T is actually a
strange concept the first time you hear about it. Moving on three legs is not
exactly the best way to make progress. But that is exactly how a Triskelion, a
member of the Tau Gamma Phi, would prefer it.
To its members, the fraternity’s three-legged symbol
represents the "conglomeration of the three dynamic forces of the universe –
Fortis, Voluntas and Fraternitas." In plain English, these translate into "inner
and outer strength," "free will and initiative" and "brotherhood," respectively.
And, it has been a very effective symbol at rallying its members.
From its humble roots at the University of the Philippines in
1968, the Tau Gamma Phi has become without question the largest Greek letter
society in the Philippines. It has more than 600,000 school and community-based
members worldwide, the vast majority of whom are based in the Philippines. In
terms of membership as a mass organization, it is only rivaled by the Philippine
Guardians Brotherhood Inc.
The fraternity has organized councils all over North America,
Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. In many of these areas, in fact, the Tau
Gamma Phi is the largest local organized group of expatriate Filipinos and their
support is actively sought out by the country’s diplomatic corps in ministering
to the welfare of Filipinos overseas.
Within the country, the Tau Gamma Phi has organized councils
in almost all provinces. It also has members of in almost every college and
university while some of its community-based chapters have become quite large,
often times exceeding 500 members.
Its size, of course, has resulted into many organizational
difficulties. Continued expansion has created different sub-groups and
coordination is becoming a serious challenge. These problems have not escaped
the attention of the fraternity’s leaders. According to my Triskelion friends,
they have just conducted their 4th International Summit aimed at bringing
together the fraternity’s various organized councils and sectoral groups under a
single umbrella organization.
Among the agreements reached is the drafting and ratification
by March 2008 of a single Constitution and By-Laws covering all their local and
overseas councils as well as a Code of Governance that emphasizes
decentralization and local autonomy for its local councils and chapters. The
summit participants believe that the best way to strengthen the fraternity as a
whole is to allow its local groups the maximum leeway possible in charting their
respective destinies.
The ultimate objective being to put into place an
organizational based on true representative democracy where the voice and the
vote of each individual member will be equally appreciated on every issue
confronting the organization. In effect, likewise, creating the archetypal mass
organization for the country.
More importantly, the Tau Gamma Phi’s 4th International
Summit also resulted into the passage of a resolution enacting a policy of "depolitization"
at the national level, i.e., its soon to be formed National Council will not
endorse any political candidates in any coming election and not participate in
any partisan political activities. Such activities being held as divisive in
nature with the support of the Tau Gamma Phi being sought previously by
political personalities, both local and national, as well as political parties.
In Camiguin, for example, more than 10 percent of the electorate belong to the
Tau Gamma Phi and they comprise the single biggest and most highly organized
voting bloc in the province.
Not a bad start for the Tau Gamma Phi as it celebrates the start of its new
life today, its 40th anniversary. Congratulations and best wishes to all
Triskelions worldwide.
