"Why Did You Decide to Join ...That?"

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by sbx_six_eye

This was the quote that I was referring to...



These and many other statements are some of the challenges that I face when asked about SBX. This particular statement is one that a lot of us get asked the most (or we get asked why didn't you just join a support group for mothers). It was not an attempt to attack any org in particular, but I was only illustrating a few of the things that I myself and other members of SBX have faced. Maybe someone out there has a suggestion as to how to handle that type of comment?

I did not take anything personally at all (and there are no hard feelings towards anyone else...this is only the internet), and I enjoy the fact that we all will have different opinions because there is always something new to be learned. I personally am not a stranger to the greek world and the struggles that other orgs have gone through over the years (because I have done my own private and extensive research way before I decided to join any org and from personal experience)...but my organization is still a "baby" compared to the majority of others. As we grow in size and more people know about us, it never ceases to amaze me about some of the comments and questions that people come up with to ask. I'm sure we have many more to come...

That statement was in reference to your founder who is supposedly one of my sorors. I said that because to leave your sorority to start another one is no light issue or decision and IMO it should be a last resort, especially when members can work within their own organizations to head new national, regional, or local programs as long as they align with the organization's overall goals. Issues that affect mothers and children are in line with most sorority goals anyway since many of us are or will be mothers (especially at the graduate level). I know that we already have a program to support teenage mothers and their children by providing health education and parent training. Zeta Phi Beta has a Mother/Child program as well and I'm sure others do too. However, I do see the benefit in having an organization strictly dedicated to these kinds of programs and projects so I never had a problem with your existence as a whole.

As for how to respond to those who pose questions about the validity of your organization, you can simply say that you and your sorors are dedicated to the issues of mothers and children and that is your top priority, just like Sigma Gamma Rho's top priority or foundation is in educating the Black youth and our communities. There is nothing else that you have to say and you'll find that when you are definitive about your organization and what you all stand for, people will end their questions more quickly. As a rule, if you keep your defense short, people will keep their questions and comments short...no need to go back and forth on anything, and that is something that I really had to learn over the years. As for your organization as a whole, I wish you all the best.

Also, for further reading, one of the books that really helped me to be able to defend greek life (especially as it relates to BGLO's) and our purposeful existence is "African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision" by Tamara L. Brown and others. If you haven't yet read it, please do so and tell every greek member you know about it. This is a phenomenal book that doesn't simply introduce you to the D9 but also talks about the history of the entire greek system and answers or provides insight into many questions that most people want to know about why we do the things that we do. You can purchase it from amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/African-Americ...610177-4169628.

[sbx_six_eye]

Thanks for the very sound advice and I will be reading the book personally. Is there an area for discussion (something similar to a book club) anywhere on the forum? If not I think it would be a good outlet for discussion for members of any GLO.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

That statement was in reference to your founder who is supposedly one of my sorors. I said that because to leave your sorority to start another one is no light issue or decision and IMO it should be a last resort, especially when members can work within their own organizations to head new national, regional, or local programs as long as they align with the organization's overall goals. Issues that affect mothers and children are in line with most sorority goals anyway since many of us are or will be mothers (especially at the graduate level). I know that we already have a program to support teenage mothers and their children by providing health education and parent training. Zeta Phi Beta has a Mother/Child program as well and I'm sure others do too. However, I do see the benefit in having an organization strictly dedicated to these kinds of programs and projects so I never had a problem with your existence as a whole.

As for how to respond to those who pose questions about the validity of your organization, you can simply say that you and your sorors are dedicated to the issues of mothers and children and that is your top priority, just like Sigma Gamma Rho's top priority or foundation is in educating the Black youth and our communities. There is nothing else that you have to say and you'll find that when you are definitive about your organization and what you all stand for, people will end their questions more quickly. As a rule, if you keep your defense short, people will keep their questions and comments short...no need to go back and forth on anything, and that is something that I really had to learn over the years. As for your organization as a whole, I wish you all the best.

Also, for further reading, one of the books that really helped me to be able to defend greek life (especially as it relates to BGLO's) and our purposeful existence is "African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision" by Tamara L. Brown and others. If you haven't yet read it, please do so and tell every greek member you know about it. This is a phenomenal book that doesn't simply introduce you to the D9 but also talks about the history of the entire greek system and answers or provides insight into many questions that most people want to know about why we do the things that we do. You can purchase it from amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/African-Americ...610177-4169628.

Very well said Soror. I have questions about Sigma Beta Xi Sorority as well. My questions are not regarding the validity of the organization but regarding programing, recruitment, expansion, etc. I'm all about anything that is good and positive and I do wish them the best.

[sbx_six_eye]

I first would like to thank both of you ladies for the well wishes and your insight. I did see where the topic of this thread was covered in another area...and debating over who exists and why will never be resolved here in this forum. Maybe my comments should have went into another thread, but I did want to share some of the experiences that I have had just to see if anyone has had similar ones or has advice on how to deal with these situations as they arise.

Personally, I have questions myself regarding event planning, expansion on a local level, etc...the list goes on. Before I just throw random things out there I will search to see what I find on the site first. Any suggestions or questions are welcome.

Originally Posted by BlueReign

Very well said Soror. I have questions about Sigma Beta Xi Sorority as well. My questions are not regarding the validity of the organization but regarding programing, recruitment, expansion, etc. I'm all about anything that is good and positive and I do wish them the best.