You are an Individual
 

PM_Mama00,

I disagree with you very strongly. From the moment we become members of our organizations everything we say and everything we do represents our organization. It does not mean that everyone in our org agrees with our statements or our behavior, but to the outside world (who only may know one ABC or one XYZ), the one member's actions represents the actions of all others.

This notion is particularly importnat in cyber-space, where women who are PNM's only opinions and knowledge of our organizations may be based upon what they read in our postings on GC.

I don't mean to start a war here, I just feel fairly strong about this subject.

Laura

I agree with what PM_Mama is saying, to an extent. Of course it would be silly for someone to hate all Gamma Phis, for example, if one Gamma Phi said something on greekchat that she didn't like. And of course not all members of an organization have the same opinions.

However, I agree with Laura on this. I think that, especially when our names or signatures reflect our membership or we are known to be a member of an organization, what we say and do reflects on that organization, whether we want it to or not.

Of course, we are all individuals, but we are also members of organizations that are bigger than ourselves and that we represent in everything we do.

Re: You are an Individual
 

Ha! It is so funny what some minute changes can do!

I agree with my Syracuse Triad sisters.

I believe that everything that I write on GreekChat reflects--however indirectly--on Alpha Gamma Delta. So I always try my hardest to be respectful and polite. I expect the same behavior from my sisters.

When I do get the urge to be controversial (pretty rarely, I hope), I leave my signature off. That may be a *very small* gesture to propriety--regular GCers know exactly what GLO I belong to--but at least it makes *me* feel a little better. :)

I have to agree with Laura on this one as well.

This is something that was stressed to me during my pledge period, and it mentioned in our ceremonies. Simply, the way in which one member carries themselves can cause discredit to anyone else who worthily wears the pin or letters of your organization.

One of the consequences of joining an organization that is bigger than yourself is that you immediatly become associated with all members past, present, and future. Is it fair to be judged by their actions and not your own? Probably not, but I think you have to agree that we, as humans, do this constantly. Keep in mind that you also benefit when people think highly of your organization. So it does work both ways.

I know this has been said before.......
The internet does not make you anonymous. This is especially true when you have your letters in your signature or your screen name and your personal webpage linked on your profile. Remember that many unregistered users look at this site and one of them may be from your organizations headquarters. The damage you do on here can definitely reflect on your organization and I can only imagine what a national board might do to prevent their image from being tarnished.

I agree wholeheartedly! :D

This isn't a black and white subject. The difference between what is PC and what is NOT PC has a lot to do with the "forum" you are addressing when you voice your opinion.
GC is a Greek forum and as such, the people here often make the association between an individual and their GLO. If your "forum" was the crowd at the bar where you were vacationing (of COURSE you would NOT be wearing your letters;) ) nobody would bat an eye, or at least they shouldn't.

Then, there's your signature- it draws attention to the group.
You will be praised for your good posts but stoned for anything that a zillion unknown "sisters" might find offesive because it's part of their name too.

I don't think I would have the same reaction for an offensive post as you do, unless there is some June Cleaver wanna be lurking and she thinks I've defiled moterhood.

I will say, if I see NUMEROUS posts by SEVERAL different members of the SAME GLO, I start to form an opinion. Is it right? NO WAY, but...it sneaks up on you.

I haven't read every-single-one of your posts, but what I have read hasn't changed my opinion of PhiMu or you as an individual. I think you have made some great posts and if you messed up on a few...well, who hasn't? I still like ya!:D

EDITED!!!! I just proved the WRONG POINT- I have assumed all along you were Phi Mu Mamma- and you are PM Mamma! UH OH!!!!
Maybe I'd better rethink my opinion!!!

EDITED AGAIN-Yes, when I see your name I DO always think Phi Mu, but the rest still stands. However, it shows the feelings of the OTHER side in a stronger light!

The problem is...there is no blanket "this is the right way to act/speak" all over the country, or within an organization.

There are some individuals on here who have brought forth points in a way that their national council or brothers/sisters would find exemplary, but have offended the living daylights out of me.

On the other side of a coin, there are individuals who have said things their org as a whole might not approve of, that I greatly respect because of their willingness to share those opinions.

I hope everyone understands what I mean.

My two cents--


I've been known in the past to post some outrageous things but I am also a firm believer in personal opinions. Some things should not be posted in the public but rather in a PM. What is done behind the scenes and no one knows about is exactly that. If no one knows about it then it can't hurt you or your GLO.

There will always be that pesty someone who is a pacifist and whenever an Alpha individual ( Such as myself) expresses himself the only way he/she knows how, that person ( sometimes known as--Vagina) finds everything done by us, offensive.

And anyone else who ALWAYS finds my posts offensive regardless of the fact that their true.

I do believe to a certain degree that what we do reflects our GLO, but the actions of one do not reflect the actions of ALL. Therefore, what we do does not always reflect our GLO. I do agree that we should not bring shame to our letters but at the same time if we were all the same then we'd be a fraternity of clones no one would have their individualality.

Now here is the tricky part.....what you do DOES reflect what kind of chapter you are/were in.........My chapter of PiKA was quite different than the new chapter at UF. You are what you hang around. If you surround yourself with studs, then eventually you will be one too. If you are surrounded by morons and geeks, well, eventually you'll start to act like one. With that said my point has been proven. Ones actions might not reflect the GLO as a whole but it does reflect your chapter and the kind of character it has. If your chapter thinks your out of line and they think you do not represent the ideals and beliefs they rep., then more than likely you will be outta there.

Keep in mind every chapter has to have people who get things crazy and people who keep things calm....there has to be a balance in every chapter.......otherwise you'll probably get kicked off of campus like so many other fraternities have.


*I had to set you lesser mortals straight*

You are an individual and can say whatever you want, but you have to realize that some people will generalize what you say and take it as a reflection of your group. Because no matter how different each person is, you all joined a values-based org. and pledged to uphold those values. So if you act out-of-line, the credibility of your orgs. pledges and the importance of your values will come into question by some.

In a sense, an org. is considered a huge extended family. And while each member of a family is an individual, if a trashy crack-whore girl from my school's little sister comes through recruitment, I'm probably going to think twice.

oddly enough, i hate the damn packers. I'm all about my Chiefs who have lost another player in a car accident.....

I am a TRUE believer in individuality. My personality and experience is not defined nor LIMITED by my affiliation. If anything it is enriched. I refuse to let others tell me who I should be because of my letters.

BUT

When you have your letters, colors or symbols in your handle quote, etc. then you need to be conscious that you are representing your organisation full time on this board.

Yes we are all individuals, but when we SAY that we represent certain ideals then we need to be aware when that is not happening, and our behavior is downright contradicting what we say we stand for.

JAM, the idea that ANYONE could think you're defiling motherhood cracks me up!

I do know what you mean about seeing several posts from different people within an organization. There isn't any organization I "hate" because of this, but there are one or two I've reached the (probably unfair) conclusion that I don't wish to get to know that org better. By the same token, though, it is silly to judge an organization by only ONE member. Goodness knows Alpha Xi Delta has made mistakes in the past as to who we pledged, and I'm sure the same is true of any organization.

However, folks are going to judge our groups whether we like them to or not ... I will be judged as a white girl, as an AXD, as an alum, as a graduate of my college ... JAM will be judged as a mother .... etc.

I think the more people you know in a group, the less likely you are to judge them by one person. I knew a lot of Theta Chis in college, for example, so even if I meet a jerky one it wouldn't tarnish my image of the org. On the other hand, there are some orgs that I've never met a member of, here or in real life. I know nothing negative about any of them. BUT if one appeared on this board and started picking on everyone else and talking about his/her job as a drug dealer ... I'm sure it would influence my opinion of XYZ. It's human nature.