My Father taught me how to be a man – and not by instilling in me a sense of machismo or an agenda of dominance. He taught me that a real man doesn’t take, he gives; he doesn’t use force, he uses logic; doesn’t play the role of trouble-maker, but rather, trouble-shooter; and most importantly, a real man is defined by what’s in his heart, not his pants.
Kevin Smith, My Boring Ass Life, 06-01-05
The undergraduate members of the National Board of directors are asking for feedback from chapter officers. They say they want to increase interaction between the members and the board. Great idea. We are all for it.
But…, Um…, er…, how come it took an entire year for them to figure out how to send an “eBlast”? We’re just saying…
*Sigma Phi Epsilon eBlast*
TO: Undergraduate Chapter Officers
FROM:
Steven R. Dorsey, Student Director, American, ‘09
Michael J. Schlotterbeck, Student Director, Wichita State, ‘08
Jace A. Thompson, Student Director, Texas Christian, ‘08As the countdown to Conclave 2009 begins, we are reaching out to our undergraduate chapter leaders to help us, your Student Directors on Sigma Phi Epsilon’s National Board of Directors, find new ways of better serving you.
If you are not already familiar with our roles, at the 2007 Conclave in Atlanta, Georgia, we were elected by the Grand Chapter to serve a two-year term on the National Board of Directors. As the three voting undergraduate members, we represent more than 14,000 undergraduate brothers and work with the Grand President, Grand Treasurer, and alumni National Directors in governing the national Fraternity until the Grand Chapter convenes again for Conclave 2009 in Orlando, Florida.
We have been working hard during this past year, and now we would like your input into how we can better represent you to the national Fraternity-we are your direct representation and influence in guiding SigEp’s Headquarters staff, national operations, budget, Leadership Continuum, and many other aspects of the national Fraternity. We would like to hear about your chapter’s successes and struggles, where you would like to see Sigma Phi Epsilon headed, and what you think could be improved upon.
We are also starting work on a strategic plan to guide SigEp over the next five to 10 years. We will be looking for ways to strengthen SigEp nationally and on your campus, and build upon our strengths. Your input and feedback will be sought for this process in the following weeks and months.
Sigma Phi Epsilon is an undergraduate-driven Fraternity, and, therefore, we always welcome your feedback. We are working to increase publicity of your chapter’s accomplishments in the Journal and on the SigEp web site. You can also expect regular messages from us throughout the year regarding national Fraternity updates, details on Conclave legislation submissions, and strategic plan announcements.
Please “reply” to this email with ideas for us to work on for you and your chapter.
Yes, the link will open an email to the proper HQ address.
Here’s a suggestion - start a blog to communicate the ideas as well as using email. S&P would welcome the company.
Will Hull informs us that the SigEp Feds have a new blog that will complement their established web site. The blog will offer timely information and posts updated regularly with information of interest to SigEp alumni and undergrads in the Washington DC area.
We have added the blog to our blogroll in the sidebar. While we were in there we took a few minutes to rearrange things a bit. Alumni sites are prefixed with the cryptic code of “Alumni”; blogs by other Sigeps with “Blog”; and chapter sites with “Chapter.” We are always looking for more sites by and for SigEps. If you, your chapter, or your Alumni group have a site and want it listed send an email to the “Contact Us” link and we’ll get it added. A link back to us is always welcome, too.
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
Chinese philosopher & reformer
Here’s one we missed from a few weeks ago:
Frat Recruiter Lives It Up, Old School Style « The Scarlet Project
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Sigma Phi Epsilon recruitment chairman, Alex Allemang, was arrested shortly after 3:00am on Thursday, July 17th–running naked through a north Lincoln neighborhod! Allemang, who was apparently celebrating his 21st birthday, allegedly was heard shouting loudly into his phone, then stripped his clothes and ran down the street in the upscale development near 17th and Humphrey streets in northwest Lincoln. Allemang continued his bare-ass run when police arrived. A K-9 unit was called to the scene to track Allemang who was later found hiding behind a home a few blocks away. He was apparently still without clothing. (Flashback to Will Ferrell’s infamous streaking incident in the popular movie “Old School”.)
Allemang found himself jailed and ticketed with the following offenses: indecent exposure (duh!), failure to comply, disturbing the peace and trespassing.
The Scarlet Project has obtained Allemang’s LPD mug shot. Fortunately, he appears to have been provided with a stylish blue jail scrub outfit.
No word from Sig Ep on Allemang’s position as recruitment chairman.
And we also found the original news story. For some reason his fraternity affiliation was missing. Maybe that is why we are late with the story. It would have been great to go with the “21 for 21″ post.
CLA Changes Become Winter Challenge in Many Ways
The National Leadership Committee has announced changes in the number, location and officers paid for for the Carlson Leadership Acadimies 2009 as can be seen in the article quoted from the most recent Officers’ Monthly.
SigEp adds lasting value to the college experience because our programs set high expectations.The National Leadership Committee (NLC) is setting the bar even higher by providing additional funds to train more officers to produce a better chapter experience for all undergraduate members through shared best practices and improved chapter operations.
In order to train more executive board officers at the 2009 Carlson Leadership Academies (CLA), the NLC has increased the CLA fee in the fall bill from $350 to $500. It is the goal of the NLC to provide funding for all seven executive board officers by the year 2011. This is the first step in making that goal a reality.
The Carlson Leadership Academy schedule for 2009:
1/30 – 2/1: White Plains, NY
2/6 – 2/8: Chicago, IL & Los Angeles, CA
2/20 – 2/22: Atlanta, GA
2/27 – 3/1: Dallas, TX
First thought is: Great we have all of our officers paid for. Then the realization is that we now have a $500 bill for CLA on the Fall Bill. But it says “provide additional funds” - those are your funds.
Next look where they are being held. How far is that for you considering that you have Friday classes which you must attend. For many chapters this will be more than a nine hour journey in a packed car for an eight hour program beginning Friday night. It is also February, which in the North usually means SNOW!
Do you always send all of your officers? Some chapters do and many do not. Can you afford to send them all? Will this new cost be affordable for your chapter?
We are to be pushing to get volunteers? How many volunteers will leave work on Friday and drive this distance? The chapter still pays whether they are there or not.
Is the cost of CLA more than your rush or social budget?
Is this progress? Who is THE AUDIENCE?
A runner’s creed: I will win; if I cannot win, I shall be second; if I cannot be second, I shall be third; if I cannot place at all, I shall still do my best.
Ken Doherty
2008 HRH Fellow Award Recipients
Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu receive top honors
(Omaha, NE, August 7, 2008)
The HRH Fellow recognizes exceptional leadership programs and initiatives of Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) members and their respective organizations.
Objectives of the Fellow are to celebrate the influence of an individual or organization within the Greek community by measuring the program or initiative in the categories of innovation, focus, impact, adaptability, and breadth served. Additionally, the Fellow aims to encourage education and leadership programming or initiatives that promote better citizens of the Greek community and foster the mutual sharing of ideas among all fraternal organizations.
Applications for the 2008 HRH Fellow witnessed a record number of 14 nomination submissions including the following organizations and their respective educational leadership programs or initiatives:
Alpha Chi Omega: Taking Chances
Alpha Epsilon Pi/Alpha Epsilon Phi: Israel Amplified
Alpha Gamma Rho: AGRecruitment – Dynamic Recruitment for a Global Agriculture
Alpha Phi Alpha: Ralph Johnson, Ph.D (individual)
Alpha Sigma Phi: Ralph F. Burns Leadership Institute
Beta Theta Pi: Keystone Regional Leadership Conference
Chi Psi: E.R.A. Program
Delta Tau Delta: Presidents Leadership Retreat
Gamma Phi Beta: Collegiate Advisor Development and Volunteer Leader Training
Programs
Pi Kappa Phi: The Ladder of Risk
Pi Kappa Alpha: Pike University
Sigma Alpha Mu: Developing Leaders Initiative
Sigma Nu: The Lead Program
Sigma Pi: ACE: Altruistic Campus Experience
The 2008 HRH Fellow Award recipient and runner-up were announced at the sponsorship luncheon of the 78th annual FEA Conference in Miami, Florida, on July 10th. Gamma Phi Beta Sorority was recognized with high honors for their Collegiate Advisor Development and Volunteer Leader Training Programs, and Sigma Nu’s The Lead Program was recognized as the 2008 runner-up.
Launched in September, 2006 Gamma Phi Beta Sorority’s Collegiate Advisor Development and Volunteer Leader Training Programs are web-based training programs designed to answer the question, “How do we make the advisor training program great?” The advisor training features fourteen self-guided modules covering all areas of advising ranging in topics from Gamma Phi Beta 101 to Risk Management. The program has enrolled 600 advisors, allowing them to touch the lives of thousands of students. The Volunteer Leadership Development Program will be unveiled at Gamma Phi Beta’s biennial convention, allowing 1,500 additional volunteers access to training.
2008 marks the 20th year since Sigma Nu introduced the concept of a Greek Leadership Program for its collegiate members. The LEAD Program is unique in its focus on the developing the leadership potential of all members instead of focusing only on collegiate chapter officers. The LEAD Program also features a focus on ethical leadership, and has recently begun an independent, scientific evaluation of the program. The results show ample evidence of the program’s effectiveness. Beginning in the summer of 2008, Sigma Nu will introduce an online format of the LEAD Program.
Past recipients of the HRH Fellow Award include: Beta Theta Pi, Men of Principle Initiative (2001), Pi Kappa Phi, STAR Program (2002), Sigma Phi Epsilon, Leadership Continuum (2003), Sigma Alpha Epsilon, True Gentlemen Initiative (2004), Beta Theta Pi, The Miller Nichols, Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy & The Hugh E. Stephenson Leadership Summit (2005), Alpha Chi Omega Work Hard. Play Smart (2006), and Alpha Chi Omega Programming with Purpose (2007).
HRH/Kirklin & Co., LLC shares the commitment of FEA member fraternities to continually share positive programming with peer organizations and encourages members to remain true to the principles upon which their organizations are based, thereby producing men and women of which those organizations may be proud.
Founded in 1991, HRH/Kirklin & Co., LLC designs property and casualty insurance programs to insure the operations of college and professional fraternal organizations including; national college and professional fraternal groups along with honorary societies.
I have found power in the mysteries of thought.
Euripides, 438 B.C.
Greek tragic dramatist (484 BC - 406 BC)
Fraternity to rebuild by fall 2010
by Kevin Bargnes
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The largest fraternity on the University of Wisconsin campus expects to have a new home by 2010 after a late-night blaze destroyed their residence and caused more than $1 million in damage last May.
A fire reportedly caught near the base of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house at 237 Langdon St. last May, burning most of the second and third floors until the Madison Fire Department was able to stop the flames.
Ryan Sugden, vice president of the SigEp alumni board, said the fraternity expects to open a new, state-of-the-art house on the same property as the old building by fall 2010.
“We’re going to be surveying other Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters across the country and other fraternities on campus and across the country to build and develop the best fraternity house possible,” Sugden said.
Twenty SigEp members will be sharing space with Tau Kappa Epsilon this academic year, and officials said they hope to rent their own house on Langdon Street for 2009-10.
The city of Madison has deemed the burned house unstable, and the fraternity is seeking approval to demolish it. While Sugden said he hoped it would be done by the end of the summer, demolition will likely not begin until September.
Sugden said he predicts the fraternity’s incoming rush classes to drop as a result of the fire but expects to remain one of the largest fraternities on campus.
“We will not use the fire as an excuse to explain away any drop in recruitment or any drop in the good actions we do on campus, including our philanthropic events and community service,” Sugden said.
SigEp president Mike Miesen said in order to keep recruitment up, the fraternity must become more “creative.”
“It’s a long process, but at the end we’re going to have a pretty cool-looking house,” Miesen said, adding an extensive library and a gym may be a part of the new SigEp residence.
MFD has yet to determine the cause of the fire, and Sugden said an independent investigation by the fraternity’s insurance company found the fire started outside the house.
But MFD spokesperson Bernadette Galvez said the department has not ruled any of the possibilities out and that the investigation is still ongoing.
“We don’t have enough pieces of the puzzle to determine the cause of the fire at this time, but there are more pieces of the puzzle out there that we are attempting to obtain,” Galvez said.
Nearly all members living in the house at the time of the fire had insurance to cover their losses, which Sugden said for totaled nearly $20,000 for some fraternity members.
