The Greek Scrolls™ | National Greek Awards™

Are Fraternities and Sororities In Danger of Extinction?
September 26, 2016 Comments Off on Are Fraternities and Sororities In Danger of Extinction?

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #10: Greek Life)

Yes, it is true that Greek Letter Organizations have been in existence for 239 years. And yes, it is true that every U.S. President and Vice-president, except two in each office, born since 1825 have been members of a fraternity. And yes, it is true that a U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sorority graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate.

But what is happening to the reputation of the 21st century GLO and the rich legacy that these fraternities and sororities have? Is it affecting new membership? What is happening to the current membership?

Unfortunately, the reports of hazing, alcohol and sexual abuse that are plaguing fraternities and sororities have sparked concerns among university administrators and politicians. In fact, a South Carolina State Representative, has proposed that congress create a database “where violations, arrests and investigations linked to fraternity and sorority activities at the state’s public colleges can be…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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HE Is Right. WE Are Right. YOU Are Wrong, Period.
August 30, 2016 Comments Off on HE Is Right. WE Are Right. YOU Are Wrong, Period.

By Tim Carthon (Blog #43: Greek Life, Race Relations, Sports)

There comes a time in a person’s life where they’ve had enough. Whether it’s being financially unstable or being in an unstable and unhealthy relationship, it’s a point that one reaches where a fork in the road comes and they take the road marked ‘Exit.’

Colin Kaepernick finally reached his fork in the road.

If you didn’t know who Colin Kaepernick was, you probably do now. He’s a member of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc.; one of the 5 historically Black Greek-letter fraternities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and a professional athlete who plays for a team within one of the four primary sports leagues in America: The NFL®.

This league is so gargantuan in America that its flagship championship game is the 4th largest sporting event ever watched in world history. The National Football League, the league’s official name, has so much power and wealth that it even fought off facts of what 200 lb – 400 lb men colliding with one another at great speeds and with devastating force did and does to its players, particular their brains. They even made a movie about it.

The NFL®, in essence, did the same thing that the tobacco industry did when it came to what tobacco did and does to its customers…(CLICK HERE to Read More…).

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Tim Carthon

Tim Carthon; Advocate, Speaker, Author, Educator

Tim Carthon on Vine
Tim Carthon on Twitter®
Tim Carthon on YouTube®
Tim Carthon on Facebook®
Tim Carthon on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Strategic Planning
August 28, 2016 Comments Off on Strategic Planning

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #9: Greek Life)

“Strategic planning is an organization’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. It may also extend to control mechanisms for guiding the implementation of the strategy.” (Wikipedia)

Today, fraternities and sororities are faced with the same dilemma that their founding fathers and mothers encountered but in a different capacity: “The winds of change”. According to GreekPages.com “fraternities and sororities were established to provide opportunities for freedom of speech, to encourage leadership, racial pride and academic excellence”. The leadership of the 21st century GLOs once again feel that wind. It’s good to feel change and want to change. But Benjamin Franklin says, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”

So leader, what is your plan?

Your fraternities or sororities can benefit greatly from having strategic plan. These plans answer four questions for the GLOs…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.
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Why I Chose to Be ‘Greek’
August 7, 2016 Comments Off on Why I Chose to Be ‘Greek’

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #8: Greek Life)

When I was thirteen, my friend Sharon who was my big sister at church, got accepted to Glassboro State College. She would tell me about her experiences and about her classes. One Sunday, she told me that she was an Iota Sweetheart. I had no idea what she was talking about. She told me that the “Iotas” were a fraternity and she was the little sister. She was so excited about being affiliated with them and I looked forward to our Sunday morning talks.

Fast forward to when I was a freshman at West Chester State College (later West Chester University). I met a fellow freshman, Charity, who told me that she was going to pledge Zeta because her mother and sister were both Zetas. Again, a sister was CLUELESS. The only thing I knew was my new friend was excited about this sorority. So, my journey began.

During my life at WCU…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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To Snitch or Not to Snitch? The Dilemma of A Leader.
June 26, 2016 Comments Off on To Snitch or Not to Snitch? The Dilemma of A Leader.

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #7: Greek Life)

“Dartmouth has recently formed a new task force on hazing, the most recent addition to the multiple committees already addressing problems on campus. The question is, given how the school has treated Lohse, will anyone ever come forward and speak truthfully about the culture of abuse and degradation perpetrated by the fraternity system? Lohse doubts it. ‘The message this sends is, ‘Keep your (expletive) mouth shut.’ And that’s pathetic,’ he says. ‘If someone dies in a hazing incident next year, my saying ‘I told you so’ is not going to bring that person back. It’s not inconceivable that it could happen – people get hurt all the time at Dartmouth. But no one will ever talk again.” ~ Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy: Inside Dartmouth’s Hazing Abuses.

This is just one example of a Greek-letter organization member/leader who took a stand by saying, “no more” and then reported it. Because of his actions…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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What Happens When Leadership Needs Help?
June 5, 2016 Comments Off on What Happens When Leadership Needs Help?

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #6: Greek Life)

Many members of a Greek-letter organization have no idea what the Executive Board of their fraternity/sorority goes through. They are required to attend the meetings that their general membership may or may not attend. They are responsible for disseminating information from headquarters to their chapters.

The Executive Board has to work tirelessly to make sure that by-laws are followed, programs are implemented, encourage and inspire membership and at the same time, hear some members call to complain or whine about trivial things. However, what happens when leadership needs help?

If a member has NEVER been in any type of leadership role, that person has NO idea what their leader faces. Unfortunately, to make matters worse, the news reports in the media about…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Training Up the Next Generation: Alumni Giving Back.
May 15, 2016 Comments Off on Training Up the Next Generation: Alumni Giving Back.

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #5: Greek Life)

Many times, when a college student graduates, they NEVER look back. They don’t go back to visit their former professors, they don’t go back to visit their friends, they don’t go to Homecoming. They just don’t go back at all! Time passes. Five years, ten years, twenty years, and still some alum simply do not go back.

Why not?

Many reasons are given such as, “I had a bad experience” or “I live too far from my Alma Mater” or “I have no desire to do so”. We get that. Life is different and full of new challenges. You are in a different place. You now have a career, a family and you are making a name for yourself.

But wait – what about the undergrads that are now at your former collegiate institution?

Graduate, don’t you know that the degree that you earned from you former university has positioned you to be a role model? According to Wikipedia, the phrase “role model” is defined…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Low Self Esteem: The Silent But Deadly Culture Killer
May 1, 2016 Comments Off on Low Self Esteem: The Silent But Deadly Culture Killer

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #4: Lifestyle, Greek Life)

“In sociology and psychology, self-esteem reflects a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth. It is a judgment of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs (for example, “I am competent”, “I am worthy”) and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame.” (Wikipedia.com).

A person who operates “in the spirit of low esteem” is not only dangerous to themselves but also their family, friends, fraternity/sorority. The danger they pose is not one of violence that is seen but that silent, deadly, invisible violence. Their judgement is clouded by narcissism and selfishness that can affect the very climate of the organization that they lead and make it toxic.

This unhealthy trap will prevent you from utilizing wisdom when it comes to delegating, empowering or motivating anyone on your team. Instead, that leader would rather…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more
The GLO Leaderboard
March 27, 2016 Comments Off on The GLO Leaderboard

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #3: Greek Life)

If you are a sports fan, you know that there is always a leaderboard. For example, in football, there is a ‘leaderboard” on NFL.com that shows the rank and statistics of each team. In bowling and golf, the leaderboard shows the rank, scores and stats of each person. The objective of the leaderboard is to show everyone who the leaders are and how they are doing.

Many competitors like watching the leaderboard for various reasons. Some watch it so they know who to beat. Some watch it for inspiration. Others watch it for research. Whatever the reason, the leaderboard is visible to all who want to see it.

So, the question of the day is this. How does your chapter rank on the leaderboard? How are your stats? Better yet…DOES YOUR CHAPTER HAVE A LEADERBOARD? If a future member looked at your chapter’s leaderboard will they…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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The Duplicable Leader
February 22, 2016 Comments Off on The Duplicable Leader

By Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th (Blog #2: Greek Life)

According to the Free Dictionary, the word, “duplicable” is defined as “identically copied from an original”. A leader must be one that has “mini-mes” in their organization. No, not robots or clones but people with their energy, their style. The organization should be a direct reflection of its leader.

If the leader is energetic and charismatic, then 9 times out of 10 the organization will be energetic and charismatic. If the leader is sad and tired, then the organization will reflect the same. The leader duplicates themselves by setting the tone of the organization through their leadership style.

A wise leader also duplicates themselves on an individual level. They’re forward thinking in knowing that they will not always be in that role. Someday, someone else must takeover the reins. However, many organizations either have leaders who are past their prime in their roles because no one is poised to replace them or that leader has not invested time to groom a replacement.

Many people ask, “How do I know who to groom to be a leader? Better yet, who do I groom to be my replacement?” Good questions. In order to identify the leaders, YOU as the leader must…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th.

Lisa M. Bryant, M.Th, Writer
Member of Zeta Phi Beta® Sorority, Inc.

Lisa M. Bryant’s Official Blog
Lisa M. Bryant on Twitter®
Lisa M. Bryant on Facebook®
Lisa M. Bryant on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more

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