NPHC Secretiveness, Insularity, Etc.

[Little32]

OK, but I was referring particularly to membership questions, though PhDiva's response was broader than just membership issues (and her points about integrating into an online community are important); and in my reading the OP was very heavily slanted towards the membership aspects of our organizations.

Also, I think that there are a couple of different conversations being collapsed here, i.e. what happens in the "real world" with regards to membership pursuit and what happens on a message board with regards to membership pursuit; and in my experience, those are two very different things. This is, ultimately, a messageboard, not some kind of Greek utopia; though, those who are so inclined can try to make it such if they choose. People can respond or not, be kind or not, as they choose (when and where TOSs have not been established). All of the moderators of the forums that I frequent (and I have been a member since 2000) have learned lessons over the years that now direct the ways that those matters are broached (along with organization particular protocols); and as with most things, each new instance presents an opportunity to hone policy to insure the best outcome.

I do understand the need for a degree of transparency within organizations and within the NPHC--I am still learning more about how that looks and works; and I think that being in adherence with university and college policy is also necessary for those branches of our organization (and all of our organizations are comprised of more than college chapters). However, with regards to the who, what, when, where, why, and how of membership pursuit with NPHC, I am not an advocate of transparency or disclosure just so that others might feel more comfortable and reassured about our organizations. Others levels of comfort with the workings of Alpha Kappa Alpha are of no concern to me. So, we may just have to agree to disagree on that.

[L.O.C.K.]

Everyone is secretive (to varying degrees) and everyone stays w/in their own communities usually, hence the lack of interaction.

People just feel more comfortable around those they perceive they have more in common with...it's human nature and Greek Life is not exempt from that.

The real question is, do we want to be "better" than the average Joe/Jane and try and reach out and make things better? To me, Greek Life is about commiting oneself to the ideals of your organization (you agree to follow them by becoming a member remember), and part of that committment means seeing the big picture and stepping out of one's comfort zone to interact with people that on the surface might not seem similar to you.

Black, White, Latino/a, Asian, South Asian, Multicultural Greeks...most stay within their own realms of friends.

The interesting this is with the advent of MGC's on campuses and the increased interaction between NPHC orgs and other minority Greek orgs, I feel that is going to create a lot more cultural understanding between those organizations than happens w/ NPC, NIC. In fact, I already see Latino/a, Asian, and Multicultural orgs adopting NPHC characteristics and following in their footsteps.

What does the future hold? This is going to be very contentious, but I think it means that with the changing populations of the US (re: Black, Latino, Asian populations all increasing while White population is decreasing), White Greeks are either going to have to move away from the party hard image and sorority girl image that can be true on many campuses(NOTE: I am not saying everyone is like this b/c on my campus NPC/NIC orgs are generally more involved in the community than on state school campuses - this comes from my Greek Advisor btw) or face declining numbers and the very real possibility of becoming obsolete.

NPHC orgs are having a MAJOR impact on the shaping of Greek Life. As Latino/a and Asian and Multicultural orgs grow in numbers of chapters and members, campus dynamics are going to change dramatically, and NPC/NIC orgs will face some serious challenges to being the Greek Life choice on campus.

Just my .94 cents

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Little32

I do understand the need for a degree of transparency within organizations and within the NPHC--I am still learning more about how that looks and works; and I think that being in adherence with university and college policy is also necessary for those branches of our organization (and all of our organizations are comprised of more than college chapters). However, with regards to the who, what, when, where, why, and how of membership pursuit with NPHC, I am not an advocate of transparency or disclosure just so that others might feel more comfortable and reassured about our organizations. Others levels of comfort with the workings of Alpha Kappa Alpha are of no concern to me. So, we may just have to agree to disagree on that.

To add: there is an EXACT TIME and PLACE to ask such things regarding these... There is a reason for it. We are NOT EVER going to discuss these issues on GC especially on the AKA Ave. and elsewhere... Every post make by individuals about membership on GC will be reported. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has legal obligations.

Originally Posted by L.O.C.K.

The interesting this is with the advent of MGC's on campuses and the increased interaction between NPHC orgs and other minority Greek orgs, I feel that is going to create a lot more cultural understanding between those organizations than happens w/ NPC, NIC. In fact, I already see Latino/a, Asian, and Multicultural orgs adopting NPHC characteristics and following in their footsteps.

What does the future hold? This is going to be very contentious, but I think it means that with the changing populations of the US (re: Black, Latino, Asian populations all increasing while White population is decreasing), White Greeks are either going to have to move away from the party hard image and sorority girl image that can be true on many campuses(NOTE: I am not saying everyone is like this b/c on my campus NPC/NIC orgs are generally more involved in the community than on state school campuses - this comes from my Greek Advisor btw) or face declining numbers and the very real possibility of becoming obsolete.

NPHC orgs are having a MAJOR impact on the shaping of Greek Life. As Latino/a and Asian and Multicultural orgs grow in numbers of chapters and members, campus dynamics are going to change dramatically, and NPC/NIC orgs will face some serious challenges to being the Greek Life choice on campus.

Well, I know how you might like it... But I wouldn't hold my breath and I would not count my chickens before the eggs hatch... NOT EVERY say African American woman will join one of D4 sorority or any historically based BGLO for that matter. Some like I friends Jill and Sistergreek will join a NPC Sorority. I think many in the NIC are changing some of their recruitment strategies and as it turns out as the nature they are, the marketting strategy will supercede that of the NPHC and maybe MCGLO's.

The responses we get from interests on PWI's is not the kind of thing that is respectable. And kids these days do NOT care about historical ramifications--even IF we influence them in high school...

I say all this because what I have experienced as a Graduate Advisor and faculty on 2 large universities.

[AKA_Monet]

I am sorry!!! This is the kind of crap we deal with on the AKA Ave. constantly even though we posted our rules announcements and stickies:

Hello all. It is summertime and so as I prepare to go back to school I have the intent on trying join the sorority. The only problem is that my school is very hush hush when it comes to sororities and fraternities. especially sororities. They dont post signs for the interest meeting/rush or have any information in the student activities. from what i hear, you have to know someone in the sorority and trust them in order to find out the info. My problem is that i do not know any AKA'S. well, i know one actually who i am okay friends with, but not close. but can you please tell me how i should approach her? what is appropriate to say and not to say. i just want to know when the interest meeting is. im pretty sure the meeting would not be on campus but at some secret location off campus. and i am not a legacy, does that set me back in terms of chances? because at the school i attend there are ALOT of legacies who im sure would attend rush.

Some members of NPC are very helpful with us. But this is against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. standards. No members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will EVER answer these questions because it risks our expulsion as members.

Deletion of a thread is easier.

Besides ALL the information is in http://www.aka1908.com.

Those are OUR rules to be members of my Sorority. End of discussion.

[L.O.C.K.]

AKA_Monet, you're definitely right that not every Black person (or Latino/a, Asian, etc) will join an organization focusing on their community.

And a question (b/c I haven't really heard of this) how are NIC orgs changing their recruitment strategies? I haven't ever seen them at any cultural organizations participating (like our NAACP's Soul Review for example) so I'm just wondering.

And yes, the PWI thing is interesting. Definitely a very different culture than an HBCU. I've noticed a lot of girls on my campus who want to join a D4 sorority but approach it in totally the wrong way...most times they don't succeed in obtaining membership.

But I definitely think the culture of a PWI (and NPC/NIC Greek Life) influences how a person might attempt to join an NPHC organization b/c they think that Greeks might all have the same recruitment process.

Pz
Nate

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by L.O.C.K.

And a question (b/c I haven't really heard of this) how are NIC orgs changing their recruitment strategies?

Well, just look in the opposite direction with Pi Kappa Alpha on Howard University's campus... And when these young men became members of this particular fraternity, the national office was ecstatic! Now, we find out some of them jumped ship and decided to join a D9 fraternity...

But it was VERY EASY for the Pikes to recruit these young men and entice them to join. It wasn't a difficult choice full of turmoil to join this fraternity. And I am sure there was something they offered to them to go all the way... I don't how they could have became a D9 Fraternity member... But what do I know

All I am saying is the IFC can put a little effort into it IF THEY WANTED TO and there were be major recruitment of ALL ethnic groups into their organizations at the collegiate level...

However, from a kids point of view, oh, they are are quick to learn... Hayle, they got accepted into these schools and nowadays, they don't accept dummies...

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Well, just look in the opposite direction with Pi Kappa Alpha on Howard University's campus... And when these young men became members of this particular fraternity, the national office was ecstatic! Now, we find out some of them jumped ship and decided to join a D9 fraternity...

But it was VERY EASY for the Pikes to recruit these young men and entice them to join. It wasn't a difficult choice full of turmoil to join this fraternity. And I am sure there was something they offered to them to go all the way... I don't how they could have became a D9 Fraternity member... But what do I know

All I am saying is the IFC can put a little effort into it IF THEY WANTED TO and there were be major recruitment of ALL ethnic groups into their organizations at the collegiate level...

However, from a kids point of view, oh, they are are quick to learn... Hayle, they got accepted into these schools and nowadays, they don't accept dummies...

Those men were an interest group that sought Pike, not the other way around.

Regarding "how" some of them became Kappas.... I am assuming that the Pike colonization process (like the APO extension process) culminates with initiation and chartering. Theoretically, they were free to leave the group and pledge any other organization as they were not initiates yet. (Again, speculation.)

[cuteASAbug]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Now, we find out some of them jumped ship and decided to join a D9 fraternity...

I thought that NPHC organizations didn't accept people who held membership in NPC/NIC organizations? Or does that only hold true for the sororities and not the fraternities?

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I am sorry!!! This is the kind of crap we deal with on the AKA Ave. constantly even though we posted our rules announcements and stickies:



Some members of NPC are very helpful with us. But this is against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. standards. No members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will EVER answer these questions because it risks our expulsion as members.

Deletion of a thread is easier.

Besides ALL the information is in http://www.aka1908.com.

Those are OUR rules to be members of my Sorority. End of discussion.

Ya see, this is what I'm talking about. What makes this girl think that the interest meeting will be in some "secret" off campus location? This just proves my theory that it's non-greeks (for the most part) and their lack of education regarding the NPHC, that lends to rumors and untruths. We're NOT secret societies but you'd think we were the way people talk. If this girl just went to the AKA website or the website of any NPHC org (and it's not like we don't have several websites out there with the membership procedures plain for everyone to see), she would find out what the procedures are and what she needs to do to pursue membership. People need to stop being lazy and take a little initiative to educate themselves about something that they plan on joining for LIFE.

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I am sorry!!! This is the kind of crap we deal with on the AKA Ave. constantly even though we posted our rules announcements and stickies:

Some members of NPC are very helpful with us. But this is against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. standards. No members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will EVER answer these questions because it risks our expulsion as members.

Deletion of a thread is easier.

Besides ALL the information is in http://www.aka1908.com.

Those are OUR rules to be members of my Sorority. End of
discussion.

Yup. It took me about 3 minutes on your website to find out how I'd attempt to join AKA were I interested and eligible. AKA_Monet, it sounds like the poster you're quoting didn't even have the courage to ask her acquaintances within the sorority when and where their interest meeting would be held. And that isn't something that anyone online could help her with.

Honestly, you'd think people's brains were powered by little gerbils in wheels.

[ladygreek]

Come on sistergreeks,
Let's be honest here. You know we all have secret rushes, in a location far from campus only to be known by certain folx. And at these rushes we do these secret ceremonies dressed in all black with a single spotlight on the attendees. As while I can't tell details, suffice it to say they involve the elements of the universe--Earth, Wind and Fire.

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on sistergreeks,
Let's be honest here. You know we all have secret rushes, in a location far from campus only to be known by certain folx. And at these rushes we do these secret ceremonies dressed in all black with a single spotlight on the attendees. As while I can't tell details, suffice it to say they involve the elements of the universe--Earth, Wind and Fire.

Dang LG....you let the cat out of the bag.



The bolded part made me want to burst out in song
Stairway to heaven....OK I'm going to pull out a CD now!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

This just proves my theory that it's non-greeks (for the most part) and their lack of education regarding the NPHC, that lends to rumors and untruths...People need to stop being lazy and take a little initiative to educate themselves about something that they plan on joining for LIFE.

And it is these wannabe perp non-greeks that ain't ever attended anybody's informational or rush that promote this junk!!! That's what get's me...

Why oh why did "THEY" make it "open"...

Originally Posted by KappaKittyCat

Honestly, you'd think people's brains were powered by little gerbils in wheels.

Let's just say that the elevator does not go to the top of her stairs... Or not all her oars are in the water...

Watch, she'll roll in here cursing us out because I put her on blast...

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on sistergreeks,
Let's be honest here. You know we all have secret rushes, in a location far from campus only to be known by certain folx. And at these rushes we do these secret ceremonies dressed in all black with a single spotlight on the attendees. As while I can't tell details, suffice it to say they involve the elements of the universe--Earth, Wind and Fire.

Hehehe.... Cemeteries can become your best friend at midnight... Oh, wait, that's hazing now...

We are going to honor our ancestors with a revival at Mt. Hope Mortuary...

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on sistergreeks,
Let's be honest here. You know we all have secret rushes, in a location far from campus only to be known by certain folx. And at these rushes we do these secret ceremonies dressed in all black with a single spotlight on the attendees. As while I can't tell details, suffice it to say they involve the elements of the universe--Earth, Wind and Fire.

I'm sorry but you'll have to speak for your own organization on this one. Sigma Gamma Rho does not hold their rushes in secret locations only known to certain folx. Our informal rushes or interest meetings are open to the public and anyone can attend. The undergrads post fliers and posters all around campus for people to see and encourage people (women) to come and learn more about SGRho in an informal setting. However, the formal rush and interview thereafter are by invitation only.

[IncontRHOllable]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on sistergreeks,
Let's be honest here. You know we all have secret rushes, in a location far from campus only to be known by certain folx. And at these rushes we do these secret ceremonies dressed in all black with a single spotlight on the attendees. As while I can't tell details, suffice it to say they involve the elements of the universe--Earth, Wind and Fire.

Dang it LG, there goes our secretiveness.