THE GREEK GUIDE

settinggoalsgettingbetter-deact asked: To the one who asked about awkward 8th grade dance parties (aka mixers), here's what I have to say: Try something NEW. Get your organizations together in a non-drinking/partying scene. I mean do a philanthropy together, or some sort of stress-free event. We do Capture the Flag games, philanthropy days, things like that. These let us get to know some of the newer members that we don't know that well. Mind you, my school's greeks do NOT have this issue at all. haha We're all fairly intertwined.

canadianmouseketeer asked: I had the same problem as the anon with non-mingling chapters... what we did was have an awesome themed mixer (we played life sized Mario Party, complete with minigames and giant dice) and everyone was paired up with a member of the other chapter. The guys set up the game with squares on couch cushions and stairs around the chapter room and down stairs to the living room etc. The guy in charge had a bunch of awesome ice breaking mini games. Best mixer ever!

Submitted by bethsandmusic

For the person who asked how to get more sisters to go to mixers: If money is the issue, try charging more if less sisters go. For example, my chapter is tiny, so if all 40 girls go, each would put in one dollar, which would make $40. And then the price could go up to $5/sister if less sisters chose to go. If it’s because they dont like hanging out with other Greek orgs, thats bad. Let them know how important it is to expand their horizons and the good it will do for your chapter. Remind them that if you girls go to an event for a specific organization, then that org will want to come to your events!

Submitted by smilesandgrace

I think having fun themes or activities that require interaction without being pushy will help people get over their awkwardness. Also asking sisters who already know brothers to introduce people will help get conversations started. If no one knows anyone try going to IM events or philanthropy events to get to know some before a mixer.

Anonymous asked: Do you have any advice of how to get more girls to come out to mixers with fraternities? Some girls do not feel comfortable coming out or when they do, it seems more of an 8th grade dance situation rather than a comfortable get together. Ultimately it is complicating relations with other fraternities.

My sorority deals with this same issue quite frequently. Personally I don’t understand the problems sisters have with meeting other Greeks, so I’m not exactly sure what advice I can give to help the situation. When it comes down to it, it’s up to the sister whether or not she feels comfortable going.

Does anyone else have any advice about this?

Anonymous asked: What is a charter for and can Greek organizations exist if they're not recognized by nationals or the school?

I answered a question like this one previously! Look deeper into the blog to find it. Let me know if you want me to go in more depth! (  :

Anonymous asked: What's the difference between a fraternity/sorority that is recognized by the school and those that are not. Or organizations that have lost their charter but are still initiating and taking pledges?

A fraternity/sorority that is recognized by the school has to follow the rules of the governing bodies on campus (i.e. IFC or Greek Council), while those that are not recognized by the campus can still be recognized by the national organization. Another name for those are like “city wide” chapters and would be called the chapter at (insert city here) rather than the chapter at (insert university here).

So why do chapters bother being affiliated with the national organization? The chapter’s able to rush/recruit openly at school, attract people to the benefits the national org has to offer, insurance policy, conferences, etc. Being affiliated with a university and the larger national organization tends to give chapters more clout and social standing. But with that being said, there are always exceptions.

I really hoped this helped! You asked a really good question!

Anonymous asked: I didn't do too well my first semester of college. Will standards board be more leniant because of this? Could you tell me what you know about being on academic probation? I'm so scared about what will happen when classes start up again:(

You should definitely talk to your scholarship/scholastic chair about how to improve your grades this next semester. For my organization we have first and second semester academic probation that limits involvement with socials and mixers and requires a certain number of study hours. If you raise your gpa and an obvious improvement is made during this next semester, Standards should take that into account. Standards and Scholarship are there to help, so be sure to ask for it!