Sorority Man/King/Etc.
 

Hello! Im newly installed PR and one thing I want to change for my chapter is our lack of a sorority man/king/whatever. About 5 years ago we used to do this along with almost every other chapter on campus, but it was found in our bylaws that this was not allowed. It puts us at a pretty big disadvantage with other chapters events. My question is, is there anyone in a similar situation who has found a way around it? For example, linking it with your philanthropy rather than just a sorority affiliation? This is GREAT PR that we are lacking and could be an opportunity to raise so much more money for our philanthropy so any help is appreciated! :)

Are you referring to a sweetheart? I've never heard of a " Sorority King."

Do other members of your chapter feel the same way you do? If so, why not vote to change your bylaws?

Yes like a male sweetheart...! I believe in the past its been a problem with nationals and I am trying to gather as much info as possible before I go through them!

This.

If you want to do a philanthropy, why not Mr. Greek or something like that?

Mr. Greek wouldnt work, there are 17 sororities on campus and the majority of them do sweetheart competitions and usually associate that with their philanthropy. We have a big dodgeball competition in the spring that we could do it with but in the past nationals has denied our request

Trying to understand what this is about?

Is it a gay Fraternity?

I am laughing so hard I am crying.

My chapter started a Mr. University pageant as a philanthropy event. $1 entry, or 2 donated canned goods. We had men represent other greek orgs, as well as residence halls and other clubs. We get 3 professors/staff members to be judges.

I wouldn't advise going against your nationals. I know we specifically forbid any type of sweetheart. It sounds like this is also your situation. Have you asked your nationals or area advisor what you CAN do that would be along the same lines, but still allowed?

I don't understand the concept of a sweetheart just being some guy who wins a pageant. I would think it should be someone who is special to your chapter and will be proud to be associated with you. Perhaps that is your national's problem.

^I'm with Sciencewoman on this one. I would definitely not go against your nationals in any way. I would check with them and see if this is allowed.

Our Sweetheart was always a guy special to our chapter. The pageant is just a suggestion as an alternative.

The purpose is not to go against nationals. I am trying to figure out a way to go about asking permission... Basically we want this "pageant" to bring more people to our philanthropy event and it will also be someone who is special and a good rep of our chapter

The ZTA chapter at Clemson does a "Zeta's Big Man on Campus" where each sorority and fraternity picks a guy to represent their chapter and then hosts a funny talent show, with all proceeds going to ZTA's philanthropy. It's a huge hit and an honor for the guys sororities choose to represent them.

You can find a way to have a more attractive philanthropy event without this. I personally find them very objectifying, whether the "sweetheart" is male or female. If your philanthropy is a dud relative to the others on campus, I would ask your headquarters for a more interesting alternative and a PR machine to successfully market it. Having the next big thing where you pull out all the stops will bring people out of the woodwork. And I'm a big fan of philanthropies that welcome non-Greeks to the program. Otherwise you're continually just dipping into the same well.