Should you "pledge" an Auxiliary Group?

[thatsassydst]

Okay, at my school aux. groups are illegal but yet the Omegas "crossed" some Omega Gems. No Greeks embraced them b/c we all knew it was illegal anyway and the Omegas reputations were already terrible so most people had no respect for those girls. As a Delta I had none. The girls came out loud and nasty to alot of us and that turned us off even more.
Well the story gets better...my Sands and some of my friends outside of Delta started talking to some of the members and asking them why they pledged that and ALL 10 of those girls said that they were recruited by the Omegas and told that becoming a Gem would automatically allow them to pledge Delta! Needless to say my Sands and I have clowned and told those girls they should've known that wasn't true b/c NO DELTA was EVER at their "pledge" sessions. Some of the girls are very nice and intelligent but they pledged that organization ONLY to become Deltas which was stupid. If you want to pledge those organizations or any sorority PLEASE do it b/c that's what is in your heart. Not to make a pathway into another organization.

[MaMaBuddha]

this subject is interesting as well as controversial. i am am/was a kappa diamond. when i was first introduced to the greek system i had no idea of the steps to take to become greek, for i was a freshmen. and this was my introduction. we interacted with other greeks and participated in greek themed events. WE DID NOT THINK WE WERE A SORORITY. WE WERE CONSTANTLY TOLD WERE NOT A SORORITY. *lol* some secretly inspired to join those sororities....which is natural.

most of the fraternities on my campus had sweethearts and even some of the sororities on campus had gents or miackas (sp??)

then again this was all before the aux were banned

now and days, it seems like it frowned upon. my experience with the kappa's on my campus was a great one. we weren't hazed or forced to do anything we didn't want to do. The guys were very repectfully, i will admit. we participated in several service acts. it was very funny and the experiences are something i will never forget. many of my sister's went on to join other sororities and organizations.

being a diamond was my first year at school. after my introduction to the greek system. i moved on to bigger and better things. i pledged and i mean pledged Delta. but i still have a place in my heart for The Diamonds of BCC.

you wouldn't believe how many sorors and people i've met since then they have been affiliated with an aux group.

[NicoleRey]

Originally posted by c&c1913:
This reminded me of the story a Soror told me about the Gems that came out at my school last spring. Some of them had collars, were barking, walking on hands and knees, and had their tongues hanging out! Yet a couple of them have indicated that they want to be a Woman of DST, hmmmmm.........

I am APPALED! I was/am an Omega Pearl and I would NEVER have done that! As a matter f fact, altohough I am not an active member of the auxillary group, I would have to check a woman if I saw her doing such things. Before we (this board collectively) were Pearls, Diamonds, Carnations, Deltas, AKA's,, etc. we were and will always be Women. Women should know that there is a line between being involved in something and being a part of something. As an auxillary member you are not a member of the Fraternity! And you are certainly not a member of the sorority with whom the frat as formed bonds wether historical or constitutional.

Acting in such a lude manner can do nothing but HURT the chances of joining a soroity if that is one's ultimate goal. And even if a sorority is not ones destination, why make yourself look like a jack a$$ for no reason at all.

But in defense of the "ignorant" (and I use that term strictly with Webster's meaning in mind);some young ladies are told that it is a stepping stone. And when you are straight out of HS and thrust into a new world where you are trying to find your place, you believe what the "experienced" are telling you.

I enjoyed my experience as an auxillary member and was fortunate enough to be friends with quite a few of the Greeks on campus and friendly with the rest. My Court sisters and I were recieved well on our campus and did many community projects (alone, not with the fraternity) in the name of Omega Pearl. My campus was very friendly. When I ventured onto other campuses without the accompniment of my friends who were Deltas...I felt the heat. In my Blind IGNORANCE, I had no clue of the issues between sorority members and lil sister orgs.

(Okay...I'm ending the book )...But the fact is, the people who know me and the women of Delta Sigma Theta who know of my intrest also know of my work in the community of of my desire to remain a worker and leader regardless of whether my chance for Delta evr comes...But LORD knows I pray that it will!

Sorry for the length...That just pushed a button!

[NicoleRey]

...Could my spelling be any worse? Forgive a sistah!

Originally posted by thatsassydst:
Okay, at my school aux. groups are illegal but yet the Omegas "crossed" some Omega Gems. he girls came out loud and nasty to alot of us and that turned us off even more.

This reminded me of the story a Soror told me about the Gems that came out at my school last spring. Some of them had collars, were barking, walking on hands and knees, and had their tongues hanging out! Yet a couple of them have indicated that they want to be a Woman of DST, hmmmmm.........


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Sisterhood, Scholarship, & Service
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
"Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom"

[Moni93]

Originally posted by c&c1913:
This reminded me of the story a Soror told me about the Gems that came out at my school last spring. Some of them had collars, were barking, walking on hands and knees, and had their tongues hanging out! Yet a couple of them have indicated that they want to be a Woman of DST, hmmmmm.........

Oh my God, this one blew me away. I weep for sisters all of them...

I will have my LS visit this topic, because she was a Que-Essence on our campus before she became a Delta. Now I have seen some things, and I've seen some more things in my 27 years of living, regarding greek activites, but that one took the cake.

[12dn94dst]

I just wanted to thank the ladies who posted their POSITIVE experiences with aux. organizations. It is reassuring to know that the behavior some of us have seen on our campuses is not how all aux. members behave. I have a question though. What are everyone's thoughts as to how "everything" in the NPHC system (ie pledging, aux. orgs, step shows) when from what it was to what we're dealing with now. Meaning, how did something where positivity was the norm become normally not-so-positive.

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Kelli
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
12-Delta Nu-94
MAL, Southern Region
Savannah State University c/o 1997

[DirectorDST99]

I'm wondering now if these auxillaries have rituals and the whole nine. If they do, then it seems as though they really aren't an auxillary but "wannabe" sororities and even fraternities.

I think they should dig deep into the beginning of their existence and find out who and what they are.

I don't know what auxillaries WERE like back in the day, but I do know that TODAY, I would not advise anyone to join one. While their intentions may be sincere, their public display of continued disrespect for themselves and the sororities and fraternities they "claim" is an embarassment.

I say BAN auxillaries from college campuses unless they are bound by a sorority or fraternity's constitution...and I think only one auxillary can claim that.

You don't see any graduate chapters clinging and holding on to auxillaries do you?

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Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[dstbrat]

i think the main issue is that there is no continuity. in some place the members of the org bring them in and in others their big brother/sister conduct their activites. in some places the act like greeks in other places they don't. there is also no real way to regualate or govern them is they are not registered or recognized. so on many fronts their are real liability questions for the organizations and the schools where they are active.

[Kimmie1913]

The whole question of aux is a difficult one.
I have been taught by older Sorors that what exists today is not what they once were. Traditionally sweethearts were the girl friends and wives of frat members. This is why even today the frats sing their sweetheart songs to the brides of frat at weddings but NOT to their "sweets". ALso, Becasue these orgs are illegal they are far from uniform. Some schools they "pledge", others they don;t. Some they run their own activities others they are about doing what the men direct them to do to promote the men;s activities and the name of the fraternity. The idea of doing work in the name of the frat, an organization that you do not belong to and that you are not recognized by is why a lotof Sororities look down on them. Many feel like strong, educated Black women do not need to be about working behind the scenes for men or even along side them if you are not and cannot be on par with them in the org.

I think it is hard to make a hard and fadt statement about them as they vary greatly.

[Reds6]

I became an Alpha Angel in 1990, my first year in college. This is when pledging was above ground. I wasn't disrespected at all it was fun. Every organization had them. Many members of Sororities and Fraternities had been members at one time. It wasn't looked at as being a first step to being in a sorority, it was just looked at as being involved in something. Our purpose like most sweethart organizations was to help the men on line. We also did do community service and learned history. Now do I think there is a nedd now for sweetharts, NO.

[iota_man]

I don't know about the other organizations, but the information you said below about "all 9 national organizations have policies which forbid their collegiate chapters from making or affiliating with sweethearts because of the liability that they present to the organization" is incorrect. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. both nationally and constitutionally recognizes "Iota Sweethearts."

Originally posted by dstbrat:
this is the topic that will not die. your sister is correct in that according your yard, it may jeopardize your chances of pledging a sorority. the beef that exists is rooted in a lack of respect by some sweethearts for sorority members. some see themselves as sororities and true sisters to the fraternity. it should be noted that all 9 national organizations have policies which forbid their collegiate chapters from making or affiliating with sweethearts because of the liability that they present to the organization. ultimately, the choice is yours. just be aware that it might make your road to pledging a little rockier.

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Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.
Stephen F. Austin State University
http://go.to/sfaiota

[Kimmie1913]

It was my understanding that the NPHC had elected to ban auxiliary groups superceding any one organiations decision on its own to have them. I am not saying thisi is fact but what I believed had been the case. Can anyone out there clarify the point?

[ZetaAce]

Clarification- Everyone agreed to the ban before Iota Phi Theta became a member of the NPHC. They chose not to participate in the ban and hence their sweethearts are still a part of their organization.

ZetaAce

[AKA2D '91]

hmmmmmm.