Is YOUR NPHC Sorority Enough?

[PhDiva]

Yes, Sigma is enough for me given my multiple commitments related to my full-time job, consulting business, volunteer service (apart from Sigma), advisory board participation, etc. I am committed to remaining financial and active in my chapter so that means I personally can't take on an additional obligation if I wish to do well in all of my current responsibilities.

I do think that joining at the grad level has some bearing on my attitude toward service. I came in expecting to be about the work of the organization. I served on committees, will be heading a committee for the next sorority year and I support our national, regional and chapter programs as much as I can. It can be a juggling act but through the work I do for Sigma, I get to both work with and socialize with like-minded black women that I wouldn't have the opportunity to do in my faculty position.

But I know within my own chapter there is at least 1-2 major programs per month plus our regular chapter meetings so with my other commitments (including family), I just can't take on another obligation. I am a neo but my attitude is that if you are unsatisfied with your NPHC, work to change it instead of complaining about it and not participating in moving it forward. To me, folks who don't try to make their orgs. better completely undermine our whole concept of NPHC membership as being members "for life".

PhDiva

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Okay, I'll come right out and say it. Too many folx join orgs, including the NPHC, because they are elitist. They aren't thinking about service or sisterhood/brotherhood. They are thinking of status. A prime example is here in the Twins, the majority of the members of the Links become inactive in their NPHC group and devote all of their time to the Links. Why? It is given more status, because it is considered more selective.

And also let's be honest about why some folx want to join certain NPHC orgs v. another. That is why I do respect those that take the "road less traveled."

Sister Ladygreek,

Don't you think though that if our organizations had a "more focused membership"--i.e. attainable goals to achieve by the amount of service rendered for a certain number of years, like say, 25 years? If folks cannot serve in the smallest of ways, then they should pay...

Not to diminish the Links, Inc. but people see our member's behavior and make judgments on the segregation between groups. But, look, we have representatives from all NPHC sororities posting here AND we have a few fraternities and other GLO's that are participating. So outsiders views become irrelevant.

Personally, I think that most folks who are intimidated by us are insecure with themselves. So, they have to say hateful statements to justify why they do like to join as an antisocial behavior.

Folks think they are joining a unified group when they join a church, a social group or whatever. But once entrenched with the daily tasks, they stand back on the sidelines and run off at the mouth rather than rolling up sleeves and being part of the solution...

I think that at least with the current intake process, we dispel some the myths about our respective organizations. So if someone goes inactive, for bogus reasons (i.e. it not their thing, etc.), then it is really his/her fault, not the GLO's. They should have done their research before they accepted the invitation to join.

Where I am from, some members serve both organizations. Where I live, most folks are the same way it is in your city. It sounds like it has to do with money and mandatory assessments at least in my current location. Folks where I live think they are hot to trot, but are really not. Otherwise, the city where I am from, you would see it universally. I am sure there are a few. But most serve both organizations and their churches.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Okay, I'll come right out and say it. Too many folx join orgs, including the NPHC, because they are elitist. They aren't thinking about service or sisterhood/brotherhood. They are thinking of status. A prime example is here in the Twins, the majority of the members of the Links become inactive in their NPHC group and devote all of their time to the Links. Why? It is given more status, because it is considered more selective.

Yeah so many people can't multitask.

You can be an elitist and serve the community.

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And also let's be honest about why some folx want to join certain NPHC orgs v. another. That is why I do respect those that take the "road less traveled."

I only respect them if they are doing it because their heart's in it versus just trying to be different. I hate it when people always say or do anything just to make themselves the loner. It's like the punk rockers who do it to be "oohhhh soo different" when, in fact, they're just like every other "different" punk rocker.

I also know people who joined the "road less traveled" orgs and when you talk to them they'll say things like "if I had to do it all again, I'd stay GDI" or "I just wasn't feeling XYZ." As if their organization doesn't stand on its own and always has to be compared to another.
You can be an elitist and serve the community.

[neosoul]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I would suggest scaling back but not completely letting go. I am sure that you can achieve the balance you are looking for.

just the leadership roles ... but I know I'm just kidding myself, I'm not going anywhere

[pinkies up]

I'm a mom, wife, sister, daughter, bestfriend, teacher, doctor, lawyer, judge, (and the jury), chef, butler, maid, and the dang police.

I'm also an AKA with a full time job, and in school part-time. I am a member of several school related orgs. and extra curricular activities at the school I teach.

And you ask me is my organization enough???

[Boom_Quack13]

Delta is enough for me. I was a J&J mom for a while, but it became far too time consuming for me and the babies. I am thinking about trying to join J&J again when my oldest becomes a teen, because I find the organization more beneficial for teens.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by Boom_Quack13

I am thinking about trying to join J&J again when my oldest becomes a teen, because I find the organization more beneficial for teens.

This is what my cousin did. She is very active in her local J&J chapter now that her girls are pre-teen and teen. She is also an AKA, but I don't know if she is as active in AKA as she is in J&J.

As for me SGR is enough. Like others have said, there is more than enough in the sorority to keep me very busy, but I do what I can.

As of now I have no interest in joining another structured organization. I enjoy my very casual interations with my needlepoint group, and I am considering getting involved in some dachshund-related events. Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs and there are groups where you can particiapte in mock hunting games for dachshunds.

[Conskeeted7]

I personally don't have enough spare time to do all that I would like to within AKA. So, right now, I can't imagine having another major organization to split that limited time amongst. However, I also work 40+ hours a week, am married and like to travel. I am involved in professional organizations, but that's different.

However, as my free time increases and I've reached some personal goals within AKA, I would consider membership in another social organization. I don't see this happening for several years though, maybe in my late 40s.

[RitaMae1908]

Originally Posted by Blacksocialite

OK, with several NPHC Centennials coming up, I have starting having some very interesting philosophical discussions about the future NPHC sororities.

I was chatting with a few folks recently about why they desire to join other selective membership organizations after they join an NPHC sorority (i.e. Links, Jack and Jill, Chums, Moles, Girlfriends, etc.)

All of the folks present at this discussion are members of at least one other selective membership organization. Reasons for joining other organizations included frustration within their sorority, family tradition and legacy, and desire to network with a larger group of women.

I shared that some older members believe that their respective NPHC sorority should serve all of our organizational need states and; that we shouldn't seek to join other selective member organizations.

Is your NPHC Sorority enough?

Call me crazy but I've never heard of some of these organizations (Chums, Moles, Girlfriends...)??? Are they service related? or professional? Just was curious...

[Steeltrap]

Originally Posted by RitaMae1908

Call me crazy but I've never heard of some of these organizations (Chums, Moles, Girlfriends...)??? Are they service related? or professional? Just was curious...

From what I understand (Soror BlackSocialite, please correct me), a few of these orgs, including the Girl Friends, are more social-oriented.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

From what I understand (Soror BlackSocialite, please correct me), a few of these orgs, including the Girl Friends, are more social-oriented.

Yep, they are. They may have a scholarship fundraiser, but basically they are strictly social clubs. And for the guys you have orgs like the Monitors.

[Blacksocialite]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

From what I understand (Soror BlackSocialite, please correct me), a few of these orgs, including the Girl Friends, are more social-oriented.

Hey there Soror,

The Girl Friends is social primarily I believe. The Links combine friendship and service with a requirement for service to remain an active member. Jack and Jill is social and service as well.

[Blacksocialite]

Originally Posted by RitaMae1908

Call me crazy but I've never heard of some of these organizations (Chums, Moles, Girlfriends...)??? Are they service related? or professional? Just was curious...

Chums and Moles are social but some chapters do provide scholarships to teens for college. The Girlfriends is also a social organization primarily.

Black folks love exclusive member organizations - so much so that there is an old saying 'If there are three Black people in the room together, two of them will form an organization to keep the other one out.'

[neosoul]

AKA_Monet is making too much sense for a Tuesday afternoon

[neosoul]

maybe it's the foreigner (sp?) in me, but when y'all say social... you mean like parties, get togethers, and dinners, etc?