Paper Members

[Joe Nobody102]

Why are BGLO members so squeamish about change? People that can't respect initiated members because they didn't pledge are lame. Get over your stupid male pride. Anyone who says "If you didn't pledge, I don't respect you as a brother" obviously shouldn't be in the brotherhood because you just don't get it. End of story.

[popo]

I just have a quick comment! What is the big deal about being "paper"? Correct me if I am wrong but weren't the founders of these organizations "paper"? I am not greek, but this seems so petty to me...

P.S. so you all who went through a process think you were more worthy than your founders? It would seem to me that the majority of you are probably not active,t-shirt wearers who only pledged for the letters. I bet the founders are rolling over in their graves! Besides some of these orgs are based on christian principles, what is christian about demeaning someone, beating the crap out of someone, disrespecting someone? And furthermore who with any class about themselves would want anyone who allows those things to be done to them in their "dignified " organization, and why would the one pledging allow it to be done?S

[1906]

Originally posted by Joe Nobody102:
Why are BGLO members so squeamish about change? People that can't respect initiated members because they didn't pledge are lame. Get over your stupid male pride. Anyone who says "If you didn't pledge, I don't respect you as a brother" obviously shouldn't be in the brotherhood because you just don't get it. End of story.

This person either skated or isn't in a BGLO.

[1906]

Originally posted by popo:
I just have a quick comment! What is the big deal about being "paper"? Correct me if I am wrong but weren't the founders of these organizations "paper"? I am not greek, but this seems so petty to me...

P.S. so you all who went through a process think you were more worthy than your founders? It would seem to me that the majority of you are probably not active,t-shirt wearers who only pledged for the letters. I bet the founders are rolling over in their graves! Besides some of these orgs are based on christian principles, what is christian about demeaning someone, beating the crap out of someone, disrespecting someone? And furthermore who with any class about themselves would want anyone who allows those things to be done to them in their "dignified " organization, and why would the one pledging allow it to be done?S

You are not in an organization so you can not possibly understand the point of this conversation.

[Joe Nobody102]

Originally posted by 1906:
This person either skated or isn't in a BGLO.

I did *not* skate. Trust me on that one. But, now that I'm a full-fledge member of the house, I want to see the intake process changed. It's not the way our founders envisioned it, and it's not right. I want it changed. Just because I didn't skate doesn't mean someone else should go through what I did.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joe Nobody102:
[B] I did *not* skate. Trust me on that one. But, now that I'm a full-fledge member of the house, I want to see the intake process changed. It's not the way our founders envisioned it, and it's not right. I want it changed. Just because I didn't skate doesn't mean someone else should go through what I did.

Things you do while you pledge are supposed to make you feel better about the org. When you hear someone say the org is just ok I am not getting anything out of it, or the only thing the kids do is mess it up, you have to look and see if that person is really feeling what you feel. Of course none of the founders pledged in these orgs. but the bonding later made it better. You still have to meet certain requirements to be apart so what are you saying. If it is like that we would be like the Iota's Bringing people in from the street. So the statement just anybody can't be apart of my org. should stand forever.
Informer

[unregistered2]

This ridiculous!! Why is the person blamed for being paper. It is not their fault that they can not be pledged. DAMN!!! I want to a part of xyz sorority, and if I have to be paper, so be it! xyz sorority is what I love and I will become a part of it (regardless of the process). S***, what am I supposed to do, stay in school for ten years to see if I can get pledged. I will not wait any longer, I have prepared myself for this sorority, and I want it now!! If someone doesn't like the MIP process, then post pledge the paper members (I guess thats possible). Don't hate, try and help them. Everything is supposed a secret anyways.

I want to pledge a grad chapter. But why when you choose to do that, like if a chapter is suspended or something, they say "well, UNFORTUNATELY you'll have to wait to go grad." Why is it unfortunate if you're becoming the member of the sorority you have dreamed of all your life? Please explain.

[lluvmook98]

Interested in grad:
There could be one of two reasons.

There is a difference in the experience of undergrad. You are usually all on campus, can get together, don't usually have kids serious jobs etc.

The other they are "afraid" that you won't pledge, yadda, yadda.

I say you do what YOU have to do.

[goldencorn]

I too am interested in pledging a graduate chapter but I've heard that people who pledge when they are graduate students arent respected as full members, similiar to people who get over on paper.

I'm willing to take the "process" as a graduate student, if needs be. I just want to be a part of a great organization, and unfortunately, it didnt fit into my undergraduate situation. Why are there so many issues?

[BurningSands]

I am not a paper member of m frat, but who cares if a person is paper or real these days.....I don't have time worrying about who is paper & who is real....What is real?....I pledged..I do mean just that...I PLEDGED.....History teaches us that no matter how you think you are so real someone out there is thinking that you are paper & didn't pledge hard enough...To be honest...I wished when I pledged..I only had to sign a piece of paper & learn a little history....how I see it, if you step to the wrong person calling them paper..you are liable to get your ass kicked.....As long as you are doing good for the organization-you are a brother of mines......To my Brothers in the Bond......The Honorable Kappa Alpha Psi Inc....Yo Yo

[ManndingoNUPE]

God I luv my frat brothers.

Burning Sands, you do our founders proud.

MN

[QJohnson]

I believe that a sister is a sister and a brother is a brother. These organizations were founded under the principles of sisterhood/brotherhood, service, and scholarship, not under the ignorant notion that many members believe: No pain No gain!.
These organizations are businesses, they're not just about stepping or chanting, etc. Pay your dues! Be Active ! Then tell me about how paper burns and sandz last forever! Every member gets that same piece of paper! I could give less than a darn about how you get there, it's about what you do when you get there! As a member of a black greek organization, I'm not knocking pledging, but there is a difference between pledging and hazing. And since, many ignorant folks have made hazing and hurting and even killing the process instead of pledging, it divides our organizations, something I know our founders would roll over in there graves over! This new process of hazing is not what they went through to bring forth these organizations, and it should not be something future memebers have to go through to ensure perpetuity! During the pledging process my big sisters stressed the importance of sisterhood, but do not get along with the "paper members" of their same organization, what hippocrites!!! If this is what it is to be apart of such GREAT organizations ( and they are great!) I would advise a prospect to really consider before joining or attempting to join. Looking back, I would question a person's mental stability if they were willing to go through being beat and ridiculed in order to be apart of an organization. Dying to fit in! It's a shame!

[one_longing_for]

This is sad.
I think nationals should implement a stipulation where Interests sign waivers (which release them from pledges seeking lawsuits against the chapter/ org). MIP only came about from the various lawsuits.

Pledging bonds. You can only feel the organization near and dear to your heart when you have truly earned your letters. Its been going on for years. Its one thing for MIP members to be told 'its okay to be paper' by the MIP coordinater, and the have your letters ripped off once your visting another yard.
MIP should be abolished. We need more pledged (NOT hazed) members.

Speaking as a paper member myself, the level of respect i get is appalling. I think its a wicked thing to create segregation between members of the same org by putting fear into people's hearts about trying to get pledged.

If anyone can help me with this feel free to PM me
one_longing_for

[hoosier]

Unfortunately, many "members" equate "no pain, no gain" with wood, swats, beating, etc.

Every year a few instances end with somebody going to the emergency room, or telling their mother, etc., and the dean and the press get involved.

BGLOs and all GLO need NO MORE bad publicity, and hazing produces too much.

I wish it could be stopped.