California Phi Delta Re-Chartering Weekend

April 29, 2009 marked the 50 year anniversary of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. In my mind, there is no better way to celebrate than with a re-chartering.

I inherited the California Phi Delta colony at University of San Diego when I came on staff a year ago. Andy and Rob along with some local alumni did an exceptional job restarting the group a few years ago. Last summer I met a young man named Chris Liepman who was the President of the colony at the time. He served as a blogger at the Leadership Institute and I quickly learned how intelligent and well spoken he was. This reflected well for the group and excited me even more for my visit in the fall where I helped them create their 5-year Strategic Plan. This was my first visit for Phi Kap and it made for an outstanding start to what I hope is a long and enjoyable experience with Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. They created an impressive Strategic Plan that reflected their high moral standards and strong brotherhood. This group was so fun to be around and so motivated that in my mind, they had created an ideal Phi Kappa Theta chapter. It was exciting to work with them on their Petition to Charter as the spring term began. In February it was completed and sent to the voting delegates and by March 6, 2009 their petition was approved. The colony leadership worked hard to plan their re-chartering weekend which would take place just a month and a half later.

Rob, Andy and I arrived in San Diego on Thursday. Friday Rob and Andy met with alumni while I helped the colony members prepare for the weekend. Friday night the colony initiated 13 new young men into California Phi Delta. Alumni, staff, and a representative from the nearby chapter at San Diego State came to show support. I (obviously) was not in attendance, however I did have an opportunity to meet the Associate Members beforehand and, to no surprise, they were outstanding.



Saturday evening was the re-chartering banquet. The leadership worked so incredibly hard to make this event meaningful while representing the personality of the colony and it's members. At 6pm colony members and their dates, representatives from other Greek organizations on campus, alumni, university administration, and staff members all gathered in the Garden of the Sea. I have visited many campuses and this, by far, is the most beautiful. The gardens had a stunning view of San Diego and were accented with flowers, sculptures, and a reflecting pool. Guests enjoy conversation, scenery, and beverages until dinner at 7pm.

Father Mullen, the colony's main advisor, served as the emcee for the evening and the invocation was done by Father Peter McGuine. The chapter had showed two videos. One was the video which was used during recruitment earlier in the year. The second was created just for this banquet and showcased each individual member, including the men who were initiated the night before. They were very well done and quite enjoyable whether or not you knew all of the members.

After dinner, there were several people who spoke. Jonathan D’Angelo, the first member recruited and Founding Father, spoke about how Phi Kap impacted his experience at USD. Amanda Womack, Greek Advisor, spoke highly about the colony and how the men have positively impacted the campus. Andy Kowal spoke about his experience beginning the colony, as did Rob Riggs. Rob also presented the colony with Ritual books, a President's pin, and a gavel with their chapter name engraved on it. Jack Kelly, Alumni Board of Director's President also spoke about how excited the alumni are to have the group re-chartered and their plans for continued support. He also took a moment on behalf of the colony and alumni to acknowledge Father Mullen for his passion and support with the colony and its members. Then, representing the National Fraternity Board of Trustees, Father Mullen presented the colony with the charter.

The colony (or chapter at this point) also took an opportunity to recognize some people for their efforts. Andy, Rob, and myself were all thanked and acknowledged for our assistance and support. They also awarded members for excellence in academics, involvement, and commitment to the chapter.

Overall, the evening was elegant, entertaining, and reflective of the strength of this newly re-chartered chapter of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. If I were a member, I would be extremely honored and proud to call them a brother. Congratulations on a beautiful weekend and years of hard work and dedication bringing Phi Kappa Theta back to University of San Diego.

Re-Chartering and the "Typical Fraternity"

The continued growth of our organization is thrilling to me. I am so excited to announce that our colony at the University of San Diego will be re-chartered the weekend of May 1, 2009. The colony is comprised of the most impressive young men I have had the pleasure of working with. They are an incredibly well respected group on campus and as individual leaders they are second to none. They are very involved on campus and contribute so much to the university and the community. These men truly uphold the ideals of Phi Kappa Theta. They are fun, intelligent, motivated, respectful, and passionate. I can’t wait for my return visit in May for the Installation.

In other colony news – I have spent the last week and half working with two of our other colonies out east. The dynamic of these two groups could not be more different. The one thing that they have in common is that the members of both colonies are athletic and play(ed) sports. It’s always interesting to watch the dynamic of a group of men or to compare the dynamics of two different groups that are at the same place in their “life” as a colony/chapter. This led me to a very interesting discussion about being the “typical Fraternity.”

You would be surprised how many groups label themselves as “not the typical fraternity.” Sometimes it’s true but normally it’s not. Once in a great while the group is even the textbook definition of “stereotypical Fraternity.” Perception is reality and its fun to see how people perceive themselves and the differences of that versus how other people perceive them. Some may argue that only a couple members of the group are “stereotypical frat guys” but “the rest of the group is not.” I challenge that with the idea that your weakest member still represents your entire chapter. Your chapter can only be as great as your weakest member. Imagine all of your members to be just one egg in a large carton of eggs. If you go to the store to buy eggs what do you do? Open up the carton and look at them all. What do you do if one of the eggs is broken or cracked? You put the entire carton back and look for one without a broken egg. You are judged, just like the eggs, by your weakest member. People do it all the time. Think about another organization on your campus. Maybe you had one bad experience with one or two people but naturally you reflect that on the group as a whole. Remember that when you think about the image of your chapter. Remember that when you decide to not hold each other accountable. Remember that when you have members who misrepresent our organization but you let them stay members because you’re too lazy or afraid to suspend them. You perpetuate the behavior of your chapter. Every member is responsible for the image and behaviors of their chapter and its members. Thank you to the groups who believe in this concept. I know it’s not always the easy choice but it is the better one. PTAU!

USD Petition to Charter

This week has been the craziest week in the office I've had since I started. Andy and Rob are getting ready to head to the Foundation Board meeting so they are frantic getting ready. I have three days between Regional Conferences with a chapter visit tacked on the end. Don't get me wrong I love being at chapters working with the collegians face to face more than anything but it's a really busy time.

The highlight of my week has been sending out our colony at University of San Diego's petition to charter yesterday. It's the first time that Phi Kappa Theta has done a petition vote electronically. Typically we vote at Convention but these guys have been waiting so long. They are beyond ready. Plus we'll have two other petitions to vote on at Convention. They are an awesome group of men on a great campus with Father Mullen as their advisor - what more could you ask for? We need 30 votes yes to make the chartering happen. Rob even changed his Facebook status to reflect our need for those affirmative votes. We hope this passes so we can charter them the first weekend of May. I'm really thrilled about my first Phi Kap chartering.