Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON raises 7.8 million dollars!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ta kala

It's frustrating. Although we understand the importance of THON, it's also important for a chapter to see value in our organization's philanthropies. For example, if I remember correctly, at one point if our KD chapter had given the amount they raised for THON to Prevent Child Abuse America, they would have been our organization's leader in fund raising. Instead, they were not even in the top 10 of pairs for THON. Trying to explain that to the women though is pointless.

I don't think it's the chapter that doesn't see value in it - it's the people who are donating. There are people who the minute they see "Thon" will open their pockets, because they know what it is, who it's for, and where it goes. PCAA doesn't ring a bell with the majority of people. Not to mention that there is a more than fair amount of provincialism here in PA (as I'm sure you know) and people would rather donate to a cause where they know their money is going to stay in the state.

[ta kala]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I don't think it's the chapter that doesn't see value in it - it's the people who are donating. There are people who the minute they see "Thon" will open their pockets, because they know what it is, who it's for, and where it goes. PCAA doesn't ring a bell with the majority of people. Not to mention that there is a more than fair amount of provincialism here in PA (as I'm sure you know) and people would rather donate to a cause where they know their money is going to stay in the state.

While I agree with donating to a known cause, it's the chapters that are not holding events that benefit other causes. When you're told that you cannot schedule an official chapter visit because the dates we want are over a canning weekend, I think that says something.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ta kala

While I agree with donating to a known cause, it's the chapters that are not holding events that benefit other causes. When you're told that you cannot schedule an official chapter visit because the dates we want are over a canning weekend, I think that says something.

Umm...what if they said not to schedule a chapter visit over Homecoming, or Greek week, or any other time that they know sisters simply will be too busy or won't be around? People go to Pittsburgh or Philly and can, they don't stay on campus.

Really, are we trying to instill the value of philanthropy in general, or only the value of the philanthropy the sorority's leadership has chosen?

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Really, are we trying to instill the value of philanthropy in general, or only the value of the philanthropy the sorority's leadership has chosen?

I think the former is far more important.

[LionTamer]

I don't know about other campuses with a large number of sororities and fraternities, but the number of different philanthropies at Penn State is CRAZY, with each national insisting that, in addition to the chapter raising upwards of a quarter million dollars (per fraternity/sorority duo) for 'Thon, that the chapter should also 1) organize something to benefit its own national's philanthropy and 2) participate in everyone else's philanthropy (trust me, if you don't go to Anchor Splash, DG is NOT going to come to your Special Olympic benefit).

So at Penn State, you are going to hold you own philanthropy AND participate in something like 20 others (and that's just Panhel sororities - we also want to support the NPHC sorority fundraisers) That's just insane. And we're not even counting all the fraternity philanthropies. And then you have Homecoming, Greek Week and Greek Sing to work on. And you're supposed to go to class once in a while.

And so maybe the suggestion goes out from HQ that the chapter NOT participate in 'Thon. I can just see that at recruitment: "oh, those ASAs, they seem nice, but did you know they don't do 'Thon?" A lot of the social calendar is dedicated to events with your 'Thon partner, so it would have the same effect as opting out of Greek Week or Homecoming, socially. Not good for your image on campus.

And even pulling back can be iffy - the guys you probably WANT to do 'Thon with want to partner with girls who are actually going to work at it.

So the collegians are stuck. They can piss off HQ - someone they talk to a few times a year (and most of the chapter hardly sees) by doing just-enough for their national philanthrophy (like everyone on else on campus does), or they can irritate the entire Greek system and risk their reputation ("those XYZx think they're too good for 'Thon - they don't care about the kids"). What do you think they're going to choose?

[ta kala]

I never said we asked them to not support Thon. I was giving my opinion as someone who worked for a national organization and worked specifically with our chapter at Penn State. Do we punish them for supporting Thon? Absolutely not. I understand its importance, but at the same time I became frustrated with the lack of involvement with the causes important to our organization.

And Penn State is not the only campus suffering from over-extension when it comes to philanthropy events. I think it's a larger problem at many campuses, especially those that also compete with large scale national philanthropic groups.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ta kala

I think it's a larger problem at many campuses, especially those that also compete with large scale national philanthropic groups.

Maybe I'm tired, but what did you mean? Like Race for the Cure and other things that go on around the town the college is in?

[LionTamer]

I imagine that each chapter deals with a different situation - at some schools, for instance, a sorority's event for their national philanthropy might be one of the highlights of the social calendar. But when you have about 45 IFC
fraternities and 19 Panehl sororities, pluS black greek organizations, all competing with a LOT of different events, it gets crazy..

[ASTalumna06]

Check out this video from THON! Love it!

Tucker Haas singing "Boom Boom Pow": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUuLOIXMDZ8

[RaggedyAnn]

That was so cute!

[madalinemadar]

Actually I heard that the IFC was going to step up and pay for it. At least that's what the Collegian said. Yay Greeks!

Green World

[kidrock]

Instead of standing on corners like beggers, why don't you get real jobs?

[psusue]

Originally Posted by kidrock

Instead of standing on corners like beggers, why don't you get real jobs?

Because it actually pays more to beg. I did the math once, if you worked for 8 hours at say $7 an hour (ignoring taxes, which would take from your profit), you'd make $56. In five hours of canning you usually make at least $100 per person. So it's actually smarter to beg.

[nittanygirl]

Last time I went canning, we made $1820 in 5 hours.
That's $364 an hour & almost $73/hr per person.
And this is a charity event that raises money to help support the families of kids with cancer and the expenses/treatments that come with it as well as further research. People are good people and willing to give because no one wants little children to be dying of cancer. No one wants anyone to be dying of cancer.

[als463]

Originally Posted by kidrock

Instead of standing on corners like beggers, why don't you get real jobs?

Who is this jackhole?