A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND CONSUL - Week 2

Post date: Aug 19, 2019 4:40:15 PM

Thankful to be home in Tucson after a week of traveling for the fraternity. While at HQ we talked extensively about how to reach more alumni and undergrad members. I am kind of limited by the membership in this group so let's try and grow this group. Also, PLEASE copy or share to the hundreds of individual group and chapter ΣΧ pages. They way we extend our outreach which is critically important.

Today I wanted to discuss the importance of Alumni Chapter Advisors and Advisory Boards volunteers- yes, again- VOLUNTEERS. They made a choice to serve.

Just recently at KTLW 2019, I had a chance to visit and talk with the alumni chapter advisors going through the newly developed chapter advisor training and curriculum. First thing I noticed when I walked into the room was the diversity of the group. Young, middle aged and older brothers of numerous ethnic makeups. I am so happy to see our diversity efforts are taking hold in the volunteer and undergrad ranks. Recently the chapter advisor curriculum developed by Curt Biller and the alumni curriculum development team was completed and this was the first time it has been rolled out at KTLW. Outstanding turnout and what an engaged group. Great questions and outstanding faculty members/volunteers.

To our advisors and CAB volunteers- let me repeat- We have your back. We know that you are the boots on the ground volunteers interacting with our young undergrads on an ongoing basis. Supporting you and developing your leadership and facilitation skills is front and center and critical to our mission. I was a Chapter Advisor myself twice at Arizona. Never enjoyed a volunteer position more in the fraternity. So, I think I understand the challenges that advisors and mentors face.

We will make every effort to support you. We will improve our communication cascade such that you all know as much of what is going on as I do. We will make sure that we develop both online and in person curriculum such that you all can improve your skills on an ongoing basis. We will make sure that when you have a question or need advice - that you get it. I can tell you that more is in development and we are focusing on alumni training.

That being said- These volunteers can and do develop very close and continuing bonds of friendship with their undergrad and then alumni chapter members. They can be that steadying force- the adult that you can always count on and an open and supportive ear to talk to. More importantly, they can be that shining example of how to do it right- how to make values based decisions- and how to develop themselves. In an environment where so many have no contact with their parents other than the cellphone or email- having that adult influence is critical.

The highest performing chapters are those that have good adult representation. Many chapters have a chapter advisor who lives in another city and may only be able to interact once or twice a semester. Some do not have that. My discussions on the "Spirit of Engagement" is just this. The International Fraternity and its chapters and undergrad members NEED YOU. You want to know how to engage- how to volunteer- how to support our initiatives? It starts with supporting your local chapter. Does not matter where you went to school. You are a Sigma Chi- and they need you.

I cannot begin to describe how important the friendships I have made with younger members are to me. Those faces came and went- but we stay in touch via social media. I find great satisfaction when I see you getting engaged, getting married and having children. To know that I had a hand in your development gives me the incentive to continue as a volunteer and I love hearing from you all.

My charge to you all is to ENGAGE. Volunteer. Serve in any capacity whether it be by donating time or financial support. JUST ENGAGE. I guarantee you that you will receive far more than you give and when you leave this earth- you will have the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference.

NEXT WEEK: Why Sigma Chi - this special bond we have.

-Steve Schuyler, ARIZONA 1979 - 71^th Grand Consul