Undergraduate Newsletter – Fall 2010
Sigma Chi Eta Iota, Fall Issue, December 2010
Fall '10, a Semester in Review
The fall semester proved to be yet another successful and eventful one. The chapter welcomed sixteen new brothers from the Gamma Nu pledge class. We held many great social events, including the annual Halloween party, and were active in intramural sports and various campus activities with other Greek organizations. We participated in Alpha Xi Delta's Autism Speaks campaign, winning the penny challenge and participating in a dodgeball tournament fundraiser. Expansion and increased campus involvement are among our main aims for next semester. With a new executive board and many positions filled by new and returning active members, it'll be interesting to see how spring plays out — Derby Days is one of the most anticipated events for 2011.
Congrats to the recently initiated Gamma Nu pledge class: Rick Lapp, Francisco Gonzales, Raphael Alland, Matt Otto, Zach Wallace, Josh Chancey, Johnny Jacobs, Paren Patel, George Apudo, Kyle Sellers, Spencer Edwards, David Cruz, Paul McCarthy, Tim Englehardt, Pete Sanchez, James Anderson.
Christian Schirra, Tribune
Pro Consul's Report — Campus Outreach, PIT Proves Effective Again
The two main goals as Pro Consul were weekly Post-Initiation Training (PIT) sessions for newly initiated brothers, and running more efficient executive meetings. PIT followed the guide from headquarters' Balfour Leadership Training Workshop; we held four sessions, mainly focused on Sigma Chi history and lifelong commitment, all conducted ritualistically. Executive meetings were held every Thursday at 6pm, with every officer prepared to report on his position, keeping chapter meetings shorter and more focused on ritual.
Sigma Chi's campus involvement took a hit when almost 20 of our oldest, most active brothers left in May 2010 — multiple SGA representatives, Orientation Team leaders, tour guides, and TAs. During this recovery phase, as Annotator I've been trying to further integrate our brothers into campus life. It's been difficult with our brothers' already-loaded schedules, but we've begun to make a name for ourselves as young Sigma Chis on campus. Many of our younger brothers applied for Orientation Team and Student Government — not all were successful, but the networking built alliances with other Greeks and the rest of the school.
Sigma Chi participated in Here Comes the Sun Day, a clean energy festival in New Smyrna Beach, giving our pledges a chance to experience the service side of Sigma Chi. Alpha Xi Delta hosted Penny Wars, a contest to raise money for Autism Speaks — with help from every active brother's donations and organizational efforts by Social Chair Jeremiah Poff, Sigma Chi assembled a little over $400 in pennies, plus negative points brought in by other jars, raising over $600 to fund Autism research and treatment. The overall event income was roughly $1,200, with Sigma Chi contributing about half. As a reward, Sigma Chi has a social planned with Alpha Xi Delta the day before study day in December, where the ladies will make dinner for both chapters.
Sigma Chi also participated in Alpha Xi Delta's Dodgeball Tournament, making it to the semifinals before Air Force ROTC knocked us out — another good opportunity to involve pledges and build relations with a sorority and other fraternities. Future plans include a "Siglympics" competition (golf-chipping, putting, cornhole) and ideas to generate donations for Children's Miracle Network and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Arash Sabet-Rasekh / Taylor Quackenbush, Annotator
Recruitment a Great Success
After the largest initiation in Eta Iota history — the Gamma Lambda pledge class in Fall 2009 — expectations were high for Fall 2010 recruitment. Sigma Chi began recruiting during Summer B, meeting many of the roughly 24 incoming male students; two joined early, before Fall started. Fall recruitment began with orientation and move-in, with Rush Week 3 full weeks into school for preparation time. True success came from brothers staffing on-campus info booths and one-on-one interactions during move-in, classes, and ROTC. Of 22 bids given, we'd met and befriended about 15 through "Meet the Greeks," the Activities Fair, and a Greek BBQ.
Rush Week itself: Monday was a beach day at Sunsplash Park with BBQ, surfing, and cornhole; Tuesday a Winghouse party at the house (with about a dozen Winghouse girls helping out); Wednesday the traditional Go-Karts and Mini-Golf day; Thursday a dodgeball tournament, with Brother Daniel Duquette running sound both nights; and Friday the traditional Spaghetti Dinner at the College of Aviation Atrium, with distinguished guest Julio Varela sharing stories with our prospective brothers.
Taylor Quackenbush
Sports — Sigma Chi on the Field
Although we lost a lot of talent with our most recent graduating class, Sigma Chi still poses a threat across the intramural sports leagues on campus. Our football team clinched the Greek division championship, with strong participation in basketball and soccer too — we're looking at the upcoming spring soccer tournament next.
Christian Schirra
Social Corner
Theta Phi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, and our chapter kicked off the fall semester with a BBQ social at the house. That same weekend we had a broomball event with the ladies of Sigma Sigma Sigma at the Daytona Ice Arena. Our brotherhood camping trip with pledges was held at Tiger Bay State Park, full of brotherhood-building exercises. For Halloween we threw a party with Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Delta Upsilon — 650 attendees, a great success. Eta Iota's White Rose 2010 was held at Reunion Resort Orlando, where we crowned our 2011 Sweetheart, Michelle Rodio.
One of the most meaningful events of the semester: the engagement of Brother Derek Pizzo and Michelle Rodio. The Eta Iota chapter extends our best wishes and congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Lastly, the White Elephant Semi-Formal will be held at the house with Alpha Xi Delta, who'll help decorate and prepare dinner as their reward for losing Penny Wars, on the last night of classes, followed by a gift exchange.
Jeramiah Poff, Social Chairman
Magister's Report
We began the fall semester with a pledge class of 23, who showed real dedication and willingness throughout the process. Thanks to donations from the Quackenbush family and other sources, we were able to offer a pledge scholarship, awarded based on test grades and performance throughout pledging.
Close to the end of the pledge process we faced an issue: pledges reported that one of their pledge brothers had cheated on some exams, including the National Exam. After discussion with the chapter, that pledge was released from the program. I'm proud to report we were able to initiate 16 new members into this great fraternity, and I look forward to seeing each new brother continue to better himself through PIT and the rest of his brotherhood.
Andres Villalobos, Magister
From all the Brothers at the Eta Iota Chapter — In Hoc Signo Vinces! Mail donations to 520 South Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
Newsletter created by Brother Christian Schirra, #768, "GLEE," Tribune, Fall 2010