Updated travel schedule and news you need to know about

Hello Gentlemen and Happy New Year,

I sincerely hope your days have been restful and you're ready for a jam packed semester of service. 

As you may have guessed, I've been busy. Starting in October with a National Council meeting, a presentation for expansion at The College of New Jersey, chapter visits and then the Annual Meeting of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisers. 

Tom and I have been looking into connections we've made in order to expand at certain campuses, such as U Maine. 

In addition, Tom has been looking into office space in the Cherry Hill region. We think this will make work much more efficient and growth possible at the national office level. Which brings me to a big, exciting announcement! WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SECOND DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER SERVICES!! More information will come but please contact Tom or myself if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for all who want to learn and engage on the national level as well as enter student affairs.

Tom is reworking not only the Oracle, which is nearly printed, but new recognition standards. We have also been planning the 2016 Conclave and beginning strategic conversations about the 2018 Conclave, our 100th!!! 

As you all should know, this is a Conclave year. During conclave years, we hold elections for the National Council. Anyone hoping to apply, this is mainly geared toward alumni or men who will become alumni this summer, should consult the website (http://www.phimudelta.org/?page=NCApplication). Again, Tom and I can answer any questions you may have. This is a major opportunity to plan long term goals for our great fraternity. It is a volunteer position and will require some travelling. Currently, the national council is made mostly of Mu district men, I would hope to see the Nu and Sigma district represented!!

Currently, I'm looking on preparing for Ohio Northern and compiling resources for you all to find on the blog. Things like educational programs or materials that you can use to streamline what you've already got going on. 

I'll leave you with my travel schedule and, as always, stay classy... and warm..

Jan 11 – Feb 9:  Ohio Northern University Expansion
Feb 10 – Feb 14: Mu Rho (Shawnee State)
Feb 15 – 19: Mu Omicron (Frostburg)
Feb 20 – 23: Mu Theta (IUP)
Feb 24 – 26: Mu Epsilon (Penn State)
Feb 27 – March 2 (NGLA)
March 3 – 10: Time at Home in NH
March 11 – 15: Mu Zeta (Lock Haven)
March 15 – 19: Mu Xi (Penn College)
March 20 – 24: Mu Alpha (Susquehanna)
March 25 – 29: Sigma Alpha (Longwood)



Derrick

Director of Chapter Services

derrick.dubois@phimudelta.org

Nu Gamma -- UVM

I've really thought about this entry quite a bit more than others because this was my chapter during undergrad. The privilege of heading back to your chapter as an alumnus is special, but as a member of the national office was quite the experience. I enjoyed seeing old faces and learning new ones.

The week started with me facilitating an alcohol/risk management educational program. The first that I've done in an official capacity. (Undergrads: feel free to request a program during my visit.) We had a great time sharing stories, talking about campus programs and getting serious. Also..candy..lots of candy, it's the hallmark of a great educational program.

It also happened to be Greek Week so I was able to spend a lot of time watching the men compete. Here are some highlights:

Sunday was interfraternal dodge-ball, our men played valiantly:

Our men got the crowd going with an excellent 90's mashup on Monday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwPnI_MDG1s&feature=youtu.be

Tuesday was Greek God/Goddess, David W. showed off his ukulele skills

Wednesday was A Taste of Greek Life:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattbellassai/this-matilda-scene-is-the-most-intense-scene-in-movie-histor

Thursday was the Spelling Bee, our advisers and members competed:

Nu Gamma won Greek Week and for the first time in this chapter's recent existence the members competed in every event. Nu Gamma rarely talked about winning however, they were so much more focused on having a great time and being present as community members. You know..the important things in life. 

I'll let this video speak for these men: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb5dWNXv63A

Follow them on facebook at Phi Mu Delta: Vermont or online at phimudeltauvm.com

What women want....(to see on your campus)

Nu Beta, UNH, playground construction

My job recently was to walk around Keene State College and ask sorority women questions. It's the middle of recruitment so they're all wearing letters and are easy to find.

So often we see sororities outperforming our fraternities. Professionals have linked this to brain development which influences maturity levels. Grade reports are often divided along fraternity and sorority lines, with sororities well above. I have my theories why but what do you think?

Mu Xi, Penn College of Technology

This generates a fascinating relationship between sororities and fraternities. Fraternities constantly try to develop strategies that are used by other fraternities when we can easily adapt what is successful within the sorority world in order to better our chapters. These are organization operating along similar theories that we are, replace sisterhood with brotherhood.

Some believe that the type of behavior sororities support on campus is reflected as the most sustainable behavior within our Greek communities. This gives rise to the idea that our sororities are in the driver's seat when it comes to what behaviors they would like to see of fraternity men.

[Note: this is applicable only at institutions with a substantial sorority population]

So I asked them... What is their ideal fraternity?

Stop reading and think...

What would you imagine them to say? The ones you know or don't know? More importantly, what came across your mind when you think about it?

The women told me they want respect. They want to be included, in the social sense and in the sense that people feel comfortable around fraternity men. In my experience, Phi Mu Delta is an organization that is socially much more accepting of men and therefore also popular with women. However, sometimes fraternities make women feel uncomfortable. I think we all know too well the stereotype about sexual misconduct and fraternities.

They want gentlemen. They want men who care about how the community operates. They want men who are able to create and sustain a community where all feel welcome. Again, these are not my words.

So often we, as men, look to other men in order to learn how to operate or how the world works but women have much to give. Seek and receive feedback.

What is the nature of your organizations relationship with women's organizations? Comment below. 

derrick.dubois@phimudelta.org

...Said every Phi Mu Delta ever.

Actual quotes from your actual brothers. 

"I never thought I would join a fraternity."

"I just really love all of our values...they are everything I have always believed in."

"We're just not like the typical fraternity experience."

"I found a family...even though I wasn't looking for one."

"I don't know where I'd be without this fraternity and my brothers... I don't like thinking about it because I don't think I would be in a pleasant place."

UNH -- Nu Beta, Day 2 and 3

Nu Beta gentlemen vote on a brother of the week at each chapter meeting. A short bio and picture goes on Facebook. Matt K. spearheaded an effort to rebuild a playground for a local community.

Later, at the dining hall in the Memorial Union Building, Nu  Beta got together for a family dinner. Eating happened, but also this. Jared S. gets real creative. 

New signage made in the office 

Tom S. and Andrew O. talk about the future of their chapter in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership in the student center. 

Grand Chapter

All of UNH Greek Life meets once a semester to address issues and celebrate successes. Panhellenic president and IFC President make a short address and then a speaker is brought in. This semester T.J. Sullivan was asked to run his presentation. 

T.J. Sullivan is a CEO of Campuspeak and well known nationally as a member of Pi Kappa Phi. He writes and speaks about Greek Life in a way that is revolutionizing Greek Life nationwide. Nu Beta had all but a few members in attendance. 

Cody W., Nu Beta president, is asked on stage to give a short plug for the Phi Mudder. 

Cody W. helps T.J. run the first exercise. 

Nu Beta on stage after the presentation, these men hung around afterward to talk to T.J. They certainly impressed myself and others by doing so. 

How to effectively change, rebuild or build your fraternity:

Acquire allies: These can be members within your group, student life professionals, advisers, alumni or just your parents. These are the people that will be there to help you realize resources that you may be unaware of. Campuses are inundated with resources to make your group and your individual members succeed. (Something I didn't learn until I forced myself to ask around) Many of these resources are people who have the experience necessary to take your group to the next level.

Show up bigger than you are: Find ways to be present on campus in ways that are positive and resourceful. This can be through a physical presence on student senate or a witty public relations chair who knows how to use Facebook. Recruitment becomes easier when people see your group for how it is before having the conversations about why/how/what you do.

Identify the needs of the campus, in other words, what roles can your group fill?: This will allow you to address the goals that you'll need to create and better prepare your vision of what the final product will look like.

Set goals and communicate those goals effectively: This is essential for any group's success. Make sure that each member with a position knows what is expected of them and what part they are playing in your groups progress. Take time to include all members in the process and make sure that the goals are group approved. This will generate a more successful group buy-in. You can set individual goals for yourself as well.

Become strategic: Do your best to stabilize the group dynamic and work flow. Put people together based on whether or not they would be suited to get tasks done, not necessarily because they are friendly. It's also important to allow your men to follow their passions. If a brother is passionate about serving in one way, motivate him to do that.

Commit to it: Do something. As long as you are trying to produce positive results, it's okay to fail. Failure will teach you about yourself, your group and your campus. Let those allies know when you are burning out. Burnout is a common symptom for chapter presidencies so be aware of when you may need a pick-me-up.

Learn to motivate: Realize that you are leading a group of men that are NOT your employees. You must tap into the passions and motivations that the men already have in order to generate a path to excellence.

Remain values driven: Hardly an explanation is necessary here. This is at the core of what we do as fraternity men. All goals and actions of the fraternity should be consistent with values.

Do whatever it takes to keep your men involved: Not all of them will be passionate about all aspects of the fraternity but try to take their passions and apply them. This also includes the idea that you must not do everything yourself. If you are working toward a goal it means A LOT more to those in your group when you accomplish it together. Assign tasks and delegate. The men need to know that they are capable of leadership as well  and you can give it to them.

Take from groups and leaders who do their jobs well: It is absolutely no use reinventing the wheel. Look to leaders, from history or on your campus, who have changed their organization for the better. If your organization is administratively failing or inefficient, look to groups on campus that are striving or take ideas from groups that are doing it well.