Chartering
From Fijiwiki
The Nu Sigma chapter of Phi Gamma Delta was chartered April 6, 2002. The path to chartering was a long journey for the Nu Sigma chapter; longer than the journey for most other chapters. The Chartering itself was a time many of us will never forget, but the events in the months before and after are a time that a few of us would prefer swallowed by the mists of time.
Contents |
[edit] Growing Pains
[edit] Suspension and Ultimatum
[edit] Chartering Petition
The Nu Sigma chapter was one of the first chapters to submit a digital petition. Since it's sumbmission, it has supposedly become the standard to which other potential chapters are held. The charter opens with the following quote:
"As individuals we are easily conquored, but as one we are indestructible."
-G. Patton
[edit] Opening Letter
| We, the Brothers of the Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta at North Carolina State University, do hereby respectfully submit our Petition for Membership. We reaffirm with this petition our vow to bring ever greater glory to the fraternity. Respectfully Submitted, | ||
| Scott Barbee | Michael Hughes | Brian M. Price |
| Bradley Bardon | Matthew Z. Johnson | Craig J. Price |
| Aaron D. Best | William E. Jones | Robert S. Ramsey |
| Graeme D. Bolton | Shilen Patel | Chad Ray |
| Christopher Bridges | Michael T. Jordan | James D. Reed |
| Jeremy J. Bridges | Kenneth M. Karcher | Jeff Reilly |
| Ben R. Byrd | Nathan S. Kelly | Alan Roberts |
| Johnathan D. Carr | Alan Kinsey | Brad T. Rudig |
| Trenton Caves | Denard T. Lawrence | Christopher Snyder |
| James Crane | Daniel K. Litton | Stephen L. Shimel |
| Scott Eaddy | Michael S. Mac Lean | Brian S. Spaulding |
| Jared Everett | Danny H. Mangum | Anand Srinivasan |
| Kendrick Flor | Brian K. McClure | Aaron H. Strickland |
| Brett E. Fortune | Brian J. McDonnell | Lucas Sullivan |
| Mark A. Gibson | Matthew A. Miller | Thomas M. Taylor |
| Christopher Gilbert | Jess Moore | Scott M. Tompkins |
| Mike Goldstein | Jason A. Messimore | Kent C. Trader |
| Jon Gregory | Ryan D. Morris | Gregory W. Turner |
| John W. Grice III | Rick Norris | Edwin Whited |
| David Hanson | Jared A. Novak | Robert J. Williams |
| Joshua A. Hassell | Emmett Page | Robert J. Wise |
| Carey Hobbs | Adam Parrish | Richie Yablonski |
| Charles F. Holley | Praveen Periasamy | Justin Young |
| Christopher Hooks | John Porterfield | |
| Albert Hopping | Jeff Preston | |
[edit] Our Mission
The mission for the brothers and pledges of the Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta at North Carolina State University is: to uphold morals consistent with that of the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta; to build and maintain a positive image in the Greek and surrounding communities, and above else, live and extend the five values of Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality, and Excellence throughout the North Carolina State University community.
[edit] Colony History
| The History of the Delta Colony Last Updated by Jared Novak, Historian The Delta Colony of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta was established in Harrelson Hall the night of September 29, 1996 by International Headquarters delegate, Keith Henley. The first meeting of the brotherhood took place October 6, 1996 when Brother Chad Ray was installed as president. In its first year, the colony Grew to 19 members. The colony enjoyed many successes in scholarship, intramural athletics and social functions. As the school year ended, new officers were elected to replace the outgoing cabinet of the 1996-97 school year. Under the new cabinet, headed by brother Rob Wise, the Colony finished out the school year and continued to enjoy many of the same successes. However, the Brothers realized that colony life was hard. It took dedication, effort, love, truth, and allegiance to each other to make the Colony work. The 1998-99 school year started with a surprise – President Rob Wise had unexpectedly transferred to the University of Cincinnati. The Treasurer, Brother Brad Rudiger, lead the colony through the intensive rush that semester, after which the Colony elected Brother Brian Price to lead the Colony for the rest of the semester. The fall, the Colony enjoyed great success in recruitment with the biggest pledge class since its inception. Then, Brother Emmett Page and a new cabinet were elected to lead the Delta Colony into the year 2000. They continued their excellence in scholarship, recruitment, and dedication. The brothers continued to hold the number one ranking in grades among all Greek Societies on campus. The Delta Colony also recruited the Epsilon pledge class of 13 men, the largest in Colony history. In addition, the Colony was honored for being the chapter with the Highest GPA at NC State for the 1999-2000 school year. In the spring of 2000, the Delta Colony secured a house for use through the 2001-02 school year. Through the efforts of Graduate Brother Charlie Leffler and Brothers Daniel Litton, Luke Sullivan, and Stephen Ramsey, the Colony has a central meeting place at 208 Ashe Ave. For the 2000-01 school year the Colony elected Bother Luke Sullivan to lead the new cabinet and the colony for the coming year. The Colony was represented at the 152nd Ekklesia by Brothers Luke Sullivan, James Reed, Kent Trader, and Brian Price. The fall brought with it the Eta pledge class and some frustrating news from IHQ. At the end of the spring semester, the Delta Colony was issued an ultimatum from the Archonate to recruit 15 men or a serious debate of the colony's future would be undertaken. Under such auspices, the Brothers engaged in Spring rush 2001. The goal was achieved and with it came the Theta class, the strongest in Colony history. The Colony moved elections to March to accommodate the necessities of housing requirements, and Brother Stephen Ramsey was elected to lead the Delta Colony in the coming year. The Colony hereby submits this petition and is making plans for the glorious event of Chartering. The Brothers of the Delta Colony look forward to continuing the traditions of excellence that have been formed and to making new traditions; that our Star may ever shine brightly here at North Carolina State University, bringing honor and glory to ourselves and the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. |
[edit] Overview of NCSU
[edit] Colony Membership
|
Purple Legionnaire | |
|---|---|
| Name | Chapter/Year |
| Eidson, Jonathan | UGA '85 |
|
Colony Graduate Brothers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Major | Graduated |
| Barbee, Scott | Computer Science | Transferred to Pitt Com College |
| Bolton, Graeme D. | Materials Engineering | May 1998 |
| Bridges Christopher | Animal Science/Poultry Science | May 1997 |
| Bridges, Jeremy J. | Computer Science | May 1998 |
| Byrd, Ben R. | Biological Sciences | May 1998 |
| Carr, Johnathan D. | Accounting | Transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill |
| Fortune, Brett E. | Biological Sciences | December 1999 |
| Gibson, Mark A. | Biochemistry | December 1998 |
| Grice III, John W. | Zoology | December 1997 |
| Hobbs, Carey | Industrial Engineering | May 1997 |
| Holley, Charles F. | Industrial Engineering | December 1999 |
| Johnson, Matthew | Business Management | December 2001 |
| Jordan, Michael T. | Geology/Education | May 1999 |
| Karcher, Kenneth M. | Chemistry | May 1999 |
| Kinsey, Alan | Graduate Pledge | |
| Lawerence, Denard T. | Zoology | May 1998 |
| MacLean, Michael S. | Computer Science | May 1998 |
| McClure, Brian K. | Meteorological Sciences | June 1999 |
| McDonnell, Brian J. | Economics | May 1997 |
| Moore, Jess | Graduate Pledge | |
| Morris, Ryan D. | Psychology | May 2001 |
| Page, Emmett | Parks and Recreation | May 2000 |
| Porterfield, John | Mechanical Engineering | December 2001 |
| Price, Brian M. | Textile Chemistry | June 1999 |
| Price, Craig J | Textile Chemistry | December 2001 |
| Ray, Chad | Industrial Engineering | May 1996 |
| Reilly, Jeff | Electrical Engineering | May 2001 |
| Rudiger, Brad T. | Chemical Engineering | December 1999 |
| Shimel, Stephen L. | Mathematics Education | May 2000 |
| Srinivasan, Anand | Biology Education | December 2001 |
| Sullivan, Lucas | Technology Education | December 2001 |
| Tompkins, Scott M. | Mechanical Engineering | |
| Turner, Gregory W. | Mechanical Engineering | |
| Wise, Robert J. | Political Science | |
|
Brothers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Major | Committee |
| Bardon, Brad | Textile Engineering | Athletics |
| Best, Aaron | Mechanical Engineering | |
| Caves, Trent | Public Relations | Graduate Relations, Scholarship |
| Crane, James | Political Science | |
| Flor, Kendrick | Public Communications | |
| Gregory, Jon | Aerospace Engineering | |
| Gilbert, Chris | Mechanical Engineering | Social |
| Hassell, Josh | Construction Engineering & Management | Housing |
| Hopping, Albert | Physics | Scholarship |
| Jones, Bill | Political Science | Pledge Education |
| Kelly, Nate | Political Science | |
| Litton, Daniel K. | Aerospace Engineering | |
| Mangum, Danny | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Athletics |
| Lham, Nhan | Aerospace Engineering | |
| Messimore, Jason A. | Nuclear Engineering & Physics | |
| Miller, Matthew | Meteorology | Philanthropy and Scholarship |
| Novak, Jared | Biochemistry | Housing |
| Parrish, Adam | Computer Science | Social |
| Preston, Jeff | Nuclear Engineering | Recruitment, Webmaster |
| Ramsey, Stephen | Architecture and Civil Engineering | Chartering |
| Reed, James | Textile Engineering | Recruitment |
| Snyder, Chris | Textile Design | Chartering |
| Spaulding, Brian | Education/History | Social, Pledge Education |
| Strickland, Aaron H. | Chemistry | |
| Trader, Kent C. | Psychology | |
| Taylor, Thomas M. | Food Science & Sociology | |
| Williams, Robert | Mechanical Engineering | |
| Yablonski, Richie | Meteorology | Scholarship |
| Young, Justin | Physics | Housing |
|
Pledges, Spring 2002 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Major |
| Everett, Jared | Computer Engineering |
| Goldstein, Mike | Business Management |
| Hanson, David | Engineering Undesignated |
| Hooks, Christopher | Zoology |
| Hughes, Michael | First Year College |
| Norris, Rick | Communications |
| Patel, Shilen | Computer Science |
| Periasamy, Praveen | Textile Engineering |
| Roberts, G. Alan | Computer Science |
| Whitted, Edwin | Undeclared |
[edit] Recruitment Overview
In this one arena, the Delta Colony has striven mightily. We concede and celebrate the hardships of our past, that they served to temper the brotherhood into something harder and stronger than it was before.
North Carolina State University's fraternity system has had a recent history of mediocre rush. Too many chapters still rush for two weeks with massive keg parties and a dragnet of bids designed to pledge anyone and everyone. The result has been diminishing chapter size, to a current average of 35 men, and an overabundance of weak chapters (30+ in the NCSU Greek system).
Against this trend, the Delta Colony has slowly grown, from an original Alpha class of 19 men to the current 41, while graduating some 45 more. Momentum has slowly built, finally resulting in consistently high recruitment numbers, all of the highest quality men. Last spring's Theta class, numbering 12, was indeed the breakaway success the colony had hoped, pulling in a 2.9 GPA and providing the Colony with a fresh influx of natural leaders. This year's fall class was smaller, with 7 men, though still with good academics at 2.8 and vital energy. Our current Kappa class, for which recruitment just concluded, numbers 12 men.
All of this has been accomplished while "thinking outside the box." Alone at NCSU in this respect, FIJI has never had an alcohol violation during recruitment. Recruitment events have truly gone 365, with the intensive rush period primarily serving to tie up loose ends. We have moved to cosponsoring events with professional groups, sororities off-campus, and campus clubs, thusly gaining a solid reputation quite unlike the unfortunately typical "frat-boy" image. The Delta Colony's recruitment events were extensively overhauled a year and a half ago and showed immediate results. Recruitment is up and the Colony moves forward, another challenge overcome.
 | FIJI Fight Night has been an extremely popular feature in our recent recruitment efforts. Three one-minute rounds for beginners, always with headgear and mouthpieces. The dining room of the house is emptied, the "Fight Night" mix cd is put on, and two weeks worth of aggression is gotten rid of. Later in the semester, we have an officer from the Raleigh police department coming to give actual lessons. Immensely popular. | |
 | The house never ceases to rattle with the sound of the foosball table. While this was not acquired as a recruitment device, it has certainly helped. Before and after every event there are impromptu grudge matches played out in epic form on the foosball table. A certain breed of trash-talking has evolved and foosball tournaments at the local Ruckus Pizza & Bar have been won with regularity. | |
 | One of our events involved renting out a lazer tag place. The limiting factor on this event seems to be the number of guns at Adventure Landing. In this particular instance, the Yellow team won and secured bragging rights for the next week. | |
 | Summer Orientation: the groundwork. Brothers Jared Novak and Stephen Ramsey shown working the information table, speaking with interested freshmen and parents. All variety of campus literature was there and free advice regarding anything NCSU was dispensed. A massive list of 100 or so serious prospects was compiled and used to fuel both fall and spring semesters' recruitment. |
Pledge Education is stronger than it has ever been. The Delta Colony is much indebted to the brothers of Tau Upsilon for their pledge education material, which serves as a model for our program. Requirements for many small tasks have been amended or dropped completely in favor of a well-done project or two. Pledge involvement is more in-depth and focused towards the arenas the individual pledges naturally gravitate toward. These natural inclinations also lead naturally to the pledge's choice of big brother, whose job it is to include the pledge in whatever committee or leadership role the brother inhabits.
In response to the ambitious demands of our pledges, the Colony is considering subsuming purely pledge-class projects into the works of the greater fraternity. The pledges' natural tendency has been to not be satisfied with small-scale pledge projects, instead working to organize and lead a large project which the fraternity as a whole will participate in. The past group of Naamans proved themselves more than capable, despite their relative inexperience, and ran the FIJI Homecoming effort to great success.
The Delta Colony looks to continued growth and excellence in developing brothers of the highest quality, not merely pledges.
[edit] Graduate Involvement
The Delta Colony has been blessed by a devoted, resourceful, and demanding group of Phi Gam graduates. They hail from premier chapters in Kentucky, Virginia Tech, UNC, Rose-Hullman, and Georgia (to name a few) or were home-grown; excellence is demanded by the best of the best. At the graduate level, a new chapter, strong and vibrant, is being forged.
In short, our graduates support us in everything. They come to our rush events, attend formals and mixers, come back for Homecomings and Pig Dinners, show up for meetings regularly, and otherwise give of their time, money, and spirit. The original cadre of about a dozen has stayed intact and added to itself many times over the years. Together we are poised to make the next big step. This is a twofold dream.
First, the Organization. The Triangle Area Graduate Association stands waiting in the wings. An incorporated graduate chapter will be created to represent graduate FIJIs in the highly influential Triangle and surrounding areas. The graduates of Epsilon chapter at the University of Chapel Hill, fresh with the success of the Epsilon rebuilding, have never had a truly organized graduate chapter and are looking for a new project. The Delta Colony graduate association, riding the chartering momentum, plans to join forces with our neighbors. Together the combined resources and communication will allow both chapters to profit from the other's strengths, realizing the enormous potential FIJI has here. With everyone working together (there are 600+ grads within 50 miles of the Colony house...) dreams will be made reality. We dream of a brilliant house at NCSU, dominance at UNC, major philanthropic and public relations work to elevate the name of Phi Gam, and a chapter at Duke, to truly complete the Triangle. We will be ready.
Second, the Network. The Delta Colony has seen determined Phi Gam graduates change the world around us. The pieces exist, individual graduates in high positions. They need to speak, to exchange ideas, to have a common forum, and to know more about each other than can be told in the occasional newsletter. Foundation of the TAGA will help. The Delta Colony is effecting plans to start this forum. A website, dedicated to the perpetuation of the ideal "not for college days alone" is in development. This site will incorporate graduate news, the email and chat forum already in existence that has been launched by our colony graduates, job postings, undergraduate resumes', public notices and advance notice of FIJI doings across the Triangle. We have seen what a couple of graduates can do in the world. It is impressive. The Network will expand, to advance the power and influence of the Triangle Phi Gams to a level on par and beyond that wielded by our brothers, notably in the Midwest and southern Florida. We dream of what the Network can do. It is a stunning dream. We will be ready.
[edit] Campus Service/Leadership
[edit] Housing Overview
[edit] Colony Organization
In preparation for chartering, the colony has reorganized many of its internal functions, primarily to relieve stress on the officers and to more efficiently utilize our talent. The reorganization is based in principle on the Purple Pilgrim's organizational structure for large chapters. It was discussed and passed in formal meeting and will go into effect with the induction of a new cabinet in May.
Standing Committee Membership Rules:
All brothers must serve on at least one committee. Pledges may and are encouraged to sit in on committee meetings with business not pertaining to the ritual but may not have a vote on committee business. At the time of initiation, a newly inducted brother may have up to one month to choose which committee or committees he wishes to join. Each committee will draft a set of rules for an attendance policy. If a member fails to meet his committee’s attendance policy, the brother may be ejected from that committee by a 2/3 vote of the committee. Upon ejected, the brother is to be fined $50 for failing to meet his commitment. An ejected brother may submit a petition to be re-admitted to the previous committee served but must make a 2/3 vote to be re-admitted. Each committee will fall under the jurisdiction of a correlating cabinet member listed below in the descriptions of the standing committees; the president oversees all committees.
Chairmen Selection:
Committee chairmen will be chosen by length of time served in the committee unless the brother requests otherwise, in which case the chairmen will be chosen by the cabinet according to the line of succession. A committee chairman must be in good academic standing to hold the position. Graduates who continue from undergrad membership are excluded from the line of succession for committee chairmen. A member of the cabinet is excluded from holding the chair of any committee; however, they must still actively serve on at least one committee. At the end of the academic year, the Chairman will yield his position to the next in line along with all documents necessary to complete the job. Chairman of the housing committee must be a member residing in the house.
Powers and Duties of the Committee Chairman:
Chairman holds authority over committee meetings. Meetings are to be held no less than once a month. When scheduling a meeting, the Chairman must notify all members of his committee at least one week in advance. Chairmen are to speak and bring up any business that originates within the committee at the weekly fraternity meetings. Chairmen are also required to assemble a weekly report to deliver to the president one day before the meeting so that the meeting agenda may be compiled.
Rules of Temporary Committee:
In case of any business not covered by the description of the standing committees, the President can create a temporary committee. The President will appoint a chairman of a temporary committee that will conduct meetings the same as a standing committee. Members of the committee will be by invitation of the chairman or appointment by the president. The committee will be dissolved at the end of the semester or when necessary by the president.
Housing: Duties are to assess and collect fines for violations occurring within the chapter house, collecting parlor fees and rent, and keeping the grounds sanitary. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Treasurer.
Social: Duties are to plan and hold all fraternity parties, sorority mixers, and other events. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Treasurer.
Recruitment: Duties are to coordinate all rush and recruitment events (Includes fall and Spring Rush, as well as Freshman Orientation and other university organization fairs), make recommendations for bid extensions, and deliver bids. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Treasurer.
Scholarship: Duties are to improve academic standing of the fraternity at large through study sessions, maintain the library, and collect past exam files for archive. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Recording Secretary.
Graduate Relations: Duties are to attend graduate meetings and deliver and messages or business from the fraternity at large, and to compose informational publications for graduates and parents for fall and spring, compile a graduate directory, send holiday greeting cards, and organize graduate related events (Pig Dinner, Homecoming, Mothers and Fathers Day). Committee is under jurisdiction of the Recording Secretary
Campus Relations: Duties are to maintain faculty relations, attend Interfraternity council (IFC) meetings, attend campus events as a fraternity, and participate in intramural sports. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Corresponding Secretary
Pledge Education: Duties are to hold pledge classes, aid pledges in compiling their petition for brotherhood, and overseeing pledge initiation. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Historian.
Philanthropy: Duties are to organize and participate in charity events. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Corresponding Secretary.
By-Laws and Standing Rules: Duties are to insure that all motions passed in a fraternity meeting are in accordance with house rules (fraternity by-laws as well as the standing rules), and insure that meetings follow parliamentary procedure. Committee is under jurisdiction of the Historian.
