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

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Exactly.

I have to be honest and say I don't care what the newer orgs are about. That's for them to work out on their own so they can get their members. I think her org is a good idea but they need to make sure they know what they're about--besides nontraditional students.

I do know. I just hadn't shared it on here. There must have been a whole bunch of fly by night orgs that were not well thought out, and talked big noise, repped on GC just to fade into obscurity or even die. I say that because I feel like I walked up into something that somebody else FUBAR'd before my arrival, and I'm paying the price for what they did. I just don't understand some of these attitudes.

Anyhoo, I'm not going to pretend that I have all my bases covered. But, I wouldn't have gone forward with Theta Gamma Pi if I wasn't committed to doing my best to make it a success.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I do know. I just hadn't shared it on here.

I figured you knew. Does your org have a website so you won't be asked a lot of questions that can be answered there?

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

There must have been a whole bunch of fly by night orgs that were not well thought out, and talked big noise, repped on GC just to fade into obscurity or even die. I say that because I feel like I walked up into something that somebody else FUBAR'd before my arrival, and I'm paying the price for what they did. I just don't understand some of these attitudes.

Yep. Your other post was perceived as defensive and some of that MIGHT have to do with our experiences on this board, on other boards, and off the internet with newer organizations.

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

Anyhoo, I'm not going to pretend that I have all my bases covered. But, I wouldn't have gone forward with Theta Gamma Pi if I wasn't committed to doing my best to make it a success.

Good luck to you.

[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.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

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

Clearly....

Originally Posted by DSTChaos's earlier post

If my comments don't pertain to some of them...

Those who my comments pertain to...

If they want to be an SGRho...

If they don't want to be an SGRho...

And I have no problem with you knowing and expressing that only Deltas are Deltas. So if you wanted to state that Delta GEMS aren't Deltas, you would be both correct and well within your right as someone who can read our national website.

[RozRochelle]

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"!

... . 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?

What is with you all that you think you know what I have on my To-Do list better than I do? Y'all need to stop doing so much assuming. I'm new, not stupid.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

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.

It's just hard for some people to accept the fact that not everyone thinks the D9 is a FIT for them.

I admire the D9 and respect it, but from what I know and have observed (and I admit I don't know everything and haven't observed everything), I don't think any of the sororities and myself would "fit" together. I am too non-conformist, too much of a free-thinker, too militant, too outspoken, and I'm not all that big on tradition - which I think is a big no-no in the venerable D9 sororities.

I know myself very well, and it is better that I do my own thing or remain independent. My choices have nothing to do with resentment or rejection.

[RozRochelle]

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.

Well, thank you Jesus! That is EXACTLY how I feel. Maybe they'll receive this from you since you're a GC old-timer and have their respect.

Thank you.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I am too non-conformist, too much of a free-thinker, too militant, too outspoken, and I'm not all that big on tradition - independent.

Interesting. You just descibed me and many of my sorors, which is what makes our org dynamic rather than stgnant.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

Well, thank you Jesus! That is EXACTLY how I feel. Maybe they'll receive this from you since you're a GC old-timer and have their respect.

Thank you.

Yet you blasted her in earlier posts. Get the point now? Not everyone is out to get you.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Interesting. You just descibed me and many of my sorors, which is what makes our org dynamic rather than stgnant.

I always felt that Delta was Founded by and for a group of women who fit that description.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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

I don't think I could have made it any more plain that I wasn't dissing Philo. But, when people want to find offense, some kind of way they will. Them's the breaks.

[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.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

It's just hard for some people to accept the fact that not everyone thinks the D9 is a FIT for them.

I admire the D9 and respect it, but from what I know and have observed (and I admit I don't know everything and haven't observed everything), I don't think any of the sororities and myself would "fit" together. I am too non-conformist, too much of a free-thinker, too militant, too outspoken, and I'm not all that big on tradition - which I think is a big no-no in the venerable D9 sororities.

I know myself very well, and it is better that I do my own thing or remain independent. My choices have nothing to do with resentment or rejection.

I have been in the D9 for 14 years and I've met many many members from all the orgs in different places and I can tell you that we come from many different walks of life and are very different people and I truly believe that many of us don't come anywhere close to resembling our NPHC stereotypes and the stereotypes of GLO members in general. My point is that there are many NPHC members who would claim the same things you stated about yourself. I know my friends and family never thought I would be "greek" because I'm so independent and "free" thinking, but I realize now that their assumptions were based on stereotypes. I'm one of those people who wants to be her own boss in everything but one of the most valuable things I've learned as a member of my sorority, is that learning how to follow is just as important as learning how to lead, especially in organizations. Sigma Gamma Rho taught me that following could be powerful if it was necessary and if there was someone better qualified to lead. The very thing that I had always associated with weakness, proved to be one of the most empowering things I now implement in various areas of my life while still being the leader that I am naturally. This is something that I know I would not have learned if I started my own organization. I was so independent (and I have been since I was very young) that I didn't think that there was any way for me to do things without being the leader in everything. It's great that you wanted to start your own organization and if that's what you always had a mind to do, than good luck to you, but talk about how great your organization is or will be, as opposed to how you do not fit into ours because of reasons you think are valid.

[RozRochelle]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Yet you blasted her in earlier posts.

C'mon now, fair is fair. She blasted me some good ones, too.

Not everyone is out to get you.

I never said that. But, some of y'all haven't given me a fair chance from the jump. And, yes, I have felt targeted. So, please excuse me for not yet fully believing what you just said. I hope to feel differently in time.