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

[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.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

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.

"Holding my own" is unnecessarily antagonistic. Trust that people have been VERY nice to you in comparison to how other new posters are treated when they appear defensive.

You keep saying that your words are being misinterpreted or people are reading into stuff. You need to apply that same logic to other people's posts.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

If you meant something different, let me know.

I'm letting you know.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

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.

I'm not being facetious at all.

"Artificial" is a value judgment on your part.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

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.

Cool.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

"Holding my own" is unnecessarily antagonistic. Trust that people have been VERY nice to you in comparison to how other new posters are treated when they appear defensive.

You keep saying that your words are being misinterpreted or people are reading into stuff. You need to apply that same logic to other people's posts.

Antagonistic, really? That's not what I was going for. I thought I was just making a statement about how my experience has been on here so far. Wasn't trying to provoke anyone...

Points taken!

I'm letting you know.

LOL! Okay.

I'm not being facetious at all.

Okay. My badd, then.

"Artificial" is a value judgment on your part.

Touche.

[DSTCHAOS]

Hey, there's also a search function where we've discussed newer organizations before. That might give you an understanding of where some people are coming from and give you some more ideas for your new sorority.

All of our organizations were works in progress in the beginning and we still are since we're always on the move and doing big things.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Hey, there's also a search function where we've discussed newer organizations before. That might give you an understanding of where some people are coming from and give you some more ideas for your new sorority.

All of our organizations were works in progress in the beginning and we still are since we're always on the move and doing big things.

Thanks. The thought of going through beaucoup years of threads and posts is a little much right now, LOLOL! But, okay.