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

[BlueReign]

This is wrong and offensive:

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

If my comments don't pertain to some of them, they will have no reason to jump off of a bridge. Those who my comments pertain to, will be offended and perhaps need to make the appropriate changes like going to college.

If they want to be an SGRho, they will feel like they are getting half of the puzzle even if they are happy with the Philo sisterhood. If they don't want to be an SGRho, they will be happy with being a Philo and desire to go no further. I'm sure you're not a mind reader or know every one of them. So you really don't have to present yourself as the Philo feelings and intentions representative.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Roz-

What if TOMORROW, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. changed it policies on membership intake and stated we will now induct non-traditional, online, and part time students because they can become valued members to my Sorority?

How would your sorority "compete" against our years of inducting (spelled marketing, membership information and recruitment) of members?

I think sistahgreeks, Ladylike and DSTChaos are trying to help you. Along with BlueReign and my soror, RefinedDiva... They are PROFESSIONALS in various fields that KNOW how something in life works... I know my Soror Refined is in the law and there are several legal things you need to be following so that when someone sues you, you are not asking your membership to pay...

By statements like: "Asking how to run a GLO, then stating that you don't have to "justify" your organization...Well, that sounds too much like biting the hand that fed you...

Hey, I can see this happening. The field of education is changing rapidly and we have got to change along with it. This is not a hard thing to imagine happening, "a grand chapter for non-traditional students"!

You know, AKAMonet, these new people on here really don't want our advice or anything. They came on greekchat to play. Like I told the originator of this thread to get off and go do something to building his fraternity and he kept posting nonsense anyway. The time spent on here could be better spent on her building a superb web site that would answer some questions. Since this sorority should cater to on-line students I would be trying to link up or partner with those on-line universities. Does that make too much sense?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by BlueReign

This is wrong and offensive:

Okay.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by BlueReign

Hey, I can see this happening. The field of education is changing rapidly and we have got to change along with it. This is not a hard thing to imagine happening, "a grand chapter for non-traditional students"!

You know, AKAMonet, these new people on here really don't want our advice or anything. They came on greekchat to play. Like I told the originator of this thread to get off and go do something to building his fraternity and he kept posting nonsense anyway. The time spent on here could be better spent on her building a superb web site that would answer some questions. Since this sorority should cater to on-line students I would be trying to link up or partner with those on-line universities. Does that make too much sense?

I know you asked this of AKAMonet, but I feel you. That is why so much defensiveness is shown even when we are trying to help.

Bottomline: they do somewhat resent the D9 regardless of what they say. Sometimes people avoid situations that may lead to rejection so they never try. Then they can always say I wasn't rejected, I never even applied.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

That is why so much defensiveness is shown even when we are trying to help.

I don't really think people are trying to help.

I think people are expressing their opinions and asking questions to suit their own "curiosity." Helping would require less of an audience and involve things like PMing the person if people cared so much. Maybe the poster has already received PMs.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I don't really think people are trying to help.

I think people are expressing their opinions and asking questions to suit their own "curiosity." Helping would require less of an audience and involve things like PMing the person if people cared so much. Maybe the poster has already received PMs.

Well I will speak for myself. My first post to RozRochelle was what I thought was a validation of her need to form her sorority. And to let her know that the things she mentioned were been discussed in the NPHC.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Well I will speak for myself. My first post to the young lady was what I thought was a validation of her need to form her sorority. And to let her know that the things she mentioned were been discussed in the NPHC.

The initial posts to her were helpful in that they gave her something to think about even if she didn't respond. After the initial posts, I don't blame her for not being that receptive or responsive. It can appear that she's being approached from all angles and she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

The initial posts to her were helpful in that they gave her something to think about even if she didn't respond. After the initial posts, I don't blame her for not being that receptive or responsive. It can appear that she's being approached from all angles and she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

She did respond to my post and there is where the defensiveness crept in.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

This depends on how you define "real thing" and IMO if the sisterhood is real, than it's the "real" thing. I just want to clear something up here because I don't want any of our Philo members to be offended by this and I know that some of them are on greekchat. You should really know what you're talking about before you make such a statement.

The Philo Club of Sigma Gamma Rho functions much like a sorority although they are not greek. These women have a long and illustrious history of supporting and assisting Sigma Gamma Rho in serving the community and they believe in our goals and mission. They have their own sisterhood, officers, by-laws, colors, theme, flower, etc. and head community service projects on their own, although they are under the advisement of the Sigma Gamma Rho grad chapters. These women do not have 4 year degrees and are not enrolled in 4 year college programs, but they are successful and accomplished in their own right. They are proud to be members of their sisterhood and just like us, many look forward to being active for a lifetime. These women are a part of our family and we don't see them as not being able to take part in the "real" thing.

A sisterhood such as the Philo Club could be a viable option for SOME non-traditional students. These women have more history and service under their belts than ANY of these new organizations, so please do the research before making uninformed statements.

For more on the Philo Club of Sigma Gamma Rho, go to www.philoclub.org.

The subject of THIS line of discussion is sororities, NOT affiliate groups or clubs. So, in THAT context, and that context ONLY, in my personal opinion it's not the real thing (a sorority) unless it's the real thing (a sorority).

I did not in any way diss Philo, and as a matter of fact, Philo wasn't even specifically named (or at least I don't remember it being specifically named). I didn't even bring up the subject of affiliates. The person who posted to me just talked about affiliate groups in general. So, you are the one off base here. I think some of y'all are just looking for something to be pissed off about when it comes to the new orgs.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

The subject of THIS line of discussion is sororities, NOT affiliate groups or clubs. So, in THAT context, and that context ONLY, in my personal opinion it's not the real thing (a sorority) unless it's the real thing (a sorority).

I did not in any way diss Philo, and as a matter of fact, Philo wasn't even specifically named (or at least I don't remember it being specifically named). I didn't even bring up the subject of affiliates. The person who posted to me just talked about affiliate groups in general. So, you are the one off base here. I think some of y'all are just looking for something to be pissed off about when it comes to the new orgs.

You spoke of affiliates in general when you basically said that the NPHC adult affiliate groups aren't the "real" thing as if you already knew about the makeup and structure of them. You might want to be careful about making any judgements about what's "real" and what isn't since I'm sure that there are those who will say that your organization isn't the "real" thing either since the first time they're hearing of you is here on greekchat. Who's to say that just because you're calling your organization a sorority, that you're truly functioning as one? And I'm not trying to suggest that you aren't "real" but you should be careful.

As for looking for things to be pissed off about, why would anyone be pissed off? This is a message board and everyone is just voicing their opinions...because we can. You don't need anyone here to validate your existence so why go back and forth. If I were you I would have ended my commentary a long time ago.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

The subject of THIS line of discussion is sororities, NOT affiliate groups or clubs. So, in THAT context, and that context ONLY, in my personal opinion it's not the real thing (a sorority) unless it's the real thing (a sorority).

I did not in any way diss Philo, and as a matter of fact, Philo wasn't even specifically named (or at least I don't remember it being specifically named). I didn't even bring up the subject of affiliates. The person who posted to me just talked about affiliate groups in general. So, you are the one off base here. I think some of y'all are just looking for something to be pissed off about when it comes to the new orgs.

I understood what you meant and my understanding of what you meant is what my posts were based on.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

As for looking for things to be pissed off about, why would anyone be pissed off? This is a message board and everyone is just voicing their opinions...because we can.

That's what I thought until a few posts ago when I was told that I was being offensive.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

That's what I thought until a few posts ago when I was told that I was being offensive.

You were attempting to speak about a group of people that you *do not* have a close, working association with. In other words, stay in your lane since you have no real basis to speak on SGR and her affiliates. I would not attempt to come on here and explain Delta and or Delta GEMS to anyone. I'm not a Delta so I don't know the innerworking of her org. Likewise with Zeta Phi Beta. I am very familiar with ZPB since I was an Archonette and two of my aunts are Zeta, but I would never speak about their Amicae (?sp). It is not for me to make presumptions on their org.

While there may be Philos that fall into the category that you described, not all of them do.

[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.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Roz-

What if TOMORROW, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. changed it policies on membership intake and stated we will now induct non-traditional, online, and part time students because they can become valued members to my Sorority?

How would your sorority "compete" against our years of inducting (spelled marketing, membership information and recruitment) of members?

I think sistahgreeks, Ladylike and DSTChaos are trying to help you. Along with BlueReign and my soror, RefinedDiva... They are PROFESSIONALS in various fields that KNOW how something in life works... I know my Soror Refined is in the law and there are several legal things you need to be following so that when someone sues you, you are not asking your membership to pay...

By statements like: "Asking how to run a GLO, then stating that you don't have to "justify" your organization...Well, that sounds too much like biting the hand that fed you...

I'm truly not being a smart-aleck when I say this, but that was helping? It felt like being targeted, to me. Other than that, I see what you are saying. And, maybe these ladies are trying to help me. If they are trying to help, I would like to be able to receive it in the right spirit. But, I can't receive it if it is sandwiched between smart-aleck barbs, and backhanded insults subtlely disguised in wordplay. I'm good, but I ain't that good.

I welcome help. But, please, can all the attitude be left out of it?

As to the first part you wrote, I think it would be fantastic if AKA did that! My whole thing is that everyone has a place they can belong, if they want to belong. How would AKAs (or the NPHCs) decision affect my org? Well, there will be some (or maybe even a lot of) women we won't get, but as I stated earlier, I'm okay with being a small org, or even a local or regional one.

However, there will always be those women who, for whatever reasons, don't feel they are a "fit" for AKA or the other D9 sororities. I know that might be hard for you all to consider, but people have all kinds of reasons only privy to themselves, about why they feel the way they feel or do what they do. It is inevitable that there will still be (non-dysfunctional) women who don't click with the D9, but who still want to be a part of a Greek letter sisterhood. They should have a place. There are only 4 of y'all, and you're not everywhere, and you can't be everything to everybody.

There's no guarantee that these women will want to join Theta Gamma Pi, but at least there will be another option available to them. I'm not trying to compete. Theta Gamma Pi will have who it is supposed to have.

Thanks for your input.