How Has COVID Affected Your Org

[fraternitynik]

Hi All,

I'm currently writing something on the bigger effects of social distancing on fraternity organizations (namely that they couldn't lobby and cancellations).

Can any of you help and provide some details on what your organization has done in light of COVID?

In the case of my fraternity:
- Social media emphasis on sharing (gaming usernames, workout apps, etc.)
- Webinars (an increase in webinars, mostly related to COVID)
- Leadership Institute Cancellation (our leadership institute was canceled due to COVID but also a decreasing number of applications.)

Has your organization cancelled a convention? changed up its social media routine? etc.

Thanks in advance,
Nik

[Cookiez17]

-weekly chapter meetings but over zoom
-photo challenges to post on social media

National convention hasn't been cancelled just yet but all my campus activities obviously has.

[chi-o_cat]

Chi Omega's founder's day is April 5, which normally means special events (Eleusinia) held at collegiate and alumnae chapters, whether it's a banquet, brunch, luncheon, etc. This year there won't be things like that going on. Our national archivist will be hosting a Facebook Live event, and some sisters from my chapter will be holding a Zoom get-together on April 5.

[PGD-GRAD]

Our campus—Rose-Hulman—is closed for the year with online courses only. Nearly all students were already home for a “four week break” when the school cancelled for the year. Many students from far away still have nearly everything in their rooms and, since they were driven from those states by their parents last fall, who knows when they can get back?

We have only 7 young men in our house who are observing social distancing by spreading out all over. Slowly they are finding ways home except for the international students who will stay. Our cook shops for them and prepares food that they can fix. That way she can keep working (which she likes) but eventually she will draw unemployment which does over the summer.

Like fraternitynik, we are all making use of social media to stay in touch. My greatest fear is attrition—nearly all our young engineering students have had their internships cancelled. Many of them relied heavily on that money for books and fraternity expenses. Also a good number have one or both parents laid off of totally out of work. Rose is an $$$ private school, and I can see lots of them transferring out of financial necessity. I know of at least 2 from 1,000 miles who are transferring “home” because they just don’t want to be so far away.
I also wonder about rush next fall; I’m sure enrollment will be down and money, for many, will be tight. Add in that our groups were in the process of a small spring rush. That ended immediately, so all of us will miss out on the 5-7 new members we normally take.

This whole COVID-19 could drastically change Greek life for many years at a number of campuses, both large and small. I think our experience as advisors will be sorely needed and, most likely, tested in ways we’ve not experienced.

[navane]

Gamma Phi Beta has launched a "Sisterhood at Home" campaign which seeks to offer fellowship at a distance.

- Virtual meet-ups (webinars) for meditation, trivia, baking how-tos, working from home, tap dancing, and leadership principles

- April's Volunteer and Advisor Appreciation Month celebration to be streamed online

- Gamma Phi Beta themed coloring sheets were made available for download

- Social media: we had preexisting FB groups for wellness, moms (motherhood), sisters in the military, and STEM professionals which are being promoted again.

- Convention is not cancelled yet; but they are monitoring the situation.

- Individual collegiate and alumnae chapters are holding meetings online via Zoom or slide show, etc.

[ForeverRoses]

AOII has been doing zoom meetings for various officers and the advisors. We then have additional online resources that were just sent out for all members with different topics.

Our International President is going to lead a zoom meeting for all current seniors where she will lead them in the alumnae ceremony.

Edit: a whole slew of virtual programming has been put together for colligates. It is called "Our Promise to You!" which goes right along with our new member experience called "Fulfilling the Promise". It includes everything from Zoom meetings/lectures on all sorts of topics to watch lists and book lists. I'm very impressed as how quickly they put this together!

[fraternitynik]

Thanks for all the replies so far, this is all good to see.

Agree with PGD-Grad, there may be some consequential changes to Greek Life as a whole after all of this, so I am interested to see these early adaptations from everyone.

Not many men's groups represented, and eager to hear more.

Thanks again!
NPJK

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by fraternitynik

Thanks for all the replies so far, this is all good to see.

Agree with PGD-Grad, there may be some consequential changes to Greek Life as a whole after all of this, so I am interested to see these early adaptations from everyone.

Not many men's groups represented, and eager to hear more.

Thanks again!
NPJK

I sent you an email or two about my org's responses.

[UVASquirrel]

Alpha Gamma Delta just announced the cancellation of our Convention this summer. We celebrate International Reunion Day the 3rd Sat in April and several alumnae groups are doing that virtually.

[baddbeta]

Hi all! COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of one of our biggest fundraisers in Panhel. Right now, the event is being replaced by a TikTok challenge. I would really appreciate it if you could maybe drop a like and show some Greek love in the comments so that we can raise money for our philanthropy ! At the end of the day it’s all for the kids—even if we are in a tough situation right now. PPLAM and stay safe out there

https://vm.tiktok.com/nr2pHJ/

[Cookiez17]

My greek council (includoing panhel, ifc, NPHC, and MCGC,) has done this is a great way to keep people involved this time.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by UVASquirrel

Alpha Gamma Delta just announced the cancellation of our Convention this summer. We celebrate International Reunion Day the 3rd Sat in April and several alumnae groups are doing that virtually.

Did AGD simply say it's cancelled, not postponed? Will they hold it next year instead or simply wait another two years?

I wonder what happens with elections of national officers if all of these conventions are cancelled or postponed.

Alpha Sigma Tau just held our annual Night to Reunite event last week, and many chapters and sisters met virtually over Zoom.

[ChioLu]

Two of the Chi Omega chapters I follow on Instagram, UCLA and Tulsa university, are posting inspirational posts each day.

I haven’t heard if our convention has been canceled yet. It’s our 125th anniversary this year. (Sigh).

[DoctorD]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Did AGD simply say it's cancelled, not postponed? Will they hold it next year instead or simply wait another two years?

I wonder what happens with elections of national officers if all of these conventions are cancelled or postponed.

It's cancelled. The 2022 convention location was announced this week - it's usually announced at convention.

Alpha Gam does elections prior to convention, and the FAQ released stated that officer installation would happen this summer.

[thetalady]

So so sad... Kappa Alpha Theta has made the decision to cancel our 2020 Convention, where we planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding.