You have to respect your chapter president. You watch them all semester taking the lead to make sure events get done, informing people about the schedule for Homecoming and Greek Week, and then get frustrated when people don’t show up. They put up with all of the shenanigans your chapter throws at them, and they are the ones who have to take the fall if someone seriously messes up. They pour an immense amount of time, dedication, passion and even love into what they do and, more often than not, are left thankless after a job well done.
You might be asking yourself, “Who would want to be president anyway?” It definitely takes a certain kind of person to be president and to do it well, so I can’t blame you for not wanting to be the person holding the reins of your chapter. But a more appropriate question might be, “Who would want to be a leader in the chapter?” Try asking yourself that question. Do you want to be a leader in your chapter? How you answer that question says more than you might think. If you answer yes, then I would say that you’re on the right track. But what if your answer is no?
Just like in any other organization or group, you get out of Greek Life what you put into it. Getting initiated brings you into the inner circle of brotherhood, a commitment that lasts a lifetime. There is nothing else that you are required to do, outside of paying your dues and holding true to your organization’s values. However, there is more to Greek Life than just the bonds of fraternity. The Greek system is responsible for producing some of the most influential leaders our nation has ever seen. Multiple presidents, astronauts, star athletes and business professionals all have letters to call their own. No one doubts that those who are Greek in college become leaders in the professional world, but that success and recognition is not achieved by stagnating after being initiated. It takes commitment to living out the values of your organization, to continually strive to better yourself. Becoming a leader in your chapter provides the opportunities and experiences to be able to do just that.
Most Greek organizations seek to inculcate the value of leadership into each of their members. In Pi Kappa Alpha, leadership is one of the four character traits that each man is expected to embody (Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, Gentlemen). Therefore, choosing not to lead in your chapter becomes a betrayal of the very values that you have sworn to uphold. You do not have to hold a position in order to be a leader in your chapter — leadership is more than just a title. Leadership is part of your character, a part of who you are. Exhibiting leadership stems from the actions you take on a daily basis. It might be taking the lead on planning your chapter’s next big philanthropy event, or simply stepping up and expressing your opinion when you feel that something is not right.
Being a leader is not easy by any means; it requires a lot of hard work and plenty of sacrifice. At times, it may feel that no one in the chapter is on your side. But at the end of the day, you are drawn closer to the secrets and values of your organization, to your brothers and to the overall mission of Greek Life. The world needs leaders who are ready to meet the needs of the 21st century, and the Greek system is here to provide those leaders. So, the question remains: Do you want to be a leader in your chapter?
