Graduates pinned down by dues

One of the most disappointing things about Black Greek Life is the number of members that maintain their active financial status after graduating. Too often, our members will live out there college years lively and with absolute pride in their Greek symbols and make it to each and every chapter meeting and every community services but due to a disconnection from the organization post graduation, they fall to the rafters of inactivity or the dreaded "t-shirt wearers." Some argue that they outgrow their orgs paraphanalia but its always in their hearts. I agree with the previous. The fact is however, that you work for what pleases you in life and you put your energy into what you think will benefit you most. If you meet a juncture in you life where you feel you have completed your obligation to your frat, then that really is a personal decision. But we all remember what it was like making sure that your chapter account was where it needed to be in order to function and that wasnt always such an easy task. The general body of your fraternity or sorority definitely needs that same support today. Your physical body may not be the life blood of the organization today, that position is reserved for undergrads. However, financially, it is the alumni that inspire the orgranization to flourish and contiue to uphold the ideals you pledged your heart to.

Treasured Trinkets

What happens to the pledge pillow given to you by a sorority member that was proud of you for crossing the burning sands, or the ceramic dolls with your fraternity letters on it that may or may not quite fit the motif of your new place? I would say, about ten years after leaving college, most of your fraternity and pledge memorabilia no longer have a place hung from your bedroom wall and cluttering every flat surface you can find. Although decorative, greek paraphanilia in most cases isnt very "stylish" and often doesnt compliment most modern living decors. So one must ask, what happens to all that stuff. Does it all fill a box stuffed away in the attic in case some hot footed neophyte from your undergrad chapter shows up on your doorstep with open arms? Or do you keep in as a keepsake that you can turn to or discover one day when cleaning up? Maybe you are saving it for your children who you plan to lead down the road to Greekdom. Really I'm curious about those of us who say whatever and just toss it. How did you find the strength? Every item I own has a deeply fond memory attached to it that not only connects me to the person who gave it to me but also to the specific fraternity experience that it reminds of me. I've lost some things over the years, and given a lot away. If I new some worthy young bloods, I would have a great deal of knowledge and frat junk to drop on the, I can guarantee you that. But until then dont be surprised if you see it all on an ebay store or something. lol. No but seriously, I'm talking, clothes, dolls, pillows, pins, posters, drawings, paintings, accessories, statues, figurines, boxes, chests, plaques, picture frames, classic prints, custom para... you name it. Some have shrines to their fraternity. I've done it before, in every dorm room and every apartment I've lived in since graduating. Truthfully, I'll always make space for my frat in every aspect of my life, but I've realized that it can get outta control. You think I'm bad, you should meet my D.O.P. His shrine was so intense, you could build rituals around it. The fraternity experience is a beautiful thing regardless of how you immortalize it.

Can't be denied

After having recently been invited to a reunion bbq by another chapter that I was fairly fond of in undergrad it caused me to reflect on the ties that bond Black Greeks uniquely among the league of college Greek letter organizations. When you look at the relationships post graduation among fraternity and sorority members it is truly an inspiration. These friendships and bonds are everlasting and go with you well into your professional and personal lives. Since graduation, I've been in weddings, birthday parties, reunions, and bbq's celebrating new family additions, anniversaries, accomplishments, and elections all strengthening me with memories and renewing goals by engulfing me in the brotherhood. When you join these organizations you do it gain some sense of identity and leadership development in the realm of activism, scholastic achievement, and good natured manly deeds. College is the most pivotal point in a young mans life when he develops himself as a community leader and decides the direction that he wants the rest of his life to shape towards. Surrounding yourself with men and women of similar convictions and discipline naturally encourage you to maintain these ties as the positive influences will always be an ongoing inspiration to you. That plus the fact that you used to have some real fun times with these guys and "wild out" on the quads, you knew that you will be reminded of the man you love. We all have challenges in life and need to lean on our brother from time to time. Many of us come from a place where we don't have a brother or a close friend to turn to whenever they need it. There are other social orgs that encourage personal development and make for a system of allegiance and friendly associations such as Jack and Jill, white Greek letter organizations, finishing schools, and private social clubs. The purpose of the Black Greek letter org is truly special and unique in that its system is one of deference, progression, and extended family thorough experience and dues. These ties last and are upheld worldwide.

This is a poem I have never read to commit to memory however many people have expressed a fond appreciation of its motivational content. What such poems have to do with the relevancy of Greek Life in any direct aspect is beyond me considering that today the standards by which intake is granted is far different from how it was in my day. Don't let your check bounce because then quitting isn't an option... hahaha But seriously folks, commit to whatever it is your start. If you are in it, finish so regardless how it ends, you can still say the race was yours.

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Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkCFeNeqyHk

Who is the GDI

What a name right?
Its funny that we Greeks refer to non-Greeks with such a derogatory phrase considering that their interest and membership to our orgs. is truly our lifeblood. Hopefully I can shed some insight on where this term comes from. Whether you go to an HBCU or not, your college community is a microcosm of hoods, scholars, entrepreneurs, low-lifes, and wannabes that all at some point depend on your Greek letters. The Greeks on any campus are role models and leaders. Ideally the local chapter of the organization that the individual is focusing on at that particular moment is a pillar in its campus community and making the decisions on campus as far as programming, community service, and social activities geared toward the campus population. The goal of the frat is to include everyone in their activities thereby proving their overall usefulness to the school administration and building notoriety of their organization on a local level as they already have a rich legacy of national contributions far and wide.

So who is the G.D.I. ?

The person who watches from the outskirts with speculative eyes is who we are calling the G.D.I. Whether you are interested in joining or not, initially you are speculating all types of notions as to the purpose and true value of these organizations on your campus. How many members they have on the yard, how many people show up to their events, even down to the camaraderie that the members display toward each other is constantly under the judging eye of the campus purveyors.

I for one was a long time lover of Greek life before I really know much about it. The idea of "paying" for membership however was interesting to me seeing as how it was a service based group. I figured like any other group that seemed popular with the community, you should be judged eligible based on merit and prospective contributions, not whether or not you could afford to be a member. As a freshman I quickly said, "Pay for brothers? Hell to the NO." That soon changed after I saw the brothers that came with membership. As I got to know more brothers I quickly learned that my opinions as an outsider soon got contradicted by the actions of its members and all I thought I knew and all that I was told my gossiping campus chums soon became meaningless words and ideas that would get proved wrong after officially joining the organization. The same people who were naysayers actually went on to pursue membership after seeing me in the aura of my letters.

So to all the G.D.I.'s and members of Me Phi Me who choose NOT to understand. STAY OUT. You wouldn't get it.