The Alpha Beta Chi's
of Leadership
Greek life offers real-world training

By Jen Miller

When I told friends that I was thinking of joining a sorority at the University of Tampa, they thought I was insane. Hadn’t I seen Animal House? Revenge of the Nerds? How could I stand being hazed? Would I become an alcoholic? Why would I want to pay for friends?

I knew these were all stereotypes of the Greek community, but I was willing to give it a chance. I was already well on my way to becoming a campus leader, and I was looking for an organization that would help me move forward.

Besides the benefits of brotherhood or sisterhood, Greek organizations offer leadership positions and training tools that you might not find anywhere else. When I joined Delta Zeta, I found that most Greek organizations are hotbeds for leadership training. By joining a Greek organization you can network with other students around campus and learn the in’s and out’s of how to become a leader beyond the fraternity or sorority.

Connecting on Campus and Beyond
As editor of UT’s newspaper, The Minaret, It was important for me to have as many contacts at my disposal as possible. I had to have my finger on the campus pulse, and the Greek community formed a good chunk of that campus. I needed to know whom I could go to when the paper needed a story idea, quote, or someone to profile; and the only way to create this database was to go out and meet people. Through Greek events I met motivational speakers; experts on domestic abuse, eating disorders, and sexual abuse; faculty and staff members; and, of course, students.

Being Greek also helped me to meet other students nationwide. When I moved to Washington, D.C. for a summer internship, my roommate was in my sorority at another school. We would wear our sorority shirts to the cafeteria to see if we’d meet any other Delta Zetas; and often we did. National Greek organizations have conferences that focus on how to improve their chapters, but they also hold sessions on improving academics, how to be a better leader, and finding community service opportunities. Plus these conferences allow you to meet members of your organization from across the country. These are connections you can keep beyond graduation and establish with other sisters in local alumni chapters.

All in Favor Say “Yea!”
Most Greek organizations run their meetings according to either parliamentary Procedure or Robert’s Rules of Order. These are the same set of rules used in Student Government or Residence Hall Associations. Through weekly meetings, you can learn these very specific rules inside and out.

I was Delta Zeta’s Parliamentarian for a semester and my job was to make sure that those rules were followed. I was able to take what I learned in Delta Zeta meetings and apply it to other campus wide organizations. What I learned in this position helped me when debating possible amendments in SG as an assembly member for the English Honor Society, and voting on grade requirements for the Residence Hall executive board as a hall council vice president.

Parliamentary procedure doesn’t become obsolete after graduation, either. For students holding public office, knowing Robert’s Rules of Order is vital. It’s also how some business meetings are held. Being versed in these policies could help you in your job hunt after graduation.

Springboards to Leadership
Most fraternities and sororities are highly organized and structured and one person doesn’t run the whole show. Members hold chair positions in academics, philanthropy, risk management, and alumni relations. There are also SG representatives, historians, webmasters—and this doesn’t include members who chair special committees. And the best part is the person who’s filled your chair previously is probably still active, so they can help you in this new role and give you advice.

These positions give you experience when you try for a campus wide position, such as a student senator. Being part of such a structured organization can help you in other leadership positions that may not have a defined leadership system or goals already. You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned from your Greek organization to these other groups.

Fraternities and sororities are also governed by a group that makes sure they are following rules; such as the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council. They plan campus-wide events, have their own judicial board and attend conferences around the country. These leadership positions, with concur great responsibilities, are only held by Greek members.

Greek life can have many benefits besides those related to leadership, such as community service opportunities and forming bonds that can last for life. But it can have some drawbacks as well if the chapter’s goals aren’t aimed at helping its members in their personal development. This depends on your campus and each of the individual chapters. Your best bet is to look for the chapter that wants to help its members achieve, and succeed, both during and after college. These are the chapters that will help you fill your leadership potential and make you the best campus leader you can be.

Contact Jen Miller at dzjen27@hotmail.com.

Copyright © 2006 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved