Fund Raising vs. Service Based Philanthropy

Betarulz! · #1 11-14-2002, 01:24 PM

Okay, I know that dance a thon's, hot tub a thons, and trampoline a thons are all really popular. However don't you think that we as greeks really should get out in our community and do some actual WORK?

There is a place for fundraising type philanthropy, and it shoudl be continued, but if we really are goign to change our image, I think it is time that every greek gives more of their time to the community. Even if every greek gave 1/2 the amount of time that is dedicated to fundraising, I think that our presence would be more widely felt!

Discuss amongst your selfs

FuzzieAlum · #2 11-14-2002, 02:20 PM

I agree 100%!

Don't get me wrong, all groups need money, but actual "work" is not only often more valuable, it's more rewarding.

So you raise $5000 for a cancer hospital. That's great, it really is, but how far does that go? Do you even know what $5000 buys? Probably not. I know I don't. But if put bark down on a playground, tutor some kids, or visit senior citizens in a home, you can really see and feel the impact you are making. There are some things money can't buy. Sure, you could pay someone to go chat with the older folks on your behalf ... but it wouldn't be cost-effective.

Besides, you should give what you have - and while most college students are broke and busy, I know I at least had more time to give than money!

33girl · #3 11-14-2002, 02:47 PM

Our 2 national philanthropies are Special Olympics and the S June Smith Center. Special Olympics is great for hands on, if you can get in, because every org on campus and the community is tripping over themselves to do it. S June is in Lancaster, PA. The sisters at our chapter at Millersville are close enough to do a lot of hands-on there, but other than them, it's all donations.

I totally agree that philanthropy should be doing, not just donating. Especially in small towns where the presence of Greeks is not readily accepted or understood. Sisters told me that when we did fundraisers for S June people asked why we were working for an organization in Lancaster, when there was so much that needed done in Clarion. Maybe groups with hundreds of people can do their multiple national plus local philanthropy, but it's not always that easy.

This is how I think it should work: each GLO should have a national phil that is primarily donations, with each chapter having an annual event to donate to it. Then each chapter should pick a local philanthropy. I think this would do a world of good to help relations between Greeks and the community. Plus people are more likely to enjoy participating if it is a cause near & dear to the chapter's heart.

Thrillhouse · #4 11-15-2002, 09:42 AM

Agreed. everyone feels so much better about themselves and as a chapter when they are helping out in the community.

#5 12-01-2002, 05:11 AM

While it may be good for some frats/sors to put more emphasis on community service, I would like to defend fund raising. It REALLY gets your name out there, and allows you to meet new people. This can sort of turn it into a rush event!

Our comm service chair gives us a healthy mix of both I feel. We do a lot of fund raising on campus, but we also do adopt-a-highway and habitat for humanity etc.

sunnygirl · #6 12-01-2002, 01:18 PM

While I whole-heartedly agree, for the sake of argument, what happens when the success of the fundraiser/philanthropy is due to the tremendous amount of work by 3-4 members? While volunteering on a regular basis is a great idea, how feasible is it going to be to get a good number from chapter to volunteer on a regular basis- especially in a chapter with lots of student leaders and althetes? We try very hard to get a good mix in (a major philanthropy each semester and weekly service projects), but sometimes it is hard to get a good turnout with everyone's schedules.

nyrdrms · #7 12-01-2002, 05:54 PM

We do both, fundraising and community service. Things that we have done, community wise, in the past include helping to coach children for the Special Olympics, adopting families for Thanksgiving and making a basket of food for them, trick-or-treating for cans throughout neighborhoods around campus, painting and cleaning up a camp ground that we support, and visiting children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House (we usually bring a little something for them as well). The events that are hands on, like coaching or painting, really help you to get a sense of what it is that you normally just raise money for.

dakareng · #8 12-03-2002, 07:18 PM

This is how I think it should work: each GLO should have a national phil that is primarily donations, with each chapter having an annual event to donate to it. Then each chapter should pick a local philanthropy. I think this would do a world of good to help relations between Greeks and the community. Plus people are more likely to enjoy participating if it is a cause near & dear to the chapter's heart. [/B][/QUOTE]

That is one way of doing it-- how about a combination of the above? One of Pi Beta Phi's International Philanthropies is called "Links to Literacy"... the intent being that every chapter and alumnae club do a philanthropic project supporting literacy in their community. Service is highly encouraged but fund raising is permissible too. Service ranges from ongoing tutoring in public schools to supporting libraries at children's hospitals. It can be misunderstood only because it is so unstructured from an international perspective. Personally I think having the freedom to adapt to local needs and resources makes it easier to be supported by clubs and chapters alike.

Karen Gunther
Pi Beta Phi

ESAintl · #9 12-16-2002, 05:07 PM

HI -- I am new on this website. I belong to an organization called Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Although we plege and rush we are not a traditional pan hellenic sorority. Most of our chapters are traditional (non-collegiate members). Our organization is dedicated to service and leadership. We have raised more than $60 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Hospital (www.stjude.org) And that number is growing (nationally we have raised over 2 million in the last 6 months. It is a great organization, and I would love to see it on more college campuses (so far we are only on 23). I am a recent alumna and I really think the future of our organization is on campuses. Since we are not pan hellenic, we are considered more of a club-- a club that has life long sisterhood, and a club you can belong to no mater who you are currently affiliated with. I think ESA is great and doing great things-- I would love any feedback on how we could expand to more college campuses.

Website: www.esaintl.com

Thanks!

madmax · #10 05-08-2003, 06:27 PM

I would take a fundraiser over community service any day of the week. My fraternity used to do alot for our town and they never did shit for us. Most of the time the papers won't even cover the story. What good is PR if you don't get any PR?

Senusret I · #11 05-08-2003, 06:48 PM

Ideally, you wouldn't do community service for the recognition or PR....

However, I understand the frustration if your town or school consistently ignores your organization.