Mutual selection?

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

But don't you think that NPHCs offer an much richer and involved alumnae membership in general? I don't intend to slight NPC groups, but we didn't generally communicate to women their obligation to join and pay dues to a alumnae/grad chapter upon graduation when I was an undergraduate.

I think my own group does a better job with this now, but I think the idea that the sorority involved a lifelong commitment to involvement and service is something that maybe 10% of NPCers took to heart but that 90% of NPHCers did.

I think most NPC members think alumnae status is about rec. writing and legacies.

If what a woman wants is more along the lines of what NPHC groups offer, wouldn't it make more sense to,oh, I don't know, pursue membership in a NPHC group?

eta - maybe the op would be interested in the "If you could design an AI program" thread.

I think rec writing is more of an APH thing - at least, in my experience. The APH members get the information from APH, and then follow their GLO's procedure to procure recs. While of course individual alumnae write recs for girls they know, the vast majority of recs (which are so important down here) probably come through APHs.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by AOEforme

Correct: I'm not. And we don't have AI. (We have an honorary membership process, but that totally isn't open for anyone to apply to.)

I was just stating my opinion, from what I've seen from a relative who sought AI in an NPC and was turned away, a neighbor who's very involved in her NPC, and what I've read here.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but it was only my honest opinion and I offered it.

So you don't select for honoary membership from those who approach you, you bestow it upon women you feel deserve it? That's how many NPC groups view AI. There's one I can think of that operates that way, and do not take "cold calls" but rarely offer it to women who they select (for example house mothers, female faculty advisors, mothers, etc.). What really sticks out to me is that your relative "sought" AI in an NPC, and perhaps that group (or even the women she contacted in that group) didn't feel it was appropriate or didn't follow their policies for alumnae membership.

Originally Posted by OPhiAGinger

True. I'm not a member of an NPC and, therefore, not privy to many of the inner workings of your organizations. That's why I'm asking questions --- to build my understanding. Thanks for your response!

The point I want to make sure I get across, is that there are no set rules when it comes to individual membership processes of NPC groups, we just agree on standards for the recruitment process and that we won't take initiated members of other groups. Even though I am privy to how Alpha Gam membership works, I know each recruitment, each potential member, and each potential AI are distinct situations and decisions made at a place and a point in time, and those decisions may play out very differently based on who is involved, where it is happening, and other factors. We can't give you hard and fast information because we're dealing with individuals on both sides (members and those would want to become members).

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

If what a woman wants is more along the lines of what NPHC groups offer, wouldn't it make more sense to,oh, I don't know, pursue membership in a NPHC group?

eta - maybe the op would be interested in the "If you could design an AI program" thread.

I think rec writing is more of an APH thing - at least, in my experience. The APH members get the information from APH, and then follow their GLO's procedure to procure recs. While of course individual alumnae write recs for girls they know, the vast majority of recs (which are so important down here) probably come through APHs.

Oh, I'm with you about the first part. I think about the NPHC groups frequently and have a lot of admiration for them, but I not saying that NPC groups should try to copy them, particularly because it's not part of the heritage of the groups really.

I may have made my point about the rec writing poorly. I think that for most of the greeks I've known since I graduated as an undergraduate, unless I met them in the context of APH, writing recs for girls might be the only activity they perform in a given year for their groups, and I don't even think that most alumnae write them every year.

But you may be correct that the majority of recs written in a given year come through APH. I'm certainly not disputing that.

ETA: I'm not in the people-ought-to-be-able-to-put-themselves-up-for-AI camp at all. My point about limited involvement for most NPC alumnae members is part of the reason why I think people pursuing membership at this level is suspect. And I really do mean pursuing as in the sense of chasing it, not merely completing the process that they've been invited to.

[SWTXBelle]

It also bears mentioning that all NPC alumnae groups are not the same - some are more social, some more philanthropic, those near collegiate chapters are far more active in a different way than those who aren't. It depends on the group dynamic and the individual members.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

It also bears mentioning that all NPC alumnae groups are not the same - some are more social, some more philanthropic, those near collegiate chapters are far more active in a different way than those who aren't. It depends on the group dynamic and the individual members.

No doubt. ETA: this seemed a lot more argumentative than I meant it to. I have no quarrel at all with what you've said.

I suspect that the percentage of active undergraduates who remain active alumnae is pretty small.

Does anyone know any general figures? It seems like something that would be frequently discussed at the national or international level. Maybe even studied by the NPC.