You may not have heard of the New Greek Council (NGC), but chances are you soon will hear of some of its current members.

The NGC is a sort of training ground for future Interfraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic Council members. NGC members learn to organize and run meetings correctly, skills that will help as they continue into the IFC and Panhellenic Council.

Two house members from every house recognized by IFC and Panhellenic Council are required to attend weekly NGC meetings. The houses usually send pledges or newer members to these meetings so they get an understanding of greek leadership.

Calling the NGC “new” is a bit misleading. It was founded in the fall of 1988 by members of IFC, Panhellenic, and greek assistants of University Planning and Activities. The council was formed with pledges in mind.

“We designed it for the pledges to become involved in IFC and Panhel,” said UP&A Undergraduate Greek Assistant Rich Daniels. “It is sort of a junior IFC and Panhel.”

Being in the NGC can lead to higher positions. For instance, the IFC executive vice president of the past two years, Brian Horde, began his greek leadership career in the NGC.

The NGC also gives members the opportunity to work alongside other future greek leaders. “It is a good interactive experience,” said IFC Executive Vice President Alex Paytuvi.

“You figure if these people are going end up working together for a few years, they should make the opportunity to get to know one another,” he said.

In the future, the NGC will be planning philanthropic activities and also will hold elections for various NGC positions.

“Attendance has been pretty good so far,” said Emily Jerkins, executive secretary for the Panhellenic Council. “Right now we are getting NGC social chairs together to plan inter-house mixers.”

Although the NGC does have various administrative positions and makes its own decisions, Paytuvi maintains the group has no power over IFC or Panhellenic council. “NGC doesn’t have any pull over the other organizations,” he said.

“It gives pledges the opportunity to work as representatives or administrative positions within an organization,” Paytuvi continued, “so that when they come to IFC and Panhel they will have some knowledge of the issues affecting us.”