Undergraduate Newsletter – February 2010
The Eta Iota News — A Publication of the Eta Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi, Edition I, February 2010
From the Desk of the Consul
After a successful doubling of the chapter this past fall, we look forward to a semester filled with adventure and excitement. Some of the great fun in store this semester includes Derby Days, Greek Week, Province Workshop, and the installation of the Florida Gulf Coast University chapter, at which Eta Iota has been asked to take a lead role. The success of any strong organization lies in recruitment, which is why this semester the chapter is bringing in the Mission 365 team after the initiation of the spring pledge class. With their help, our fresh new brothers and remaining senior brothers will take on Fall '10 as strong as ever! Whether you're a newly initiated brother taking one small step toward graduation, or a senior brother about to take one giant leap into your career — get ready, because these are the times of your life!
We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Christopher Payne '10, Consul
Pro Consul's Report
This semester we've hit the ground running. Our executive committee is one of the most dedicated I've seen in my undergraduate career, and our newly initiated brothers are quickly taking up leadership roles. Because so many brothers are graduating this May, education has become the main focus of the semester.
Post-Initiation Training (P.I.T.) was minimal at best a few semesters ago but has become a critical part of gearing up our young brothers to protect our charter and expand our campus influence. Our first P.I.T. session this semester was led by Recruitment Chair Bhisham Mahtani, focused on recruitment techniques and building confidence. Since then, we've trained new brothers in Eta Iota's history and assessed their ritual and I-Period experiences. Coming up: an alumni relations session led by Chapter Advisors Roger Moody and Robert Tetrault, and I-Period training led by Kustos Paul Ouellette.
Our executive committee has also started an "apprenticeship" program, pairing every executive position with a younger brother shadowing them for the semester. New brothers will also attend Province Workshop at the Kappa Omega chapter in Tampa. We've taken a hard look at scholarship this semester too, working on positive incentives for a 3.0+ GPA and revising the pledge process to protect academic integrity.
I'd like to thank the chapter for the honor of nominating me for the 2009-2010 Outstanding Senior Balfour Award — I'll represent our chapter at the Central Florida Province Workshop through the application and interview process. As this is my last semester, I'd like to see it close with nothing but success. Good luck to our Recruitment Chair, Magister, and Kustos organizing the pledge process, and here's to a successful Derby Days and another Greek Week trophy.
Taylor Roynon '10, Pro Consul
Chapter Officers: Chapter Advisor Roger Moody '73 · Consul Christopher Payne '10 · Pro Consul Taylor Roynon '10 · Quaestor Arash Sabet-Rasekh '10 · Annotator John Waybright '11 · Magister Daniel Lee '10 · Recruitment Chair Bhisham Mahtani '10 · Tribune Sean Stefanak '10 · Historian Jason Auger '13 · House Manager Colby Parmelee '10
The Social Corner
This semester is shaping up to be the best semester for Sigma Chi socially in recent history. The spring social calendar kicks off with a Super Bowl party, then the Daytona 500 and Derby Days in February. Once March starts, our focus turns to a fourth Greek Week trophy in five years, followed by the XI Man competition, and then every college student's favorite part of spring semester: Spring Break! About fifteen brothers are going on a cruise, recent alumni to Las Vegas, and others to various parts of the U.S. and the world.
The Eta Iota Chapter's 39th Birthday celebration is March 26-28, a weekend no one wants to miss — golf tournament, barbecues, bands, and drinks. This semester we're also planning our big party for April. Last April we held our first on-property party in almost four years, with over 500 people in attendance and no major incidents — the BYOB Safari Party went off without a hitch and was, by far, the best party ERAU had seen in a long time. We have the same expectations this year for a fun, safe, memorable party. We also have 15 young men (and one old man, Taylor Roynon) graduating this spring, with a graduation party planned. All this, plus drive-in movies, bowling, and s'mores nights, are going to make this spring one to remember!
Steven Turner '10, Social Chairman
A Focus on GPA
Eta Iota initiated twenty-three very motivated and active brothers this past semester — a record high for the chapter. We're all proud of our newly initiated brothers, but there's a slight issue we'll have to overcome: for the past few years, Sigma Chi at Embry-Riddle was known for having the highest GPA of any Greek organization on campus, along with many other notable qualities. After this past semester, we no longer hold that title.
All our brothers are trying their best to maintain an outstanding GPA this semester. As Magister, I'm personally going to emphasize the importance of education throughout the pledge program — since recent initiates had the most impact on our grading scale last semester, I'm planning to revise the pledge program's academic component so we don't repeat those mistakes. Other than academics, our pledge program is flawless, and I'll help bring the chapter back on top.
Daniel Lee '10, Magister
In memory of fallen brother Drew "Gary" Hunter — brothers honored him after I-Period this semester.
Tribune's Note
Welcome to Eta Iota's Undergraduate Newsletter! I'd like to begin by apologizing on behalf of the chapter for not publishing a newsletter last semester — we promised more newsletters and failed to deliver. I've made it my goal this semester to keep alumni informed and actively involved in the chapter's current state. Feel free to email or call me with suggestions, or articles you'd like to see in the next newsletter.
Sean Stefanak '10, Tribune
Sigma Chi Falls to Rugby Team
The Sigma Chi flag football team returned to the field this season with high expectations, after concluding the 2008 season with an upset win over the defending champion Neighborhood Raptors (49-0-1 in 3 years). After outscoring opponents 151-0 in the regular season, the team powered through the playoffs week by week, but met its match in the semi-final against the ERAU Rugby team's high-powered offense, falling 26-0. As spring semester gets underway, brothers will be actively involved in the 4-on-4 flag football league, softball league, and basketball league. Thank you to everyone who made the team a great success.
Sean Stefanak '10, Tribune
39th Birthday Just Around the Corner
Birthday Weekend Schedule of Events:
- March 26, 2010 @ 6:00 PM — Barbecue and drinks
- March 27, 2010 @ 12:00 PM — House Corporation Meeting
- March 28, 2010 @ 6:00 PM — Party at the house, featuring a live band, food, and drinks
Cost: Alumni $100 · Additional Guests $90
Invitations were recently mailed to all alumni for Birthday weekend. Contact Brett Miller, House Corp President, for more information.
Congratulations to the Largest Initiated Class (23)
Tony Romano, Jonathan Lebowitz, Sheldon Leonard, Taylor Quackenbush, Shane McIntosh, Jeramiah Poff, Jason Auger, Darren Jennings, Jim Baldyga, Ryan Maloney, Aaron Newman, Chuck Kwon, Jay Fraser, Daniel Duquette, Evan Pionkowski, Josh Kiddy, Pedro Pinero, Brett Smith, Nick Miley, Andres Villalobos, Marc Halilkas, Alan Nelson, Omar Moreno
Community Service
As we turn the corner on a new decade, our philanthropic activity is taking a turn for the best. Following one of the most devastating earthquakes in history, Sigma Chi and the Embry-Riddle community joined together — during Haitian relief week at school, Sigma Chi helped bring in valuable funds to aid the recovery effort. We'll also be taking an active role fighting cancer during this year's Relay for Life, marching in the fight against cancer, alongside our continuing regular philanthropies.
Jonathan Waybright '11, Annotator
Finances
Now that I've concluded my term as Quaestor, I'm proud to offer my final report on the chapter's financial status. The position taught me a great deal about bookkeeping and finances that I believe will be an asset going forward.
Brothers continue to maintain their financial accountability to the chapter — accounts receivable stood at $4,000 for January, after an excellent fall semester where $0 was owed at many points. Unfortunately, that accountability hasn't translated into outstanding financial status for the chapter overall. Last semester was one of the most challenging for Eta Iota since my initiation in fall 2006: high recruitment costs, two vacant rooms at the house, and a small chapter of only twenty-one active brothers placed a serious financial burden on us. We significantly reduced budgets to keep dues reasonable and moved our largest philanthropy event, Derby Days, to the spring. Expenses also exceeded expectations due to higher utility bills and unforeseen costs like a new pool filter. The chapter was "squeezing by" in the fall, and we're happy to have larger numbers to help cover spring expenses.
Thank you to our chapter officers for spending their allocated money sparingly given our difficult financial situation. It's been a pleasure serving as Quaestor, and I'm confident Arash will do an outstanding job as my successor.
Sean Stefanak '10, Tribune/Finance Chair
House Corp. Officers & Trustees
President Brett Miller · Vice President Brad Vomacka · Treasurer Seth Downs · Secretary Phil Holloway · Trustees Mauricio Aguilar, Gary Granger, Dave Elert, Brian Lojko, William F. Palmer Jr., Jeffrey B. Penn
A personal-contact directory for every active undergraduate brother also appeared in the original newsletter (individual names and cell phone numbers) — omitted from this native conversion as an unnecessary privacy exposure; officer/leadership contact information above is retained since it was already published as chapter-business contact info. The original PDF, with full layout and photos, is preserved below.