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The Oracle, December 12, 2002
.news
Junior greek council: making a difference
By Haley Harrison
The newest members of the greek community have begun to leave their mark on the campus and within Douglas County. The enthusiasm of many new members has lead to participation in various philanthropic events. This fall, with the help of the junior Greek council and the Ballard Community Center, new member classes will be bringing aid to families in need this holiday season.
The junior greek council brings in two to three members from each new member class. This year, each chapter is represented on the council, with the exception of two fraternities. Facilitators Julie Chonko, Kappa Kappa Gamma senior, and Billy Short, Phi Delta Theta senior, kicked off the new year with weekly meetings. Soon, elected officers took charge. The council was designed to instill unity throughout the new member classes and promote community service through philanthropic events.
"Junior greek council is so important because it gives new members a voice in the greek community," Chonko said. "It is also a key program in that it is a way for the future leaders in the new member classes to start to get involved in the greek community, as well as the KU campus and Lawrence community." In the past, the council has hosted events such as "NCAA for a day" and various canned food drives. This holiday season, the council has elected to adopt families.
"Junior greek council is so important because it gives new members a voice in the greek community," -Julie Chonko
"With something like this, we have the power to go out and make a difference," said
Marynell Jones, Kappa Alpha Theta and member of the council.
For this event, sorority and fraternity new member classes are broken into seven groups of four. Each group is assigned a family to purchase gifts and necessities for. Each individual group decides what to put in the baskets; however, winter weather items such as gloves and scarves, as well as food and other gifts are suggested. A total of eight Douglas County families will benefit from the philanthropy.
Since every member of Zeta Tau Alpha is considered a new member, each one of the 170 new members will participate in the event. Their group, which includes new member from Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Beta Phi and Fiji, will adopt two families. The junior greek council will deliver the baskets at the end of the semester, just in time for the holiday season.