PERSEVERING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD
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consultations provide us the opportunity to connect with chapter officers and executive boards to be able to provide coaching and tailored resources,” said Andrew Stockmann, assistant director of chapter development. “I’ve enjoyed getting to virtually meet the leaders from the chapters I assist. It will be Not only have our students had to get on the road in the fall, but the to make unprecedented changes to “LOOKING BACK TO OUR great virtual visits are the next best option.” their daily lives, but FarmHouse Like the students, the association, FOUNDERS, WHO WOULD and the FarmHouse Foundation advisor and volunteer calls were all staff have made changes to meet the HAVE THOUGHT A GROUP moved to Zoom. FarmHouse invested needs of both students and alumni. in additional meeting capacity space on “Looking back to our Founders, OF MEN WHO SOUGHT Zoom to host large groups of students who would have thought a group OUT FRIENDSHIP BASED and alumni. The FarmHouse Leadership of men who sought out friendship Institute was also held virtually in based in person, would have realized IN PERSON, WOULD HAVE January. With the event streamed 116 years later friendship would REALIZED 116 YEARS LATER online, we had the opportunity to host be strengthened through a virtual all members for an opening and keynote world,” said Christian Wiggins, FRIENDSHIP WOULD BE sessions, in addition to the officer tracks. Fraternity CEO. “We can still do this thing called ‘fraternity’ through STRENGTHENED THROUGH It was the largest attendance in history, technology.” A VIRTUAL WORLD,” SAID with more than 600 members streaming our keynote session, and more than When the pandemic began, what CHRISTIAN WIGGINS, 260 chapter officers and volunteers we thought would last only a few participating in virtual tracks during the months, turned into more than a FRATERNITY CEO. “WE three-day event. One member shared his year of virtual interaction. Many of CAN STILL DO THIS THING thoughts on the benefits of FLI, our normal day-to-day operations “I can tell a lot of the chapters are going changed. For instance, face-to-face CALLED ‘FRATERNITY’ through similar situations, so to be able chapter visits and consultations were THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.” to discuss our problems, learn what has moved to virtual platforms. worked for others and brainstorm new “It has been a unique experience, solutions is very beneficial.” trying to balance student’s time The staff, International Executive and their burnout with making sure Board and Foundation Trustees have that chapter operations are still being moved several events to virtual meetings. completed,” said Luke Munchrath, Both the International Executive Board and assistant director of chapter the Foundation Trustees fall and spring board development and volunteer support. meetings, the Foundation’s holiday party, “Establishing connections has been FarmHouse staff celebration and the National difficult, but the members have been Western Stock Show Breakfast were all held patient and have done their best to virtually. “It allows us to deliver education and make the most of our situation. content more frequently,” said Wiggins. “This “Since becoming an assistant enabled our board to address pressing issues in director in January, I haven’t been a more timely manner, rather than waiting for able to experience the traditional an in-person meeting.” consultation model of in-person visits, but my sense is that the virtual h-ch-ch-changes. Turn and face the strain.” Although David Bowie wrote these lyrics in 1971, it has never felt more real than it has during the last 14 months.
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& R U B I E S | FAR M H O U S E .O RG
SPRING 2021
