Can someone please give an example of events that NPHC alumni/ grads participate in? Do you continue with the philanthropic and service events from your undergrad years? I ask because my alumnae chapter is relatively new and we are trying to figure out how to give back through community service events. Thanks. :)

ETA: Thank you Iota Net for starting this thread. I know it was in 2000, but I didn't discover it until today. :)

My sister's chapter has sponsored a debutante ball (with scholarships), works with a mentoring program for at-risk youth, and sponsors a scholarship for an outstanding local student. Larger chapters are instrumental in organizing events for MLK's birthday, SAT prep courses in the local high schools, college fairs, and other things.

Here's an example of a national program that we recently launched. All of our Alumni chapters will participate:

BusinessKids

Thanks Munchkin & IotaNet!

For Psych Tau:

From what I've seen on these boards (& correct me if I am wrong) many alumnae chapters for NIC/NPC groups are connected directly to the undergrad chapter of initiation. I think that adjusting that set up would be a start for encouraging membership past college years.

Members of NPHC alumnae/alumni chapters are not all from one undergrad chapter. So if you pledged at XYZ college when you graduate and move to anytown, USA, you are expected to affiliate with the local alumnae chapter which will be made up of women from age 24-80+ who have all joined at different colleges and are in different stages of life. You may maintain a special bond with those from your undergrad (or grad) initiating chapter (and still support them), but you are expected to continue your individual membership and service for life where ever you are nationwide. When you think about it, you are a member in undergrad for 2-3 years (say 18-21). If you live to be 61 thats 50 years of service through your grad chapter. Much longer than your undergrad years (I hope). This is why its not unheard of for members to be initiated through alumnae/grad chapters...even if one is invited to membership at age 40-you have plenty of years to work hard for your organization.

As for events... there are national initiatives for all NPHC groups but it really depends on the area-what one chapter focuses on may not be a pressing need in another community. The beauty is you are always learning and when one group has a successful event/initiative there is no harm in putting the program in affect somewhere else. Who cares who set up the mentoring program first? If it works, just do it!!

To clarify, I'm not a member, but I have lots of friends who are active on the alumnae level.

You're very observant! :)

Another difference is REAL ESTATE.

NIC/NPC chapters on many campuses have houses that are very expensive to acquire and to maintain. Although some campuses have Greek dorms or provide chapter suites, the traditional idea of Greek housing is a house or lodge with meeting and dining space and sleeping quarters for some or many of the members.

I'm sure that some NPHC chapters have houses, but not to the extent that NIC/NPC groups do.

Another difference...
 

....NIC/NPC GLO members tend to pledge and recognize themselves as affiliated with a CHAPTER of their GLO rather than the org as a whole. NPHC orgs tend to pledge and recognize themselves as affiliated with the org as a whole, with their chapter affiliation being merely happenstance. Thus, there is much less issues dealing with transfer brothers/sister in an NPHC org than with a NIC/NPC org.

YES!!:) Right on point.

It isn't recent for all NPC groups, though. Alpha Phi's first AI was Frances Willard in the early 1900's, if I've gotten my date correct. It may well have been earlier than that.

One more edit, and this one's to thank all the NPHC members for this thread. I've learned a lot about your groups from reading it. :)

Frances Williard became an AI for Alpha Phi in 1875 :)

Delta Gamma has also had this from early years. But to the point, it is uncommon.

That's true. It is uncommon, but it's not a recent development. :)

Thanks for correcting my date, Jill. :)

Re: Another difference...
 

I beg to differ. If more NPHC members thought of themselves as having pledged an ORGANIZATION as opposed to a chapter, more than ten percent would go on to transfer to alumni chapters.

Re: Re: Another difference...
 

I was strictly speaking relatively to the average mentality of NIC/NPC orgs in that regard

Re: Re: Another difference...
 

Eh, I disagree. That may be, though, that GC draws very committed GLO members.

Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

And GC is not a scientific cross-section of Greek life. If it a collection of those who have the time, leisure, and inclination to use this board as entertainment.

The ten percent yield is a fact for NPHC fraternity men. The yield is about forty percent for NPHC sorority women. (Strictly speaking of the college to alumni transition, not alumni initiates.)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

where did this 10 percent come from?

Either Lawrence Ross or Walter Kimbrough -- I can't remember which of them, but it was a source I trusted.

Did you get that from Black Greek 101?

Re: Re: Another difference...
 

Actually -

I think Rainman had it right in his post. While the Undergrad to Grad retention rates are lower than any of us would like, I don't think that speaks to the concept of people pledging and organization vs. a chapter.

If you ask the average Graduate NPHC member about his affiliation, he/she will most likely say: "I am an XYZ (Iota/Alpha/etc.") He may then go on to say, "I pledged at XYZ chapter." Although the chapter affiliation is important, the prime identification is with the organization.

Regarding retention, 10% is not setting the world on fire but it's a pretty significant number. Sensuret - Think about your own Grad Chapter in DC. Although you probably initiate new members on a semi-regular basis, I'd bet that the majority of Mu Lambda's active membership is comprised of people who transitioned from the Undergraduate ranks.

Think of the words of your hymn ...

"College days do swiftly pass, imbued with mem'ries fond. And the recollection slowly fades away. Our renowned A Phi A, and dear Fraternal Bond, May they ever Abide with us and with us stay."

Or the Kappa hymn ...

When all our student days are gone, and from school we must go, Still we will honor, love and sing, They praises o'er and 'oer.

Obviously, I am not an Alpha or a Kappa ;) but to me, that is a "built-in reminder" that one is expected to move on to the next level in the Fraternity -- and place the Fraternal affliation first.

Just my thoughts ...

Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

IotaNet,

I understand your point, but I still disagree.

Also, the majority of "active" members in my chapter are alumni initiates.

Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

co sign, i think most brothers who are members of graduate chapters were made as undergraduates. people are very fanatic about their undergraduate chapters because that is the primary fraternal contact they have had. as a brother who was made as a graduate student, i still have a strong connection with the undergraduates and graduate students who had a part in making me. does that mean i'm going to forgo all affiliation in the grad chapter? no, but the undergrad connection is still very strong. i "intook" Iota, to wear these beautiful colors, to wear these beautiful letters, to know the sacred knowledge of my Shield, and to uphold the sacred principles. many people who get initiated through a grad chapter already have their life in order, therefore have the time to be active in their chapter. that's why you see a lot of older heads who were not inititated as grads, but were made as undergrads. they already have the time to put forth the effort. a lot of the younger members fresh out of school are still trying to secure themselves before they put the time and effort needed. of course, there are many who don't meet that.

Re: Another difference...
 

Sort of correct and maybe I am reading your post wrong. It is true that we NPHC members affiliate ourselves with our National bodies and continue to identify with our organizations upon transferring to other schools or graduating.

However, it is important to note that the majority of us do remain very attached (to varying degrees) and loyal (to varying degrees) to our chapters of initiation (through ongoing ties with older and younger chapter members, etc.), eventhough we are no longer financial members of the chapter and regular participants in all of the programs. This is sometimes discouraged, but continues to be the case (depending upon the dynamics of the chapter).

Re: Re: Another difference...
 

I partially agree with you. However, there are many contributing factors that go into the relatively small percentage of undergrad initiates who join graduate chapters. For instance, some continue their pledge to the organization, while serving as a Member-At-Large.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

You're right!

This is why alumnae and graduate chapters have been addressing this issue.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

The percentage is actually quite accurate.

Did you assume it to be more, based on your circle of BGLO members?

:p

Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

Yeah, we're on the same page. I am particularly thinking of "Single Letter Syndrome" among other things....many other things, lol.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

we...are....>>>>>here<<<<<<<


LOL

hijack

POST WHORE ALERT!

/hijack

I dont think this is to uncommon with any GLO. In the Words of Brother Rambo, it is the old 80-20 syndrom. 80 % dont do anything and 20% do the work.

As I understand, that NHPC GLOs depending on the Campus have smaller Chapters. Therefore, there is a greater AI induction.

Either way, it takes more than a few to make the machine work. I know that We as a Chapter would rather do it ourselves than try to depened on our International. Sad to say.

I am sure each and everyone of us have horror stories about relationships with our Hdq, but what I have found on GC, yes, more dedicated people who are members of any GLO have been able to meet others from the same GLO and those of others. I have learned a lot and hope to still keep learning!:)

Maybe, this is a way to say that "most" on GC are The Cream of our Organizations, those who care!

Are you a post whore?

:confused:

Care to explain?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

of course, you know Iotas graduate

:p

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

We're talking about graduate chapter membership, not just graduating :p

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another difference...
 

:(

yea you right.....

:(

A post whore is someone who posts many times in a row in an effort to "up" their posts. Say, four times.

More accurately, someone who's just trying to catch up with the convo.

Senusret I, are these percentages still holding true for NPHC organizations?

You could have asked him that without resurrecting this tired thread.