Getting Started

Now that you’ve signed up to become part, decide if your ally program is going to be a membership

organization or a program of the sponsoring office, or a blend. Another option is to be a Greek division of a campus Safe Zones ally program.

Regardless of which office or department sponsors the program, it will be important to build relationships with other offices for training, promotion, etc.

You may also elect to incorporate a peer educators component (students educating other students on LGBT issues). Peer educators require additional training (recommended minimum of 8 hours) by campus faculty or staff members and/or leaders of community organizations.

After you determine your structure you will need to recruit students to be allies.

IDEAL MIX OF PARTICIPANTS

• Gender parity – experience indicates that it will be more difficult to recruit men, so it is important to make extra effort to ensure that the founding members include a good mix of men and women

• Respected campus leaders – this should include chapter and Greek council executive officers

• Good mixture of class levels – important for continuity

• Racial/ethnic diversity

• Majority non-LGBTQ (otherwise it will be perceived as an LGBTQ organization, not an ally group)
– but it is also important to have strong LGBTQ participation

• Representation from a variety of chapters from all Greek councils

RECRUITMENT IDEAS

• Greek Councils – ask council officers to participate, make announcements at meetings

• One-on-One Meetings with respected Greek Leaders – make them understand that their participation will help recruit others

• Presentations at chapter meetings – go around to all chapters to explain the program.
Include some high profile Greek students in making the presentations.

• Incentives – If you have a campus Greek Standards of Excellence or similar accreditation and/or recognition program, see if you can get points assigned for participation in the Greek Ally program. If your program has a peer educator component, you might be able to arrange for academic credit for peer educators.

• Members who were involved in high school Gay Straight Alliances

• Members with LGBT family members or close friends – when making presentations to chapters, ask members to raise their hand if this applies to them

• References from LGBT Greeks – when you meet individually with Greek leaders, ask them for the names of students they think make good allies

• References from sorority women – as mentioned, it may be more difficult initially to recruit men, so ask your sorority members to invite their fraternity friends

• References from non-Greek LGBT students – many know Greek-affiliated friends they can recommend

MARKETING IDEAS

• Make buttons with Greek Ally logo – Use the Greek Ally logo or create your own

• Make a YouTube Video (Example)

• Give away T-Shirts or Polo Shirts

• Make a webpage- it should be linked to the Greek Life website

• Use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, ect)

• Have a Poster Campaign on Campus

• Make Brochures and Handouts to give out

• Go to the meetings of your Greek Chapters

• Utilize Campus and Local Media

ACTIVITY IDEAS

• Safe Chapters Training
• Chapter Educational Programs such as a LGBTQ student panel
• LGBT Speaker Series (focus on current issues)
• Trainings/Workshops at Campus Greek Retreats/Conferences
• Educational Programs for New Members and Recruitment Counselors
• Ally Training Programs for Selected Chapter Officers
• Confidential Online Advising for the Greek Community. (Example)
• Hotlines (to report issues)
• Include List of Greek Ally on Website or Publications (only include those who consent to being included)
• Tabling (New Student Orientation, Campus Open Houses, etc.)
• Greek Week
• Create a “It Gets Better” Video (Example)
• Sponsor Inclusive Gender-Neutral Social Events
• Banner Contests
• Awards (presented at campus Greek Awards program)
• Attend LGBT Conferences (Out and Greek, etc.)
• Present at Fraternity/Sorority Conferences
• Parent Programming (partner with your campus parents program – this may also be a source of funding)
• Co-sponsoring Programs with LGBT Organizations
• Respect Diversity Pledge Cards
• Letter Writing Campaigns (policy changes, legislation, etc.)
• LGBT-Related Community Service Project
• Sell Purple Erase Hate Wristbands (to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation)
• Develop a “Fraternities Against the ‘F’ Word” program
pioneered by the Interfraternity Council at Quinnipiac University (Learn more: here, here & here)
• Develop Programs, Banners or Displays Around These Annual Events:

• National Coming Out Day (October 11)
• National Allies Week (October)
• Spirit Day (October)
• LGBT History Month (October)
• StandUp Day (November 14)
• Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20)
• Transgender Day of Empowerment
• World AIDS Day (December 1)
• Valentine’s Day (February 14)
• Day of Silence (April)
• International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17)
• Local LGBT Pride Parade and Festivals

MORE SAMPLES, EXAMPLES & RESOURCES

If you want more examples take a look at our sample training, commitment form, & other resources on this page.