The Perfect World

I do not believe that we can not achieve the perfect world within the Greek community, but it is worth to try our hardest to make it so. I am an optimistic that all wants to see the positive and hopes for the postive. The first thing that I would like to see in my perfect world is that within the Greek community that we were are able to have true communication betweeen the councils. As a diverse student population and diverse Greek population we need utilize these differences and bridge the gaps of understanding. As Greeks we should model for the rest of the universities students and show that Greeks understand the great value in diversity. One way that this communication and value of diversity would benefit Greeks would be that we recruit together and for each other. Going Greek should be a victory for all because in increase the Greek population overall and increase awareness of Greek Life on campus. Of coarse for us to refer to someone to another chapter, we would need to have a great relationship and understanding of why this person should join this chapter. Each chapter at OSU has is own value and personality that provides each variety that a student can find the right chapter for them. Its about us pointing these students in the right direction.
In the perfect world I would like to not obesses about the specific in our greek culture being so secrettive. I beleive that being secretive creates barriers in already segregated community. We need to unite this community through a common bound and that is being Greek. If we were not so secretive, outsiders would be able to see the type of bond that we share as a community. Also, if we were not as secretive most the bad things that we do would not happen. This romanticism with secrecy is a dislussion that we are doing something for better ourselve, but really it a selfish act that cover oursevles in doing bad actions, such as hazing.
Lastly, I would like to see more interaction between MCGC, IFC, PHA, and NPHC. IFC and PHA seem to have great relationshp with each since they are similiar. MCGC and NPHC are similiar to, but the relationship is not strong as IFC and PHA. Overall, in the perfect world we would collaborate with different chapters from each council equally. These collaboration would not just be professional arrangements, but as the chapters purpose to make friends with people in different councils.

Dilemma Facing Fraternal Movement

The dilemma facing the fraternal movement is ourselves: Greeks. As many have noticed from this class that it is easy for us to point the finger at other within our Greek community and say that they are not living up to the standards that we value as Greeks, but we need to lead the way. I find this situation parrallel to hump that we were able to overcome and to finally achieve by passing health care reform. Health care reform has been a goal and a issue that the U.S. has struggled to pass over centuries and we finally did it yesterday. It only takes great leadership and hope to overcome an establishment. Greeks need to learn from this example that we can eliminate that negatives in our community by being agents of change. These two vehicle of change complemement each in that a great leadership serves to inspire other with hope and hope serves inspire the leader.
Just like the health care situation in which we did not do anything until everything began to go down the tubes, I predict we will do the same. This was the similiar situation for the civil rights movement in the 1960's. Although, we may not make a complete change now, it is still important to advocate for positive change within the Greek community.

Strengths and Weaknesses

ADVANTAGES TO GREEK LIFE
Upon arriving at OSU, you will be faced with numerous challenges in your first few months as well as throughout your entire college career. In your new environment, you will be faced with establishing new friendships and adjusting to the rigors of college academics. Many clubs, organizations, and activities offer things such as friendship, academic support, leadership skills, and social activities. However, only a fraternity/sorority can provide you with all these opportunities, and many others, in one single organization. The fraternity/sorority community is an opportune way for you to ease into the collegiate environment, enabling you to develop socially and intellectually.
ADVANTAGE #1 - FRIENDSHIP AND BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD
As a member of the fraternity/sorority community, you will have the opportunity to meet students of various backgrounds with both similar and different interests. Within each chapter, there is a close bond of friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood which only the fraternity/sorority atmosphere can foster. The ideal of brotherhood/sisterhood is the principal foundation upon which each fraternity/sorority is built and from which you will receive the greatest benefit. Every member contributes to this aspect. Brotherhood/sisterhood combines the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation.

As a fraternity/sorority member you will form friendships unlike any found in other organizations. brotherhood/sisterhood is not conformity. No fraternity/sorority is made up of members who are exactly alike. By choosing to become a member of a fraternity/sorority, you will meet brothers/sisters who grow to become your closest friends, those who will cheer you on when you're successful and who will support you when the going gets tough. From this unbreakable support system you can easily branch off into other areas of college life, knowing all the while that your brothers/sisters will be behind you no matter what.


ADVANTAGE #2 – ACADEMICS

The academic portion of your university career is one significant determinant in your future success. A primary purpose of the fraternity/sorority community is to encourage and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Several factors contribute to this academic atmosphere, including peer tutoring, upperclassman counseling, and chapter study hours which introduce new students to the longer and more intense studying that college requires.
Within each fraternity/sorority there are members involved in a wide variety of colleges and departments. This is quite an advantage in two ways: first, you will be able to seek help from others who may be taking or have already taken the same classes; second, there will be upperclassmen who can advise you on which classes and instructors are the best within each field of study.

Nationally speaking, just over 50% of students in colleges and universities go on to graduate. However, U.S. Department of Education data shows that members of fraternities and sororities graduate at a rate in excess of 70%! Fraternities help you meet the challenge of balancing academics while gaining the most from your collegiate experience.

The combination of friendships and brotherhood/sisterhood, intermingling with solid goals of academic excellence help you to become a well-rounded, intelligent member of the university community, and of the work force after you graduate.

ADVANTAGE #3 - LEADERSHIP

In the fraternity/sorority, you will be "charge" of an event or a duty. Everyone in the fraternity/sorority is a leader, whether you're an officer, on a committee, or just a participant. You will learn by doing. You'll learn how to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public, motivate others ... skills that will help you in the university and throughout your life. These days it takes more than just a degree to get a good job- it takes leadership experience.

• 85% of the Fortune 500 Executives,
• 80% of U.S. Presidents since 1900, and
• 100% of Apollo 11 Astronauts.....
All joined a fraternity!!!


ADVANTAGE #4- SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Offering a break from the demands of the classroom is one of the benefits of the Greek community. Throughout the year a fraternity/sorority will participate in many social events such as Homecoming, Parent's Weekend, pre-game tailgates, dinner dances, mixers, backyard barbecues, Greek Week, and special spring formals. These events offer you a good time and a great opportunity to meet and interact with members of the opposite sex. Fraternity/sorority social activities allow members to bring dates or are often held with another fraternity or sorority where you can meet many new faces. These social activities are not required, but for those of us who enjoy a good party, there is no comparison anywhere to the variety, scope, and just plain fun of fraternity/sorority social events.

ADVANTAGE #5 - COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Greek community at Ohio State University provides services to more than just members of fraternities and sororities. One of the many advantages of being a part of the Greek community is the time spent helping others in need.

The campus and surrounding Columbus community are constantly reaping the benefits of the Greek community. The commitment found in the members of fraternities and sororities can be seen in the enthusiasm they have in giving back to the community in the form of Community Service, known as Philanthropies.
Philanthropies are projects and events organized by groups or individuals to benefit the surrounding community. They can involve members from one fraternity/sorority or from all members of the Greek community. What is most important is that fraternities and sororities work side by side to help local or national charitable organizations.

These Community Service activities provide us with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. They are just one aspect a person can enjoy as a member of the Greek community at Ohio State University.

ADVANTAGE #6 – ATHLETICS

Each fraternity/sorority participates in the numerous competitive sports through intramurals and Greek tournaments. It's difficult to get a group of people on your own to play team intramural sports, outdoor paintball, or to get a softball game together on a Sunday afternoon. Fraternities/Sororites offer all of this along with the pride of sportsmanship, team spirit, and competition!

ADVANTAGE #7 - CAREER NETWORKING

Say you've graduated or are just looking for a summer job. Now what? In today's economy and job market, it's going to take more than looking at want-ads and job postings. You need to network with people. The fraternity/sorority is one of the best ways to do just that. Using the resources of fraternity/sorority members like alumni, you may find that job you're looking for - that head start in life, all because you joined a fraternity/sorority. Joining a fraternity/sorority can be an investment in your future!

The Greek system is not perfect, just like every other organization and person at college. People make mistakes, make bad decisions and sometimes do some pretty reprehensible things, but it does not mean the overall system is not a good one.

Stereotypes exist in our society, and although few would say they are a good thing, most people are guilty of applying them. Stereotypes about the Greek system exist because some organizations and individuals within the Greek community reinforce them. It is easy to say, for example, that the Ohio State University (OH.) chapter of Delta Zeta sorority was discriminatory because it is true. It kicked out members for reasons such as race and physical appearance, and as a result, reinforced an image the Greek community has been trying to get rid of in the past few decades. It would be very difficult to find a member of the Greek community who would condone such actions.

The problem does not rest simply with people who stereotype the Greek community - it is also the fault of some members of the Greek system who stereotype other fraternities and sororities. Fraternities and sororities often have set ideas of what their fellow Greek organizations are like. Whether any specific chapters are labeled by other organizations as sluts, nerds, drunks, partiers, studiers or stoners, this inter-Greek stereotyping only serves to suggest to everyone outside the Greek community that these stereotypes have some truth. The examples leading to these stereotypes, however, tend to be the exceptions and rarely the rule for every member of the organization, so why does the Greek community perpetuate these stereotypes within itself?

The situation at Ohio State does portray how some Greek organizations act, but it should not be taken as an example of what happens in the Greek system as a whole. There sometimes are flaws in the system, and it is the job of the Greek community to make sure that incidents like the one at Ohio State do not happen again.

Another reason that the Greek system sometimes is labeled as discriminatory is that it has a selective and limited membership. In some sense, it does have some discriminatory qualities - much like nearly every other organization and selective institution. I do not believe that this discrimination is necessarily a negative thing. There are many factors that come into play when people seek to join a Greek organization, just like any organization. Among these factors are recruits' attitudes, academic standings and agreeability among members.

These factors do limit membership, but it is not discriminatory in a negative sense. After all, it wouldn't make sense to want someone to be a part of your group if you don't get along with that person or if they are not willing to fulfill the obligations associated with membership. People do not tend to hang around with those they do not get along with, so why when membership is restricted in this sense is it labeled negatively as discriminatory?

Granted, the Ohio State example does reveal some flaws in the Greek system that can be exploited by those with malicious intent, but it has nothing to do with how the system relates to the University itself. For example, our University is selective with regard to whom it admits and it teaches valuable skills for the future. This is exactly how I see the Greek system. My association has taught me a great deal, and I feel much more prepared for society as a result - in my case and for many others, the Greek system and the University are complementary.

Being Greek is one of the many paths that people can take while they are in college. It is a choice, and although it was my choice, I am not saying that it is the only one.

Oath

oath ( th)
n. pl. oaths ( z, ths)
b. The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.
c. Something declared or promised.

Oath of Office for
The Delta Chi Fraternity
the Delta Chi Fraternity=
I do solemnly swear that I will perform
my duties as _____________ of the
_______________________________________
of The Delta Chi Fraternity to the best of my ability
and understanding, and that I will in all things obey
the provisions of the Constitution of the Fraternity;
and that I will, to my utmost power, strive to protect
and preserve the interests and traditions of our
beloved Fraternity.
________________________________________
(Name in Full)
________________________________________
(Date)
To me this is a practice required by all these fraternities and sororities as a pre-requisite prior to initiation.
Oaths are part of the big picture (another Greek term): Ritual: The traditional beliefs and oaths of a sorority or fraternity usually used in reference to the Ceremonies of Initiation as well as weekly chapter meetings. These traditions do not include any forms of hazing, because hazing weakens the bonds of brotherhood / sisterhood, and undermines the common experience of the fraternity or sorority.
Oath can take many forms, such as allegiance, secrecy, and membership. Secrecy is usually done keep a bond between brothers and sisters by sharing information or actions that no else knows. This secrecy can result in negative consequences by keeping hazing underground.
The pledging process often involves hazing. Hazing that is physical in nature has been reported against these organizations for decades. These cases have been settled in and out of court and in some cases not settled or solved at all. Most times the members of the orders attempt of cover up and conceal these happenings.
This hazing of the physical type could include, but is by no means limited to, punching, kicking, hitting with objects, paddling, choking, forcing to drink large quantities of alcohol and/or doing drugs, forcing unwanted sexual engagement, etc. Several pledges have died over the years due to injuries incurred while trying to join the orders.
The most under reported aspect of hazing is psychological in nature. ‘Proving yourself’ to the society by allowing the members to use and abuse you psychologically is just as wrong as allowing the members to use and abuse you physically. Unfortunately, many endure the psychological hazing because they don’t equate it with the physical hazing.
I know that I have kind of a rant on hazing, but an oath can be overall positive because it can change a person’s life by giving them values to live by.

Conan O'Brien Farewell Speech

Hello eveyone,

I thought I would share this everyone. The part that I like the most is past 3:48.

Failure - The Key to Success in the Greek Community

When I reflect about this video this reminds that is not always about the times in your life that you point to your success, but it is about respecting the process of succeeding - trying. When you try, there is the possibility of failure and success. The more failures that you have in your life reflects your determination to succeed and the worst attitude you can have is to simply do nothing.
I keep mentioning in my blogs entries that I have been around the Greek community for quite some time and I feel that this my need to me to stress to all you that I want to share my knowledge. I have been Greek since 2007 and have seen the challenges that we face as a community by attending all most all the different retreats and conferences provided by OSU (vice-presidents diversity retreat, BGlI, CPLi,UIFI,MGCA)and the problems are always the same, hazing and other negative stereotypes of Greeks. As executive council members we should leading the Greek community by trying different programs, different collaborations, different ways to avoid these negative stereotypes of Greeks (drinking and hazing). All of these different methods of promoting change in our Greek community do not need be an instant success, but the fact we actually tried something that lead to inspiring others to the same in our positions. We need to set the tone, the foundation, the attitude, the mission, the goal or whatever else what you want to call it - to promote change that is the direction (elevating), not perfecton.

Also, when I mention change I do not mean progressive change, but revolutionary change.

Prompt 2

"What are your values and how do they define you? Where do they fit in terms of your council’s values? In terms of the community’s values?"

Here are my values in a bullet form:
-revolutionary leadership
-community
-service

I feel that these three values have become more meaningful with my involvement with Greek Life this past year. This past year I was President of MCGC (Multi-Cultural Greek Council and the main purpose that I had was to build community. The reason that I wanted to create community in MCGC was due to my experience in MGCA (Mid-America Greek Council Association, now AFLV,in February 2009 and UIFI (Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute)in September 2009. Both of these experience brought me close to individuals from different councils and I wanted my council to experience the same kind of bonds with other councils. Along with the friendship that I established at these leadership conferences was that I was able to develop my leadership skills and gave me time to reflect about my values.
The reason that I value revolutionary leadership is that it does not support the status quo. Being a person of color and not having much it terms of social-economic status, I looked up to activist within my community that were outspoken and challenged others. I would even say that my personality has always been one that wants to challenge the process and be the trail brazer. At these two conferences I realized that I needed to embrace this quality of revolutionary leadership and create change within the OSU Greek community.
To me community has always been special to me because I was not only raised by my parents and other members of my extended family, but by mentors and friends. Without these mentors in life I would not be in college right now and not overcome the different challenges that I have had in my life. As for my friends they helped me get through the bad times and even housed me when I needed help. With this type of background I have always valued community over individualism. I do not like the word individualism that much in than I believe it is a concept that we over emphasize in our American society.
Throughout my lifetime service has been encouraged through the various organizations that I have been apart of, but I have always been self-motivated to take part in service due to my value of community. As a member of the community I should hold myself responsible by helping others.
My three my values are compatible with the mission and goals of council, but I would say that revolutionary leadership is not clearly articulated in our bylaws and Constitution. MCGC is a new council and is experiencing its growing pains by developing new policies, adding new chapters, trying establish itself as a strong governing council, and becoming relevant to Greek and OSU community as strong student organization. As a young organization MCGC is has the great potential of developing into a premiere organization at OSU in the future, especially with the trend of many multicultural Greeks increasing nationwide. With a strong foundation and excellent leadership MCGC can have a strong impact on the OSU community.