Greek Decline

[nachural]

Dayum finally....I'v been trying to post this since last week but this website wouldnt let me login. oh well

LADY 1908
That's is why I said that those interested have to be really serious. Since I'm not interested on the graduate level I have not researched any graduate chapters in my area. Although I am aware of one graduate chapters- I have two neighbors who are members and they rep really hard.

AKA2D'91
Well I honestly dont see any graduate AKAs doing anything because I havent been interested in researching what that chapter does. But if I was, I'm sure I would find everything I should find. I am well aware of the activities of the chapter I am seeking membership. Graduates cant help me in my quest anymore than the members on this forum. You always tell us to speak with the members on our campus. My neighbour who still doesnt know I'm an interest always tells me OH they have a chapter at your school you still have a chance. So I know that if I did express a little interest she would not be mean to me.
If graduate chapters are supposed to contact you then they will. So as I said before if one is seriously interested then they will get noticed. I dont know if you are arguing with me but I dont disagree with anything you said.

Maybe my point was not clear- if there is a decline, which is what this thread is about, then on the graduate level, I beleive a possible reason is that they are not seen. What I mean be seen is if they not seen by poeple who dont know much about the organization but would be interested if they knew more about what they did. If people dont know then they cant be interested. And maybe more people would be interested and become valuable members if they knew.

Lastly my sis often speaks of a certain chapter of xyz org who dont have good programs at all. Its members have a reputation of not being friendly people and so nobody attends their programs. She goes because she likes to support BGLOs and wants them to support her, but the programs are few and have poor attendance. And no her chapter is on point!
When she was a GDI she was interested in ABC at first and even made all the moves to get them back on campus. But after her research and observation of the AKAs on her campus compared with ABCs at near schools and greek functions, she felt she would fit in better with the ladies in pink. She said that the AKAs on her campus always looked together like she did and that played a part in her decision ie their character.

I havent spoken to her about grads being visible. I guess I will.

nachural

post script if you want more info PM me

[Gina1201]

Originally posted by nachural
Maybe my point was not clear- if there is a decline, which is what this thread is about, then on the graduate level, I beleive a possible reason is that they are not seen. What I mean be seen is if they not seen by poeple who dont know much about the organization but would be interested if they knew more about what they did. If people dont know then they cant be interested. And maybe more people would be interested and become valuable members if they knew.

Perhaps I am misreading what you wrote but the origin of this thread had nothing to do with a decline on the graduate/alumnae level. The original post was written specifically about undergraduate chapters. I will also have to disagree with you about not being seen on the graduate level. Where I am from, interest at the alumnae level is very high. If people wanted to know they could find out in various ways, trust me I know.

[nachural]

Originally posted by Gina1201
I will also have to disagree with you about not being seen on the graduate level. Where I am from, interest at the alumnae level is very high. If people wanted to know they could find out in various ways, trust me I know.

Let me just quote myself

Originally posted by nachural
Well I honestly dont see any graduate AKAs doing anything because I havent been interested in researching what that chapter does. But if I was, I'm sure I would find everything I should find.

Like I said if you are interested then you will see them. I am interested on the undergrad level therefore i dont know much about grad chapters nor their interest level. I am just offereing a possible reason if the decline exists

relax yall
nachural

[nachural]

Originally posted by Gina1201
Perhaps I am misreading what you wrote but the origin of this thread had nothing to do with a decline on the graduate/alumnae level. The original post was written specifically about undergraduate chapters.....

Originally posted by enlightenment06
Is it just me, or is there an overall decline in Black Greek life? Especially at the college ranks? In the northeast I feel as though we're slowing fading away.

What steps can be taken to bring back Black Greek life and then take it to the next level?

Gina1201
This is the first post in this thread which clearly addresses the "greek decline" in a general way with attention to the undergrads but not limited to it. We dont have to argue. Thanx

[Gina1201]

Originally posted by nachural
Gina1201
This is the first post in this thread which clearly addresses the "greek decline" in a general way. We dont have to argue. Thanx

Nachural,

I was not trying to argue with you. I don't know what made you think I was doing so, since I did not write in caps or stress any words in my post. I was just trying to make sure that I read your post correctly so as not to make an assumption about what you wrote.

In rereading enlightenment's post, I thought that he wanted the conversation to be directed toward a decline on the undergraduate level, since he said "Especially at the college ranks?". However, I'm sure he or one of his fellow greeks could clarify this.

Since I am not Greek, and neither are you (correct?), it would be pointless for me to argue about a topic in which my knowledge is limited.

Have a nice day.

[gamma_girl52]

Originally posted by Senusret I
*waving at gamma girl* you like my new name?

To answer your question, I think maybe it was an implied NPHC concern....but heck, it's a public website, so whaddya do?

Yep I do like your new name...I was still looking for the other name to pop up but you're a "changed man" now

Well I went back to the orginal question posed by enlightenment06. It did ask about Black Greek Life specifically, so to me that's NPHC. I may be greek and a black woman, but I don't belong to a BGLO. Also because I am in a Service GLO I know that we have a completely different approach when it comes to interests--we certainly have our fair share of legwork. So for now, I will see what others have to say.

[nachural]

Originally posted by Gina1201
Since I am not Greek, and neither are you (correct?), it would be pointless for me to argue about a topic in which my knowledge is limited.
Have a nice day.

Well you do know something- that the graduate interest in your area is not in decline. I cannot disagree or agree with this. I for one dont know for sure if there really is a decline I just wanted to offer possible reasons for it if it exixsted. And I definately dont know about a decline on the graduate level since my interests does not fall there. So we really are in no opposition. I am offering my oppinion, you are offering your oppinions and facts. And we are both SFs, I dont know maybe this room just wants us to have tension. So I am gonna have a good day. I am finally at home in Jamaica were i need to be. Peace Gina

nachural

[RedefinedDiva]

Plain and simple, I think that chapters should offer more informationals to give interests more insight into their respective orgs. That way, more young men and women will have to opportunity to get to know what the org. is really all about. I know that my UG offered a NPHC round-up midway through the Fall semester. Each org. had a room in the student union and students would visit each room to learn more. These events are GREAT for incoming freshman and "old school" students as well. Each org. presented their org., general history, and fielded questions various questions. This is the place where a freshman that doesn't know anything about an org. usually decides what they may be interested in and/or wants to begin researching.

Note to Nachural: Keep in mind that behind EVERY UG chapter, there is a GRAD chapter. Therefore, there should never be a day that you say there is nothing a grad member can do for you. Who's to say that you will even make UG? Your research should not be one-dimensional.

Also, how did your sister "make all the moves" to get XYZ back on her campus THEN decide that AKA was the way to go....?

[allsmiles_22]

Originally posted by NewBee
Why read more into a sentence than whats there? Why does XYZ organization have to be raggedy?

As far as my raggedy comment, I know you never said that. That's why I didn't quote you. I took your idea about new orgs, an earlier issue addressed about the NPHC, and I brought up a new idea. This is just a discussion.

I couldn't agree with you more about the "why cry over spilt milk". If you (not directly you NewBee, but if it applies) aren't interested in what we have, then this topic really doesn't concern you and we shouldn't be concerned about you either. Therefore, I too would like to hear some solutions from interests who want change on the undergrad level. What are some of your ideas?

Aside from the focus being on the interests, we are having the same battle with our inactive members. Many of the reasons given here are the same reasons as to why members aren't active-no money, no time, religious reasons, pettiness, etc. We have yet to solve that problem. http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=13543

[encouraged1]

As an interest, I think visibility is the key. No one should have to ask a BGLO chapter what they do. The work they do should speak for themselves if they are truly active in their communities and function they way they should as a brotherhood/sisterhood organization.

I live in a large city in the Southwest with a low black population. The undergraduate BGLOs at the nearest university might as well be non-existent because you never hear about them. However, there has been articles in the local newspaper about the graduate chapter of Delta and also some events listed for the grad chapter of AKA.

When I don't hear or see anything about the undergrads here it leads me to believe they don't to do anything that is worth mentioning. A lot of the events they have are disorganized and hardly even publicized. Lack of activity often leads to a lack of interest.

[miss priss]

First, ZPhinest that was an excellent post! I thought it was very insightful and something you are passionate about...keep up the good work!

Originally posted by nachural
Like I said if you are interested then you will see them. I am interested on the undergrad level therefore i dont know much about grad chapters nor their interest level.
nachural

RD, as usual , you took the words right outta my mouth!

Nachural, I am a little flustered about your post because if you are seeking membership into ANY organization you need to research EVERYTHING about the undegrad AND grad. I don't know if you know this but the grad chapters have a very serious hand in the dealings of ungrad chapters. Maybe if you take the time to observe them more it would further solidify your decision on if you are making the right choice. You having very little interest in the grad chapter seems to be a poor excuse for not doing your research.
I personally feel that there is a commonality to the issues we have discussed in every corner of the globe---from attitudes to the quality of members. Already, I notice now with suspensions, expulsion, etc. being lifted for certain orgs. there are GDI's who want to become XYZ "talk" of how they are going to be toward people once they make it (not if they make it). But these are the type of people who need to be weeded out---people with poor ideals of what Greekdom is about.
But the only way that change will be made is if those that are or who become members of any NPHC org. maintain the goals on which they were founded.
However, I feel we should concentrate on the solutions. ZPhinest (et. al), I would like to see:

1. More sessions on what is expected from a member (or to become a member) of XYZ----very FRANK discussions
2. State upfront that membership related questions will only be discussed at appropriate times.
3. Discreteness on every level--both undergrad and grad and interests (basically keeping your mouth shut)
4. Conduct more interviews like companies
5. Have a community service quota set by the nationals to maintain visibilty
6. Be more frank--just ask prospectives what do they know
7. Offer more projects that would involve the assistance of non-greeks
8. Every now and then when a step show is being sponsored plan a community service event at the same time to show that community service takes precedence over stepping
9. Greeks being more of a Big Brother/Sister to incoming freshmen
just to name a few......

[NewBee]

Originally posted by allsmiles_22
As far as my raggedy comment, I know you never said that. That's why I didn't quote you. I took your idea about new orgs, an earlier issue addressed about the NPHC, and I brought up a new idea. This is just a discussion.

I couldn't agree with you more about the "why cry over spilt milk". If you (not directly you NewBee, but if it applies) aren't interested in what we have, then this topic really doesn't concern you and we shouldn't be concerned about you either. Therefore, I too would like to hear some solutions from interests who want change on the undergrad level. What are some of your ideas?

Aside from the focus being on the interests, we are having the same battle with our inactive members. Many of the reasons given here are the same reasons as to why members aren't active-no money, no time, religious reasons, pettiness, etc. We have yet to solve that problem. http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=13543

It's weird because when I wrote those questions, each one was seperate. When I said why read something more than what's there, that was to whoever thought that I was being "sarcastic" with Steeltrap (cuz honestly I wasn't but when people assume more...) Of course the raggedy question whats directed towards you because I honestly want to know why greeks and thats for the most part all greeks have this idea that no new organizations can be any good, let alone "compete," but thats a whole other topic... I am not an interest so I am not going to comment on solutions but if I or anybody else who was not an interest had a possible solution, why reject that simply because they aren't interested in your organization?

[miss priss]

Newbee, May I ask a rhetorical question? Would you honestly consider the ideas of an individual who is NOT interested in becoming a member? If so, why should you consider their suggestions they may not have your best interest at heart. Maybe that's why it may seem like there is a rejection of thought. So many people want to give their input but don't plan on being apart of the output.
Output is the WORK one does input is just TALK.
The real Greek decline exists in communities where persons don't feel it's their duty to take an active role in the work process or the true workers simply become burned out by picking up the slack of its counterparts. Black Greekdom will continue to flourish as long as the QUALITY members continue the output of policies and procedures put in place by the nationals. Those who fall asleep on the commitment they have made to their respective organization deserve not be functioning. One thing I can say about BGLO's is that the commitment is a lifelong commitment not just college years. It is the individuals choice and duty to maintain the commitment to be financial, active, and visible--and it is the duty of the SF to research it.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by allsmiles_22

Maybe we should adapt by stopping intake which won't matter to those who feel we aren't catering to their individual needs and work on Reclamation. Let's revive that good old AKA SPIRIT in our lost pearls.

TOUCHHHHHHHHHDOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

I've been saying this since.... Maybe Soror Barbara...

[NewBee]

@miss priss

That was very well said. I can understand the hesitation to considering the ideas of people who may or may not have your organizations best interests at heart, but at the same time you are just considering. Your organization as a group is making any and all decisions, this is just discussion. If nothing else, talking to others may give you an objective veiw, and maybe even help you to conclude on what not to do.