Why do multicultural GLOs/organizations exist?

[shinerbock]

I figured it was something along those lines. I must say, I don't think I'd like for my chapter to have that. I don't really think of graduate chapters as GLOs...but this is just my OPINION, before anyone gets all upset.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I figured it was something along those lines. I must say, I don't think I'd like for my chapter to have that. I don't really think of graduate chapters as GLOs...but this is just my OPINION, before anyone gets all upset.

Doesn't bother me! It seems like, for the most part, IFC/NPC groups offer lifelong networking and fellowship opportunities with a less formal structure than orgs like Theta Nu Xi. And, the primary focus is toward undergraduate chapters, with the option of involvement after graduation. Y'all have been around forever, so the system obviously works.

[shinerbock]

Well, and we do obviously have alumni clubs and organizations and such. But arent their groups who have graduate chapters, like they initiate people after they are out of college?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well, and we do obviously have alumni clubs and organizations and such. But arent their groups who have graduate chapters, like they initiate people after they are out of college?

We initiate people into our GAP chapters as do many other orgs.

[notyouraverage]

How is GAP different from Alum Clubs and networking opportunities? I don't know much about NPCs other than my own yet, but we offer pretty strong opportunities after graduation - in my opinon. Maybe a DG alum, or any NPC alumnae for that matter, can offer her experience?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by notyouraverage

How is GAP different from Alum Clubs and networking opportunities? I don't know much about NPCs other than my own yet, but we offer pretty strong opportunities after graduation - in my opinon. Maybe a DG alum, or any NPC alumnae for that matter, can offer her experience?

Imagine an undergraduate chapter for post-college women. That's basically a GAP chapter. These chapters are highly structured, just like undergrad chapters. And, I said, I know there are opportunities for involvement after graduation! For heaven's sake, I doubt any NPC's national president is an undergrad!! I know it's for life. But, we run things differently. That's all I'm sayin'.

I swear y'all aren't reading what I say: "It seems like, for the most part, IFC/NPC groups offer lifelong networking and fellowship opportunities with a less formal structure than orgs like Theta Nu Xi."

[notyouraverage]

I'm sorry, I guess I was just looking for more specific examples. No big deal though.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

GAP is Graduate, Alumnae and Professional. We have undergrad and GAP chapters. Both have essentially the same standards and participate in similar events. GAP chapters are quite active, sometimes moreso than undergrad because they are fully operational year round. Theta Nu Xi was the first multicultural sorority to institute such a program for women who have already graduated with their bachelors degrees. Eligible women may be intiated directly into a GAP chapter. In fact, we have a National Board member who is responsible for such activity, the Director of GAP Intake.

It sounds like a GAP chapter is the same as an NPC alum group minus the fact that GAP chapter still recruits members whereas an NPC group is not recruiting new graduate members (unless they have AI's in the group). This may be simplifying things a bit though.

[shinerbock]

Well our alumni groups are nothing like the chapters she's talking about. Ours are mainly guys who have meetings every now and then, just to throw around ideas for how they can help the undergrad chapter. They generally are just groups of professional fraternity brothers who use the "alumni group" to stay connected and set up tee times.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by ecupidelta

It sounds like a GAP chapter is the same as an NPC alum group minus the fact that GAP chapter still recruits members whereas an NPC group is not recruiting new graduate members (unless they have AI's in the group). This may be simplifying things a bit though.

Perhaps...I think a full explanation would require me to describe the way our undergrad and GAP chapters function, what their standards are, etc. That's a WHOLE lotta typing!! Ok, here's a quick explanation - if you have an NPC alum group that mirrors the activities of an undergraduate chapter (as in, you really couldn't tell the difference between the two except that one doesn't do activities on a college campus), that's a fair comparison. I'm sure they're out there, but I'm not personally familiar with them.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Perhaps...I think a full explanation would require me to describe the way our undergrad and GAP chapters function, what their standards are, etc. That's a WHOLE lotta typing!! Ok, here's a quick explanation - if you have an NPC alum group that mirrors the activities of an undergraduate chapter (as in, you really couldn't tell the difference between the two except that one doesn't do activities on a college campus), that's a fair comparison. I'm sure they're out there, but I'm not personally familiar with them.

Ok, so they are a little bit more different than I thought......
But that's not a bad thing, that's what makes each group different!

[brobuzzz]

So... it's kinda more like a rotary or kiwanis (sp?) type thing that you can join while in college, rather than an actual college fraternity/sorority ?

The Knights of Columbus have chapters affiliated with college chapels, some of which are treated like traditional fraternities rather than old-guy councils. Is it comprable to that?

[Drolefille]

It is more comparable to the way the NPHC chapters work. Their alums are not just there to support the actives or to meet once a month for lunch (OVER SIMPLIFYING) but have chapter meetings, do service projects, etc. It's like being active but after school.

It's not brain surgery people...

[xo_kathy]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

ETA: I've gone back through the thread and can't find where I said "not at all interested." I did say, "But they want things in a sorority that don't hold any interest for me at all."

It appears that you are trying to make me out to be a villain, but I don't understand why.

I quoted it right in my first post, but am sorry that I did not in my second. That being said, I don't really see a difference between "not at all interested" and "don't hold any interest for me at all", but maybe that's just me.

I'm not trying to make you a villian. But your posted about knowing Southern, beauty-pagenat type PNMs and then immediately said "they want things in a sorority that don't hold any interest for me at all". I put words in your mouth I guess, and I am sorry for that. But it's not that big of a strech to see why I thought you were trying to cover up an insult.

I know MCGLOs sometimes feel the NPC/NIC/IFC groups think they aren't "real" or what not, but I get a feeling from some of you all that you think you are so much better than us because you don't care about social aspects and are "for life". As a very active alumna of my organization, and after attending our recent Convention with hundreds of others just like me, we get a little sick of the stereotype.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

I know MCGLOs sometimes feel the NPC/NIC/IFC groups think they aren't "real" or what not, but I get a feeling from some of you all that you think you are so much better than us because you don't care about social aspects and are "for life". As a very active alumna of my organization, and after attending our recent Convention with hundreds of others just like me, we get a little sick of the stereotype.

Ahh... I see. I don't think you'll find me to be the type of person to put down another org. There's no need to weaken another organization in an attempt to build up mine. That's as good as weakening the entire Greek system which hurts me as much as you.

I do see a difference in the way our respective groups treat the idea of lifetime membership and I prefer the way we do it. But, you prefer the way you do it, too! That's why we're not of the same type of org.

While it may be changing these days, I don't believe the majority of people join (have joined?) NPC sororities because of the opportunity of lifetime activity...lifetime membership, yes...but not activity. I'm seeing a new breed of NPC woman who really wants to know how she can support her organization for a lifetime. AI is becoming more visible as well. All of this is a testament to women like you who stress the importance of pitching in after graduation.

ETA: On the concern that I think I'm better than you or that my organization is better, I think it's better for me because it offers me things that your sorority can't offer me. That's the beauty of a diverse Greek community. Wouldn't you say the same for yourself? That your org gives you things Theta Nu Xi certainly can't because of the type of organization it is?

I was thinking back on my post in another thread about fraternity men not being interested in community service/philanthropy, but that everything to do with the individual and not the fraternity as a whole. I am disheartened when I see people who only care about themselves and they just use their organizations to help themselves rather than using the tools of the org to help others as well. That's why I think philanthropies are so important. They provide a means to help people who can't help themselves. And NPC orgs are in a position to really make an impact, so I know that the recipients of donations would suffer if not for y'all. What I take away from learning about the different philanthropies of NPC orgs is a sense of thousands and thousands of women saying, "We dedicate this money to help someone other than ourselves."