June 2015 - lambdachi.org - Issue #5
questions are on recruitment techniques or ideas or filling out risk management paperwork, the advisors have the training and wisdom to guide the zeta member in the way that was meant by Lambda Chi Alpha. It isn’t always easy to get the actives or associates to ask for help, but an advisor’s words mean much more when their advices is solicited. Over the years, the relationship between the undergrads and the advisory board develop into more than just advice or oversight. The advisors also become great references and networking opportunities for the active brothers as they too become alumni themselves. We have watched these men progress from young followers to strong leaders in the fraternity and the community. They learn a lot from us, but also about us. They see our alumni doing great things at the college, in the fraternity, and with the community. They finally see where they can be and sometimes choose to follow our path. They look to us for life lesson advice and career networking. It is always very rewarding for the alumni advisory board members to watch young men turn into young alumni and perhaps someday be advisors as well. That is a lifetime of true brotherhood.
David Walthius (Indiana): Service is not limited to a certain region From a different perspective is David Walthius (Indiana 2010) who recalls his interactions as an Educational Leadership Consultant and the impact that he saw of
FEATURE - LESSONS IN GIVING BACK
the alumni and undergraduate interactions and how it helped him as he left staff and started graduate school. Graduating from Indiana University was an incredibly happy but sad time. My undergraduate experience as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha was coming to an end. I saw all of my brothers’ Facebook posts about events, and saw all of the fun pictures they posted. I wanted to go back and be in those photos and attend those events. But I knew deep down inside it was no longer my place. It was time for brothers younger than I to take the reins and lead the chapter to bigger and better things. I was incredibly fortunate to serve as an Educational Leadership Consultant from 2011-2013. I was able to travel across North America and meet with thousands of brothers. The experience filled the void in my heart of Lambda Chi Alpha, of brotherhood. Now I am attending Indiana State University for graduate school and serve as the graduate advisor for the Interfraternity Council. Working with an entire fraternity and sorority has filled the void. Traveling the country and now working at an institution has made me truly realize how important it is to have dedicated and passionate advisors. The strongest chapters and colonies have advisors who challenge the men and support them through those challenges; not completing their tasks for them. I highly encourage brothers who have recently graduated to seek out opportunities to advise a chapter. Even if there isn’t a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter in your city or area, advise a chapter from a different fraternity. From a campus perspective, you’d be welcomed as a voice that can assist young men develop and
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grow. Reach out to the university/college fraternity and sorority life office near you. Let them know you care about fraternity and soon you’ll find a group of men who will welcome you, and maybe you can fill the void of brotherhood that might be missing from your post-graduate life.
A Final Call to Action Take time to reflect on the impact that alumni have had on your life, whether as an undergraduate or alumnus, and what you wished alumni had done for you; and be that alumnus. Give back an hour a week or an hour a month. You may never know how significant of an effect that hour is but your impact will be universal. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.lambda-chi-alpha. org/graduating-seniors for more information.