Philanthropy essential element of sorority, fraternity experience

By Christopher DaCosta

Philanthropic efforts and a commitment to the community remain top priorities for many Greek chapters, with most encouraging their members to participate in projects run by the Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP).

"Greeks are contributing a lot of time and financial aid to many different organizations that need help, and they deserve to be recognized for that," said senior Tara Seracka, president of Delta Gamma sorority.

Delta Gamma philanthropy efforts go toward aid to the blind and sight conservation. The sorority's biggest annual fundraiser is "Anchor Splash," a two day competition and barbeque, according to Seracka. With last year's proceeds amounting to approximately $22,000, the chapter was named to the national Delta Gamma Honor Roll for raising one of the top amounts of money of all chapters in the nation.

The sorority sisters also donate a lot of their personal time to various organizations.

"We do a lot of work at Chandler Tripp School for the Blind, which is an elementary school in San Jose specifically designed for visually impaired children," said Seracka.

In addition to volunteering at the Chandler Tripp School, Delta Gamma also holds fundraisers for merit-based scholarships for their sisters.

Sigma Pi is another Greek chapter dedicated to philanthropy and service.

"We have a creed, and part of it is that 'we pledge for service to God and man,'" said Sigma Pi President, senior Colin Barceloux. This fraternity raises awareness and money in their primary benefit event during the spring.

"We have one big fundraiser every year and it's for the Multiple Sclerosis Society," said Barceloux.

The fundraiser consists of an all girls volleyball tournament in Santa Cruz to which local businesses, family members, alumni and friends donate money. Last year, Sigma Pi collected amounts for the society exceeding $20,000.

Taking a more hands on approach, Sigma Pi also works with the "Tree Amigos," a beautification program for downtown San Jose, by planting trees and collecting trash. In addition to Tree Amigos, the fraternity also builds houses Habitat for Humanity.

"We try to do things that are more work oriented because a lot of times these groups really appreciate it when there are 50 young guys willing to do labor," Barceloux said.

Alpha Phi is chiefly committed to philanthropy. Each fall, Alpha Phi sorority hosts "Star Search," a themed talent show. Star Search not only raises money for a charitable foundation, it unites the community, allowing anyone from Santa Clara to participate, according to senior Kat Acker, president of Alpha Phi.

As one of the top fundraisers of all the Alpha Phi chapters around the nation, the sorority met its goal of raising $20,000 through Star Search last fall.

"The money raised at Star Search goes to the Alpha Phi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alpha Phi Sorority," said Acker. "The foundation in turn gives the money to different organizations all over the country."

The main beneficiaries of Alpha Phi events are cardiac care programs for women. "We do small events throughout the year, like carwashes, for example we did one last spring which benefited the American Heart Association here in San Jose," said Acker.

Meanwhile the effects of the university pulling away from the Greek system have impacted marketing strategies.

"We might be able to attract more people if we were still on campus and also it's a lot easier to market if you are on campus," said Acker.

Seracka added, "We just have to learn to be more creative in finding alternative ways to advertise; anything from word of mouth, t-shirts, to posters on different houses."

While Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, and Sigma Pi have lost a forum for advertising as a result of the university's decision to eliminate the Greek system from campus, Pi Kappa Alpha lost the venue for their top fundraiser.

"In the past we used to host a three-on-three basketball tournament and we would donate all the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity," said Kyle Knierim, who is in charge of service and philanthropy efforts for Pi Kappa Alpha. The tournament was held using campus facilities, a privilege which was discontinued by the university. In previous years, before the school ceased recognition of the Greek system, the tournament raised between $3,000 and $5,000, according to Knierim.

Consequently, Pi Kappa Alpha performs service by having its members focus on getting involved through Habitat for Humanity.

"Historically we have been really involved with Habitat for Humanity, so we try to go and build houses for them usually at least once a year," said Knierim. Members also donate a lot of their time to programs run by SCCAP.

Due to university action to disaffiliate fraternities and sororities from campus, chapters are unable to directly collaborate with chartered student organizations like SCCAP.

Fellowship Department Coordinator for SCCAP senior Erin Bishop works to recruit students to various service programs. While recruiting, Bishop has noticed an increasing amount of Greek members participating in SCCAP events.

"SCCAP and the Greeks haven't had a good history of getting along or working together, so were really excited that these people wanted to do something with us," Bishop said.

Barceloux agreed, saying, "We are always open to working with SCCAP, but there's been some conflict in the years past." He also added that he wanted there to be some sort of connection.

Bishop said she felt a strong presence of Greek members at a multitude of volunteer events like the Special Olympics.

"The big event that we try to get a lot of people out for is the Special Olympics," said Knierim. "Since people are so enthusiastic about getting involved, we try to place them even if it is without recognition."

While learning about the possibilities of Greek involvement in SCCAP, Bishop says that SCCAP must proceed carefully in order not establish any formal relationships with the chapters.

"We always have to go with the presumption that things are student-to-student and not Greeks to SCCAP," Bishop said.

This student-to-student basis bars SCCAP co-sponsoring or advertising for any Greek events.

"Mostly what the relationship is is SCCAP reaching out to different members of the Santa Clara Community," said Bishop. She also said that the integration of Greeks in SCCAP programs will allow for a more diverse volunteering body.