Questions
 

I have been doing some research on A.A. fraternities. I noticed a couple of things while reading through GreekChat. The other organizations always type IOTA in red. I assume there is some meaning behind that. Having talked to other greeks and read some of the postings on this site, it also seems that some do not want to give your organization its due respect. I have researched all of the organizations, and with the exception of being the newest and smallest, IOTA still seems to stand for the same basic principles that the other larger organizations stand for. Was there any resentment that your organization was admitted to the NPHC? What is the general relationship, being positive or negative, with the other organizations of the NPHC? And if anyone would like to share, why did you choose IOTA over the more "popular" organizations. Whatever the reason, I have to say I respect anyone who steps outside the boundaries of what the majority does and follows their own heart.

My research is for personal knowledge only. Any comments or feedback will not be forwarded or reproduced in any form.

Respectfully Interested.

Re: Questions
 

Did you do a search on "Iota"?

If so, that's why it's coming up in red. Whatever you use as a search term comes up in red type in the posts. Try it with "puppies" or "wallet" or some other random word. It's not from anyone typing it that way.

Thank you for clearing that up. You're exactly right. I came up that way because I did a search.

Welcome to GreekChat, MSUAlumni.

Is the "MSU" in your name pertain to Morgan State? Michigan State?

As for your questions, hopefully I can touch on those.

My brother IotaNet touched on these (especially the idea of "resentment" with our admission into the NPHC) in a previous post. Click here to read that post.

Our general relationship with our fellow NPHC organizations is great. As you mentioned earlier, we all have a general mission to uplift the African-American community and the world-at-large along with a desire to instill, enrich, and enhance qualities of brotherhood/sisterhood in our members so we have a common ground. Our organizations do have a rich, diverse history which can and should be celebrated both individually and collectively.

I don't completely see my decision to join IOTA as a choice between the "more popular" vs. "the road less traveled". My decision came more on the merits of IOTA and potential impact IOTA could have on the world-at-large rather than what I knew of the other NPHC fraternities. I chose to seek membership in IOTA for many reasons (two of which I will share), one being the time-period in which the Fraternity was founded and the influence that the time-period had one the personality of the organization.

You also touched on another reason when you said:

The opportunity to bring an IOTA chapter at my alma mater (UVA) was an attractive one to me. That I could make an historical impact at a very historic institution was exciting to me. Although it was not the main reason, it was another interesting factor in my decision.

If you are truly interested in membership, I wish you well in your exploration of your interest and I hope that what you learn about IOTA from IOTA brothers will help you in your decision. If you decide that are not formally interested, but just curious about IOTA and the NPHC organizations in general, I also hope that my response has shed some light on some things.

Either way, thank you again for visiting the IOTA forum. :cool:

Just for the record, I love me some IOTAS :D

Re: Re: Questions
 

LMAO, that's exactly what i was thinking......

i was like...uhhhh......so el confusedo.

^^^^ smart woman

i come from good stock

Suntzu,

Thank you for your input. For the record, my MSU is Mountain State University, a small university in Beckley, WV where GLO's are non existent but I actually reside in Tx. I took time to read the post that you provided the link to. It was one of the best I have read. Actually I am interested in your organization. Besides the good things that I have read and heard from some of your brothers down here, I admire the fact that your organization continues to expand despite the opposition. It wasnt until I started reading (which I have done a lot of ) about ALL of the organizations that I learned of the resentment the organization faced, and seemingly still does. It wasnt until then that I learned why you're referenced to as "Owtlaws". Anyway, thanx again for the input and keep doing your thing.

MSUAlumni,
Wow, I didn't even know there was a university in Beckley, WV. Delta actually has an alumnae chapter there.

yes. Small institution. Somewhere around 4,000 students. THe university also has several sub campuses throughout WV as well as distance learning classes identical to their traditional campus based classes

Re: Questions
 

MSU -

I saw your post and thought I'd add my perspectives as a 26-year member of Iota Phi Theta.

* Was there any resentment that your organization was admitted to the NPHC?
More than you can ever imagine. As I wrote in the post that Derek linked to, there are a lot of reasons for this. I happen to be the person within Iota who was the project manager for our entry into the NPHC and I worked on that initiative for over 10 years. I saw, read, and was told things that still have me shaking my head.

Ultimately however, I (like most of my Brothers) don't let it get me down. Our resilience and tenacity is what makes us Iota Men.


What is the general relationship, being positive or negative, with the other organizations of the NPHC?
As Derek mentioned, our overall relationships are great! As a past Executive Director of Iota, I worked very closely with my counterparts in the other groups and have built some fantastic friendships and alliances with them.


why did you choose IOTA over the more "popular" organizations.
We don't have enough time or space for me to articulate all of my reasons but I have a story that might best illustrate it.

In 2000, Iota celebrated the grand opening of our very first National Headquarters facility and I had the pleasure of attending the event. One of these days, 30-50-100 years from now, in some dusty, old book, there will be a photograph of the "Historic Dedication of Iota's First Headquarters." And guess what? My son/grandson/great-grandson will point to that picture and say, "Look -- that's MY Father (grandfather/great-grandfather) in that picture!"

More than anything else, that's why I pledged Iota and why I am fiercely proud to be an Iota Man to this day.

MSU,

SOME NPHC Greeks are very protective of everything associated with "Black Greekdom". Anything that instroduces change to tradition is often met with opposition.

That being said...In my 11 years I've met several IOTAS, had friends that pledged, and I find them to be good guys and true Greeks.

If there are IOTA "haters" Then IOTA must be doing something right. Its when people ignore you that there is a problem. LOL

Well...let me get off the IOTAS thread before the "outlaws" get after me..... ;)

Solomon -

Alpha Men are always welcome on the Iota Forum -- we welcome your contribution. (Now that Sinfonia thing is something else, altogether! ;) )

:D I knew you were about to go there...lol...

1898 ALL KNEES SHALL BOW...ALL HAIL SINFONIA

Very enlightening posts, IotaNet. Thanks. :)