Information on HBGLOs

[RACooper]

Originally posted by jubilance1922
I'm unsure what you mean by information. At our informational (which is open to everyone, including men) we give general information, which can be found on our website. We give a bit more information about the membership process at our rush, which is by invite only.

In my experience, all chapters give out the same information, because we all know what is and isn't acceptable. For example:
*Founders
*Founding history
*National programs
*Location of headquarters
*Number of members
*National and regional officers
*Chapters and locations
is all acceptable things to tell.

Ah... see that's just the type of information that I have seen people (PNM and others) told to find out themselves through research if they want to know - not have it related to them.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
Does the policy of non-disclosure (only term I could think of) see a relaxing when first entering a new campus, in order to educate the community about the org.?

No.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by 33girl
I think that if groups in general have become more "open" it's in response to "what are you hiding" from admins, rushees and parents. Lots of them have NO CLUE and I mean NONE what NPC or NIC groups do.

(Giant generalization) The NPHC probably has less problems in that area because the majority of their prospective members have grown up with those groups as part of their community. They are seeing the good that gets done, so they figure if there are things that are kept secret, there must be a reason.

But I do agree, some of this depends on the individual. There seem to be people who confuse "living your ritual" with "disclosing your ritual."

I can understand your point of view.

The generalization is accurate to an extent, although there are many who are unfamiliar with what the NPHC has done in their community. This is because there is very little BGLO presence in some areas AND/OR people only see members who confirm negative stereotypes as opposed to defying them.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by Rudey
Secrets allow you to hide beatings and hazing in a lot of cases too.

-Rudey

That's the case all over Greekdom. Whether you divulge certain information or not does not mean anything. Nonmembers of ALL of our organizations have no quality assurance when it comes to what they read on this site. You don't know when someone's telling the truth or lying.

Even organizations that are forthcoming with information in these threads can be hiding beatings and hazing within their organizations. Don't be fooled.

So, since we aren't "secret societies," our refusal to answer certain things does not mean these things are "secret" in the literal sense. It means these things are against our organization's protocol to discuss in this type of an environment with nonmembers AND members. Those of you who haven't gotten over that NEED to.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by starang21
we have websites to refer interests to. if they want to know, ask a member and he/she will practice discretion in what is and what is not told.

*another broken record*

There are also threads on GC answering GENERAL and BASIC questions regarding NPHC organizations. Anything that isn't general and basic need not be discussed.

*end broken record*

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
I meant more in line with a campus community... such as when expanding into a campus that hasn't had a HGBLO presence (ever or for a long time) - so how is campus community educated, and how are PNM reached if they don't know about the org's precence on campus?

**Sidebar**Chapters are not chartered without the school's knowledge and consent. The administrations research the organizations that are brought to their campuses in order to give this consent. As with non-Greek organizations, the school wants to know what type of organization it is, including BASIC membership intake process info, and what types of students may be interested in the organization.**end sidebar**

This translates into how the campus community learns about the organization with the administration's assistance and support. Some chapters are not given this assistance and support, of course. But, in general, the organization does its regular programming which can include a "FAQ about BGLOs" panel. People are free to ask questions and are told (as you all were told in this thread) what types of questions are inappropriate. This is often done very respectfully. Unlike many of you in this thread, most people aren't offended by this request (when it is done respectfully) and they respect it and move on.

Esoteric info is not needed for BGLO presence to be appreciated and understood, however campuses vary in how intrusive (and extremely combative) they attempt to be. Their intrusiveness (and combativeness) can often be curtailed by a very supportive graduate chapter and regional representative on the side of the BGLO chapters.

[RACooper]

[quote]Originally posted by RACooper
Does the policy of non-disclosure (only term I could think of) see a relaxing when first entering a new campus, in order to educate the community about the org.?[quote]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
No.

But then wouldn't this hurt the chances of successfully establishing a chapter in a campus/community enviroment were the HGBLO method of information management and recruitment isn't the 'norm' - ie. instead of PNM members approaching the org., the org. has to approach them?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
Ah... see that's just the type of information that I have seen people (PNM and others) told to find out themselves through research if they want to know - not have it related to them.

Have you ever attended to a BGLO informational or rush?

People who are truly interested in our organizations have usually researched prior to attending such events.

But, if a "prospective member" were to come up to me on the street and ask me these same questions, I'd say "research it." I'd wonder why she doesn't know my sorority's Founding date already, etc. and why she isn't talking to the respective undergrad or alumnae chapter she hopes to seek membership through.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
But then wouldn't this hurt the chances of successfully establishing a chapter in a campus/community enviroment were the HGBLO method of information management and recruitment isn't the 'norm' - ie. instead of PNM members approaching the org., the org. has to approach them?

No.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
**Sidebar**Chapters are not chartered without the school's knowledge and consent. The administrations research the organizations that are brought to their campuses in order to give this consent. As with non-Greek organizations, the school wants to know what type of organization it is, including BASIC membership intake process info, and what types of students may be interested in the organization.**end sidebar**

I see, so HGBLOs will not ever go to a campus were they are not invited or recognized by the school administration? What about the case of a campus were GLOs are neither recognized nor are they banned - sort of a administrative limbo? Questions such as these are very applicable to Canadian campuses, and as such of significant interest to myself - I've also been discussing the issue on the LCA forum, and I'd be interested to get the opinions of some HGBLO members as well.

This translates into how the campus community learns about the organization with the administration's assistance and support. Some chapters are not given this assistance and support, of course. But, in general, the organization does its regular programming which can include a "FAQ about BGLOs" panel. People are free to ask questions and are told (as you all were told in this thread) what types of questions are inappropriate. This is often done very respectfully. Unlike many of you in this thread, most people aren't offended by this request (when it is done respectfully) and they respect it and move on.

Esoteric info is not needed for BGLO presence to be appreciated and understood, however campuses vary in how intrusive (and extremely combative) they attempt to be. Their intrusiveness (and combativeness) can often be curtailed by a very supportive graduate chapter and regional representative on the side of the BGLO chapters.

I can understand the desire to protect esoteric information - but it can be difficult to keep track of what information each org. considers esoteric. I could definitely see how an actual panel or meeting to discuss concerns or curiosity could be extremely helpful in this regard... helpful to all greeks actually.

The threads referenced earlier were helpful in trying to understand the intake process for HGBLOs, specifically at a orginizational and administrative level... however I have to say that the process is definately geared towards a certain pre-exisiting enviroment either with the community or campus - and I can see how the process can hinder more than help the establishment of a strong chapter when the supportive enviroment isn't there.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
Have you ever attended to a BGLO informational or rush?

People who are truly interested in our organizations have usually researched prior to attending such events.

But, if a "prospective member" were to come up to me on the street and ask me these same questions, I'd say "research it." I'd wonder why she doesn't know my sorority's Founding date already, etc. and why she isn't talking to the respective undergrad or alumnae chapter she hopes to seek membership through.

Yes - in my capacity as a student monitor for the college administration (required for all meetings from non-college groups).

As for your second comment I have to admit that line of thinking is pretty alien - the level of expection placed upon PNMs already knowing about an org. I'd seriously be flattered if I was approached by someone interested, and I'd be more than happy to share basic open information - I don't know whether this is due to a GLO-cultural difference, or a difference in the general knowledge of GLOs in our respective regions.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
Yes - in my capacity as a student monitor for the college administration (required for all meetings from non-college groups).

As for your second comment I have to admit that line of thinking is pretty alien - the level of expection placed upon PNMs already knowing about an org. I'd seriously be flattered if I was approached by someone interested, and I'd be more than happy to share basic open information - I don't know whether this is due to a GLO-cultural difference, or a difference in the general knowledge of GLOs in our respective regions.

Either way, if you have REALLY attended a BGLO informational or rush you would know that there are instances when prospectives are NOT told to "just research it."

That's fine that YOU or anyone else would be "more than happy." You can't extend this to everyone else. In the age of the internet, there is no excuse for people's inability to look up general and basic info. We have non-restricted areas on our national websites that members and nonmembers can access.

Some people would rather talk to a person, which is fine as long as you can accept the fact that the person may or may not respond to your inquiries as you would like. Instead of a "drive-by" tutorial on different GLOs on GC, some people on this board should go to different GLOs' programs and actually befriend different types of people, if possible and if this doesn't violate their "off the internet comfort level."

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
I can understand the desire to protect esoteric information - but it can be difficult to keep track of what information each org. considers esoteric.

This is why we are telling you.

Now, move on.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by RACooper
I see, so HGBLOs will not ever go to a campus were they are not invited or recognized by the school administration? What about the case of a campus were GLOs are neither recognized nor are they banned - sort of a administrative limbo? Questions such as these are very applicable to Canadian campuses, and as such of significant interest to myself - I've also been discussing the issue on the LCA forum, and I'd be interested to get the opinions of some HGBLO members as well.

There will always be contingencies so don't waste your time with all the "ifs" and "buts."

The main point remains the same. If the campus REALLY did not want the organization there, the campus would find ways to NOT have it there in the first place. Because these organizations can be a liability, college campuses tend not to "open the flood gates" without knowing what organizations are being brought to the campus.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
There will always be contingencies so don't waste your time with all the "ifs" and "buts."

The main point remains the same. If the campus REALLY did not want the organization there, the campus would find ways to NOT have it there in the first place. Because these organizations can be a liability, college campuses tend not to "open the flood gates" without knowing what organizations are being brought to the campus.

Well they aren't "ifs" and "buts" up here... I pretty much described the position of most campus adminsitrations - acceptance but not recognition; not banned but also not supported.