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Originally posted by TSteven
Just what is an underground chapter and how does it operate? Especially with respect to recruitment.
My confusion is with the group that is not recognized by the inter/national HQ (i.e. suspended, charter pulled, etc.) yet claims or presents itself as a NALFO, NIC, NMGC, NPC, NPHC, or any other inter/national GLO chapter.
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Like others have stated, apparently, there are folks who "think" they are members of an organization because they have gone through some "ritual" that is illegal and unrecognized by the IHQ.
Usually, the IHQ gives their members some "notification" of membership, sometimes an officially recognized membership "pin" with an "embossed plaque" (like a diploma of membership). These "underground folks" NEVER get one and they are deluded to think that they do not need one.
They are guarenteed membership by folks who have undergone a similar "process". So, you have a perpetual cycle of non-members making non-members, so-on and so-forth... It gets so large that it is difficult to distinguish folks who are legit vs. folks who are not, aside from straight out asking where is your pin, your plaque, your financial card and your recognition from IHQ...
In the NPHC we call these folks "ghost members". They are illegitimate members who have not gone through a legal process and are considered as being "hazed" and "hazers". In my Sorority, these persons legally cannot ever become members of my organization if found that they "actively" knew and participated in an illegal activity.
The biggest thing what undergraduates who are interested in NPHC organizations should look out for at events is the level of professional looking alumni that either attended their university or did not attend their university that are are much older--i.e. 35-something... That is just my opinion and I could be wrong...