Service, Prof., Social, MCGLO, BGLO... huh?

[Allie_XO]

For starters - I am not asking all these questions in a mean way - I just am curious. I'm a Chi Omega at the University of South Alabama. I don't think that we have any service or professional GLOs, so the only real basis I have for info is what is here.

I think I understand what a Professional GLO is - a group with a common professional goal forming a fraternal orginazation with its own rituals and secrets.

What is a Service GLO? I know that social fraternities have philanthropies. Please exlain?

Multi Cultural GLO - pretty self-explanitory, but what about Delta Lambda Phi? It is a GLO for primarily homo- or bi- sexual men. (We have a colony her at USA - pretty progressive for the deep south) And are MCGLO's service, social, or professional - or other?

And are there national blanket org. Like NPC and NPHC for Service, Professional, or Multi Cultural GLOs?

I hate to ask this (for fear of being flamed) but what is the sister or brotherhood like? I mean - Is it the same kind of sisterhood that you would feel in a social? I can tell from a lot of posts that everyone in one of these GLO's is cery proud, but I wanted to know if these orgs inspire the loyalty that socials do. (Granted, not everyone is as loyal as they should be.)

OK - now for BGLO's. Why are they called Black Greek Letter Organizations? Aren't they social GLO's too? Also - is it typical that they don't do much with the GLO's? They hardly ever participate with us. Why? I guess I can understand the "common background" thing, but when we have Songfest to raise money for cancer research, why not? It's not like cancer affects only one racial group.

And I'm going to sound even more ignorent than I already do, but - what does "nupe" and "sands" and "line" and "crossing-over" (I'm sure there are others but I can't remember) mean?? If this is secret, I don't want to know. I just want some frame of reference so I can follow y'alls conversations.

Let me repeat - I don't want secrets. I don't want to hurt any feelings. I'm just curious and I don't want any hate mail. Please be mature about this. Anyway, thanks for all the future info. I really appreciate your patience.

Allie

[SigTauJake]

Allie.


Hey I can only help you on a few of your questions. I know that "sands" are the members of your pledge class, and "crossing over" is when you are intiated. I am assuming that the "line" is just an imaginary thing, like you "crossed the line" when you got initiated. As for "nupe" I am not sure. Pertaining to BGLO's we have four at my university and we do not mix with them at all. I am not sure why, that is just the way it has always been. I think it would be better if we did have more interaction. We have service orgs here too. I am not sure what the difference is. They mix sometimes with the fraternities here, but that is a little hypocritical. They don't have to follow the same rules as us, but they are trying to be "semi-social" Who knows, but I know it angers the social sororities here. Hope this helps.

[ZChi4Life]

Hi Allie,

To answer your question about MCGLOs....

And are MCGLO's service, social, or professional - or other?

I'm a member of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. My sorority is a social sorority, so our primary focus is holding programs and events where ALL cultures can come together for social and educational purposes. However, we are also required by our Nationals to do community service each month.
There are MCGLOs that are service focused as well as MCGLOs that are professional. If you search on the Net, you can find all sorts of MCGLOs--service, social and prof.

Your next question:

And are there national blanket org. Like NPC and NPHC for Service, Professional, or Multi Cultural GLOs?

Currently, there is a National blanket org being set up for MCGLOs called the National Multicultural Greek Council. To my knowledge, they just formed about 2 years ago and are still working on getting the constitution, purpose, and overall structure together. I heard as soon as that is set, they will begin inviting other MCGLOs to join.

Hope that helped ya! If you'd like more info about MCGLOs, feel free to email me!

~ZC4L


------------------
A Radiant Lady of
Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

"Diversity: Often perpetrated, never initiated"

[IotaNet]

Allie -

You asked (among other things ) for an explaination of BGLO's and why they are different.

A while ago I wrote a post that dicussed this in detail. You can find it here

Enjoy!

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

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

[12dn94dst]

Originally posted by Allie_XO:
And I'm going to sound even more ignorent than I already do, but - what does "nupe" and "sands" and "line" and "crossing-over" (I'm sure there are others but I can't remember) mean?? If this is secret, I don't want to know. I just want some frame of reference so I can follow y'alls conversations.

Nupe: a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.


Sands: this has a bunch of meanings. 1) your line brothers/sisters 2) a person who has the same line number as you 3) someone who crossed the same semester or year as you

Line: same as pledge class

Crossing over (the burning sands): when a pledge (finally ) becomes a member of the organization s/he's been pledging.


You don't sound ignorant at all. If you think of more, let me know and I'll translate for you.


------------------
Click on the Delta Nu link for information about Icebreaker Step Show 2001, March 3 at Savannah State University

Kelli
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
12-Delta Nu-94
MAL, Southern Region
Savannah State University c/o 1997

[gamma_girl52]

Hey,

To answer your question about Service GLO's...these are organizations founded primarily on serving the community, and most have a set number of service hours that you must perform every semester in order to remain an active member.

I am a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma. Our Nationals require each sister to perform a minimum of 15 hours per semester.

Some other Service orgs are Alpha Phi Omega and Omega Phi Alpha. And there are some smaller ones that are local.

Hope that helped you a little bit!

[DST Love]

Originally posted by Allie_XO:
OK - now for BGLO's. Why are they called Black Greek Letter Organizations? Aren't they social GLO's too? Also - is it typical that they don't do much with the GLO's? They hardly ever participate with us. Why? I guess I can understand the "common background" thing, but when we have Songfest to raise money for cancer research, why not? It's not like cancer affects only one racial group.

And I'm going to sound even more ignorent than I already do, but - what does "nupe" and "sands" and "line" and "crossing-over" (I'm sure there are others but I can't remember) mean?? If this is secret, I don't want to know. I just want some frame of reference so I can follow y'alls conversations.

Well, can't comment on why BGLO/GLO don't work together as I went to an HBCU.
Anyway, I don't know if other members of BGLOs will agree, but BGLOs do not consider themselves social organizations. They are more community service based organizations. But of course there are the social aspects of it, i.e. sister/brotherhood, etc. But IOTANet has a great explanation so if you haven't read it yet, you should because it will help.

Before Greekchat, I didn't know of other meaning of "sands". I only knew of "sands" meaning the people who pledged the same semester (ex. DST Spring '99 & APhiA Spring '99). Interesting!!

Now I may sound ignorant as well but I have some questions about non-BGLO, as I don't know too much about them. BGLOs usually have names of "lines", i.e. (this is a fake one) 20 Dynamic Divas of DST. And then each pledgee will have a number between 1 and 20. So what are non-BGLO pledge classes like?

[This message has been edited by DST Love (edited February 02, 2001).]

[BlueReign]

No, Greek Sister you don't sound ignorant at all. There was a time when I didn't know the meaning to all these terms either. It is a good thing you asked as I am sure there are a lot of people reading these posts who don't know either. Like it was said earlier, read Iota Net's post. It clarified a lot for me too.

[mgdzkm433]

"I think I understand what a Professional GLO is - a group with a common professional goal forming a fraternal orginazation with its own rituals and secrets."

That's pretty good. I'm a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Music Fraternity for Women. Basically, you have to at least be minoring in music to be a member. We went through the same type of 'pledge process' as a social organization (I know this becuase I'm a DZ too).


"I hate to ask this (for fear of being flamed) but what is the sister or brotherhood like? I mean - Is it the same kind of sisterhood that you would feel in a social? I can tell from a lot of posts that everyone in one of these GLO's is cery proud, but I wanted to know if these orgs inspire the loyalty that socials do. (Granted, not everyone is as loyal as they should be.)"

Yes. I would say that I often refer mainly to my social sorority experiences more here because most everyone here is in a social and the requirements are different, but the loyalty is the same. I was VERY proud to become a member of SAI--and so were my sisters. Now, on another note, we were one of only 2 professionals on campus that were even KNOWN. But there was a professional greek letter org in just about every major on campus (at least at my school) and many of them were unknown. They didn't get involved on campus, they didn't participate as greeks and basically were more like clubs. You might not realize that there ARE professional or service greek letter orgs on your campus because they might be just like the one's I'm describing. They pretty much just act as a club. I know one of my friends joined an Honors Greek Letter Org. and all she did was apply thru the department head and got a certificate. But there ARE professional, service, honor, etc orgs out there that have the whole shebang like socials do.

[KSIGTAZ]

To: DST Love,

First great topic because everyone enlightened me. We name our pledges classes after greek letters. Alpha class, beta class ect. By the way I like your way alot better. Then each pledge is part of a family. Their big determines what family. Example I am part of the Carp family (short for Carpe Diem). The family name was made by a founding father from individ. schools. We also affiliated families. These families just make for competition but each has its own traditions also. Hope this answers some of your questions.

[prettypoodle6]

I'm gonna try to help out the best that I can!!



What is a Service GLO?
Community service organizations are based on (overall mission) the need to enhance the quality of living for all. as opposed to a professional org whose mission is to serve as a networking/educational tool for people of similar professional backgrounds.


And are MCGLO's service, social, or professional - or other?
the title "multi-cultural glo", only signifies the racial and ethnic makup of it's members, not what they're focus is about. mcglo's can be any of the above.


I hate to ask this (for fear of being flamed) but what is the sister or brotherhood like? I mean - Is it the same kind of sisterhood that you would feel in a social?
welp, i've never been in a social org (can someone help define that btw?) so i dont know what the differences are. but i think i can safely speak on behalf of my divine niner's when i say "i am my sister's/brother's keeper" and the bond that we share is unmeasurable!


OK - now for BGLO's. Why are they called Black Greek Letter Organizations? Aren't they social GLO's too? Also - is it typical that they don't do much with the GLO's?
the term BGLO is used to decribe ANY organization that was founded by african american men and women and whose membership is predominately black. Are BGLO's social? Well yes and no. The BGLO's that make up the NPHC are not social organizations, we are community service based. but there are plenty of other black greek organizations out there. now as far as working with other orgs, the only "explanatation" that i have is this: we (the 9 orgs) have programs and projects that we implement as separate entities, but whenever we decide to do group efforts its usually pushed through our local (or campus) NPHC council which obviously means working within our same circles. (does that make sense?) plus many of us in the NPHC have similar programs which makes it even more easy to work with a group that's doing what you already do.

I hope this helps!!! keep bringing questions!

------------------
I love my SGRho!!

[This message has been edited by prettypoodle6 (edited February 02, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by prettypoodle6 (edited February 02, 2001).]

[33girl]

First to DST Love re pledge class names:

They can be named according to pledge semester (Spring 85, Fall 92)
Or they can be named according to order of pledge class, whether it's by numbers (30th, etc) or Alpha, Beta, etc.

Allie XO:
In addition to my social sorority I am also a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. While we do have social aspects, our main and FIRST focus is service. Each member must do a certain amount of service hours per semester. I would be lying if I said it was as deep a connection as I have with my sorority sisters - but I didn't live with my APO brothers, and I think it does make a difference. It is a wonderful way to get into helping the campus and community.

SigTauJake:
OK, I hope these service orgs mixing with the fraternities are all girl?? That irks me too, not just as a sorority member, but as a member of a service org. We occasionally had people in APO who wanted to make it more "Greek" - as a matter of fact, I came back a few years after graduation and APO was PARTICIPATING (not refereeing) in Greek Week. I about $h!t. If you are in APO and you want to be in a social org - nothing's stopping you - go pledge, you can do both, but don't turn an apple into an orange.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Allie_XO:


OK - now for BGLO's Aren't they social GLO's too? Also - is it typical that they don't do much with the GLO's? They hardly ever participate with us. Why? Allie

OKAY, I attended an HBCU (Historically Black College/University and the ONLY groups that were on those campuses were BGLOs.

NOW, to answer YOUR question, you will have to look within your own group. Did or have you all invited OTHER groups? Have you all made OTHERS not like yourself feel comfortable or welcome? ALSO, what is the racial "climate" at your college or university?

I can just see from what goes on here in this greeklife forum that MANY non-black/minorities DO NOT want to have too much to do with members of BGLOs.

Just take a look at the comment I made in regards to who wished the BGLOs happy founder's day! That was only a FEW weeks ago.
I know one of the members of a traditionally "white" organization offered her congratulations, but was ridiculed for doing so AND SHE IS BLACK!

So, don't say that the members of the Divine Nine do not or will not want to partake in your activities...but just think about what your organization has done, or what is the relationship, if one exists between the groups.

And I know many chapters of my organization which are doing things to help in the fight of cancer, HIV/AIDS awareness, and other UNIVERSAL topics...

Btw, are you all doing anything for the education of Sickle Cell anemia/fundraiser? lupus? Are you all sponsoring a Black History program on your campus in conjunction with other groups, like the African-American council or whatever label is used?

Just curious!

[equeen]

I know that in most GLOs, pledge classes are names sequentially by greek letter - starting with Founding, then Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc. I've also know one GLO (perhaps it's particular to a chapter, but I don't know) where the pledges choose a class name comprised of greek letters, and it doesn't have to be sequential.

AKA2D, I had a similar experience re: posts congratulatory posts - I shared the good news of our recent candidate class's initiation on greekchat recently, and only a small number of people responded. Perhaps it's because my organization is newer...I don't know, though.


------------------
Always
Seek
Knowledge

Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

[This message has been edited by equeen (edited February 03, 2001).]

[ZChi4Life]

Originally posted by prettypoodle6:
I'm gonna try to help out the best that I can!!

And are MCGLO's service, social, or professional - or other?
the title "multi-cultural glo", only signifies the racial and ethnic makup of it's members, not what they're focus is about. mcglo's can be any of the above.

Prettypoodle (and anyone that may be a little confused),
I am a member of a MCGLO and our focus is INDEED multiculturalism! It is not just the ethnic makeup of our org, but it was the PRIME reason our org was founded. We don't put the word "multicultural" in the title of our sorority for nothing We are classified as a multicultural sorority b/c our purpose is to unify women of all cultures for the common goals of success in education, sisterhood, friendship, service, etc. It is also our goal to unify ALL people of different backgrounds through the events and programs we hold on campus (hence the social aspect of our sorority).
Also, our community service is not focused on one specific ethnic group like many of the BGLOs or LGLOs have. We do community service in ALL areas and help ALL groups!
There are, however, a lot of orgs out there now that call themselves multicultural b/c the ethnic makeup of their org has diversified. But there are MCGLOs that were founded w/ the priniciples and goals of uniting all cultures/ethnicities in brother/sisterhood, as well as uniting people of all cultures for whatever purpose (social, prof, service, etc).
Check out my sorority's page to see what we are all about!

To DST Love,
My sorority uses the method of line names that many of the BGLOs do. We have line names and each associate member (pledge) also has a nickname given to them by the members.
------------------
A Radiant Lady of
Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

"Diversity: Often perpetrated, never initiated"

[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited February 03, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited February 03, 2001).]