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 10 community service hours per member each year to be completed by no less than 75% of the chapter membership
- Chapter plans and executes at least one hands-on community service project each year that is completed by approximately 65% of the chapter membership
- Chapter participates in campus-wide community service or philanthropic events each year, involving approximately 65% of the chapter membership in one or more activities
- 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
Chapters should maintain a spreadsheet that logs the community service hours of their members. A sample spreadsheet may be found HERE.
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:
Books from Birth
Contact: Sheryl Rogers, (615) 936-6353
Online: www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/booksfrombirth
BFB Fundraising opportunities: Flyer1, Flyer2
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 at www.vanderbilt.edu/oacs/bulletinboard.html.
Here are some area agencies that chapters have continuous success with projects:
- Adventure Science Center
- Boys & Girls Club
- Feed the Children
- Hands on Nashville
- Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc.
- Children Are People
A more complete listing of community partners that work with Vanderbilt Students can be found at www.vanderbilt.edu/oacs/agencies.html.
Panhellenic Benefit chairs need to be aware of these standing rules.
