Rebecca Shapiro Thesis (11 May 2011).pdf - Brandeis Institutional ...

Greek organization. A speaker able to teach about informal education and how it couldbe incorporated into the already existing Jewish programming structure would helpchapters transition from socialization-based programming to more substantiveprogramming. I recommend this type of session to all organizations that refer tothemselves as a Jewish fraternity or sorority.During conferences, national organizations recognize chapters for performance inmany areas of Greek life such as philanthropy, risk management, academics andrecruitment. This positive reinforcement through examples shows others chapters what isexpected and valued. I recommend that the Chair awarded for best Jewish programminglead a session during the conference on how to run successful Jewish programming. Thiswould allow presidents or programmers to meet with an "expert" and receive advice,benefitting from experience and thereby bringing each conference attendee closer tounderstanding how to provide successful Jewish programming.As noted above, organizations, particularly substantial organizations, have a moredifficult time controlling a large number of chapters spread across the globe. Generally,local alumni or a chapter manager are assigned to a chapter, which they advise or assist.The alumni or chapter manager often serves as the only 'adult' connection to theorganization, and as a result, the organizations are substantially peer led. The cost oftravel, as well as time constraints on larger organizations, result in less nationalleadership attention given to each chapter. Chapters that receive less attention are morelikely to deviate from the values and traditions of the national organizations, and to takeon lives of their own. To ensure Jewish content in the Jewish Greek system, it is vitalthat chapters have knowledgeable and available resource personnel.72