensation (edited February 01, 2001).]

While I agree with the honorary membership idea, I DO NOT think we should 'court' them.

While we strive to serve as wholesome examples for others to follow and invite the community (prospectives and others) to participate in chapter events and other public functions, we should not go out of our way to try to convince someone, honorary or not, to join the organization. If someone expresses an interest and we feel she could be an asset to the organization, then the process can begin and an invitation for membership might be extended. However, just like other categories of prospective members, honorary member prospectives must seek Delta FIRST.



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MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

I applaud KAPsi for not having honoraries and I am proud that we have very few. The few that we do hold a special place in our org and are there for partucular reasons. Fame and/or good works is not a vald reason for membership into Omega. We need no one, nor do we seek them. If you value the membership, then pledge for it. With sororities, it is different.

Common misconceptions:

Shaq is not honorary
David Justice is not honorary
Steve Harvey is not honorary
Bill Cosby is not honorary
Michael Jordan is not honorary
Ahmad Rashad is not honorary
Mayor of Atlanta Bill Campell is not honorary

These men all sought Omega. I will say that only half of them "pledged", the others, intake. As far as I'm concerned, all intake is "honorary".

DoggyStyle
As always you crack me up. I do know that Steve Harvey did pledge

Brother Dear, would you care to explain how it's different with sororities? Delta doesn't have many honorary members either. Last I checked the number was around 100 total and about half of them are deceased. That's less than five hundreths of a percent (.05%) of the total membership.



[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited February 01, 2001).]

Sista, there is really no way for me to discuss this without offending anyone and that is not my intention. Again, I will say that honorary membership is fine for female orgs. You do not have to defend it. My feeling for male orgs is that you don't ask people to join your org if they haven't sought membership and have not the time nor inclination to be initiated in the traditional manner, be they famous, noble, and/or influential.

I was just wondering where each of them pledged.

I can't speak for other organizations but from my experience,my organizations does not have honorary members.If the Prince of Whales wanted to pledge he would have to go through intake like anyone else.I personally don't agree with a person being invited to a function or a convention and then told that he can be a honorary member with all the priveleges as the rest of us.Especially if the person does not have a College degree.
I have heard of one organization that claim famous people even after they are dead.That's a desperate cry for membership.I hope that all famous members of every organization listed in the Divine Nine are truly initiated members.

I can't speak for other organizations but from my experience,my organizations does not have honorary members.If the Prince of Whales wanted to pledge he would have to go through intake like anyone else.I personally don't agree with a person being invited to a function or a convention and then told that he can be a honorary member with all the priveleges as the rest of us.Especially if the person does not have a College degree.
I have heard of one organization that claim famous people even after they are dead.That's a desperate cry for membership.I hope that all famous members of every organization listed in the Divine Nine are truly initiated members.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe Steve Harvey had a degree already. i do know that when he was in college he pledge Que, but his line was dropped. He was just finishing something he started a long time ago.

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif Maybe I'm losing my mind, but I thought DoggyStyle82 had posted where the Bruhs he mentioned crossed. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

he he... maybe it was a dream? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif
Deja Vu perhaps?

girl, I know that "new job" has not made you "lose your mind up in here, up in here" lol http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Seriously, I know earlier he posted that they were not honorary. I don't know...

YEAH, and if they do not have a degree when they are initiated, are they enrolled in college ...just wondering?

Didn't Steve Harvey "go over" not too long ago? So, is he enrolled in school somewhere taking classes towards a degree or does he already have a degree? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif
That goes for David Justice, too. What about Shaq? He JUST received his degree from LSU last semester and when he "crossed" he was in "the league"...

I noticed Jim Vance, a news anchor for NBC in Washington, D.C. is a Kappa Alpha Psi. He mentioned that recently during an evening news cast. I thought that was pretty cool.

Kevin

LMC&CBO! no, i was already losing my mind, have been for quite sometime now http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif, but this "new job" has seemed to speed up the process just a lil! LOL http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Steve Harvey pledged at Kent State as an undergrad, but because of circumstances, did not become official until '99.

David Justice was intake thru the Atl grad chapter

Shaq was not allowed to pledge by his coach as an u/g, he was intake thru the grad in Orlando.

Bill Cosby pledged as an u/g at Temple Univ and belongs to a grad chapter in NYC

Ahmad Rashad is grad intake in NY.

None of them are honorary and they all sought Omega.

.
 

Bill Cosby did not become a member at Temple as an undergrad. He became a member at Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of White Plains New York in 1988.

You learn something new every day.

I think there are a lot of misconceptions around honorary membership in the NPHC. Yes, these members are invited to join because they are extraordinary in their professional fields (and yes, they are really initiated as members), but becoming an honorary member does not mean that you are not involved in your organization. We've had honoraries for years and many of them (past and present) are active in grad chapters and really come to love the sorority just as much as those who aren't honoraries. And the bottom line is that we're all equal in the sorority. Many also represent their organizations on their own while working with other organizations and projects that they're involved in. So being an honorary does not necessarily mean that you are just a billboard for an organization. If your organization doesn't have honorary members and you're okay with that, great...but don't knock others especially when you really don't know the extent of which these members are involved in their organizations.

Since I have seen many women of great achievement cry during their ceremony, and deliver heartfelt speeches of what it means to them, I am glad we initiate honorary members. I will say though, that I do prefer it when the initiate is not a "celebrity", but rather a woman of great achievement in other fields other than entertainment that positively impact people's lives.

Both Sheryl Lee Ralph and Suzanne Douglas were invited, not because they are actors, but because of the personal work they have been doing for years for the disenfranchised.

For my Fraternity, honorary membership was the desire and policy of the undergaduate founders from the very start. In fact, Founder, Dr. Ernest E. Just was an honorary member! The problem I have is that sometimes, in the contemporary context, people confuse celebrity with the true stature gained by lifelong achievement which would merit someone being accorded honorary membership.

Well,

IDK if anyone else has seen Sheryl Underwood's comedy special for Starz..

She does a whole thing towards teh end of her show where she gives a shout-out to all the BGLO's and makes a point that she is a MADE "ZPhi" and not an honorary. I think that her views on it are more evident.

Personally, I think that honoraries are a good thing for a very small and very select membership. I know that one more recent initiate is the author of "Why I wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy". In her case, I encourage it. The org had been working with her for years and she was already treated that way without being official. As far as I have heard, they still have to pass the same things that the college members do. Its really just a situation of making it official in most cases as far as I know.

I think it depends on the organization also and how they feel about it. In my org for example, we see honoraries as simply sorors like everyone else and the only time their honorary status is mentioned, is when we are talking about how the person came into the organization; undergrad, alumni, or honorary. But we don't normally refer to these members as honoraries to make any distinction between them and us. I also know that our honorary members are encouraged to get involved and stay involved just like the rest of us. So when we ask them to join, we actually expect them to join their nearest alumni chapter and get involved. The nearest alumni chapter or chapters in their residential area are also usually present at their induction.

With Delta, honorary membership was present at the inception of the organization as well in the person of Mary Church Terrell.

We specifically recognize honorary members and accord them special honor as such. However, there are certain priviledges and rights that they do not have.

Well, it's easier to get an autograph if your Honorary Member is famous and ask for it right after initiation:D:D:D

(thanks Soror Nichele!)

Exactly! In the beginning they had a different title, which was later changed to honorary. But the concept was the same.

The only thing I don't like about honoary membership is I don't feel that participation in the org helped to become the great person they are today.

I'd like to think that if I see a famous person of a D9 org that something about joining the org in undergrad or grad played a part in their success.

Would love to hear why someone thought Hillary Clinton was worthy of Honorary Membership.