Thought for the Weekend - November 14-15, 2009

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Confucius
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

Lawrence Tech Sig Eps Head Up Hati Build

Participate in LTU's & MI Theta's Alternate Spring Break Build
to build homes for Orphans in Haiti

Help Michigan Theta brothers at LTU build 2 new homes for the orphaned children of PWOJE ESPWA SUD (Project Hope South) in Les Cayes, Haiti March 6-14, 2010.

REACH, (Reconstruction Efforts Aiding Children without Homes),
is a IRS registered 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded by Brother Stevens (MI Theta '92), to build new homes for orphans around the world. We are looking for 15 volunteers who would like to assist the ESPWA and REACH Family build the girls their new home. Spend your vacation this year helping an abandoned child acquire a decent home that is safe and secure. 7 days $1500 to $1650 (price varies due to flight costs). Want to learn more? Contact me at dstevensreach4childrenorg. 540-678-4186

"It's Time to Deliver" in Your Chapter

Time to deliver

from our Friends at The Apathy Myth: a Blog for America's Student Leaders

Someone emailed me a question this week: "What is the best advice you can give to student organizations and student life people during this time of recession, slashed budgets, and depressing economics." My first reaction was to advise that people should keep their chins up and be optimistic. But, after more thought, here's my answer.

"It's time to deliver."

No one cares about what you meant to do. No one wants to hear excuses. No one has any patience for people who whine, and under-perform.

Shut up, put in the work, and deliver something. In a current economic climate where people are three months behind on house payments, no one cares about tiny, whiny problems.

I heard this morning on the news that satisfaction with Congress is at a 12-year low in the polls right now. I'm of the opinion (and you may disagree, that's fine) that Congress is actually getting quite a bit done this session. But, I understand why the poll is showing dissatisfaction among regular Americans. When the public is pissed, worried and impatient for progress, the regular machinations of debate and deal-making annoy the public more.

When the environment is worrisome, it's also impatient and demanding. It's time to deliver.

Same thing when it comes to your organization. People (your members and your constituents) are looking for results. They don't want politics, posturing, excuses or lengthy explanations of why you can't get something done. They don't care if it's hard, or if your budget is slashed, or if you're having to work more hours. They don't want big, flashy impressive events. They want you to do your job and produce something of value.

My best advice to student organizations right now? Buckle down, and produce. Don't aim to impress. Don't take on wild new projects. Fix what's broken, focus on getting the job done. Get rid of leaders who aren't stepping up and doing their jobs. Make sure your finances are in order, and make sure you have a plan in case your dollars decline. Find economies, and say goodbye to the partnerships, the events, and the processes that drain away resources.

To student life people: appreciate the fact that you have a job, make yourself invaluable to everyone counting on you, and guide people to the other side of this mess. You need to deliver, also. Make sure your time is spent on efforts that yield visible results.

Right now, three strong achievements beat the hell out of wild plans and promises.

Sneak a peak at the 2011 SigEp Conclave Video

Not really, but someone might want to contact the guys who did this to see if they want to help out. In spite of the totally non-PC ideas and lyrics (or because of them?) this video is pretty well done with good use of a number of special effect techniques.

Be Warned: Lyrics are NSFW! Better get some headphones.


The producer (Ethan Gavin) has the following disclaimer on the YouTube site where this video resides:

"this video in no way represents the view or represents Sigma phi Epsilon in any way. There was no real liquor used in this video."

Quinnipiac SigEps Surprised by Video Kudos

Michael Bivona sent this from Quinnipiac University:

SigEp Blog Brothers,

Our chapter at Quinnipiac University recently received an e-mail from media services containing a promotional video about our annual Youth Aids philanthropy named “Hall Wars”. The freshmen dorms compete against each other in a variety of competitions during the daylong event. Our school’s media services surprised us with this video as we usually are the ones making promotions for the event. We were hoping you could share this video on the blog for the rest of the brothers to see and possibly get ideas from.

How great is that? Not only is SigEp sponsoring a fantastic philanthropy project, but their name is on every T-shirt in the competition and the University is promoting it with a professionally produced video.

SigEp at NKU Holds Drive To Help Brighton Center

Thanks to Bro. Dave Wenzel for pointing this out:

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- A fraternity at Northern Kentucky University is holding an emergency drive to raise funds and supplies for the Brighton Center.

Sigma Phi Epsilon will hold the drive from Nov. 5-12, in the Student Union lobby at NKU.

The Brighton Center provides a variety of services to families in need throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Last year alone the center served over 66,000 individuals and families through 41 different programs. This year the center is finding it difficult to continue this commitment to the community as almost all funds have been depleted.

“The Brighton Center is a cornerstone of our community that needs our support," said Mike Gardner, executive officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

NKU Frat Holds Drive To Help Brighton Center

UNK Sig Eps Raise Money for MD Cure

UNK fraternity organizes muscular dystrophy fundraiser
By SARA GIBONEY Hub Staff Writer

KEARNEY - Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is working to raise funds to help find a cure for muscular dystrophy.

The "SigEp Stride & Ride" will be from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Cushing Fieldhouse at UNK. All proceeds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"It's an amazing cause and an amazing way for the Kearney community to come together to raise money for an association like this and help to raise money for the cure," said Brock Blankenship, philanthropy chair of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Muscular dystrophy is a disorder that affects the function of muscles and causes muscle weakness.

The fraternity's walk-a-thon aims to raise both money and awareness for muscular dystrophy.

"We had heard from a lot of our chapters in different states and cities that a lot of their philanthropies were through the MDA and they were a huge success," Blankenship said. "The MDA is very, very compassionate toward the cause."

Kyle McBride, vice president of programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon and the main organizer for the event, said he was doing research on philanthropies for the fraternity and was moved by the MDA's summer camp program for kids.

"It brought back my memories of summer camp when I was a kid," he said. "Summer camp helped build who I am now."

"When I was contacting people, it just struck an interest with me."

Sigma Phi Epsilon hopes to raise $10,000 for the cause.

Individuals can join teams and collect donations before the event. During the event, teams will walk the track in the fieldhouse. The team that raises the most money will win a golden shoe trophy.

So far, about five teams have signed up. The fraternity hopes 20 more teams will register.

McBride said teams can walk as long as they want during the event.

Sponsors can also pay to advertise during the event.

Students will sell cause bracelets during the fundraiser. Proceeds will also go to MDA. Refreshments will also be served during the walk-a-thon.

According to its Web site, MDA is a non-profit health agency that works to cure muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and related diseases by funding worldwide research.

The MDA sponsors 220 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports almost 400 research projects around the world. The association's comprehensive service program includes medical examinations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for children and assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces.

To sign up, go to joinmda.org/kearneynestrideandride2009 or for more information call Kyle McBride at 440-0811.

If you dream it, it will happen!

If you dream it, they will join it…
by Matt Mattson from our friends at Phired Up Productions

The best student leaders aren’t interested in helping you maintain the status quo. They might, however, be highly interested in co-creating a wild, bold, spectacular dream with you. If you can inspire them with what is to be, if you can dream a remarkable dream… then they might be interested. What do you want your fraternity/sorority to become? Watch the video and we dare you to make a two sentence statement on Facebook and Twitter stating what you want to create

http://tinyurl.com/iwantmy

TX Alpha SigEp may be next Senator

This just in from former Grand President Gary Griffith:
"Reading the Houston Chronicle story (link below) it appears that Texas Alpha Brother Michael Williams (Renaissance - 2008) is a final contender for appointment to the US Senate that should come in next 60 days. If Michael receives the appointment from Governor Perry we need to mobilize to help him stay there.
Gary"

PS: Michael's Campaign Manager and Political Director are Sig EPs also.

Jay Janner Austin American-Statesman Railroad
Commissioner Michael Williams tops the list of Gov. Rick Perry's potential appointees to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who's running against Perry in the GOP primary.

Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams is emerging as a favorite to be named as U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's successor if she resigns to run for governor, creating the possibility he could become the first black U.S. senator from Texas.

If chosen by Gov. Rick Perry, Williams also would be the only black Republican in a Senate where the GOP is battling the nation's first black president on health care and global warming. The only other black senator is a Democrat from Illinois who replaced President Barack Obama. If appointed, Williams would be only the fifth black to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.

Favorite to succeed Hutchison would make history Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Thought for the Weekend - November 1, 2009

"As a member of an ideal fraternity, the resources of every member of that body are my resources, the product of their lives is my daily life. The Fraternity is a common storehouse for experience, moral rectitude, and spirituality; the larger and purer the contribution of the individual, the greater the resources of each member."
Lucian Baum Cox - Journal, Vol 1, No 1. March 1904
1879-1971

Happy Halloween - SigEp Pumpkins!

Our friends at SigEpic.com had a SigEp themed pumpkin carving contest. Lots of fun pictures on their FaceBook page.

(From New Jersey Alpha - Matt Nebesny)