Yeah, ours were navy shirts with pale pink letters. I don't know of many sororities who actually had jerseys in their official colors.

The school I go to now takes it a step further. Their letter totes, which for us were the same colors for everyone in each pledge class, are all different. It's wild. You can walk down through campus and see dozens of different colors and patterns on bags with the same sorority letters.

Come to think of it, the jerseys we got when I was a pledge were in our official colors. They were white shirts with pink and green letters. I think they might've decided to switch 'cause the white was hard to keep clean, and no one wanted a green or pink shirt. :p

This thread got kind of off track onto colors and para and whatnot - which is all really interesting, but I'm still confused about the core part of my initial question (probably because I had a hard time wording it well, lol). The NPHC groups seem to have more distinct national identities. The other groups, as one poster put it (I'm sorry, I can't seem to find the post again, and I'm paraphrasing here) seem like essentially all the same thing just with slightly different rituals and colors, and there's a lot of variety from school to school. Are there national identities for the NPC sororities that I just don't see, not being part of those groups, or is it something that is just not seen as really desirable with NPC?

This is probably coming off sounding condescending again ... I am really not trying to be, I just don't know how better to phrase what I'm trying to ask.

Yes. For colors wrt the NPHC, maybe it is because there are fewer orgs that the NPC and NIC, but I tend to see an org's colors as an integral part of the organization, just as the shield/crest, motto, and pledge. Could I wear a pink and green SGR shirt. Sure I could, especially if I bought it :p , but would I? No. While the colors pink and green are very nice, when it comes to my greek letters I'll choose my own colors, or a color combo that is not crimson/creme, blue/white, pink/green. Why? Because I respect the other org's colors.

I think you're right. I honestly don't see an across-the-board "personality," for lack of a better word, for each NPC group. One of the cool things is that personality really does vary from chapter to chapter. I have heard of some sororities as being classified as "southern" and "northern," but that's about as far as it goes. NPHC groups, on the other hand, each seem to have something they're known for as a whole group, although I don't know about individual differences between chapters. That's just my point of view as a member of an NPC sorority, so I may be a little off.

I think everyone has answered your original question to the best of his / her ability. I get the feeling you are fishing for a specific answer. What do you want to hear? Do you want someone to come on here and say 'Yeah, those NPCs just don't have it together like the NPHC's.' What type of judgement are you trying to achieve?

Maybe you need to try to understand why you see what you see. Are you looking at NPHCs harder? Do you have some issue with NPCs?

I don't think you are going to get the answer you are looking for because I don't know of many people, at least on GC, who are a member of both an NPHC org and a NPC org, who could give you the answers that you are looking for. I can only give an answer from a NPHC perspective. An NPCer can give her answer from her perspective, and both answers may still not give you the answer you are looking for. Again, you are trying to compare two (2) different systems.

I hear what you are saying. I was referring more to us wearing nalia in colors other than our official ones. We are not to do it.

There are shirts out there that say XYZ look good in any color--with the shirt and letters being the colors of another NPHC sorority. That is NOT condoned by our national organizations, and at least in Delta if reported can lead to a disciplinary action, because it disrespects the other sororities' colors as well as our own.

Lastly, and to go back to the original question, I think part of what makes the NPHC "appear" to some as more standardized goes back to our culture and why we were founded. The D9 orgs and other such predominately AA groups are a HUGE part of the African American community and social culture. Not saying that NPC/IFC are not in their respective communities, but for the AA community I believe the affect is greater on so many levels.

Not slightly different "rituals", but different "traditions," depending on our chapter's founding date, region, etc...

Please try because I still have no idea what you are talking about.

You said what I would've added in my earlier post if I'd been able to come up with the right words. Thanks! :)

I'm confused about what you mean by a "national personality". Do you mean a national stereotype? If you mean something else, could you please give examples of each NPHC sorority's personaility?

OK, since no one else will do it (and I'm using random letters because I don't know which asinine stereotype is which):

XYZ are all the light skinned girls.

JKL are all darker skinned girls.

UVW all are stuck up.

etc, etc, etc.

If that's what you mean by a "national personality" I'm really glad we don't have them.

i think the original poster wondered if, for example, alpha beta gamma sorority(i made up the name for purposes of demonstration only) is known nationally as the smart sorority, delta epsilon zeta(another group i made up) as the beauty queen sorority, etc.

if i am on target, my answer is no; i do not know of any npc sorority that has a national identity. we all have diverse chapters all over the country, sisters in all colors, shapes and sizes, smart girls and not so smart, popular, outgoing girls and shy girls, girls for whom service is very important, girls for whom socials are very important. what each npc sorority has in common with its chapters is their ritual & national traditions(for instance, my sorority has a national blessing that is sung before meals-our new members may not possess any object that has our crest(coat of arms) on it, until they are initiated, all our chapters support breast cancer research, to name a few). within the national organization we do have chapters that have certain reputations, warranted or not. we all have chapters whose members are consistently noted for their good looks, the chapter that has the highest gpa, the chapter that makes service a priority, but even those reputations will change from time to time.

Now see. That's what came to mind when I first read the OT. I just didn't think that someone would go there.

I didn't either, but every day's a cabaret here.

Wow, I didn't interpret it that way at all. I thought she meant a stronger standardized national presence.

If you guys are right that means my answer is way off base. LOL

Oh and btw, DST nationally know as the not-so-pretty, brown-skinned, ghetto brainiacs. We are proud of our national personality. :p

I thought that's what this thread was about too... which is why I didn't post until now. If it is, I would agree that the NPC doesn't have these strong "national personalities" because there are too many. It's easy to have reputations with only 4, but with 26, it's too much.

However, I don't think that the NPHC orgs' reps always hold true either. Not necessarily sororities, but I'm thinking of some NPHC fraternities that are the "best" on one campus and not so much on others.

I'm not trying to get a specific answer, just curious about different perspectives - like the different perspectives of an NPCer and an NPHCer, like you mention. I don't think I'm looking at either group harder, and no, I don't have an issue with NPCs - I don't mean it as an insult that they don't have the standardized national identities, I'm just interested in the differences in the systems that leads to that difference. I think that AchtungBaby80's response was really interesting, explaning how she looks at the NPC system's national presence - that was a really cool explanation, I liked it a lot :)

Whoa, that is not what I am talking about at all ...

I am just talking about a more standardized national presence - just how in general there is more variety from chapter to chapter amongst the NPC vs. the NPHC groups. I'm not making a judgment about whether that's a good or bad thing - I don't really have an opinion on it, I'm not in either group. My question is whether or not you think that this is something that arises as a result of the culture (like AchtungBaby80 was talking about NPC groups not really wanting standardization so much, that the diversity was valued, while several of the NPHC posters have mentioned that national standards are very important in their groups), or is it something that comes from numbers of groups, the way that recruitment works, etc.? I'm just looking for different perspectives and ideas ...

I think it arises from the fact that THERE ARE 6+ TIMES AS MANY NPC GROUPS AS NPHC GROUPS.

I mean, to say that "national standards are very important in the NPHC groups" - that's kinda like saying they're NOT in NPCs, which is ridiculous.

Please speak plainly. What are you trying to ascertain? We are all still waiting for you to give an example of “a more standardized national presence.” We can't answer your questions unless we know exactly what you are talking about. Further, no one said that NPCs do not want standardization. Each of our organizations has standards and protocol to which we abide.

My Interpretation is that the NPHC organizations have a presence that is easily recognizable regardless of whether you are a member or not. For Example:


Zeta Phi Beta ~ Stork's Nest, 25 year old partnership with the March of Dimes

Phi Beta Sigma ~ Sigma Beta Auxilliary Groups




ENTIRE NPHC ~ SERVICE BASED

I am saying this (before we go where it probably wasn't meant to go) because no matter where we are, the foundations of each org are the same around the globe. THere is no mistaking if you see a Zeta (or a member of any other organization) walking down the street.


Just my opinion,

Monika

That's a philanthropy. It's one thing to say "when someone says Stork's Nest, I think of Zeta Phi Beta" and quite another to say you can spot a member walking down the street!

I mean personally, when see anything re Susan G Komen, I think of Zeta Tau Alpha. Maybe if you don't, it's just because you don't know any members of that org.

Before I became a Member I knew Zeta PHi Beta was involved with March of Dimes, because that is what we are known for.


If a young lady wanted to ask me a question about a Zeta Program and a Zeta in Texas about a program the answer would probably be the same (except with an accent). For NPHC Organizations, Service is part of the personality of the organization.

I haven't been able to say the same about NPC programs. But maybe I haven't met enough.

M

The majority of NPC's service or philanthropy are the same across the nation. Every Sigma Kappa Chapter in the nation supports the Alzheimer's association, we don't have a choice.

I dont really think that there is an overall National Prescense simply for the fact that most are not totally Nation wide and will have areas of N-S-E-and W that will reflect certain ways of doing things. Not to say that there is not a Total overall projection through National HQs.

Each Chapter will have its different quirks so to speak!:)

Say while LXA has Its National Food Drive, each Chapters has certain Charity activities. LXA, We do a Hot-Tub-A-Thon and Western Week, some others do Watermelon Bust or Tetter-A-Thon.

Likely you haven't, or haven't educated yourself enough on what the various philanthropies of the NPCs are. And again, we have 26 sororities in our conference, while you have 4. It's a little easier to keep 4 straight than 26! :)

I'd think most NPCers associate Girl Scouts with my own sorority, KD. We have 4 national philanthropies, chapters adopt several of their own locally.

Girl Scouts and Prevent Child Abuse America are our two most visible national charities, however our others- Childrens Hospital of Richmond Virginia and the Orthopedic Research Awards are also known.

I've learned a lot about NPHC groups from being on GC for a number of years, however, I couldn't tell you what their philanthropies are. Just because a person doesn't know doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Great Point...

I have a question, If a person was not in an organization, would they know what you do? I am asking because where our undergraduate chapter is (San Francisco State University), I really Cannot determine one non-NPHC organization from another (except the Muticultural or Academically Specialized<Exanple: Nursing> organizations).

I am only asking because Before I was in College, the NPHC organizations had a following and many Members of the NPHC had knowledge of them since High School. It may be due to the large Alum/Graduate Presence.


Thanks for sharing,

M

I am not trying to ascertain anything. I am just trying to see what different people's ideas and perspectives are. There is a difference.

What I'm talking about regarding a stronger standardized national presence is not "oh, those are the light-skinned girls" or "oh, those are the smart girls" or "oh, those are the smart light-skinned girls" or whatever, I'm talking about things like with NPHC, there seems to be more of an across the board culture, and it's widely known - lots of girls in high school know about the differences in NPHC orgs and which ones they want to be in. They know the colors, the community service, the general history, etc. - it's just known, and that's standard across the nation. I'm not saying that there are no standards for NPC groups, I'm just saying that the national presence and the public knowledge isn't as strong. And I'm not saying that's wrong.

I don't know why some people are getting so worked up about this - it's just a question, I'm not trying to challenge any one's org. I'll repeat: I am not in either group. I have friends in both. I'm just wondering, because it's something I noticed. 33girl - okay, so your answer is you think it's the number of orgs that causes the differences. No need to yell.

It depends. Some groups have more high profile events- for instance, DG's Anchor Splash (an event each chapter has to raise money for one of their philanthropies), that's a big deal in the Greek community and may involve those outside the community. In KD, we have our Shamrock Project- each chapter and alumnae association holds an event that, like DG, involves those outside of our group.

But a lot of groups just do things and keep a low profile, out of the spotlight. And maybe some groups don't want to be seen for just one charity, as there are others that they work towards as well, and don't want them to be overshadowed.

Perhaps a difference is that NPHC seem to dedicate themselves to one philathropy that's their big thing, but NPC's usually contribute to many different ones. Or all the NPC/NIC greeks on campus get together to raise money for one local charity- such as the article I posted earlier today in the Greek Life forum about a Dance Marathon at my alma matter.

This is exactly the kind of thing that I mean - what do you all think causes the NPHC orgs to have that kind of presence and identity that the NPCs do not (at least, they don't seem to to me)? Thank you Monika for making that more clear :)

I went to a predominantly white, upper-middle class high school, so you'd think that there if anywhere students would know about different NPC sororities if they were going to, but we just knew about sororities in general and that there was this thing called rush. If someone was a legacy, they knew some about that one org.

I don't think people have a problem with you asking questions, but in that you continually come across as belittling NPC groups, saying they don't do this and they don't do that. Saying a group doesn't do something when you have limited to no knowledge about that group is going to rub people the wrong way. The tone and way your posts have read continually come across that way. Also, another problem may be your questions are worded very vaguely, and people are left to guess what you mean.

Again, there are 4 NPHC groups, and there are 26 NPC groups. That's a big difference. And there ARE certainly parts of the country where there is a LOT of public knowledge about particular NPC groups. There are also parts of the country where it's not a big deal to be greek.

I don't think you can say this public knowledge of NPHC groups is standard across the nation, because that's a very absolute statement.

And again, as has been said earlier in this thread or another you started, the black community in general has much more of a sense of "community" than the population at large.

You're asking "why" questions that NO ONE can answer, because they're too obtuse for any person to answer. Maybe consult a sociologist or something, because no one can answer.

So to sum this up....there are a bunch of generalizations and assumptions being thrown out there about organizations??

Yup.

You most definitely are trying to ascertain something. To ascertain means to learn or to find out. You are trying to learn others’ opinions as to why NPC/IFC organizations don’t seem to have a “standardized personality” but the NPHC organizations do. I think that that is a false assumption. Like Dani said, “Just because a person doesn't know doesn't mean it doesn't happen.”

And maybe that's why she posted with her original question, because she doesn't know. The question is kinda vague and lacks a clear cut example, which is maybe why no-one can answer it, but it doesn't make it an illegitimate question, because I am pretty sure (actually I KNOW) she is not the only person out there thinking the same thing.

No one said her question was illegitimate.

I think that all the NPHC orgs are very visible within their constituency, which is the Black community. For example, when I was growing up, I was exposed to the NPHC orgs because they were always holding events (food drives, fundraisers, Buckle Up America, health fairs, scholarships, etc.). I had teachers in NPHC orgs that wore paraphenaila (pins, etc.) or had nicknacks on their desks. Even though neither of my parents are Greek, I knew a ton about NPHC orgs because of how active they were in my community.

On my college campus, NPHC and NALFO groups wore letters more frequently than NPC or IFC groups. It wasn't until my junior year that I even heard of rush or what the NPC was. NPHC orgs always had fliers, especially to advertise for their "week" of events. I did notice that most of those events were advertised only to the minority students, so that may be why you hadn't seen any fliers. On my current campus (I'm in grad school) the NPHC has designated one day a week as "letters day", and everyone wears a jacket/sweatshirt/pin with their letters on it, to increase exposure.

ETA: In Atlanta, NPHC orgs are very visible. EVERYONE has a car tag or wears letters, even the older members.

In my opinion, lack of a "national personality" as I interpret it is this thread means that each group is simply too diverse to stereotype.

Sounds like a good thing to me.

I think the problem here is that OPhiARen is very familiar with NPHC groups and is in a position to make automatic connections between activities and NPHC membership. While I'm not sure you could stop ANY member walking down the street, you'd notice signs such as colors, symbols, or (clearly) letters. Even being involved in specific service.

However, you're very unfamiliar with NPC groups, so you wouldn't necessarily be aware that the woman with a lavender and maroon tote decorated with hearts is likely to be a Sigma Kappa. Or that the college girls volunteering at a Ronald McDonald house have a better than average chance of being ADPis.

My campus has sororities that serve: Girl Scouts, gerontology/Alzheimers, Ronald McD House, Campfire USA (at risk girls), and helping the blind.
I bet that most of the NPC women on here can identify which sorority is which simply from one single example of each sorority's philanthropy.

I'm very unfamiliar with NPHC groups. My campus does not recognize them. Saint Louis has city wide chapters that do have events on SLU's campus as well as at Harris Stowe, WashU, etc. The only thing I know about Sigma Gamma Rho is that their mascot is the poodle and they have a sort of pageant/fashion show thing once a year. I see signs. But without letters, i wouldn't know one from an Alpha Kappa Alpha. I have no idea what

This is simply a difference in what you are surrounded by and what you choose to surround yourself with. It's not an issue of NPHC having identities and NPC not. It's an issue of awareness of those identities.

Phew, sorry so long, hope it all makes sense:)

Edit: Also NPC doesn't really "market" or promote itself to high school students. At least we're not supposed to. It's a difference in recruitment procedures.