Community Service and Sisterhood

Writer: Leah O. Editor: Grace C. Photographer: Emma W.

When Gina G. first became a member of her chapter, Kappa Delta, she knew that she wanted to get involved with community service and build relationships with her sisters. Now a sophomore, she is the Director of Philanthropy and Community Service for KD, where she plans events such as their Annual Shamrock Event.

Gina was the assistant for her current role when she was a freshman and she says that she was inspired to be the director because of that opportunity, but her love for community service came before college. Gina says, “In high school, I was really involved in community service. There was a community service group that I was a part of and we would do stuff once or twice a week at least.”

While a member of the community service group, she says that she would do different things from volunteering for the elderly, helping out after a catastrophic event, such as weather damage to her community, or one instance where she helped a mom, who was battling a serious illness, and her child. Gina says that doing these things, to her, didn't even feel like community service, she loved meeting everyone and helping them when they were going through a tough time.

Kappa Delta’s philanthropy is PCAA, Prevent Child Abuse America, and locally in Tallahassee the CHS, Child Home Society, where Gina recently put on their annual spring event, the Shamrock Event, for the first time as a golf tournament where they raised over $32,000 for their organizations.

“It was our first time doing it at the golf course so it was kinda tricky getting everything together but for it being the first one it went really well.” Gina loved putting on this event and loved how she got to see firsthand that what they are doing benefits the children right here in our community even more.

When asked how this position changed her view on philanthropy and service in her community, she says that it's so eye-opening to be involved and care for our (Kappa Delta’s) philanthropy and to continue to plan things to possibly branch out and help other communities.

Along with PCAA and CHS, Kappa Delta also works with a local Girl Scout troop, where they sell cookies outside of their chapter facility. Although KD works with a specific troop, Gina states that any troop that wants to be involved with them is more than welcome to.

After college, Gina is interested in marketing and fashion, and she said that thanks to her director position she has learned valuable lessons to take with her into the workforce, including event planning, sticking to a budget, and staying ahead of her work.

Not only is Gina the Director of Philanthropy and Community Service for her chapter, but she is also a set leader for the new members. As a set leader, she helps the new members get comfortable with Kappa Delta and FSU, attends the new member meetings with them, and is there for them if they have any questions or need any help adjusting.

Gina says that her council is similar in those roles, reiterating to all of the directors that they always have someone to talk to, that they have sisters who are there for them, and that they can go to those sisters with anything. Gina says that her entire chapter is so supportive and that she feels all of the love from everyone after an event.

So far, Gina says that one of the biggest lessons that she has learned in her role is “[how to plan] events, it takes a lot of time, start ahead, don't wait till the last minute to plan so you don't feel overwhelmed.” Gina says that she stays organized with everything on her plate but spacing things out, staying a week ahead of her work, and her three helpful assistants all help her stay on track.

All in all, Gina stresses how important PCAA, CHS, and Girl Scouts are to communities and says that while being the Director of Philanthropy and Community Service “[I get to] see how much we help the kids and how much we can help change their lives for the better and we do anything we can to help.” Gina says to always be nice to everyone because you don't know what they are going through at times.