Question for NPHC members

[KSUViolet06]

I didn't know that 2 or more NPHC groups had to form a council.

My school has 8 of the 9 organizations but no official NPHC. There's a Latino co-ed group on campus (Alpha Psi Lambda) so they have Black & Latino Greek Council together (the 8 NPHCs & 1 Latino group).

I know that a few of the NPHCs have tried to form the NPHC, but (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) I don't believe NPHC councils can have associate members like Panhellenic can.

[12dn94dst]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I didn't know that 2 or more NPHC groups had to form a council.

That's part of the problem too. There are a LOT of folks who don't understand the relationship between the NPHC and the member organizations, so the don't know what do to really.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I don't believe NPHC councils can have associate members like Panhellenic can.

No. There are no associate members because the NPHC national does not cover the liability.

[L.O.C.K.]

School Rules/Law ALWAYS trumps individual organizations or councils. It's part of them allowing us on their campus.

I've argued about this topic SOOOOOO much over the past three years at my campus.

Realistically it doesn't make sense if you have VERY small chapters of NPHC organizations to split off and form NPHC if it can't program effectively (ie the members are stretched too thin).

We have an MGC est here in 2003. In 2005 NPHC split off. But, both councils hit bottom and have both been very unorganized (b/c there is no one to run the councils after running their own orgs). Thus, both have agreed to reform into one MGC again.

Also...lemme see if I can find that piece from the NPHC Handbook...

ok here it goes:

"The establishment of councils assists in maintaining a distinct identity as "service based organizations," as opposed to organizations that may be strictly social in nature; NPHC, Inc. does not (emphasis in original document) advocate a disassociation from NIC, NPC, or NALFO organizations on college campuses."

We've debated this issues a LOT and it gets very heated at times.

I think the most important thing is can chapters with 3 people who all have jobs, internships, school, other orgs, etc. run their chapter AND an NPHC while maintaining good grades? It's highly unlikely especially when you only have 3 or 4 organizations of this size.

While the NPHC is obviously a great organization, it just doesn't make sense on some campuses where the numbers are just too small (regardless of the amount of NPHC organization..I'm talking total number of people in D9 orgs). Cultural Greek Councils, I feel, allow for more "man-power" in situations where you have many orgs who don't have the size to run their own NALFO, NPHC, or NAPA or NMGC...this can strengthen all organizations within it while at the same time providing a force that can compete (visibility-wise) with NPC, NIC organizations.

Visibility is incredibily important, esp. if you want to throw events for philanthropic causes. If no one knows about you or your event, they ain't gonna go. An MGC (or similar council) that has the funding and structure to support member organizations is a huge advantage, just like an NPHC would be a huge advantage as well.

I'm sure there are a bunch of D9 people who are going to disagree w/ me on this topic so let the discussion begin.

[L.O.C.K.]

NPHC's can and do have Associates (I *think* they are called this)...LTA at UMCP is part of the NPHC even though there is a UGC.

Not sure if I am mistaking AKA_Monet though. Affiliate, Associate, etc...all those A words confuse me!!

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by L.O.C.K.

NPHC's can and do have Associates (I *think* they are called this)...LTA at UMCP is part of the NPHC even though there is a UGC.

Not sure if I am mistaking AKA_Monet though. Affiliate, Associate, etc...all those A words confuse me!!

I believe that NPHC constitution and by-laws state that there are to be no affiliates on local councils. Now I'm sure that it happens, and I don't know what the national NPHC could do in that type of situation.

<----personally doesn't believe that non-NPHC orgs should sit on an NPHC council.

[ladygreek]

What I find interesting about all of this is that it only applies to collegiate chapters. Alumnae chapters in an area are not required to form NPHC councils.

And while I understand that the ruling came from the NPHC Council of Presidents, it would still be up to the individual orgs to monitor it and who has time for that? We all have bigger fish to fry.

[AKA_Monet]

I agree with you L.O.C.K. There should be nothing wrong with interacting with whatever groups NPHC affiliates chooses to.

However, the issue is at most P.W.I.'s with all D9 organizations, interested young people have issues with joining the D9 as we have discussed ad nauseum on GC.

Let's put it like this: I know for a fact, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha and Mu Pi chapters at Howard U. and Spelman College, respectively, have 300-500 girls showing up at their Rushes with full application materials. I know at Spelman there is a 30 girl per semester cap. That means, young ladies with less than desirable GPA's or other requirements will not be invited toward membership into my Sorority. These colleges can take the cream of the crop.

This kind of activity rarely if happens on PWI's. So, the low numbers is a huge issue at least in my Sorority...