GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Guided by our founding principles, Delta Sigma Phi has consistently redefined the concept of fraternity for more than 125 years.
Today, we demonstrate a renewed energy to become the best version of ourselves through a bold new vision; a vision that honors and expands on our commitments to advance the welfare of men, defend the bulwarks of democracy, and support our nation’s school systems.
Over the next decade, we invite our members, and anyone who cares about the future of men in our country, to join us as we refocus and accelerate our work. Together, we will leverage our shared bonds, our unwavering belief in the power of fraternity, and our unique place in society, to live up to our promise and our potential.
In the pages that follow, you will learn more about the mission, vision, and strategies that position our organization as a source of inspiration for the next generation of men. We are incredibly thankful to the hundreds of voices who brought this vision to life and we are eager to launch the Next Era of Delta Sigma Phi.
YITBOS and Sincerely,
Delta Sigma Phi Grand Council, Foundation Board, Housing Corps Board, and the Title Holding Company Board
FOUNDING VALUES
Delta Sigma Phi’s founding values will remain true as we launch our new strategy. However, we owe it to ourselves and others to better define how our values should be interpreted. Here, you will find brief exoteric descriptions of the values we have lived by since our founding in 1899.
Culture
We encourage the pursuit of knowledge and personal development.
Harmony
We create communities based on equality and the shared values that unite all people.
Friendship
We believe that meaningful relationships are the foundation of a worthwhile life.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
For decades, our mission has been “building better men”. The underlying sentiment of this mission remains as relevant as ever. But, what does Delta Sigma Phi really mean by “better”?
In response to that question, we feel it is important to give our mission clarity and direction. As we look to the future, we are proud to share Delta Sigma Phi’s revised mission statement:
Delta Sigma Phi builds lifelong relationships that inspire and develop men of good character.
Our mission defines our purpose, but we also need a vision that charts our path. A successful vision statement helps articulate how the world will be different because of our impact. With that in mind, we would like you to join us in envisioning a future when Delta Sigma Phi is at its best.
Delta Sigma Phi will become the greatest launchpad for men pursuing educational, professional, and civic success.
To make our mission and vision as clear as possible, we have drawn out four pillars that represent our work. Every strategy presented in this document can be traced back to these four areas of work:
Build Relationships
Our members will build lifelong friendships and strong social connections.
Pursue Education
Our members will pursue educational and leadership opportunities within higher education.
Launch Careers
Our members will establish networks that launch meaningful careers.
Embrace Service
Our members will serve their communities to create positive change.
OUR “NEXT ERA” STRATEGIES
To achieve our vision, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity will focus on six strategies. Each strategy will support a series of initiatives that allow our stakeholders to measure success. The Delta Sigma Phi Foundation and Housing Corporation, while separate organizations, are equally committed to the Next Era of Delta Sigma Phi.
• Launch groundbreaking programs that accelerate members toward our vision.
• Mobilize leaders in every undergraduate and alumni chapter.
• Cultivate communities that prioritize holistic health and eliminate hazing.
• Strengthen undergraduate and alumni membership.
• Preserve, protect, and develop the most sought-after properties on every campus.
• Inspire charitable giving that makes the “Next Era” possible.
PRIMARY GOALS
6,000 undergraduate and alumni members will attend leadership programs every year.
7,000 undergraduate and 10,000 alumni members will have active chapter membership, helping Delta Sigma Phi reach 150,000 lifetime members. Every chapter will have a property that meets Delta Sig standards .
$1 million dollars will be granted to support Delta Sigma Phi’s vision every year.
“NEXT
ERA” STRATEGY
Launch groundbreaking programs that accelerate members toward our vision.
• Refresh the Leadership Institute so that it maintains its status as the most significant launchpad for campus leadership.
• Establish a Career Accelerator that prepares our most ambitious professionals for success.
• Establish a Civic Engagement Institute that drives social change through public interest work.
• Deliver versions of each flagship program to every undergraduate chapter with new chapter retreats and individual experiences.
“NEXT ERA” STRATEGY
Mobilize leaders in every undergraduate and alumni chapter.
• Introduce officer training certifications for undergraduate and alumni chapters, advisors, and alumni corporation board members.
• Provide facilitated executive officer retreats to every chapter, every year.
• Refresh Cycyota Volunteer Institute curriculum to increase program frequency and impact.
“NEXT ERA” STRATEGY
Cultivate communities that prioritize holistic health and eliminate hazing.
• Introduce “Courage & Culture” workshops and retreats on the topics of (1) alcohol and other drugs, (2) hazing prevention, (3) mental health, (4) sexual misconduct, (5) addiction, and (6) peer accountability.
• Launch a national new member education program that onboards new members to the “Next Era” vision and eliminates hazing from every aspect of the joining process.
• Provide social event support services that improve member and guest satisfaction while reducing the role of alcohol and other drugs.
“NEXT ERA” STRATEGY
Strengthen undergraduate and alumni membership.
• Invest in active chapters that have the greatest capacity for growth.
• Develop new chapters with a priority for redeveloping dormant chapters.
• Launch the “at-large” chapter to create new pathways for membership.
• Establish highly engaged alumni chapters and associations throughout the United States.
• Introduce an active alumni membership model with new membership benefits.
“NEXT ERA” STRATEGY
Preserve, protect, and develop the most sought after properties on every campus.
• Launch educational programs dedicated to property management.
• Provide property management and financial services to support alumni corporation boards and undergraduate chapters.
• Introduce Delta Sigma Phi branded properties that facilitate the “Next Era” vision.
• Partner with the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation to facilitate capital campaigns and facility upgrades.
“NEXT ERA” STRATEGY
Inspire charitable giving that makes the “Next Era” possible.
• Create an endowment that ensures every “Next Era” flagship program is delivered at no additional cost to undergraduate members.
• Build every chapter’s leadership fund to ensure every chapter can deliver on “Next Era” initiatives at the chapter level.
• Establish a national archive that shares Delta Sigma Phi’s story and its place in our nation’s history.
• Build a national headquarters facility that serves as working office, museum, and retreat center for generations of future members.
NATIONAL, CHAPTER, AND INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES
The “Next Era” will be delivered to every level of our Fraternity. “Flagship Programs” will bring together our best leaders from across the country. “Chapter Retreats” will bring versions of our flagship programs to every chapter with 2-day facilitated programs. Finally, “Individual Experiences” will allow every member to pursue their educational, professional, and civic goals through customized virtual and in-person programs.
National Flagships
Convention
Leadership Institute
Career Accelerator
Civic Engagement Institute
Chapter Retreats
Beyond Brotherhood
Courage and Culture
Membership Experience Retreats
Executive Officer Retreats
Individual Experiences
Virtual Clubs
Delta Sig Career Fairs
Fellowship Programs
The Lamp Online Learning
VISUAL IDENTITY
Our visual identity serves as a symbol that unites and inspires everyone who believes in our mission. As part of this work, you can expect refreshed logos, colors, and fonts along with unique designs for most major programs and initiatives. It’s important to note that new visuals do not make a new fraternity, but they signal that we are doing things differently. We will build our brand with daily conviction and inspired acts of greatness and we will turn to our visual identity to rally behind our cause.
BRINGING THE “NEXT ERA” TO LIFE
The “Next Era” will secure Delta Sigma Phi’s place as one of the most impactful fraternities of the 21st century. Our founding values, reimagined to meet the circumstances of modern society, can inspire and develop meaningful relationships, provide opportunities that influence the life outcomes for generations of men, and redefine the very idea of what a fraternity can become. This is how we will get there:
