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Many may only see collegiate Greek life as a cultural group who hides their partying behind community service hours and charitable donations.
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GreekLivingLeaders:Workingthe UltimateOrganization ManymayonlyseecollegiateGreeklifeasasocialgroupwhohidestheir partying behind community service hours and charitable donations. However, I wish to challenge that stereotype by focusing on the professional development and self-improvement opportunity that's presentedtoGreeklifemembers-especiallypeoplewhoholdleadership positions.Currently,Iservemyone-hundredmembersororityaschapter president and work with other officers to steadfastly keep up a well- balanced,structured,andinvolvedorganization. Fraternities and sororities must operate as a business first, and a το πρωινοsocialitesecondtobeabletobesuccessful.Iwouldreallyliketo point out some key concepts that report the relation between Greek organizationsandbusinesses. Greekorganizations: •Divideofficersintoteamstofocusonspecificareasofthechapter •Mustoperateonastrictbudget,fueledsolelyfrommember'sdues •Mustmarketthemselveswelltobeabletocontinuesteadilytorecruit newmembers •Havemissionstatementsandvaluestoholdtheirmemberstoandgear theirbrand • Must follow rules from, and are accountable to, their national headquarters •Haveinsurancetocovertheirorganizationanditsmembers,aswellas manypoliciesandproceduresinareaforholdingevents
ThesearejustacouplepointsthatreporthowGreekorganizationsare ranasthebestbusiness,combiningfriendshipwithprofessionalismand offeringmembersagreatopportunityforprivatedevelopment. Aspresident,IseeallsidesofrunningaGreekorganizationandmust helpeveryofficernomatterwhatteamherpositionisreallyapartof.My days are filled with constantly making decisions and weighing the consequences. I have learned to make fair decisions that benefit the moregood,whileremainingunbiasedintheprocess.Ialsoresponseto everyone's questions and concerns while problem solving when an unplanned event takes place. For example, we had a tiny crisis with flyersthathavebeenmadetopromoteaneventwewerehaving.Once they came in, we noticed the contact email on the flyers was spelled wrong.Aftersomedeliberation,wemadeadecisiontoutilizetheflyers we'dandmadeafreshemailwiththetypoincluded. Amassivepartofmanagingasuccessfulorganizationisbeneficialand professionalcommunication.Ourmainforumofcommunicationbetween officersandtheadvisoryboardisemailing.Ihavelearnedjusthowto properly send and respond to emails in a professional manner. My communicationskillshaveimprovedsubstantiallysincebeingaleaderof my chapter. I have learned to communicate concisely and format informationinthetopway.Iarefindingprovidinginformationinbulletlists isthebestwaytogetmemberstolearnmessagesfully.Allofourofficers mustholdteammeetingsandgetreportsofprogressindifferentareas on their team. Officers are responsible for organizing their particular meetings and taking minutes to record what was discussed. Greek organizations teach members to effectively and professionally communicate through emailing, holding meetings, and working with others. One of the most valuable traits that I'm still learning through my presidency,ishowtogetmorecomfortablewithhardconversations.I workcloselywiththisDirectorofStandardsandEthicstomakesureour members are holding themselves to your high ideals and values. If
someone is falling behind, it is our job to possess conversations with themaboutwhythisreallyishappeningandwhatwecandotoensureit does not happen again. These tough conversations become even tougherwhenrememberingthatthemembersofourchapterwillalsobe ourfriendsandsisters.AsaleaderofaGreekorganization,I'mlearning howtohavethesehardconversationswhileresidingincontrolofmyself andtheconversation. Greek life has much more to provide compared to social facet of the organization,andcantrulyprepareyoungadultstobecomelistedonthe professional world. Through developing members personally, and developing officers professionally, Greek organizations will offer life- changingcollegiateexperiencesthatcan'tbefoundelsewhere.