Zeta Phi Beta Sorority IHQ Under Fire

[Wolfman]

The issue of leaders in BGLOs (and other groups) looting their organizations or simple malfeasance is only one side of the equation. The other side is the culturally ingrained idolization of leaders in African American organizations, which transcends the presence of organizational charts and has to do with the members' expectations of how a leader should conduct him/herself. In my observation there is a projection of the hopes and dreams of "success" of members onto leaders so that the exalted status they occupy is an extension of the hopes and dreams and status of the rank and file. So the bishop,pastor, president, chancellor, basileus, polemarch,etc. should live in a style befitting that status. It's a matter of pride for see the leader driving the fancy car, big house and fly gear! I've seen this dynamic in play in different organizational settings. We've got to evolve out of this mindset so that unscrupulous leaders won't be tolerated and we don't put good leaders into the situation where they are tempted to conform to the way exercising leadership, which is largely grounded in individualistic, charismatic notions of leadership. When you add into this heady mix a group of enablers, you're looking at a "mess." On a cursory examination, this seems to have been going on in the Z Phi B affair.

[Boom_Quack13]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
He acknowledged that it is an overall problem. He said that it's more disturbing when it's non-profit and BGLO.

See sentence below:

"Even though, as we have seen in the recent accounting scandals in corporate america of late and other cases, this is serious problem in general, it's more disturbing in that it's a non-profit and BGLO."

OK.

RIF, huh? lol

[darling1]

you hit the nail on the head!!!!

Originally posted by Wolfman
The issue of leaders in BGLOs (and other groups) looting their organizations or simple malfeasance is only one side of the equation. The other side is the culturally ingrained idolization of leaders in African American organizations, which transcends the presence of organizational charts and has to do with the members' expectations of how a leader should conduct him/herself. In my observation there is a projection of the hopes and dreams of "success" of members onto leaders so that the exalted status they occupy is an extension of the hopes and dreams and status of the rank and file. So the bishop,pastor, president, chancellor, basileus, polemarch,etc. should live in a style befitting that status. It's a matter of pride for see the leader driving the fancy car, big house and fly gear! I've seen this dynamic in play in different organizational settings. We've got to evolve out of this mindset so that unscrupulous leaders won't be tolerated and we don't put good leaders into the situation where they are tempted to conform to the way exercising leadership, which is largely grounded in individualistic, charismatic notions of leadership. When you add into this heady mix a group of enablers, you're looking at a "mess." On a cursory examination, this seems to have been going on in the Z Phi B affair.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Boom_Quack13
Houses aren't the only form of real estate.

They do own their IHQ, which is a piece of prime real estate, located on New Hampshire Ave. in D.C.

Well in that case, my point is that there isn't a ton of payments being made across the country. 400K isn't something that you just don't see.

-Rudey

[Rudey]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Don't some organizations help finance housing for certain chapters? That would make them owners until the loan is retired wouldn't it?

I asked about this earlier on GC and was told nobody does it. I know my org actually owns its houses as opposed to the local corporations. I'd be interested in knowing the dynamics for others.

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Rudey
I asked about this earlier on GC and was told nobody does it. I know my org actually owns its houses as opposed to the local corporations. I'd be interested in knowing the dynamics for others.

I'm pretty sure that Delt does -- or at least has in the past -- offer loans to chapters that can qualify.

I'm not aware of any houses owned totally by the Fraternity, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

We do own our International Headquarters building.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm pretty sure that Delt does -- or at least has in the past -- offer loans to chapters that can qualify.

I'm not aware of any houses owned totally by the Fraternity, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

We do own our International Headquarters building.

I feel bad about this tangent so I apologize.

If they offer loans, they don't own it. Also do they offer the loan from your own funds or act as co-signor?

My curiousities kill cats every day.

-Rudey
--I'm trying to throw great lines like that into all my posts

[Lady of Pearl]

How sad- may the Grace of God sustain the Zetas!

[PiKA2001]

Originally posted by Rudey
I asked about this earlier on GC and was told nobody does it. I know my org actually owns its houses as opposed to the local corporations. I'd be interested in knowing the dynamics for others.

-Rudey

My chapter owned it's own house, well actually the deed was in the name of one of our local founders. I know that most of our chapters have their own Housing Corp. and a lot of chapters live in houses that the university owns so I 'm not to sure if HQ has any holds on chapter houses.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by PiKA2001
My chapter owned it's own house, well actually the deed was in the name of one of our local founders. I know that most of our chapters have their own Housing Corp. and a lot of chapters live in houses that the university owns so I 'm not to sure if HQ has any holds on chapter houses.

Local founders = a charter member (of your chapter, of course) who lives in the area?

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Rudey
Of course not. Enron, Worldcom, Healthsouth...the list goes on.

My favorite is when a CEO used the word EBITDAB with me. I know what EBITDA is but evidently EBITDAB is Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and Bob.

-Rudey

I wasn't clear. I meant it is not unique that it happens in the nonprofit world. Sorry about that.

Another point of clarification. DST's Grand Chapter owns the real estate that houses our HQ--four contiguous addresses in Dupont Circle of DC. Many alumnae chapters own, houses, comunity centers, early childhood education centers, etc. These transactions do not go though HQ.

But I do get your point. $300K of questionable HQ expenses could not be overlooked.

[PiKA2001]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
Local founders = a charter member (of your chapter, of course) who lives in the area?

Yeah

[kddani]

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0206/301191.html

Follow up story. Seems the feds are involved now

[GangsterOfLove]

Originally posted by Rudey
And you said they owned houses at campuses.

I will pray for your sins.

-Rudey

I'm going to let you run back and re-read what I actually typed, since you seem to be confused.

[GangsterOfLove]

Originally posted by ladygreek
I wasn't clear. I meant it is not unique that it happens in the nonprofit world. Sorry about that.

Another point of clarification. DST's Grand Chapter owns the real estate that houses our HQ--four contiguous addresses in Dupont Circle of DC. Many alumnae chapters own, houses, comunity centers, early childhood education centers, etc. These transactions do not go though HQ.

But I do get your point. $300K of questionable HQ expenses could not be overlooked.

I don't see how even $500 dollars of questionable expenses in any non-profit could be missed, let alone in ZPB.