Okay, well as not only an NPHCer but as a man, which is our first cardinal principle, i admit that you guys were probably right about alot of things and i wasnt. I wish this girl the best in all her endeavors. Maybe i responded like that because i have seen one too many times where a person asks a simple question and instead of politely educating them on a matter it seems as if we throw them to the dogs (no pun intended lol). I believe in discretion as much as the next person but i think sometimes we take it a little overboard IMHO.

I think you were right, but about a different question. :) If that makes sense.

i only mentioned probate because that's the thing i would have the most trouble with. everyday things like giving speeches, conventions, service, talking to strangers, handing out flyers or whatnot, i can do that stuff if i have to because i have coping skills to handle those situations because i've done it for whatever reason many times before.

how would you know if probating would be the "most trouble" you would have? have you been in a situation similar and you had an anxiety attack? i say this because people probate and prepare for it ahead of time - its not something spur of the moment.

i dont know the first think about SAD. but i would imagine that all the things you mentioned above that you could "cope with,' are going to be similar to probating - giving information, hyping your audience, etc.

*not that a probate show should be your first priority, but this has already been mentioned, just like all the obvious statements from NPHCers*

I'm not pretending to know what's involved in being a full, beneficial member of an NPHC, but I do want to sympathize with the OP about finding some situations more stressful than others, and if I had, which as far as I know I do not, a social or mental disorder (although some of you may disagree ;) ), I too know that I could handle informal situations fine, but that a formal situation with all eyes on me is different than other situations.

I could flyer, recruit, promote, table, work in groups all day long, but being on stage by myself fills my heart with dread.

i've been to probates, and its not about whether or not its spur of the moment or prepared for. anxiety doesn't happen in "attacks," I don't have panic attacks. anxiety is constant, its levels fluctuate, but the anxiety itself is constant and i since i've been dealing with this most of my life, i know which type of situations freak me out and how much they will.

and i didn't start this to spark debate about MY anxiety and how well i know MY own anxiety (which fyi is pretty well, thanks), i was just curious specifically about probates. and i questioned onlyyyyy about probates for a reason, not because i believed it to be the most important/only thing i would have trouble with.

You are not on the stage all by yourself unless you were the only pledge. You are on as a group.

I agree with the concerns expressed by other NPHCers, but a show of shouting, singing, and dancing is a bit more norm-violating than public speaking, etc.

Can someone fill in the NPCer on what takes place at a probate show?

Nothing but wonderfulness!!!!!!


http://www.oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/d...16/PBS0531.jpg

http://www.oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/d.../GSSsp0502.jpg

http://www.oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/d...19/AKA0507.jpg

http://www.oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/d...a/56/06z28.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysk4xxB2GcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhEyQAzffdA (Guest starring yours truly)

How many members does AKA at Howard have? Were the women in that video just the new members? WOW!


(Also they must have been freezing. When I saw the folks walking around with parka hoods up and the new members dressed were blowing around like that, I thought about how cold they must have been and yet they were so focused!)

I don't know how many total members they have, but 92 were on the Spring 07 line. There was no line in 2006. The Spring 2005 line had 137, and that was after a four year absence.

Assuming everyone graduates on time and each line had an equal amount of Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, you may be looking at 65-70 members returning in the Fall.

Also, it was nippy, but it was because of the wind moreso than the temp.

And I thought 50 or 60 NPC member new member classes were big. I've thought of Divine Nine groups as always being smaller tighter groups; it's cool to see the intensity in a huge group too.

I'm trying to imagine a step show with that many members. Does it happen or are there smaller groups within the group who perform at different times?

Not everyone in the chapter performs.... even in a small chapter, not everyone is able to be on the step team.

I have heard of large chapters of fraternities and sororities having "auditions" for the chapter step team, as well.

And in some step shows, there is a maximum participant rule.

Uh if you were on your meds like you say being in public wouldn't be an issue. I dare to think you are non-compliant with your meds and may have other personality disorder issues that need to be diagnosed

You reallllllllly don't know what you're talking about here. Are you in an NPHC org?

Are we reading the same thread?:rolleyes:

Oh, this is when everyone outside the org. first finds out who is on the line, right? I saw this on the quad at my school, I was just confused because the OP made reference to being on stage.

And if you continued to read, which you probably didn't you would have seen where most stated that WE ALL have members that live with some type of disability. There is much more to serving in our organizations than just participating in a coming out show. Since you really don't understand NPHC and our process how can you comment or offer advice.

it can be on stage, sometimes. my undergraduate chapter had a step show and the new sorors' coming out show fell on the same day. they were the last act of the show. but typically, coming out shows are outside.

to the OP, i'd like to say you don't have to participate in the coming out show by stepping. you can help adjust costumes/hair during the show and just introduce yourself when it's time. i wish you well both with managing your disability and with your quest for sisterhood.

Another silly/ignorant question from an NPCer, in the AKA photos/video are they wearing sunglasses partly because their eyes are closed?

I know that may sound stupid, but they were moving like they were being guided solely by the girl in front of them, and they had their heads down too. Or is it just for style and uniformity maybe?

I hope things work out for the OP. I can see how the event would be stressful in a lot of ways: attention, crowds, etc. But maybe with the strength of the group she can overcome it, especially if she is strong in the other areas of service.

Random AKA thought: pink and green are powerfully associated with AKA, even by random white people. I have kind of a loud pink and green outfit (it's really not pretty enough for AKA), and I wore it to work one day, and another middle aged white woman (non-NPHC or NPC, in her case) remarked to me that those were AKA colors. I knew it already, but it was funny to me that she mentioned it to me. Not Delta Zeta or whatever, Alpha Kappa Alpha= pink and green.

It's a means to disguise identity to enhance the surprise. Some chapters have their lines wear masks, either full face or just covering the eyes & nose (like in the pics Senusret posted), some paint faces, some don't do anything at all.

I would hope their eyes were open, but if not, WOW, they're good! :)

The section I was thinking of was really when they were moving in a line several steps forward and back and they seems be to holding hands with the person in front and in back. Maybe I missed a lot though.

Thanks for the info...there are some amazing vids on youtube.

And what meds are you on? If you read the entire thread, which I doubt you would have seen a variety of opinions on this open forum. One comment was questioning the validity of the post; see if you were NPHC or knew anything about it you would realize any prospective concerning themselves with a coming out show as opposed to being qualified to make line, making line, and most importantly serving the community through community service seems suspect.

I'm sorry but BWAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking my ball and going home! *HMPH!*

Well, I say half the things I say to interests because I really cannot afford anymore dues increases because some interest is unclear about the strict membership requirements.

Maybe, I cannot afford my pearls to be snatched because some little girls thought it would be funny to not fully disclose her readiness or preparation in joining my Sorority and undergo an illegal kind of process.

I am not saying we are intolerant to those who are physically or mentally disabled, but to fathom thinking things about requirements for membership when we clearly have this information available on our websites indicates to me that a person chooses to ONLY see membership at the level college/university and NEVER her duty beyond that of college.

And maybe I am tired of seeing inactive members due to my Sorority's empinging Centennial Celebration because these girls thought it cute to wear T-shirts when they were young and thought it funny to tease girls unlike them--especially when my Sorority and all the D9 NPHC organizations are about community service.

I think my Soror Eleanor Roosevelt, Soror Rosa Parks and Soror Corretta Scott King are rolling over in their graves...

Sure, sure.:rolleyes:

Just remember...ain't no half steppin'...

I'm just sayin'.

I can relate to your anxiety issues, but you don't really have to worry about the probate show, because that is a very SMALL part of what you will do in an NPHC org for your LIFETIME. I'm not a very 'show offey' person either, but there are SO many other aspects to my org that it really doesn't hinder my membership. Believe me, it seems like a big deal, but in the big picture of things, it's not. Remember also, unless you're the only person online, you're not there by yourself either.


And I'm LMAO @ some of these responses!

And oh yeah, the suggestion of joining other orgs was a good one, as well as thinking about membership once you graduate college, where you won't be put so much on the spotlight in that manner (but you will have spotlight moments, though).

That is a wise decision.

I know!

Not saying NPCer can not post in this thread, but she clearly named the thread with NPHC in mind. I have a good feeling that you may know less about NPHC than I (an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman) or any of the rest of us for that matter.....maybe ut us just a hunch:rolleyes:.

*Singing: I-I-I-I got a feeling....I-I-I-I got a feeling Sorors*


http://www.pledgepark.com/images/smilies/pointlaugh.gif Do me a favor....don't got to PledgePark.com

LMAO

Best response I have read so far.

Thanks for a solid answer without all the hype Soror...we were all interests once upon a time...

I really think alot of ppl around here have forgotten that.

Excuse all of you.

I was born an Alpha. I was never an interest.

Thank you.












:p

That's cute! Ditto!;)

you.are.silly....LMAO

LOL....somebody's gotta be! The world is a tough place to be in. :(