Is the Interent really the best place to find out?

[GiggyZ]

In this age of the Internet it has become increasingly more commom for people to ask questions related to membership on public forums, such as this board. I have also seen post in chapter guestbooks requesting information.
I admit that 20 years ago when I was seeking information, I did not have the opportunity to post in chat rooms asking unfamiliar members for information. I had to do it the old fashioned way (face to face and personal observation). A few questions for my sorors, my sister-sorors in other orgs, and aspirants of any org, is the old way "played out"? Should we rely on unsolicitated Internet generated queries? How much information is too much?

Giggy Z
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.-Founded on this day 81 years ago
Delta Delta Chapter--Spring '81
Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter

[Sweet Deliverance]

Long time no see Soror GiggyZ .

You raise very valid questions. When I became a part of this illustrious and phenomenal organization in Spring 1992, the Information Super Highway was still pretty much on its way. I sought membership information the traditional way: attended Informaitonals/Interest Meetings, researched in the library, got to know Zetas personally, and OBSERVED the women I wanted to call my sisters for life.

Personally I feel the Internet is a blessing and a curse where information access is concerned. When I pursued Zeta, I took my time getting information and did not demand anyone tell me anything like some women do today. Let me clarify. There is a difference between asking "How can I get more information about your sorority?" or "When is your next Informaitonal, Social, or Service Project?" and asking "What all do I have to do while becoming a Zeta?" or "What do all your symbols stand for?" Not to say that interested women should not ask questions, by all means do, but most of them can be answered by knowledge gained through minimal Internet searches.

I think the most important characteristics of interests sould be discretion and tact. So, the old way of garnering information is not "played out". I would like to see it played in more.

To address these:

Should we rely on unsolicitated Internet generated queries?

We cannot ignore them, but treat them kindly and cautiously...

How much information is too much?

I feel like the majority of information should come from the International Website and other websites should compliment, not over inform. The information that is on various Zeta (and NPHC member) websites now, I had to find out at an interest meeting.



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Sweet Deliverance's PHI-losophy:
"What you do or do not do today determines what you can or cannot do tomorrow."

[SapphireSensation]

Peace & Blessings

HAPPY FOUNDERS' DAY TO MY ILLUSTRIOUS SORORS!

Soror Sweet Deliverance--I couldn't have said it better myself.
The internet is truly a blessing and a curse.

Soror Giggy Z-As far as I'm concerned, the old way is not played out and personally, it is my preference. Although technology is giving the "old way" a run for its money, nothing beats face to face interaction.

SapphireSensation
Spring 91-Theta Beta chap-Tuskegee Univ
Delta Mu Zeta-NYC
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The Epitome of Finerwomanhood

[Shelacious]

I will ditto Sorors Sweet and Sapphire 1920% Regardless of who and how you approach people on the Internet to find out information about Zeta or any other Sorority, there is only one way to become one--through a vote in someone's chapter. At the end of the day, that's the only way.

I will say that intrestees have available opportunities to get information that were not available to me in 1993 (I went on the Internet in 1994), and web pages are there to provide information to members and prospects alike, so use them as much as you can.

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Finer Womanhood: the "Cat's Meow" Since 1920

[Rachel0497]

When I became a member in the Spr of 1997, our college had yet to have Internet equipped computers. Therefore, I had to speak and interact with members face to face. There is nothing wrong with the internet, but chapters should be careful with how much info they provide on websites--in depth info should only be provided during socials/infomationals. I prefer an interestee come to me personally, or attend a function, that way I can put a name to a face and observe.

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Sassy, Classy, but never Trashy-The Ladies of Z Phi B!

[MaMaBuddha]

hello to my sistah friends of Zeta Phi Beta. i am an offical lurker and i love stimulating conversation with intelligent individuals.

i totally agree with GiggyZ on researching sororities the old fashion way, going up to the member of the particular sorority or chapter of interest and getting to know the individuals in the sorority.

this internet information highway hands information to GDI on gold and silver platters.

although i am not as old as some of my sorors and sisters friends. i do remember walking up to each member in the chapter and questioning them and asking for personal interviews. the library was my best friend.

*lol* i remember when i use to get angry because the times i went to the library i would never find any information on sororities. (the greeks took them from the library)


i even remember seeing greek pledge above ground...and when you would run past each other...you could tell by the look in their eyes...the common greek bond.

Theeeeeee MaMaBuddha

Delta
SIgma
Theta

[ZetaAce]

Well in I crossed (FA97), my computer was fully hooked up to the internet and everyone at VT has an email address, but there still wasn't that much information on the web about sororities and I never would have emailed a soror asking for information.

The internet is too fast and easy sometimes. However, I do understand why some people like to use it to get their information. A lot of times people get pretty 'snotty' when you ask them for information about their org. There are a lot of traces of that on the internet too (even on greekchat!), and it discourages people from asking. Some people just don't know how to use common courtesy. You don't have to bite an interests head off if they ask an inappropriate question. (oops, sorry, I went on a tangent).

CK

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FinerWomanhood: Learn it, Live it, Love it!

[MaMaBuddha]

Originally posted by ZetaAce:


The internet is too fast and easy sometimes. However, I do understand why some people like to use it to get their information. A lot of times people get pretty 'snotty' when you ask them for information about their org. There are a lot of traces of that on the internet too (even on greekchat!), and it discourages people from asking. Some people just don't know how to use common courtesy. You don't have to bite an interests head off if they ask an inappropriate question. (oops, sorry, I went on a tangent).

CK

this is definitely true!!!


MaMaB

[Japera1920]

I was always told nothing that you work for comes easy. I still believe the research process should be with interaction with other membrs of the organization. That is where you can get the most vauleable information from. JMHO

[littlegirlblue]

I think we have to adjust with the times, almost everone has Internet access. It is a good tool to AID in anything that we do in life, but we should get out and meet and greet people. It is easy to sit in front of a computer for hours on end and research all the lovely organizations, with one standing out from all the rest, but to really get a understanding of a particular chapter and organization you have to do some leg work. Not be bashful and reserve and hide behind a computer and then pop up at an interest meeting with a preconceived idea of what the members are like and what they are looking for in aspirants.

It gets tiresome looking on some of these boards where people ask for information about membership. And to take it futher, about memebrs of their particular campus. Just like we say get out and vote. Get out and meet people and stop taking the easy route.

[TheEpitome1920]

hmm....thought this was interesting to bring back up.

[Intense1920]

Thank you, Twin.

[DC_Zeta1920]

The internet has made people lazy in alot of aspects of life. Before, to get a term paper done, you had to spend hours in the library. Now you can find the info you need at the click of a button.

The same thing applies with this. People have become lazy and instead of going to do the actual footwork, they rely on the internet to do it for them.

[ShamikaT]

Originally posted by DC_Zeta1920
The internet has made people lazy in alot of aspects of life. Before, to get a term paper done, you had to spend hours in the library. Now you can find the info you need at the click of a button.

The same thing applies with this. People have become lazy and instead of going to do the actual footwork, they rely on the internet to do it for them.

Forget yall.

It's just that it takes HARD WORK to do this stuff in person. Now, I wouldn't have any trouble doing my research face to face if it was so damn hard and time consuming.

Originally posted by ShamikaT
Forget yall.

It's just that it takes HARD WORK to do this stuff in person. Now, I wouldn't have any trouble doing my research face to face if it was so damn hard and time consuming.

ShamikaT, you are one hot mess.

All aboard the short bus!