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A Matter of Survival: A Closer Look at the Contemporary Concerns of the Membership Education Process within Culturally Based Greek Lettered Organizations
By Colvin Georges, Jr.
Membership in fraternities and sororities has served as a springboard for scholarship, leadership, and service on college campuses for nearly two centuries (Atkinson, Dean, & Espino, 2010). Despite the opportunities afforded through membership in these organizations, in recent years, many culturally based greek lettered organizations have shifted their membership education processes away from these values and focused more on hazing, social involvement verses academic success, and homogeneity. These poor practices have affected the brand of these organizations and their ability to attract strong candidates for membership.
It is safe to say that culturally based organizations must reevaluate and adjust their membership education processes. The following recommendations can be applied:
• Culturally based organizations must seek advisement from their national headquarters and Fraternity and Sorority Life departments when conducting a membership education process. Students and administrators need to develop a stronger level of trust and respect for one another and have conversations about the goals and purpose of the membership process, making sure the process aligns with the historical values and customs of the organization, and confirming that federal and institutional policies are being followed.
• The member education process should place greater emphasis on academic support overall. This support could include requiring a certain amount of study hours per week during the membership process monitored by a chapter officer. No membership activities should be taking place during study hours. This officer should be aware of all new member course loads and offer resources to best support them throughout the process.
• When selecting new members, it is important that current members reflect on the needs of the chapter in terms of diversity. These organizations will not grow and strive if everyone in the chapter is the same in terms of their mindset and identities. Selecting diverse candidates with different backgrounds, skills and experiences will have positive and lasting effects on the chapter. This will also assist in gaining different perspectives and developing stronger programs and initiatives for the organization at large.
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The Volunteer Leadership Team is proud to recognize Scott Irlbacher as the Volunteer of the Month for August. Scott has dedicated many hours over the last two months in order to launch the 2017 NGLA sponsorship program. He has added valuable contacts to our list and has made significant headway in paving pathways to new sponsorships and partnerships.
Additionally, he has developed a new early adopters program offering organizations a significant discount if they agree to be a NGLA sponsor early. He is a very dedicated volunteer to NGLA, his professional work, and most of all to his family! We are lucky to have Scott as a team leader for the sponsorship team of NGLA.
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| The Greek Case for Sustainability
The United Nations has established 17 sustainable development goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. Research suggests that college-aged Generation Zs have the energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and global orientation necessary to succeed in this goal, and it’s critical that Gen-Zs gain at least a rudimentary capacity to evaluate the global impact of their individual and collective choices. In support of this goal, and as part of a collaboration with NGLA in support of the first annual Greek Sustainability Month, GreenPhi is embarking on a Greek Sustainability and Leadership Development road trip, conducting one-hour workshops free of charge in cities and campuses across the northeast.
A Real Life Example
These workshops will provide greeks with a more holistic view of the social, environmental, and economic tradeoffs associated with their choices. Without this awareness and skillset, greek collegians often lack the capacity to live their values and lead the transition to a sustainable and equitable tomorrow. While a collegiate event or action can do much to move toward this goal, it can also hinder progress. One very timely example was a recent campus fundraiser to end poverty (SDG 1) and ensure gender equality in developing nations. Unbeknownst to the well-meaning students, their promotional swag was manufactured in developing countries by young women who weren’t paid a living wage for their work.
Knowledge is Power
Leadership stems from individuals and organizations that are aware of the impact they have on the world around them. The Greek Sustainability and Leadership Development Roadshow that we will be embarking on will be just one of many opportunities and free resources available to inter/national fraternities and sororities, chapters, campus greek Life communities, fraternity/sorority councils, and advisors in celebration of Greek Sustainability Month this October. For more information about Greek Sustainability, visit GreenPhi’s website!
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| | | NGLA is proud to sponsor 8 registration scholarships to attend the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors annual conference in Boston, MA. NGLA will offer the following opportunities:- 1 professional registration scholarship and 1 graduate student registration scholarship for any professional and graduate student
- 1 professional registration scholarship and 1 graduate student registration scholarship for individuals that work, attend graduate school, or volunteer in the northeast
- 4 registration scholarships (professional or graduate) for NGLA volunteers
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