Ask an AKA...Random Questions...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by futurestar1
What misconceptions about sorority life were disproved after gaining membership?

I had yet to have any misconceptions about my Sorority life. Hardly anything shocks me. I was initiated in 1989. Other sorors were initiated earlier than I. Our process was different in those days and you have yet to ask questions regarding the details. However, we had endured one premise, lack of misconception of the reality of being active in the Sorority...

Since some of my youthful sorors had a different process than mine, you would have to ask them about any misconception they may have had.

However, I have encountered MANY NUMEROUS misconceptions from outsiders and interests. MANY and NUMEROUS!!! It is disheartening to hear those kinds of utterances of ignorance by children and silly adults that have done little to effectively and broadly change their communities for almost 98 years.

[wannabeina]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
How do you know they are suspended? Did you go to the Student Affairs office (or whatever you call it on your campus) and ask? You have yet to know what suspension entails or what lengths it takes to have a chapter suspended--and you have yet to be privy to that kind of information. The best you can do is to send a physical letter to the National Office of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and request membership information as it becomes relevant. You can also participate in a public graduate chapter event as much as you would like. My graduate sorors always welcome those who have a seriousss interesting in my Sorority. [/B]

To answer your question, I first called the National Headquarters to see if they would provide info and I was directed to the Student office on campus. I contacted the student office and was told that the chapter is indeed suspended, and they didn't know when they would return. The office told me that it would be up to the sorority to request permission to return to campus.

I realize that I don't know anything about the inner workings of sorority life, but I wanted to see if I would have a chance at joining during my undergraduate years or wait until after graduation.

I have no intentions of asking any membership related questions. I can respect the rules of this forum.

In my initial post I was trying to let you know that I had no way of witnessing first hand how members of your sorority conduct themselves on a daily basis, so that anyone responding would know why I ask the question I ask.

I mean no disrespect to anyone and I greatly appreciate the intellegent and kind replies I have received.

[miss priss]

1. Do you think that some of your sister's get too carried away with wearing their sororities pari or colors? How do you address that for yourself?

2. What's the one thing you get a kick out of doing when you know there is an interest around?

3. Could you deal with the fact should you have a daughter, she does not want to be an AKA but something else? OR if your daughter is rejected, after you have spent countless years working for the sorority, for no apparent "good" reason given?

4. Do you believe in nepotism within the organization? If not/so, how would that affect your views on the direction of the organization and your involvement?

5. Do you think in anyway that you fit the sororities "typical" stereotype given? OR feel that people think that you should fit the stereotype?

6. How do you deal with sister's you just don't like?

3 and 4 kinda go together.....

[AKA2D '91]

1. I dunoo. Maybe a younger soror could answer that. I cannot control what she wears. I cannot control what you wear. I don't wear T-shirts that much...never really did as an UG nor as a graduate member. I don't wear my jackets that much either. Now my jewelry, that's another story.

2. WITH??!?!? IT TAIN'T THAT SERIOUS!

3. Yes..there is a thread regarding this..

4. Again...WITH?!?!?!

5. (IMO) Some of our founders don't fit the "typical stereotype"others have placed on the organization. So that ya- ya has always seemed crazy to me. LOL

6. That's just like asking how do you deal with your momma when she gets on your nerves. How do you deal with your biological brother or sister you just don't get along with... WITH for the 3rd time!

Thank you for your questions thus far, but please THINK about what you are asking BEFORE you ask. And please make sure you cannot find the answer from one of our previous threads.

[btb87]

I'll take a stab at some of these. . .

Originally posted by miss priss
1. Do you think that some of your sister's get too carried away with wearing their sororities pari or colors? How do you address that for yourself?

I think that after waiting for so long (for some Sorors, the pursuit has taken YEARS - for me it was 8) it's normal for neos to go all out. But it is possible to OVERaccessorize. I'm guilty of having done that myself (when I first crossed)! After having been out for so long myself, I feel a lot like a neo, and during the weekend, I usually have on a Sorority T-shirt. And I am planning to spend big bucks on a personalized sweater. Don't know when I'm going to get it though. . .


2. What's the one thing you get a kick out of doing when you know there is an interest around?

Watching their "antics". Just had the opportunity to be around several interests, and they were trying so hard to not do or say something stoopid. They were grinning the whole time, trying to be sweet and demure. I know when they got home, they felt like Jack Nicholson's "Joker" in Batman with a frozen grin!

3. Could you deal with the fact should you have a daughter, she does not want to be an AKA but something else? OR if your daughter is rejected, after you have spent countless years working for the sorority, for no apparent "good" reason given?

I could deal with it, but neither she nor I would be happy! She'd better find another way to pay for it, if she's chosen for another organization.

4. Do you believe in nepotism within the organization? If not/so, how would that affect your views on the direction of the organization and your involvement?

My safe answer is that if nepotism can exist, then it probably will. Does this affect my views on the Sorority's direction? No.

5. Do you think in anyway that you fit the sororities "typical" stereotype given? OR feel that people think that you should fit the stereotype?

No and no. The closest I come to the stereotype is that my eyes are a lighter shade of brown. I have had people tell me, once they find out that I'm an AKA, "You LOOK like an AKA." Of course, my response is, "What does an AKA look like?"

6. How do you deal with sister's you just don't like?

The same way I deal with others I don't like that I have to deal with. Handle them with a long-handled spoon. We're working for the same cause.

3 and 4 kinda go together.....

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by wannabeina
To answer your question, I first called the National Headquarters to see if they would provide info and I was directed to the Student office on campus. I contacted the student office and was told that the chapter is indeed suspended, and they didn't know when they would return. The office told me that it would be up to the sorority to request permission to return to campus.

I realize that I don't know anything about the inner workings of sorority life, but I wanted to see if I would have a chance at joining during my undergraduate years or wait until after graduation.

I have no intentions of asking any membership related questions. I can respect the rules of this forum.

In my initial post I was trying to let you know that I had no way of witnessing first hand how members of your sorority conduct themselves on a daily basis, so that anyone responding would know why I ask the question I ask.

I mean no disrespect to anyone and I greatly appreciate the intellegent and kind replies I have received.

Firstly, I am going to give you a break because I suspect you are young and lack patience and understanding. However, let me ask you this question, is there a graduate chapter in your current city or location and have you tried to find their activities and attend them? My Sorority is a "global" organization, it would behoove you to find nearby chapters, somehow, someway. Moreover, are you just willing to give up on one try at your Student Affairs office? I would think there is some leverage in the phonebook or better yet, aka1908.com... This is what we mean when we talk about doing your research... What you are doing is stepping up to us with half a deck and trying to call somebody's bluff...

(Y'all can tell I'm excited to go the Las Vega$)

The best you can do now is to pursue the graduate chapter and participate in some of the public events that you are allowed to attend. That would be the best way one could go about it and see my sorors in action. Now you have been told how to go about doing that...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by miss priss
1. Do you think that some of your sister's get too carried away with wearing their sororities pari or colors? How do you address that for yourself?

Now miss priss, I expected more out of you than that!!! You know better than to ask those kind of questions. They are unrelated to the initial comment made by my Soror AKA2D'91... And she did say that we, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. had a choice to answer. But you laid it out there. And since I like folks to learn from ill-advised choices they make, I will try very hard to maintain my respectfulness toward you, unlike what you have displayed toward my sorors on GC. Besides, what you are asking is "hazing related"... Just to forewarn you and since my pearls are highly intact, then I have yet to worry about sorrow later on...

Why hate on AKA love with the 'nalia? Especially for those who just joined? That is just plain hurtful... This is what I am talking about with misconceptions and casting aspersions. Once you get there, if you get there in any sorority, you will know ALL about wearing 'nalia with pride... And there has yet to be anything inaccurate with being P and G'ed out

Originally posted by miss priss
2. What's the one thing you get a kick out of doing when you know there is an interest around?

What do you think? Have you seen anything? Was that your interpretation or blatantly obvious based on what you saw? Would you report it to the authorities if you saw someone being inappropriate to another--with anything, generally?

Originally posted by miss priss
3. Could you deal with the fact should you have a daughter, she does not want to be an AKA but something else? OR if your daughter is rejected, after you have spent countless years working for the sorority, for no apparent "good" reason given?

The answer to your first question will be the same my Soror Mother told me: I could pledge anything I wanted to, but I am only paying for ONE... As far as my daughter, if I had one, desiring membership into another organization, well it would hurt, but then she could do it, if she wanted to however she would have to pay for intake and membership...

The answer to your second question, I think it has been posted on another topic before. I would refer to the POW and do a search... What is that called again when I leave something to my daughter? Hmmmmmm?

Originally posted by miss priss
4. Do you believe in nepotism within the organization? If not/so, how would that affect your views on the direction of the organization and your involvement?

See answer as above...

Originally posted by miss priss
5. Do you think in anyway that you fit the sororities "typical" stereotype given? OR feel that people think that you should fit the stereotype?

Pursuit in the membership of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is ALWAYS a SERIOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS matter.... Does that work for you?

Originally posted by miss priss
6. How do you deal with sister's you just don't like?

They are always my sorors and I have pledge my heart and fidelity to uphold their simplicity and grace, thick and thin. We just agree to disagree. Do you have a sibling? If so, do your dislike him or her? Would you hate him or her ever? Why is it wrong to hate your brother or sister? Because I am trying to achieve a higher goal and mentality (or as a Christian, God says that you are unable to love God and hate your brother--or fellow man), so therefore, I will just agree to disagree...

[miss priss]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
1. I dunoo. Maybe a younger soror could answer that. I cannot control what she wears. I cannot control what you wear. I don't wear T-shirts that much...never really did as an UG nor as a graduate member. I don't wear my jackets that much either. Now my jewelry, that's another story.

2. WITH??!?!? IT TAIN'T THAT SERIOUS!

3. Yes..there is a thread regarding this..

4. Again...WITH?!?!?!

5. (IMO) Some of our founders don't fit the "typical stereotype"others have placed on the organization. So that ya- ya has always seemed crazy to me. LOL

6. That's just like asking how do you deal with your momma when she gets on your nerves. How do you deal with your biological brother or sister you just don't get along with... WITH for the 3rd time!

Thank you for your questions thus far, but please THINK about what you are asking BEFORE you ask. And please make sure you cannot find the answer from one of our previous threads.

Again yes I went there because I knew SOMEBODY reading this forum would (or wanted to) ask......I knew I would get "shut" down---- just playing the devil's advocate.....but you know it's those crazy questions that most interest are scared to ask maybe I should have prefaced my questions.....I know, I know somethings you just don't ask but sometimes ya just wanna know!

Do any of you plan to run for an office higher than what you are now?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by miss priss
Again yes I went there because I knew SOMEBODY reading this forum would (or wanted to) ask......I knew I would get "shut" down---- just playing the devil's advocate.....but you know it's those crazy questions that most interest are scared to ask maybe I should have prefaced my questions.....I know, I know somethings you just don't ask but sometimes ya just wanna know!

Do any of you plan to run for an office higher than what you are now?

Aside from all the gibberish you were spewing, here is a true and very good Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. interest question... It gives those seriousssssly interested details regarding how in fact my sorority is truly organized. Moreover, our city, county, regional and international meetings, both the Boule and the Leadership conferences offer 2-3 day intenstive Continuing Education lectures regarding "So You Want To Run For Office", along with compendium literature. However, one must be a member to obtain those documents...

Currently in my new graduate chapter, I have yet to be an officer simply because I am new to the area and would like better business and networking opportunities than what I currently have. However in my previous graduate chapter, I had two position, Corresponding Secretary and the highly coveted position, Graduate Advisor. As corresponding secretary, I had to organize and send out the newsletter (chapter bylaws). This duty was before they had "yahoogroups". I also had to check and gather the mail before the monthly chapter meeting, then read pertinent mailing information. I saw a lot of paperwork go through... I will just leave it at that. But being that one little position in a relatively small chapter (I apologize Soror Steeltrap--but 1996, the chapter was small), it taught me a lot about the policies and procedures of my Sorority.

As a former Graduate Advisor, I was the one who organized the graduate advisory council for my graduate chapter. I implemented the communication between the younger undergraduate sorors and the Golden (50 year) and Diamond (75 year) sorors. My undergraduate sorors truly enjoyed the older sorors, learned many things... I also implemented the "Back To School Tea and Luncheon" for the undergraduate sorors and graduate advisory council sorors. By my position, I was enabled to connect with other graduate advisors in my region and discuss plans for undergraduates, generally. Then I moved away to another region due to a new job.

Currently, I aspire to a higher position. However the kind of position I desire takes diligence, planning and full chapter support--also attending a lot of Regional and National meeting--there are other meetings that are outside of the Boule and Leadership Conference. It also take developing an active curricula with proper implementation and numerous support from my own chapter sorors--Something that I need to improve upon right now since I am new to my current area. I think within 3-5 years, I will be close or at my goal.

[miss priss]

[color=deeppink][b]As a former Graduate Advisor, I was the one who organized the graduate advisory council for my graduate chapter. I implemented the communication between the younger undergraduate sorors and the Golden (50 year) and Diamond (75 year) sorors. My undergraduate sorors truly enjoyed the older sorors, learned many things...

1.What is the most profound thing you learned from one of your older sisters? Has that influenced your pursuit for a greater leadership role?

2.You mentioned developing/implementing new curricula, what is an area within the targets that you feel you would like to continue more emphasis in and why?

3.Do you think a new target/program should be created? If so what and how would that help Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated affect changes in the AA community/world?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by miss priss
1.What is the most profound thing you learned from one of your older sisters? Has that influenced your pursuit for a greater leadership role?

One of the most profound things I have learned from my elder sorors, one being my Soror Grandmother, is to just go for what you know, especially if you feel it is the right thing to do. Many of my elder sorors have done extraordinary things with their lives, from be a Democratic Party National Convention Chair to CEO of corporations. Each of them are overjoyed when a younger soror, including my "old self", speaks to them about their struggles and triumphs. From that information, I incorporate it into reinvention of a "old dream"--that's the best way I can describe it to you. This is just the way I do it. My sorors may have other ways

Originally posted by miss priss
2.You mentioned developing/implementing new curricula, what is an area within the targets that you feel you would like to continue more emphasis in and why?

Developing and implementing new curriculum to any of the targets is what gets decided at a chapter meeting/retreat. It takes hashing out and fleshing off the important parts from the frivolous parts. It is extremely difficult to do and takes years to implement an excellent program to the specifications set by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. headquarters and directorate.

As such, some small graduate chapter strongly focus on a few of the targets, such as my current chapter. Whereas, my former graduate chapter can focus on all the targets because they are twice as large. One target I would like my current graduate chapter to emphasize on is related to my career, which is Health. My Sorority has partnered with several other non-profit organizations that my current city could really benefit from. One idea is to have a town hall meeting for health disparties in the aging African American community. I would like to be in the planning stages to implement that sort of thing. We shall see if I can convince my chapter to go for it.

Originally posted by miss priss
3.Do you think a new target/program should be created? If so what and how would that help Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated affect changes in the AA community/world?

The targets and programs are at the discretion and modification of my Sorority's governing body, The Directorate. Usually, my Sorority has grants with assisting charitable organizations and these grants are for a designated time. So the programs are centered around that. Then there a many other groups, including the US governmental agencies, who request our assistance to implement some of their programs in our outreach communties--such as before year 2000, in 1996 and 1998 Boules, there was information regarding the Census taking and making sure that the African American community is represented. The US goverment budgets and drawn congressional districts based on the census... So Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. made an active effort in that pursuit.

Since I was unable to attend Boule in 2004, the upcoming programs as decided by the new incoming president, Mrs. Barbara McKeinze, is unknown to me at this time. However, I suspect she would want some emphasis with business or managment since that is her career and she is very good in that position. African Americans as a whole need to learn more about how to invest money in the stock market for capital projects. I agree with that. Then it is a program throughout to do something for African American children. And health is a mainstay. So I think those 3 targets will still be active--we shall see about the Black Family--but a program will be similar to it

[abaici]

Originally posted by miss priss
Do any of you plan to run for an office higher than what you are now?

Currently, I serve as my chapter's corresponding secretary. I would love to serve in another position in my chapter. Your education of AKA does not end after you are initiated. You are always learning more about the organization. In talking with seasoned sorors, I have been encouraged to learn as much as I can about the organizatio and participate.

[wannabeina]

I don't have any other questions at this time.

[UpPinkies]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
One of the most profound things I have learned from my elder sorors, one being my Soror Grandmother, is to just go for what you know, especially if you feel it is the right thing to do. Many of my elder sorors have done extraordinary things with their lives, from be a Democratic Party National Convention Chair to CEO of corporations. Each of them are overjoyed when a younger soror, including my "old self", speaks to them about their struggles and triumphs. From that information, I incorporate it into reinvention of a "old dream"--that's the best way I can describe it to you. This is just the way I do it. My sorors may have other ways



Developing and implementing new curriculum to any of the targets is what gets decided at a chapter meeting/retreat. It takes hashing out and fleshing off the important parts from the frivolous parts. It is extremely difficult to do and takes years to implement an excellent program to the specifications set by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. headquarters and directorate.

As such, some small graduate chapter strongly focus on a few of the targets, such as my current chapter. Whereas, my former graduate chapter can focus on all the targets because they are twice as large. One target I would like my current graduate chapter to emphasize on is related to my career, which is Health. My Sorority has partnered with several other non-profit organizations that my current city could really benefit from. One idea is to have a town hall meeting for health disparties in the aging African American community. I would like to be in the planning stages to implement that sort of thing. We shall see if I can convince my chapter to go for it.



The targets and programs are at the discretion and modification of my Sorority's governing body, The Directorate. Usually, my Sorority has grants with assisting charitable organizations and these grants are for a designated time. So the programs are centered around that. Then there a many other groups, including the US governmental agencies, who request our assistance to implement some of their programs in our outreach communties--such as before year 2000, in 1996 and 1998 Boules, there was information regarding the Census taking and making sure that the African American community is represented. The US goverment budgets and drawn congressional districts based on the census... So Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. made an active effort in that pursuit.

Since I was unable to attend Boule in 2004, the upcoming programs as decided by the new incoming president, Mrs. Barbara McKeinze, is unknown to me at this time. However, I suspect she would want some emphasis with business or managment since that is her career and she is very good in that position. African Americans as a whole need to learn more about how to invest money in the stock market for capital projects. I agree with that. Then it is a program throughout to do something for African American children. And health is a mainstay. So I think those 3 targets will still be active--we shall see about the Black Family--but a program will be similar to it

Go Head Soror, Go Head

[allsmiles_22]

Originally posted by miss priss
3.Do you think a new target/program should be created? If so what and how would that help Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated affect changes in the AA community/world?

No. We already have a good span of target/programs. Within each target there are many facets that chapters can choose to focus on and be successful. All chapter efforts combined, we have made and will continue to make changes within our community. Just because one doesn't see it wide scale doesn't mean it's not happening.