FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL SIGMA PHI CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA Spring/Summer 2016 STATE OF THE CHAPTER Table of Contents 2 3 4 5 6 Year in review page Pig dinner highlights page Founders day page Senior Farewell page Contact updates page My name is Shayan Shams, and I am the current President of the Sigma Phi Chapter at Florida International University. This past spring 2016 semester was probably the most challenging semester this chapter has faced. Following the horrific incident that happened late in 2015, the Sigma Phi Chapter was given an ultimatum: completely revamp every aspect or shut down operations. Our 2016 cabinet took the challenge and ran with it. We increased the standards of membership, by raising GPA requirements and our involvement requirements, and we are holding every brother accountable. We shifted gears toward philanthropy and raised upwards of $12,000 for various organizations. We averaged 19.2 hours of community service per member. Excelled in intramural sports, winning the Chapter’s first sports cup trophy. Tough times call for tough measures, and our brothers lived up to the challenge. The upcoming fall semester looks extremely promising. We have developed the necessary tools and leaders for the future. For Sigma Phi, the sky’s the limit. Fraternally yours, Shayan Shams P! Raise Your Voice This event was held on February 17 at the R. Kirk Landon Fiji house at 8 pm. The event consisted of both planned and unplanned performances by students of the university who showed off their talent ranging from singing to stand up poetry. The 150+ people in attendance all got to experience the awesome talent from their community. They also had the opportunity to go on stage to share the reason for attending Relay for Life, the event where all proceeds were donated. At the end of the event, there was an interactive karaoke session for anybody who wished to participate. 2016 Cabinet President Shayan Shams (2016) Corresponding Secretary Daniel Gabuardi (2018) Treasurer Henry Brimo (2015) Recording Secretary Leosvel Fraya (2017) Historian Desmond Cameron (2016) \r\nRELAY FOR LIFE On March 6, the brothers had the privilege to participate in Relay for Life. The brothers raised money for the night by creating games and collecting money in a competition, where three brothers were tasked to raise at least $100 and those who did not reach the goal would have to shave his head. The brothers also raised money by roasting a pig and selling pulled pork sandwiches to the crowd. Two of the brothers of the Sigma Phi Chapter, Vicente Quinones (2013) and Yordany Lopez (2019), are both cancer survivors, so the brothers took extra initiative to participate in this event and raise as much money as possible to end the battle of cancer. The brothers single handedly raised over $1,000. They commemorated those that have lost the battle to cancer and those that were strong enough to have conquered it. Collectively, the university raised $1 million to the American Cancer Society. IT’S ON US On March 30, the Sigma Phi Chapter proudly held the 2nd annual It’s On Us Greeks Forum at the R. Kirk Landon Fiji House in hopes to spread awareness on Sexual Assault to the Greek community. To achieve maximum attendance and truly reach out to the community, this year the brothers teamed up with the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega, whose national philanthropy is Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Awareness, and the Victim’s Empowerment Program from the Counseling and Psychological Services of FIU. The event was nothing short of successful with 11 different Greek organizations in attendance and over 100 FIU students. GREEK SERVICE DAY On March 26, the brothers took part in a great event hosted by the IFC and PC Councils called Greek Service Day. Members from all Greek councils were in attendance for one purpose, serving the community. The event consisted of the beautification and clean up of Castellow Hammock Park. FIJI was the chapter with most members in attendance. Throughout the semester the undergraduate chapter had an average of 19.2 community service hours per brother. 2 \r\nSTAND UP & SPEAK On April 4, we hosted our 2nd annual Stand Up & Speak event. Stand Up & Speak was inaugurated last year by Brother Chris Mazzara(2014), in hopes to spread awareness for suicide and depression. The event consisted of eight different Greek organizations reciting a performing art piece, ranging from singing to spoken word. The event was so impactful and moving it brought the audience to tears. We were also happy to announce that the event raised over $1,000 for the JAM Foundation. PIG DINNER On March 26, the South Eastern Florida Graduate Chapter, alongside the undergraduate chapter, hosted our annual Pig Dinner. We had a great turn out and certainly a diverse group of graduates, ranging from the early 1970,s to 2015. The event certainly brought both chapters together and reformed a bond to continue to help each other succeed. ISLANDER WEEK This spring semester, we hosted our second annual islander Week. As you may have heard last year, this is our main philanthropy function of the year. The function is a week long and consists of various events, where different sorority women compete to be our next Islander Princess by helping us raise funds for the JAM Foundation. This year, we kicked off the by co-hosting the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention held on FIU’s MMC campus in which the proceeds were donated to the American Foundations for Suicide Prevention. Later in the week, we held our “Shine a Light on Suicide” event at the chapter house, where we lit luminaries and had a moment of silence for those lost to suicide or suffer from depression. The week was then followed by a fundraising day in the GC Lawns and a Car Wash held in the back of the FIJI House. The Islander Pageant concluded the week, where Karina Azevedo from Alpha Omicron Pi Women’s Fraternity, was crowned Islander Princess. The brothers of Sigma Phi are happy to announce that we raised over $10,000.00 throughout the week. Jen Rodriguez from Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity was named Most Philanthropic and won 30% of the proceeds to Autism Speaks. 3 \r\nSPORTS CUP On April 20, the Sigma Phi Chapter was presented with the first ever IFC Sports Cup Trophy. The award is given to the chapter with the best overall Intramural performance. Our chapter won the football and softball championships and came runner up in Volleyball. FOUNDER’S DAY The Sigma Phi chapter would like to thank Jonathan “Takata” Aguilar de Dios (2011) for hosting a great Founder’s Day Weekend. There was no better way to end the semester with the principles that our Fraternity embodies, “Not for College Days Alone!” The graduate and undergraduate chapter had a great time at the Founder’s Day Happy Hour at Batch Gastro Pub on April 29 and at the Founder’s Day Brunch at Grand Bay Club on May 1. RECRUITMENT WORKSHOP The undergraduate chapter would like to give a special thanks to those who sponsored brothers to attend the 2016 Recruitment Workshop on June 10 and 11 at our International Headquarters. Because of these donations, brothers were able to learn and adapt to new skills that were able to better enhance our recruitment process. This in return led to our highly successful summer recruitment. Brothers who attended the event were also able to gain the experience of meeting brothers from all over the nation and touring our Headquarters. 4 \r\nGRAD SEND-OFF On June 18, the undergraduate and graduate chapters teamed up once again to host our second annual Graduate Send-Off event. The event consisted of cocktail hour where the graduate chapter formally introduced the recently graduated into the chapter. The event was highly successful and all who attended had an enjoyable time. The brothers entering the South Eastern Florida Graduate Chapter are: > Kevin Guzman – Spring – Finance and Management Information Systems > Jesus la Rosa – Spring – Philosophy > Nick De Risca – Spring – Political and Public Administration > Aaron Adderly – Spring – Biomedical Engineer > Luis Rodriguez – Summer – International Relations and Political Science > Vicente Quinones – Summer – Biology PLEDGE SCHOLARSHIP Thanks to the Graduate Chapter, we were able to give our first ever Pledge Scholarship. This scholarship was given to the pledge who had the highest GPA during his respective semester. This semester, the scholarship was given to the pledge class President, Ron Tuch (2018). Ron is an ex-army solider, veteran, professional poker player and fitness enthusiast who is seeking a double major in marketing and real estate. He’s been on three deployments, and he is interested in investment and entrepreneurship. He is always looking to develop himself and others through leadership and education. PURPLE LEGIONNAIRE TIES THE KNOT This past semester our Purple Legionnaire, John Navas (2012), got married. John had this to say about his wedding… “On February 13, I was lucky enough to marry my best friend, in the company of my family, friends and brothers. It was an unforgettable day, and it was great to be able to know how much the Fraternity has helped me grow, as well as be part of our relationship. “Even though we all remember the fun times in our undergraduate lives, it was one of the best experiences to be able to share my wedding day with the brothers that were able to attend. It brought to light how our bond as brothers is not just a title, but how we are true friends. This same environment of friendship is what makes our fraternity different, and it had been a huge factor in my relationship from the very beginning.” Thank you all for the kind wishes, press on, and remember that friendship is the sweetest influence. 5 \r\nGRADUATE LEADERSHIP We would like to congratulate Alton Austin (2005) on becoming our newest Section Chief for Section XXIII. We would like to give a special thanks to our former Section Chief Anthony Pego. Graduate Chapter President: Jonathon Aguilar de Dios (2011) Purple Legionnaire: John Navas (2012) SAVE THE DATE Pig Dinner On 10/8/16 @8:00pm Located in GC Ballrooms Holiday Dinner On 12/3/16 @7:00pm Located in the FIJI House 6 Know Anyone Interested in Rushing? Contact our Recruitment Chair Renzo Fulchi 2018 Rfulc002@fiu.edu Want to Stay in the Loop? Email us at Sigmaphifiji@gmail.com Chapter President: shayanshams91@gmail.com Corresponding Secretary: dgabu001@fiu.edu Grad Relations: mmaur014@fiu.edu