Sorors, SFs, One & All

[NinjaPoodle]

Did YOU join your sorority through a collegiate or alumnae chapter?

Graduate

For those who joined via the ALUMNAE chapter,
A. Did you apply for membership during your college years?
B. While waiting for the chance to join, what did you do in the meantime?
C. While others around you were becoming members, how did you stay focused on the mission of joining the sisterhood that you felt lead to pursue?

A. No. I wasn’t ready.
B. Got my grades, community service and my attitude together.
C. Since I wasn’t really focused on others, keeping to my goal was wavy gravy 11 years from my initial interest period was a long time to wait but I kept busy with school, photography, volunteering, etc.. life in general, so I wasn’t sitting around biting my nails worrying. Staying focused was easy for me because the Sigma Gamma Rho mission was already incorporated in my life.

To ALL BGLO Sorority members, what advice would you give those who were not chosen this year for membership?

From my Soror PHDiva:

Originally Posted by PhDiva

My best advise for SF who wish to become sorors is to
(1) Be discreet and thoughtful about your interactions with members. You can show your interest without being obnoxious about it. I am a SF turned soror and no one here knew of my interest in SGRho. I purposefully kept my interest to myself, to the members of the alumnae chapter I was interested in joining and a few friends - one a Delta who tried to talk me out of pledging SGRho (LOL) and a SGRho who helped me get in contact with the alumnae chapter in my area.
(2) Do your service and make yourself the best applicant possible. If you haven't done much service, get to work. If your interviewing skills are sub par, have a friend help you.
(3) Live your life. I'm a neo and I love SGRho to the fullest but I am also about to be married, have a full time job as a college professor, and have family that I spend time with. Learn how to balance your desire to become a member with the other priorities in your life. Esp. when you pursue membership in a grad chapter, you will find women balancing multiple commitments (work, kids, school, sorority).
(4) Stay positive and know that God doesn't close one door without opening another one. If this year you are rejected from pursuing membership, treat that as a learning experience. Tighten up your application and your communication skills and try again. Our organizations don't want women who give up on the first try.

Best wishes to all,
PhDiva

AND SisterGreek PinkiesUp best sums it up:

Rejection means look and see what you need to improve upon and if it's for you or in your heart, try again.

[MissJayde]

I am so excited to find this topic after reading tons of other topics that I thought were going to be helpful that ended up being bash-fests. While I haven't had all the life experiences you guys talk about, I am a member of a youth sorority and can relate to a lot of what you are talking about, though I'm sure on a much smaller scale. I tried to join my sorority 3 times, the first I missed the meeting b/c of bad info, and the second I didn't complete my forms right. And when I saw the girls on that second line with their pins and jackets, I believe a part of my heart broke. Not because I really had the org in my heart then, but because I felt like I had been robbed. In the months between when they crossed and when I crossed, I grew an appreciation, not only for my sorority, but for all GLOs, especially the D9.
I learned so much about true sisterhood and what sororities are truly about. I know God planned for this to happen in my life the way it did because I’m truly a new person now after that experience and crossing. I would have joined because my friends were doing it and because my sisters(I didn’t use the word we normally use because it seems to upset people on this forum ) are the “it girls” in our town, but
now I can honesty say that I know the meaning of sisterhood and that my heart and my soul belongs to my org and hopefully, there will be room in the heart of ABC/XYZ (I’m practicing discretion )for me, because there is certainly more than enough room in mine for them.
Your stories of perseverance are so inspiring to me. Thank you all and God bless!

[Humble]

I am a humble child of God, I am of good moral character, I am in good academic standing, I have been in public service my whole life, I have never missed a Delta event held at my campus, I have been to Delta national and regional conventions, I have met national presidents and other officers of Delta, I am a legacy, and I was denied membership. As you can imagine the devistation was incredible not only for me but my mother and the rest of the women in my family who are deltas. We have been waiting for this moment in my life to occur just as any other major step in life. I never had the attitude of what Delta could do for me, it was what I could do for Delta. I never wanted to strut with letters and stroll at parties. That wasn't important to me. I wanted to work on National programs and further the purpose of the organization. But I am not bitter, and I understand that if it wasn't my time it wasn't my time. I will continue to support Delta, as hard as it may be, because my love for the organization will never die. Yes it is hard but I cannot question the will of God. Everything happens for a reason and it is important to keep a positive attitude. I just want to encourage those on their journey to greekdom not to give up. It isn't easy but if you are in it for the right reasons, and it is in your heart, it will happen, in due time.

God Bless

[naturalrose]

I just have to say this this was an inspirational thread! i am a undergrad senior and i found myself discouraged becauseeventhough my grades are great and i am involved in alot of community service activities ( maybe too much for my own good lol) i felt that i wouldnt be a good candidate just because i am a senior so i didnt attend rush... at first i thought it was a big mistake but i just found out i am leaving for the Peace Corps sooner than i thought so i wouldnt of been able to participate anyway. I am just staying positve and studying hard so i can come out with a great GPA. i cant help but feel lost because when i come back from my service ( 2 years) i feel like i will have to start all over again with showing interest... but like everyone said i just have to stay focused and in due time God will show me my path!!

[1908Revelations]

I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as an undergrad December 3, 2006 as a senior. Several people were concerned about attending rush as a senior, as I was. But had I not attended, I would have never know if I would be selected. Like everyone has said a million times before, if it is meant to be...it will be. I was on pins and needles waiting on my letter. I am not the best student in the world, so that means that I didn't have a 3.7 (far from it), but my service was stellar...that does not mean one can go to rush with a 1.0. My determination could have been a deciding factor in wether or not I got in. I love working in the community, because someone worked for us.

So, congrats to Sorors and fellow greeks!

Good luck to all of you sisterfriends!
Everything has a season!

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by naturalrose

I just have to say this this was an inspirational thread! i am a undergrad senior and i found myself discouraged becauseeventhough my grades are great and i am involved in alot of community service activities ( maybe too much for my own good lol) i felt that i wouldnt be a good candidate just because i am a senior so i didnt attend rush... at first i thought it was a big mistake but i just found out i am leaving for the Peace Corps sooner than i thought so i wouldnt of been able to participate anyway. I am just staying positve and studying hard so i can come out with a great GPA. i cant help but feel lost because when i come back from my service ( 2 years) i feel like i will have to start all over again with showing interest... but like everyone said i just have to stay focused and in due time God will show me my path!!

Just know that your org. of interest isn't going anywhere. And you will obviously bring a lot to it when the time is right.

[14dst01]

Thank you humble for your comment. I think that is the word that definitely has been missed throughout the conversation.

I want to take it back to when I said "overlyconfident." I agree with what Crucial Crimson said in that being arrogant and thinks that they should be the one sought after rather than approaching the sorority itself. That's fine if that's the type of person you are but that don't work in DELTA!!!! We are all women of purpose and one does not outshine the other.

Getting back to why I said OVERLY CONFIDENT. I made that statement based on the things I said and how I carried myself during my interview the second go round. You see I went in there thinking to myself, "I know all this information, I just need to know when the money is due and when should expect a phone call." I felt that since these were the same women I sat next to at the rush 2 years prior and I got to know them, that I was guaranteed acceptance. But with anything in life, stuff doesn't always happen the way we want it to and for that God had me wait a few more years because He knew I wasn't ready (Delta would have gone to my head if I crossed undergrad).

Yes you can carry yourself in a dignified way and full of pride and what have you but at the same time there comes a point where you need to be humble. Those who have gone through the process know what I'm talking about. I have a best friend that crossed Fall '95 at XU and when I was going through this she told me to pray for several things:

1. Meekness
2. Humbleness
3. Patience

I know there are a couple of other things but I can only remember those 2 right now.

But you get the point. Those who are interested please keep those 3 points in mind when praying because those are important characteristics to have when seeking membership and it will show in not only your interview but also in the way you carry and conduct yourself.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this long message.

Continue to be Blessed.

Soulful Inspiration
#14
Spr. 2k1

[CrimsonTide4]

While I appreciate the dialogue, this was not meant to be a DEBATE but instead a time for MEMBERS of BGLO sororities to offer POSITIVE SISTERLY ADVICE to prospectives of BGLOS. This is also a time for prospectives to take the SISTERLY ADVICE and use it for further encouragement.

Let us build one another UP not tear each other DOWN.

Continue on with the original purpose of this thread.

[14dst01]

Alumnae membership is not necessarily INVITE ONLY!!!
To prove my case, last night in FL, the Broward County Alumnae
Chapter had a rush. It was open to the public. For my situation yes it was invite only but each chapter does things differently within the guidelines.

Soulsearchin, I understand what you mean about give or take and I also agree with there being a time and place for everything. But what I also have experienced in both undergrad and alumnae rushes (yes I've been to 3) is the difference between those who know how to conduct themself and those that don't have a clue or just think this is some kind of extracurricular activity. Membership into DELTA is a lifetime committment so let's not be confused!!!

My view on being humble deals more so with once you are online. But it can also apply to things such as how you are at the rush and interview. I know how I was when I was an undergrad and HUMBLE was not one of them. That's just my experience and how I see things.

[TRSimon]

I pledged undergrad, but I hope this helps... It helped me.

Be your best . If you are the best you can be, then continue to strive for excellence. If it is truly for you, you will achieve it.

Be honest. Always be honest with yourself about why you want to join an organization, and what your qualifications are.

Seek guidance from God for your life. Sometimes God has other plans. Sometimes they don't include XYZ Sorority. Sometimes they don't include being Greek. If you seek what God wants for you, you will never be disappointed or lacking for anything.

I commend anyone who endures rejection to join a Greek organization.

If you are a person who did not get in despite humility, hard work, prayer and patience, never let yourself be defined or embittered by someone's shortsightedness.

TRSimon

[kizzie22]

Hello ladies of Delta Sigma Theta


I joined Undergrad (Fall'93) and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in this world. I enjoyed every minute of it!!! My advice for the young ladies who aren't choosen this time is to hold your head up and keep that smile on your face. Because it will get better... Keep your grades up and continue doing your community service. Keep trying you will succeed!!!

[BeeJae]

You are confusing two different things.

Alumnae membership is by invitation.

A rush is and always has been a public function. Attendance at a rush means nothing if you cannot get a majority vote of the chapter... and if they don't know you - and haven't invited you... you can basically forget about being invited to membership.

Originally posted by 14dst01
Alumnae membership is not necessarily INVITE ONLY!!!
To prove my case, last night in FL, the Broward County Alumnae
Chapter had a rush. It was open to the public.

[DSTSolo01]

I pledged undergrad, I'm still in undergrad for that matter.. But I crossed the burning sands into Delta land on April 21, 2001. My situation is different from most in that when I expressed my interest to the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., they were seeking membership in order to keep the chapter alive. My school and the school I pledged at are two predominantly white northern schools. And since there weren't any qualified girls at their school or many minorities at all for that matter, they branched out and opened membership to ladies at my school and another school in the area. Even with the knowledge that there wasn't much competition and most likely these women would accept me since they needed to keep the chapter alive, I still remained humble. I worked hard for Delta. Everyday I was on the internet or reading In Search of Sisterhood or calling Deltas to find out all I could about Delta. I made sure I knew all the Founders, the basic history, Five Point Thrust, etc... I was constantly calling members of the chapter, not to pester them or to suck up - but to get to know them. I never took anything for granted. I was THOROUGH. (Even more thorough now )

I know it's most likely more difficult in HBCU's... but for those sisterfriends who attend HBCU's or other schools with a lot of competition, I say keep striving for Delta.. Make yourself noticed, not in being a pest, but in being humble. Get involved on campus, be outspoken, be an overacheiver. However, you shouldn't do these things for Delta, but for yourself. And one other piece of advice FOR UNDERGRADS IN PARTICULAR, is to carry yourself correctly. Wearing skankish clothing, spreading gossip, being publicly intoxicated or under the influence, and acting wild at parties and just acting unladylike in general will do nothing but ruin your chances.

Good luck to all sisterfriends!!! Keep striving!!!!

#1 Braveheart
SP 01, Rho Iota

[discrete1]

I will like to say "thank you" to all the members of the NPHC, for encouraging me. Here is my story:

I was interested in a BGLO as an undergraduate student as of my junior year. I wasn't extended an invitation for a reason I wish not to discuss. I was very active on my campus, involved in various activities. I did untotaled number of hours volunteering off campus etc. In not so many words I wasn't accepted.

I graduated a year later. I moved back home and started seeking a graduate chapter in my area. I went through extreme measures to find the name and address of the advisor. When I found the information, I instantly mailed the advisor my interest letter. I never received a response. Each year I sent my letter to the advisor of the the GLO of my interest. (two years had passed). March of this year, I received a response. A great response, and I choose to leave it at that.

My point is, timing is everything. Maybe I wasn't ready during my college years. Since that time I have been more involved in my community, church and have sought so much information of the GLO of my interest. I've really been doing my homework. I can honestly say that now is the right time. I didn't know as much as I know now about the GLO of my interest as I do now, and I am sure there is an abundance of information to learn once i become a member I wish I could have had the undergrad experience but I didn't and I have to move on.

Thank you all again for encouraging me.

[CrimsonTide4]

I love your title. That has become my mantra these last few months. I have had things happen or people placed in my life or taken out and I repeatedly have to remind myself, What GOD has for me, IT (he) is for ME.


To Everyone, whatever it is, be it the sorority you want to join, the college you want to go to, the job you want, the man you want to be with, if IT/HE is in GOD'S WILL for you, it is YOURS!!

I just want to add that YOU are still complete without whatever it is you are looking to GOD for direction for. That thing/person only enhances who you are but it DOES NOT MAKE YOU.