Independent Council seeks members

As the excitement from sorority rush ends, one campus group is continuing their own recruitment.

Independent Council frames itself as an alternate option for sisterhood, philanthropy and social involvement on campus outside the Greek system.

This semester’s callout meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Dogwood Room at the Indiana Memorial Union.

Sophomore Abby Walker joined IC last fall after she heard about it from a friend. She said she likes being able to make friends and do philanthropic work without the time and social obligations that sororities have.

“Independent Council really emphasizes that they want the girls in the club to have an opinion and form the events they want to do,” Walker said. “It’s everyone’s club.”
Members can join any of Independent Council’s five committees: philanthropy, social, spirit, fundraising and public relations.

The philanthropy committee plans events to benefit organizations such as Ladies for Liberty and Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati. Last December, Independent Council worked with Middle Way House in Bloomington to sponsor a family and buy them Christmas gifts.

Vice President Jenna Cost said she joined Independent Council because she wanted to meet people and participate in more social activities.

Independent Council members participate in campus events such as Nearly Naked Mile and the Little 500, as well as planned group events like an Oscar viewing party, trivia nights and a scavenger hunt.

Sophomore Heather Mielke rushed her freshman year but didn’t like the houses she received invitations from. She said some of her friends rushed again this year and were happy with their bids, but she decided joining a sorority was no longer her goal.

“If that’s where you feel comfortable and that’s where you fit in, that’s where you should be,” Mielke said. “Especially at IU, where it’s such a big school, you need to find that little group that you feel comfortable with.”

Mielke said she found her match with Independent Council.

Cost said council members decided to adopt the slogan “service, spirit and sisterhood” during their most recent council meeting to represent what they stand for.

She said there are about 50 members of Independent Council this semester. Cost said the organization grew a lot this year due to increased recruiting efforts.

Independent Council President Lauren Kirlin said the organization is a way for female students who are not interested in rushing, or do not want to make the time and financial commitments to a sorority, to be more involved on campus.

“A lot of people are very happy in the greek system,” Kirlin said. “We’re not anti-greek. We’re just not greek.”

Most Independent Council members are involved in other organizations on campus.

Kirlin is co-captain and vice president of women’s ultimate Frisbee team Calamity Jane. Mielke is a member of IU’s Ski and Snowboard Club.

“I feel like everything worked out the way it was supposed to,” Mielke said. “I’m really happy where I’ve ended up, and I’m really excited for all the new things we have going on this semester.”