BETA SIGMA BRIEF Ball State University - Phi Gamma Delta NIC Award of Distinction The brothers of the Beta Sigma Chapter were proud and humbled to receive the NIC Award of Distinction this spring. We accepted the award as one of only ten chapters in the nation to achieve the same honor! Dear Brothers of the Beta Sigma Chapter, It is my honor to open this graduate newsletter with my state of the chapter address. To begin, this spring 2015 semester has been another stellar time for our chapter. We currently operate at a total chapter size of seventyfour members—which is the second largest Fraternity at Ball State—and we are proud to see our twelve seniors graduate this May. To fill this void, our spring pledge class, Alpha Mu, make up our six newest members. And our numbers have grown even more since we initiated sixteen brothers of the Alpha Lambda, fall pledge, class during our Winter Retreat to International Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to recruitment, Beta Sigma has collected several awards over the past months. The most significant of these awards is the NIC Award of Distinction, which is awarded to the ten most outstanding chapters in North America; I am pleased to inform you that we are the first chapter on Ball State’s campus to receive this award. During the Grand Chapter awards ceremony at Ball State, we were recognized as IFC Chapter of the Year and exceeded expectations in five of the accreditation categories. At the annual State Day event for all Phi Gamma Delta chapters in Indiana, Beta Sigma was recognized as runner up the Beta Cup—the best overall chapter in the state. We were also recognized with the most outstanding member, Jake Cash (2016), as well as the most outstanding new member, Matt King (2017). We recently have had successes with athletics as well, including winning tournaments in basketball, volleyball, and football. Just this April, we held our first annual Spring Black Diamond Banquet. At this event, we invited a handful of the top scholarship applicants to Ball State to spend the day with Beta Sigma. This event allowed us to meet a few incoming freshman before they even begin their days at Ball State. After experiencing the recruitment event this spring, it has become apparent how successful this event can be, and we are excited to continue this event in the future. Beta Sigma prides itself on campus involvement, which is why our brothers currently are involved in over one hundred different on-campus organizations. Some of the organizations we are heavily involved in include the Student Government Association and the Interfraternity Council. Recently, at Fiji Academy, we were honored by having two of our brothers serve as the President and Treasurer in the model initiation for a crowd of more than 400 brothers. All of these accomplishments make me proud to be President of such a successful and reputable organization on Ball State’s campus and across all of FIJI Land. Finally, I would like to thank all of you for attending the annual Pig Dinner, and I look forward to seeing you at next year's Pig Dinner on March 26th, 2016. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to contact me using the below contact methods. Fraternally, Alec Immordino (2016) - Chapter President Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta 219-510-7042 alecimmordino@gmail.com Perge! "Not for college days alone!" Spring 2015 1 \r\nBETA SIGMA BRIEF Ball State University - Phi Gamma Delta Interfraternity Council Update For IFC this spring, we have brother Riley Holkan (2016) serving as the VP of Recruitment. Riley has done excellent work with his position and has many more exciting events planned for this fall. He has handled everyone’s questions of him well and has done a great job representing FIJI. It is currently philanthropy season in the IFC as there are multiple philanthropies going on each weekend. IFC is really pushing unity in our endeavors as we support each other in philanthropic events. IFC is also pushing for the Greek community to outreach with other organizations on campus. They currently are trying to help support Ball State Athletics. VP of Recruitment Riley Holkan - Ian Polston (2018), IFC Delegate Recruitment Ahh...so refreshing! New faces, new names, new aspects and outlooks on life. Recruitment season is a very exciting and busy time for the chairmen who decide to take on the daunting task of heading up recruitment, as well as a busy time for all the brothers in the chapter who have to make numerous attempts at remembering countless names that may or may not make the cut. Spring recruitment has just come to an end, and it has been a successful spring season. It was a great learning experience for everyone involved. The recruitment season started January 12 and ran through February 2. Throughout this time, many events occurred ranging from meeting the brothers while watching the national championship football game and eating pizza, to individual meetings on campus to eat dinner with potentials. The events were successful, because they allowed us to meet the potentials and get to know them on a personal level. Brothers brought in men who were roommates or friends from home to see what being a FIJI is all about. Because a lot of brothers were together for the same cause, the recruitment events became brotherhood events as well. It is always a great thing when we can accomplish two things at once for the good of the fraternity. The product of the spring recruitment season: a group of 6 gentlemen of quality who have proven that they have what it takes to become a part of something bigger than themselves. This new group has already proven (and will continue to prove) that they will go above and beyond the expectations placed upon them, and will represent that values of a FIJI to the fullest. The new pledges are a great asset to our chapter and have fit into this chapter better than imagined. Through this ambitious new pledge class, our chapter will continue to grow, and will accomplish big things in the years to come. - Ryan Youngs (2017) and Ryan Teague (2018), Recruitment Chairmen "Not for college days alone!" Spring 2015 2 \r\nBETA SIGMA BRIEF Ball State University - Phi Gamma Delta Service During the fall semester, brothers worked many service hours and completed the bulk of our IHQ service hours. Brothers worked with Muncie’s Friend’s Church and other charitable organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank, America Multi-Sport, and Ball State’s College Mentors. Brothers helped out at the local Petsmart during their monthly Adoptathon, assisting in the adoption of 16 dogs in 2 days. Several brothers continuously attended marathons and triathalons, hosted by Muncie America Multi-Sport Association. Also, we hosted an event with Habitat for Humanity, which we worked to help repair and build homes for Muncie community members in need. During the semester, we built a close relationship with Habitat for Humanity and we hope to continue our involvement. Brothers attended events sponsored by other Greek organizations on campus, including Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Delta Tau Delta. Many brothers made generous canned food donations to Feed My Sheep, to provide meals for families in need during the holidays. Also, there has been a spur in clothes given to Goodwill. The spring semester started off with huge success in brother involvement in service and philanthropic events. For the spring semester of 2015, our chapter set goals for both Ball State’s voluntary service program (OSL) and for our International Headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta (IHQ). We set a minimum requirement of 10 hours per category, to not put as much pressure on the brothers and to make the earnings more of a reward than requirement. Our main goal has been to show improvement from last year, no matter how big or small, and we are off to a fantastic start. Currently, we have recorded 780 hours for OSL and 1,438 hours for IHQ, with time still left in the semester. With 72 of our brothers contributing toward the total hours, we believe this semester has been very successful. By the end of the semester, our goal is to reach 1,000 hours for OSL and for zero brothers to have zero service hours. Overall, we believe that we are on track to closely, tie and hopefully surpass last semester’s, service hour totals and hope to continue to see a rise in outreach for the Beta Sigma Chapter. - Adam Kutemeier (2017) and Tony Thomas (2018), Service Chairmen Awards and Distinctions - NIC Award of Distinction - IFC Chapter of the Year - Most Outstanding New Member in Indiana: Matt King (2017) - Most Outstanding Member in Indiana: Jacob Cash (2016) "Not for college days alone!" Spring 2015 3 \r\nBETA SIGMA BRIEF Ball State University - Phi Gamma Delta Graduate Brother Words of Wisdom By: Michael Niezer (2010) Of all the great things the Beta Sigma chapter has accomplished over the years, I truly believe that one of the most unrecognized and underappreciated accomplishments is the continual recruitment and makeup of men committed to the values of Phi Gamma Delta. It is incredible to see Phi Gamma Delta still being a difference-maker, still over-achieving expectations, and still setting the standard on Ball State’s campus. These successes are not by luck or by chance – they are the result of men who continually live up to the values of the Fraternity and who individually contribute unique talents and aspirations towards the collective good of the chapter. Other chapters may recruit high numbers of men, or men who fit a certain model of a member. Phi Gamma Delta, however, is made up of men from all backgrounds, beliefs, and interests – all with a common desire to achieve the Phi Gam mission and the five values which it espouses. Those five values are instrumental in the development and building of better men in the chapter. The individual values of members in concert with the values of the Fraternity are what make Phi Gamma Delta special and what will sustain success for years to come. Critical to that formula, however, are the individual values that a member has when entering the Fraternity. We may evaluate potential members on the five values of Phi Gamma Delta, but that is not to say that the other qualities and values a member brings to the chapter are inconsequential. Rather, those unique characteristics are what make our chapter as diverse as it is – a key component to the experience that Phi Gamma Delta provides. And while that diversity of membership holds Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality, and Excellence as guiding principles, members should hold fast to those other values which are important to them as well. Whether it be faith, family or something else entirely, the five values of Phi Gamma Delta are not meant to give members license to abandon personally held principles – if anything, the five values of Phi Gamma Delta are meant to strengthen the individual. I encourage undergraduate members to not forget those values which are important to them. Our chapter is better off for it and you will be glad you’ve done so when your time at Ball State is complete. Donate to the Chapter Invest in Beta Sigma! Name Phone Address Email Signature I wish to donate: For: $25 $50 Black Diamond Scholarship "Not for college days alone!" $100 $250 Other Ride Across the Purple Valley Send form with checks to: Phi Gamma Delta 900 W. Riverside Ave. Muncie, IN 47303 Spring 2015 4