Illinois State University Fraternity & Sorority Life Emerging Greek Leaders october 2015 By: Yesenia Garcia, Graduate Assistant, Fraternity and Sorority Life Inside this issue: Emerging Greek Leaders 2 IFC Delta Chi 4 CPC Alpha Delta Pi 5 CPC Zeta Tau Alpha 6 FIJI 10 Calendar 14 Contact Us Fraternity & Sorority Life (309)-438-2151 Alex Snowden Coordinator adsnowd@ilstu.edu Shantira Norris On October 9th & 10th select representatives from our community attended an Emerging Greek Leaders Retreat at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson, Illinois. Specialist sdnorri@ilstu.edu Yesy Garcia Graduate Assistant vpsaygarcia@ilstu.edu Chapter members were hand selected to explore programming related to leadership, diversity and inclusion, service, civic engagement and values congruency. Salem Awwad Graduate Assistant vpsaswawwad@ilstu.edu Connect ILSTUFSL @ILSTUFSL
Page 2 Emerging Greek Leaders were expected to make connections with individual's outside of their own fraternity or sorority. Each leader was given the ownership of representing their organization as current or aspiring executive board members. Leaders were encouraged to share their aspirations for their fraternal organization and goals for their own development. Leaders were encouraged to develop trust, foster relationships, and challenge one another s perspectives on things. Each leader played their part in breaking stereotypes and divisions within the Illinois State University fraternal community. Leaders were encouraged to lean into uncomfortable dialogue about power, privilege, and oppression. Leaders explored their own privilege as members of Greek lettered organizations. Leaders engaged in meaningful social and service activities to better themselves.
Page 3 During this retreat, each participant took part in an on-site service project. During service, community members did their due diligence to give back to the camp that graciously hosted us. Leaders explored how a little effort can foster big change for those that need the helping hand. Fraternity and Sorority Life is proud of these representatives for taking time out of their busy school and work schedules to learn from one another. We hope to stay connected to these leaders and see how they will impact the Illinois State University fraternal community for the better.
Page 4 125 years of The Delta Chi Fraternity By: Trent Mitchell, President, Delta Chi Fraternity The weekend of October 10 th, myself, VP Alex Goldstein and Housing Manager Mike Cholko headed down to Atlanta, GA to celebrate the 125 th anniversary of Delta Chi, who s Founder s Day was a few days later on October 13 th. We were lucky enough to make the trip as a generous gift from our Alumni Board of Trustees, and spent the weekend enjoying their company as well as the company of Delta Chis from all over the country, young and old. The banquet was held in the luxurious JW Marriot and included speakers from our Headquarters, our AA, and some famous Alumni. They spoke about how Delta Chi impacted their successful lives in addition to some stories from their undergraduate days. We had the opportunity to talk to brothers from all over the country about our similar experiences within the traditions of Delta Chi and truly saw the encompassing bond that exists within our fraternity.
Page 5 Backyard Philanthropy By: Kaedi Young, Alpha Delta Pi On October 10th, the Zeta Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi paired up with the Illinois Tau- Alpha Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon for their inaugural Backyard Baggo Event. The event consisted of a cookout and baggo tournament among the members of the Illinois State campus. Members of the campus participated in our event by either purchasing a ticket or participating in the bracket tournament. It was a great success and we are so glad that we brought our campus together for such an amazing cause! All proceeds of this event were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Page 6 Zeta Tau Alpha 5K By: Jen Glorioso, Historian, Zeta Tau Alpha Zeta Tau Alpha held their 4th annual 5K to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Education on October 4, 2015. This year Zeta Tau Alpha women s fraternity raised $16,000 for their philanthropy. The sorority works with three Think Pink partners to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Education Bright Pink The NFL American Cancer Society
kilometers Page 7 During the 5K event, 586 participants were rearing to go! The event began with a guest speaker and the release of balloons in honor of those fighting, who have won the battle and lost the battle to the Breast Cancer. After the ceremony, runners were lead in a group stretch by the sorority's seniors before the race began. While participants were running the 5K the other event attendees were welcomed to participate in a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. The entire event was kept lively through music by a guest DJ. This year's event planner Sam Karnuth said, "Being in charge of the ZTA 5K was extremely stressful as a full time college student. But being able to say I had the opportunity to help and make a difference in someone's life makes it so worth it!" Zeta Tau Alpha plans to continue to host their annual 5K next year. The sorority is also planning a Think Pink Week during April of 2016. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with the events and details at zta_etaphi! $16,000 Raised 586 total participants 5 4th 3 annual event national partners 1 sisterhood
Page 8 Being a FIJI Gentleman By: Alfonso Cerna with help from the Founding Fathers of Phi Gamma Delta There are many opportunities in life that are too great NOT to be pursued. The decision to become a founding father of Phi Gamma Delta at Illinois State University will forever stand as a monumental moment in every member s life. From the very beginning of my college career as a freshman at Illinois State, I heard all sorts of different things regarding fraternities. With different friends spread out in their own organizations, I continued to tell myself I would look into it later on down the road because I wasn t too interested at the time. It wasn t until a longtime friend of mine Tony Gizzi, who is also the Recording Secretary of our new fraternity, pitched an idea my way that reeled me right in. He explained to me everything there is to know about the history of Phi Gamma Delta, also known as FIJI, and how they planned to pursue colonization at our very own Illinois State. The idea of becoming a founding father of a nationally known fraternity sounded all too good to pass. I agreed to look into it for myself and I can easily say it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is safe to say that every current FIJI member had a lasting impression made on them during their first encounter with the leaders of the Illinois State FIJI, Trevor Curtis and Colin Treanor. Whether it was both of them setting their table up giving out candy, playing mini-golf, or even go to the extremes of getting in your way while walking to class, they were able to come off well and explain the values of Phi Gamma Delta that really made you want a part of the tradition.
Page 9 Every event leading up to our current chartering in the making was great. We were able to meet with one another along with getting more information on what it means to truly be a FIJI gentleman. It only made everyone closer as a group and more excited for the days to come. When it came down to each brother finally getting his bid it was an incredible time. We all instantly became closer as a brotherhood within meeting one another for the first time. I believe this to be because we all saw how much we shared the same values and goals as a collective group. Within those first couple of days it felt like everyone knew each other for a lifetime, instantly sharing common interests and cracking jokes on one another (some of which need to stay in the Group Chat). It only got better as we got larger as a group. Whether you were bid #1 or bid #50, there continues to be a mutual respect for everyone in the fraternity. In my opinion, that is why I believe this to be so special. There are men from all sorts of different backgrounds, ages, grade levels, but at the end of the day we are all brothers for life. One of my favorite experiences up to this point was our seven hour Sunday FIJI retreat where we continued to learn values as well as electing members to different fraternity leadership positions. As a collective group, we worked together in that span of time electing the new cabinet composed of Chris Necka as a Historian, Tony Gizzi as Recording Secretary, Alex Beck as Corresponding Secretary, Matt Wentling as Treasurer and Vice President, and Alex Jernigan as President. It amazes me how great this whole opportunity and experience has been in the short amount of time we have all been together. It will be incredible to see how far we will go when we put in the hard work this fraternity is built on and we will be able to look back and see how it is all going to pay off. This brotherhood is something that will live on through every member s life, each member is proud to turn to the man next to him and call him a brother and friend for life. We are all excited to leave a lasting legacy for the future generations to continue the FIJI values. It truly is an honor to become an addition to the tradition. Congrats to the founding class of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity!
Page 10 December 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday ΔΖ Spaghetti Dinner 1 2 3 Final 4 5 Roster Due 6 7 8 Accreditation 9 10 11 12 Due 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ISU Closed 27 28 29 30 31 ISU Closed ISU Closed ISU Closed ISU Closed ISU Closed ISU Closed ISU Closed FSL Office Reminders Dec 4 - Final Roster Due To Office Dec 9 Accreditation Due Finish Strong! University Events Finals Week December 7-11 School Closed December 24th - January 10th Philanthropy Events 13th ACACIA Claus Want to be featured? Please email a headline, article, and picture to: Yesenia Garcia Graduate Assistant Fraternity and Sorority Life at vpsaygarcia@ilstu.edu