Pledging two different Sororities? - Page 2

jojapeach · #1 02-27-2002, 11:07 AM

Greetings Sorors and Sisterfriends!

This is a good discussion because interests need to clearly understand the seriousness of dedicating yourself to a lifetime in the sorority of their interest. It's just out and out disrespectful to the organization and the pledge you took if you join another organization. Once you pledge XYZ, you are an XYZ for life. Period. I completely understand that Sigma is a lifetime commitment . If you are so unhappy with it, make some evaluations of the situation and your role in it and take some action to make improvements. RHOyal Silence, if you pledged in the city that's listed as your residence, then I know the exact situation you're talking about, and it's pitiful because she just wanted to be Greek, bless her heart.

jojapeach

PrettyKitty · #2 02-27-2002, 12:42 PM

I was having lunch with a prophyte from my chapter a few years back...She pledged in Spr 81....she told me she ran into a woman who pledged SGRho when she was undergrad and the woman had become a Delta. She said the woman pretended not to know here.

I was told of a story of a guy who pledged both Que and Alpha. Whenever he was around his Que bruhs, he put away all of his Alpha para and vice versa. Then as the story went, one day someone recognized him as a Alpha and told the Ques....well...you can imagine the rest...but I don't know the veracity of this tale...so it could be true or it could be an urban legend...

It sucks that this kind of stuff happens...and I wish the National Headquarters of the NPHC did more to prevent it...but the reality is, it happens. I even know of some instances where people were found out and either beat or stripped of their letters.

What can u do?

kizzie22 · #3 02-27-2002, 02:28 PM

Oh My!!!!!

I have been sitting up here reading all of these replies and all I can say is

I also attended school in the south and everybody in that area knew WHO was in what NPHC. Some people fail to realize that the greek world is "small." It is a scary thought that someone out there knows ALL of my history and another orgs too. I knew a girl pledged AKA and she transferred to another school and tried to pledge SGRHO. The AKAs from that school she transfred from told the SGRHOs and Let's just say she will run from anything that has RHOyal blue&gold, and pink and green in it...

SeriousSigma22 · #4 02-27-2002, 06:28 PM

Sorhors and Sisterfriends,

That just blows my mind! Very, very, very bizarre!

Serioussigma22

NinjaPoodle · #5 03-03-2002, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kizzie22
Oh My!!!!!

I knew a girl pledged AKA and she transferred to another school and tried to pledge SGRHO. The AKAs from that school she transfred from told the SGRHOs and Let's just say she will run from anything that has RHOyal blue&gold, and pink and green in it...

SeriousSigma22 · #6 03-03-2002, 07:00 AM

SoRhor Ninja Poodle,

Girl, where do get those creative little icons??? (smile)

Serioussigma22

SeriousSigma22 · #7 03-03-2002, 08:39 PM

Sorhors and Sisterfriends,

I believe that a young intelligent college student or graduate woman would know from the start what the organization is all about before she tries to become a member of that particular organization. There comes a time in ones life when a person has to make decisions that will effect (end result) the rest of her life. Every female needs to carefully do her homework before she decides to take those steps into that particular organization. Most of these young ladies believe that they will have a backup sorority just in case they are rejected by their first choice. I really believe that these young women have confused BGLOs with the caucasian sororities because this is what these young ladies do on traditonally white campuses. They (Caucasian females) attend several sororities' rush events during rush week and they put in bids to the different sororities that spark their interest. I hate to burst a person's bubble but BGLOs do not operate from that paradigm. When I attended the University of Delaware I thought that was the strangest process and it will never fly with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. or any other BGLO sorority. It also seems that it's much easier to get away with this process because traditional pledging is no longer allowed. Yes, different chapters of the four historically African American sororities know that they are looking for women that represent, reflect, respect and will uphold the by laws of their organization. That's not to much to ask from decent young ladies that say they have the same high standards. Just my observations from all of the different post!

Serioussigma22

Tenacious1922 · #8 03-06-2002, 09:32 AM

Hey Reiki,

No I do not take offense to your opinion!

But I do not feel as if SGRho should be a second choice. And I am sure that you will find that most Greeks feel exactly the same about their individual orgs. So that is where the research comes in. Before you "put yourself out there, so to speak", you really have to know what you want! And that might mean waiting a month, two months or even a year. Now I believe in changing of one's mind, but I can tell you from experience that there are alot of young ladies who want to be Greek for all of the wrong reasons!!!

And when I was an undergrad I encountered several individuals who would fall into this category. You know when someone just wants to be Greek by their behavior. The easiest way to tell is, that they are not willing to work for it. Now that does not mean doing things for you and all of that crazyness. It simply means even having the grades, getting your info together etc. Coming to an interview totally unprepared...knowing nothing about your orgs. history,(which can be found at the National Website) not even being able to answer why they want to be apart of your org. This is why you need to have pledged yourself to the org. of your choice in the sense that this is really what you want. We are not like the white sororites and Frats. once you are a member of ABC...THAT IS IT!!!

You do not have the choice of searching on. That is why it is very important to know what it is you want and go for it. People want instant gratification and usually that does not happen when going on your quest for a BGLO. Just like you need to impress someone on a job interview, I would need to be impressed by what you could offer my chapter and SGRho as a whole. It is not that I think non-greeks have no opinion, but as a former non-greek alot of what I thought was wrong, because there is a sense of mystery or secrecy. This is a journey that a person really needs to experience to really know what it is all about. As a non-greek I observed all of the sororities on my campus. I found out the requirements and most importantly...I FOUND OUT WHICH EACH OF THEM STOOD FOR. I did my research
worked on my grades, and when I KNEW WHAT I WANTED, that is when I spoke more of my interest. But when I did that I was ready!!

Basically I knew not to come half stepping. You sound as if you know about Greek life, but I also feel that you may have been having a hard time deciding which way to go, or having trouble trying to get there. I tell you that every Greek does not think that a prospective is shallow or rude or etc. But you need to know that the experience will humble you (not degrade) and really make you look at yourself. You will learn your strenghts and weaknesses no matter how you become a member (undergrad or grad). But it is something that should be taken seriously, and if one has not made up their mind, they need to keep searching then, not after the choice has been made...and that is that!!

I forgot to add: when the time comes for a person to become a member of a BGLO they will know it.(the process of beginning to becoming a member) And it won't come from looking or just talking to a member!!

Tenacious1922

SeriousSigma22 · #9 03-06-2002, 07:13 PM

Sorhor Tenacious1922,

That is exactly my point Sigma Gamma Rho or any other BGLO organization are not going to put up with a person that is just plan shopping to join any old organization. She or He must do their homework and be able to tell the organization why the really want to be a part of that particular organization. Well stated Sorhor!

Serioussigma22

Fine RHOyalty · #10 03-06-2002, 09:55 PM

My goodness!!!

All of this is just too much goin' on!! I've heard of such situations, but I've never known any personal stories of this matter. It DOES disgust me that some females think of SGRho as some sort of "last resort." And I often have people come up to me and ask "What's that?" or "Is that a high school sorority?" or my favorite... "Why didn't you pledge AKA or DST?" Since I live in the south, AKA and DST are the larger organizations here, and when you're in high school, you are brought up to believe there are only 2 choices. I'm glad that I took the time to research ALL of my options, both BGLOs AND WGLOs. I didn't want to leave any stone unturned... b/c it's true, you have to find what's right for you and nobody else will be "married" to the decision except for you. So, after much digging, I am EXTREMELY proud to be a member of the Sexy, Sensational, Sultry Sorority of SIGMA GAMMA RHO!!!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-YIP!!!!!

TRSimon · #11 03-07-2002, 09:25 PM

The topic is at hand is if people know of others who pledged two sororities, what they think, and along those lines. Let us not get into generalizations and comparisons between us and any other HBGOs. If you want to address Sigma image issues, please take it to your Sigma listserve or personal contacts.

Thank you,
TRSimon

NewBee · #12 03-10-2002, 10:33 PM

Well, I am not greek, but I definitely think pledging two BGLOs is wrong simply because they are of the same nature or even two NPC orgs. But what if you pledge say SGRho and joined a band fraternity or a coed fraternity, something that a traditional black sorrority couldn't give you. Would that be considered not disloyal to your org, or just wanting to be greek? Or what if you pledge a multicultural sorrority that is probably local and later decided that that sisterhood no longer met your needs and you needed a stronger org to carry out whatever it is you wish to achieve or recieve in that stronger organization. Would that be considered wrong on disloyal? Would you want a sister who had ties to an organization thats not affiliate with yours? This is definitely a good topic. I do feel that its wrong to pledge two different sorroties but then again its again its okay it seems if the organization is not in the Divine Nine. For example, some greeks are masons and oes and I would think that has to infringe on some loyalties or at least be very time consuming. I dont know, does anyone have anything to add???

Fine RHOyalty · #13 03-12-2002, 05:16 AM

In response to NewBee:

I am a member of a band sorority and Sigma Gamma Rho. Of that band sorority, I am also the Vice-President, which does lead to some time dispersment issues sometimes. However, I told my Sorors this before the process began and before I was even interested in joining. They knew that I was responsible for membership candidates in Tau Beta Sigma other business affairs, but that I was willing to make time for both organizations. I get my work done in both. Neither goes lacking. During my intake process, my TBS Sorors were 146% supportive and my MCs were super-excited at my probate. My Sigma SoRHOrs are also understanding of TBS undergoing Spring 2002 intake. It's a balance. It's not easy, but it's not impossible.
I wear paro. for both organizations. Both sororities are on my keychain. I love them both and I could never put down one organization for the other. Both are deep within my heart. Disloyalty is not an option.

SeriousSigma22 · #14 03-12-2002, 08:02 PM

Another Response to NewBee,

My sorhor is very correct - a lot of us are or were members of national honor sororities, band fraternities, eastern stars, links, etc. Usually there aren't any real conflicts and it just means that you are well rounded and have a lot to offer to your school and greater community. I hope this helps!

Serioussigma22

Tenacious1922 · #15 03-13-2002, 08:56 AM

I remember when I first became a soror, I knew a young lady who was an Eastern Star. I had thought about persuing it (my great-grandmother was an Eastern Star) but I knew at the time, I just had too much going on. But I have known of many Greeks who are Eastern Stars or Masons and especially in the different band and honor societies. It was really neat to see the different sorority and Frat. members wearing the same letters!