Re: Re: OK, I concede there is something about the NPHC I do like (hijack)
 

Yup, with the pearls. It literally made folk do a double take at formal events trying to figure out what org it represented.

How the heck did you break the badge? Was it the stem that broke or something else?

Y'know, I always wanted to get the chapter guard and dangle, but I was too lazy to send away money and order one from Balfour (remember, this was pre-Internet).

Of course you are as well as we all are. That was never in question but what good does it do to bitch and moan about something when you can't do anything about it.

Quote:

Thank you for writing.

You're welcome.

RM:

The fact that this one experience (or at least the one you typed) left such a bad taste in your mouth and turned you against the entire NPHC is really depressing. You do realize that this one, or several, individual(s) wasn't speaking for the entire council and that the council is comprised of over 1.5 million members, over half of which could care less what kind on calls, handsigns, steps, etc., ANY org does, including their own. I think you should step out of the bubble and take a look at the bigger picture

I don't claim to know about the regulations of either org, nor do I claim to know much about the orgs within the NIC. However, I do know that the majority of NPHC orgs operate differently from MANY of the thousands of GLOs in existance and that this factor could contribute to the differences/strictness of NPHC rules of inclusion.

Oftentimes, for me venting is mental therapy. It isn't always necessary to go out and "do something about it."

By keeping something in that which you really do need to verbally express, only reinforces passive-aggresive behavior, something I cannot stand when dealing with certain people.

As such, I actually appreciate and even further respect those who speak candidly what's on their minds. But I digress.

Besides, if I didn't speak my mind, I would probably wind up as some offshoot of Hannibal Lecter or Unabomber or something like that.

Believe it or not, for me venting is my way of "getting over it" because I am actually working my way through a problem(s)through communication. Which is why we have numerous discussion forums all over the Internet such as GreekChat.com.

I love being an Internet discussion forum junkie! :) :cool:

I already KNOW what the "bigger picture" is...
 

...and I have been saying it post after post but for whatever reason folk insist on ignoring it; I am NOT anti-NPHC, but there is a certain attitude/mentality/mindset that the vast majority of members have that I absolutely hate and it irritates me. And I am at least 90% certain that the root cause of it lies in idolatry, which in turn feeds other negative attitudes such as arrogance (the biggest by-product of the idolatry, IMO).

And this experience didn't happen just once. It has happened over and over and over and over again. Heck, I have been on GC 5 1/2 years and I'm STILL getting the same experience on a regular basis; it's just via cyberspace rather than in person.

I know what the problem and issues are, and while I admit I can be no walk in the park, at least I'm humble enough to admit my wrongdoings and faults when justified. I guess my question to all those out there is, "Can you?"

But I seriously digress...

Re: Re: Re: OK, I concede there is something about the NPHC I do like (hijack)
 

I left the badge on my desk at school, forgot about it, and sat a bunch of books on it. :( The way it's constructed, the different layers just separated -- the rising sun part just popped off. :(

Re: I already KNOW what the "bigger picture" is...
 

posts like this paint you as a insecure child who can't handle someone else's shine, and thus must make snide comments at every turn in order to make themselves feel better about themselves.

if they're arrogant, they're arrogant. you're proving their point by continually having them on your mind and posting them about them. it sure makes you look like you have hurt feelings.

you're not going to be the magic poster who makes people stop and think about their own faults by the nonsense you post to them. and if you think you are, then you yourself are ridiculously arrogant.

Re: Re: OK, I concede there is something about the NPHC I do like (hijack)
 

Intentionally insulting.

Rain Man should pay us for this therapy session. Wooosahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Get it off your chest Rain Man. Wooosahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Re: I already KNOW what the "bigger picture" is...
 

Yeah...I hope you channel your upset and disappointment into a worthy venture. Something other than being consumed by NPHC organizations.

The Facts on what REALLY happened ...
 

To the Group -

I just happened upon this thread and thought I'd inject some factual information. I am the Immediate-Past National Director of Marketing of Iota Phi Theta. More importantly, I was the Project Manager for Iota's efforts to join the NPHC.

To the original question: Will there ever be a 10th member of the NPHC?

Potentially so but it will not be easy. Although there are now quantitative standards for entry, the bar is quite high. And even if a potential member organization does meet those standards, the quest for true acceptance is a whole 'nother hurdle.

I addressed this issue in a post a few years ago. Click here to read that post and the discussion that lead to it. This post addresses some of the subjective African-American societal issues associated with NPHC expansion.

For an objective overview of how Iota joined the NPHC, take a look at this link . This page is a simple recitation of the facts without any editorial commentary.

Any educated Greek can read both of those references and then "read between the lines" to determine how difficult a task any 10th member organization might encounter.

To address some additional thoughts raised by the various posts in this thread;

* Yes, we had to be extremely tenacious. In many quarters, our membership in NPHC was actively opposed. (By more than just one organization, I might add.)

* Yes, it took over 20 years.

* Whether or not it rhymes is of no consequence. Before we joined, the NPHC was known as "The Great 8", "The Big 8", or "The Elite 8" depending on the area of the country.

Interestingly enough, the original "new" nickname of the NPHC was "The Noble 9." This term was coined by Daisy Wood, past NPHC national president. She did so at the meeting where Iota's acceptance into the NPHC was first announced. (I know this because I was sitting next to her when she stood up and announced it!) The term "Divine 9" gained traction with the publishing of Lawrence Ross' book of the same title.


I hope this clears up some of the conjecture. Anyone with questions, feel free to chime in or PM me.

Re: The Facts on what REALLY happened ...
 

Thanks for supporting what some of us were stating.

I always thought "Noble 9" sounded funny so I was happy to replace it with "Divine 9" when Ross' book came out.

...and as always, GOOOOO IOTAS!!!! (those who get it, get it)

Re: The Facts on what REALLY happened ...
 

good ish, frat.

IotaNet,
Glad something got you to come out of the woodwork. How are U?

Re: Re: I already KNOW what the "bigger picture" is...
 

Starang,

Bottom line is that I have a right to dissent about any item or topic that I disagree with. That's all it is: a voice of dissent. Heck, there are a lot of political commentators/talk show hosts who are extreme left-wing or right-wing on their views. Is the basis of their views due to hurt feelings the opposing side caused? Probably not. My feelings aren't hurt at all, I simply refuse to be silent anymore. No more, no less.

Can you imagine Greekchat (or any discussion forum) if everyone just blindly agreed with everyone solely for the sake of agreement?

Dissent fuels thought and intellect. It builds character and challenges you to think outside the box, something we as humans are too lazy to do unless there is something that motivates us to do so.

Good post, IotaNet
 

Great insight, IotaNet. You were probably in my hometown a few weeks ago for your fraternity's convention. I wish I had ran into you and said hello. I like what you have to say.