another non-collegiate rant

[AGPhiBete]

To all the women out there who are members of non-collegiate organizations:

Does anyone else feel that because we are not members of traditional GLO's that we get a bad reception here on GC? I feel as though most people do not look at us as members of the Greek community..... for example, only a few people will ever answer any of the questions I post here...

I just feel as though we are looked down upon and not really thought of as Greeks..however when I joined my organization I had to go through a recruitment process too...I had to go through an interview process, then wait to see if I would be offered a bid, and ultimately go through a one month Pledge Period...just like any 'campus based' GLO....we also have a ritual, colors, symbols, flower, motto, etc...just like any other org...so why do people treat us so differently?

And while I'm ranting, I would like to kick the sterotype that all members of Non-Collegiate organizations are old women from the midwest....my chapter, as well as that of my friend (who is in a different national, non-collegiate..) are all made up of college aged women, most of whom either went through rush and didn't find a home for themselves at their school for whatever reasons, or women who do not have any Greek Life at their schools...so please, if you are one of the people who only thinks of elderly, midwestern women when you think of a non-collegiate org, please think again.

I guess the point of this whole long-winded thread was to ask if anyone else agreed that we Non-Collegiate organziations need a separate forum here on GC?? How would we go about doing that?

Sorry for my long post...just needed to vent a bit

[33girl]

Originally posted by AGPhiBete
Does anyone else feel that because we are not members of traditional GLO's that we get a bad reception here on GC? I feel as though most people do not look at us as members of the Greek community..... for example, only a few people will ever answer any of the questions I post here...

I guess the point of this whole long-winded thread was to ask if anyone else agreed that we Non-Collegiate organziations need a separate forum here on GC?? How would we go about doing that?

If a separate forum was created for non-collegiate groups, I believe it would only exacerbate the problem you outline in your first paragraph.

[kddani]

Originally posted by AGPhiBete
for example, only a few people will ever answer any of the questions I post here...

Maybe because people don't know the answer to your questions? What kind of group you're in doesn't deter whose questions will be answered. People here love to post and love to give advice. Don't correlate that people couldn't answer your questions with being disrespected.

[AGPhiBete]

Thanks for the responses....everything that yall are saying is true...I'm sorry if I was too sensitive. As far as a separate forum goes, I don't mean a separate Phi Beta Psi forum, because that will NEVER happen...I meant a forum, in the General Forums for members of Non-Collegiate Groups....it was just a thought...but i do see how that could just make the problem worse... :-( ::sigh::

[irishpipes]

I think people tend to post replies to threads that resonate with them. It seems like most of your posts have been specific to your non-collegiate sorority. I have never heard of such a thing, and naturally wouldn't have much of anything to add to a conversation about such a group. It certainly doesn't mean you aren't welcome here. The more you post, the more people will learn about your organization.

[DSTCHAOS]

Perhaps our opinions of your organizations shouldn't really matter to you. Some of your organizations are very old and large so it's an insult to yourselves to place the opinions of outsiders in such high regard. The true test of gaining credibility and respect is in being and remaining self-assured at all times.

Non-collegiate sororities have a role to serve in the community and further the cause of sisterhood. I can relate to them and respect them for their community and sisterhood efforts. Beyond that they don't fit into MY conceptualization of "Greek community."