What is service?

Many times our chapters use philanthropy and service as interchangeable ideas. We say we are holding a philanthropy event, or completing community service. While both are equally important, the words actually have different meanings. Miriam Webster’s online dictionary defines philanthropy as 1. goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially : active effort to promote human welfare, 2. a : an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes b : an organization distributing or supported by funds set aside for humanitarian purposes. If you pick the noun service, one of the definitions is of a helpful act. Over the years the word philanthropy has been associated with monetary donations which benefit others. Service, on the other hand, can happen with or without monetary support.

Delta Zeta chapters perform both philanthropy and service. We find that chapters have very creative events which both raise money and awareness for our National philanthropies. From Hamburgers for Hearing and Pancake Breakfast events, to the ever popular Turtle Tugs, our chapters have contributed close to $1,500,000 this year alone in dollars and gifts in kind to worthy organizations. Sometimes, though, the events we hold for charity can become a little more like a social event with the people, music, and party like atmospheres we create. 

Service tends to be a little harder to convince individual members to participate in. Events that are hands-on community service projects, such as volunteering at local elementary schools or taking part in a beach clean-up, take a little more of their time and, frankly, are work. Even so, the average Delta Zeta member completed 43 hours of service this year alone.  This number takes into account hours members complete individually and with the chapter during chapter philanthropy events. 

Chapters successful in organizing hands on service opportunities provide their members with lists of events and opportunities on campus and in their communities on a regular basis. Members who are provided multiple opportunities to serve are more likely to give of their time and talent. Chapters who make service meaningful and fun also find that their members are more likely to participate. Members who talk about their service experience and feelings, including both positive and negative reactions, create greater meaning and connection during and following service opportunities. And chapter members who see their progress towards a goal, whether that be towards completing a project like a cemetery clean up, or watching their total service hour tally rise like a thermometer, will be more successful.

What are other ways you encourage your members’ service efforts? Tell us by leaving a message below or by mentioning us on Twitter @DeltaZetaNatl.