Questions for BGLO members

kddani · #1 06-27-2002, 07:08 AM

Let me start by saying that I really admire how active so many members of BGLO's are. Every greek related forum, they are always VERY well represented. But it's a subject that i know nothing about, and i had a couple of questions. I don't want to open a can or worms or a debate, they're just a few simple honest questions.

1) Does being in a BGLO every hurt you? By that I mean facing the stereotypes, etc. that myself and other members of traditionally white GLO (just trying to classify) face. Do you ever get stereotyped? Is there ever a negative connotation with it? To me, an outsider, it seems like it is a great source of pride to be a member of a BGLO.

2) What if BGLO are not very active on a campus? On my campus, which is large, urban, and about 9% African American, neither of the BGLO sorors has more than 10 people. Not sure about the fraternities. The Black Action Society is very active though. I wonder, in this instance, what would you opinion be on AA's rushing trad. white GLO.

3) What is an average chapter size? Maybe i'm all wrong in thinking 10 members is small. That's just what i've seen.

I'm really just curious, like i said, i have ALWAYS been impressed by members of BGLOs. I'm just trying to educate myself ;o)
thanks!

RedRoseSAI · #2 06-27-2002, 09:38 AM

Something I always wondered about was the inclusion of "Inc." or "Incorporated" at the end of a BGLO's name. I have only seen this with BGLOs (plus a few mulitcultural and hispanic organizations). What is the reason for this? If that's not something that can be shared with the general populace, don't worry about it. I was just curious.

33girl · #3 06-27-2002, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedRoseSAI
Something I always wondered about was the inclusion of "Inc." or "Incorporated" at the end of a BGLO's name. I have only seen this with BGLOs (plus a few mulitcultural and hispanic organizations). What is the reason for this? If that's not something that can be shared with the general populace, don't worry about it. I was just curious.

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...&threadid=1667

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...=&threadid=746

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...=&threadid=257

RedRoseSAI · #4 06-27-2002, 10:26 AM

THANK YOU! I understand now!

prayerfull · #5 06-27-2002, 12:43 PM

The post with the URL for previous posts referencing the question of our incorporations should answer that question well. Now, onto the other questions...

1. Stereotypes only bother insecure people. I have no problem if people want to stereotype me as being "Pretty and Sadity"...or stereotype by sorority as being "exclusive". My response to the stereotpyes will always be an ear-piercing.....Skeeeee- Weeeeee!

2. Numbers don't make an organization stronger!!! You can have 100 members in a chapter and not get anything done. Our local undergraduate chapter has 3 members...and will probably never have more than 8 at a time, but those little sorors are WORKING for AKA!

AA's rusing a white GLO....to each his/her own.

3. Chapter size is dependent on many factors....geographic location, school, population of African American students, etc. It is not uncommon for Alpha Kappa Alpha to have over 300 interested women turn out for Rush at an HBCU such as Howard and Spelman...of that number, only about 1/8th of those women will become members. On the West Coast, chapters may have less than 5 members. The same goes on the Graduate level, where chapters in large metropolitan areas may have 250+ members, while here in my graduate chapter we have 20!

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Dionysus · #6 06-27-2002, 12:48 PM

Why aren't the NPHC GLOs that active ON campus compared to the rest?

I didn't even know my school had NPHC GLOs, until recently, because I never see them participate in anything.

Corbin Dallas · #7 06-27-2002, 12:51 PM

A quick note: my fraternity is Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Inc., we just don't use the Inc. part when talking about it for some reason. I know those threads mentioned explain something about why NPHC member groups do this.

A quick question: Are there city wide NPHC chapters for those cities that have more than one college? I know there are chapters at Indiana State, but I don't know that many people at Rose-Hulman know anything about them, and I know I've never seen anyone wearing their letters on my campus. There is also another 4 year womens college, but they have no sororities there. It's a Catholic school. Also, Rose isn't super diverse, but there are a good number of non-WASPs there, and I know there is a chapter of Nat'l Society of Black Engineers there, so I would think there would be some interest in the NPHC.

prayerfull · #8 06-27-2002, 02:52 PM

I don't plan on taking part in a question and answer session here. Most of your questions can be answered by doing some searching here on GC. Other questions can be self-answered with a little common sense.

Corbin Dallas - your question about City-Wide chapters...I can't answer any questions for other orgs, but Alpha Kappa Alpha does, in fact, have many city-wide chapters. You are welcome to visit our international headquarters at www.aka1908.com and check out the chapter locator section. You'll see various city-wide chapters listed there.

DOVE1920 · #9 06-27-2002, 03:58 PM

I encourage everyone who has questions about NPHC chapters to ask the chapters on your campus. It is VERY important to engage in dialogue with other chapters on your campus. If you didn't know there were NPHC chapters on your campus is that their fault or yours? Get out of your comfort zone and EXPLORE! If you have a Greek life advisor its their job to make sure that all councils interact....

dsmmi12 · #10 06-27-2002, 04:39 PM

Hello!

I think dialogue is the best remedy to understanding ones differances. So I applaud those who have asked questions!

Fist off, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Does have City-Wide chapters. For instance, Lambda Chapter is the Chicago City-Wide Chapter and was founded in 1919 at the University of Chicago. It now services over 11 Universities/Colleges in the Chicago Area. Most of the NPHC organizations do have City-Wide Chapters.

To answer the question regarding small chapters, most of Delta Sigma Theta's smaller chapters are probably concentrated in the Midwest andCentral region of the United States. Why? Well first and foremost look at the African American populations at the Universities, This contributes to the small chapter sizes. Secondly, take a look at our Rush process. Many times, our membership requirements alone limit the number of qualified African-American students. You will find the larger chapters at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

As an advisor to a chapter with 12 members in the chapter, we have still maintained a prominent presence on the campus in terms of leadership/community service and academic excellence. So quality is not neccesary defined by quantity.

As long as you have one person assembled in the name of God to sincerely better the community....you have all the elements you need to have a successful chapter. All it takes is a small core of dedicated women or men!

Do we get stereotyped? Of course we do. Does it bother us. No. We continue the work in each of our organizations. membership is a lifetime commitment with us.

Where does that pride stem? Some would say from our pledge process. But think of it in this sense. Because we dont have a bid process, prospective members come to the table with an assumed allegiance to the organization. They seek membership with XYZ org. As opposed to us giving a bid.

Hope this helps

CrucialCrimson · #11 06-28-2002, 10:04 PM

Stereotypes are easy to ignore, but they tend to fall into two groups - those that have an "animal house" mentality of being in a greek organization; and those that view BGLOs as elitist organizations and judge you on that basis.

With respect to size and presence you need to remember how small the African-Ameican college population is in general. At HBCUs you will find large chapters 50, 100 or more. Also, membership selection isn't tied to supporting a house so only a small percentage of applicants will make it in (this is a generalizaiton, of course). Many collegiate chapters are city-wide so it is possible to have a chapter of 5-10 collegiates from as many schools. With one or two members on campus, they won't be as noticeable.

Also, in terms of presence, the BGLOs tend to define their "community" or "service area" much more broadly than a campus - so their activities (the majority of which are community service-oriented and not social) are out in communities (schools, churches, homeless shelters, etc.)

pbear19 · #12 06-28-2002, 11:28 PM

I have to say that of the BGLO chapters I know of, the size of the chapter really doesn't seem to matter. When I was in college my sorority worked on a project with SGRho and I got to see what it really means to be dedicated! They had four members, and I know of at least one instance where there were four events happening on a Saturday and each of their members went to a different event to represent for their sorority. From what I was told, they each stayed there for the entire day.

I only wished our chapter, which was well over ten times that size, showed half the dedication! I am and always will be inspired by how much love and effort BGLO members put into their orgs!!

showstopper_1908 · #13 06-29-2002, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by kddani
1) Does being in a BGLO every hurt you? By that I mean facing the stereotypes, etc.

It has never hurt me. I have had nothing but TONS of positive experiences. Stereotypes will always be there. Sometimes being a black person in college is enough to make someone stereotype you. I would rather have a positive stereotype than a negative one. If being apart of a positive organization gets me stereotyped, then I probably want those stereotypes.

2) What if BGLO are not very active on a campus? On my campus, which is large, urban, and about 9% African American, neither of the BGLO sorors has more than 10 people.

We tend to focus on the communities that need our attention. I am not saying that the college community is unimportant, but we have a greater mission. Those organizations may be doing so many off campus projects that they may not have time to have parties, bake sales, etc. My chapter had 8 members when we won Fraternity/Sorority of the Year award at my University. Some organizations on campus with double that membership hadn't done half as many events as we did. On or off campus.

3) What is an average chapter size? Maybe i'm all wrong in thinking 10 members is small. That's just what i've seen.

For undergraduate chapters, it depends on the schools location. In Southern schools, some have chapters with over 100 members. I go to school in the North East (NYC) and the NPHC chapters tend to be small but powerful. We all know each other for the most part (neighboring schools/workplaces/events). It comes down to who is qualified and who is not. My school has a problem with that. Low membership sometimes says to an outsider or non-NPHC greek that there is no interest in an organization. What they may fail to realize is that 300 people may show up at a Rush but only 2 may be qualified. You can only play with the cards that you are dealt, if you know what I mean.