I would also like to insert a plug for the book "Black Greek 101" which answers many questions of this nature.

:)

I'm not a member of an NPHC group, but I might be able to give you some insight.

Different organizations do it differently, and I have heard of some differences based on location of the particular chapter of the organization. From my experience, the most common method is by height. Persons chosen to participate in the membership intake process (formally known as pledgees) are placed in height order and given a number to represent their place in line. Shorter ones in front, taller ones in back. The first and last positions in line are seen as places of honor and may have additonal responsiblities. Some groups (this is from my personal observations as a college student in the 80s when pledging was above ground/out in the open) would even fudge on who was tallest/shortest to get a "tight", knowledgeable, or "rhythmically blessed" ;) person to serve as the tail or front (some call it the ace) of the line.
D9 members, and some other multicultural orgs from what I can gather via the internet, tend to feel a kinship with people of other orgs who have the same number or the joined their org the same year.

That's kinda it in a nutshell.

edited to add: That what I get for being longwinded and trying to post/work. Others answer the question before me! LOL

Me too http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-045.gif

I'm the 2 of 9.

Please keep threads like this going...

I think a lot of organizations have a pledge class order, I can think of quite a few groups within the NPC and NIC who do - that's how we get our "scroll" numbers. My chapter does it alphabetically, I've seen other orgs do it by height, age, GPA...

Based on what I've learned here (I went to an HBCU, so no NPC orgs on my campus) aren't your scroll numbers cumlative? "Line" numbers are not, so every NPHC pledge class will have a 1, 2 etc. depending on how many people are in the class

Right, but it's still based off of pledge class order. For example, the "tail" in the pledge class before mine was #2 in her PC and badge number #466. Since I was 5th in my PC, my badge number is piled on top of hers.

I think we just place less of an emphasis on our place within the PC than NPHC and MC GLOs do. I also thought it was interesting to see that most NPHC orgs do it based on height - I thought there was a more secretive process to it since people take so much pride in their numbers. Then again, maybe there is and we just don't know it.

BTW, if any of you ever have questions about NPC orgs - ASK! About the only things we can't discuss are membership selection and ritual, and most of us are happy to explain!

There are three numbers that you might have:

Your number within your pledge class - equivalent to a line number. NPC orgs tend not to use this one so much.

Your initiate number within your chapter. These are cumulative within the chapter - if there are 10 chapter founders and you're the first person initiated in the next new member class, you're #11. [ETA: I think this is what GP is describing. I find it hard to believe there are only about 500 Gamma Phi's in the world ;) ]

Your initiate number in the GLO overall. These are cumulative across the whole GLO, so each member has a unique number. If Alpha chapter has 20 initiates and you're the first founder of Beta chapter to be initiated, you're #1 within Beta chapter but #21 overall.

Some GLOs engrave your initiate number (either chapter-wide or overall) onto your badge. Others just use it for tracking purposes (access to members-only sections of their web sites, for instance).

Many Latina/o Greek-Letter Organizations use them, too.

Let's see... I was third in my pledge class out of four initiated, 814th initiate since the chapter was established in 1923. The last person initiated in the pledge class performs a part in the next initiation that - for obvious reasons - I am not at liberty to discuss in an open forum. Alpha Sigma Phi doesn't have national 'line' numbers like other fraternities and sororities may have.

I've also noticed in the sig lines of D9 and some multicultural GLOs here on GC what appears to be a short but 'private' biography that only a member of that organization or pledge class. Which is pretty neat, though:

Pledge line number/pledge nickname
Pledge class motto
Pledge class designation
Chapter name or other private designation
Other info (college or university location)

Not to nit pick, but I think often the "motto" that is included in sigs is the name of the entire line, but yes, it is like a motto. The line names of individuals are given to fit into that "motto". All the line names have a common theme (for example some I've seen on here are that the line is all given the name of a precious stone, or a TV show, or a song title, etc.)

Also, I know it's been mentioned in other threads (and I'm sure for the most part all are aware) but be careful giving out your number within your entire GLO, as those are often used to access members only webpages and the like.

Not all the time....in fact, I would dare to say not even most of the time. I have noticed that tradition more on GC than I have in my personal experiences.

Yeah scroll numbers are cumulative for many IFC/NPC orgs. My own roll number is is 2063, so 2062 men were initiated before me in my chapter.

Roll numbers are assigned a variety of ways, for most chapters I know, the pledge program has a system of points, based on things like GPA, scores on lore tests, community service hours, intramurals, etc. The pledges/new members who accumulate the most points during the course of their pledge program are initiated first (have lower numbers).

I think it's awesome that there is such a great connection between members of different organizations based on where they were in line.

Well I was misled. Thanks for the info, Senusret.

The general response (when someone is generally curious about "line numbers" and "line ordering") is that it is based on height. There are other reasons that some BGLO chapters (both NPHC and nonNPHC) and MulticulturalGLOs use. As you stated, you won't necessarily be privileged to that info ;)


DEUCE DEUCE...FRONT OF THE LINE BABEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

come on now...you knew ACES lead by example

Ok, everybody knows its all about the 6's!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :D

'scuse me...is the mike on?
 

Mike check, 1, 2, 1, 2...(irritating feedback...)

ACE is in the house.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!

Tail Dog!
 

This has been inactive for a minute!!
 

Anchoring the Baby DUO!!! DEUCE DEUCE LET IT LOOSE!!

#2 of #2

But I have to give props to my ACE, #1 PACEshinCE!!! Much love to all my Sorors!!


THETA NU!!!

So...who's got me on that?

ONE LUV!!!!!!


I got your back soror, I got you! ;)

Wow...I'ved learned a lot I didn't know about BGLOs from this thread! :)

Yup.

Those sexy, savvy sixes holding it down!

booo!!!!

:D

*cough*ACE*cough*
*cough*ACE*cough*;)

ACEactly!!!
:D

once again....
 

If you ain't a DEUCE...you ain't.......................*bleeeeeeeeeep*


:p

Re: once again....
 

Hey, HEY!

Re: once again....
 

Ahhhh...yes grasshopper, but it is impossible to have a Deuce without an ACE:p

:D

Re: Re: once again....
 

...which is what my Ace always says :) and theoretically that is true....

...However, I have heard of deuces without aces or even 6s without 5s before.

OK, stupid question time (hearing my third grade teacher say: "The only stupid question is the one not asked, Kathy"). Anyway!

Let's say you are a #6 of 6. So you are a 'tail'.

Do you feel more of a 'bond' with other tails or with other #6s - or does it depend on who you're talking to?

I think I've lost intelligence reading this thread

Re: Re: Re: once again....
 

After they dropped...;)

that would mean that there was some to begin with.....clearly that is not the case.

Re: once again....
 

booo!!!!

:mad:

ACE club fooo!!!!!!!

Why?

7's
 

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the SEXY 7's!!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NinjaPoodle
*cough*ACE*cough*
*cough*ACE*cough*;) [/QUOTE

What she said.


#1 of 1

The ONE and only ---Summer 02:D

Re: Re: once again....
 

Although I love my Ace dearly, that is simply not true :D ;)

Your "intelligence" shouldn't be so easily lost.