Why do multicultural GLOs/organizations exist?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

NOTICE WHAT I SAID...if the SOLE point of a MC group is to be MC, I don't really get it.

All Greek orgs have a purpose/mission statement (including your own). But, I don't know of any MCGLOs whose sole purpose is multiculturalism. Theta Nu Xi for example has five tenets: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, Leadership and Multiculturalism. Each of these tenets is vital to our identity as Theta Women. These tenets aren't just for show...we plan events around them and we expect to see them demonstrated by our aspirants. Our mission is:

To promote leadership, multiculturalism, and self-improvement through academic excellence, involvement in and service to the campus and community, as well as being living examples of sisterhood across different races, cultures, religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles.

We deeply value our bond of sisterhood. We enjoy socializing and networking within our own organization and across organizational boundaires.

I PERSONALLY don't get the point.

Exactly.

So, what is the purpose that your founders laid out for your organization? And, what benefit do you gain from membership? I could ask you the point of your organization. What are you rallying around? But, I know that, at the heart of the fraternity, there is a bond of brotherhood upon which the rest of your ideals hang. And, the same goes for all of us.

[shinerbock]

Sigh, I give up. Jeni, I'm sure even those MC groups at my school have some sort of foundation, they just don't show it, and their members couldnt tell me anything about it. Maybe they didn't want to, maybe its a secret, or maybe they just are a crappy chapter. Everyone arguing with me seems to ignore the differences I'm making between MC groups. When I said I don't understand the purpose, I was referring to groups who seemingly don't do anything, stand for much, and are simply groups of MC people. The ones that actively pursue a mission or some common cause, I fully understand the point of. Let me break it down, because apparently we're having some communication difficulties...

What I understand: Groups which are MC, but that is not their primary purpose. They function like any other chapter, having common beliefs, interests, etc. They also have standards for membership (GPA, certain qualities that members tend to possess).

What I don't understand: The chapter(s) on my campus (and elsewhere, if they exist) which seem to be MC , with no other real activity, unifying factor, or standards for membership. They mostly let anybody in, and the people have nothing in common other than being multi cultural. There are other traditional chapters I've seen who also fit this category. For example, the ones that basically hand out bids. I think a prime purpose of greek life is to seperate oneself from the rest of the campus. Not to seclude obviously, but rather to hold the group to a higher standard, and to do so requires the best students. If you're just letting anybody in, then you're not a fraternity, you're simply a random sampling of society.

[Taualumna]

My question to Shinerbock is this:

You always talk about culture and fitting in to your chapter. If a young white guy from an upper class family (complete with a prep school background, country club membership, etc) who isn't from Georgia (say, his family has roots both in the south and the northeast, but he decides to go to school in the south.) comes to your school, will he have a chance? Say his father is a diplomat and this guy went to elementary and middle school all over the world before going to boarding school in ninth grade. He's eaten things and has interests that you and your guys may never have seen or had exposure to. Personally, I'd want someone like that in my chapter, because this person can teach us a great deal.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

What I don't understand: The chapter(s) on my campus (and elsewhere, if they exist) which seem to be MC , with no other real activity, unifying factor, or standards for membership. They mostly let anybody in, and the people have nothing in common other than being multi cultural. There are other traditional chapters I've seen who also fit this category. For example, the ones that basically hand out bids. I think a prime purpose of greek life is to seperate oneself from the rest of the campus. Not to seclude obviously, but rather to hold the group to a higher standard, and to do so requires the best students. If you're just letting anybody in, then you're not a fraternity, you're simply a random sampling of society.

I now understand and agree with you. If there are chapters out there doing absolutely nothing, I'd question their existence. But, you probably wouldn't have to because they'd be taking themselves down.

And, you know how I feel about handing out bids. I have no qualms about voting someone out who isn't right for my organization. It's a business deal, not a personal one.