Joining Another Organization

[DSTRen13]

Okay, here's the thing. YES, some people are going to hold it against you especially if what they see you and your org doing on campus is a lot of para-wearing, stepping, and strolling and not a whole lot of business-related activities. You have to SHOW the other organizations on your campus what makes you different, work to EARN their respect, and make people realize why your org is not just a knock-off. Otherwise, no one is going to see any reason why you should get the chance to pledge a D9 organization. In the eyes of everyone on campus, your group might as well be a social, albeit just not a very good one. It's up to you and your chapter to change that image. (Spitting some pledge book rhetoric isn't going to help much, either.)

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

Okay, here's the thing. YES, some people are going to hold it against you especially if what they see you and your org doing on campus is a lot of para-wearing, stepping, and strolling and not a whole lot of business-related activities. You have to SHOW the other organizations on your campus what makes you different, work to EARN their respect, and make people realize why your org is not just a knock-off. Otherwise, no one is going to see any reason why you should get the chance to pledge a D9 organization. In the eyes of everyone on campus, your group might as well be a social, albeit just not a very good one. It's up to you and your chapter to change that image. (Spitting some pledge book rhetoric isn't going to help much, either.)

I totally agree. When I joined GSS at my school 10 years ago I experienced some of the same things as the OP...people telling us that we weren't a real sorority, why are we stepping and strolling and etc. when we were a service sorority, we heard it all. It made me a stronger person as an individual actually.

DSpi, if you're going to represent yourself in that manner, you're going to have to have a thicker skin and realize that sometimes no matter what you do, people are just going to have their opinion regardless, so you might as well channel your energy into making your org and your chapter look good and do positive things on your campus. Eventually folks are going to accept the fact that you're not going anywhere, or they're not. And also, if your chapter JUST STARTED doing this on your campus, then this was to be expected anyway. I'm not saying it's right, but it is what it is.

As far as your desire to join another organization, I can't speak too much on that...but from knowing my own sorors who have gone on to join D9 organizations, they just made it their business to present themselves in the best light possible. That's really all you can do like every other interest out there.

I must say that DSP has been on our campus since 1942 and you are right I am just going to have to brush it off and keep it moving. I think it is just shocking to others as well because I am 1 of 4 African Americans out of our 85 person chapter. I do feel like this is making me a stronger person slowly but surely. I know I still have more growing to do in how to handle people and the negative comments that they make. I am really thankful for your input and encouragement.

DSTren13

We do a lot of Para wearing, we always have programs and meetings at least 4 times out of the week. For Meetings you are required to were professional dress and pins and for all other programs you are required to were your letters. I don't think there is much of a problem with my organization there is more so a problem with me being in it. But we don't step or stroll we do a lot of fund raisers, we have a store that we run in our Business Building, we bring in Professional Speakers, do community service, and have chapter meetings. But any way thank you for you input as well.