NALFO Orgs. Changing Focus

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

Maybe this is where things are getting side-tracked on campus. The campus Greek -Life office may not understand the various designations of each, so to make things simple, just group those who "look alike" into one council.

I'll speak on my campus, as I'm not 100% in tune with the others.

UTA has 6 NALFO-esque* organizations (ODPhi, KDChi, SLB, SLG, Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda Theta Alpha) and interest for one more (PIA). The rest of our (13-15 member) MGC is comprised of other Latino/a, Asian, and Multicultural organizations. We could easily split off into two governing councils and still have enough resources for both, but the NALFO-esque organizations don't really see a benefit of bringing a NALFO council to the local level, as the group doesn't do much on the national level. It's not really the school that's blocking it (our Greek Advisor is one of my frat brothers and the school is very open to 'cultural' organizations and entities), but the member organizations.

*I used this because all of our organizations were NALFO at the time of our MGC founding.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I'll speak on my campus, as I'm not 100% in tune with the others.

I understand. When I was at TAMU, the Greek life office split groups pretty much as NPC/NIC/IFC or "other", which at the time was the NPHC. Maybe now they are more "organized"?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

I understand. When I was at TAMU, the Greek life office split groups pretty much as NPC/NIC/IFC or "other", which at the time was the NPHC. Maybe now they are more "organized"?

Our Delta chapter is at TAMU, and from what I understand, the campus is much more open to the idea of the "others" than when it was founded.

[Monarca7]

I understand what you mean NALFO needs to do more, but what can NALFO do? Honestly, outside the Northeast, Florida and parts of California NALFO orgs are rare. Hence the formation of a NALFO council would be to the contrary of organizational goal. Since I live in Texas I will use it as the example. Besides UT -Austin. Very few schools have enough chapters of NALFO orgs to form a council. As mentioned by Knightshadow you could form adhoc NALFO councils but why? There would be no benefit. If you would allow multicultural organization in anyway why wouldn’t you stay where you are? What are you really defining by forming a new council? Would it be just size? What is the common thread that they would be sharing? I’m just saying why I could easily understand the fact that there is no benefit to separating into a new council specifically in Texas.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Monarca7

I understand what you mean NALFO needs to do more, but what can NALFO do? Honestly, outside the Northeast, Florida and parts of California NALFO orgs are rare. Hence the formation of a NALFO council would be to the contrary of organizational goal. Since I live in Texas I will use it as the example. Besides UT -Austin. Very few schools have enough chapters of NALFO orgs to form a council. As mentioned by Knightshadow you could form adhoc NALFO councils but why? There would be no benefit. If you would allow multicultural organization in anyway why wouldn’t you stay where you are? What are you really defining by forming a new council? Would it be just size? What is the common thread that they would be sharing? I’m just saying why I could easily understand the fact that there is no benefit to separating into a new council specifically in Texas.

There are many chapters of many LGLO/HLGLO organizations spread throughout the US. It's just hard to have a substantial impact because there are so.many.organizations out there competing for a small group of people and NALFO (in its current state) isn't really promoting the existing organizations.

And when I said UTA, I was referring to UT-Arlington, not Austin. I think there are a few campuses that could support a separate council with only LGLO/HLGLO organizations.

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

There are many chapters of many LGLO/HLGLO organizations spread throughout the US. It's just hard to have a substantial impact because there are so.many.organizations out there competing for a small group of people and NALFO (in its current state) isn't really promoting the existing organizations.

And when I said UTA, I was referring to UT-Arlington, not Austin. I think there are a few campuses that could support a separate council with only LGLO/HLGLO organizations.

Sorry I wasn't clear. I was agreeing with you. What I meant was to form specifically a official NALFO council would be pointless if you let non-NALFO members in. What would be the point of having it in the first place? I understood when you said UTA you meant UT Arlington I mentioned UT- Austin as they have a few NALFO orgs. I understand there are alot of LGLO orgs out there but few have enough chapters at the same school to form an official NALFO board.

Sorry I didn't write more clearly btw "I graduated magna cum get it from the university of the streets" Hilariouse! LOL my girlfriend got sick of me repeating that to her!

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

There are many chapters of many LGLO/HLGLO organizations spread throughout the US. It's just hard to have a substantial impact because there are so.many.organizations out there competing for a small group of people and NALFO (in its current state) isn't really promoting the existing organizations.

Yes, and it could be. For example, we see the NPC and its "Go Panhellenic"-type promotion. NALFO could do something similar. Then again, it might not help the NALFO orgs. because students interested in "Latina/o interest greek life" often do not know the difference (at least, initially) between:

*NALFO orgs
*non-NALFO LGLOs
*orgs founded as LGLOs that now have a difference focus
*orgs founded as MGLOs that have a high percentage of Latina/o members
*orgs not founded with a Latina/o or Multicultural focus but that have a high percentage of Latina/o members

...and maybe they don't even really care.

We might say that perhaps NALFO should cease to exist. Even so, on many campuses we would still have "Latino Greek Council", and the question of "who should really be in that council?" remains.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

For example, we see the NPC and its "Go Panhellenic"-type promotion.

This is what I was looking for when I was involved with NALFO.

Instead of "Interested in this type of organization? Here's ABC, DEF, and GHI. Take a look at them and find your fit!" NALFO came off as "Interested in this type of organization? Form your own and join us!"

[Monarca7]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Yes, and it could be. For example, we see the NPC and its "Go Panhellenic"-type promotion. NALFO could do something similar.

I think that is a great idea.