WHATS UP WITH AUXILIARY GROUPS?

I just have to respond after reading all these responses on the purpose of being in a auxilliary group. Please don't take this in a offensive way but I just had to add my opinion.

I decided to be a Kappa Sweetheart when I was a sophomore in college. It wasn't a matter of trying to be a "soror" to a fraternity or trying to clean up after any of the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. And I REFUSE to BELIEVE that any of my other Diamond sisters chose to join for that purpose. I get SOOOOO TIRED of people thinking that people who join auxilliary groups do so because they are weak minded or not strong enough to join a "real sorority". If I wanted to join a sorority, I would've done so. I am a strong black woman, and I don't search for a group to make me or define who I am. I found a group of women who had similar interest as me and who were down to earth and I chose to become a part of their organization. I can join any organization that I wish to join. Just because it is not "recognized" as a part of the NPHC...I DON'T CARE!! I don't have to be recognized by ANYONE in order to serve the community. Okay, so we are not recognized by the NPHC - we will still continue to exist. As a matter of fact, some schools are changing the names of the organization so they are not automatically affiliated with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. I mean, sometimes the attitudes of people are "if you don't have these 3 letters on your chest, you CAN'T be incorporated, you can't exist, why would you even want to JOIN an organization with just ONE LETTER..." At the time, it was what I wanted for myself and I don't regret any of it.

And not ONCE, EVER during my process of becoming a Kappa Diamond did I subject myself to behavior that was not indicative of a lady. I DID NOT clean up after ANY member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc...I DID NOT run errands and do things that I thought I should not do...basically, I don't take any sh*t, from anyone, Greek or otherwise...

...now on another, lighter note, I do respect all that Greek organizations stand for and do. My intentions when choosing an auxialiary group was not to step on the toes of ANY member of a 3 lettered greek organization. Actually, that was the last thing on my mind. A matter of fact, I do want to join a sorority in the future. And I feel that the experience I've had in being in an auxiallary organization has helped me understand what being in a organization is all about. It takes a lot of time, effort, planning and heart. So much props to 3 lettered organizations and just please try to understand why people become sweethearts. It's not to try to be greek, at least not for me.

[BlueReign]

I have read all of the above posts and just have to add my 22 cents. I became an Alpha Sweetheart a long time ago. I did it because I was just young and trying to be cute and fit in with the black greeks on campus at that time. I was also honored that they would ask me to do this. I was not pledged and didn't do anything degrading but I was there for them because the brothers on line at that time were my friends before they pledged and I wanted to help them.
I was told by another Alpha sweet at Howard that the Alpha Angels do pledge and that was a step towards getting into a sorority. I see nothing wrong with being in an auxiliary group. When I meet Alpha men now they tell me I am a sweetheart for life even though I am now very busy with my sorority. I think these organizations are good and positive because they do help each other. I just don't think anyone should be "pledged" in order to become a member. So anyone who reads this and is being pledged or intends to be -- I don't think they should do it!! JUST MY OPINION.

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BE POSITIVE!!!

[supafly]

Hey everybody,
I have been on several sites and this issue somehow always manages to come up. I was a member of an auxillary group and am now a member of a BGLO and my experiences taught me that, "The way that you carry yourself, is the way you will be treated."

Auxillary groups were basically in existence for fun and fellowship. Since most people can't join a sorority or fraternity when they are freshmen in college, some choose to join auxillary groups. It doesn't take the place of a sorority or fraternity, but it's done or supposed to be done all in fun.

I think that some of us need to lighten up. Meaning, it's just a group, nothing to feel threatened by and nothing to get ****y about.

In no way do intend to offend anyone by this post, I suppose I just needed to vent a little.

Supafly



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[IotaNet]

ZetaAce wrote:

These organizations were banned by the NPHC organizations back in 1990. (The exception for Iota Phi Theta's sweethearsts. They didn't join the NPHC until after the ban and their sweethearts are 'legal'.

Let me start by saying that the NPHC does not and cannot legislate policy for any member organization. Not regarding intake, not regarding auxiliaries or anything else. That's not how the NPHC works.

In some instances, the NPHC groups will make collaborative decisions in the interest of unity and the greater good but each of the nine groups retains its own governance and autonomy regarding its business and operational affairs. The key point is that the NPHC is a collaborative organization -- not an umbrella organization. Sometimes that distinction is blurred or lost -- this seems an appropriate time to clear it up. Now, on to the issue at hand.

"Iota Sweethearts" are definitely recognized as a legitimate auxiliary to our Fraternity. This has its roots in the early days of the Fraternity. Before the present days of our being NPHC members, life on many campuses for Iota chapters was brutal. If not for our Hearts, we literally didn't have anyone who "had our backs." The Sweethearts have been there for us time after time after time.

We feel so strongly about our Sweethearts that we actually have a woman who holds the title "Eternal Sweetheart." Her name is Miss Audrey Brooks and she is in her late 80's (She will never tell us her exact age - when asked, she always tells us she is 99 years old! )

As background, Miss Brooks was an administrator at Morgan State University in the early 1960s and she did many "behind the scenes" things for Iota to protect us from those individuals in the power structure who were trying to do serious harm to the organization.

Miss Brooks actually attended our recent Conclave (Oakland, CA, August 1999) and participated in a workshop for Iota Wives and Sweethearts. She is revered by all Brothers and Sweethearts of Iota and has a special place in our history. (Her son was actually a member of the first pledge line of Iota Phi Theta in 1964!)

With that in mind, there is an important point that should be made here: Unlike Diamonds, Pearls, Angels, et al., Iota Sweethearts never "pledged." They were always there to help and support Brothers and Chapters of Iota Phi Theta. This was always a mainstay of the concept of Sweethearts ... men cannot and do not pledge women.

In the Sweetheart Workshop at Conclave, Miss Brooks made the statement, "The Purpose of Iota Sweethearts is to smile and be gracious on behalf of Iota. Anything else is inappropriate." I like that - I like it a lot. It goes to the heart of the matter and it sets the tone for our involvement with young women who choose to support us. Sweethearts are not Brothers, they are not members of a fraternal organization -- they are an auxiliary.



[This message has been edited by IotaNet (edited October 28, 2000).]

[ZetaAce]

Originally posted by IotaNet:
ZetaAce wrote:

<<These organizations were banned by the NPHC organizations back in 1990. (The exception for Iota Phi Theta's sweethearsts. They didn't join the NPHC until after the ban and their sweethearts are 'legal'.>>

Let me start by saying that the NPHC does not and cannot legislate policy for any member organization. Not regarding intake, not regarding auxiliaries or anything else. That's not how the NPHC works.

IotaNet- I was not trying to imply that the NPHC legislates the policy for any of our organizations, that's why I said that the NPHC organizations banned the sweetheart orgs. Just want to clarify.

ZetaAce

[Ice Cold Kreator]

I already know that many people will disagree with me about the purpose of auxilliary organzations...but I felt it necessary to add my $.06...

Here goes...many argue that at inception of these groups in the early 1900's, that these groups operated as a training ground for future AKAs, DELTAs, KAPPAs and what not..They had there own community service, helped out with the affiliate BGLO. And were probably on the Royalty court of that org.

However, today many of these organizations (if still in existence) act like groupies.
I've seen it first-hand, I've talked to many and even know some...

I am NOT trying to say that they can't be supportive well running groups...but they can be especially detrimental to the reputations of young (naive) black women! I think that is a shame!

Many of these women (and men) get pimped out. Sometimes these organizations form out of rivalry (or lack of support)from the "counterpart" org. I assert that they sometimes get in the crossfire of BGLOs own issues...and end up getting hurt in the process. (such as barred from membership to some BGLO in the future)

Many of them because of their affiliation with that auxillary, will not be allowed to join sororities or fraternities because some of the practices can be questionable...

As an example, I was at a step show and I saw
XYZ Sweethearts come on stage, sit in chairs, while XYZ fraternity pretended to be performing cunnilingus under sheets with whipcream...After which, the frat. pulled out thongs panties from under the sheets...while the sweethearts through up their sign and acted like they had just done something spectacular...every sorority in the audience was appauled!!!!!
As I've heard since, many of these girls will not EVER be looked at as aspirants because their behavior was not ladylike!....I also question the intent of any chapter of XYZ fraternity that would oversexualize our sisters in that type of manner...

As such, my suggestion...is not to join em until you find out exactly how they function and how they will effect your reputation on campus or in life.

I don't want my daughter joining (pledging) A SWEETS even though I'm an ALPHA...it just may not benefit her the way it might have 90 years ago...Further, those organizations are not supposed to exist and are not sanctioned in most BGLOs.

In the spirit of ALPHA,

I am,

The Ice Cold Kreator...

Small Note: Usually the counterparts of the particular BGLO does not look upon sweethearts favorably!

Are these auxillary groups only affiliated with BGLO's? I noticed Sigma Doves in some of these postings. I am a Sigma Kappa and the Dove is one of our symbols...is there a relation?

[Serenity]

As an example, I was at a step show and I saw
XYZ Sweethearts come on stage, sit in chairs, while XYZ fraternity pretended to be performing cunnilingus under sheets with whipcream...After which, the frat. pulled out thongs panties from under the sheets...while the sweethearts through up their sign and acted like they had just done something spectacular...every sorority in the audience was appauled!!!!!

Talk about your bad judgement calls...

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Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity http://www.sigmalambdaupsilon.org

[ZetaAce]

Originally posted by Don't understand...:
Are these auxillary groups only affiliated with BGLO's? I noticed Sigma Doves in some of these postings. I am a Sigma Kappa and the Dove is one of our symbols...is there a relation?

No, the Sigma Doves being referred to here are 'affiliated' with another group, Phi Beta Sigma Fratenity, Inc.

ZetaAce

Thanks Zetace...

[dstbrat]

i think it is very telling that the alpha gentleman would not want his daughter to be an alpha angel and my daddy would pass out if i ever mentioned being a kappa sweetheart and he is an old head kappa 'sp 62. when i dated a kappa, he did not speak very highly of the diamonds either.

[DirectorDST99]

Delta Beaus are in NO WAY affliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc!

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Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[SapphireSensation]

Peace & Blessings

Greetings all.
FYI-The Sigma Doves were founded in order to show young ladies the light to Zeta.
Needless to say, that noble intention went haywire...but, the thought was well meant.
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SapphireSensation
RoyalBlueDivaDivine
The Epitome of Finerwomanhood

[blu_theatrics]

Wow, I never knew that, that is an interesting bit of historical data there.

Originally posted by SapphireSensation:
Peace & Blessings

Greetings all.
FYI-The Sigma Doves were founded in order to show young ladies the light to Zeta.
Needless to say, that noble intention went haywire...but, the thought was well meant.

[icytre]

Hello,

I will just give my opinion based on my college experience and my perceptions.


To keep it real, at my school Kappa Sweethearts were seen as "Kappa Groupies". That's it. They were there for "set outs", but they also were active with the Kappas as far as campus programming.

We also had Omega Gems, and their image was not seen as negative or "those are nobodies".

Speaking from a chapter that had an auxiliary group. I believe that they can be a positive. Our Alpha Angels were a good group of girls who eventually became part of a sorority. Why? That was our goal as a fraternity, to mentor and prepare them for Greek Life or any mainstream organization. They assisted in community service, had their own fundraisers, implemented Parliamentarian workshops, and yes they had a call, sign, and strutted at parties.

Although sororities seemed to hate on them, EVERY Black sorority accepted them into their organizations. Why? Because they were genuinely good individuals.

*Point- as long as you carry yourself as a respectable young woman, it doesn't matter.