First name basis?

[AGDAlum]

I just read a post on the ADPi board about President Emeritus Maxine Blake's 100th birthday. (Shouldn't that be "emerita," since she's a she?)

But the point of my post is this. Throughout the news release the references were to "Miss Blake." Alpha Gams are on a first-name basis from the get-go. (At initiation we are reminded of that.) I always liked that because real siblings don't use titles when talking to one another; the AGD practice acknowleged that collegians and alumnae are equally members. (Maybe it's more noticeable to me because I remember a time when not every telemarketer or sales reps called perfect strangers by their first names....but that's another thread.)

What other NPC groups (or other GLOs) have a first-name policy, or specifically don't?

AGDAlum

[Taualumna]

What's the link to that? I can't seem to find it!

[NutBrnHair]

Our "elder statesmen" on the National level always insisted on being called by their first names; however, I know of no written rule or reminder that this should be the case. On occasion, I've known of some elderly advisors to collegiate chapters where the undergraduates called the individual "Mrs. So And So." I've always proceeded right along and called another Chi Omega, regardless of age or stature, by her first name, due to the equality which is implied by the term "Sister."

I guess our most well-known elder statesman was Mary Love Collins, who served as National President from 1910-1952 and then remained on the Governing Council until her death in 1972 at age 90. She was always called, "Mary Love."

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I don't know if there is a specific policy, but I would call someone who is older Miss or Mrs. until given permission to call her by her first name.

[PhiPsiRuss]

In the English language, "emeritus" is a gender neutral term.
http://webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=emeritus

[Sister Havana]

I've always called other members of APO by their first name, no matter if they were older or younger than me.

Generally, I'll call people by whatever they introduce themselves as. If they say "Hi, I'm Joe Smith," I'll call them by their first name. But if they say "I'm Mr. Smith," then that's what I'll call them.

[ThetaPam]

They might be referring to her as "Ms Blake" because it was a news release. (I didn't look at the post on the ADPi board, so correct me if I'm wrong.) But in newswriting, each paper makes an executive decision on how people will be referenced. A really common standard is to use the full name the first time a person is mentioned and afterwards to refer to them only as Mr(s). So-and-So. I know when writing for my school's paper we leave off the titles altogether and just refer to the subject by their last name after the initial introduction.

[Taualumna]

Ooooo...ignore my previous post. I've found the link.

Originally posted by AGDAlum
Maybe it's more noticeable to me because I remember a time when not every telemarketer or sales reps called perfect strangers by their first names....but that's another thread.)

I'm generally uncomfortable by people addressing me on a first name basis unless we know each other socially. In turn, I would not call a sister that I was unfamiliar with, or one who has "high standing" within the organization by her first name, unless she specifically directed me to, and even then it would likely make me uncomfortable.

Delta Omicron does not have a first-name basis policy.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

I have always called all other Gamma Phi's (even IC) by their first name, but I don't know of any policy in Gamma Phi that speaks either way.

I know in old Crescent's, there are many references to "Mrs. X" but that's also the era.

I had actually never thought of it until you mentioned it. Maybe it's because I'm older (so closer to the age of our IC) but I'm almost chuckling thinking about calling our President "Mrs. Read" instead of Vicki. It would be weird..........

[Tom Earp]

I hate being called Mr. or Sir!

Mr. is My Father, and Sir makes me feel really old!

While, people are taught properally so, that the introduction should be formal at the first introduction. Of courwe, this depends on who and what circumstances!

We call each other by First Name or Brother so and so. But many times it is hey asswhole what are you doing!

[Taualumna]

You know, it's kind of weird. When I went back to my high school for reunion weekend, many of the teachers asked the returning students to call them by their first names instead of by their honourifics. I'm ok with calling the younger teachers by their first names, but it was weird to do so with teachers who are old enough to be my parent!

[PhiPsiRuss]

During official Phi Psi meetings, officers are addressed as "Brother office title," and non-officers are addressed as "Brother name."

Outside of meetings, we usually go by first name. It is common to address a brother, who you haven't seen in 2 years, as "Brother Name" and after that initial conversation, to simply use the first name.

[AGDAlum]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ThetaPam
[B]They might be referring to her as "Ms Blake" because it was a news release. (I didn't look at the post on the ADPi board, so correct me if I'm wrong.)


Actually, I was the one who erred. It wasn't a news release, it was a message from the ADPi president to the membership.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by Taualumna
You know, it's kind of weird. When I went back to my high school for reunion weekend, many of the teachers asked the returning students to call them by their first names instead of by their honourifics. I'm ok with calling the younger teachers by their first names, but it was weird to do so with teachers who are old enough to be my parent!

I have an elementary school teacher like that. He's older than my parents and when I got back in touch with him, I was always calling him "Mr. B" and he had to tell me to call him Dale. That is weird..............