Bringing the Councils together

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by SalukiPhiSig

At Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, we have an Inter-Greek Council which is composed of members of IFC, PHC, NPHC, and MGC. They meet every other week and the respective sub-councils meet on the weeks that IGC doesn't.

I guess that I've become so used to how we do things that I assumed having an Inter-Greek Council was pretty common.

Not to mention, if it had not been for IGC, I wouldn't have met some of the women of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority whom I've planned philanthropy/community service events with.

Gooooo Salukis!!!!

Charter member of the Delta chapter there.

[ladygreek]

I have a basic question. Is there something wrong with the councils not working together?

[ADivinePIe]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I have a basic question. Is there something wrong with the councils not working together?

I believe there is. I think that it is important for the councils to work together so that all chapters can be supported and encouraged to participate in not just "Greek" events but school events at large. Some of the biggest events on our campus at Indiana University are not put on by IFC and PanHel, but our school's student foundation. The event is still primarily greek, but MGC and NPHC are not participants in these events. I want them to participate for the greater good of our school and our GC.

Furthermore, I believe that the divided/segregated councils goes further than just Greeks. I think it’s important for the greek councils to work together to set an example for more of the other student organizations to work together.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by ADivinePIe

I believe there is. I think that it is important for the councils to work together so that all chapters can be supported and encouraged to participate in not just "Greek" events but school events at large. Some of the biggest events on our campus at Indiana University are not put on by IFC and PanHel, but our school's student foundation. The event is still primarily greek, but MGC and NPHC are not participants in these events. I want them to participate for the greater good of our school and our GC.

Furthermore, I believe that the divided/segregated councils goes further than just Greeks. I think it’s important for the greek councils to work together to set an example for more of the other student organizations to work together.

YOU want them to participate, but do THEY want to? And are you saying then that it is wrong that they don't want to?

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I have a basic question. Is there something wrong with the councils not working together?

I fail to understand why you would NOT want to collaborate with your fellow Greeks. You work and play with other NPHC GLO's; why do you not want to do the same with others?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I fail to understand why you would NOT want to collaborate with your fellow Greeks. You work and play with other NPHC GLO's; why do you not want to do the same with others?

Because maybe what the other councils are involved in isn't something the NPHC groups (or vice versa, the NPC groups) are interested in or have time for. Like the poster below said, if the NPC and IFC say "hey! come join us for Greek week" but they don't want the NPHC to have any input, just show up, it's a hollow sort of invitiation. Kind of like a bridezilla who plans everything and then says to the groom and attendants "just show up and do what I tell you to do."

Sometimes I think it takes 2 individual groups from different councils working together (I know someone mentioned on here that AKA & DZ at their school had a "pink & green" fundraiser) to show that the IFC & Panhel want real input, not just diversity for the sake of diversity.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I fail to understand why you would NOT want to collaborate with your fellow Greeks. You work and play with other NPHC GLO's; why do you not want to do the same with others?

It was just a question. I am an alumnae chapter member. But considering the attitude you expressed your answer, why would I want to collaborate with you on anything?

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

I fail to understand why you would NOT want to collaborate with your fellow Greeks. You work and play with other NPHC GLO's; why do you not want to do the same with others?

Because of the condescending attitude displayed by folks IRL like many in this thread, in particular. YOU PEOPLE keep asking why don't the NPHC Greeks want to participate in YOUR activities....how about you offering to participate in some of THEIRS or even better, collaborate to come up with something totally NEW that both groups can fully support?

[AGDee]

Sometimes, some events work well as a collaboration. Other times, not so much. I think it's great when all of the Councils can find something that all the groups can totally support, but I don't think they should all be painted with the same brush either. Ultimately, the goals and aims of each council are different, so it doesn't always make sense for them to do things together. I do think it's nice when all of the groups support each other's efforts at philanthropy or community service. As for Greek Week, the activities planned and the sizes of the groups aren't always consistent with everybody's goals and aims. There's a difference between doing everything together and supporting each other as Greeks.

[ZChi4Life]

This is a really interesting discussion. After reading the responses, I have a question. Do you all think that the reasons to bring/not to bring the councils together stem from the type of campuses you are/were on?

[AKA_Monet]

Well, I think that IFC and NPC councils have to understand that the affliates of the NPHCs are overseen by the graduate/alumni chapters, which may be extremely active in the respective community. So there may be gala events that must be supported by the undergraduate NPHC affliates.

If I were you, I would contact the affiliates sponsoring graduate/alumni chapters. Then, if you do so, you all are going to have to come to the table with something reasonable.

Loooonnnnngggggggg time ago, there was an ALL GREEK TOGA party on San Diego State University's campus. Councils made mad money. It was sometime at the start of school before Recruitment.

This year, it cannot be done. But, you all may want to have your college involved and tag the NPHC affiliate philanthropies and have their strong voice represented.

Do not just call them, do not just send invites/evites or emails. You MUST venture on their turf, show you mean business. If that means you visit with the guests in the Senior Citizen Home, that means you do it. If that means you go to a Missionary Baptist Church all day on a Sunday--guess what!!!

If you are serious about reaching out, then you cannot be scared.

PM me if you want more ideas.

[12dn94dst]

Originally Posted by ZChi4Life

This is a really interesting discussion. After reading the responses, I have a question. Do you all think that the reasons to bring/not to bring the councils together stem from the type of campuses you are/were on?

I think the perception of the campus climate definitely factors into why councils do or do not collaborate. Also, if the individual chapters within a campus NPHC or MCGC don't work together, I think it's a bit of a stretch to then expect them to work with NPC and IFC groups. Other points that were mentioned, condescending attitude, shallow invitations, non-inclusion in the planning, contribute as well.

I disagree with greek unity for unity's sake. Really, unity needs to be fostered BEFORE everyone is greek. So for NPC and IFC members who are able to pledge as first-semester freshman, that means fostering relationships not only with the NPHC and MCGC groups, but also with the Black Student Union/Association, NAACP, NCNW, Asian American Student Association, Hispanic Student Association, and whatever other groups on campus that are "feeder" groups for NPHC and MCGC organizations. AND VICE VERSA. NPHC groups are not exempt from partnering with non-minority focused groups. Additionally, really understanding how the other groups operate, and respecting it, helps as well.