There are only THree NPHC sorority

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by IOTA-4A'88F

It's unfortunate, but Iotas have been dealing with this since we were founded (just like so many black fraternities and sororities that are not in the NPHC)... many of us are to the point of being numb to the fact. Yes, I heard the claim of we may not be in this region or that region deep, but we are in the Pan-Hell and if you are an active member in your org, then you should be just as active in the Pan to know. And if you are a vendor then atleast try to stock atleast one or two items that are hot for the other orgs and not keychain us to death. Sometimes it still feels like the elite eight. Even para that has been produced after 1996 don't show Iota's presence.

Just like the Soror said, you just have to go with the folks who specialize in your para. And just know... that tight Omega shirt or that cool Alpha decal may not be available in Iota until we make some noise. Our history (just like SGRho's history) should be noise enough, but when you have vendors who are ONLY to make the buck and not respect the legacies... you will have that. Many Iotas go to iotawear.com. The owner is a I-Sweetheart, an AKA and a Star.

Unfortunately, if our struggle is any indication, you all have a long long way to go toward being fully recognized, accepted, and given your due respect as a member of the NPHC and let's face it, this whole vendor thing and certain vendors not having anything or very little for SGRho and Iota is about respect to an extent, plain and simple. We have been dealing with this forever and we are 85 years now. The good thing is that things do change over time and things are already changing for Iota and they will continue to change with each passing year (although change doesn't come nearly as fast as it should). When I was a neo in the early 90's, things were much different for SGRho in certain areas and very different of course for Iota overall in comparison to now. Even today the struggle is very real for us in certain areas and on certain campuses. Looking at Iota is like going back in time and seeing ourselves. This is undoubtedly the reason that SGRho and Iota have grown close in some areas and on some campuses. Our connection has nothing to do with our orgs being "desperate" for a sister/brother relationship like some would like to believe. But all you can do is keep representing, educating people, and striving to be the best in the show, because the stage is and probably always will be a popularity contest.

[bluethunder]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Unfortunately, if our struggle is any indication, you all have a long long way to go toward being fully recognized, accepted, and given your due respect as a member of the NPHC and let's face it, this whole vendor thing and certain vendors not having anything or very little for SGRho and Iota is about respect to an extent, plain and simple. We have been dealing with this forever and we are 85 years now.

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

I totally agree with you soror! I meant that since it's been 85 years (and that's a long enough time in my book), you'd think we wouldn't still have these issues but we do although things have gotten better with time, so Iota has lots of years still to look forward to dealing with the mess.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

Exactly. It's all about a popularity contest when it comes down to it.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

... it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops,

I think in terms of the random greek store vendor / owner we are mixing apples with oranges. I honestly don't think the vendors really care about discrediting a group per se. I think for them it is really all about numbers. The more members a group may have the more likely that vendor can sell more stuff to that group. For him / her it is just supply and demand - the more demand, the more he will supply.

For our case here in Houston with the Kappa store owner - he should have known better. But he flat out said that he would not do anything to ensure he has current para for us, so we said buh-bye!! And when I talked to him personally and expressed my feelings, he gave me the same attitude, then I told him I'd order my para on-line, he was like . I was like 'yeah, I really don't need your store. I was just trying to support a Black owned business, but since you won't support us, we won't support you.'

but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Now this is another issue. I was talking to this ug and I told her I was a SGRho. She was like, 'oh, is that one of those non-greek greek orgs?' I said no, we are part of the NPHC. I thought her response was kinda sad considering she was pressed to try to join this other NPHC org. She should have done her research about all of the D9 orgs.

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

That's because people would rather believe hype than fact.

[tld221]

brought this over from the "you know youre a neo when..." thread, as it was more appropriate.

Originally Posted by tld221

a couple days ago the para vendor we hired to sell at an event we hosted for NYCNPHC (a Sigma) was trying HARD to peddle this tacky SGRho beltbuckle. first of all, i dont know anyone who wears novelty beltbuckles. it looked like an SGRho cheat sheet: founding info, mascot, flower, jewels, founder names... WTF. if you can fit all that on a beltbuckle, that is just a mess. maybe im in the wrong region but it really is a no-go.

i proceeded to tell ol boy that he was dead wrong for showing up with some hot mess like that. his response: well, i have 4 SGRho items and i haven't sold not one yet. umm, if you are selling at an SGRho event where we will--ironically--make up the majority of the crowd, how bout you have items you can actually sell?

i think the awesomest part of that exchange was when a seasoned soror (and a well-known/respected one at that) walked past and, without stopping, said "let's not waste our time sorors, he has nothing to offer us" with 7-10 sorors following suit.

he DEFINITELY missed the boat on this one.

[SeriousSigma22]

Sorhors,

Stick with the Aurora Magazine and get on "For Sorhors only section" of the website to find nice nalia. Also usually at Boule, regionals, area meetings, and the Midwinter meeting for Northeast Region Sorhors the vendors carry nice things.

When I used to go to the Greek Picnic in Philly(80s and early 90s it was called the Greek Picnic) - the vendors were always good to Sigma -I used to come home from Philly with tea shirts, bags, hats, pins, cups, etc for future members.

I've been a Sigma for a while - Yes, I pledged Sigma my freshmen year in the Spr. of 83' and I can truly say that the vendors have come a long way. However, there's always going to be room for improvement but I can't let them hold me down.

My final advice for sorhors: plan ahead, use approved vendors, shop online, but don't spend all of your money on nalia.

Serioussigma22

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by SeriousSigma22

Sorhors,

Stick with the Aurora Magazine and get on "For Sorhors only section" of the website to find nice nalia. Also usually at Boule, regionals, area meetings, and the Midwinter meeting for Northeast Region Sorhors the vendors carry nice things......

My final advice for sorhors: plan ahead, use approved vendors, shop online, but don't spend all of your money on nalia.

Serioussigma22

Thank you.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by SeriousSigma22

Sorhors,

Stick with the Aurora Magazine and get on "For Sorhors only section" of the website to find nice nalia. Also usually at Boule, regionals, area meetings, and the Midwinter meeting for Northeast Region Sorhors the vendors carry nice things.

When I used to go to the Greek Picnic in Philly(80s and early 90s it was called the Greek Picnic) - the vendors were always good to Sigma -I used to come home from Philly with tea shirts, bags, hats, pins, cups, etc for future members.

I've been a Sigma for a while - Yes, I pledged Sigma my freshmen year in the Spr. of 83' and I can truly say that the vendors have come a long way. However, there's always going to be room for improvement but I can't let them hold me down.

My final advice for sorhors: plan ahead, use approved vendors, shop online, but don't spend all of your money on nalia.

Serioussigma22

That's my Soror! Say it again Serioussigma22!