dating a sweetheart and I'm NOT a greek
 

So I'm involved with this girl who is an iota sweetheart..I'm not a greek and right now not sure if I'm going to go greek..I heard of the other glo sweetheart things like Sigma Doves, Kappa Diamonds or Omega Pearls. My question is are these groupies or what? It already bothers me to an extent that she is so involved with this but I understand how greek life can be for some people...so is it really an organization that does its own thing or just sugercoated groupies?

If you're involved with this woman, why not ask her? :confused:

To his credit.... I'm not sure if I would outright ask my woman if she was a groupie.

I would ask her "Who are you and what have you done with Lenny Kravtiz?!?!!"

But then....I would just sit back and observe how she interacts among the Iotas. If she looks like a train has been run on her, then it probably has. If you are super nice to the Ioters and they treat you like shizzat, then they prolly don't respect you because your girl is the set-out chick.

I agree with Sensuret....

while it isnt exactly PC to just flat out ask if she's a groupie, you can still find out the answer to your own question by observation. How does she interact with the Iotas? Do you find that she does things for them that dont seem to follow with her purpose of being a sweetheart, etc etc. Every org has a reputation and that reputation varies from place to place. And just because sweethearts might be one way at one school doesnt mean that everyone is like that. Use your better judgement and if it becomes to much for you to handle, make a decision on what to do.

I didn't mean that the OP should ask "Hey girl, are you a groupie?" and hope to get away with it, haha. Questions like "What types of activities do you do with Iotas?" or "What do you like most about being an Iota Sweetheart?" would be easy enough to ask. And, as you stated, observation works too.

I actually have respect for the Iota Sweethearts. They are the only sweethearts I have met that show mad respect to the NPHC sororities and don't try be something they're not. I also respect them because they are a legitimate group (not a greek organization) and their legacy is respected and recognized nationally by Iota Phi Theta. If you go to their website, you'll find some information about how the first Iota sweetheart helped in getting their org established. The other groups you mentioned are not recognized or encouraged by the organizations.

If your girlfriend is following in the legacy of the Iota Sweethearts and is really helping the Iotas serve the community and administer programs, I don't see any problem with this. Many also use the Iota Sweetheart experience as a stepping stone to joining a sorority and I have found that this is something many of the Iotas encourage them to do.

if a sweetheart is selected appropriately then she is not a groupie at all.
the sweetheart of sigma chi is another one that is internationally recognized, and held up to incredible standards as an ambassador for our fraternity. To be a sweetheart of sigma chi you've gotta be not just another pretty face, but a true friend to the chapter, someone everyone knows, can count on for support, and feel comfortable hanging out with- and on top of that the sweetheart has to present the ideals we look for in our own brothers.
If your girlfriend is a sweetheart all you should take from that is that she has the respect, loyalty, and probably protection (at all those crazy frat parties ;) ) of a whole ton of guys. And what's not to like about that.

There goes that crazy universalism versus cultural relativism thing again.

I know a Soror who is an Iota Sweetheart. Great ladies and their relationship with the Iotas was extremely respectful on both sides.

But that was that chapter and those particular men and women. It was also 10 years ago. I have no idea how things are elsewhere and now. There aren't that many Iotas so such a 10 minute study wouldn't be hard to conduct. Just kidding. I love Iotas---Hi, Starang21. :o

Hello, post #1. How are you?

I loooooooove Sigma Chis, too.

Oh and this is a similar yet different kind of "sweetheart" that we're talking about here.

i'ma be the real one...yeah she's a groupie, well chances are, she probably is...lol!!! and i'm dead serious too. i understood the point back in like the 50s, 60s, & 70s...but now, nah. hell my chapter bros that crossed in the 80s tell me stories bout sweethearts, so it already confirmed what i thought. now granted, not everyone who is a sweetheart is a groupie, but a good majority of them are. why be an illegitimate part of an org, when they're not recognized by the NPHC? and yes, iota sweethearts are NOT recognized by the nphc, ya'll forget we got a ban on auxillary groups. Iotas just chose to ignore that since its in their constitution already when they joined the nphc. them chicks might as well pledge a sorority that is mostly associated with said org(not sayin i condone that, but hell ya'll know thats why some chicks joined ya'll orgs)...but thats just my $19.14 on this...

...still waiting...... ;)

Jokes about sweethearts aside, it just isn't true that every sweetheart or sweetheart "chapter" is of groupie status. Even back in the 50s and 60s there were sweethearts who were considered groupies and subervient. Meanwhile other chapters' experiences with their sweethearts were different.

NPHC doesn't have to recognize them. They are recognized by the Iotas on a national level. Even though our orgs are part of the NPHC, we do function as separate entities with some different practices ya know.

I appreciate you for saying this.

I think many people are confused about what "umbrella organization" means for us.