Greek Leadership

[enlightenment06]

Do you think Greeks should naturally fill the positions of leadership on campus? As Greeks we always talk about leadership this and that, but is it our obligation to fill the ranks of leadership? Should the rest of the student body look to the Greek community as natural leaders?

To my fellow NPHC peeps (and NALFO too) we were once known as the "incubators" of Black leadership. Does an extra burden also fall upon us to be campus leaders? Not just in the Black or Latino Student Unions but campus wide?

As usual, just a question I had in my head...

[annice22]

I am trying to gain more non-greek leadership experience through my campus. To do that I plan on joining student government as rep for my college. I'm also going to attend more meetings of my marketing group and possible join the P.R. group. I am the type of person who love to get involved in many things. I would like to better my sorority and my campus (I know that sounds like a speech, but it's true).

Being greek is a previlge and should not be taken for grated. We are leaders.

Annice

[33girl]

I don't think we should be Greek because we are leaders - leaders should want to become Greek. i.e., I would not automatically vote for someone for student senate because they are Greek, or think that a Greek "deserved" the position more. Rather, I would hope we are attracting the type of students who will do well in those positions.

This kind of sounds like the chicken and the egg- am I anywhere near what you were asking?

[enlightenment06]

Originally posted by 33girl

This kind of sounds like the chicken and the egg- am I anywhere near what you were asking?

I think I see what you're saying. When you're choosing new members you should be choosing leaders, right?

[UT PhiSig]

at my college it student gov't always got turned into a big greek vs. no greek issue which it really shouldnt be. It should be whoever will fill the position the best which usually just happens to be the greeks. But I have known some GDI's that are on it and they are good as well.


PHI SIGMA KAPPA-damn proud

[Kevin]

It was a consideration, but was one of many things. Greeks generally supported eachother in Senate and student body elections because we all knew eachother. Not sure how it looked on the outside.

There were conspiracy theories out there. However, when it came to appointments, our pres pro tem was Greek and she appointed more non-greek than greek to chairs. Appropriations went to a non-greek (who was VERY good for the job) and will be pro tempore next year.

So in summary, it was a consideration to many, important to some, but to most it was immaterial.

[MattUMASSD]

I dont think Greeks should naturally feel the leadership positions on campus because I am sure that there are many non greek-leaders everywhere. At my school there are many greeks that have leadership positions. IMO I think greeks are more willing to join new things than non-greeks, because in order to be greek you have to put yourself in a new situation with rushing and pledging.

[enlightenment06]

Hmm, interesting. I feel that at my school Greeks are kind of pushed to be leaders by the school administration. Maybe it's because most of them (including the president, vp, provost, and head of student activities) are all Greek

[Tom Earp]

I am really sure after reading these posts by what you mean!!

We try as LXA to have as many members involved in at least one campus activity whether it is some form of Greek overall Govt. position, sports, or what ever!

Why, well, it will help them grow from kids coming into college and Graduating with a more rounded education!

Why are Greeks more involved, that is the very reason!! Greeks Do! We do not try to run the campus, hell WE are the Minority no matter what Greek Org We belong to!!

It is not forcing one way or the other, but trying to let our people gain expertise for a later time!

Greeks on Campus are the minority but always the ones who do more!

Question,

What would homecoming be with out all of the Greek Alums Who come Back, Greek Alums Who Donate to the Schools, Greeks-Greeks-Greeks Who do not only in scholl but after Graduation!???

Anyone who bad mout Greeks about doing anythig on a Campus hads know idea what the Hell Greeks do!

[decadence]

Making effort to search for posts from others asking for help and replying to them.

Enlightenment, I certainly see what you are asking. GLOs have a position to be incubators of leadership with their opportunities offered - officer positions etc. True, most regular collegiate clubs and societies offer some similar positions (usually less committees due to lesser organisational complexity) but perhaps without the leadership training schemes that would be offered by a GLO.

Schools themselves may be thought of as cradles of leadership. Unfortunately the structured academic curriculum often has little opportunity to teach such skills and still less opportunity to allow students to practice such skills. GLOs with managing committees, organising projects etc offer such options.

The question whether there is burden of responsibility to seek out campus leadership positions on those in GLOs... I would tend to think a fraternity man (or woman obviously) should not be expected to fill a campus leadership position more than an unaffiliated man. This comes down to the question of whether leadership skills are intuitive things one is born with (which they aren't) or things which may be developed (which they are). Since I posit they are things developed, it does not follow a fraternity man would be a better leader than the next candidate "just" because he is in a fraternity. To be a better candidate he would have to have a) had leadership training via the chapter e.g like the DTD fraternity offers its brothers and b) had a chance to put those into practice via an officer position. Not all fraternities have formal leadership training in place as part of programming so there cannot be a hard and fast expectation Greeks would make better leaders. Or indeed should be looked upon as leaders - unless they have requisite skills to be as such. One owes it to oneself to seek personal development, however, so if there are opportunities withn the chapter then those should be sought and certainly later it WOULD be proper to share that expertise with the university as a whole to benefit the whole student community.

In conclusion, I'm not sure if my thoughts were in any way illuminating for you but I hope it may help.

- Richard.