Non Traditional Greek Alliances for Party Purposes

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

This has been a very revealing thread. I always say, if you give a person time...eventually the true spirit/person will be revealed. Who knew? Sometimes you might have a "feeling". Confirmation certainly speaks volumes.

And on that note...PEACE AND BLESSINGS

[Ideal08]

For those who were ignorant, as I was, as to the purpose of the NPHC, here is the information that I got from their website.

National Pan-Hellenic Council Mission Statement

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is an organization, which facilitates the collaborative agenda of its affiliate organizations.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC and provides leadership training for its constituents.


National Pan-Hellenic Council Objectives

In the furtherance of the Mission Statement, NPHC recognizes the following objectives. NPHC:

Assists in establishing and facilitating local councils on campuses and within communities wherein chapters of member fraternities and sororities are located.

Serves as the communication link between/among these constituent fraternities and sororities, especially in matters such as scheduling workshops and national meetings.

Conducts periodic workshops or training sessions with the officers of the local councils to ensure a clear understanding of common operational procedures.

Conducts regional conferences on a biennial basis as a means of developing operational efficiency and promoting programs effectiveness.

Conducts a NPHC National Convention/Undergraduate Leadership Conference of the active membership, including officers and delegates of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the constituent local councils.

Works cooperatively with and contributes to other community groups: These include such agencies as the National Black Leadership Roundtable, the National Coalition of Black Voter Participation, NAACP, The Urban League, the National Council of Negro Women, United Negro College Fund, National Interfraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Association of Fraternity Advisors, Fraternity Executives Association, Congressional Black Caucus among others.

Provides unity and economic empowerment through and by the member organizations.

Performs such other coordinating functions as set forth within the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Pan-Hellenic Council or as determined by the Executive Board of the NPHC, Inc.

[AKAtude]

Thanks, Soror Ideal, for your last post. Some people aren't aware just how "young" in AKA years you really are. That's ok because you learn from the "older" sorors and members of the greek community who are willing to share the knowledge.

For those who seem to want to know, NPHC history is not stressed during our process. We have more important Alpha Kappa Alpha history lessons to learn. If your organizations chooses to fill time with NPHC lessons, then so be it. I did my own research.

As for the real issue here, I don't see anything wrong with joint events. My undergrad chapter hosted an "OopSkee" party before I became a member. We also participated in joint activities and co-sponsored events with the Alphas and Kappas. In my opinion, it's all about serving our community and sharing common goals.

[rhapsody1922]

Originally posted by Ideal08


Can we talk or can we talk? Thanks for telling me that tidbit of history about my org. But you have YET to tell the purpose of the NPHC. Yeah, your NPHC chapter is active, cool. What's the purpose? Now, I can find it myself, but I thought that was the purpose of this board. If we can't even cooperatively TEACH one another on a chat board, without throwing around history (somehow, I didn't take that in a positive light), how exactly can we co-sponsor an event?? And for the record, I'm not upset, so please don't misread my tone. I'm just sayin. If we gon' talk, let's talk.

NPHC has no purpose if you don't want it to. Now I must admit, when I first crossed NPHC was not instilled in me. I was attended meetings b/c I was a chapter rep. I continued to go b/c the meetings were often quit comicial, like a bashing party! But I was young, and unfortunately didn't understand much. As time progressed I took a serious look at the council and saw hope. Serfing the NPHC website and talking to the campus greek advisor. I understood the purpose was to show us that we are the same. When affliated to groups (any group, informal such as a clique of friends or a formal group such as sorors or frat) human nature causes us to separate. As an undergrad I studied the effects of group relations (my major was psych) and I often thought about the conflict amongst Greeks. We have a come bond by virtue of being Black and affliliated with organizations that serve the same purpose. Often we are so blinded by our own letters to see that we do the same thing, we just go about it a different way.
My senior year in college I became the VP of my university's NPHC. It was often frustrating getting everyone to work together b/c the had the same idea "what's the purpose." It's hard to do anything in the mist of negativey! The purpose is having a governing body that provides more support to us as individuals organizations. Whether it be through leader conferences, joint collaborations, etc. NPHC will only be positive when you choice for it to be so. Such as your individual organizations wouldn't be positive if everyone expressed negativity towards it. Don't talk about the problem, change it. It's that why you b/c Greek, to make a difference?
Regardless, I gained a lot through NPHC as VP of my council. We did infact have Greek Week every year which consisted of social activities, seminars, and of course a stepshow. We even participated in Greek Retreats. Our council was only strong when people decided to put aside negativity and work together. There are councils that are very strong. But everything in life is only as good as you make it!

[rhapsody1922]

Originally posted by Ideal08
... I do think that we should share best practices, but that's with anything (nonprofits, corporations, community org, etc.). I've never seen McDonald's and Burger King do a joint effort in anything. So what?

In response to the Burger King/McDonalds commit, numerous companies do joint efforts for finanical reasons. As I stated before, our organizations are a business. And sometimes it is in the best finianical interest to host events together. Companies even merge for those reasons! (Example Firstar Bank just changed to US Bank a couple of weeks ago!) By no means am I saying our org should be, but in my opinion that's not a very good example! And I say that very nicely!

[lovelyivy84]

Why is this becoming such an issue for people? It is really NOT that deep.

I, like my Sorors, pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, not NPHC. The NPHC is nice and it can sponsor some nice events but if you are honest you know that it is really NOT THAT SERIOUS.

Ultimately the NPHC does little to foster unity. It is PEOPLE and the ATTITUDES that they present. The Deltas on our campus were cool with us because they were cool people who realised that we were BLACK WOMEN and SISTERS before we were Sister Sorors. The NPHC had not a THING to do with that. We did not have any Zetas or SGRhos so I can not speak for relations with those two orgs.

I am BLOWN AWAY by some of what I am seeing on this board. Some of the SAME PEOPLE who seem so quick to talk about NPHC unity are sure as heck NOT SHOWING it. And need to CHECK THEMSELVES.

Really, all sorts of underlying assumptions and bitter insults are right underneath the surface of this conversation. If some of you have something to say about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. then you should come straight out and say it. If you DON'T have anything to share then maybe you should.....let it go.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by rhapsody1922


NPHC has no purpose if you don't want it to. Now I must admit, when I first crossed NPHC was not instilled in me. I was attended meetings b/c I was a chapter rep. I continued to go b/c the meetings were often quit comicial, like a bashing party! But I was young, and unfortunately didn't understand much. As time progressed I took a serious look at the council and saw hope. Serfing the NPHC website and talking to the campus greek advisor. I understood the purpose was to show us that we are the same. When affliated to groups (any group, informal such as a clique of friends or a formal group such as sorors or frat) human nature causes us to separate. As an undergrad I studied the effects of group relations (my major was psych) and I often thought about the conflict amongst Greeks. We have a come bond by virtue of being Black and affliliated with organizations that serve the same purpose. Often we are so blinded by our own letters to see that we do the same thing, we just go about it a different way.
My senior year in college I became the VP of my university's NPHC. It was often frustrating getting everyone to work together b/c the had the same idea "what's the purpose." It's hard to do anything in the mist of negativey! The purpose is having a governing body that provides more support to us as individuals organizations. Whether it be through leader conferences, joint collaborations, etc. NPHC will only be positive when you choice for it to be so. Such as your individual organizations wouldn't be positive if everyone expressed negativity towards it. Don't talk about the problem, change it. It's that why you b/c Greek, to make a difference?
Regardless, I gained a lot through NPHC as VP of my council. We did infact have Greek Week every year which consisted of social activities, seminars, and of course a stepshow. We even participated in Greek Retreats. Our council was only strong when people decided to put aside negativity and work together. There are councils that are very strong. But everything in life is only as good as you make it!

How long have you been active with your NPHC chapter? Are you still an undergrad? Does each city have a separate grad and undergrad chapter of NPHC, or is it just one chapter for both? This thread and a couple outside convo's have really sparked my interest in this. Thank you, rhapsody1922 for sharing!! Others, please share your NPHC experiences, too!!

Soror lovelyivy, I disagree. If you have anything negative to say about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, PLEASE keep it to yourself. That includes the vague and ambiguous, lol. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say nothin' at all. We have enough drama on the board as it is. That would start an all out war against orgs, and I'm completely against that. What would it solve? Nothing. We would still harbor ill feelings and stereotypes against each other. If people wanna act a fool, let them do it somewhere else. Up in here, you will get deleted, cuz I'm just not in the mood anymore. It was all cute and fun and games at first, but now people done got skeerious and it's out of hand. Sorors, I love you, but I will delete you, too!!! Ain't no favortism (SP??? how the hell do you spell that??) up in here, lol. Let it go, let it go, LET IT GO.

But we can keep talkin about the NPHC and what purpose it serves or is supposed to serve and doesn't, or whatever. I think this is an interesting topic, and I'm surprised we haven't touched on it before. Or maybe we have, I didn't do a search. LOL!

[AKA2D '91]

We only discussed the NPHC with regards to their "boycott" of BET.

[pink desire 13]

Well to comment on the combining of non traditional greeks. My chapter participates with all the fraternities. For the last 2 years we have had "Nasty and Classy" Week with the Ques and it has been a huge success. We had a party with the Sigma's and called it "A Pretty Country Thang" everybody had a great time. For the last 2 years we have had a formal ball with the Kappas calling it "Diamonds and Pearls." The only group we can't seem to come together with is the Alphas. We are in the process of holding a Skee-Phi event. We are not the only school down South doing this. We attend a lot of events all over the state where the AKAs are usually the hostess along with another group other than the Alphas.

[Conskeeted19]

REGULATORSSSSSSS TAKE OUT THE BIG GUNS! lol

[rhapsody1922]

Originally posted by Ideal08
How long have you been active with your NPHC chapter? Are you still an undergrad? Does each city have a separate grad and undergrad chapter of NPHC, or is it just one chapter for both? This thread and a couple outside convo's have really sparked my interest in this. Thank you, rhapsody1922 for sharing!! Others, please share your NPHC experiences, too!!

Thank you for your interest Ideal08.

I am currently a grad member. However I was active with my the NPHC council on my campus since I crossed as a sophomore. I was a rep the first two years and became the VP my senior year. Our undergrad chapter of NPHC only functioned on our college campus. I'm not even sure if there was a grad chapter of NPHC in the city since it was a small college town. Currently, I haven't had the opporunity to be actively involved with the NPHC of the chapter here in my home city due to work. I'm not sure how closely they function with the undergrad chapter of NPHC, but I know the undergrads do support their functions because I went to them when I was home from school as an undergrad. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that undergrad and grad chapters of NPHC function separately such as chapters do. NPHC is basically a governing body for various chapters of their Greek organizations. Therefore if "X" number of NPHC organizations exist on a certain campus or within certain city perimeters (don't know the specific number specified by NPHC, maybe 3 ) then a NPHC chapter must be set up.

Like I said before, NPHC is only has good as you make it! It can be positive if you choose. I gained a lot through attending the Black Greek Leadership Conference and other events sponsored by them. It's a great way to met new people outside your organization. The purpose of NPHC is not to make us all friends (because that's not even possible amongst every member in your own organization or chapter sometimes! ), but to give us a governing body that can provide leadership and networks. There must be some purpose for it if all nine of our organizations felt the need to implement/join such a body! My advise is, utilize it to it's fullest! You never know what you may learn or who may meet! Even I gained a friendship with the president of our NPHC chapter who was an AKA while I was VP. We probably wouldn't have had that level of interaction w/o NPHC!

[ENDROAD]

Originally posted by lovelyivy84
Why is this becoming such an issue for people? It is really NOT that deep.


If some of you have something to say about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. then you should come straight out and say it. If you DON'T have anything to share then maybe you should.....let it go.

I am a Neo so I can hardly even consider thinking about greek unity right now. All I see is pink and green. I have been told by my prophytes and GC Phamily (AKAs and Alphas) that I will one day see the bigger picture......until then I LOVE MY AKA I LOVE IT , I LOVE IT !!!

I just wanted to add my $.08.

(Sorors, do you know how long I have wanted to post that last remark?)

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
We only discussed the NPHC with regards to their "boycott" of BET.

Look at this SUBJECT LINE that I found. Maybe this person should not have discussed Honorary Membership, but actually, if the concept is hypocritical?


http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Look at this SUBJECT LINE that I found. Maybe this person should not have discussed Honorary Membership, but actually, if the concept is hypocritical?


http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

But you see, he wasn't talking about the NPHC. What he MEANT was BGLO's.