Why is it...

greeks have to be so mean to their prospective brothers and sisters. Why is it they have to give them their butt to kiss? I met a member of AKA and she stated she is always nice to interests because they are simply that "interested in her sorority". She went on to say how she treats people the way she would like to be treated... not doing anything to disrespect someone who may oneday be her sister. But she is one in a million. I am just curious as to other thoughts regarding your initial contact with a person interested in your fraternity or sorority.

Oh and another thing I forgot to mention, the Delta's are scheduled (so it is rumored) to come back to the University of SC in the Spring. I personally know a Delta who is in grad school here, who didn't pledge here, but said when they come back on campus she will be "sporting her para" to see how many people "kiss up" thinking she is a member of the chapter here. And see how many interests she can get to do her laundry on a weekly basis?

Serious replies please.

[akirakay]

I hope she was joking.
Some initial experiences aren't positive at all. The first time I met a greek, she was very stand-offish and carried herself in a "Holyer than thou" attitude. But she was just one.(And she was like that before she became greek) Not all of them are like that. Although it's difficult to want to be in an organization with people like that in it.

All organizations are bigger than one person or one chapter. If you're going to let someone intimidate you or keep you from getting what you want, then you must not have it in your heart or want it that bad.

Life is full of people with these kinds of attitudes, greek and non-greek. You see them at school, work,church, etc., so keep that in mind.

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Sisterhood, Scholarship, & Service
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
"Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom"

[Ghostface-Killah]

Well, while we are at it, let me add that all org. have a funny chapter and/or member somewhere. DO not let one person influence your perception of the entire org. or family (NPHC). I believe we all have a frat/soror we would like to have a long talk with about the way they present themselves and the org.

I don't think the above described episodes are characteristics of neither org. you mentioned. Please understand there are fellow greek frats and sorors who think to be better than others because of the org. they belong; right or wrong, they are out there and they will wake up when their time is due. When interest comes to me, I keep it at a business level and try to make them feel welcome, considering she can be a potential soror. I also encourage them to look into other orgs. and make sure they are clear about their choice.

I hate to see people recruiting. I think the way you carry yourself and your actions should be enough to make young ladies want to be part of your org.
Hope it helped.
No Limit Soldier,
SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INc.

Yes, she said it in a joking way but I know my girl and she is serious (as far as the butt kissing part but I think she was joking about the laundry part).

(I hope my post don't insinuate that I feel that AKA's are nicer than Delta's -THAT'S NOT THE INTENT OF MY POST :-) )

TO C&C, so you are saying that you NEVER gave an interest attitude? Be honest.

Originally posted by akirakay:
I hope she was joking.
Some initial experiences aren't positive at all. The first time I met a greek, she was very stand-offish and carried herself in a "Holyer than thou" attitude. But she was just one.(And she was like that before she became greek) Not all of them are like that. Although it's difficult to want to be in an organization with people like that in it.

Originally posted by mccoyred:
PLease keep in mind that you are on the outside looking in. There are some behaviors of Greeks that you cannot understand until you cross. Many have to do with certain rules and regulations as well as codes of conduct about which you may know nothing. An interest may interpret these bahviors as rude, stuck up or standofish when that may not be the case.

If you really want to be Greek, you need to look past that into the foundation of the organization and try to ascertain it's ideals and principles.

Greek Prospect,
In the above quote, my Soror has answered the question for me.

Prospects and non-greeks sometimes fail to realize (or forget) that we were individuals with our own characteristics and personalities prior to becoming greek. I don't intentionally intimidate people, but ladies that crossed after me have said they felt intimidated. I can't help how others feel or perceive me, but that didn't deter them from the journey. But after they crossed and they got to know ME, they said I was a cool and nice person to know.

[mccoyred]

PLease keep in mind that you are on the outside looking in. There are some behaviors of Greeks that you cannot understand until you cross. Many have to do with certain rules and regulations as well as codes of conduct about which you may know nothing. An interest may interpret these bahviors as rude, stuck up or standofish when that may not be the case.

If you really want to be Greek, you need to look past that into the foundation of the organization and try to ascertain it's ideals and principles.

Also, as my soror indicated, there are people who are just plain unapprochable in EVERY aspect of life. Before we were Greek, we were people. Also as a previous reply indicated, the person was stuck up BEFORE she pledged, so more than likely she is STILL stuckup. However, I would like to say that the pledge process (now MIP) should help you as an individual to grow and mature so that you project the best self in representing the organization.

So, stay true to what you want and know that when/if you cross into the Greek world, you will gain knowledge and understanding.

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mccoyred

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

[Tiara98]

Hazing has become a big issue on my campus. I was absolutely shocked to hear about some of what has been going on in many of our NPC sororities...I truly believed that the 'hazing' that occurred was NOTHING like the urban legends you hear. The reputation the BGLO's on my campus is almost more horrifying.

I truly believe that you should grow to respect your sisters and/or brothers because they set a positive example of respect, maturity, and love -- NOT because you are afraid of them.

One of my sisters and I were discussing this and comparing it to parents. You are much more likely to form a deep, loving emotional bond with a parent who has been a beacon of unconditional love than with a parent who has been abusive and instilled fear in you.

You will respect either parent, but one will be a healthy, constructive form of respect while the other is a resentful, terrified, and self-nullifying form. How are you supposed to feel close and affectionate towards someone who crushed your self-esteem and been detrimental in the quest to become the best man or woman you can possibly be (which is a major reason for my membership in my org.)?

As a disclaimer, I am not 100% sure of what transpires in organizations other than my own. I also realize how sad it is that ENTIRE chapters, or even GLO's themselves are attacked for the possibly unsolicited actions of a fraction of the initiated members, because I believe that only rarely is it a majority of the chapter sanctioning and/or supporting these hazing incidents.

However, it seems that the systen is inappropriately very passive about letting things like this happen. The only penalty (to my knowledge) that NPC here gives reported orgs is a ban from participating in homecoming. Slap on the wrist much?

I would think that chapters would be interested in penalizing the individuals that are blackening their name? In not doing so, they are putting the fate of their organizations at risk. The silence is a dangerous reinforcement that violating the human rights of others is OK.

I just felt the need to share my thoughts on this...

I agree with the idea that if you want something bad enough you must do what's necessary (within reason) to obtain it. That me be getting up enough nerve to make the initial contact to a member who may APPEAR unapproachable. If you're scared to speak or won't make the attempt to get to know a person, why should they consider you to join their org? You would be a complete stranger or appear to lack confidence.

Just my personal feelings and observations.