The Great Misdirect

Born and raised in Missouri. MLK: The dream still matters. ΑΦΑ 1906 Αce C1ub

[basicallyadvanced]

Hammy Time

[divineninelover]

Advice for future probate shows

1) If the dean has to look at his or her phone constantly for the script/order of your probate info/skits DURING the probate, he or she is not ready to have a line. I never thought I’d see this.

2) Let your neos introduce themselves once they remove masks, hats etc. don’t speak for them.

3) Spend less time having your neos diss other orgs, and more time doing info, steps etc. The show is about them not you.

4) Strive to start on time.

5) Make sure your audience picks up after themselves, especially if you’re at a PWI and don’t feel supported by the administration. Lead by example.

6) ensure that your neos can defend their letters once presented.

Reblog with additional tips..

[divineninelover]

ENUNCIATE.  If I can’t understand you, I am presuming you don’t know your information. 

Speak like GENTLEMEN and LADIES, not goddamn animals.  

–Uncle Rashid

[ahnyala-deactivated20180301]

man listen number 5 is SO IMPORTANT at a PWI.  they hold the black greeks to such a higher standard for such little appreciation and respect.  

[basicallyadvanced]

Never be one dimensional

[ebonyygoddess]

[kneehighsandlove]

I loved this entire interview, but these 35 seconds are so important. 

[theblacksophisticate]

MY GOD.

[basicallyadvanced]

[basicallyadvanced]

[basicallyadvanced]

[heyreallygiger]

[divineninelover]

I'm at my wits ends with this, it seems like no matter how strong I am, how much I believe in myself, this is not going to happen. I need to focus my energy else where, and keep it moving. For those who didn't pursue in undergrad, how did you learn to let it go and focus on joining maybe later in life?

Ok…. take a HUGE breath. Lets start from the top. 

What exactly are you doing that is taxing you so much? Are you going to EVERY event or is it the wait that is getting to you? If it the latter…..you are not the only one waiting. I’ve met people who waited 5 plus years. What you need to learn is how to prioritize. Unless you are pledging you DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO EVERY EVENT nor do you have to stay the whole time if you have other obligations. If you are in grad school…focus on your academics..keep in touch with members making sure they know you are in classes… go to at least 80-90% of the events they have.

Another question….. why do you really want to join the org you are aspiring to be a member of…..does time really matter….and if you wait what makes you think things would be different when you have more stresses in your life. 

Did you consider that the org you want to join has time frames where they pledge aspirants…..One such org in MD hasn’t had a line in 3 or more years. Typically they have a line every 5 years.

I didn’t have to wait long however I was prepared to wait indefinitely. They way I figured it there was no other option for me. what I did was I prioritized things based on what I needed to do. I didn’t go to every event though I did go to most of them. I also kept in contact with members on a daily basis…our conversation typically lasted 10min since they have families. 

Be patient…..one day you will meet an aspirant just like you having the same angst.

-UniBomber

[divineninelover]

I learned to be patient because my first priority was school. I knew grad alumnae chapters existed. Did I know exactly what I needed to do at that stage - no - but you remain in contact with people, you attend events, etc. You never know who may know someone or be related to someone. Just like UniBomber said - you will meet an aspirant just like you. Focus on what YOU CAN control now and keep working towards your goals. If it’s meant to be , it will all fall into place.

-chokoladst

[basicallyadvanced]

If it something you really want to commit to, the timing won't matter. For various reasons I couldn't pledge undergrad, but that made me much more prepared and mature to balance life, pledging, work, and schooling as I pledged during grad school. Just to reiterate you don't have to be in grad school to pursue membership in an alumni or graduate chapter.

[basicallyadvanced]

Hopper's Hands by Mike Via Flickr:

[basicallyadvanced]

[divineninelover]

Going through my cloud storage and I found some instructions I made for how to do a Para Swap. We did this two times in DC and it was a huge success. It is basically a regular clothing drive but members are asked to bring their old nalia. Just remember to take the nalia out of the donations!

-Uncle Rashid

[upknorth]

Go to Alaska. Build a cabin.

#getoutdoors #upknorth Winter settling in up north. Awesome shot by @heyimchandler (at Alaska)

[divineninelover]

Hello, all! I a,m a December graduate from an HBCU where I applied for membership but was not chosen. My question/concern is that I spoke with my mentor, who also happens to be a member of the org I applied for, about wanting to seek grad membership and she said that no one respects the letters of people who join via grad. Is that true? Should I ignore it? I obviously have nothing holding me back as far as applying for membership is concerned, I just want to know how common this mindset is.

It’s common but like we say, being in an org is a LIFETIME commitment. I have NO shame that I crossed alumnae. I am respected, greeted, etc. by other Sorors/D9 . If they think something about WHEN I crossed they must keep it to themselves. Honestly, if someone has an issue with me (or whoever) crossing alumnae - they can have several seats and stew in their issues on their own. If you want to truly pursue membership - go for it.

-Chokoladst

[basicallyadvanced]

It's not about when or where you crossed, it's about what you do once you're in. There are people who pledge undergrad that don't do anything after they graduate, just like there are those that pledge Grad/alumni chapter and slack after crossing. Your commitment to your organization (if you make it) is a life commitment. Stay active (at least financially, and involved whenever you can). Yes there will be shade thrown by you crossing grad but notice, the members that attend regional conferences, conventions etc. for your org are about the WORK, not when or where you crossed. A lot of organizations have an age gap between those recent graduates and "old heads" that could be fixed if people stayed true to their commitment. one would be a fool to think the way someone cross determines the worth of their letters.

[divineninelover]

I know that grad school isn't a requirement for joining a graduate chapter. But for the people who joined grad chapter did you happen to either be in grad school or had a masters?

I happened to be in grad school when I joined my alumni chapter.

–Uncle Rashid

[divineninelover]

I was in grad school as well

-chokoladst

[basicallyadvanced]

I was an am still in grad school (class of spring 2016) but there was a good mix of grad students and not who crossed the same organization and semester with me.

[basicallyadvanced]

College days swiftly pass

I'm glad to have crossed into Alphaland this semester. Even as a grad student at my university and therefore having to cross through an alumni chapter, I still get respect from the undergraduate Greeks. The ug chapter on my campus had not been active/or was on suspension during my undergrad years, so it wasn't an option for me to pledge through them. The Greeks on my campus have shown me a tremendous amount of respect for joining the organization I wanted and not choosing to go with a different org because of the campus situation. I encourage anyone to join the organization they choose to (D9 or not) when the time is right for them. You can't be blamed or should not feel ashamed by how you come in, but you should be sure to know that the work you do once you come in is how you will be remembered and respected by the level-headed members of Greek orgs. Yes, shade and disrespect come from some, but that doesn't mean you have to respect their opinions.

[basicallyadvanced]

On an ice cold Tuesday December 4, 1906, seven college students from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York made the decision to form the first intercollegiate fraternity for African American men: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Since its beginning, many of the wold's most prominent leaders have joined the ranks. This year celebrates 109 years. I just came into the fold, but I know Alpha is a lifetime commitment. Onward and upward brothers. 06 #alphaphialpha #aphia #phoundersday #1906 #ccjkmot