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.