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I'm always amazed when I go to the Greek regional conferences each year, and I see IFC officers walking around the hotel in their matching polos with their customized embroidered logo stitched on the left chest. Frequently, I see that each of these officer has either his name or his position stitched in the shirt as well. The shirts easily cost $50 each, and some councils give them to every officer and subordinate chair.
Some councils prefer jackets – sort of in the tradition of high school lettermen making sure everyone knows their positions on the football or baseball team.
In almost all cases, the council pays for these shirts, or at least part of them.
This week, there was outrage around the country as the executives of the Big Three automakers flew private jets (three different ones) from Detroit to Washington to beg Congress for $25 billion in taxpayer funded loans. The implication, of course, was that these executives were desperate enough to appeal for taxpayer money, but not desperate enough to jump a commercial flight to D.C. to do it.
Same thing happened with AIG. Tens of billions in bailout money, but the lavish sales functions and retreats continued.
With these items in the news and people extra sensitive about how their tax dollars (IFC dues?) are being spent, do you really think the highly customized polo shirts are necessary for your MGCA or NGLA appearance? Give it some thought before you do it. Something as silly as a polo shirt could land you in the student newspaper with a lot of criticism aimed at your council during the first few precious months of your term.
Fellas, this year, be more careful about the discretionary spending. Start with the shirts. Downgrade to some nice t-shirts or something. You can be cool without the popped collars and embroidery.
Yes, I know previous councils had them, and it's not fair. But, this year is different from last year. This year, you need to be spending council funds on things that will justifiably help and advance your Greek community. Customized polo shirts don't make the cut.
