Brother(Sister)friends.....

[lastpoetnsite]

much respect...

i think we are saying the same thing...only missing each other in the translation.

i truly believe that saying this:

"my mom (or dad as the case may be) was in XYZ organization so i want to be in it."

and saying this:

"my mom (or dad again as the case may be) is someone who i have admired all my life. she (he) has instilled in me the values of XYZ organization by helping me understand the strength of sisterhood (brotherhood), service to your fellow man, and having a conviction in what you believe in. because of that i have been interested in XYZ organization all of my life...."

are the same things. one is a little more cleaned up than the other. but basically it is the parent who is the catalyst for joining. now adding all the other information makes it pleasant to hear but in essence it says that the reason why i'm doing this is because my parent influenced me.

If my mother were a doctor, would I choose to be one just because she is a doctor? Am I trying to make her happy by following in her footsteps? Or would I do it because she is making a good income? Or would I do it because I have seen her in the act of helping people?

i'm sure you can agree that there are lots of people who are whatever they are because of their parents. whether its because of a sense of loyalty or because they are impressed with the way the parent has done something in their lives. either way there is a sense of...legacy (in the most positive way)...*if you will permit me to use this word*...that goes into following a parents footsteps. and sometimes that also means joining an organization that they are a part of or becoming a lawyer, doctor, teacher etc. because the parent was. its something that happens in many families.

I would hope that people who are interested in joining an organization realize that it is so much more than calls, hand signs, steppin', and strutting in 'nalia. Now, if that is the only things they are interested in, then I'm sure they will NOT let that be known and make up something "pretty" to mask their true intent.

i agree the above things as i said in my post are frivilous. but some people will say that these were the very reasons *if they had no contact with greeks before* that they became interested in the organization. then on further research they came to understand that these things are the "fun stuff". the hard work is the service, sister/brotherhood, working for the betterment of the organization etc.

with my mentioning of these things being the catalyst of an interests research i was trying to say...that this question could spark memories of why interests wanted to join an organization. for some (before they researched) it was the first time they saw XYZ fraternity/sorority step on the yard. for some it was watching the members party stroll. for others it was the jackets or para. these are the sparks...the hope...*which I agree with you wholeheartedly* is that they have researched and found that those things are just the cherry on top of a very large sundae. the perks, so to speak, of membership.

but when asked this question...are interests guarded and wary about their answers? i would say yes. the fear of being told that their answer "isn't good enough" or in your fellow moderators case saying that one is not "Serious" about their interest. for someone who isn't strong in his or her convictions this could be a devastating blow even if it is over the internet.

answering any questions about a desire for membership can be tenuous at best. because you are putting yourself out there for review of all greeks those you wish to be sisters/brothers with and those you are only going to be extended sisters/brothers with.

hopefully people will continue to answer this question without fear of being put down for their answers. some interests are just beginning their journey...while others are knocking on the door of XYZ organization. either way all the posters should be comfortable enough to feel that whatever they say will be respected and even given some constructive criticism at times.

it is my hope that we can all learn something from one another both greeks and nongreeks alike.

peace

[AKAtude]

As I said before, I disagree. On to the topic at hand please...

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by lastpoetnsite:
but when asked this question...are interests guarded and wary about their answers? i would say yes. the fear of being told that their answer "isn't good enough" or in your fellow moderators case saying that one is not "Serious" about their interest. for someone who isn't strong in his or her convictions this could be a devastating blow even if it is over the internet.

answering any questions about a desire for membership can be tenuous at best. because you are putting yourself out there for review of all greeks those you wish to be sisters/brothers with and those you are only going to be extended sisters/brothers with.

I would have to say "suck it up." If someone is interested in an org, then the bottom line is they need to get the answer together. Instead of thinking that we Greeks are just waiting to jump all over someone's answers, perhaps look at it as we are trying to help/prepare them.

You prepare for job interviews, and no one ever trips over those questions. Would you have the same feelings on the topic if the thread had been "What can your occupation of choice do for you?"

[AKAtude]

Originally posted by Ideal08:
I would have to say "suck it up." If someone is interested in an org, then the bottom line is they need to get the answer together. Instead of thinking that we Greeks are just waiting to jump all over someone's answers, perhaps look at it as we are trying to help/prepare them.

You prepare for job interviews, and no one ever trips over those questions. Would you have the same feelings on the topic if the thread had been "What can your occupation of choice do for you?"

Ditto.

[lastpoetnsite]

much respect...

i probably would not have the same feelings because employers don't "jump" on you if they don't like your answer. you won't get the job and if you are interested as to why you didn't for the most part there is a department that handles reviews of the application and interview review forms. then when you apply again or to another job you can take the knowledge that you have gained from the constructive criticism and apply the changes to your next interview.

yes, i agree that interests must take some things that members say as constructive criticism. but the mentality of "suck it up" is precisely what i am addressing.

the belief that just because one is in an organization and can just say "anything" to an interest is outlandish. there is a way of going about "criticizing" someone without demeaning them. would you agree?

again i am learning alot from this one question. and i appreciate that it was asked...i hope that other sister/brotherfriends, GDI's, interests, Greeks have learned from this too.

Peace

[nachural]

Frankly my organization of choice is organization of service. My long time goal is to be a person who serves a country. Being affiliated with this org will help develop my personality to be one that is more selfless and considerate of others. It will expose me to those who I want to help and actually give me a chance to help them on a smaller scale. Also, I am lady who doesn't have a lot of female friends and this sisterhood would give me a chance to meet women who I could have life long friendships with. Right now I have like 4 girlfriends....that's it.

nachural

[CountryGurl]

I admire the services that members of my organization of choice provide to their communities. Over the years, I have been impressed with the national and local programs used to strengthen the community, encourage scholastic success, and the positive principles of sisterhood. Having dedicated many hours of volunteering at local middle schools and mentoring teenagers throughout the city I know the importance of educating our youth. As a fellow sisterfriend stated earlier to do so through an organization can help to spread out the education of our youth.

[De6]

What can YOUR ORGANIZATION of choice do for YOU?

- Since my organization of choice is full of high achieving,community oriented women,it can push me to do the best in all that I do.It can also teach me to remember from whence I came and that it is good to make a strong contribution to the community.

[southernelle25]

Originally posted by exquizit
[B]I just recently have a conversation about this......

Honestly I feel that the org I'm interested in would give me longer arms. By that I mean longer arms to reach my goals, people, and excellence.

Amen. I was thinking about this too. There is much one can accomplish as an individual, but there is so much more WORK that can be done and ADVANCES that can be made when you have a TEAM with you and supporting you. (This is especially true when it is just you up against local government bureaucracy. )

As much as I too admire the services that members of my organization of choice provide to our communities nationally and abroad (especially in Africa), I believe the organizational backing would help ME to initiate programs that I see are much needed in MY own community. Specifically, the organization could assist me in implementing an economic development project of mine which I believe would foster growth and long-term development of our local businesses, increase employment, and provide learning opportunities and job skills to disadvantaged youth. (I have worked with a similar program in the past, so I know the possibilities when done effectively.) The organization could also assist me in developing a health care services and awareness clinic geared primarily toward the elderly and their families. (Again, I have seen the positive results from such a program elsewhere, but I would like to see the same at home as well.)

Personally, my organization of choice would help ME to further develop my business and communication skills, things which could always be improved upon. It would expose me to new people with whom I could network for my own personal and professional future. And, it would provide me an opportunity to be part of a community with a long tradition of service and scholarship, and allow me to stand alongside women who have paved the way, ...women I admire and who have inspired me (and millions of others) over the years.

[CrazyTxPrincess]

Exquizit and southernelle25 I couldn't agree with you more. I believe there is much work to do in my community. It is very sad to look and see the direction that our generation is going towards. Many of us have forgotten or just don't know our black history and don't understand why getting involved with your commnunity such as voting is important. The organization of my choice has done a excellent job over the years and I could learn so much from them and continue what they started. Great women have came from this organization and have inspired me to do my part in the community. I know me as a person wouldn't be as powerful as a big number and through the organization of my choice I could meet other women with the same goals as me and with the resources make a great change. The only way for us now as a people to keep moving in the right direction is to work on the youth. Only through them we can change their mindset and they can pass that on to the next generation and so forth. If we can do this many of our problems could be eliminated since our troubling ways have been passed on and thats why the cycle has continued.

[luminarysoul]

Originally posted by southernelle25
Amen. I was thinking about this too. There is much one can accomplish as an individual, but there is so much more WORK that can be done and ADVANCES that can be made when you have a TEAM with you and supporting you. (This is especially true when it is just you up against local government bureaucracy. )

I believe the organizational backing would help ME to initiate programs that I see are much needed in MY own community. And, it would provide me an opportunity to be part of a community with a long tradition of service and scholarship, and allow me to stand alongside women who have paved the way, ...women I admire and who have inspired me (and millions of others) over the years.

Very Well said.
I am a firm believer in the unit being stronger then one.
We are all capable of making incredible things on our own but with the support of women ( or men) who are hardworking and focused on improving communities would be a dream come true.
There is so much to be done!!