FSPAC

the Fraternity and Sorority Preserving the Greek experience for future 2 I n today's Congress, tens of thousands of groups actively work to lobby our U.S. senators and representatives. As a result, competition for a legislator's time is greater than ever and more intense. After fundraisers, committee and subcommittee meetings, party caucuses, and votes, a member of Congress may only meet with 10-12 people/groups for 20 minutes apiece in an average workday. That's not a lot of time to make an impact. If the goal of politics is to get your ideas into law, then there are two tools available to those who want to influence the public policy process—persuasion and political power. PUTTING THOSE TOOLS TO WORK Persuasion involves utilizing information to educate legislators and presenting it in a compelling manner; however, those seeking to lobby Congress can quickly develop facts that align with their position. When all parties bring forth facts bolstering their policy propositions, the significance of political power becomes more pronounced. Essentially, political power entails having the strength to make one's facts persuasive, thus fostering their acceptance. In other words—whatever makes your facts persuasive is political power. FSPAC is the most effective tool that gives the fraternity and sorority community political power. This political power is the direct result of FSPAC's prime mission—to help elect candidates to Congress who support the interfraternal experience. When more like-minded candidates are elected, more political power can be harnessed to successfully advance pro-Greek legislation, like the Collegiate Freedom of Association Act, Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act, Stop Campus Hazing Act, and Freedom of Association in College Education Act. These bills have been introduced in the 118th Congress and efforts are underway to add more co-sponsors. CANDIDATES ON OUR SIDE Here's the simple truth—if you want policy to reflect reality, you better have legislators in place who understand that reality, who can advocate for it, and who can rise in support when votes are called. FSPAC is the only resource available to fraternity and sorority members wanting to help elect candidates who support freedom of association rights, reducing/eliminating hazing, and providing safe and affordable Greek housing. It's what allows the interfraternal community to join together and speak with a united voice on higher education issues. As the saying goes, "There is power in numbers." Fraternally, Michael Greenberg, ΣX POWER IN NUMBERS April 2023 Congressional Dinner in D.C. House Education and Workforce Chairman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) meets with sisters of Alpha Delta Pi. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX/Pi Kappa Alpha) with national leaders of Pi Kappa Alpha. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH/Delta Sigma Theta) with sisters of Delta Sigma Theta. Sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi at April's Congressional Dinner.

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