Chapter vs. Council leadership

[Betarulz!]

Okay, so I've got a hypothetical.

Let suppose the situation is the following: Youre a member of a small IFC/NPC group on campus...much smaller than all the rest, and one of a few (or the only) that doesn't have a chapter house. If you are a sorority, you are not any where near total, and getting quota is not a possibility, in fact perhaps you haven't taken part in formal recruitment the past couple of years b/c it's pretty much a fruitless endeavor because 95% of the girls cut you on the first day or earlier.

If youre a fraternity, again, same sort of situation. Obviously no total, but your stature as one of the smaller chapters on a campus full of large houses causes rush to be extremely difficult for you. There is another chapter without a house, but they are older/more successful/larger so they tend to get most of the guys in the dorms that are your prime targets simply b/c this other chapter has guys everywhere.

You as a member of one of these chapters has a ton of leadership value (potential/experience/savvy/whatever).

The question is: Should you work to grow your chapter, or should you run for a position on IFC or Panhell? Which is a better use of your talents?

[Betarulz!]

That's excellent, congratulations.

When you say you aren't allowed to be a panhell exec, what do you mean exactly? Is that a chapter or university rule? What if you were allowed to pursue an elected post with Panhell?

[SoCalGirl]

Go for the council position. There will a bigger impact, IMO. It's not like you'll be relieved of your duties as a chapter member. Being on the council will allow you to get your chapter name out there and get people talking (positively).

[James]

You do both . . its silly to do just one . .

If you had to do just one. . well you might get the most personal gain from taking the position on the IFC/NPC because you have a greater exposure to a more diverse leadership.

You would probably have the greatest affct on your chapter if you took the chapter leadership position.

Originally posted by Betarulz!
That's excellent, congratulations.

When you say you aren't allowed to be a panhell exec, what do you mean exactly? Is that a chapter or university rule? What if you were allowed to pursue an elected post with Panhell?

[NebraskaDelt]

In undergrad I served as chapter president and IFC Dir. of Acad. It's not too hard to do both. But I think serving your chapter first will give the direct benefit if new members are needed, unless you do something unethical as IFC recruitment dir.

[Tom Earp]

Wow what a great question and a tough one to be sure.

Getting elected to Greek Council could be tough (?) no? If one can, I am sure it would give a little more light to Your Chapter, but how much. Maybe I am just to far removed from Campus to understand.

As for Chapter size, what type of Alum Size do You have and how many are close to the College?

My Chapter has been going through many changes over the last 4 years and was at a low ebb with only one Active and no house. But with the core group of Alums, that has kept it alive, We now have some of the Local Alums getting off of their duffs and getting back into the workings. While amny times, Active Chapters poo poo Alums We can be of great aid.

We started again at a grass roots one on one, Alums helping to promote LXA on Campus at a couple of events, Tailgating at Foot Ball Games with LXA banner present.

Promote Your Fraternity by having Members wear letters instead of beer, or company letters. If they know someone in their classes, envite them over for say a BBQ, Bowling or Horse Shoe get together.

An example is PSE who left Campus and merged with PSK and then reentered campus. Had around 6 members but when you saw them in a group at football games, they were all together and wore their letters. They found a small house to rent and are now # 30 members. It can be done, it will be hard, but again, it can be done.

Good luck if this is Your Chapter.

[flirt5721]

Wow this is really hard. My chapter was in a this situation about a year ago (although we do have a house, if thats what you could call it). We worked really hard to promote ourselves. Have the girls wear their letter and looking cute around campus. We started a big philanthropy project that got our name out on the campus and we were and still are very active in other organizations on campus.

As for not being allowed to be on Panhellenic Exec. is that even allowed. I hope that when I joined the president of my chapter was also the Sr. VP for Recruitment in Panhellenic and had both positions for 2 years. You could do both and help out your chapter. It doesn't have to come down to either choose your chapter or Panhellenic or IFC. A lot of girls here that are on Panh. Exec are very active in their chapter. I think that being on Panh. Exec gives them better leadership experience and makes them better members of their chapter.

[TSteven]

Note: the 'you' here is the hypothetical 'you'.


It sounds like the question behind the questions ("Should you work to grow your chapter, or should you run for a position on IFC or Panhell? Which is a better use of your talents?") comes down to which board - IFC's or the chapter's - should you serve on.

It depends on the campus environment. You should go for the position(s) that will benefit your chapter the most *and* be the best use of your talents/skills. As long as the overall outcome (all your time and energy) results in a positive impact on the chapter, then as James pointed out, why not serve on both.

If the IFC is nothing more than a paper organization that does not have any real power or prestige on campus, then just hold an IFC office *in name only*. What everyone else would be doing. You could then hold a chapter office which would allow you to use your leadership skills etc.

Now if serving on the IFC would have a real and positive impact on the chapter, then by all means serve on the IFC council. Depending on the chapter's by-laws, serving on IFC as an officer (not just as the chapter's IFC representative) might also be a position on the chapter's executive council/board. Even if it is not, you could hold a less demanding position within the chapter. One that perhaps doesn't require too much time but allows you to be on the executive council/board. Again, your leadership skills will be put to good use.

The bottom line is go for the position of real power and leadership on the board (IFC's or the chapter's) where you can best utilize your skills and talents while best serving your chapter.


Reminder: the 'you' is the hypothetical 'you'.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by Betarulz!
If youre a fraternity, again, same sort of situation. Obviously no total, but your stature as one of the smaller chapters on a campus full of large houses causes rush to be extremely difficult for you. There is another chapter without a house, but they are older/more successful/larger so they tend to get most of the guys in the dorms that are your prime targets simply b/c this other chapter has guys everywhere.

Having high profile/visibility can help to change this. And you don't need a great number of men to do so.

Have members serve as officers on IFC, join Greek councils and work/serve on Homecoming committees etc. Have members join a wide variety of campus organizations and clubs. Have members serve as dorm RAs and on dorm councils. If sororities have houses, ask one if you could use their house for functions and meetings. Make a big deal/production about how they helped your chapter. Serenade the chapter after your meeting or give flowers to each member or to the whole chapter. Volunteer to help them with their philanthropy events. Offer to make them a homecooked meal. Then do the same with each other sorority. Having sororities talk about your chapter in a positive light is always a good thing.

And wear your letters as often as possible.

[KSUViolet06]

I say Panhellenic representation is more important. You HAVE to have a voice on those boards or you might not be considered in some important decisions that might affect your chapter.

[flirt5721]

Originally posted by JocelynC
I say Panhellenic representation is more important. You HAVE to have a voice on those boards or you might not be considered in some important decisions that might affect your chapter.

Panhellenic representation is important but it is not more important then representing your chapter. Panhellenic does have an impact on chapters but the chapters have to approve. Just because one Panhellenic can impact all of the chapter on campus doesn't mean that you should not consider becoming an officer in your chapter. Isn't it always better to try to fix thing from the inside instead of from the outside. Panhellenic has some of its advantage but so does being an officer in your chapter. I don't think either one has more importance then the other. Like I said before there is nothing wrong with doing both. My Big was Chapter President and VP for Recruitment for Panhellenic. She represented both very well for 2 years. I don't think I could ever choose Panhellenic over my chapter. I would always try to improve it from the inside then the outside.

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by TSteven
Having high profile/visibility can help to change this. And you don't need a great number of men to do so.

Have members serve as officers on IFC, join Greek councils and work/serve on Homecoming committees etc. Have members join a wide variety of campus organizations and clubs. Have members serve as dorm RAs and on dorm councils. If sororities have houses, ask one if you could use their house for functions and meetings. Make a big deal/production about how they helped your chapter. Serenade the chapter after your meeting or give flowers to each member or to the whole chapter. Volunteer to help them with their philanthropy events. Offer to make them a homecooked meal. Then do the same with each other sorority. Having sororities talk about your chapter in a positive light is always a good thing.

And wear your letters as often as possible.

I agree with everything up to The Point that Maybe another GLO will allow You to use their House for a Rush Function or any other thing to be done.

It sounds Great on GC, but not in reality.


WEAR LETTERS, the more people see the more they remember or think about YOU!


Getting You and Yours Out is Important, but I still wonder if a lesser GLO will ahve a Member elected to any Major Council and what will it show and who will notice!

[Betarulz!]

Just a reminder, this isn't a solicitation for advice, and it certainly isn't the situation I find myself in. My chapter is just fine, and I think that the NIC Award of Distinction we won this past summer backs that up.

This situation came from a friend on an undisclosed campus, who will be running for Panhell president and one of her opponents is from a small chapter. My friend was like "if youre such a great leader, then spend the time building your chapter up so that it can compete with everyone else, don't waste your time trying to tell the larger chapters what to do..." My response was one of understanding (b/c she's my friend) but also, I tried to play the other side of the arguement by saying that perhaps this other girl thought she could make a bigger impact by running for Panhell exec.

I thought that GC might be the spot to see what people thought...and so far the responses have been interesting. I just set up the fraternity situation to be fair and more open.

Pretty much, I think that this opponent should be focused on her chapter, and the Panhell position is one that is very time consuming. And no sorority on this campus would imagine letting another chapter use their house for rush...that's just ridiculous.

[Tom Earp]

Figured that, but a lot depends on the School and Chapter Size. Didnt really figure it was Your Fine Org at Neb. Know it is a Great Chapter.

But, I am still not sure if Going to Schools Councils will be that beneficial for them. Will it give them notority for their Name in The School Newspaper?

As I said, it will depend on the size of The Greeks and % of Greeks on Campus. A lot of more factors in this than what You stated.

I and I am sure others wonder about The Greek Councils and their decissions that they have come up with.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Betarulz!
This situation came from a friend on an undisclosed campus, who will be running for Panhell president and one of her opponents is from a small chapter. My friend was like "if youre such a great leader, then spend the time building your chapter up so that it can compete with everyone else, don't waste your time trying to tell the larger chapters what to do..." My response was one of understanding (b/c she's my friend) but also, I tried to play the other side of the arguement by saying that perhaps this other girl thought she could make a bigger impact by running for Panhell exec.

I thought that GC might be the spot to see what people thought...and so far the responses have been interesting. I just set up the fraternity situation to be fair and more open.

Pretty much, I think that this opponent should be focused on her chapter, and the Panhell position is one that is very time consuming. And no sorority on this campus would imagine letting another chapter use their house for rush...that's just ridiculous.

You can be Panhel prez and still be very visible on campus as a sister of XYZ and hold a chapter office - it might not be an exec board office, but sometimes there are non-exec offices that are just as important.

Plus, when you can tell girls during rush that one of your sisters is president of Panhell, it sounds impressive.

But if Panhel prez is ALL she would be able to do - that's another story. And to be blunt - is she so stupendously awesome that not having her around all the time would hurt the chapter THAT much? If so, then the chapter has a bigger problem - they need to be building other leaders within the chapter instead of saying "OMG Susie can't be at rush because of Panhel we won't get any girls if she isn't there!" When you put too much on too few people, your chapter is going to have long-range issues that may never get resolved.

And I think your friend has it completely wrong - being NPC prez isn't about "telling the larger chapters what to do" especially since AFAIK, the president doesn't have a vote. It sounds like it would be good for this Panhel to get a little perspective that doesn't come from the biggest chapters on campus. This is why I am glad that our Panhel operated on a rotation system.