Chapter News

A regional recruitment retreat was held in November at the Eagle Rock Retreat Center in Eagle Rock, Missouri. Chapters in attendance included Beta Epsilon at Pitt State, Gamma Epsilon at Truman State, Epsilon Epsilon at Northeastern State, Epsilon Iota at Central Missouri, Epsilon Mu at Central Arkansas, and Epsilon Nu at Northwest Missouri State.

The chapter partnered with World of Beer to raise funds for Call to Care. Proceeds from one evening of sales helped to build wells in Uganda.

The chapter also took part in “Over the Edge,” an urban rappelling experience that benefits Youth for Christ in Tuscaloosa. Fundraisers that raised at least $1,000 earned a spot to go “over the edge” and rappel 140 feet.

Last fall, brothers helped to raise money for Braxton Weidman, a local child battling cancer. The goal was to raise enough money to send Braxton to Germany for a promising new experimental treatment. Unfortunately, the brothers of Omicron Deuteron are now mourning his passing.

The brothers of the Epsilon Octaton Chapter raised more than $1,500 in support of Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society and many other cancer-related institutions, societies, and associations.

Brothers also participated in Chi Omega’s karaoke fundraiser, which benefits Makea-Wish Foundation, and CancerFree Kids Night for the Fight event.

Brothers recently competed in a fishing tournament which raised funds for the Tucker Hipps Memorial Foundation. Tucker Hipps was a student at Clemson who died tragically at the age of 19. With the mission of “helping people help others,” the foundation plans to engage with other community organizations that help those less fortunate improve their lives.

The chapter raised more than $14,000 for Special Olympics during this year’s Polar Plunge.

Brother Carter Varin was elected IFC President in November. The chapter has

worked toward increasing relations with the Greek community. Brother Varin’s election will help the chapter fulfill that goal.

The chapter helped raise money for Special Olympics by partnering with the Rusty Taco. The restaurant donated 20 percent of its profits from February 24.

During the month of November, brothers grew moustaches and ran more than 60 miles to support Movember, a charity organization supporting men’s mental health. Together, brothers raised $6,897.

The chapter also teamed with Pi Phi in October to raise money for breast cancer awareness through a carnival on campus.

The brothers of the Sigma Epsilon Chapter raised nearly $1,500 for Special Olympics by participating in this year’s Polar Plunge. The chapter also hosted its third annual haunted house in October as a fundraiser for Special Olympics.

The chapter held a Miss Phi-Significant pageant to raise funds for Special Olympics. Brothers raised more than $6,000. Various events make up the point structure, including a bake-off, an Instagram challenge, Pie a Phi Sig, etc.

The chapter also participated in Delta Gamma’s Anchor Cheer and Alpha Sigma Phi’s Kicking for a Cause.

The chapter held “Plunge a Phi Sig” April 20 to raise funds for Special Olympics. The cost was $5 to dunk a brother. Brothers also participated in Polar Plunge, diving into the chilly waters of Tobay Beach to support Special Olympics.

In November, the chapter held its first PSK Polar Plunge Dunk Tank, to raise money for Special Olympics. In April, the chapter held its annual Beach Games, also a fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Members of Alpha Chapter took part in Greek Week at the University of Massachusetts, which raised more than $110,000 for Bay State Children’s Hospital of Springfield, Massachusetts. The chapter participated by hosting Phi Sig Fest, a charity concert. The chapter also participated in the campus dance marathon. Last fall, the chapter took part in a weeklong fundraising initiative for the Sentencing Project. The organization promotes effective and humane responses to crime that minimizes imprisonments and the criminalization of youths and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, and gender justice.

In March, brothers from Alpha Octaton helped with the community clean-up on MLK Boulevard hosted in part by the NJIT IFC. Some of the brothers also participated in the End Hungry 3.6 event by packing meals. The local Rotary Club sponsored the event.

The chapter also held a “Soak a Phi Sig Event,” raising $700 for Special Olympics.

Brothers Jacob Hall, Kreg Herman, and Mickenath Howard competed in Cheer Nationals at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

The chapter also hosted a bracket challenge for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics.

Last fall, Delta Triton brothers volunteered at Food Finders Food Bank, a local food pantry in Lafayette, Indiana, packaging meals and assisting customers. The food pantry operates solely on donations and volunteer work.

The chapter also won the Paint Swap philanthropy event sponsored by Alpha Xi Delta and Sigma Chi.

Brothers of the Alpha Octaton Chapter participated in Community Cleanup at NJIT.

The Phi Theta Chapter took first place in Shippensburg’s Greek Week.

Chapter brothers assisted Boy Scouts of America by loading popcorn and snacks to sell during fundraisers. Brothers feel the popcorn sales are a great way to help financially limited scouts be able to afford summer camp and other activities.

The chapter also participated in the Rochester Intergenerational Fall Cleanup. They raked more than 50,000 square feet of lawn for senior citizens!

Brothers volunteered at the Hilltop Food Pantry, sorting food. For the Valpo Day of Caring, the chapter helped at the Washington Park Zoo, painting sheds, filling exhibits with dirt, and general clean-up.

The Gabis Arboretum benefited from some physical labor when brothers spent a day spreading mulch, trimming bushes, and repotting native plants.

The chapter recently participated in The Big Event, Virginia Tech’s annual student-run event to help complete community service projects throughout the New River Valley.

Brother Brennan Olds raised $1,600 individually in support of Special Olympics. The chapter held a bracket challenge for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also raising funds for Special Olympics.

In September, the chapter held its eighth annual golf tournament with more than 100 participants, 15 sponsors, and more than $22,000 raised for Special Olympics.

Brothers provided a Christmas surprise for their house chef and his family. Mike Hop had been undergoing cancer treatment and his wife, Lacey, took over his duties. The chapter decided to raise funds to help the family enjoy the holiday season. The chapter was able to raise $2,400 to purchase gifts to create a memorable holiday for the family, despite the financial and emotional hardships.

Chi Deuteron brothers also spent a Saturday to help clean up Wawawai Park and held “Phi Sig Slices,” a fundraising event for Special Olympics.

In February, the men of Epsilon Phi participated in Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. The chapter was top five in donations at their location.

Brothers also participated in Make a Difference Day by helping community neighbors with spring yard work. Activities included trimming, raking, seeding, and miscellaneous activities.

The chapter hosted “Crack a Sig” to raise funds for Special Olympics. Individuals paid to either crack an egg on a brother or throw an egg at a brother.

Members of the Kappa Hexaton Chapter at Stetson received the diversity and inclusion award from the university.

Cheech Marin met with undergraduate members of Xi Pentaton at Cal State/Northridge during a recent chapter reunion.

To reach as many participants as possible, the Fraternity hosted an in-person experience for Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents and Chapter Advisers in St. Louis, Missouri, and a virtual Officer Academy the following weekend. By offering both sessions, the Fraternity was able to train nearly 300 undergraduate officers and Chapter Advisers.

This year, in addition to inviting Chapter Presidents, the Fraternity wanted to also offer an in-person experience for Vice Presidents. Over the last couple of years, the Fraternity has released several new or updated programs, including all three phases of the Cardinal Journey program (Brotherhood in Phi Sigma Kappa in the summer of 2019, and Scholarship and Character in Phi Sigma Kappa this past summer), and the Member Safety risk management programs. With these new and updated programs, the International Headquarters professional staff identified the Vice President as the best option to oversee the completion of these programs, based on what Chapter Coaches were observing and the role Vice Presidents commonly play in many local chapters.

The in-person Conclave took place at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, January 14 through Sunday, January 16. There were 86 attendees, including 51 Chapter Presidents, 25 Vice Presidents and 10 Chapter Advisers and Alumni Advisory Board members. Six members of the IHQ professional staff were on site to provide support for the event and lead general sessions. There were also 10 small group facilitators. These facilitators (see their names listed below) were the heart

Renee Dubois, Gamma Phi Beta

Lauren Lewallen, Zeta Tau Alpha

Corry Smith, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Joe Strickland, Delta Tau Delta

of the training, leading groups of nine to eleven participants in critical conversations about their role in the chapter and important issues in the fraternal community. These volunteers were a mix of Phi Sig alumni and friends of Phi Sig, including several campus partners. Events like Officer Academy cannot happen without the support of these volunteers!

The weekend was jam-packed, with attendees arriving Friday afternoon and diving right into sessions after dinner. The first night focused on getting to know their small group, exploring their personal strengths using the CliftonStrengths assessment, and participating in a few teambuilding activities.

Saturday saw a combination of large group general sessions and more small group discussion sessions. The general sessions covered a range of topics, including a review of the President’s and Vice President’s roles and expectations, led by then-Director of Chapter Services Grant Carpenter (Northern Arizona ’13) and Drew Kerwood (Interim Director of Education). The two followed this up with a risk management presentation, which provided attendees with a review of the Fraternity’s risk management policies, and an opportunity to explore and apply research addressing the connections between sexual violence and social event environments. That afternoon, two members of Phi Sig’s DEI Committee, Kevin Hawkins and Ryan Nelson (Florida ’08) led a conversation focused on what Diversity, Equity and Inclusion looked like in local chapters. As the discussion progressed and attendees began to share, a nuanced conversation resulted about the importance of doing the “work at home,” as Brother Hawkins referred to it, and how chapters can help members be better prepared to engage in DEI-related discussions.

The final general session on Saturday was a review of the chapter programming expectations and the new or updated programs and educational resources that have been provided over the past couple of years. Leslie Pedigo (former Director of Education) led the session and provided a review of the Cardinal Journey, Member Safety programs, and a few helpful support resources that the IHQ professional staff had developed, including the “The Guide to Local Chapter Accountability,” and the “Officer Portal User Guide.”

During the small group sessions, attendees explored several topics with their facilitator and other small group members. The small groups were arranged by chapter size, providing Presidents and Vice Presidents an opportunity to connect with other officers from similar chapters sizes who were likely dealing with similar issues. Additionally, the small group discussions allowed attendees to

have more in depth and intimate discussions about topics such as how to effectively lead a team, knowing how to manage tough conversations with members, and how to manage and enhance member engagement in their chapters.

Sunday morning was devoted to preparing attendees with their next steps and setting goals. Director of Education Pedigo also provided a review of the Annual Membership Survey (AMS), administered by the Fraternity’s research partner, Dyad Strategies. The AMS is designed to gather insights into a chapter’s culture and members’ commitment to Phi Sigma Kappa. Chapters are encouraged to have as many members complete the AMS each year to receive the most accurate results.

The virtual Officer Academy was the following weekend. Officer tracks included the Secretary, Inductor, Sentinel, Treasurer, Vice President (for chapters who did not send someone to the in-person weekend), the Recruitment Chairman, and a make-up session for any Chapter Presidents who were unable to attend the in-person weekend.

Each track was led by a staff member and volunteer facilitators (see the list of facilitators below). Just like the in-person weekend, these volunteers were a mix of Phi Sig alumni and friends of Phi Sig, and the virtual event would not have been possible without their support.

Each officer track focused on core expectations and duties of the role and provided opportunities for members to discuss critical issues related to their position.

Secretaries focused on learning how to navigate Officer Portal and manage the chapter’s roster.

Clare Denhollem, member of Zeta Tau Alpha Cassandra Gardano, Pi Beta Phi

Madeline Hittel, Alpha Omicron Pi Leigh Ann Levy, Alpha Sigma Alpha Alyssa Mohr, Alpha Gamma Delta Christopher Myofsky, member of Delta Lambda Phi

Treasurers dove into issues related to chapter finances, including how to create and follow a budget, important due dates, and how to address common issues with collecting dues.

Sentinels discussed topics including member accountability strategies and tips on how to better implement rituals in their chapter (*for anyone worried, both facilitators were Phi Sigs!).

The Inductors explored the ins and outs of the Brotherhood in Phi Sigma Kappa program and strategies for preventing hazing, and how to respond if hazing does occur.

The President and Vice President tracks presented streamlined versions of the curriculum from the previous weekend, covering the core responsibilities of the roles and how to effectively manage teams.

The 2022 Conclave: Officer and Advisers Academy saw great success in that participants felt more confident in their roles, built stronger relationships with the Grand Chapter and IHQ professional staff, and gained a better understanding of the expectations of them as officers and advisers.

One of the major takeaways for all participants in St. Louis was networking with other brothers from all over the country to share ideas from those who come from similar chapters. Several attendees stated how much they appreciated being placed in small groups with other similar chapters so they could discuss issues that they were all dealing with, and share strategies that they could apply to their home chapter.