Thank the Maker for Facebook... Over the past 2 weeks, I reached out to alumni/alumnae that have served as IFC & Panhellenic Exec here at USD to find out WHY THEY DID IT and WHAT THEY GOT FROM IT. The responses were mixed between men and women, as well as from a variety of years. Here's what they said:
- I initially applied for the leadership experience and admittedly because my chapter really wanted someone to be on it to represent us. I re-applied my junior year because I had learned so much about myself and the community my first year, I knew the second year would be just as great. ...I wanted to make changes that would benefit the whole sorority community as well as the campus community.
- I learned the importance of looking at the bigger picture of things. Choosing a t-shirt color and an event theme seemed like such a big deal, when in reality, the privilege to wear my organization's letters and the opportunity to build sisterhood were much more important.
- I learned that being Greek is more important than being Kappa. To any non-Greek, the letters don't differentiate who is a part of which organization, but rather they just group us all together. What I do in my everyday life, how I treat others, and how I behave in public places do not just reflect poorly on my Greek organization, but every Greek organization.
- I also learned the importance of asking "why" in talking to others. Arbitrary rules are kind of annoying and can be frustrating- but if I explained why the rule was created, I found that it was often easier to get support in following them.
- I gained a lot of Panhellenic sisterhood, ...a support system that I needed sometimes more than I realized, and a lot more confidence- Panhellenic gave me a voice that I'm not sure I would have ever found on my own.
- ... I saw a bigger picture, that my chapter wouldn't be present on our campus if it wasn't for the greater organization that oversaw it, Panhellenic. And if I served on Panhellenic, I would be continuing the ability for other woman to connect to USD and other liked-minded women who strive for similar ideals as myself.
- Panhellenic offers you a unique opportunity to serve with men and women from all chapters, and for me, sisterhood wasn't only with my only direct sisters, but with every woman who wore Greek letters.
- It excited me to work with the leaders of every chapter, as opposed to the duds or checked out... We're only as strong as our weakest link, so what better chance to build the Greek community than from the inside on PHC or IFC.
- I joined Panhellenic because I believed very strongly in the five core values of the USD Greek community, especially the notion of social justice and selfless service. I realized that if I wanted Greek Life to be better then I had to take an active role within the community and try to create positive, sustainable change. I gained lifelong friends and created connections with so many amazing women and men around campus because of my position as Panhellenic President. I grew so much as a leader and learned the importance of not only believing, but living and voicing your values.
- I think it's a certain caliber of men and women who join PHC and IFC. ...They're willing to give more of themselves, and without knowing if they'll be rewarded - which they are, INFINITELY so, through helping others!
- I gained more experience in twelve months in this leadership role than I did sitting inside any collegiate classroom. Panhellenic prepared me for the "real world" where I was immediately able to conduct meetings, plan events, negotiate and compromise. You cannot learn what Panhellenic teaches you from a textbook.
- The two best decisions I ever made at USD were to study abroad and to join Panhellenic. Not only did I get to become a leader that everyone recognized, but I also saw myself transform into someone I was proud of.
- Skills I developed through PHC are things I'm able to use now in my post-grad years; managing large groups of people (helloooo 600 women during Recruitment!), budgeting finances and keeping to deadlines, to name a few.
- For me, I knew that I loved the brotherhood which came from being a part of my chapter in USD's Greek Life, and that was truly what made me want that for everyone. We all found our place within the community, but I wanted more: I wanted to get the word out to all the prospective new members that Greek Life is and can be for everyone, not just for the stereotypical "frat boy".
- Holding officer positions in both my chapter and in Exec made me realize that I didn't have to try and make my chapter the best; Seeing we each are the best in our own ways afforded me the opportunity to openly realize that, appreciate my fellow brothers and sisters in Greek Life, and to expose as many people as possible to the amazing opportunities which we as a community can offer.
- Hanging out with people I had grown so close to from every different chapter made me feel a part of something bigger than just the 90 active members of LXA. I was able to expand upon my leadership potential, become further entrenched in USD itself, and truly find out what it is to be a servant leader.
- (I am)... a more self-aware and better person in my professional career. (I was told)...you (we) live in a glass house. (Meaning)...we've all been there-you're not alone in this...and people who look at you and up to you know that they can strive for better.
- Joining IFC was an opportunity to learn more about Greek life, to challenge myself as a leader, and to collaborate with and learn from other chapters and their organizations. As an executive officer, it was a unique opportunity to see and experience Greek life differently. I found that the Greek councils create, foster and inspire community …and have fun while doing so!
- It certainly broadened my outlook on the Greek community, and made me realize we all joined our separate organizations for the same reason. It allowed me to see the Greek community as one cohesive unit. Some of my favorite memories were creating special bonds with such a motivated, strong, smart group of folks from each group – it was like the “All-Star” team, and I like to think we all learned something from one another.
- Before I applied to PH Exec. I was a member of a wonderful Greek Organization - but not truly a member of the Greek Community. PH allowed me to interact with other chapters on a deeper level and become familiar with all of their foundations - from their charities to their overall missions.
- I realized how powerful the Greek Community can be when it acts together for a cause. Working with St. Jude Children's Hospital was an extra bonus as it was the experience of a lifetime to actually fly out to Memphis and see what all of our hard work was helping to achieve.
- Some of my fondest memories from undergrad were at leadership retreats and ropes courses for sigma rho chis... etc. When I look back, I was a member of AXO, but just as much, I was a member of the USD Greek Community.
- I learned to build relationships across different groups, which is a skill that I still use today in my career.
- Greek gov't not only allowed Greeks... to share ideas between each chapter, but gave "us" (the Greeks) a chance to have an active voice on campus!
- I have always been extremely involved and sought out leadership opportunities. I originally decided to apply for an executive position on Panhellenic, because my own sorority emphasized the importance of each chapter being represented on the council, and I wanted to be that woman for mine. While I originally joined out of love for my chapter, what I learned was respect for the entire Greek community.
- During my time on Panhellenic, I became best friends with women from other chapters and also call them my sisters.
Consider it. What can you give? What can you gain? The community needs you - maybe even more than you know.
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