Once again I will say that people join organizations for many different reasons. I truly believe that people can grow and learn to understand the purpose of the organization after they become members. Like your Soror (Wonderful1908) said "I know for me and I only speak for me, Alpha Kappa Alpha was NOT like what I had in my mind prior to becoming a member. So for some who are "shocked" by the reality, it may be a process they have to ease into." ---Some people really don't understand what they are getting themselves into. Truth be told none of us actually know what we are getting our selves into 100%. We assume and speculate. We only know fully when we become members. Membership has its privileges!
Actually, I would think that we would want our members to grow once they are on the other side. Do you really want prospectives to proclaim that they know everything about our organizations? If this were the case then what would be the purpose of intake/traditions/secrets? As a community, if we stay stagnant we will never have the opportunity to affect, effect, and impact the community. We will not be such strong forces that we are.
As for me, I see Delta as an enhancement. Although, I am a neo (coming up on a year on Thursday
), I can truly say that I have grown a lot within this last year. I am just starting to understand the true meaning behind those letters that I wear so proudly across my HEART. I plan to grow, grow and GROW in DELTA. And with that growth I expect more understanding/ a greater understanding. My line name is "Ascension" -- the big sister that named me said that she saw me reaching and conquering heights/plateaus in DELTA! I plan to live up to that.
Back to the original question -- can someone or will someone grow? Well that's an individual thing. I have seen both sides of the coin. I have been surrounded by the 'greek world' for a long time --- I have seen those who HAVE IT TOGETHER before those letters come in to place just loose it and themselves once they are recognized with some type of. 'status'. I have also seen those who weren't 'shyt' before make a 360- and actually have some value/worth.
Growth is possible, if it is something within -- a desire/ want, but as brothers/sisters we should never turn our backs on our members. We should be willing to hold each other down, make them accountable for what they pledged their lives to and help them 'grow' and 'understand'. Sister AKA2d said "The frightening thing is, the same people we call brother and sister, have NO earthly idea what is going on." Well isn't it our responsibility to foster that idea in them? Can you truly claim that you are your sister's/brother's keeper?
~daLuv