To Question Or Not To Question

[jazbri]

Imagine you have the opportunity to engage in a discussion with a famous celebrity greek or say a professional athlete that's greek. During the discussion, you discover that they don't know their s%^t. The discussion becomes pretty heated because you are naturally pissed off that they don't know jack about your sorority/fraternity. Add to that, this person is not an honorary greek but is fully 'initiated'.

What would you do?

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"Unless you know the road you've come down, you cannot know where you are going"
~Temme proverb, Sierre Leone~

[Billy Optimist]

I don't know what I'd do. That sounds pretty screwed up. Was this person a celebrity before inition? That would P&%s me off to no end.

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Once in every lifetime, you'll know what life is. Oh I need you, you need me, oh my darling, don't you see? The Young Ones. Darling we're The Young Ones. The Young Ones. Shouldn't be afraid! To live. To love. There's a song to be sung. 'Cause we may not be The Young Ones for very long!!!

[jazbri]

Nope, they were not a celebrity prior to initiation... Not that that would be an excuse anyway!

[Alumnus who cares]

I wouldn't take it personally. I graduated almost 5 years ago, and I don't remember every little detail about my fraternity's history. I'm sure it's even more common with celebrities and athletes, because they have so many other things to think about besides trying to remember their house's secret password or the date they were founded. I would just think it was cool that there was a famous person who was in my fraternity. As it is now, former Cardinals great Stan Musial is the only famous person we have. And he's an honorary member, not even a fully initiated member.

[SuperXO]

That's kind of tough to say. Sela Ward has been a very active alumna for Chi Omega. She is the honorary chairman of one of our giving societies (fundraisers for the foundation) and she always has letters and pictures in our magazine asking people to support XO. But, then I think, "I bet she didn't write those letters herself!" and, "why doesn't she ever accept our invitations to speak at Convention??" Well, so what if she doesn't, I guess. She obviously still cares a lot about XO to lend her name and likeness. But, then i think, hey, what about our other famous people? Where is Joanne Woodward? Or Mary Ann Mobley? Well, I know people devote themsleves to different causes, so I would never be bitter. I am however, very thankful to Sela and that she still thinks of us, even though she probably has a lot of people and products asking for her endorsement.

But, you know, Alumnus who cares is right. I have encountered so many alums that don't remember a thing! It's kinda disappointing, but I better not talk, because I may be the one with the faulty memory 20 years from now!

[Hootie]

I'd have to agree with Alumnus and Super! My mom doesn't remember half of her sorority stuff and I think my dad does to an extent...but either way it's not AS important to them anymore.
You know, it's really funny because my sorority is in my thoughts consistantly every day. What's going to happen once I graduate? I'm sure I'll remain an active alumna, but I'll also be moving onto a new stage in my life so it won't consume all my time. Who knows! I too will probably forget little secrets and their meanings. But as long as I still recognize and appreciate the sisterhood, who cares!?!
As far as the question at hand. I'd blow it off. The only time I question people is when I'm chatting online and they confront me by saying they're a memeber of my sorority. You can't be too sure. But since there is proof that this famous person was an initated member then it shouldn't matter!

[Billy Optimist]

hhhmmmmmm........ I'm confused. Did the person forget some "little stuff" like dates, or big stuff, like, what is on the badge?

[jazbri]

First off,

The celebrity is a member of a BGLO. Being a member, that person SHOULD have THOROUGH knowledge of the valuable traditions, history, and the essence of what the fraternity is about.

The overall impression is that the person didn't know what they should have known had they been 'made' properly.

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"Unless you know the road you've come down, you cannot know where you are going"
~Temme proverb, Sierre Leone~

[Reds695]

Not to offend anyone, but its different for those that belong to BGLO's. We beleive membership is life time and continue our service after graduation, which as been stated in other post. It would be taken very seriously if that person did not know their sh*t. It doesn't matter what type of status you have when you take that oath to XYZ organization membership is for life and you are expected to take it seriously and work just as hard as any other member of non celeb status. We are all veiwed as equals in our organizations. Jazbri is talking about a Celeb, that belongs to a BGLO. How do I know this because I know Jazbri. No offense to GLO's but I think our membership fundamentals are different as far as participation after graduation.



[This message has been edited by Reds695 (edited February 13, 2001).]

[imsohappythatiama]

Reds,

I don't think that is a very fair generalization to make for a BGLO member to make about GLOs, and quite frankly, it is something I am very tired of reading on this bulletin board.

I do appreciate your clarification about the fact that "knowing sh*t" (whatever that means) is intrinsically important to BGLOs, but I do not appreciate your blanket statement that BGLOs are more dedicated, or that their memberships mean more or last longer than do those of GLOs.

I am a GLO member (alumna), and I work with a ton of women who are my sisters and take their membership as a serious life's work. This is true of both sororites and fraternities in the GLO system.

All I'm saying is this: please don't go making blanket statements about something you aren't a part of (by choice). You wouldn't like it if GLO members said such things about BGLOs, so practice a little Golden Rule before you post, next time.


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Oh, Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
I'm so happy that I am a
Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Nobody knows . . . how
happy I am!

[SuperXO]

Wait...this is a real situation? i thought it was all hypothetical, but this really happened to you jazbri?

also remember that it may not be an indicator of the person's lack of dedication that they don't remember. they may just be startled to be asked about it after so long. Or they just have a lot of other things on their mind. but, that doesn't mean that the organization isn't still very important in their heart.

[12dn94dst]

In the case of the NPHC, the are just some things you do not, and should not, forget. And I'll leave it at that.

[jazbri]

It did not happen to me but a very good friend of mine. My friend spoke with this person on two separate occasions (?sp). In a span of three years. The lack of knowledge was consistent on both occassions and let's just say my friend will not be easily forgotten by this celeb.

The irony is that this celeb (actually, professional athlete) is quick to acknowledge that he's a part of XYZ frat but truly knows nada!

[AKA2D '91]

OH MY GOSH!

[prettypoodle6]

I'm sorry, but there are somethings that you just dont blow off. And there are definately things you dont forget (or feel that's not as important to know anymore) if you've "pledged" a bglo. its just like your family history - you just dont forget! my old roomie's dad pledged wayyyy back in the day and he still remembers his crossing date and time, the founders, poems.....

If i ran into a fully initiated soror (celeb or not) that DIDNT know her history, I'd be highly pissed. I take my letters very seriously and dont take kindly to those that dont show the same respect. What would I do? I honestly dont know.

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Rhoyal Blue and Gold...I LOVE my SGRho!

[This message has been edited by prettypoodle6 (edited February 13, 2001).]