Greek organizations focused this semester on bringing awareness of their philanthropies through well-publicized events, utilizing new marketing tools.
Each Greek house organized a week of activities open to students across campus. Some events were based on raising awareness of their respective causes among students, but each week also contained social events to raise donations.
The Greek houses have moved toward entire weeks devoted to philanthropy, rather than a few scattered events throughout the semester. Kappa Sigma fraternity, for example, presented Military Heroes Week for the first time in September. Esteban Silva, the fraternity’s vice president, said his brothers insisted on the change from just a few events to an organized week.
“We were able to raise more donations by increasing the number of events,” he said.
While the number of philanthropy events increased this semester, Lee Hall, director of student life, said a philanthropic focus is part of the OCU Greek tradition. The difference this semester came from intentional marketing to the campus as a whole, she said.
“The commitment to their philanthropies hasn’t changed,” Hall said. “What I’ve seen this semester is a real improvement in marketing and connecting with peers. It’s an increase in visibility.”
Each of the organizations worked to advertise their events in advance with Facebook groups, OrgSync outreach, and increased “tabling” outside of the caf to promote awareness of events.
The focus on campuswide involvement and notification sets OCU apart, Hall said.
“It isn’t about being a part of one house or being Greek,” Hall said. “Students at OCU have a real heart for service that I haven’t seen anywhere else.”
Hall said she thinks the campus’ small size contributed to the success of each week. She said the philanthropy weeks were scheduled to avoid conflicts and allow students to participate in all events.
The university’s size also allows for easier communication, giving Greek leaders the chance to publicize their events in person, Hall said.
But the success of the philanthropy weeks this semester came from campus dedication to service, Hall said.
“Greeks are passionate about their own philanthropies, but they’re also passionate about the other houses,” Hall said. “You can’t put a dollar amount on awareness raised.”
Phi Mu, the new sorority on campus this fall, participated in philanthropy projects with other houses this semester.
Lily Lantigua, the sorority’s president, said she is inspired by the other Greek organizations.
“We have felt so welcomed,” Lantigua said. “The philanthropy weeks have really inspired us and helped us learn what sort of events work well. We can’t wait to start.”
Lantigua said Phi Mu has begun planning its own annual philanthropy week, which will include a night of fundraising in the “food and fun” style, modeled from Have a Pie with Alpha Chi, Alpha Phiesta, and Gamma Phi Beta’s Pancake Palooza.
Danielle Frost, English freshman, learned about philanthropy events through Facebook and her friends.
“I felt very welcomed,” Frost said. “The Greeks made it super easy to know about. I’ll attend more events in the future. It’s great that they try to involve everyone.”
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