Sorors,
I see both sides of the coin. I don't so much get put out when other groups claim to have brother/sister relationships, as much as when other folks try and NEGATE the relationship Sigmas and Zetas have, which is usually done in the same breath ("I have XYZ love with ABC and we don't need a Constitution because our love is deeper than that and the Sigmas and Zetas don't even get along on my campus anyway so what does that Constitution prove..."). I was also brought in working closely with Phi Beta, and it was a good experience (for the most part
). I agree that Zeta/Sigma has to go beyond and above the call to ensure that our relationship is effective (any Soror ever been on a local Zeta/Sigma council...ohhhh weee!). However, Sorors short change the amazing history of our Sorority by jumping bad on THAT battle while allowing people to "bite" our principles (Sisterly Love, Finer Womanhood), or our Signature Programs without so much a whimper. To me, that's the greater crime.
We know how hard we work to establish our Bond, and we know we collectively could work much harder on the service level as our Founders envisioned. I also agree that we are all in the running for quality members, but if the only reason a woman wants to join a Sorority is because its relationship with a fraternity, then she is not a quality prospect.
In the end Sorors, our Constitutional Bond with Phi Beta is an important differentiator, but historically it's not the BIGGEST differentiator between Zeta and other organizations. So if other organizations have relationships with others to whom they feel close, so be it. Zeta and Sigma were founded to fulfill similar missions and goals in the community, under the same colors, letters and Constitution. No one will ever be able to understand that, so why hate? Let's clean up our own HOUSE ((clear throat)) Sorors.
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Finer Womanhood: the "Cat's Meow" Since 1920