[Ottor 246]

Charities are good, especially for relations with the community where your school is located (can we still say "townies?") I'm not sure that's exactly what you're after, though. What you need to do is to show the other students on your campus what fraternity/sorority membership can give them that they can't get anywhere else. Also, with the small number of GLOs you have, you need to try to get the most visibility with the least amount of effort. If you try to be everywhere and do everything, you'll burn your people out in a hurry.

There are lots of things you can do to promote the greek system. What kinds of things do the greeks on your campus do now? Does your school have a homecoming celebration? And if so, do the greeks do floats, etc.? Do you have Greek Week? Will the administration allow you to hang banners in the field house or some other prominent location? When the new freshmen arrive on campus, who helps them move in and find their way around?

The most important thing with an undertaking like this is: can your fraternities and sororities get along with each other? As was stated previously in this thread, you've got a lofty goal and wasting energy on turf wars and pissing contests will not help you accomplish it.

You've got a vision of where you want to go. The next thing you need to do is get the rest of your workforce (i.e. the other greeks) to buy into that vision. Earnestly solicit ideas from the other greeks, and try to use at least parts of them. Maybe you could even meet with members of each organiztion. Let them see your commitment and enthusiasm. If you can make them feel like it's their project, too, your results will be much better.

And finally, to the extent you are able, dissuade your fellow greeks from doing anything stupid. Most non-greeks (can we still say "GDIs?") don't know one greek letter from another. To them, a Lambda Chi Alpha is the same as a TKE or a Theta Chi. The reason we have rush is so non greeks can learn what the differences are. All it takes is one newspaper report of hazing, vandalism, a busted party, you name it, and all your hard work is undone.

If you can give me some more specifics, I'd love to help you flesh out your ideas.

Mark "Ottor" Brenneman
Phi Tau Zeta #246
Shippensburg U. Class of '94