Probates!

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AXiDa22

It showed a really big sense of pride and all of their hardwork and dedication.

I absolutely loved it, and I wish that NPC could do things like this.

Not trying to be snarky at all, seriously.... but I am not under the impression that hard work and dedication are basic tenets of various NPC new member programs. This is why probates wouldn't work for NPC orgs.

[KSUViolet06]

As far as "presents" goes for NPCs, that is primarily a west coast thing. I have seen very few schools outside of CA, WA, etc. having them. After you are initiated, there is a very formal reception for you and your parents where you are "presented" to the rest of the chapter. It's cute.

Probates should be left to the NPHCs, you know, since we would just be jacking their swag. It originated with them, let's leave it there.

I personally don't get why some chapters are so eager to attempt what NPHC orgs do tradition-wise. Most of what NPC orgs take from NPHCs tends to just look dumb when they attempt it, not like you're paying homage at all. lol.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

As far as "presents" goes for NPCs, that is primarily a west coast thing. I have seen very few schools outside of CA, WA, etc. having them. After you are initiated, there is a very formal reception for you and your parents where you are "presented" to the rest of the chapter. It's cute.

Probates should be left to the NPHCs, you know, since we would just be jacking their swag. It originated with them, let's leave it there.

I personally don't get why some chapters are so eager to attempt what NPHC orgs do tradition-wise. Most of what NPC orgs take from NPHCs tends to just look dumb when they attempt it, not like you're paying homage at all. lol.

Especially since probating comes from our former pledge tradition and history. Much of what you see is a reflection of our former pledge process, so if you have no clue as to what was involved, you can't truly appreciate the probate. Now coming out shows (true coming out shows) are a different story although still a reflection of our pledge history.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Especially since probating comes from our former pledge tradition and history. Much of what you see is a reflection of our former pledge process, so if you have no clue as to what was involved, you can't truly appreciate the probate. Now coming out shows (true coming out shows) are a different story although still a reflection of our pledge history.

Exactly. It has nothing to do with our history/NM period/anything.

So if a non-NPHC group is holding one, they're really just jacking it because they think it looks cool (which I feel is the translation of "we're paying homage.") Call it what it is. It's not homage. lol.

I tend to have the same opinion regarding non-NPHC orgs imitating other NPHC traditions (i.e. the jackets, line numbers, etc.)

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

.......

I tend to have the same opinion regarding non-NPHC orgs imitating other NPHC traditions (i.e. the jackets, line numbers, etc.)

I know that some Gamma Sig chapters at HBCUs do use line numbers, jackets, and other traditions previously held by NPHC organizations. Other chapters act very much like an NPC sorority/fraternity, having mixers and date nights with male fraternities, etc. When I was initiated into GSS (early 90s), we operated very differently. We were always a service-based organization and although we had sisterhood events, we didn't operate as a social org.

I always see Gamma Sig as having its own place and existence, and therefore, don't understand the taking of too many pieces of NPHC or NPC organizations and trying to change GSS. Of course, that is my opinion. It doesn't make me respect any chapter any less for taking on newer traditions, but I think it should be in the spirit of service, first and always.

My chapter is no longer, so I can't say that I have personally experienced these changes, however, I have read about and seen videos and photos demonstrating them.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What say you, NPCers?

I believe that our new member period is about education and dedication. I don't see "hard work" as a goal of our organizations. Striving to be the best person you can be, especially in the areas of scholarship, leadership and philanthropy, yes.. but, that doesn't have to be "hard work". We are, first and foremost, social organizations based on sisterhood.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I believe that our new member period is about education and dedication. I don't see "hard work" as a goal of our organizations. Striving to be the best person you can be, especially in the areas of scholarship, leadership and philanthropy, yes.. but, that doesn't have to be "hard work". We are, first and foremost, social organizations based on sisterhood.

Thanks for the insight. Some would characterize what you describe as "hard work" so I guess it could be a matter of semantics.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

What say you, NPCers?

thanks for the invite; I'm learning something new this evening. When I first saw "probates", I thought of something entirely different and not nearly as pleasant.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

As far as "presents" goes for NPCs, that is primarily a west coast thing. I have seen very few schools outside of CA, WA, etc. having them. After you are initiated, there is a very formal reception for you and your parents where you are "presented" to the rest of the chapter. It's cute.

Probates should be left to the NPHCs, you know, since we would just be jacking their swag. It originated with them, let's leave it there.

I personally don't get why some chapters are so eager to attempt what NPHC orgs do tradition-wise. Most of what NPC orgs take from NPHCs tends to just look dumb when they attempt it, not like you're paying homage at all. lol.

I belonged to a West Coast chapter; we had "pledge presents" where we wore white dresses, our parents came, and we were "introduced" to the Greek community. This, interestingly, was BEFORE initiation. I believe ellebud wrote about something similar occurring at her daughter's school fall '09, and I recall pictures of the Tri Delta house, particularly, that were in that thread.

agree with the remainder of KSUViolet06's post.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Thanks for the insight. Some would characterize what you describe as "hard work" so I guess it could be a matter of semantics.

I have a very good friend and colleague who is a DST; although we don't talk specifics regarding recruitment or membership, I will say that she is WAY more involved with community than most NPC alums that I know, including me, and it's primarily sorority-based philanthropic work. This isn't to say that there aren't NPC women who are involved. The contrast is that her involvement is closely tied to her membership and sisterhood.

Much of what AGDee wrote is true of my own pledging/new member period. Many NPC organizations were founded during a time when women were in the minority on college and university campuses; scholarship was also a founding principle, in addition to sisterhood and social organization purposes.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

thanks for the invite; I'm learning something new this evening. When I first saw "probates", I thought of something entirely different and not nearly as pleasant.

*whispering* Most of us weren't supposed to be in this thread, anyway.

Depending on what you thought of, you may not be too off base. You have me curious. LOL.

Originally Posted by AzTheta

I have a very good friend and colleague who is a DST; although we don't talk specifics regarding recruitment or membership, I will say that she is WAY more involved with community than most NPC alums that I know, including me, and it's primarily sorority-based philanthropic work. This isn't to say that there aren't NPC women who are involved. The contrast is that her involvement is closely tied to her membership and sisterhood.

Much of what AGDee wrote is true of my own pledging/new member period. Many NPC organizations were founded during a time when women were in the minority on college and university campuses; scholarship was also a founding principle, in addition to sisterhood and social organization purposes.

Yes, we stress being financial and active at some level until the day we die.

I may be missing what you're saying, so pardon me if I am:
I understand the NPC founding contexts and purposes. It seems that would be even more reason to stress the lifelong involvement. There are similarities and differences between the NPHC and NPC founding contexts and purposes. We all stress scholarship, empowerment, address minority status, sisterhood, social, and service. But, it's about more than our founding principles and purposes. Not every NPHC org was founded at an HBCU and we were founded by Black men and women in the early 1900s and Civil Rights Era. We were minorities on campus and/or in society. Our relevance continues 47-104 years later and we stress duly initiated members' role in doing so long after initiation.

[IrishLake]

This may sound dumb, but we didn't have NPHC where I went to school, so what I know about those orgs is limited to what I learn here on GC. What exactly is a "probate?"

[Senusret I]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrLaf-pjaBs <---- the audio is not the best, but you get the gist.

[IrishLake]

Holy... why have I never before seen the "Similar threads" box at the bottom of the pages???? I'm so oblivious sometimes...

Thanks for the links!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

Holy... why have I never before seen the "Similar threads" box at the bottom of the pages???? I'm so oblivious sometimes...

Thanks for the links!

LOL. It is alllllll the way at the bottom so it's easily overlooked. I found it by accident a long time ago.

There are a lot of coming out shows on youtube for all of the NPHC orgs. You don't have to watch them all to get the gist of the basic format. Some shows are better than others, but the dedication and love for the organization is what coming out shows are to exude.

[psusue]

The closest thing that I can think of in the NPC world is formal bid. Apparently it was a big tradition at my school a few years ago. From what I've gathered, it's a night that is chosen somewhat into the new member period in which a sorority brings their new member class to a fraternity house to formally announce their new women. Then typically the new member class's bigs watch over them for the night. So... not very much like what I can gather about a probate at all, but again, the NPC and the NPHC operate so differently that that's not really a surprise.

[Kevin]

Probate is the name for the procedure the courts use to oversee the administration of the estates of the deceased. It's loads of fun.