What has GC taught you?

[ZTAngel]

I didn't know much about the sororities that were not 'big' in Florida. I now know so much about each GLO and the women/men that are in them.

[Tom Earp]

GC has taugtht me me that not only was I right but still is a privilage to be a member of the Greek World!

While I had many freinds from other houses, I have seen more interaction on this site than ever before!

We all have somewhat the same ideals and I consider myself blessed to have so many friends from all over the world who are Greeks!

I think everyday of my friends all the way from Austalia, via Hawaii, to Rhode Island and over to Africa and all points in in between!

[AOIIAngel]

I have learned more of the ins/outs of what actually makes the sororities and fraternities work, and it has made me realize that just because I am not a student, I can still make my sorority a part of my life through alumni involvement, wich I have started to do, and that the typical stereotype-ABC hates XYZ sorority cause ABC is better, doesnt exist here. We are all part of a very special Greek family, and we come together to help each other and those interested in greek life.
When I stop and think of all the guys and girls we have encoureged and tried to help become greek, it amazes me. Like whiteroses, jharb, etc. It makes me feel great knowing that somehow we helped give them the support they needed to get through rush, and we all know how HARD rush was!!
And those of us who have made 'friends' here, whether we have met in person already, or may someday meet in person, just another reason I love coming here! (I am hoping I may get to meet dzsiagirl or c&c if we cruise on the same ship in June!!!)
Wow, is that long, sorry!!!

[NeonPi]

Great question, eh ....!!

Like Tom, GC reminds me of the wonderful opportunities that being Greek has offered me. GC re-affirms this in that this is definately a place to share ideas, learn new things without the fear of 'looking stupid' or the like.

GC has also helped to shorten the miles between those people who are gung-ho about Greek Life and love to show it (especially the Canadian GCers!)

GC has also taught me that there are various opinions, and although I may not agree with them ..... I sure can post a constructive reply if I like!!

[prospectiverushee]

I've learned how passionate people are about things around here (ie newbie wanting to attend Arizona for college,Amycat and Dave Matthews and Jon Bon Jovie,and everybody about their respective organizations---be it NPC,NPHC,IFC,Local,or MC)

I love how supportive and encouraging people are arond here. Your passion and love and support makes me want to experience what you all have. You guys(Greeks) do so much to dispill the myths of Greek Life. Thank you for opening my eyes and keeo up the good work

[SilverTurtle]

I think I agree with everything that's been posted already!

I first came onto GC when I became nationally involved in my GLO. I was looking for perspective on how the "Greek World" worked, not just how things were on my campus. And boy have I learned it!

I think we've all also learned to respect others' opinions, and to debate them rather than simply decide they are wrong because we disagree with them. (Well, most of the time. We've had our moments with Fred & Company )

And it's just plain fun to chat with everyone here!

[volgirl2376]

GC has taught me above anything else - all about alumnae initiation. Without GC, I would never have known that it was an option - and that a college grad could still become part of a wonderful sisterhood.

Second, GC has provided a wealth of information about all the great houses out there - and has really resolved many misconceptions and stereotypes I ever had about sororities.

Last, and most important...I have learned about the lives of some amazing peple all over the world through GC and made some really great friends

[Lisa Fishman]

GC has taught me alot. I found wonderful sisters through the AGD board who have supported me through situations. There are a number of us who (I think) have grown together in a short period of time. Also, there are many AGDs on GC of different ethniticities. It has been interesting learning about everyone. In addition, Lynn put me in touch with one of my chapter sisters. For this I am grateful and thankful. When I first looked at the AGD board there were only a couple of posts up. Now our board has grown and grown!!!! Yea us!!!! Lisa

[greeklawgirl]

I don't even know where to begin in sharing what GC has taught me. First, it has taught me that being Greek is for a lifetime. Time and perspective has given me an even greater appreciation for the gifts Alpha Gam has given me. Now, I see how important it is to be an active alumna. If I want to give my daughter a strong AGD, it is up to me and my sisters to make sure that AGD stays strong.

GC has taught me the real meaning of sisterhood. I have never met any of these sisters from across North America, but God bless them. They are as precious to me as any of my chapter sisters. I'm almost tempted to say that I love them more than my chapter, because they give so selflessly of themselves without having ever seen me. I know that when push comes to shove...I have about 15 GC sisters who will lay themselves on the line for me, because I would do the same for them.

GC has taught me that all GLOs are so much more alike than they are different. Each GLO has something unique and wonderful to offer. All of our respective Founders have left us an amazing legacy to share with each other.

Most importantly, GC has given me more great friends--from all GLOs--than I can count. When my grandfather died, I left a quick note on the AGD board to let them know what was happening to me. When I came back to GC, there were so many posts and messages from members of different GLOs for me and my family. I cannot tell you how comforting that was to me. I felt so lucky and proud to be a part of this little community.

So, GC and all who are in it: thank you. You have made me laugh out loud, angry enough to yell, jump out of my chair in fright, touched enough to cry. You people are incredible!

edited for typos

[newbie]

Gosh. What a great but tough question!

Like greeklawgirl, I don't know where to start. I found GC just by surfing the web and clicking on a GC banner. I knew my (biological) sister was in a sorority and thought it would be interesting to see a message board about sororities and fraternities. Little did I know I would be sucked into this messageboard and become a posting-way-too-much member! LOL.

At first, I asked questions like "how do you pronounce this" because I had seen sorority names such as Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Phi before but didn't know if it was "Fee" or "fie." I always thought it was Alpha "Fee" but thought Pi Beta Phi was "Pi Beta FEE." I also asked things about being a legacy and what that meant.

But then, I started learning so much more than just the pronunciation of Greek letters. I learned about the whole Rush process (my, is it complicated!) and how horribly Greeks are stereotyped. Next, GC reinforced my belief that Greeks, on average, are good people. I was amazed at how many sweet posts my topics would garner even though I was only a high school junior at the time I joined GC. I was happy to see just how sisterly sorority sisters are, yet how nice and open they can be to people who are not in their GLO. I was amazed at how family-like GC is (on the whole) though most of us have never met each other in person. Most of all, I am so grateful to the Greeks who opened their arms to me and became my friends, though I myself am not yet Greek.

I am blessed to belong to this online community. These GCers have been by my side and supported me, from the death of my grandparents to the college decision process I am currently going through. A few GCers I really want to meet in person! I feel like I know many of you, even though we have never met in person.

GC has made me want to rush and belong to a sorority, more than ever. GC has dispelled preconceptions that I used to have of some Greeks. GC has made me so happy that I have the Internet!

So to all who make up GC, thanks. And to John, THANK YOU!! You make online surfing so much funner. And to those GCers whom I have had the pleasure PMing/emailing - you guys have made GC my favorite website! Thank you for allowing me to open my heart to you all!

[AOIIAngel]

Sorry, but I have to say that reading newbies post just reinforced my reasons for loving GC and the greek life. Newbie, you are such a wonderfully sweet person, and we are all looking forward to the day you rush!! And thank you everyone here for being so fantastic and to encourage feelings like newbie has!!

[shadokat]

Besides all of the wonderful things that we're all thankful for, I learned that being Greek isn't just about what it's like here in the Northeast. I never knew that recruitment was so crazy in places in the south, and yet it seems so exciting. It really opens your eyes to what Greek life is in other places.

On a different note, I've made friends in nearly every NPC sorority. I only knew ASA, AST, Tri Sig, Phi Sig, and of course, D Phi E. Now I can say I know someone from everywhere!! I'm especially happy that I got to be such good email buds with 33, aopirose and aephiqtpie. You guys have been so helpful to me

So keep up the great job folks, and remember, no matter the letter, we really are all greek together

[ErikaXO]

The many wonderful individuals of GC have taught me so much about friendship.....the most important component of that being this: friendship is not based upon the principles of the high school cliques....here it is not about who looks like what and who dates whom. It doesn't even matter what letters you wear, or if you wear letters at all!!! We have come together and grown close due to the very distinct personalities and fantastic sense of humor that everyone has poured into their threads.

I have had some of my beliefs reinforced here as well, a primary one being that greeks are terrific and not a bunch of jerky snobby drunks who only hang with "their own."

I feel as though I really know so many of you....I wish I could just get together with you and have a beer, you know? AmyCat....you are a true sister. If you had been a Chi O at my chapter I know we would have been great friends (maybe you would have been my big!) as well as a total danger to Kent State (ha ha!) James, you are a gem. I have enjoyed our chats and hope to have more. Your honest and intelligent insight is sometimes harsh but always welcome. Madmax....thanks for making me feel like a goddess with your little pms!!!! LexiKD....your spirited debate has added much enjoyment to my GC experience. Had we known each other in school I think we would have had a blast together!!! Tom Earp, you are cute as a button. Living proof that age is only a number and that a great sense of humor and personality never fade. Billy darling, you are everyone's little brother. You are going to do very well for yourself one of these days, I just know it. Justamom, you are just fabulous. I'd love to be "adopted" by you any day!! Killarney, I don't care what our greek letters are, you are my soul sister!!!

There are so many people I could mention here but the post would take up 20 pages. Being involved with GC might seem silly or trivial to some, but for me it has been a wonderful extension of greek life. Greek life is something that you truly must experience to completely understand, and if you experience it fully you know that it isn't something that ends with graduation. GC has provided a place for all of us to come together at all levels: curious high school student, rushee, new member, active, alum, and greek parent.

I only hope something like this exists when my babies are greek!

[Dionysus]

*That the stereotypes aren't true for most of the part. For example, not all "frat" guys are rapists and not all sorority girls are Pamela Anderson carbon copies.

*The existence of NPHC GLO's

*Being greek is not always about partying and power-tripping over EC positions. It's a lot about brotherhood/sisterhood.

*The BIG differences between IFC, NPC, NPHC, MC, Special Interest (i.e. music,service,etc.), and professional/honary GLO's.

*The similarities between them.

*Hazing was not as common as I thought.

*I'm not even going to touch on some things I learned from "chit chat"!

[nyrdrms]

Here's what I've learned...

~Despite many differences that make each organization unique from one another, we all share many ideals and beliefs about what life, Greek life, and education is.

~Remember to watch the things that I say and to understand other's viewpoints before responding to them.

~That my sisters truly do go far beyond those at my chapter...and in some ways, beyond my own organization.

~Sometimes the the worst day can be instantly brightened by reading about the wonderful aspects of this crazy system we have become a part of, then smiling because everything isn't as bad as it may seem....after all...we're Greek, right? And we're here for one another.