Bringing the Councils together

[ekDZ1535]

I think it's the opposite problem. We invited the NPHC groups to participate in Greek Week. Two accepted. Of the two, one teamed up with DZ [because the NPHC groups were too small to compete on their own, and they knew this going in]. The other group was supposed to be with us. We called and called them to organize stuff and discuss it, and never once did they call us back. Not one person showed up to anything from that group.

I agree with Susan; at least here, it's more effort on the NPHC side that's needed if intercouncil relationships are to work.

I think you raise one of the issues with inter-council relations - everyone expects everyone else to come to them. I'm going to be frank in that the hoo-rah of Greek Week tends to be a favorite among the PHC and IFC groups and has traditionally been a week put on by these groups. So now one day PHC and IFC decide to include NPHC and they're expected to fit their mold for Greek Week? Just because you invite someone to participate doesn't mean that they should - I saw our councils do the same thing at first - Greek unity was inviting other people to our stuff...umm, no. Greek unity is reaching outside of your chapter and council to understand others. Each campus is different in terms of this and each chapter within the council maintains a different culture that's going to influence the success of doing so. But that's why the focus needs to be on understanding your campus, collecting others who also want to build inter-Greek relationships between councils, and figure out through communicating with one another what those ideal relationships should look like. You have to meet people where they are and not every chapter/council is going to be ready to participate with you in Greek Week, join in on the all-Greek stroll, etc. It's wonderful when those things work - but in terms of the question at hand, you have to invest the time to understand your community's needs and how far councils/chapters are willing to go to make these relationships a priority.

[LUC Kappa]

at loyola university, we formed a greek council that holds members of the NPC, IFC, and MGC councils and together they help plan greek week. we did this for the first time this year and it worked out great, everyone participated because everyone was involved in planning it. and we are expecting bigger and better for next year....I tell you the moment all your councils get together the better, because you end up making a greek week so unique and great!

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ekDZ1535

I think you raise one of the issues with inter-council relations - everyone expects everyone else to come to them. I'm going to be frank in that the hoo-rah of Greek Week tends to be a favorite among the PHC and IFC groups and has traditionally been a week put on by these groups. So now one day PHC and IFC decide to include NPHC and they're expected to fit their mold for Greek Week? Just because you invite someone to participate doesn't mean that they should - I saw our councils do the same thing at first - Greek unity was inviting other people to our stuff...umm, no. Greek unity is reaching outside of your chapter and council to understand others. Each campus is different in terms of this and each chapter within the council maintains a different culture that's going to influence the success of doing so. But that's why the focus needs to be on understanding your campus, collecting others who also want to build inter-Greek relationships between councils, and figure out through communicating with one another what those ideal relationships should look like. You have to meet people where they are and not every chapter/council is going to be ready to participate with you in Greek Week, join in on the all-Greek stroll, etc. It's wonderful when those things work - but in terms of the question at hand, you have to invest the time to understand your community's needs and how far councils/chapters are willing to go to make these relationships a priority.

Exactly!

It's just like any other invitation to attend or participate in events on college campuses. Almost every event is open to anyone who wants to attend--Greeks and nonGreeks of any race, ethnicity, gender, GLO affiliation, etc. To figure out why people don't come out despite your attempt at inclusion requires more than just a surface level invitiation.

[Axid angel]

i think the main thing people should do is ask why some organizations don't participate. sometimes it is as simple as they haven't been asked. if you ask one and there is no response ask again. keep asking until you get an answer. you'll get on their nerves and they will have to answer eventually. i liked getting to know the members of the npch and mcgc organizations on my campus. the way they do things is different but there is still some common ground. i think there is a need for diversity for educations sake.

[ZChi4Life]

Originally Posted by Axid angel

the way they do things is different but there is still some common ground. i think there is a need for diversity for educations sake.

My thoughts exactly!

[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.

[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?

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by ekDZ1535

I think you raise one of the issues with inter-council relations - everyone expects everyone else to come to them. I'm going to be frank in that the hoo-rah of Greek Week tends to be a favorite among the PHC and IFC groups and has traditionally been a week put on by these groups. So now one day PHC and IFC decide to include NPHC and they're expected to fit their mold for Greek Week? Just because you invite someone to participate doesn't mean that they should - I saw our councils do the same thing at first - Greek unity was inviting other people to our stuff...umm, no. Greek unity is reaching outside of your chapter and council to understand others. Each campus is different in terms of this and each chapter within the council maintains a different culture that's going to influence the success of doing so. But that's why the focus needs to be on understanding your campus, collecting others who also want to build inter-Greek relationships between councils, and figure out through communicating with one another what those ideal relationships should look like. You have to meet people where they are and not every chapter/council is going to be ready to participate with you in Greek Week, join in on the all-Greek stroll, etc. It's wonderful when those things work - but in terms of the question at hand, you have to invest the time to understand your community's needs and how far councils/chapters are willing to go to make these relationships a priority.

Well said! Thanks!