Gamma Chi Advice: Philanthropy Round
With Panhellenic Recruitment 2017 now fully underway, all of the Potential New Members (PNMs) are rushing from house to house and enjoying meeting women in each of the eighteen houses on campus. Throughout today and tomorrow, the PNMs will visit up to thirteen houses and learn more about each one's philanthropic cause, that the women dedicate time and money to. Take a look at the list below to find out more about each sorority's philanthropy.
Alpha Chi Omega: The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, which raises funds to promote domestic violence awareness
Alpha Delta Pi: The Ronald McDonald House Charities
Alpha Gamma Delta: The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, which has a focus of fighting hunger, in partnerships with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels
Alpha Omicron Pi: Arthritis and Juvenile Arthritis Research
Chi Omega: Make-A- Wish Foundation
Delta Delta Delta: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Tri Delta Foundation, which provides emergency assistance to Tri Deltas facing unforeseen financial crisis
Delta Gamma: Service for Sight
Delta Zeta: The Turtle Grant, which is grant program that assists the hearing and speech impaired community of Athens and Northeast Georgia and The Painted Turtle Camp, which is a camp in California that allows children with serious medical conditions to enjoy traditional summer camp
Delta Phi Epsilon: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), and the Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, which works to support the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon to ensure they have access to new opportunities for learning and growth
Gamma Phi Beta: Building Strong Girls, which provide experiences and resources that build spiritual, mental and social resiliency in girls
Kappa Alpha Theta: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which ensures that the abuse and neglect suffered by some children at home does not continue as abuse and neglect at the hands of the judicial system and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, which secures and manages resources for the educational, leadership, and philanthropic programs of its members
Kappa Delta: Prevent Child Abuse America and a national collaboration with Girl Scouts
Kappa Kappa Gamma: Books for Keeps, which is a local Athens nonprofit that raises money for underprivileged children who do not have books of their own and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
Phi Mu: UGA Miracle and nationally a corporate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH)
Pi Beta Phi: Read>Lead>Achieve, which promotes literacy initiatives on a national and local basis
Sigma Delta Tau: Prevent Child Abuse America and Project Safe, a local Athens philanthropy which works to end domestic violence
Sigma Kappa: Alzheimer’s Association and the Sigma Kappa Foundation, which provides many opportunities for members to become involved in community service and philanthropic projects
Zeta Tau Alpha: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
In terms of advice prior to this round of Recruitment, some of the Gamma Chis offer helpful hints. Gamma Chi, Holly (Group 49), says "Philanthropy Round is a really special opportunity to see what the women in each sorority are passionate about and see the difference they make in the community around them. Make sure to ask members about annual events and their favorite outreach activities they participate in! Many women have personal stories that make their philanthropy personal and special to them!" On a more practical note, Kathy (Group 56) tells PNMs that they don't have to talk about philanthropy the entire time. Hannah C. (Group 45) urges PNMs to seek out women to share their passions with, saying "I think there are two main pieces of advice I would give girls going through recruitment. First, see if active members are involved in things that you are passionate about. Whether it’s the sorority’s actual philanthropy or just other organizations that they’re involved in on campus and in the community, I think that it is so important to be surrounded by girls who will fight for those same things that you are passionate about right alongside you. However, I think even more importantly, look for a sorority that supports you in whatever you are passionate about. Even if other people in the sorority aren’t interested in the same exact things that you are, if they are willing to encourage you and push you to make a difference in our world in the ways that you best know how, then that will be a sign that that is a place where you can grow, thrive and feel at home."
