The Green Key Society extended an open invitation to the Class of 2009 for its winter social Monday evening at the home of acting Dean of the College Dan Nelson '75. Approximately 20 sophomores attended the event, which was intended to educate rising juniors about how to become involved in Green Key and how membership serves the College.
"The purpose of the event is two-fold," said Eric Ramsey, associate director of the Collis Center and student activities and advisor to Green Key. "One, for the dean to recognize the important work that Green Key Society plays at the College. And two, to introduce rising juniors to Green Key and answer any questions they might have."
Green Key is a service organization composed of 60 juniors at the College. Founded in the 1920s to provide a leadership role for the junior class and to aid the College, the organization now plays an important role in Orientation, Homecoming, Green Key Weekend, Commencement, the Baker Bell Tower tours and various other events.
Nelson welcomed students and thanked the Green Key members in attendance for their hard work. Green Key Vice President Meghan Feely '08 spoke about the role of Green Key and the process of applying for membership.
"We're 60 pairs of hands and minds eager to help out where we're needed," Feely said. "Outside the borders of Dartmouth we're ambassadors of the College."
Kayte Suslavich '09, who attended the social, said she was curious to learn more about Green Key Society after volunteering with some Green Key members in the past at events including a blood drive.
"I only knew a little bit about Green Key Society, so I thought this event would be a good way to get more information," Suslavich said.
Alex Cook '09 said he hopes to get involved in Green Key next year.
"It seems like a good way to get involved in a leadership position during junior year," Cook said. "I love our class and I love Dartmouth so I feel like joining Green Key would be a way to show that and help out."
While this was the first time Green Key held such an event for rising juniors, Ramsey said that the social was not the result of a decline in interest in the society.
"Typically, interest in Green Key Society is very high. Recruitment activities aren't necessarily vital to the success of Green Key," he said.
Sravya Chivukula '08, a member of Green Key and chair of Monday's winter banquet, agreed.
"It's just another idea, it's not that there was any less interest," she said.
Green Key members are selected from the sophomore class during the Spring term. Twenty students are chosen for the organization through a campus-wide election while the remaining 40 members are selected by the current board from a group of students nominated by various campus organizations.
Students nominated for Green Key during the Spring term must have been members of a College recognized group for two or more years. With the exception of competitive organizations, these campus groups must contain at least 20 members. Chivukula was nominated for membership in Green Key by Shanti, Dartmouth's Hindu student association.
Sophomores interested in running for membership are required to obtain 50 signatures on a petition available in the student activities office. Students interested in running who are off campus in the spring may submit petitions at the beginning of Winter term final exams.
The idea for the society developed in response to a welcome that the Dartmouth football team received on a visit to the University of Washington in 1920. The Dartmouth team was greeted at the train station by UW's services organization, who provided transportation to the players' lodgings, served as guides for the team and even introduced them to women in the area. Dartmouth's Green Key was created in 1921.
