advan/disadvan

original katy · #1 02-09-2004, 06:05 AM

Hey everyone. I am doing an assessment for school (year 12). I have tried a lot of websites but they don’t give me the personal information I need. I was wondering if anyone would like to offer input about advantages and disadvantages of belonging to a sorority or fraternity? No need to email or PM just reply to this board if you want. Oh, by they way it’s anonymous to whoever wants.
Thanks

XOAlumXO · #2 02-10-2004, 01:15 AM

Hootie basically summed it up. My experiences have been so positive. I have met my best friends through XO. My sorority was truly my home away from home in college...and even now, as an alum. Can't fail to mention the social aspects...there was never a dull moment! You also become involved in tons of activities like community service projects.
Also, I noticed that Greeks tend to fill tons of leadership roles. You have many opportunities, and you really take these experiences elsewhere, to the work place. I know personally, that being Greek has helped shaped me overall.

thetalady · #3 02-10-2004, 01:24 AM

I'd like to add support

For many men & women, college is the first time they are living on their own. For some, that also means far from home without the friends & family you have come to depend on. A GLO gives the new member more experienced, older brothers & sisters to help guide them through those first few scary months when they are trying to find their way.

A GLO can also provide some external discipline to wild & crazy freshmen until they learn how to handle new freedoms.

g41965 · #4 02-10-2004, 01:28 AM

In the best sense of the word being in a greek org. allows an individual to participate in a voluntary, democratic organization.
The opportunities for problem solving, creativity and growth are limitless.
For example I very much enjoyed editing and writing the alumni newsletter for two years. I met dozens of alums and got a great part time job as a runner/ case clerk at a top local law firm out of the job.
I went to the International Convention and met dozens of other DU's this allowed me to see what a fine org. DU is and was in 1986.
I was pledge trainer and began the process of ending hazing in my chapter.
Like any democratic org. fraternities are chaotic,you won't always agree with everyone but in an era of big impersonal organizations where you take the big companies/ governments/insurance deal or have to walk aways Fraternies allow individuals to have a say in their lives in an important and stressful era.

I think churches, the masons, homeowners associations fufill the same roles.

Tippiechick · #5 02-10-2004, 01:31 AM

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...=original+katy

original katy · #6 02-10-2004, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tippiechick
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...=original+katy

how come u put that link there? i posted that other thread as well but it wasnt the same info i want..

thanks everyone else they were really good answers!
this forum has been my best source of information so i hope no one minds

AchtungBaby80 · #7 02-10-2004, 10:05 AM

Here are some cons (hey, you all already named all the pros I could think of, so this is all that's left!

):

1. Cost: Dues and other expenses are generally not cheap, which may deter some people from joining or cause members to de-activate or go alum early. However, it can be managed...most of my sisters worked to pay their own dues and fees, and they were fine.

2. Time Commitment: Being Greek demands a serious time commitment from members, if you want to do it right. Like everyone says, you get out of it what you put into it. There will be mandatory events that you have to go to, as well as required meetings.

However, PNMs are informed of both these things during rush, so it doesn't come as a surprise. People who join GLOs know these things going into it, so I guess they're not really cons, they're just par for the course. Notice these are the only cons I could think of, and look how many pros have been listed.

Tippiechick · #8 02-10-2004, 06:33 PM

Original katy, to answer your question, it seemed like you had already addressed the topic just in a different slant. I was simply posting that link so that others could see the topic had been touched on a bit before. That way, if they were like me and thought that the thread sounded familiar, they could see that they weren't imagining things.

Also, I thought that a point made in the other thread might be a good one to revisit: Members of GLOs might want to check with their HQ before saying anything for your report, no matter how benign it seems. I don't think you ARE someone who would try to do some sort of out-of-context "expose" on the matter. But, it can't hurt for us all to ponder the possible ramifications of our comments.

Taualumna · #9 02-11-2004, 12:07 AM

Katy,

Did you manage to get any information from various organizations' websites? There might be info there that is helpful.

original katy · #10 02-11-2004, 06:23 AM

i think its totally different because the other thread i was asking if anyone would want to an interview but this one i was asking advantages and disadvantages from a wider view...
no i didnt get any help form the various websites i emailed but this is a personal interest project so i didnt want fact sheets about "how many people belong in a sorority etc"
thanks for the help

sueali · #11 02-11-2004, 12:48 PM

One positive for me that hasn't been touched on yet is the fact that many GLO's are run in a similar way as businesses. We have executive council, we take in money the budget has to be balanced, we have to work on PR, we use parliamentary procedure. I know that serving on my executive council helped me prepare for the real world. There have been many times were my boss will suggest something and I can relate it back to my sorority experience.

original katy · #12 02-18-2004, 06:05 AM

Thanks everyone for the answers

I actually have a speech on my project on monday, but i dont get to tell my class much about sororities and fraternities unfortunatly because its really interesting to me...
I've had such a positive response so far so thanks to everyone
but if theres anymore websites or information i could use that would be great..
thanks

Tom Earp · #13 02-18-2004, 06:34 PM

katy, I hope your thesis goes well!

One thing to add, I have been working with MY Fraternity and Brothers for 38 Years. Guess that is for a reason!

One of My Brothers # 599 was Honorary Initiated as He was a Chair (head of dept) Of The U. became our Advisor and his Son had already been Initiated in the Same Chapter. So, His Son Is now an Older Brother! He are about the same age, but I am # 1 and he is # 599 so I am his Senior!

Confusing isnt it ?!

He also was a Member of The Ritual Team for Alum Initiation and I was the Candidate being the oldest member!

Confused more yet?!

I hope this tells you, that there is a lot more to Being a Member of A Greek Organization than what one might hear!

There are always people here to be of help if you so desire!

original katy · #14 02-19-2004, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
katy, I hope your thesis goes well!

One thing to add, I have been working with MY Fraternity and Brothers for 38 Years. Guess that is for a reason!

One of My Brothers # 599 was Honorary Initiated as He was a Chair (head of dept) Of The U. became our Advisor and his Son had already been Initiated in the Same Chapter. So, His Son Is now an Older Brother! He are about the same age, but I am # 1 and he is # 599 so I am his Senior!

Confusing isnt it ?!
He also was a Member of The Ritual Team for Alum Initiation and I was the Candidate being the oldest member!

Confused more yet?!

I hope this tells you, that there is a lot more to Being a Member of A Greek Organization than what one might hear!

There are always people here to be of help if you so desire!

haha yeah that was confusing...

my project isnt even a thesis just a small thing and considering the markers might not even have heard of sororities or fraternities i dont need to go into too much depth...
thanks to everyone who has helped.. its been great but i dont know about people wanting to help anymore because sometimes i got a bit of a bad response to questions i asked so i feel i cant put anymore posts on without annoying people...but if i need to ask anymore question then i'll definatly come here ( this site has been the most helpful) because the more answers i get the better isnt it...
my topic is pretty much "is it an advantage or disadvantage to belong to a sorority or fraternity" so if anyone thinks i'm going about it the wrong way and has advice to offer it would be great as well....
thanks everyone once again!!!