Civic Engagement

Community service is the foundation of fraternities and sororities. Each chapter provides support to various charitable causes throughout the year, typically in partnership with their inter/national organization and local charities.

Fraternity and sorority members organize community service events in which members provide hands-on service by giving back to their local community. Often times members serve as mentors or tutors for local organizations, clean local parks, support food pantries, pack and deliver goods to local populations such as veterans or those without shelter. Fraternities and sororities raise awareness and funds for local charities through programs and events hosted in the community. Some groups may have a baked goods sale, athletic event, or themed dinner nights in which funds raised are donated to charity.

With civic engagement at the core of our fraternity and sorority membership experience and history, our Trojan Greek Standards highlight expectations for chapters and members to achieve each semester and academic year. Below is the Civic Engagement expectations for all fraternities and sororities at USC.

 

Civic Engagement – Trojan Greek Standards

Chapters should strive for, practice, and demonstrate:
• Community Awareness: Recognize how one’s actions impact others and the world; • Philanthropy: Utilize personal skills and abilities to contribute to community efforts • Service: Identify and engage in opportunities to assist community and others

Fraternities and sororities are committed to developing citizenship through service and outreach. Philanthropy and community services should continue to be a core focus of all Greek organizations. Events and programs should raise awareness and provide education about charitable causes. Chapters should maintain documentation to demonstrate attendance and content of program and evaluate/assess for learning and future needs.

A service-based event is defined as one that involves time and participation into a cause including, but not limited to, tutoring at local schools, volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen, or other community engagement projects.

A fundraising based event is defined as one that raises funds for a charity and 100% of money raised is donated to charitable cause(s).

Each chapter should complete at least one service and one fundraising project/event per semester. Chapters should maintain documentation to demonstrate attendance and content of program.

75% of each chapter’s membership should volunteer 10+ hours of community service per semester tracked in OrgSync. Working on or attending a philanthropy event does not count towards service hours.