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Community Service & Philanthropy

The Community Service/Philanthropy Chairmen work to provide opportunities for their chapter members to come together and perform community service. They are also responsible for conducting all fundraising events that benefit charities. In addition to planning events for the chapter as whole, the Chairmen also provide information to the individual chapter members on different community service opportunities and provide small, regularly scheduled community service activities in which any interested people can participate.

It is the expectation of Vanderbilt University & the Office of Greek Life that chapters meet the following standards related to community service & philanthropy:

Chapter must average a minimum of 15 community service hours per member each year to be completed by no less than 75% of the chapter membership

Chapter documents by listing members on a spreadsheet with the community service hours they completed and the appropriate corresponding agencies. An example spreadsheet can be found on the Greek Life website. This information should be collected from chapter members at least once a month to maintain accurate records.

Chapter plans and executes at least 6 community service opportunities each year to engage chapter members with agencies/organizations that are supported by the chapter. At least 75% of the chapter membership must have completed at least one of these projects with the chapter throughout the year. This can be accomplished through large scale events that include many chapter members at once through smaller scale events that include less chapter members but are done with more frequency.

Examples include but are not limited to park restoration, Salvation Army, Meals on Heals, and Habitat for Humanity. Chapters are encouraged to work with the Office of Active Citizenship and Service to develop ideas for community service.

Chapter participates in campus-wide community service or philanthropic events each year, involving approximately 65% of the chapter membership in one or more activities.

Examples include but are not limited to Dance Marathon, Homecoming Day of Service, and Alternative Spring Break. All chapter members do not need to participate in the same activity. For example 40% of chapter participates in Dance Marathon, 20% in Homecoming Day of Service, and 5% in Alternative Spring Break. This standard should be documented by making a list of all the campus wide community service and philanthropy events that the chapter participated in during the reporting year along with the number of chapter members that participated in the event. Chapters can include participation in other Greek organization’s campus wide efforts but not their own campus-wide events.

Chapter plans and executes at least one philanthropic project/event each year, involving approximately 65% of the chapter membership raising money for a local or national charity.

Examples include athletic tournaments, benefits, bar-b-ques, etc. This standard should be documented by fully explaining the philanthropy event with details regarding publicity, attendance, chapter member involvement, the agency that the event is supporting and the amount of money donated.

Anchor Link and Tracking Community Service Hours

Anchor Link Presentation for Greek EBX 1-20-13

Required Process for Tracking Greek Member Service Hours- Updates 1-19-13

Example Greek Service Hours Spreadsheet

Community Programs & Projects

Various Nashville agencies look to college students for volunteer support throughout the year. Below are opportunities for your chapter members to get involved with these organizations:

Tools for Schools

Contact: John Carpenter, (615) 584-7078

Online: jcarpenter@carpenterwright.com

Tools for School Volunteer Opportunities

Habitat for Humanity

Contact: Mike Allen, (615) 254-4663 ext. 224

Online: mallen@habitatnashville.org

Habitat Build opportunities & expectations

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Contact: Anne Ashburn, (615) 936-1793

Online: anne.washburn@vanderbilt.edu

Fundraising and Volunteer opportunities available on campus.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee

Contact: Carly Southworth, (615) 522-5657 | carly.southworth@bbbs.org

BFB Fundraising opportunities: Flyer1

Helpful Links

The Office of Active Citizenship & Service assists students with finding service opportunities and planning those events. A list of service opportunities through OACS is available HERE.

Here are some area agencies that chapters have continuous success with projects:

A more complete listing of community partners that work with Vanderbilt Students can be found HERE.

Panhellenic Benefit chairs need to be aware of the Standing Rules for Fall Benefits and Philanthropy Events.