Paragon 1922,
I must say that I have to agree with you. I come from a predominately non-greek family whereas the men are members of particular organizations, but sorority women are nonexistent. When I first came to my school I began to look at all the organizations. I had various reasons as to why I looked at each individually. On my campus we had a host of Zetas, an handful of AKA's, two Deltas, and no Sigma Gamma Rho.
I began to view the pros and cons of things I could agree to and those that made me shake my head. For instance, I noticed that the organization that had the fewest on campus never participated in any activities without the help of the second largest whom they happened to have historically broken off from. I wondered on that for a while as to how I'd come into contact of situations where there was only one Sigma Woman on a campus and she seemed to make her organization the most active against those with 30, 40 members.
Another thing was the number factors. It bothered me that when intake processes where over and the new members came out. I knew a lot of them before and they had more interest in other sororities, but when they found the members in those organizations where going to deny them of entrance they sought letter wearing elsewhere. I was also stunned by the amazing number to all of a sudden be intook whenever I know a few who did not substantially meet the requirements I'd read on the national website.
I say letter wearing because we have a few that only wear letters. I won't criticize that group as a whole because I know of the individuals that do there part. Those who do are always complaining about those who are at every party and club event but aren't paying dues and participating in the sorority activities, but soon as a road this comes up they are first in line. I'm not excluding Sigma women by saying none of them are letter wearers but I can say that all the ones I have met are fully active, whether it's in the spotlight or it has made a difference in hidden situations.
We have a small amount of any particular race on our campus. African Americans standing at less than 300 total. So when someone joins an organization and they are inactive everyone seems to know about it.
Other things are that I feel as a nongreek who may have been interested in one of our already on campus sororities I would of really be pushed away due to the things I heard from the members on mouths about the negativity in there sorority. For example,
the "I use to be a member of this organization" made me question why more and more I heard that line from members of that organization around the country. Or the fact that they'd gone to other campuses and was like they don't like there sorority sisters there-better yet those who don't like members that are in the same chapter. And even more the fact that they talk about there sorority issues around someone who they don't know that well.
I can tell you this I sought one organization and recieved so many snotty replies against other organizations that I realized those particular ladies were all about numbers and looks and the fact that they made NPHC history of being the beginning sorority. Who cares if you start something the question is can you stick to it, nearly a hundred years later?
The next was a little better, but I couldn't find common grounds with those individuals. They just all seemed to have this attitude that shunned me away from them. I felt like I would have to be a groupie (not saying that they are) and loose my identity to hang with them. That definately wasn't me. I felt like they had things about them that I couldn't be a true member to. I felt like I don't want that first letter to symbolize the changing of me into what someone else wants me to be. (That was not saying that's what I think it stands for, it was only a matter of saying-that's what I wouldn't have wanted it to stand for).
The third organization didn't have as many falls because in a lot of places they had the fewest of members on campus and seemed relatively active. But to me I felt like I'd be joining just be a sister to there constitutionally bound fraternity brothers. (That's strickly my opinion from personal experiences). I have a few friends in this organization and it is currently the most active of those on campus. But for various reasons I found they are not the organization for me.
I found the last created, Sigma Gamma Rho. And I was like these women really have it together. I figured it was a trail to them of the lacking that other sororities didn't have. (This is strickly my opinion, but I'm sure some will agree) Once you got through the fact that you are beautiful and you know it, no one has to tell you and you definately don't have to tell them cause they can see for themselves (everyone is beautiful regardless of physical features-true beauty lies within), you didn't have to change into someone else and act a certain way to fit in (you all accept individuality, what's the point of everyone acting the same-don't sames repel against each other), why do you need brothers-(I can understand the wanting to have a greek family but you all prove that you are able to stand alone). You have a true sisterhood bond that stands out like no other. With the members that I have come in contact with from Sigma I have found that I am treated like a little sister even though I'm not a member. To me I feel like a little sister too; meaning I haven't gone through process to be like you all, but I am accepted and the fact that I am interested is respected.
I chose outside of reputations cause education was the key not who was this, that, and the other. Although I will say reputations played a part because I don't pick friends who are known for bad ways, so why join a sorority of that matter-especially when I will be giving my time, money, and commitment to it.
I was like I hardly ran into members of Sigma before I sought interest, but that small package was geniune (an original).
I'm not trying to bash other organizations because that's not going to help me achieve anything. I only hope that this allows one to see that I have an abundance of love for Sigma it is may help them to relate and make a wise decision reguardless of what organization someone chooses. Because every organization isn't meant to have everyone in it. That is why I have not posted any offensive personal cons against any of the other organizations, if so I should hope that they are woman enough to accept constructive criticism because everyone is entitled to there on opinion-I'm on the outside looking in, they are on the inside looking out. So obviously we are seeing two completely different views and there comes a point where views clash.
As to those who are like why is this nongreek talking about other organizations when she's not even a member. I feel like this... I may not be a member and there's a slight chance I could be denied of membership but I know that I wouldn't choose any of the other organizations for membership. I feel like the points I expressed is the general information that many of you probably experienced. I have nothing against Zeta, AKA, and Delta I just have things that I don't agree with to the point that I couldn't seek membership with them. I know many of you have felt the same about those organizations in which you didn't choose.
I believe that individuality and able to stand strong says it all. And that is why I look at Sigma with that twinkle in my eye.
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