Contacting an NPHC org national headquarters
 

So.... I was just thinking....

There are always a lot of people who post questions about NPHC membership. I would like to ask any aspirants or lurkers why they don't contact the national headquarters of the organization they want to join?

For those of us who already made it, why didn't we contact the national office? Or did we?

Are people afraid that they will track down aspirants via caller ID and then blackball them for asking a question?

I'm just trying to understand the perception that exists.

Full disclosure: I contacted the District Director when I was an aspirant and he never got back to me. After I got in contact with members of the chapter I wanted to pursue, everything turned out okay.

ETA: The District Directors are elected, volunteer positions. I never found it necessary to contact paid staff working at headquarters.

I don't understand why people would have to call district/regional and national representatives. LOL.

National websites tell you where the chapters are and give the contact info for chapter representatives.

Before websites, you knew the chapter on the campus or in your area because you were active on the campus and/or in the community.

What am I missing? LOL.

Maybe questions which would require an official answer that the school can't obtain?

Take Georgetown, where there was Greek life but no school recognition.

In the age before the internetz, people would actually talk, I mean face-to-face, talk to people to get info.



In my mother's day (early 1960's) the ug chapter would "contact" you by a tap on the shoulder. When you got the 'tap', then the process would proceed.

In my day (late 1980's), you went to the campus open house event and signed up.

If you are not associated with an ug campus, then the next best thing is to be active in the community. Or, at least go to some place of worship. NPHC members are everywhere!!!!

And, if the aspirant approaches the NPHC member in the right way, things can work out.

I need an example.

If there is Greek Life, wouldn't the chapters be able to answer questions?

Picture it: Georgetown University. 2003-ish

Greek life is not recognized by the school, but say there are 4 of the 9 with members on campus via city-wide chapters. In this case, one Alpha (graduation imminent), Kappas, AKAs, and Deltas.

LeRoy Hoya wants to be a Que.

I don't have anything to contribute to this thread, but:

LeRoy?

LOL.

LOL. Sicily 1925?

Okay, so there aren't any Ques. There are many (usually smaller sized) campuses without all of the D9 orgs.

So...is there also not an Omega Psi Phi website and/or Omega graduate chapters in the area that can be found at local events and/or via Yellowpages?

Isn't that an NPHC aspirant name? :p

The Omega website doesn't list chapter information. And I don't know about LeRoy, but even I can't determine from the website which district DC is in.

The Ques may very well be in the yellow pages. But i dunno, Phil..... I'd be more likely to call the national office to get the official steps before I start calling chapters willy nilly.

The real big point is that I would sooner call HQ than come to Greekchat to ask.

Oh that's the point? Well, definitely. ;)

I would say that some people people that if they ask a question from the National HQ side, then they will get a generic answer like they find on websites. They may be expecting us (as in those online in forums, etc) to give them the 'inside scoop.' Little do they know that most of us are giving them the same answers (at least we should be).

Just my opinion.

^^^ Good point.

I called XYZ headquarters, asked about membership, was told by the secretary "I will connect you. Hold please...", and was sent to someone's voice mailbox. I never got a call back, but I realized later that I forgot to use my resources properly and I just asked my mother-in-law and sister-in-law (members of XYZ) for the information I needed.

I didn't think so before, but now I don't think it is headquarters job to answer certain questions. (ETA: Nor do I think it's the responsibility of org members in online forums to answer questions for aspirants, but that's just my opinion) Since you are supposed to know members of the org before joining, it's much easier to get answers from the members you already know. If they feel that you'll be an asset, you'll be surprised how much they will help you!

You rock! :)