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

Why -- Marpheen

Marpheen has created the Nu Xi website, increased their Facebook page to over 400 likes and has aspirations to study law. Enjoy!

Check out his handy work: http://www.phimudeltanuxi.org/