[DrPhil]

Fast forward to now1, if you wish to be involved in civic engagement and social action that impacts racial and ethnic minorities, in many servicing areas you will often interact with a few older NPHCers and that includes alumnae/alumni/graduate chapters that have established a presence in the community. This also includes how some organizations contact NPHC graduate chapters for assistance with events and getting the word out to the larger community.

Fast forward to now2, those of us who are also involved in professional, social, and service organizations where minority members are largely underrepresented: We take part in these organizations AND maintain ties with our sororities/fraternities both through graduate chapters and interchapter events. This is a great way of keeping our sisterhood/brotherhood ties, having some input on what impacts certain service areas, and buffering some of the effects of constantly being "one of the chosen few" in the other organizations.

All of this works together and NPHCers (particularly younger NPHCers and those with family obligation) also struggle with money, time, and being disenchanted with alumnae/alumni/graduate chapters. We notice that the older members in our chapters often have much more money and much more time than we do. But, we also learn that change happens from within and there are chapters that appreciate younger members and are eager to make the necessary changes to incorporate younger members.