My GREEK Brothers and Sisters ONLY....

AKA2D '91 · #1 07-20-2001, 03:56 PM

How do you all feel about Graduate/Alumnae chapter step teams AND competitions?

Do you feel that "stepping" is something that should end once one crosses the stage and has earned his or her undergraduate degree? Is there a need for it in a graduate chapter? If so, why? If not, why? If you are a member of a graduate chapter, does your chapter have a step team? If so, what was the premise for having one?

What are your thoughts?

Ideal08 · #2 07-20-2001, 04:03 PM

My chapter does have a step team, as do most of the grad chapters for NPHC orgs in Columbus. As far as a "need" for it, it's no more "needed" in the grad chapter as it is for the undergrad chapter. It's a good fundraiser. I would guess the premise for having one would be to participate in the yearly NPHC grad chapters' StepShow. Should it end once you graduate undergrad? Nah. Just because you age, doesn't mean you have to give it up. Just like you should always keep a little bit of the child in you alive, I think we should also keep a little of that neo-spirit, too.

sphinxpoet · #3 07-20-2001, 04:52 PM

Sometimes I think there are enough things that seperate Alumni and College Chapters..... Stepping is not just an college thing it is part of our heritage and should be open to all greeks College or Alumni. Some of the best Darn Teams are Alumni Teams. Look at the Unknown Sigmas - To my knowledge none of them are undergrad. DC Coalition - Graduate members and have won several Shows, The National Alpha Phi Alpha Stepteam 1999 Co-Champ was a Graduate Chapter Team....I think the fact we seperate chapters by Grad, undergrad, college and Alumni and emphisize it as much as we do is a little silly since we are supposed to be one Org anyway. There is and should be a diffrence between the two cause the interest are a little diffrent but not as seriously as we make it.

Sphinxpoet

The Original Ape · #4 07-20-2001, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sphinxpoet:
Sometimes I think there are enough things that seperate Alumni and College Chapters..... Stepping is not just an college thing it is part of our heritage and should be open to all greeks College or Alumni. Some of the best Darn Teams are Alumni Teams. Look at the Unknown Sigmas - To my knowledge none of them are undergrad. DC Coalition - Graduate members and have won several Shows, The National Alpha Phi Alpha Stepteam 1999 Co-Champ was a Graduate Chapter Team....I think the fact we seperate chapters by Grad, undergrad, college and Alumni and emphisize it as much as we do is a little silly since we are supposed to be one Org anyway. There is and should be a diffrence between the two cause the interest are a little diffrent but not as seriously as we make it.

Sphinxpoet

true dat!

Chi_ZETABBW · #5 07-20-2001, 06:44 PM

Should it end? No way! Aug.11, in Chicago my grad chapter will be participating in the step show at The Musuem of Science and Industry.

Beauty1913 · #6 07-22-2001, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chi_ZETABBW:
Should it end? No way! Aug.11, in Chicago my grad chapter will be participating in the step show at The Musuem of Science and Industry.

Chi!! So will mine! We have to meet. Also, to answer the posed question, in many, if not most graduate/Alumnae chapters, there are sorors who have just come out of college who are young and loved to step while in a collegiate chapter. I think that venue for having fun in your chapter should always remain open. I have recently graduated from college and am finding that my transition into my Alumnae chapter to be much easier and smmoother because of my common interest in stepping with my other, younger, sorors.

Chi_Zeta, I am stepping with the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, this particular stepshows champions for the past 5 or so years by the way!!

Hope to see you there!

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So Smooth and So Sophisticated, Deltas Got it! Don't you Hate it? Crimson and Cream and Nine White Pearls, There's Nothing Like a Delta Girl! OO-OOP

Chi_ZETABBW · #7 07-22-2001, 03:54 PM

Beauty will definitely be looking for you!
My sorors are bad, so the competition will be stiff. I had bought tickets to RKelly, until I found out the stepshow was that day. Had to sale the tickets to mt brother, LOL.

Kiara · #8 07-22-2001, 09:57 PM

I feel as though "stepping" should not end just because one graduates...My graduate chapter indeed has a step team and won the 1996 Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Regional Stepshow back in the day....I indeed feel as though the "stepping" should continue....

AKA2D '91 · #9 07-22-2001, 10:26 PM

Let me add this to the convo...

Many feel that stepping in Graduate/Alumnae chapters is primarily seen as an outlet for those who did not come through a undergraduate chapter.

What are your thoughts?

BTW, my chapter (Graduate) does not have a step team.

IotaNet · #10 07-23-2001, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Many feel that stepping in Graduate/Alumnae chapters is primarily seen as an outlet for those who did not come through a undergraduate chapter.

... and what's the problem with that? They're still Sorors/Brothers.

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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Eta Chapter, Spring, 1980

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

Professor · #11 07-23-2001, 09:52 AM

I think it is a good idea! It keeps morale up and affords opportunity for lots of laughs. There is an annual competition in Charlotte, NC. They score the teams based on age of members. For example, If someone has a Brother stepping that is 60 then that team receives additional points and so on if one is 50ish, 40ish, 30ish.

AKA2D '91 · #12 07-23-2001, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IotaNet:
... and what's the problem with that? They're still Sorors/Brothers.

I don't know. You will have to ask those that feel that way. Just bringing another POV to the discussion.

(Don't shoot the messenger...cause You'll get shot!) LOL

mccoyred · #13 07-23-2001, 10:37 AM

I was made through an undergrad chapter and I still love stepping. In fact, I just stepped at our regional conference. There were many 20-ish AND 30-ish sorors as well as a group of more 'seasoned' sorors in their 50's and 60's. Age (or alumnae status) should not be a limiting factor in step show participation. I admit that the old bones feel it a little more, but the performance aspect can't be beat.

Another bonus to stepping is the preparation for the performance. You bond with a group of sorors/frats in a less business, more fun atmosphere than say, working in committee. Practicing together several times per week fosters a bond different than hanging out or working on a service project.

Stepping is also another way for the community to see who we are and inquire further about our orgs.

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

Chi_ZETABBW · #14 07-23-2001, 01:00 PM

Our step team is comprised of 9 Sorors who went through undergrad, and 3 who came throgh grad. As Iota said we are all Sorors.
This is what I love about my chapter, it's no issues concerning intake vs. pledging.

sphinxpoet · #15 07-23-2001, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:
I don't know. You will have to ask those that feel that way. Just bringing another POV to the discussion.

(Don't shoot the messenger...cause You'll get shot!) LOL

THe issue is where does precieved party things such as Stepping and Party Walking begin and end. I always found it interesting that people made in a college chapter tend to linger around their college chapter and step and stroll with them long after they have graduated and not join an Alumni Chapter! (ie many reasons, chapter loyalty,IMPRESSION that people in Alumni chapters did not pledge, feelings they have nothing in common with Alumni) Are they exclusive to college chapters? That would mean only certain kinds of fun are for college chapters!

But I thought it was one ORG? Let us chew on that for a Sec. I will come later with comentary!

Sphinxpoet