Establishing A Panhellenic Council: Strategies For Success

how to establish a pan hellenic council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the Divine Nine, is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The council was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans. The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., with the purpose of fostering cooperative actions among its members and promoting academic excellence, leadership, and service to the community.

Characteristics Values
Established during the Jim Crow era to unite Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white and African Americans Unanimity of thought and action, addressing mutual problems
Governs nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, also known as the "Divine Nine" Academic and social support, community uplift, leadership skills, scholarship, service, brotherhood/sisterhood
Provides assistance for leadership development conferences, risk management programming Well-being of affiliate fraternities and sororities, establishment of local councils, leadership training
Offers membership opportunities and transformative experiences Academic excellence, civic engagement, personal and professional development, health and wellness
Has a permanent national office in Bloomington, Indiana N/A

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History

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the "Divine Nine", was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans. The council was formed on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., with Matthew W. Bullock as Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman. The founding members of the NPHC were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma joined in 1931, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho in 1937 and Iota Phi Theta in 1996.

The NPHC is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. The purpose of the NPHC is to foster cooperative actions among its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. The council promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils, and provides leadership training for its constituents.

In 1937, the NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. Before that, for over 62 years, the national office would move from one officer to the next. In 1992, the first permanent national office for NPHC was established in Bloomington, Indiana, on the campus of Indiana University through the cooperation of Indiana University and the National Board of Directors of NPHC.

Today, the member organizations' primary purpose and focus remain camaraderie and academic excellence for their members, as well as service to the communities they serve. The NPHC community hosts seven of the "Divine Nine" organizations with members who work to promote and uphold similar standards of scholarship, service, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

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Purpose

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the "Divine Nine", is an umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The purpose of the NPHC is to foster cooperative actions among its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. The council promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils, and provides leadership training for its constituents.

The NPHC was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans. The council's founding members were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., with Matthew W. Bullock as Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman.

The primary purpose and focus of member organizations today remain camaraderie and academic excellence for their members, as well as service to their communities. The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Each constituent member organization determines its own strategic direction and program agenda.

The NPHC provides assistance for chapter and governing council officers to attend national and local leadership development conferences. It also offers risk management programming, including hazing prevention, violence prevention, and education on alcohol and other drugs. The council exists to promote the core values of its fraternities and sororities, including academic excellence, civic engagement, personal and professional development, and health and wellness.

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Membership

The NPHC was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans. The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Each constituent member organization determines its strategic direction and program agenda.

Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remain camaraderie and academic excellence for their members, as well as service to their communities. The NPHC also provides leadership training for its constituents and promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities.

To join a Divine Nine organization, individuals must attend an informational session hosted by the organization they are interested in joining in the same semester they intend to begin the new member process. Some chapters may also have specific GPA requirements.

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Structure

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly referred to as the "Divine Nine". The council was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organisations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans.

The structure of the NPHC is as follows:

  • Chapters: The NPHC is organised into chapters, each with its own committee structures. Chapters provide educational programming in areas such as time management, leadership, diversity, communication, and overall health and well-being. They also focus on national philanthropies and community service, with Greek men and women donating thousands of dollars and hours to various charities each year.
  • Membership: Membership in NPHC organisations is at the discretion of each individual organisation, and they do not facilitate a structured recruitment process. However, membership provides opportunities for individuals to be involved in leadership roles within their chapters. The specific requirements for intake are determined by the individual chapter's national organisation.
  • Leadership: Each chapter has officers, such as a president and advisor, who are responsible for coordinating chapter activities and events. The council also provides leadership training for its constituents and assists chapter and governing council officers in attending national and local leadership development conferences.
  • Meetings and Forums: The NPHC promotes interaction and the exchange of information through forums, meetings, and other media. Chapters meet regularly and participate in university-wide leadership activities.
  • Cooperative Programming: The council engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Each constituent member organisation determines its strategic direction and program agenda, with a focus on camaraderie, academic excellence, and service to the communities they serve.
  • Symbols and Sacred Grounds: Over the years, NPHC organisations have developed plots on college campuses that are treated as sacred grounds. These plots symbolically represent the organisations and can take various forms, such as a unified stone structure with cutouts for each of the nine organisations featuring founding dates, chartering dates, missions, and official shields.
  • National Office: In 1992, the first permanent national office for NPHC was established in Bloomington, Indiana, on the campus of Indiana University. This provided a central location for the council's operations and administration.

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Activities

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the Divine Nine, is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.

  • The NPHC provides leadership training for its constituents.
  • The council promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities.
  • The NPHC facilitates the establishment and development of local councils.
  • The council assists with risk management programming, including hazing prevention, violence prevention, and alcohol and drug education.
  • The NPHC promotes academic excellence and social support to ensure student success and community uplift.
  • The council seeks to foster and create selfless, caring leaders among its members.
  • The NPHC provides a variety of membership opportunities and transformative experiences.

Frequently asked questions

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the Divine Nine, is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities.

The NPHC was formed as a permanent organisation on 10 May 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of the NPHC is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives.

The NPHC is composed of the following member organisations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.

To establish a local NPHC, you should reach out to the National Pan-Hellenic Council headquarters or your area coordinator for guidance and support. They can provide resources and information on the steps necessary to establish a local council.

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