But why are the NPHC groups so ... different???

[starang21]

Originally posted by ChaosDST
We're talking about graduate chapter membership, not just graduating

yea you right.....

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

A post whore is someone who posts many times in a row in an effort to "up" their posts. Say, four times.

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
A post whore is someone who posts many times in a row in an effort to "up" their posts. Say, four times.

More accurately, someone who's just trying to catch up with the convo.

[The Komeback]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And GC is not a scientific cross-section of Greek life. If it a collection of those who have the time, leisure, and inclination to use this board as entertainment.

The ten percent yield is a fact for NPHC fraternity men. The yield is about forty percent for NPHC sorority women. (Strictly speaking of the college to alumni transition, not alumni initiates.)

Senusret I, are these percentages still holding true for NPHC organizations?

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by The Komeback

Senusret I, are these percentages still holding true for NPHC organizations?

You could have asked him that without resurrecting this tired thread.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by The Komeback

Senusret I, are these percentages still holding true for NPHC organizations?

I actually don't know. You might want to contact Dr. Gregory Parks at http://bgloscholar.blogspot.com/

[ealymc]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

PsychTau,

Warning: My opinion is purely speculation and is meant in no way to hurt anyone's feelings.

I think part of the situation is that there are a lot more NPC/NIC organizations than there are NPHC organizations. Perhaps the number of member orgs has something to do with...it. Whatever "it" is.

I think that NPC/NIC organizations lack the alumni involvement that NPHC performs so well because the same groups of people who pledge NPC/NIC GLO's in college perform their civic and community service through other organizations, be it the lodge, Jaycees, Lions, Kiwanis, etc. Black Greeks join these orgs as well, of course, but a lot of black greeks are also only in their orgs. They prefer to perform community service through their org.

PERHAPS (a big perhaps) if NPC/NIC orgs stressed the "giving back" part of the lifetime committment, people would be encouraged to join alumni/alumnae chapters. By no means am I saying that pledging a "white" org means that it isn't a lifetime committment, because I know it is. But just telling somebody it's a lifetime committment isn't enough to bring them around.

I dunno....I don't think these people who aren't joining alumni/ae chapters aren't doing ANYTHING with themselves, I just don't think they have made the connection of community service to their GLOs.

Personally, I see the same thing happening with APO alums.....it's hard getting these alumni associations set up (for various reasons) but MANY APO alums end up joining other organizations that may not be fraternal.

I have no answers, just ideas.

In response, I think you hit on it when you talked about NPHC members being able to become graduate initiates... that is really unheard of in most NPC/NIC organizations. It's either pledging while undergrad or missin' the boat. That fact alone means that you are going to get members that are dead serious about lifetime commitments. I like that. Alot.

I have a question now... when I transferred into my university, from a school with no Greeks whatsoever, I chose to go through Rush to see what was out there and meet some other students. One of the reasons that I chose Sigma Nu was because of the things I found out about them, the men I met, the entire experience I heard about, and the genuine brotherhood I felt was there. I was interested in the BGLOs as well, as a Black man, but getting information was SO FREAKIN' HARD not knowing anyone at the institution. I didn't even know how to go about finding out info about intake because of the secrecy surrounding everything. Kind of turned me off. My biological little brother is now in a similar situation. First year at a new school, knows only a few people... Any advice on how he can get the info he desires? Smalltown boys don't have plethora of active Greeks to draw information from...

[Senusret I]

ealymc,

If I were your brother, I would first decide on what kind of experience I was looking for.

When I was considering Greek life, belonging to a "black" fraternity was very important to me, BUT I still looked at all kinds of organizations. (For a very brief period I even considered LUL (La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda)

But at the end of the day, I was in love with the notion of being part of an African American brotherhood.

Your brother might not be into that. I think Firehouse said in another thread that guys should just seek to be around the type of men they would enjoy being around. For me, those were Alphas.

I know that doesn't entirely answer your question.... put it to you like this. He should know in his heart whether he's looking for a cultural experience. If he is, THEN he should research the five NPHC fraternities' national websites. He might be able to narrow down his preferences that way.

When he approaches the members, he should approach them as potential friends, not potential brothers -- if his first conversation is about membership, that will be a turn off. (Or put him into a position of compromised liability for himself and the members)

If he engages them in average, friendly conversation, he might be able to decide if those are the kinds of guys he wants to be around fraternally. THEN, when he's made up his mind on his own, THEN he discloses his interest.

That's what I would do if I was HIM. If I was YOU, I'd just tell him that Sigma Nu was the only way. And if I was ME, and he was MY brother, I'd tell him he'd be disowned if he didn't pledge Alpha, lol

[BlueNYC2]

Originally Posted by ealymc

In response, I think you hit on it when you talked about NPHC members being able to become graduate initiates... that is really unheard of in most NPC/NIC organizations. It's either pledging while undergrad or missin' the boat. That fact alone means that you are going to get members that are dead serious about lifetime commitments. I like that. Alot.

I have a question now... when I transferred into my university, from a school with no Greeks whatsoever, I chose to go through Rush to see what was out there and meet some other students. One of the reasons that I chose Sigma Nu was because of the things I found out about them, the men I met, the entire experience I heard about, and the genuine brotherhood I felt was there. I was interested in the BGLOs as well, as a Black man, but getting information was SO FREAKIN' HARD not knowing anyone at the institution. I didn't even know how to go about finding out info about intake because of the secrecy surrounding everything. Kind of turned me off. My biological little brother is now in a similar situation. First year at a new school, knows only a few people... Any advice on how he can get the info he desires? Smalltown boys don't have plethora of active Greeks to draw information from...

when it comes to the NPHC, we like for ppl to find the info out on their own, do their own research, thats what the internet is for. truth be told, its really not that hard to get at pplz. We dont really give out intake info, except for GPA requirements, and credit requirements. i went to an HBCU so i cant really say how it goes on on other campuses, but we didnt have rushes, just informationals. As far ya brother goes...tell him to do his research into the orgs, whether it be NPHC or non-NPHC. go with the org that best fits his personality and ideals, and when he makes up his mind, express his interest to the bruhs of that org on the yard. If there's no active chapter on campus, he can try and contact a chapter @ a nearby school, and they should be able to put him in contact with someone who can help bring back the org to the campus.

[ealymc]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

ealymc,

If I were your brother, I would first decide on what kind of experience I was looking for.

When I was considering Greek life, belonging to a "black" fraternity was very important to me, BUT I still looked at all kinds of organizations. (For a very brief period I even considered LUL (La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda)

But at the end of the day, I was in love with the notion of being part of an African American brotherhood.

Your brother might not be into that. I think Firehouse said in another thread that guys should just seek to be around the type of men they would enjoy being around. For me, those were Alphas.

I know that doesn't entirely answer your question.... put it to you like this. He should know in his heart whether he's looking for a cultural experience. If he is, THEN he should research the five NPHC fraternities' national websites. He might be able to narrow down his preferences that way.

When he approaches the members, he should approach them as potential friends, not potential brothers -- if his first conversation is about membership, that will be a turn off. (Or put him into a position of compromised liability for himself and the members)

If he engages them in average, friendly conversation, he might be able to decide if those are the kinds of guys he wants to be around fraternally. THEN, when he's made up his mind on his own, THEN he discloses his interest.

That's what I would do if I was HIM. If I was YOU, I'd just tell him that Sigma Nu was the only way. And if I was ME, and he was MY brother, I'd tell him he'd be disowned if he didn't pledge Alpha, lol

That would work if his school HAD Sigma Nu! LOL I really do feel like it's totally a personal decision and you find what feels right for you - after careful investigation. Thanks for the notes. I'll pass them on.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by ealymc

I have a question now... when I transferred into my university, from a school with no Greeks whatsoever, I chose to go through Rush to see what was out there and meet some other students. One of the reasons that I chose Sigma Nu was because of the things I found out about them, the men I met, the entire experience I heard about, and the genuine brotherhood I felt was there. I was interested in the BGLOs as well, as a Black man, but getting information was SO FREAKIN' HARD not knowing anyone at the institution. I didn't even know how to go about finding out info about intake because of the secrecy surrounding everything. Kind of turned me off. My biological little brother is now in a similar situation. First year at a new school, knows only a few people... Any advice on how he can get the info he desires? Smalltown boys don't have plethora of active Greeks to draw information from...

Just two remarks to your statements. First, if you wanted to find out info about the NPHC frats, you could have; THOUSANDS of people apply to and cross in NPHC orgs every year. Secondly, the NPHC orgs did not offer the instant gratification that you were seeking because transfers students normally have to have a minimum number of credits AT THAT institution before applying; no fault, just reality.

As far as advice to your brother, I can't give any better that has already been given except that you share with him my remarks above.

[nikki1920]

He can start by just getting involved. We do stuff in other organizations as well. Check the national website of the org. Somewhere, somehow he can get in touch with someone who is a member. Each organization does hold informationals that are open for everyone to attend.

[Sugar08]

I agree with Nikki. He definitely needs to be visible on campus. Chances are, he'll meet some members of the frat by being involved in different groups ... and then his relationship with them can be a natural progression, rather than the forced "I reallllly wanna join your organization."

BTW: I'm glad this thread was resurrected. I'd never seen it before.

[ealymc]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

I agree with Nikki. He definitely needs to be visible on campus. Chances are, he'll meet some members of the frat by being involved in different groups ... and then his relationship with them can be a natural progression, rather than the forced "I reallllly wanna join your organization."

BTW: I'm glad this thread was resurrected. I'd never seen it before.

I had never seen it either until someone resurrected it before me. I think it was close to 3 years old! LOL

He's already dorm president (as a freshman - ambitious like his big bro ) and is definitely on the right path to being involved and making the most of his experience. I'm sure he'll make all the right decisions when the time comes.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by ealymc

I had never seen it either until someone resurrected it before me. I think it was close to 3 years old! LOL

He's already dorm president (as a freshman - ambitious like his big bro ) and is definitely on the right path to being involved and making the most of his experience. I'm sure he'll make all the right decisions when the time comes.

But, see, what we are saying is your little brother needs to be involved in activities "relevant to the Black community". He is doing the fun and good things in college as he should, but who are is "role models" besides you and your family who happened to be greek and active?

If he wants to be a part of the NPHC, go where the Black folks go. And not all of us are ghetto, hood rats and thugs. You would not say that about historical African Americans in the past would you? The reality is, if you or your brother are not attending HBCU's, then you won't see us a PWI because our numbers are not vast at a 50K student population.

Moreover, if folks roll with the punches because others are doing it kind of thing, then the NPHC is not for you. It is about doing the "road less traveled"--especially at PWI's. That is why it is a foreign concept to many...

Also, the greek life coordinator should have all the contact information on active chapters. Most universities request this information to do activities on the campus.

Just trying to help.