Being Social in your GLO
 

How do you define being Social in your GLO? Is it networking and sharing camaraderie with your members or does it have Philanthropical meaning as it relates giving back to Society, thus, being "Social".

Fraternally,


Boodleboy322

This one.

Ditto

Social
 

I believe there is merit in both. Networking and sharing camaraderie with your members is an integral part of the fraternal experience that results as a product of grouping but equally as important is the interpretation of the word "Social", as it relates to a fraternal society. The true act of being "Social" as it applies to a fraternity has Philanthropical meaning as it relates giving back to Society, thus, being "Social".

I have found over the years that many outsiders like putting a bad stereo type around Social Fraternities and assume our purpose is to be party animals.

Here's a quick glance at a few factors driving this:

The whole "Party Fraternity" idea is a misrepresentation of what Social fraternities truly represent. The stereo type of the typical "Party" fraternity idea resulted as a product of the hazing escalation continuum that evolved with many Greek Letter Organizations. After World War II lauched off, universities and colleges experienced a surge in enrollment due to the many Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen that returned back to school with the assistance of the Montgomery GI Bill. Most of these men (maybe some women but mostly men at that time) joined Greek Letter Organizations and brought back the "camaraderie" they shared out in the battlefield or at sea so that they could "enrichen" the experience in building the bonds in their Fraternity. For example, it could have been as easy as putting the new "Recruits" or pledges through stereo typical excercises like doing pushups or waking up guys at the crack of dawn. This escalation continuum picked up steam around the 60s and 70s with the media's introduction to movies like "Animal House". However, if you research these same "Party" type groups before World War II you will find that their Ritual ceremonies were very similiar in that they consisted of no more than "Religious" type Rites of Passage like lighting a candle and taking vows for the advancement of mankind in one form or another (i.e. philanthropic). Some of my friends in the real world that belong to other Social Fraternities on National IFC will agree that the purpose of their existence is not about networking and drinking beer. That is an added benefit that comes with joining the organization.

Fraternally,

Boodleboy322

I thought your initial post asked about the social aspect of our organizations.

When I'm being social, it's about networking and hanging out. When I'm being philanthropic, it's about serving the community. I don't think our organizations have to be mutually exclusive.

Social
 

I agree with both scenarios - However, the original question was how do you define being "Social" and this thread simply implies that there is dual meaning behind it.

I would say that, at least as generally understood by GLOs, your first definition -- networking and sharing camaraderie with your members -- is "social. " (I detest the word "networking," though. :p:D) Your second definition -- Philanthropical meaning as it relates giving back to Society -- is "service" (or philanthropy).

Per the dictionary -- Social: pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations (a social club); seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious; living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation.

Both aspects are certainly important, both for the individual development of our members and the public perceptions of our organizations. But that doesn't make both aspects "social."

And if you're going to look at history, I'd say that from the outset fraternities were formed and existed to provide companionship for students and assist in their development -- "social" reasons. Philanthropy, or service to the wider society, was not a significant part of social fraternity life until, I'd guess, the mid-20th century or later.