NPHC Secretiveness, Insularity, Etc.

[ChildoftheHorn]

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

I'm sure you're just being light-hearted here (at least I hope you are) but it illustrates the point I made earlier in this post.

I was being light hearted here.

But I was also referening to the great...umm...student held...events....that may not be held on campus... *ah-em*

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

* I like working with examples and metaphors. Please do enjoy!*

When you're out and about being your fantASTic way, and someone, based on their own ignorance of you, thinks negatively of you, would you bend to become the person they want you to be? And why should the information be any more available than it already is? Rumors and hearsay? We've been around for a long time and have withstood many a rumor. If we operated by what others say and think, we wouldn't have made it past 1906.

I like your analogy. It's nice, and it does exemplify what I mean as well as what you do. No, I wouldn't become what they think I am. Instead, I would want to show them that I'm NOT like that. If we had a bad rep with another Greek org, I wouldn't want to just say, "Oh, who cares, they don't know us so they can just think bad about us." I would want to change their perceptions of us.

That whole post was really good, by the way. I enjoyed it

[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

[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 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.)

[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...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

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

Why did they choose the Men of Pike? Nothing is wrong with with their choice. My issue is when the National Offices were informed of this interest group you had better believe a huge RED carpet was rolled out for them... Basically, allowing them to skate...

It is my understanding that when these boys became members, the real Greek Life Commitment was very different than what they fantasized as to how it ought to be.

Albeit, I admit it was a poor example, however, I still contend that if the IFC/NPC put some effort in their diversity marketing, they could garner the kinds of members they seek.

What will happen to us and the MCGLO's? Personally, in my opinion, we offer something completely different.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Why did they choose the Men of Pike? Nothing is wrong with with their choice. My issue is when the National Offices were informed of this interest group you had better believe a huge RED carpet was rolled out for them... Basically, allowing them to skate...

It is my understanding that when these boys became members, the real Greek Life Commitment was very different than what they fantasized as to how it ought to be.

Albeit, I admit it was a poor example, however, I still contend that if the IFC/NPC put some effort in their diversity marketing, they could garner the kinds of members they seek.

What will happen to us and the MCGLO's? Personally, in my opinion, we offer something completely different.

I doubt Pike violated it's colonization procedure because there was an interest group at a HBCU. There's not really "skating" in NIC fraternities, not in the same way as NPHC.

In my experience, on campuses that do not have MCGLOs and/or a strong NPHC presence, the fraternities are about as diverse as the school is. The sororities are as well. This is in the Midwest and YMMV elsewhere. Point being, I think they're getting the members they seek.

[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?