AKA colonizes in Toronto

[firecracker08]

Still lost...so are these women members of Alpha Kappa Alpha? Some titled as Soror?

[dst2004]

I was wondering that. too.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by dst2004
I was wondering that. too.

I see you are new to GC and have posted in the Omega forum and here in Greek Life regarding the AKA chapter in Canada, but not in the Delta Sigma Theta forum. Are you planning on stopping in and saying hello and telling us your chapter and things of that nature.

Congratulations to AKA for expanding into Canada.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by firecracker08
Still lost...so are these women members of Alpha Kappa Alpha? Some titled as Soror?

I tried to discern / read between the lines what was going on, vis a vis the website.
It sounds like they are still an interest group and that they are not yet initiates, or they would calling themselves a chapter of AKA, not Black Pearls. Can you become an initiated AKA in Toronto without the Toronto chapter being officially established/realized? I am thinking "no".

Where it says:
"Today Black Pearls also includes AKA Soror Monique Taylor to the Board of Directors as well as BP Volunteers Dana Dynoll David, Sherrice Myers, and Chanel Stynder.", I am thinking that Monique Taylor must be an initiated AKA from a chapter elsewhere, and that she now lives in Toronto. It does not appear that any of the Black Pearls new inductees (for lack of a better word) are using the salutation of "Soror".

For what it's worth, it's quite challenging to get sufficient interest to get a new GLO chapter going in Canada, period (especially in the BIG cities. In the universities where the town is smaller, i.e. Waterloo, Greek Life thrives better). Canadian people that do not support Greek Life just tend to be suspicious that it's elitist, "exclusionary" (because you must be INVITED to join, you cannot just sign up and join), "too American" (sorry), "it's too expensive", "I don't want to buy my friends", blah blah blah, what have you.....

[jessikay1922]

Actually the first group appear to be members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. If you look at the Photos and the listing of the membership, that seems to be the case. It seems that the volunteers do not meet the graduate criteria. I'm wondering if their purpose is somewhat like Sigma Gamma Rho's Philo Affiliate.....


ETA: Upon further reading, Black Pearls seems to be just a corporation that the members of this chapter founded to perform their community service. The volunteers again are not members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, but help out the corporation.

[dst2004]

I have just introduced myself, CrimsonTide4. You can take a look whenever you get ready. Thanks a lot.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by jessikay1922
Actually the first group appear to be members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. If you look at the Photos and the listing of the membership, that seems to be the case. It seems that the volunteers do not meet the graduate criteria.

ETA: Upon further reading, Black Pearls seems to be just a corporation that the members of this chapter founded to perform their community service. The volunteers again are not members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, but help out the corporation.

It is not a chapter, if you will. There are sorors in Canada. There are non-sorors in Canada. Nothing more. Nothing less.


That.is.all!

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by DSTRen13
(Okay, so this is revealing my dorky middle school years here, but did anyone else notice that the graphics they are using on the menu bar at the top are from Sailor Moon? ...)

Nope.

[DST4A00]

Originally posted by DSTRen13
So ... to clarify: Black Pearls is like an umbrella organization for both the AKA chapter in Toronto as well as volunteers who are interested in AKA but can't make membership reqs?

(Okay, so this is revealing my dorky middle school years here, but did anyone else notice that the graphics they are using on the menu bar at the top are from Sailor Moon? ...)

HA! yeah I noticed that too. <------Not so closeted a dork

[DST4A00]

The insertion ran from January 9th, 2003 until April 24th, 2003. Over the course of this time numerous females replied and spoke to Renée about potential membership. In the end, 5 young ladies decided to take the road towards becoming graduate members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. during the first Membership Intake Process in November of 2003 . These ladies were Sabrina Chang, Leona Earlington, Renée Rawlins Thomas, Nicolette Stewart and Kim Tull.

ok so this part sounds like they were initiated

These five women would be the beginning pearls of a unique chain of AKA members in Canada who would found a not-for-profit initiative known as Black Pearls Community Services, Inc.

but then we get here and it drops off

[ladygreek]

I think the phrase colonizes is throwing us off since NPHC orgs (except for Iota) do not colonize. There were 5 women initiated as AKAs, probably not enough to charter a chapter (just speculating here) so they formed this nonprofit org instead through which to do community service. As they garner more interest, they will probably charter a chapter.

Sounds creative and shows a deep commitment to service to me. Kudos.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by CutiePie2000
I
For what it's worth, it's quite challenging to get sufficient interest to get a new GLO chapter going in Canada, period (especially in the BIG cities. In the universities where the town is smaller, i.e. Waterloo, Greek Life thrives better). Canadian people that do not support Greek Life just tend to be suspicious that it's elitist, "exclusionary" (because you must be INVITED to join, you cannot just sign up and join), "too American" (sorry), "it's too expensive", "I don't want to buy my friends", blah blah blah, what have you.....

[rant] That's why I can't wait to get out of here. I'm a little tired of people who tell me that I can't learn how to be "proper lady" because it, well, is "sexist" or "politically incorrect." It's no wonder that UNIVERSITY STUDENTS have to be taught business etiquette *LE SIGH*[/ rant]

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by ladygreek
I think the phrase colonizes is throwing us off since NPHC orgs (except for Iota) do not colonize. There were 5 women initiated as AKAs, probably not enough to charter a chapter (just speculating here) so they formed this nonprofit org instead through which to do community service. As they garner more interest, they will probably charter a chapter.

Sounds creative and shows a deep commitment to service to me. Kudos.

OH, ok, that makes sense to me. If that is the case, I agree, that is creative and a good thing.

[ONYX1908]

Hellos sorors and other greeks, i moved from Massachusetts to Canada and i know all the ladies of black pearls and they are all OFFICIAL members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
They were not enough members initiated to charter a chapter...and so they formed black pearls so that they could carry out and conduct their community service projects and raise awareness.

GREEKLIFE in canada is dead-er than dead...

The first AKA Grad Chapter should be chartered real soon.

So no worries, they are not perps or anyting of that sort...

[Senusret I]

I feel like what I am about to say was posted in another thread a long time ago, but here goes......

When it comes to NPHC members who are international.....in situations where there aren't enough members of a particular organization to charter a chapter, may a council of the NPHC be formed as an alternative for all those Greeks who want to have a social and service program?

Alpha once had a chapter in London, but I doubt we'll have one again. I've known many Alphas and AKAs who have passed through London on a short term basis, however (semester, year, three years) and I don't see why they couldn't be part of an NPHC there.

Just curious.