Greek Service Award

The Greek Service Award is awarded to one JCU-recognized Fraternity and Sorority annually. Members of the winning Greek chapters have not only fulfilled the service-related requirements of their organization’s charter, but have shown exceptional commitment to building relationships with the people they serve, either through their national philanthropy or through a local group with whom they have chosen to work. Involvement of all members is considered, and the award is given relative to other applying Greek chapters. Awardees are selected by an Award Committee consisting of the Director of the Center for Service and Social Action, Assistant Director of Student Activities, and one representative each from the Order of Omega, Interfraternity Council, and Panhellenic Council. The winning organizations receive a certificate, their name on a perpetual plaque, and $100 toward a philanthropy project of their choosing.

Greek organizations: click here for award criteria and deadlines!

The Greek Service Award is awarded to Greek chapters annually – typically one sorority and one fraternity. Members of the winning Greek chapter have participated in service as a chapter and may also have individual members who have participated in service apart from their chapter. They have shown exceptional commitment to building relationships with the people they serve and have incorporated significant and meaningful reflection into their post-service experiences.

Options for service participation:

All or most members may participate together in a chapter-specific service activity and request the assistance of CSSA to determine and communicate with an appropriate partner. Transportation may not be available for large groups. Groups are encouraged to contact CSSA early in the year to discuss options and schedule a project.
Small groups of members may “adopt” established one-time service opportunities by registering via the CSSA online database or coordinating activities with CSSA. Groups are encouraged to contact CSSA early in the year to discuss options and “reserve” projects.
Small groups of members may participate in an established service event through CSSA such as Through the Eyes of a Child, Danie’s Day, Cleveland Neighborhood Project, or Jesuit Day of Service.
Individual members may participate in established weekly or one-time service opportunities by registering via the CSSA online database or coordinating activities with CSSA.

All members must fulfill minimum service-related requirements specified within the organization’s charter for the current academic year.

A complete and qualified submission will include all of the components noted below:

1. The service or philanthropy chair will complete and submit a typed, double-spaced, 500-750 word essay that includes the following components:

Chapter’s involvement in service and their efforts to build relationships with the people they serve
Statistics on members’ involvement
Chapter’s efforts to incorporate reflection into the post-service experience
Brief reflection-based quotations from members are welcome
Why service to others is important to chapter, how it ties into their core values, and how it educates members to become men and women for others

2. All service hours for members must be submitted via a specific service log that will be provided to each chapter (email scocco@jcu.edu to request the log if you need it).

Consideration period for completion of service hours: the end of the previous academic year through the end of the current academic year.
The service log should include service hours coordinated through CSSA, other JCU service opportunities, as well as self-reported hours for service activities done outside of JCU,
Any self-reported hours must be documented on an additional sheet (also provided) describing the service activity.
All chapter members must be listed on the service log, even if no service contribution was made by some members.
A third sheet, an individual member log, is also provided but does not need to be submitted.

3. One photo of the chapter engaged in group service should be submitted with the application. The photo does not need to capture the whole chapter; just a few chapter members engaged in either indirect service (repacking non-perishables, sorting clothing) or direct service (the photo would include members of the population served, with permission).

Details on selection and awarding are as follows:

The Award Selection Committee that will review applications will consist of the Director of CSSA, Assistant Director of Student Activities, and one representative each from Order of Omega, Interfraternity Council, and Panhellenic Council.
The winning fraternity and sorority will each receive a certificate, the name of their organization on a perpetual plaque in the Center for Service and Social Action office, and $100 toward a philanthropy project of their choice.
The committee reserves the right to not give the awards in any year they decide no applicants are eligible for the award.
The awards will be presented during the Closing Banquet at the end of Greek Week in April of each year.

CSSA

Greek Service Award