The C hi I ota C hronicle University of Illinois - Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity - Fall 2012 Edition CHI IOTA ATTENDS 164th EKKLESIA By: Jake Kluth (2015) This summer, three brothers and I were fortunate enough to make the journey to New Orleans to participate in the 164th Ekklesia. Along for the ride were our Recording Secretary Andrew Bertucci (2014), Corresponding Secretary Matt Ross (2014), and former president and current IFC President Tyler Sendt (2013). Having never been to an Ekklesia or a city like New Orleans, none of us had much of an idea of what we were heading into. However, in the end, what came out of the trip was amazing! Over the course of our time there, we met brothers from across the continent (some of which had driven from Canada all the way to New Orleans), voted on amendments to International Bylaws and Constitution, established committees to report on the current state Highlights • Chi Iota raised $3,254 for the Keep On Keeping On Foundation during their Phi Jamma Delta Philanthropy. • Chi Iota gains the brotherhood experience at the 164th Ekklesia in New Orleans. • Join the chapter on October 27th for Homecoming activities. Details are on the back. Chi Iota Fijis at Ekklesia after the Closing Banquet. of Phi Gamma Delta, observed a Model Initiation and ultimately elected a new Archonate. This was a particularly significant election for the Chi Iota Chapter as it saw the end of graduate Jim Hickey’s (Illinois 1975) acclaimed service as Archon President. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the trip to me was the brotherhood between so many young and old men alike that had never encountered each other. There was an inherent bond found over the common values that we hold as Fijis, and it made connecting with each other effortless. This sense of camaraderie and purpose among brothers stood out in my mind as the highlight of our trip to New Orleans, and it certainly makes me mighty proud to be a Fiji! “PHI JAMMA DELTA” PHILANTHROPY SUCCESS By: Scott Farnan (2015) Last spring, the Chi Iota Chapter decided to partner up with the Keep On Keeping On Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and money for those with severe physical disabilities. Our philanthropy event was called Phi Jamma Delta and consisted of three parts. The first was a 24-hour run, in which brothers took shifts running laps around the main quad and collecting donations. Later during the week, we hosted a BBQ dinner that had over 250 guests. Finally, to top off the week, our chapter hosted a series of wheelchair (Continued on page 2) \r\nChi Iota Chronicle Page 2 “PHI JAMMA DELTA” PHILANTHROPY continued... Brothers coaching wheelchair basketball. (Continued from page 1) games, in which different sororities competed against one another. One of the main events was a 3v3 wheelchair basketball tournament, that was extremely The winners! entertaining to watch. By the abundant participation and enthusiasm that our philanthropy event experienced, our chapter was able to run 293 miles during the 24-hour run and raise $3,254 for the Keep On Keeping On Foundation. Our chapter enjoyed hosting Phi Jamma Delta, and I speak for us all when I say that we’re excited to continue supporting the Keep On Keeping On Foundation! FIJI TRAVELERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES Climbing Mt. Rainier By: Tom Schultz (2014) In early August, eight others and I travelled to Washington State to climb the summit of Mt. Rainier. We spent the first three days of the trip at the Mt. Rainier Basecamp in Ashford, WA, doing day hikes and getting acclimated. The next day, we had “snow school” up on one of the snowfields. Our guide, who was a world class ice and mountain climber, taught us the basics of glacier travel, which included how to walk in crampons (spikes that are attached to the bottom of your boots to give purchase on icy terrain) and how to apply the self-arrest technique (a technique to prevent an uncontrollable slide down the mountain in case you fall). The next day we left Basecamp at 8AM and spent the next eight hours hiking to Camp Muir, periodically taking breaks Brothers at the top of Mt. Rainier. along the way on the snowfield. When we got to Camp Muir, everybody went to bed by 5:30PM because we had to wake up at around midnight for our summit attempt. At midnight, our guides woke us up and we got ready for making the last push for the summit. During the next few hours, we were all roped together and (Continued on page 3) \r\nPage 3 FIJI TRAVELERS continued... the University of Illinois and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. While the majority of the class took place in Stockholm, the most exciting portion of the class was the field component. (Continued from page 2) travelled in complete darkness; the only thing guiding us was the light of our headlamps and the slight pull of the rope from the person in front of us. We traversed Cowlitz Glacier, climbed through Cathedral Gap, and scaled Disappointment Cleaver, with the cold setting in as we rose higher. Even though it was August, it was below freezing and the large gusts of wind made the climb even more difficult. Finally, at 7AM, our team made it to the summit at 14,411 feet. Climbing Mt. Rainier was easily one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, and I could not have done it without taking the FIJI values to heart and truly “pressing on.” However, for anyone that is looking for a challenge and is interested in high-altitude glacier mountaineering, I would highly recommend climbing Mt. Rainier, as it will be an experience that you will never forget. Younglife Volunteer By: Kurt Zellner (2015) This summer, I spent a month on the summer staff for Younglife, an organization that ministers to high school students. Summer staff is a volunteer position that Younglife offers at its many camps throughout the world. Within summer staff, there are many different jobs. For my assignment, I was chosen to be a program tech at the Younglife camp Windy Gap, which is located in North Carolina. As a program tech, I set up the audio for many of the events at camp and ran a lot of behind-the-scenes work for the clubs. Younglife is something I am involved with on campus, and I was extremely excited to continue my involvement throughout the summer. Younglife Summer Staff What I really enjoyed about being on Younglife’s summer staff was the urban weeks. Urban weeks, as the name implies, are weeks when we had kids from urban areas. For us, there are many things we do differently to cater to these kids. We adjust the games, music, and skits to things that would interest them. We also add real world lessons that these kids may not get in their homes. Our goal is to allow all kids that come to a Younglife Camp to have, “The best week of their lives.” Aside from doing each of our individual jobs as summer staff, we try to really get to know the kids and show them that there are incredible, caring people in the world. Younglife Summer Staff was an amazing opportunity for me to serve others and I am blessed to have had the chance to spend a month volunteering at the camp. We traveled to the Archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic at 78 degrees North in order to conduct research. Svalbard is located roughly half way between the Northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. The experience of hiking across glaciers and up mountains in the Arctic while performing research was truly life changing; and of course, the views were breathtaking. In addition to class itself, I also had the pleasure of exploring all Scandinavia had to offer. In Stockholm I saw many sights, which included the Royal Palace, Gamla Stan, City Hall, numerous museums, and other attractions. I also had the opportunity to travel to Norway and experience Oslo, Lillehammer, and the famous fjords Robert in the mountains in the Arctic. Studying Abroad By: Robert Nystrom (2015) This summer I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad and study the effects of a changing arctic on society. The field class was a joint program between of Norway. In addition to Norway, I also traveled to Denmark and experienced the capital city of Copenhagen. Overall, studying abroad was an amazing experience, and I would definitely recommend the experience to everyone. \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 GRADUATES - JOIN US FOR HOMECOMING Graduate Brothers, As many of you know, the Illinois Homecoming Game is October 27. If you will be down that weekend, feel free to come over to our house anytime, which is located at 902 S. 2nd St. We will be hosting a barbecue at 5pm on game day, along with festivities afterward. As a chapter, we look forward to seeing everyone there! Fraternally, Harrison Yu, Graduate Relations Chairman Pergé! CONSIDER A GIFT TO CHI IOTA I am pleased to make a contribution to the Chi Iota Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta of : $200 $100 $75 $50 $25 $15 Other $_______ I would like my donation to be used in the following area: ________________________ Donations can be made with checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta and mailed to: Graduate Relations - Phi Gamma Delta, 902 S. 2nd St. Champaign IL, 61820 and include this form. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.