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

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

You make waiting and joining an alumnae chapter sound like a punishment. In the NPHC it isn't. Our members have the rest of their lifetime to be involved in their sorority. The collegiate years are few, the alumnae years are many.

I didn't make it sound like anything. That's just the way you chose to interpret what I wrote. But, that's fine. Now, in the context in which I was speaking, I would understand why a woman in this situation would feel as if she were being punished or penalized for not being a full-time student.

Generally speaking; however, waiting to join an alumnae chapter is not a punishment and may actually be a better option for older women. But, the point I'm trying to make is that if someone has genuine interest in an org, and but for them being a part-time or online student, they would be accepted into the organization, GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE GUNG-HO.

Give that enthusiasm time to wane, due to life changes and et cetera, and you may never get them back. No matter how much admiration and interest a woman may have in any particular org, the sacrifices she is willing to make to become a part of that organization will change or fluctuate over time, depending on what is going on in her life. If someone is made to wait to join an alumnae chapter, there may come a point where even though her interest is still strong, the re-arrangements she would have to make in her life to join, X number of years later, may not be worth it. Many women get to the point where they say, "bump it", and toss that dream into the "dried up like a raisin in the sun" pile. That would be a needless loss for an organization that needs new members to perpetuate itself.

Edited to add: But, if that's the route the established orgs decide to go, more power to them. Theta Gamma Pi will be here to accept those women - if they meet our criteria - that don't want to wait to join an alumnae chapter. There's room for everybody.

Oh and btw, being an adult in age does not always translate to being an adult in mind.

Yes, I know that being an adult in age does not translate to being mature. However, I chose a minimum age of 24 years old for a reason that had nothing to do with mental maturity level. I was trying to be fair by staying in line with the age cutoff most colleges and universities use to identify non-traditional students. My personal preference is an older minimum age, but this is not a "vanity" project and it's not all about me. Principle won over preference.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I didn't make it sound like anything. That's just the way you chose to interpret what I wrote. But, that's fine. Now, in the context in which I was speaking, I would understand why a woman in this situation would feel as if she were being punished or penalized for not being a full-time student.

Generally speaking; however, waiting to join an alumnae chapter is not a punishment and may actually be a better option for older women. But, the point I'm trying to make is that if someone has genuine interest in an org, and but for them being a part-time or online student, they would be accepted into the organization, GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE GUNG-HO.

Give that enthusiasm time to wane, due to life changes and et cetera, and you may never get them back. No matter how much admiration and interest a woman may have in any particular org, the sacrifices she is willing to make to become a part of that organization will change or fluctuate over time, depending on what is going on in her life. If someone is made to wait to join an alumnae chapter, there may come a point where even though her interest is still strong, the re-arrangements she would have to make in her life to join, X number of years later, may not be worth it. Many women get to the point where they say, "bump it", and toss that dream into the "dried up like a raisin in the sun" pile. That would be a needless loss for an organization that needs new members to perpetuate itself.

Edited to add: But, if that's the route the established orgs decide to go, more power to them. Theta Gamma Pi will be here to accept those women - if they meet our criteria - that don't want to wait to join an alumnae chapter. There's room for everybody.

Yes, I know that being an adult in age does not translate to being mature. However, I chose a minimum age of 24 years old for a reason that had nothing to do with mental maturity level. I was trying to be fair by staying in line with the age cutoff most colleges and universities use to identify non-traditional students. My personal preference is an older minimum age, but this is not a "vanity" project and it's not all about me. Principle won over preference.

I am going to have to disagree with you here. If a person has the desire to join an org, they will still have the desire when/if the time comes for them to join. True desire does not wax or wane.

Also, some of my NPHC sister orgs have affiliates of women who do not have a college degree so that is always an option as well. I am not sure if these affiliates extend to distance or part-time students, though. If someone from one of said orgs wishes to speak further on this, they will.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I am going to have to disagree with you here. If a person has the desire to join an org, they will still have the desire when/if the time comes for them to join. True desire does not wax or wane.

Also, some of my NPHC sister orgs have affiliates of women who do not have a college degree so that is always an option as well. I am not sure if these affiliates extend to distance or part-time students, though. If someone from one of said orgs wishes to speak further on this, they will.

If you are enrolled in a 4 year degree program you are not eligible for Philo affiliate membership.

Wait a minute, I should have addressed the poster above you McCoy Red, cause her statements are getting on my nerves. If you have a desire to be a part of SOMETHING GREAT, that should never wax or wane. I did not become a member until I was 36 years old AND I had children. But it works out well for us because my sorority has functions and service opportunities that my children participate in since several of our national programs are youth-based.

For the new groups that have been posting on here I don't understand their founding and focus. Please don't get me wrong and and begin a barrage of attacks for my statements here because I would love to help. I tried to help the originator of this thread with real live opportunities and people I could connect him with and through PM I didn't see his real desire to do so. It just seems that these groups are started with an antagonistic purpose and an insecurity about not being part of the D9. As my fellow greeks and Sorors have stated in this thread, it takes years to build. I can understand the new groups members' defensiveness cause you do get tired of explaining yourself but some of us would like to genuinely be of assistance.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by BlueReign

If you are enrolled in a 4 year degree program you are not eligible for Philo affiliate membership.

Wait a minute, I should have addressed the poster above you McCoy Red, cause her statements are getting on my nerves. If you have a desire to be a part of SOMETHING GREAT, that should never wax or wane. I did not become a member until I was 36 years old AND I had children. But it works out well for us because my sorority has functions and service opportunities that my children participate in since several of our national programs are youth-based.

For the new groups that have been posting on here I don't understand their founding and focus. Please don't get me wrong and and begin a barrage of attacks for my statements here because I would love to help. I tried to help the originator of this thread with real live opportunities and people I could connect him with and through PM I didn't see his real desire to do so. It just seems that these groups are started with an antagonistic purpose and an insecurity about not being part of the D9. As my fellow greeks and Sorors have stated in this thread, it takes years to build. I can understand the new groups members' defensiveness cause you do get tired of explaining yourself but some of us would like to genuinely be of assistance.

I'm glad you were able to accomplish your dream and goal of membership in your organization. But, just because you did it doesn't mean everyone else can. And, just because you waited doesn't mean others should wait. All circumstances are not the same. What works for you may not work for someone else, and until now non-traditional women had no other options. They either waited or gave up the dream. Now at least they have another option.

I can't speak for the other new organizations, but my sorority's focus is clear (and clearly stated in my first post). I don't have an antagonistic purpose and I'm not insecure about not being in a D9 org, because I could have been, and still can, if that's what I wanted to do. I feel for those who are, but I'm not a D9 reject. That being said, I would love the help of someone who knows more about how to do things in GLOs.

[Live_Wire17]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I'm glad you were able to accomplish your dream and goal of membership in your organization. But, just because you did it doesn't mean everyone else can. And, just because you waited doesn't mean others should wait. All circumstances are not the same. What works for you may not work for someone else, and until now non-traditional women had no other options. They either waited or gave up the dream. Now at least they have another option.

I can't speak for the other new organizations, but my sorority's focus is clear (and clearly stated in my first post). I don't have an antagonistic purpose and I'm not insecure about not being in a D9 org, because I could have been, and still can, if that's what I wanted to do. I feel for those who are, but I'm not a D9 reject. That being said, I would love the help of someone who knows more about how to do things in GLOs.

One should NEVER give up on their dreams. If you do then you will never be successful. If it is TRUELY in your heart then keep it there and work towards it. You have to be positive and that is not just with this but it carries over into all aspects of your life.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I could have been, and still can, if that's what I wanted to do.

The glass is always half full.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I am going to have to disagree with you here. If a person has the desire to join an org, they will still have the desire when/if the time comes for them to join. True desire does not wax or wane.

Also, some of my NPHC sister orgs have affiliates of women who do not have a college degree so that is always an option as well. I am not sure if these affiliates extend to distance or part-time students, though. If someone from one of said orgs wishes to speak further on this, they will.

I didn't say desire would wane. In a nutshell, I said enthusiasm and willingness to make sacrifices for membership (rearranging her and her FAMILY'S lives for however long or short a time) might wane due to life circumstances. Don't forget, I'm ONLY talking about non-traditional aged women who are interested in joining a sorority, not all women.

That affiliate thing is not the real thing. Only the real thing is the real thing, LOL. That's like when I had to quit law school due to Lupus, and was dealing with the loss of that dream, people would tell me to become a paralegal. It's NOT the same thing.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I didn't say desire would wane. In a nutshell, I said enthusiasm and willingness to make sacrifices for membership (rearranging her and her FAMILY'S lives for however long or short a time) might wane due to life circumstances. Don't forget, I'm ONLY talking about non-traditional aged women who are interested in joining a sorority, not all women.

Our organizations aren't missing out when people's enthusiasm and willingness wane for whatever reasons. They either come back around when they are a willing and able undergraduate or graduate, or they don't.

While it's a good thing that your sorority exists, your marketing technique should place more emphasis on the qualities of your organization and less on the perceived "inadequacies" of other organizations for the nontraditional student. And your eagerness to accept women who WISH they could join an NPHC organization but just don't want to wait for alumnae chapter is interesting. This is why there are some organizations that will always play the background and they are content with that.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

That affiliate thing is not the real thing. Only the real thing is the real thing, LOL. That's like when I had to quit law school due to Lupus, and was dealing with the loss of that dream, people would tell me to become a paralegal. It's NOT the same thing.

I agree with you there. But is your organization the real thing? If not, these women aren't getting the real thing by not pursuing an NPHC sorority and they are settling for a knockoff that fits their schedule.

But they can always change their mind after they join your organization and join an NPC or NPHC sorority. There's always hope.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Our organizations aren't missing out when people's enthusiasm and willingness wane for whatever reasons. They either come back around when they are a willing and able undergraduate or graduate, or they don't.

While it's a good thing that your sorority exists, your marketing technique should place more emphasis on the qualities of your organization and less on the perceived "inadequacies" of other organizations for the nontraditional student. And your eagerness to accept women who WISH they could join an NPHC organization but just don't want to wait for alumnae chapter is interesting. This is why there are some organizations that will always play the background and they are content with that.



I agree with you there. But is your organization the real thing? If not, these women aren't getting the real thing by not pursuing an NPHC sorority and they are settling for a knockoff that fits their schedule.

But they can always change their mind after they join your organization and join an NPC or NPHC sorority. There's always hope.

I was really trying to keep from going there. Curses on you daught.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I was really trying to keep from going there. Curses on you daught.

I put it in a nice way.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Our organizations aren't missing out when people's enthusiasm and willingness wane for whatever reasons. They either come back around when they are a willing and able undergraduate or graduate, or they don't.

I think that's a very uncaring attitude.

While it's a good thing that your sorority exists, your marketing technique should place more emphasis on the qualities of your organization and less on the perceived "inadequacies" of other organizations for the nontraditional student.

Where did I say that other orgs were inadequate? Where did I mention anything about a marketing technique? I didn't. But, I do have one and it's not the one you have tried to tell me it is. I also don't have to promote my sorority by downing the others. Every org isn't for everybody. Whoever my org is supposed to have, it will have. You have made some assumptions, and read some things - that are not there - into what I've written.

And your eagerness to accept women who WISH they could join an NPHC organization but just don't want to wait for alumnae chapter is interesting. This is why there are some organizations that will always play the background and they are content with that.

You're making assumptions again. My target audience is not women who wish they could join NPHC orgs but don't want to wait for alumnae chapter. However, if a woman who wanted to join a NPHC org, but didn't for whatever reason, expresses genuine interest in my org, she'll be accepted as long as she meets our membership criteria.

The whole point of what I originally posted is that I don't think they should HAVE to wait. There are many women out there who want to belong to a sorority who are open-minded and not enamored with the NPHC ones.

As far as playing the background goes, that's elitist BS. Theta Gamma Pi is what it is, and I've never tried to hype it up as being more than what it is. I saw a need, and I hope this org will help fill the need. End of story. If QGPi becomes a large national sorority, great. If it becomes a small national sorority, great. If it becomes a regional sorority, great. Recognition from other GLOs, while welcome, is not necessary.

As long as the sorority fulfills its mission to the best of its ability, it is a success.

I agree with you there. But is your organization the real thing? If not, these women aren't getting the real thing by not pursuing an NPHC sorority and they are settling for a knockoff that fits their schedule.

Again, you are making assumptions. My org's goal is not to try to dissuade women from pursuing NPHC membership. I have nothing against NPHC membership. QGPi is simply another available option for those who would like to pursue it. That "knockoff" comment and other rigid, elitist beliefs like it is one of the reasons why non-NPHC orgs are growing so rapidly. Keep it up, you're only helping us.

But they can always change their mind after they join your organization and join an NPC or NPHC sorority. There's always hope.

And vice-versa.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I think that's a very uncaring attitude.

Good.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

Where did I say that other orgs were inadequate? Where did I mention anything about a marketing technique?

It's called "context clues."

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

You're making assumptions again. My target audience is not women who wish they could join NPHC orgs but don't want to wait for alumnae chapter. However, if a woman who wanted to join a NPHC org, but didn't for whatever reason, expresses genuine interest in my org, she'll be accepted as long as she meets our membership criteria.

So how did I make an assumption?

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

As far as playing the background goes, that's elitist BS. Theta Gamma Pi is what it is, and I've never tried to hype it up as being more than what it is. I saw a need, and I hope this org will help fill the need. End of story. If QGPi becomes a large national sorority, great. If it becomes a small national sorority, great. If it becomes a regional sorority, great. Recognition from other GLOs, while welcome, is not necessary.

Well, it's not really the "end of story" when there can be, and is, a discussion surrounding it.

As for elitist BS, anything that doesn't accept everyone and their momma can be labeled "elitist."

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

Again, you are making assumptions. My org's goal is not to try to dissuade women from pursuing NPHC membership. I have nothing against NPHC membership. QGPi is simply another available option for those who would like to pursue it. That "knockoff" comment and other rigid, elitist beliefs like it is one of the reasons why non-NPHC orgs are growing so rapidly. Keep it up, you're only helping us.

Nor did I say that it was.

Do you think that most of these knockoff organizations are a genuine and longstanding threat to organizations that have been here for decades? Show that you can withstand the test of time, then you'll be taken seriously by your target audience (and others). But you still won't be our competition.

But it's good to know that you and others in organizations like yours haven't completely dismissed the possibility of joining an NPHC sorority one day. Do you see how that makes you all NOT a threat or competition?

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Good.

Dang, lady. I'm glad you're not in charge of who gets to go to Heaven.

It's called "context clues."

I didn't send out those context clues. You read into what I wrote what you wanted. I don't need to insinuate anything. I'm bold enough to plainly say what I mean and stand by what I said (and also humble enough to apologize if I need to). That is evident by the fact that I've been holding my own against you all, for better or worse, since my first or second day on GC.

So how did I make an assumption?

I took what you wrote to mean that anyone showing interest in my org was ONLY doing so because they either were rejected by their other choices or didn't want to wait to join a grad chapter and "settled"... as if my org isn't good enough to be someone's first choice. If you meant something different, let me know.

Well, it's not really the "end of story" when there can be, and is, a discussion surrounding it. As for elitist BS, anything that doesn't accept everyone and their momma can be labeled "elitist."

You know exactly what I was referring to when I said end of story. You're just being facetious. As for the elitist BS comment I made, I stand by it, but maybe I should be more clear about what I meant. Being choosy, in and of itself, is not elitist. Theta Gamma Pi has standards, and not every woman who shows interest will meet those standards; so unfortunately, some women will not be offered membership. However, when artificial barriers (no matter what they are) are put in place to exclude, that's where the line is crossed and elitism enters the picture. With that being said, to ME you sometimes come across not as choosy, but elitist. I'm sure you don't care, and I don't care that you don't care, if that's the case, LOL.

Do you think that most of these knockoff organizations are a genuine and longstanding threat to organizations that have been here for decades? Show that you can withstand the test of time, then you'll be taken seriously by your target audience (and others). But you still won't be our competition.

But it's good to know that you and others in organizations like yours haven't completely dismissed the possibility of joining an NPHC sorority one day. Do you see how that makes you all NOT a threat or competition?

I have NEVER said that my org was trying to overtake or compete with the established GLOs. That is not my goal. I'm not trying to compete with you guys, period. First, my org is a NICHE org. It is a service sorority for non-traditional women above 24 years of age (but I have a feeling most of the members will be significantly older because of reason #2). Secondly, yes, it's a GLO, and we have colors and symbols, and a crest/shield but I'd already decided before coming on GC that we wouldn't have a call, have a handsign, or step. We also won't have secret rituals or take oaths. My intent was NEVER to mimic the BGLOs. So, those women who want the "traditional" sorority experience just so they can "rep" will automatically self-elimate.

Other than that, my org wants the same things your orgs want: to help the community. The only difference is that my org will offer this, in the form of a lifelong sisterhood, to women who for whatever academic-related (except failing and academic dishonesty) reasons are not eligible for membership into the D9 sororities, AND to women who have already graduated and like what we do and want to be a part.

Reason number two, by itself, is enough for me to know that Theta Gamma Pi will most likely never be as large or popular as the NPHC sororities. I know what I'm building, and I know how that will probably position QGPi. But, status was never the point to begin with, so I'm okay with that.

Like I said in one of my previous posts, whomever is supposed to be a member of Theta Gamma Pi will be a member of Theta Gamma Pi. No matter how large or small, national or local or regional this organization turns out to be, it will be how it's supposed to be. I am not interested in playing David and Goliath, so y'all can stop lumping my org in with these other ones whose goals ARE to give y'all a run for your money.

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

That affiliate thing is not the real thing. Only the real thing is the real thing, LOL. That's like when I had to quit law school due to Lupus, and was dealing with the loss of that dream, people would tell me to become a paralegal. It's NOT the same thing.

While becoming a paralegal is no replacement for being an attorney, if becoming an attorney is in your heart, you will complete your coursework in order to attain your degree. Thus, it is the same with joining a sorority. As it has been stated previously, if something is TRULY in your heart, you will see it through, regardless of how long it takes.

I, like many others, waited for my time came. Though it may have taken longer than the time spent in my undergraduate institution, the goal was achieved. For someone to say that they "don't have time to wait" or "might lose interest over time" or some other bogus excuse along those lines, shows that they just want to belong to something. THOSE are the people that often give newer orgs. a bad name. If your org. is truly filling a void or reaching out to an "untapped market," more power to you. However, to state that you were founded to give women who don't want to wait an option, you've basically pegging yourself as a "backup plan" org.

What happens with your members when their interest "reappears" or an opportunity to join presents itself to them?

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

While becoming a paralegal is no replacement for being an attorney, if becoming an attorney is in your heart, you will complete your coursework in order to attain your degree. Thus, it is the same with joining a sorority. As it has been stated previously, if something is TRULY in your heart, you will see it through, regardless of how long it takes.

I, like many others, waited for my time came. Though it may have taken longer than the time spent in my undergraduate institution, the goal was achieved. For someone to say that they "don't have time to wait" or "might lose interest over time" or some other bogus excuse along those lines, shows that they just want to belong to something. THOSE are the people that often give newer orgs. a bad name. If your org. is truly filling a void or reaching out to an "untapped market," more power to you. However, to state that you were founded to give women who don't want to wait an option, you've basically pegging yourself as a "backup plan" org.

What happens with your members when their interest "reappears" or an opportunity to join presents itself to them?

Thanks for your response. I've already addressed your points in prior answers to other responses. As far as becoming an attorney goes, thanks for the encouragement. It really is in my heart, but it's not happening because I'm not willing to die for it. And I mean "die" in the most literal sense, and I'm not exaggerating, either. So, just trust me on this one and let it pass gently into that great night.