MOD
FACILITATOR
GUIDE
WELCOME
On behalf of the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices staff, the National Council and the general
membership, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with you and your chapter to
pilot this new, innovative program designed for associate members.
This program will focus on building awareness and appreciation for the purposes and values of
Phi Tau, introducing the concept and history of the Fraternity and chapter, and familiarizing the
men with modern Phi Kappa Tau. As you will see, the curriculum is very interactive and involves
more discussion between associates than you lecturing to them. As a national organization, we
fully believe that all of these components are essential to making this experience a success!
On a personal note, your commitment to this position is greatly appreciated since you will play a
large role in the overall success of this program. Research tells us that people learn the most
when they are teaching others. Therefore, we believe that this experience will be beneficial to
you as a person, student and fraternity man. As the facilitator of this program, you will gain
skills in leadership, written and verbal communication, problem solving, teambuilding, meeting
management … the list is endless!
The Executive Offices staff is available to answer any questions you may have about the
program. Our role is to assist you in interpreting this program. With that said, please feel free to
contact us at any time throughout the semester with questions, comments or concerns you may
have. Again, thank you for your commitment to building men of character.
In Phi,
The Executive Offices staff
Phi Kappa Tau
A Mark of Distinction
The Mark of Distinction workbook is intended to guide you through your associate member
period in Phi Kappa Tau and help you become a man of strong character. As an associate, you
will find that the more you actively involve yourself in the learning and sharing process, the
more the Fraternity will give back to you while helping to build ties of brotherhood that last a
lifetime.
Give the materials in this manual your utmost attention, just as you would one of your classes on
campus. Each week, you will get a glimpse of Phi Kappa Tau’s history and the high ideals the
Fraternity has instilled in its members for more than 100 years. The creed of Phi Kappa Tau
expresses these ideals and the character that each of you will achieve as a member of our
Fraternity. You will discover exactly what the creed means and how you express it in your daily
life. Remember, Phi Kappa Tau is not a four year experience—it is a way of living that you will
carry with you throughout your life.
We are confident that this manual, along with the support of your fellow associates,
Membership Orientation Officer and undergraduate brothers, will guide you to be a man of
strong character. Remember, you must be consciously aware of your character and work at it
each and every day for the rest of your life. Don’t strive for perfection—strive for excellence!
Congratulations once again on being chosen as an associate member of our esteemed Fraternity.
We trust you will do all in your power to help build upon the strong brotherhood of the 90,000
men who already share this experience with you.
A Quality Membership
Orientation Program
The Cornerstones of a Quality Membership Orientation Program
Heritage
Structure and Operations
Learning the heritage of
Phi Kappa Tau
Learning the structure and
operations of Phi Kappa Tau
Values
Communication and Resources
Living the values of
Phi Kappa Tau
Learning the communication and
resources of Phi Kappa Tau
Ritual, Creed, Values & Mission
Learning Objectives of a Quality
Membership Orientation Program
Any quality membership orientation program should accomplish nine learning objectives. If
these nine objectives are met during the membership orientation program, a quality
membership orientation program is being conducted and the foundation and the cornerstones
are properly being instilled within the associates.
The learning objectives of a quality membership orientation program are:
1) The associate member will be able to explain the origins, founding and development of
Phi Kappa Tau.
2) The associate member will be able to identify our founders and other men who had an
impact on Phi Kappa Tau.
3) The associate member will be able to explain the roles and responsibilities of Resident
Council chairs and Board of Governors volunteers, as well as how they operate internally.
4) The associate member will be able to identify the structure of Phi Kappa Tau as well as
explain the roles and responsibilities of both the paid and volunteer positions.
5) The associate member will be able to identify and implement the purpose statements and
values of Phi Kappa Tau and their relationships with each other and the Fraternity.
6) The associate member will learn the purpose and four components of Phi Kappa Tau’s
risk management policy.
7) The associate member will be able to identify and explain the various communications
and resources that Phi Kappa Tau provides its associates, undergraduates and alumni
members.
8) The associate member will be able to identify and explain the educational programs and
scholarships offered by Phi Kappa Tau and how they are funded.
9) The associate member will be able to explain the requirements and purpose of the
Borradaile Challenge.
Mark of Distinction Membership
Orientation Program Outline
The associate member will be able to explain the origins and founding and development of
Phi Kappa Tau.
Week One—Origins and Founding of Phi Kappa Tau
Week Three—Founding through WWII
Week Four—WWII through 1969
Week Five—1970-Present
The associate member will be able to identify our founders and other men who had an
impact on Phi Kappa Tau.
Week One—William Shideler
Week Two—Taylor Borradaile
Week Three—Clinton Boyd
Week Four—EE Brandon & Ewing T. Boles
Week Five—Dwight Douglass
Week Six—Roland Maxwell & Jack Anson
The associate member will be able to explain the roles and responsibilities of each Resident
Council chairs and Board of Governors advisers, as well as how they operate internally.
Week One—Resident Council
Week Two—Board of Governors
Week Three—Resident Council
Week Five—Resident Council
The associate member will be able to identify the structure of Phi Kappa Tau as well as
explain the roles and responsibilities of both the paid and volunteer positions.
Week One—Resident Council
Week Two—Board of Governors
Week Three—National Council
Week Four—The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
Week Five—National Council
Week Six—Executive Offices
The associate member will be able to identify and implement the purpose statements and
values of Phi Kappa Tau and their relationships with each other and the Fraternity.
Pre-Meeting—Introduction to purpose statements
Week One—Creed Line One/Lifelong Commitment to Learning
Week Two—Creed Line Two/Lifelong Commitment to Brotherhood
Week Three—Creed Line Three/Lifelong Commitment to Ethical Leadership
Week Four—Creed Line Four
Week Five—Creed Line Five/Lifelong Commitment to Exemplary Character
Week Six—Creed Line Six/Vision Statement
The associate member will learn the purpose and four components of Phi Kappa Tau’s risk
management policy.
Pre-Meeting—Introduction/Purpose of the Risk Management Policy
Week Two—Hazing/Alcohol & Drugs
Week Six—Sexual Abuse/Fire, Health and Safety
The associate member will be able to identify and explain the various communications and
resources that Phi Kappa Tau provides its associates, undergraduates and alumni
members.
Pre-Meeting—Introduction to all online resources
Week One—Exchange: Lead Your Chapter: RC
Website: BMC Retreats
Week Two—Website: Presidents Academy & Regional Conferences
Exchange: Lead Your Chapter: BOG
Week Three—Website: Leadership Academy, Historical Vignette: Founding-WWII
Exchange: History through the Decades 1906-1945
Week Four—The Laurel
Website: Chapter Operational Retreats, Press Release
Template, PKT Network, Foundation, Scholarships,
Historical Vignette 1945-1969
Exchange: The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation, History through the Decades
1945-1965
Week Five—Website: HITW, FMOS, Convention, Historical Vignette 1969-Centennial,
HITW Video
Exchange: History through the Decades 1965-Centennial, HITW
Week Six—The Planner/RSS Feeds
Website: Phi Kappa Tau’s Parting Thoughts, Three Previously Released
Planners
The associate member will be able to identify and explain the educational programs and
scholarships offered by Phi Kappa Tau and how they are funded.
Week One—Building Men of Character Retreats
Week Two—Regional Conferences/Presidents Academy
Week Three—Leadership Academy
Week Four—Chapter Operational Retreats/Workshops, Foundation & Scholarships
Week Five—HITW/FMOS
The associate member will be able to explain the requirements and purpose of the
Borradaile Challenge.
Pre-Meeting—Introduction and Purpose of BC, MO Standard
Week One: Recruitment, Membership, Bylaws
Week Two: Finance, Risk Management, BOG
Week Three: Scholarship
Week Four: Communications
Week Five: Community Service & Philanthropy
Week Six: National Participation & Required Reports
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Membership Orientation Officer
Membership Orientation Officer Expectations
Effective MOD Facilitators…
The TEAM Approach
Helpful Hints for MO Officers
How to Read Your Facilitators Guide
Orientation Meeting
Pre-Orientation Prep
Pre-Orientation Meeting Outline
Pre-Orientation Facilitator Guide
Phi Kappa Tau Associate Resources
Phi Kappa Tau’s Risk Management Policy
Dispute Resolution Plan
A Statement of Fraternal Values and Ethics
Membership Orientation Introduction
Associate Meeting Calendar
Associate Member Expectations
Initiation Requirements
Associate Class Expectations
Our Purpose Statements
Phi Kappa Tau Equation
Purpose Statements
The Purpose of the Borradaile Challenge
Chapter Standards Commentary
Borradaile Challenge
Borradaile Challenge: Membership Orientation
Recruitment Evaluation
Week One
Week One Prep
Week One Outline
Week One Facilitator Guide
Week One Associate Assignments
Creed
Mission Statement
Origins of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (1776-1906)
Non-Fraternity Association Founding
William “Doc” Shideler
Sample Agenda
Sample Agenda for an Executive Council
Developing Committees
Facilitator
Page
1
2
4
5
6
Associate
Page
-
7-37
1-16
7
8
9
16
17
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
29
30
31
32
33
35
36
37
1
2
Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
38-73
17-32
38
39
40
51
53
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57
58
61
63
17
18
20
21
22
23
24
Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
Plan of a Chapter Room
Flow Chart of the Resident Council
Chapter Operations
Chapter Officers and Committees
Borradaile Challenge: Membership
Borradaile Challenge: Recruitment
Borradaile Challenge: Bylaws
Building Men of Character Retreats
Associate Member Class Expectations
Associate Class Nominations
Week Two
Week Two Prep
Week Two Outline
Week Two Facilitator Guide
Week Two Associate Assignments
Creed
Mission Statement
Hazing Defined
Examples of Hazing
Hazing Myths
Hazing
Fraternities and Alcohol
Snapshot of Annual High-Risk College Drinking
Consequences
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
CALL 911
Alcohol and Drugs
“University to Close Fraternity for Hazing”
“Purdue Withdraws Recognition of Fraternity after
Drug Arrests”
“Felony Charges in Alcohol-Related Death Tied to
Pledging Ritual at Fraternity”
“Student Dies after Drinking with Fraternity for 14
Hours”
“Bradley Reflects on Death”
BB Gun Hazing Article
Fraternity Drug Article
Hazing Death Article
Robert Schmalz Article
Taylor “Boss” Borradaile
Board of Governor Roles and Responsibilities
Local Flow Chart
Board of Governors
Domains and Domains Directors
Phi Kappa Tau Domains
Domains and their Directors
Borradaile Challenge: Risk Management
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
Exchange
Exchange
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
74-137
33-53
74
75
76
91
92
93
94
96
98
100
101
33
34
35
36
Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
37
Exchange
102
Exchange
104
106
107
108
Exchange
38
39
Exchange
110
Exchange
111
Exchange
113
Exchange
114
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119
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121
122
125
126
127
128
131
132
Exchange
40
41
42
43
44
Exchange
45
46
Exchange
Exchange
47
48
Borradaile Challenge: Finance
Borradaile Challenge: Board of Governors
Presidents Academy
Regional Conferences
Associate Class Elections
Week Three
Week Three Prep
Week Three Outline
Week Three Facilitator Guide
Week Three Associate Assignments
Creed
Mission Statement
Evolution of Phi Kappa Tau
Phrenocon
Six Founding Chapters
Phrenocon Adopts Phi Kappa Tau
Clinton “Teeny” Boyd
The Constitution and Statutes of Phi Kappa Tau:
Week Three
Phi Kappa Tau Flowchart
National Council Basics
National Council of Phi Kappa Tau
Borradaile Challenge: Scholarship
Leadership Academy
Brotherhood Activity Suggestions
Brotherhood Activity Planner
Week Four
Week Four Prep
Week Four Outline
Week Facilitator Guide
Week Four Associate Assignments
Creed
History of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (WWII-1969)
Ewing T. Boles
Dr. Edgar E. Brandon
Two Ways to Give Back to Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Structure
Brothers Trust
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
The Foundation and You
Borradaile Challenge: Communications
The Laurel
Good to Great Retreats
Conclave
133
134
135
136
137
49
50
51
52
53
148-164
54-67
138
139
140
148
149
150
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152
153
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155
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60
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62
156
Exchange
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164
Exchange
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Exchange
67
165-193
68-80
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193
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Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
74
75
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80
Week Five
Week Five Prep
Week Five Outline
Week Five Facilitator Guide
Week Five Associate Assignments
Creed
Mission Statement
History of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (1969-2006)
Douglass “Fat” Douglass
The Constitution of Phi Kappa Tau: Week Five
National Convention
National Convention and You
Hole in the Wall Camps
Hole in the Wall and Phi Kappa Tau
Founders Month of Service
Our Service Initiatives and You
Borradaile Challenge: Service
Borradaile Challenge: Philanthropy
Service Activity
Week Six
Week Six Prep
Week Six Outline
Week Six Facilitator Guide
Week Six Associate Assignments
Creed
Vision Statement
Jack Anson
Roland Maxwell
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
Sexual Abuse and Harassment (Note Taking)
Sexual Abuse and Harassment and You
Housing
Fire Safety Suggestions
House Maintenance Suggestions
House Security
How to Survive a Fraternity House Fire
Fire, Health, and Safety
“Fraternity Accused of Stealing 10,000 Student
Newspapers to Cover Up Date Rape Story”
“Health Inspectors Shut Down Tufts Fraternity”
“Students Plead Innocent to Sexual Abuse”
“Nebraska Wesleyan Fire Kills One Student,
Injures Three”
Newspaper Theft Article
Unsafe Housing Article
Drunken Sex Abuse Article
194-219
81-95
194
195
196
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
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Exchange
87
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220-273
96-115
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Exchange
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Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
Exchange
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Exchange
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Exchange
Exchange
259
Exchange
261
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263
105
106
107
Ryan Stewart Article
A Word from Our Chief Executive Officer
Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices
Executive Offices Staff
Executive Office Staff and You
Borradaile Challenge: National Participation
Borradaile Challenge: Required Reports
The Planner
Warp-up and Initiation Prep
Wrap-up and Associate Initiation Assignments
264
265
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269
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271
272
273
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Exchange
109
110
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113
114
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Membership Orientation Officer
Expectations
In addition to your job description in the constitution and on The Exchange, the following are
expectations of a Mark of Distinction Membership Orientation Officer.
1. Attend, participate in, facilitate, and preside over all MOD associate member meetings.
2. Attend brotherhood and service event that is planned by associate member class in
conjunction with Resident Council Exec Board.
3. Be prepared for all MOD associate member meetings and events by critically reading the
MOD Facilitator’s Guide and weekly meeting prep work before each meeting.
4. Schedule weekly overview of events and curriculum with an adviser from the Board of
Governors.
5. Take and submit assessment of Mark of Distinction MO Program for Membership
Orientation Officers to the Education Department of Phi Kappa Tau.
6. Serve as a positive role model for the associate members by living the Creed and Ritual.
7. Assure that no hazing takes place and confront any inappropriate behavior by either the
associate members or the active members.
8. Coordinate with Resident Council Exec Board dates, times and logistics for associate
ceremony and initiation.
1
Effective MOD Facilitators…
are guides to help the participants move through an intensive and challenging
experience.
 Facilitators ensure that attention is on the AM’s, not on themselves.
 Facilitators ensure the AM’s are staying engaged and fully participating in the program.
 Facilitators allow AM’s to struggle with issues and do not offer answers.
 Facilitators become comfortable with silence.
are full participants in the MOD experience with the AM’s.
 Facilitators complete all worksheets, reflection exercises, etc. along with the AM’s.
serve as positive role models for AM’s.
 Facilitators address unacceptable, inappropriate behaviors they see and/or hear.
 Facilitators do not use the AM meetings to advance their own agendas.
 Facilitators do not put themselves in a situation where they may be viewed as cliquish.
 Facilitators are present for all meetings and activities on time.
 Facilitators follow all of the policies of the Fraternity and college/university.
 Facilitators live the Creed of Phi Kappa Tau, to the best of their ability, on a daily basis.
trusts the process and lets it take its course.
 Facilitators do not over-process or overanalyze the activities.
 Facilitators permit participants to experience the whole thing.
exhibits communication skills.
 Express ideas clearly and accurately.
 Show a lively interest in the subject.
 Think well on his/her feet.
 Show a sense of humor with a sense of seriousness.
regulates his/her remarks.
 Call the group’s attention to particularly helpful statements.
 Rephrase participant’s ideas to clarify and reinforce.
 Avoid expressing personal opinions too often.
 Summarize at appropriate times.
encourages group participation.
 Oversee participation and make certain it is evenly distributed.
 Maintain eye contact and demonstrate engaging non-verbal behavior.
 Be alert to non-verbal cues of interest and boredom.
creates an accepting atmosphere.
 Insist that group members respect each other’s opinions.
 Show an interest in the opinions of all members.
 Support diverse perspectives.
2

Encourage freedom to express feelings without threat of reproach.
shows skills in guiding the discussion.
 Provide “meat” for the discussion without monopolizing the discussion.
 Provide examples and facts to emphasize points.
 Listen critically for opportunities to either challenge or support a statement.
 Ask questions rather than make statements.
encourages students to evaluate themselves.
 Encourage students to question the validity of their arguments or reasoning.
 Help students examine materials and their method of arriving at conclusions.
demonstrates skills in summarizing.
 Have students summarize main points.
 Encourage students to explain how their ideas/opinions have changed.
 Encourage students to predict how the discussion could affect the future behavior.
3
The TEAM Approach
Teach
Expectations:

Follow the curriculum

Have meaningful one-on-one conversations with participants

Share your perspective

Do not share war stories

Ask questions, don’t offer answers

Take advantage of teachable moments

Model how to have fun and maintain character

Use the language of the mission and creed
Enforce
Expectations:

Don’t let the little things slide

Demonstrate a nurturing, development attitude

Confront behavior, conversation, perspectives that are in contrast with the ideals of Phi Kappa Tau

Offer encouragement often

Lean into the discomfort of having to be tough

Their ability to make change

The importance of character both within the Fraternity and in everyday life
Advocate
Expectations:

The importance of character

Taking risks

The use of values in decision making

For the possibility rather than the reality

The mission and creed – how do you put them in action

A balance of social, brotherhood and Ritual

Active participation
Model
Expectations:

Use appropriate language

Arrive on time, ready to go, and excited to all sessions

Appropriate confrontation

Effective coaching and facilitation

Participate in all reflection and group activities

Bring the mission and the creed to life

Courage for dealing with difficult issues

Be someone they look up to
4
Helpful Hints for MO Officers
1. Follow the curriculum closely, but use your own style and imagination to add to the
program.
2. Get into the habit of asking open-ended questions.
3. Be comfortable with silence.
4. Membership Orientation is a six week challenge of critical thinking and concept application
from a group full of different personalities and life experiences. Be prepared for wide range
of emotions and reactions to the curriculum.
5. Use this experience as a way to develop and sharpen your character and coaching skills.
6. Develop personal relationships with the men in your associate class.
7. Stretch yourself – when you feel uncomfortable, use that as a personal learning moment.
8. Learn from your colleagues and friends.
9. Offer and ask for feedback from AMs and guests in the program.
10. Be sensitive to gender, racial, cultural, and sexuality issues. Be inclusive and expect that
from others.
11. Challenge, challenge, challenge and then support, support, support. We are not here to
make best friends, but if we do, that is a bonus.
12. Ask questions of each other.
13. Find someone you think you can learn from, and make it a point to do so.
14. This program, more than anything, is about providing AMs enough information and content
to prepare them for the lifelong journey that is Phi Kappa Tau.
15. Trust the process.
5
How to Read Your Facilitator Guide
Title of Lesson
Session Objectives

What the module is aiming to accomplish.
Session Supplies

What you will need for the module.
Guest Speaker

If you have arranged for a guest speaker, the section for him or her to facilitate will be
highlight in green.
Session Notes

The prep work that will need to be done for the module.
Session Outline
Time for
Module/Total
Time for
Program
Example:
30/90
Title of the Module
30 Minutes
for the
Module/90
Minutes for
the Entire
Program
Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Processing
These instructions will tell you how to set up the room and/or participants (ex., all
chairs facing facilitator).
If there is a paragraph like this, simply read it to the group—it doesn’t need to be
verbatim.
If there is a highlighted paragraph, we ask that you read it to the group word-forword.
Questions to help members understand the main points of the discussion/activity
and why they are important to the program will be in normal font.
Italicized paragraphs denote instruction for you or an answer the group should
eventually reach.
6
Pre-Orientation Meeting Prep
Task
Done
Partner with president and chaplain to select initiation date and a backup
date before associate ceremony
Partner with treasurer to make sure members bring associate fee to associate
ceremony.
Ensure 100 percent attendance for undergraduate members attending
associate ceremony.
Gather pertinent associate member information to register new members
through OmegaFi. You will need every associate’s birthday to complete this
task, email address and associate date to complete these tasks.
Print/copy enough associate workbooks for every new member.
Contact president regarding guest facilitation of resident council structure and
operations during week one. Refer him to or send him related documents
from curriculum to review.
Review agenda for Orientation meeting with chapter adviser.
7
Pre-Orientation Meeting
Associate Ceremony Debriefing/Membership Orientation Introduction
MO Introduction
Associate Member Expectations
Introduction to Our Values
Introduction to the Borradaile Challenge
Introduction to the Risk Management Policy
Feedback and Evaluation
Recruitment Evaluation
8
Pre-Orientation Meeting
90 Minutes
Session Objectives





The associate member will be introduced to our purpose statements
The associate member will have a clear understanding of all expectations of associate
membership
The associate member will learn the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge and the
membership orientation metric
The associate member will learn about the risk management policy of Phi Kappa Tau and
where to find it online
The associate member will learn the importance of feedback and evaluation
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
10/90
Logistical
Instructions
Associate Ceremony Debriefing/Introductions
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Hello and welcome to the Mark of Distinction Membership Orientation Program!
By taking the associate oath, you have just taken the first of many steps on the
lifelong journey that is Phi Kappa Tau.
Read to
Group
Introduce yourself, year you initiated, etc.
Many things await you in this journey, and it is not unusual to be nervous or
unsure of what to expect during the coming weeks. As you heard in the associate
ceremony, nothing will be asked of you during this time, or at any other point as a
member, that will conflict with your honor as a gentleman. That being said, let’s
talk a little bit about what you have just experienced.
What about the associate ceremony sticks out in your mind?
Processing
Why do you think we have an associate ceremony?
Without any orientation to Phi Kappa Tau, you as a non-affiliated member are not
ready to take the bigger step of initiation into our Fraternity. The associate
ceremony and status is merely the first step on a lifelong journey that is fraternity.
By having a ceremony, we are cementing that first step and preparing you to learn
how to be a successful undergraduate member.
Why do you think you as an associate member need to take an oath?
9
If you as a member do not take your first step seriously (associate membership),
then you will not take the more significant step (undergraduate membership),
seriously. By swearing an associate oath, you are committing that you will adopt
the Fraternity’s values and try to live them on a daily basis.
What is the difference between an associate member and an undergraduate
member?
The initiation. As an associate member you are on the same level as anyone in
the chapter and can do everything except our private ceremonies, which are
initiations, opening and closing of chapter meetings, and graduate council
ceremonies.
The associate ceremony is an integral part of who we are as members of Phi
Kappa Tau. Every single undergraduate member has taken this oath, and it is
your duty to uphold it during your associate member period. Congratulations for
taking your first step on a long and fruitful journey. We in Phi Kappa Tau are
excited for your membership and what you will bring to the Fraternity as you
mature into successful learners, leaders and servers.
Now, since we are a brotherhood, we are going to take a few minutes to introduce
ourselves to each other. When you introduce yourself, please give us your name,
hometown, major and why you decided to join Phi Kappa Tau. I will go first.
You as a facilitator will start and direct introductions around the room.
10/90
Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Processing
Introduction to the MO Program
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
The next six weeks will be challenging on many levels, but if you simply do your
work outside of class, come prepared and take notes, you will find this period not
only rewarding in the end, but a constant source of information to fall back on as
you progress through school and Fraternity. Many legacy thinkers will dub this the
“pledge” period or call their associates “pledges.” We in Phi Kappa Tau do not
subscribe to that way of thinking—let’s discuss why.
What does membership orientation mean? What is our main objective here?
It means exactly that—orientation. Similar to before you started school here, or if
you have been through training for a new job, membership orientation is about
teaching you to be an effective member of Phi Kappa Tau. While not all of you will
be officers or verbal leaders in the Fraternity, you are all responsible for the
growth and success of our chapter. We believe that this program will give you the
necessary tools to be a successful member, and more importantly, learn how to
live our values as members of Phi Kappa Tau.
Why do we call it membership orientation?
10
This is not about pledging, this is about training you to live the values and
principles of Phi Kappa Tau throughout your undergraduate years and beyond.
Why do you think Phi Kappa Tau requires an associate member period?
To prepare associate members for undergraduate membership, to orient
associate members to our policies and procedures, and to provide the foundation
for them to build their version of fraternity and leadership upon.
What is an associate member?
A student who has been identified as someone who lives our values and would
make a great brother. When you are associated, you are considered a member in
every aspect but the initiation Ritual.
There will be a total of six meetings involved in our program, so let’s decide when
we want to meet and add them to our chapter calendar. You can fill out the dates
on page nine.
As we have stated, this period is not about proving yourself over the next six
weeks. You will prove your worth to the chapter and the Fraternity by being
involved for your entire undergraduate and graduate career. Phi Kappa Tau is a
lifelong membership and we believe this to be but the first step for you in a long
line of memorable experiences to come.
Please turn to page two. This is a list of resources that you will need to use
throughout your associate member process to be successful. As you can see,
many of them are online resources through the national website,
www.phikappatau.org.
Does everyone understand how to read this sheet?
The sheet reads from the top tabs in the bar across each category. For example,
if you are trying to reference The Exchange, you would start on the national
webpage, www.phikappatau.org. Then you would scroll your mouse over
“learning,” and click on “The Exchange.”
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Associate Member Expectations
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
As you will hear often in this Fraternity, what you put into this experience is what
you will get out of it. If you show up to these meetings on time, participate, take
notes and complete your outside work, you will be fully prepared to pass our test
and become initiated into Phi Kappa Tau. More importantly, you all should be
attending class and trying to achieve the best grades possible. We are all here to
get an education and better our lives, so don’t waste it by failing out of our school
or Fraternity.
Now, before we go any further, the next expectation is very important. When the
11
president and myself enter you into the Fraternity’s database, you will receive an
e-mail asking you to check a few boxes and submit the form back to our Executive
Offices. The boxes include a dispute and claim resolution form, a statement of
Fraternity values and ethics, and a contract with OmegaFi for billing purposes with
your chapter. You can read a bit more about the dispute and claim resolution and
statement of Fraternity values and ethics on pages six and seven of your
associate workbook. YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A MEMBER UNTIL
YOU CHECK THE BOXES IN YOUR E-MAIL AND SUBMIT IT BACK. All
expectations you agree to in that e-mail can be found on our website for you to
review if you so desire.
Now, if you could please turn to page 10 in your associate workbooks, you will
find a list of our expectations for you both individually, as a member in Phi Kappa
Tau, and as a member of the campus and community.
Are these expectations reasonable?
Please turn to page 11. These are the requirements necessary to initiate into
undergraduate membership.
Processing
Are these expectations reasonable?
Please turn to page 12.
Are there any expectations you as a class would like to add?
These are all expectations that you, as an associate member, have agreed to. To
help you achieve these expectations, please turn to page 13. This is an individual
action plan to aid you in organizing your semester. This is not mandatory and I will
not review it, but this resource is here for you to use if you so desire.
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Processing
Introduction to Our Purpose Statements
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Phi Kappa Tau, like all NIC fraternities, is a values-based organization. Please
turn to page 15. Here you will find our creed, mission statement, and vision
statement.
What does it mean to be a values-based organization?
We were founded and developed on certain principles, and although the cardinal
principles will not be revealed to you until you are initiated, our purpose
statements are the public declaration of what we stand for. Our Fraternity is a
brotherhood based on values. You will learn these values through various
vehicles throughout your tenure as a member, but if you lose sight of our values,
12
you lose sight of the purpose of being a member in Phi Kappa Tau.
Why does Phi Kappa Tau have a mission?
A mission is exactly that—a reason for doing something. Our mission, likely many
mission statements, is not a tangible, specific goal. Missions are supposed to be
vague and unreachable so that you may strive to achieve them. While we can
never know if we fully reach our mission as individual members, you should want
to try and get a little closer to fulfilling our mission each day.
Why does Phi Kappa Tau have a creed?
A creed is a system or statement of principles. As a values-based organization, it
stands to reason that we have a system of principles. The creed for us acts as a
public statement of our cardinal principles, which are of course secret and only
revealed during our private initiation. The creed is our statement to the world
about what we believe and how we will act as men of Phi Kappa Tau.
Why does Phi Kappa Tau have a vision statement?
As an organization, we need to have a clear idea of where we want our
organization to be in the future. By creating and following a vision statement, we
are setting the standard for where we want to move our organization in a clear
and concise manner. Like the mission statement, it is an objective that we can
strive to attain each day of our lives and a guiding light to work towards as a
brotherhood.
Why are these purpose statements important to Phi Kappa Tau?
These statements sum up who we are as men of Phi Kappa Tau; each statement
plays a role in our organization. The mission guides us on a daily basis, the Creed
outlines who we are and what we believe, and the vision sets the end goal that we
as members want to work together to achieve.
Turn to page 16. What does this equation mean to you?
This equation means that knowing or believing in our values aren’t enough, we
have to put them into action to truly be members of Phi Kappa Tau.
As members, you will not get the full experience unless you live our values and
put them into practice on a daily basis. It is not enough to simply talk about living
these statements; to be a great member is to also live them.
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Introduction to the Borradaile Challenge
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
As an undergraduate, it is imperative that you are familiar with the concept of
chapter standards. We in Phi Kappa Tau measure the performance of our
chapters through 14 metrics that compose the Borradaile Challenge. You can
review all of our metrics on our national website.
13
Take a minute to read pages 18-19.
What is the Borradaile Challenge?
It is a standards program that tracks and evaluates chapters based upon a set of
fourteen metrics that we believe make up a positive fraternity experience. Clearly,
the more your chapter achieves these metrics, the better the fraternity experience
your chapter members will have.
What do you think is the main purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To maintain a positive fraternity experience.
What does the Borradaile Challenge measure?
A set of fourteen metrics that essentially compose positive internal operations of a
chapter.
Why do you think the Fraternity implemented the Borradaile Challenge?
To measure and track chapter operations so that volunteers and staff may reward
or assist chapters for their operations and management of a chapter.
What are the three standards we as a chapter can meet in each metric?
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic.
What level of achievement does each of these standards signify, respectively?
Basic—Average, Order of the Star—Above Average, Maxwell—Outstanding.
Processing
How are the Borradaile Challenge metrics tracked and evaluated?
Annual reports are submitted in each category to the Executive Offices at various
due dates throughout the year. Reports are then filed into the Executive Offices
database and merged into a Borradaile Challenge file that is sent to the chapter’s
BOG and Domain Director. Chapter officers may view their progress through our
database known as the Dashboard.
What is the standard for membership orientation?
Chapters must have an approved program that is renewed every five years.
Chapters have the choice of using the nationally approved MO program (Mark of
Distinction) or one which they have written themselves. If it is not the nationally
approved program, chapters must include specific criteria and learning objectives
mandated and approved by the Executive Offices.
Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
As we have discussed, the membership orientation period is a crucial part of a
member’s experience in Phi Kappa Tau. If our members do not have a correct
and quality membership orientation period, it will be hard for them to be
successful as undergraduate members.
How does the MO standard relate to our discussions today?
It is directly related to your associate member objectives and goals for the next six
weeks. The MO program may be the most crucial time for a member as they are
learning the knowledge and values that compose a successful member of Phi
Tau.
The Borradaile Challenge is one of the most important aspects of success in Phi
Kappa Tau. By working to achieve these standards at a high level, you and your
14
chapter will have a strong brotherhood and great experience while working
towards and achieving a common goal.
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Introduction to the Risk Management Policy
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Phi Kappa Tau, like all fraternities, has a policy to manage and reduce risk for its
chapters and members. As a member, you will be expected to understand and
implement this policy. Please take a minute to read through this policy on page
three.
We will learn more about this policy over the coming weeks, but it is important for
you to understand that it exists and have a good understanding of what you will be
expected to follow as an undergraduate member.
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Importance of Evaluation and Feedback in Phi Kappa Tau and Meeting
Wrap-up
All chairs facing facilitator.
As a member of Phi Kappa Tau, you will all be exposed to some level of
educational programming from the national office. The Mark of Distinction
Program is one of many resources provided by the Executive Offices and
volunteer leaders. While creating curriculum and resources are important, it is just
as important to understand how effective these programs are, which can only be
achieved by feedback and evaluation from you, our members. We can start
getting used to this by filling out the recruitment evaluation found on page 23 and
turning it into me at the beginning of the next meeting.
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page 25. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
15
Phi Kappa Tau Associate Resources
Hard Copies
(Bring these to EVERY MO meeting)
Associate Member Manual
Associate Member Workbook
National Website
www.phikappatau.org
Programs
National Convention
Leadership Academy
Presidents Academy
Regional Conferences
Building Men of Character Retreats Chapter
Operational Retreats
Membership Orientation
Founders Month of Service
Hole in the Wall Camps
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About Phi Kappa Tau

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ResourcesDownloadsVideos
ResourcesLaurel
ResourcesPress Release Guidelines & Template
HistoryTimeline
HistoryFast Facts
Purpose Statements
Learning
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Chapter ManagementRisk Management
Chapter ManagementFinances
Chapter ManagementBorradaile Challenge
The Exchange
Scholarships
Awards
16
Phi Kappa Tau Risk Management Policy
July 2008
Revised
The Risk Management Policy of FIPG, Inc. includes the provisions, which follow and shall apply
to all fraternity entities and all levels of fraternity membership.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
1. The possession, sale, use or consumption of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, while on
chapter premises or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by
the chapter, or at any event an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in
compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and
institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party
Vendor Guidelines.
2. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with chapter funds nor may the
purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member
in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity or
common source(s) of alcoholic beverage, for example, kegs or cases, is prohibited.
3. OPEN PARTIES, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the
fraternity, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, are prohibited.
4. No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic
beverages to any minor (i.e., those under legal drinking age).
5. The possession, sale or use of any ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event or at any event that an observer
would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited.
6. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor or tavern (tavern
defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from
alcohol) at which alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present. This
includes any event held in, at or on the property of a tavern as defined above for
purposes of fundraising. However, a chapter may rent or use a room or area in a tavern
as defined above for a closed event held within the provisions of this policy, including the
use of a third party vendor and guest list. An event at which alcohol is present may be
conducted or co-sponsored with a charitable organization if the event is held within the
provisions of this policy.
7. No chapter may co-sponsor, co-finance or attend or participate in a function at which
alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
8. All recruitment or rush activities associated with any chapter will be non-alcoholic. No
recruitment or rush activities associated with any chapter may be held at or in
conjunction with a tavern or alcohol distributor as defined in this policy.
17
9. No member or pledge, associate/new member or novice shall permit, tolerate, encourage
or participate in "drinking games.” The definition of drinking games includes but is not
limited to the consumption of shots of alcohol, liquor or alcoholic beverages, the practice
of consuming shots equating to one’s age, “beer pong,” “century club,” “dares” or any
other activity involving the consumption of alcohol which involves duress or
encouragement related to the consumption of alcohol.
10. No alcohol shall be present at any pledge/associate member/new member/novice
program, activity or ritual of the chapter. This includes but is not limited to activities
associated with “bid night,” “big brother – little brother” events or activities, / “big sister
- little sister” events or activities, “family” events or activities and initiation.
HAZING
No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Permission
or approval by a person being hazed is not a defense. Hazing activities are defined as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity
premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.
Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol, paddling in any
form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts,
scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the
confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally
in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games
and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement,
fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or
applicable state law."
SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT
The fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive
behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental or emotional. This is to include
any actions, activities or events, whether on chapter premises or an off-site location which are
demeaning to women or men, including but not limited to verbal harassment, sexual assault by
individuals or members acting together. The employment or use of strippers, exotic dancers or
similar, whether professional or amateur, at a fraternity event as defined in this policy is
prohibited.
FIRE, HEALTH AND SAFETY
1. All chapter houses should meet all local fire and health codes and standards.
2. All chapters should post by common phones and in other locations emergency numbers
for fire, police and ambulance and should have posted evacuation routes on the back of
the door of each sleeping room.
3. All chapters should comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the
insurance company or municipal authorities.
18
4. The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive or incendiary devices of any kind
within the confines and premises of the chapter house is prohibited.
5. Candles should not be used in chapter houses or individual rooms except under
controlled circumstances such as initiation.
EDUCATION
Each fraternity shall annually instruct its students and alumni/alumnae in the Risk
Management Policy of FIPG, Inc. Additionally, all students and key volunteers shall annually
receive a copy of the Risk Management Policy and a copy of the policy shall be available on the
fraternity website.
19
Dispute Resolution Plan
Effective Aug. 1, 2010, Phi Kappa Tau new members, existing members, and alumni making
claims for personal injury, claims for damages to property, or disputes of any nature will be
referred for resolution through The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity Claim and Dispute Resolution
Program. This means that, after Aug. 1, 2010, you and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity will be bound to
use the Claim and Dispute Resolution Program as the primary and sole means of dispute
resolution. If you are unable to resolve a claim or dispute arising out of your membership or
participation in any Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity-related activity, under the terms of the program
the claim or dispute will be submitted to binding arbitration instead of through the courts. If
legal action is instituted, the court will be requested to refer the matter back to the Claim and
Dispute Resolution Program for final resolution.
This program is binding on all Phi Kappa Tau new members, existing members, alumni,
chapters, House Corporations, foundations, alumni organizations, and the National Fraternity.
YOUR DECISION TO JOIN OR ACCEPT MEMBERSHIP OR CONTINUE YOUR CURRENT
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PHI KAPPA TAU FRATERNITY AFTER AUG. 1, 2010, MEANS YOU
HAVE AGREED TO AND ARE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS PROGRAM AS CONTAINED
IN THE PLAN DOCUMENT AND RULES, A COMPLETE COPY OF WHICH IS
AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: as a download on the national website or
through request from the Executive Offices at dcs@phikappatau.org . This will be true both
during your membership and after your membership, should you terminate for any
reason. Likewise, the terms of the Claim and Dispute Resolution Program are binding on Phi
Kappa Tau Fraternity; the terms can only be modified by providing advance notice of the change
to members. While both you and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity retain all substantive legal rights and
remedies under this program, you and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity are both waiving all rights
which either may have with regard to trial by jury for personal injury, property damage,
contract, or any other related matters in state or federal court. This plan covers any legal or
equitable claim for personal injury, property damage, equity or breach of contract, arising out of
any tort, statute, contract or law.
20
A Statement of Fraternal Values and
Ethics
Basic Expectations
In an effort to lessen the disparity between Fraternity ideals and individual behavior, and
to personalize these ideals in the daily undergraduate experience, the following basic
expectations of Fraternity membership have been established:
I
I will know and understand the ideals expressed in my Fraternity Ritual and will strive to
incorporate them in my daily life.
II
I will strive for academic achievement and practice academic integrity.
III
I will respect the dignity of all persons, therefore, I will not physically, mentally,
psychologically, or sexually abuse or haze any human being.
IV
I will protect the health and safety of all human beings.
V
I will respect my property and the property of others, therefore, I will neither abuse nor
tolerate the abuse of property.
VI
I will meet my financial obligations in a timely manner.
VII
I will neither use nor support the use of illegal drugs.
I will neither misuse nor support the misuse of alcohol.
VIII
I acknowledge that a clean and attractive environment is essential to both physical and
mental health, therefore, I will do all in my power to see that the chapter property is
properly cleaned and maintained.
IX
I will challenge my members to abide by these fraternal expectations and confront those
who violate them.
21
Membership Orientation Introduction
What is membership orientation?
What is the main objective?
What does a membership orientation officer
do?
What is an associate member?
Why does Phi Kappa Tau require an associate
member period?
22
Associate Meeting Calendar
__________________
(Semester/Quarter and Year)
Week One: ___________________________
Week Two: ___________________________
Week Three: __________________________
Week Four: ___________________________
Week Five: ____________________________
Week Six: _____________________________
23
Associate Member Expectations
Individually
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Maintain a semester or quarterly grade point average of at least a 2.4
(or mandated GPA required by chapter bylaws)
Pay the associate fee within five days of accepting a bid from Phi Tau
Take detailed notes during membership orientation meetings
Behave in a manner that is in keeping with the values of Phi Kappa Tau
Complete the national examination with a score of no less than 80 percent
Phi Kappa Tau
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Attend and participate in membership orientation meetings and activities
Strive to attain the qualities of associate membership
Join a chairman’s committee
Complete all work assigned prior to the upcoming membership orientation
meeting
Campus & Community

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Plan and participate in one community service project
Get involved with another organization/group
What you can expect from your associate member period

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A knowledge of our distinguished heritage
A knowledge of how Phi Kappa Tau operates at a local, regional and national level
The first step in holding yourself to a higher standard
FUN—if this isn’t fun, why would anybody do it?
What you SHOULD NEVER be expected to do as member in Phi Kappa Tau
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Servitude or inequality to any member, initiated or otherwise
Forced consumption of anything
Anything that conflicts with your religious beliefs nor your honor as a gentleman
Anything that conflicts with the values and beliefs of Phi Kappa Tau
If you are asked to do any of the above actions, YOU are expected to report these events at the
toll-free number — (888) NOT-HAZE ((888) 668-4293).
24
Initiation Requirements
Requirements for Initiation
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The associate member successfully completes a certified MO Program
The associate members scores at least an 80 percent on the national examination
The associate member achieves at least a previous semester or cumulative GPA of 2.4 (or
mandated GPA required by chapter bylaws), or completes an approved grade
verification form
The request to initiate form must be submitted with all names and fees included at least
TWO WEEKS BEFORE INITIATION
The associate member has paid the associate fee of $75 ($110 for colony members), the
initiation fee of $240*, and any local dues owed to the colony/chapter
* $240 is the initiation fee that includes a plain chased GK (goldklad) membership badge.
Badge upgrades are available at the following prices:
Initiation with plain chased 10K badge:
$ 275
Initiation with crown pearl/zircon GK badge:
$ 285
Initiation with crown pearl/diamond 10K badge:
$ 345
NOTE: Approval for initiation will be sent to the chapter president within 24 hours of receiving
the request for initiation.
NOTE: Any chapter that initiates without permission is subject to a $100 per initiation fine.
25
Associate Class Expectations
26
Plan for Success
You will find that as you grow in your membership with Phi Kappa Tau, you must be able to set
goals and coinciding action plans to be successful in school, fraternity and life. While these goals
have been set for you already, it is important to follow the SMART method of goal-setting to
make your associate member period and beyond a successful venture.
Goals should be SMART:
Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Timely
Individual Expectations
Expectation: Maintain a semester or quarterly GPA of at least 2.4.
Target completion date:
_____________________________________________________________
Actions:
1. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Expectation: Pay the associate fee within five days of accepting a bid to the Fraternity, and
complete the agreement to expectations that is sent to you electronically after being added to the
roster.
Target completion date:
_____________________________________________________________
Actions:
1. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
27
Expectation: Complete the national exam and pass it with an 80 percent or higher at the
conclusion of this program.
Target completion date:
_____________________________________________________________
Actions:
1. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Phi Kappa Tau Expectations
Expectation: Join a chapter committee.
Target completion date:
_____________________________________________________________
Actions:
1. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Campus Community Expectations
Expectation: Join an additional student organization/group.
Target completion date:
_____________________________________________________________
Actions:
1. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
28
Our Purpose Statements
Mission
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood,
learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.
Vision
The vision of Phi Kappa Tau is to be recognized as a leadership organization that binds men
together and challenges them to improve their campuses and the world.
Creed
Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of
distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it
stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I
shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may
ever retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try always to
discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.
Roland Maxwell, Southern California '22
November 19, 1950
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 

=
OUR
VALUES
X
ACTION
30
Purpose Statements
What does it mean to be a values-based
organization?
What is a mission? Why do we have one?
What is vision? Why do we have one?
What is a creed? Why do we have one?
31
The Purpose of the Borradaile Challenge
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Evaluation
Accreditation
A quality assurance process under which
services and operations of the chapter
are evaluated by the Fraternity to
determine if basic standards are met.
A systematic method for collecting,
analyzing, and using information to
answer questions about projects, policies
and programs, particularly about their
effectiveness and efficiency. At the local,
regional and national levels,
stakeholders want to know if the
programs they are funding,
implementing, receiving or objecting to
are actually having the intended effect,
and answering this question is the job of
the evaluation program.
Accountability
Recognition
Public acknowledgement of status or
merits (achievements, virtues, service,
etc). When a chapter is recognized, it is
accorded some special status, such as an
award, title or classification.
A concept in ethics and governance. It is
often used synonymously with such ideas
as responsibility, answerability, liability,
and other terms associated with the
expectation of account-giving. As an
aspect of governance, it is central to
discussions related to problems at the
chapter level. Accountability is the
acknowledgment and assumption of
responsibility for actions, decisions, and
policies, including administration,
governance, and implementation. It
encompasses the obligation to report,
explain and be answerable for resulting
consequences.
32
Chapter Standards Commentary
The American college fraternity system is consistently being evaluated to demonstrate the value
it can provide on college campuses. While more than 4,700 fraternity chapters currently exist
across North America, the system has seen a decrease of more than 500 chapters over the last
decade, representing nearly 10 percent of the entire population. In 1991, the fraternity system
boasted more than 5,300 chapters, and despite consistent expansion efforts, we have still
witnessed a dramatic net loss. Hazing, alcohol abuse and general lack of accountability have
plagued the fraternity system. Chapters that are not provided expectations and held accountable
to them are no longer welcome on college campuses. Recently, several campuses like Alfred
University and Colby College have disbanded their greek communities entirely, citing lack of
accountability and general disregard for authority as core issues.
For more than 25 years, Phi Kappa Tau has held chapters to a three-tier system of operational
expectations. These expectations have been published in our membership manual and
subsequently have been communicated to every associate member since their inception in 1977.
While our Fraternity has had these expectations in place, the accountability to these
expectations has been nearly impossible. Many of the original expectations were not measurable
or objective based. Likewise, we have never been able to effectively communicate where chapters
stand against the expectations. With the emergence of technology, and the ability to display data
through the web, we now have the ability to provide chapters real-time, or close to it,
comparisons of their chapters and the expectations. We have recommended subtle changes to
the expectations that will make them more objective in nature and even the playing field for all
chapters across the country.
This level of accountability is a new frontier for the fraternity world. Phi Kappa Tau will emerge
as a leader in the greek community for standards compliance. We are going to explicitly say
what we stand for, and then we are going to live up to those expectations. Chapters that do not
want to perform at the very basic level must be confronted. We must provide them resources to
achieve at or above the basic level, but if they do not respond, we are obligated to hold those
chapters accountable. If Phi Kappa Tau can succeed in holding our chapters accountable to
expectations of performance, we will continue to be viewed as the leader in the greek world. If
we do not take steps to provide some sort of quality control for our groups, we may find that we
are no longer welcome by our host institutions.
Phi Kappa Tau boasts an outstanding greek opportunity for college men across the country. Our
Foundation provides leadership and character-development opportunities that are elite in the
fraternity world. Our national philanthropy, the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, provides
an excellent character building opportunity as we make a difference in the lives of kids. And
finally, our volunteer structure for the organization is strong. Our national councilors, Domain
Directors, Boards of Governors, and all of our volunteers across the country provide us a
support network that gives us the ability to provide support, direction, resources and
accountability to our membership on campuses today. We have amazing students across the
country that simply need to be challenged to achieve, at a minimum, the basic expectations of
33
the organization. If we, as an organization, can clearly communicate the expectations, show
chapters were they stand against the expectations, provide resources to assist chapters for
achieving the expectations, and finally, effectively hold chapters accountable to those
expectations, we will continue to be a leader in the greek world.
Commentary from the Chapter Services Committee, 2004
34
Borradaile Challenge
What is it?
What is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
What are the three standards of the
Borradaile Challenge?
What does each level signify?
1)
1)
2)
2)
3)
3)
Why was the Borradaile Challenge implemented?
How are the standards of the Borradaile Challenge tracked and evaluated?
35
Borradaile Challenge:
Membership Orientation
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic:
Approved membership orientation (MO) program once every four years.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
36
Recruitment Evaluation
Part of being a member in Phi Kappa Tau is continually trying to improve the organization at a
local, regional and national level. Completing evaluations and providing feedback is a crucial
component of this improvement. After all, if we do not know what our weaknesses are, how can
we ever eliminate them? Please complete this form as honestly and in as much detail as you can.
Why did you choose to join Phi Kappa Tau?
What was your first contact with Phi Kappa Tau?
What did you like about the recruitment program of the Fraternity?
What did you dislike about the recruitment program of the Fraternity?
What did you like or dislike about other fraternities’ activities?
Which members of Phi Kappa Tau really impressed you during recruitment? Why?
Was there adequate follow-up to maintain your interest?
What suggestions do you have for future recruitment programs?
What do you hope to gain by joining a fraternal organization?
37
Week One Prep Work
Task
Done
Critically read and review week one curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with President regarding week one attendance.
Contact BOG Chairman regarding guest facilitation for BOG and Domain
Director structure and operations section in week two. Refer him to or send
him related documents from curriculum to review.
Survey and identify undergraduate members who have attended Leadership
Academy.
Work with president to ensure all associate members have been added to the
roster via OmegaFi as well as the chapter GIN website. You will need every
associate’s birthday to complete this task, email address and associate date to
complete these tasks.
Create associate member contact sheet with name, phone number and email.
Send to all resident council (including associates) members when completed.
E-mail/text AMs to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Review agenda for week one with chapter adviser.
38
Week One
“Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred
upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride.”
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong
commitment to… learning.
Creed and Mission Statement Discussion
History
Origins of Phi Kappa Tau
Founding of the Non-Fraternity Association
Founding Father Spotlight
William “Doc” Shideler
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
Resident Council
Borradaile Challenge Standards
Membership
Recruitment
Bylaws
National Programs
Building Men of Character Retreats
Nominations for Class Officers
39
Week One
120 Minutes
Session Objectives
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The associate member will learn the first line of our creed and the learning part of our
mission statement
The associate member will learn the origins and founding of Phi Kappa Tau
The associate member will learn about William Shideler
The associate member will learn Resident Council structure and operations
The associate member will learn about Building Men of Character (BMC) Retreats
The associate member will learn Borradaile Challenge Standards: Recruitment,
Membership, Bylaws
The associate member will nominate members for class positions
Guest Speaker

Chapter President
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Creed: Line One
Championing a Lifelong Commitment to… Learning
Discussion
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Welcome to the first week of your six-week Membership Orientation Program. You
will notice over the next six weeks that we will start each class with a discussion
focusing on a line of our creed and any other purpose statement that’s applicable
to our theme for the week. Our program is set up that way for several reasons, but
none more important than understanding that the values of Phi Kappa Tau are the
reason for our existence as a Fraternity.
Please open to pages 26 and 27.
What does having a mark of distinction mean to you?
A mark of distinction is exactly that—something that will distinguish or separate
someone in a crowd.
Processing
Why does being a member of Phi Tau give you this mark of distinction?
By associating a new member, we are showing the world we believe he is a
worthy brother and has potential to live up to our values as an undergraduate
member. By associating with Phi Kappa Tau, the associate member is taking a
40
first step toward living a life of higher values and morals, which distinguishes him
from typical peers at his school. The mark, in this context, is the associate badge
and the letters that represent who we are as a brotherhood.
What does it mean to take just pride? How is this different from simply taking
pride in something?
Taking pride in something may be a good or bad thing. Some students may have
misplaced pride, for example, a student bragging about how many classes he
skipped, how many beers he drank, etc. This isn’t just pride because these are
not things that we believe build a young man into a man of sound character. By
taking just pride, we are stating that we believe in our core values and are proud
to wear what we believe in, whether it be our associate badge or a shirt with our
letters.
How does this line of the creed apply to your associate membership?
The most obvious answer is that class members have recently been admitted to
membership. But they should understand that our letters and badge mean
something, and when they wear these marks of distinction they should be proud
of them. By the same token, they should respect this mark of distinction and try to
live our values every day. Associate members still represent the Fraternity,
whether they are wearing letters or not.
What does it mean to champion a lifelong commitment to… learning?
Since they are enrolled at a university, students have already committed
themselves to a higher standard of education. In Phi Tau, we believe you learn
new things everyday, whether it is in academics or otherwise. Learning involves
more than just academics. There is learning about yourself, other members in the
Fraternity, about the world around you—in college and beyond, etc.
Why is this relevant to our mission as members of Phi Kappa Tau?
Since membership revolves around institutions of higher education, learning is at
the core of who we are as men of Phi Kappa Tau. There are thousands of
members of Phi Kappa Tau all over the world who can explain how Phi Kappa
Tau taught them invaluable life lessons that they still rely on today. By including
learning in our mission, we are setting our undergraduate and graduate members
up for unparalleled success during and after they graduate from college.
How can we apply these values to our daily lives?
Creed Line One: Wear your letters proudly and respectfully, behave in a manner
keeping with our values such as opening doors for other people, picking up trash
that others won’t, following our policies, etc.
Mission Statement: Go to class; get good grades; listen to the leaders in your
chapter; listen to your BOG members, teachers, and anyone else who tries to help
you in a positive way. Try learning from your mistakes, staying positive and
striving to learn as much as you can.
Learning is an important component of being a Phi Kappa Tau member. If you
cannot keep an open mind and learn something new every day, you will find it is
not only hard to be successful in the Fraternity, but also in life.
By associating with Phi Kappa Tau, you have taken your first step toward living a
life of higher standards and values. When you are out in public, you are displaying
your commitment to those values, whether you are wearing our letters or not.
41
Whether or not other people will know it, you will. Take just pride in your
membership and represent Phi Tau to the best of your ability.
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Instructions
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Group
History of Phi Tau: Origins and Founding
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
This week’s history discussion involves understanding the origins of Phi Kappa
Tau, as well as the catalysts for the founding of the Non-Fraternity Association.
You should all have read the assigned sections from your membership manual
and filled out your activity sheets in the process.
How did the founding of Phi Beta Kappa in 1776 lay the groundwork for Phi Kappa
Tau?
It was the first fraternity to adopt a greek letter name; devise a secret ritual and
grip; develop a badge and meaning for each letter—Phi, Beta and Kappa—along
with a secret motto; almost every fraternity since has adopted similar ceremonies
and insignia. Also set precedent by placing chapters at other schools, essentially
inventing expansion.
Significances of the founding of the following fraternities:
Alpha Delta Phi:
Attempted to establish fraternity of a higher nature and more comprehensive and
better principles, which would be a common model for the founding of new
fraternities and chapters across America. Also, the first fraternity at Miami
University and west of the Alleghenies. Made Ohio the third state to have
fraternities.
Processing
Beta Theta Pi:
The first fraternity originally founded at Miami; founded to be all the good parts of
Alpha Delta Phi and none of the bad parts. First fraternity in Miami Triad.
Phi Delta Theta:
Only fraternity at Miami not founded out of response to other fraternities, as there
were none at the time of their founding, because the previous two had essentially
been thrown off campus. Second fraternity to be originally founded at Miami. The
faculty was favorable to its founding, unlike Alphas and Betas. Second fraternity in
Miami Triad.
Delta Kappa Epsilon:
Fourth fraternity at Miami. Founded in response to Phi Delta Theta president’s
strict stance against drinking.
Sigma Chi:
42
Third fraternity originally founded at Miami. Founded after division arose in Delta
Kappa Epsilon. Third fraternity in Miami Triad.
How did Miami University’s 12-year suspension of class play a role in the founding
of Phi Kappa Tau?
Alumni members re-established chapters of Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta,
Sigma Chi and Delta Kappa Epsilon, which were stronger than before the school
closed. It also created the political alliance known as “the ring”.
How did the political alliance of DKE, Beta and Sigma Chi lead to the NonFraternity Association’s founding in 1906?
Since “the ring” basically colluded to keep their own members in power, the loose
alliances of non-fraternity members rarely had a chance to hold office. Over the
years it led to a growing sense that the only way to take on “the ring” would be to
organize the non-fraternity members and form a strong alliance.
How did the March 1905 track meet serve as the catalyst for the founding of the
non-fraternity association in 1906?
It gave two of our founders an extra sense of tenacity to organize a non-fraternity
association to take on “the ring.” While this wasn’t the only event that caused the
organization to form, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The two nonfraternity alliances were able to come together to right the wrongs they saw on
campus.
What historical period was taking place during the precursor to our founding?
According to Founder Borradaile, how did this play a role in our founding?
The Industrial Revolution.
In a nutshell, the world was going through drastic changes, but fraternities were
not changing with the times. They remained steadfast in how they had always
operated.
According to Borradaile, what benefits do fraternities hold? What were fraternities
like in 1906?
Educational, social and financial benefits. They satisfied the natural desire to
belong, the tendency of youth to gang up, and the satisfaction of sharing a secret,
although the real secret was that generally there was no secret.
In 1906, hazing was important to fraternities. Neither the chapters nor their
members recognized any obligation to the school, or even their own brothers, and
very little to the national organization. Instead of being a social body, fraternities
had become an unsocial one.
On what three ideals was the non-fraternity association founded? What do they
mean?
1) Innate worth of the individual as qualification for membership.
They wanted diversity of opinion and personality and didn’t believe in hazing
2) The democratic nature of the organization.
The fair, square dealing process they sought at Miami University, was a
cornerstone of what they wanted in their organization
3) Judeo-Christian principles.
The golden rule of “do unto others as you would have others do unto you;”
43
a moral sense of right and wrong
Are these ideals still relevant today? Why or why not?
Yes, these are timeless principles that we as an organization and we as a society
struggle with but also hold on a pedestal as that which is right. Almost all of the
problems in fraternities today would be non-existent if everyone followed these
three principles.
Do you think our chapter upholds these ideals today? Why or why not?
You will have to base this off your own chapter experience. If applicable,
challenge to the associate members to determine where they could improve the
chapter in some of these ideals.
How does the history we discussed today relate to our discussion at the beginning
of class?
Your mark of distinction in Phi Kappa Tau is central to our founding; you should
take just pride in our ideals, but also our founding history, to make an attempt to
return fraternity to its values; while every fraternity has certain things that make us
all the same, we have a distinct heritage and story. As the founders did more than
100 years ago, take just pride in your actions and your behaviors.
Although our name is different today, many of the ideals of the Non-Fraternity
Association can still be found in today’s Phi Kappa Tau, more than 100 years
later. As you go through this orientation process, it’s important to remember the
single driving force behind our founding in 1906: to create a fraternity that
embodies all the good things in fraternity and none of the bad.
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Instructions
Read to
Group
Processing
Founding Father Spotlight: William “Doc” Shideler
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Since you are all new to Phi Kappa Tau, this week we will be discussing the
youngest member of the four founding fathers, William Shideler.
What role did Shideler play in the founding and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
One of the members of the infamous track meet in 1905 that served as a catalyst
to the Non-Fraternity Association; helped Dwight Douglass organize one of the
two non-fraternity alliances that combined to form the association; held almost
every national position, including National President in 1913-14; lived down the
street, approved every fraternity expenditure for 30 years; during WWII, was
acting national secretary when the permanent secretary, Richard Young, was
called up for duty, and even worked as the janitor for the Executive Offices.
How did Shideler bear a mark of distinction in his life? How did he take just pride
in this distinction?
Shideler graduated from Cornell with a doctorate in geology by the time he was
44
24. He founded the geology department at Miami University and was world
renowned for his research. Thirteen species, three genera, one family and one
mountain in Antarctica are named for him as a way to compliment him from other
geologists. In 1967, Miami University named its earth-science building Shideler
Hall in his memory.
He attended almost every National convention from 1913 until he died in the late
1950s. In his last year, he conducted Phi Tau business from his hospital room
during an illness and was in the office the day he fell ill for the last time.
How did Shideler champion a lifelong commitment to learning in his life?
As one of the most outstanding geologists of his time, he stayed humble by freely
providing information and research to anyone who asked, leading to many
scholarly publications and doctorate theses. He founded the geology department
at Miami University. He deferred from retirement from Miami three times. He has a
long list of former students who went on to high academic positions across the
nation’s leading institutions. Even when he retired, he was given a grant to go to
Hiram College to start a geology department there, much as he had at Miami.
Shideler lived a life of humble success and was a great credit to the Fraternity he
helped to establish in 1906. Whether it was fraternity, career or family, we should
consider ourselves lucky to have such a great role model as one of our founding
fathers.
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Resident Council Structure and Operations
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Logistical
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If the president is an attendance, allow him to facilitate the discussion as much as
possible.
Read to
Group
While the entire structure and operation of Phi Kappa Tau is important to know
and understand, today we will be focusing on the day-to-day operations you will
be involved in during your undergraduate years, commonly known as the
Resident Council. It is extremely important for you as an associate member to
understand how the Resident Council operates, because you will one day be the
leaders in this chapter.
What is a Resident Council? When and where do they meet?
All undergraduate members of a specific chapter.
Processing
This is a local specific answer.
What is an executive council? When do they meet?
A set of officers in charge of the chapter; the officers that compose the executive
council are different for each chapter and dependent upon what the local bylaws
45
state.
This is a local specific answer.
What is a meeting agenda? Why do we use them?
An agenda is a list of meeting activities that organize and structure a meeting to
keep it fluid and easy to navigate.
We use agendas to make sure our meetings are to the point, informational and
organizational. Meetings, by their very nature, are to discuss and coordinate
business and events, and without an agenda they would quickly get off topic and
be unproductive.
Why are preparation and planning so important to the operations of a Resident
Council?
When poor preparation and planning happens, members will either stop
participating or attending. Our time as undergraduates is precious, and we want to
make sure every member is on the same page and getting the experience they
deserve during our meetings. Chapters that consistently have poor brotherhood
and poor fraternity experiences can typically trace some of their issues back to
poor time management and, even worse, planning ability.
Why should you as a member consistently check your e-mail and GIN chapter
calendar?
Even if you are not an officer, the power of the fraternity is derived from its
members. By not engaging in the fraternity and regularly updating your schedule,
you are setting the chapter up for failure. Not knowing isn’t an excuse, as it is the
personal responsibility of each member to know what is going on in the chapter
and manage your time properly.
What is a chairman? Is it their job to do everything for their position? Why or why
not?
A chairman is in charge of whatever committee he is elected/appointed to lead.
No, they are in charge of coordination in conjunction with their specific committee,
but the majority of the work should be split between them and their committee.
This will make their work easier, better, and more productive for everyone
because more people can do more work better.
What are a chairman’s primary responsibilities?
Understand the values of Phi Kappa Tau, manage and oversee all functions of the
committee, lead by example, set goals and standards in conjunction with the
committee, create a budget for the position with the chapter treasurer, coordinate
committee meetings and give weekly reports to the Resident Council.
What GPA (minimum or chapter specific) must a member have to hold office?
At least 2.4 nationally or whatever the chapter sets per its bylaws (only if it is
higher).
What are committees? What purpose do they serve?
A committee should be viewed as a “team” within the chapter. The chair of the
committee is the leader of that team. A chapter with a strong, working committee
system can accomplish a great deal in a small amount of time.
46
The Purpose of Committees:
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To plan activities
To assign tasks
To brainstorm ideas
To evaluate the value of a project
To decide on action or carry out an assignment
To follow through and complete a job
To presents programs, ideas and policies to the chapter
What are the three types of committees? What is each one’s purpose?
1) Executive Council: Chapters of Phi Kappa Tau coordinate the work of all
officers and committees by forming an executive committee to direct overall plans.
2) Standing Committee: Usually exist for the duration of a term and usually has
a continuing task (recruitment committee, risk management committee, etc.).
3) Special Committee: Usually appointed for a specific task. Has a time limit in
which to get it done (awards committee, dance or formal committee, homecoming
committee, etc.).
How often should each type of committee meet?
1) Executive—Weekly
2) Standing—Weekly
3) Special—Weekly when formed
Who can be on committees?
Any member of the Resident Council (this includes associate members)
Part of becoming a member of Phi Kappa Tau is pulling your weight to make your
chapter/colony successful. During your associate member period, you will serve
on one of our standing committees as assigned by your Membership Orientation
Officer and with consent from your executive council. It is YOUR responsibility,
once assigned, to attend meetings and perform duties necessary to the success
of the committee. Please write down your top three choices in the right hand box
of page 44, tear out the section and hand it in to your MO Officer. You will receive
your committee assignment at next week’s class meeting.
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Logistical
Instructions
Borradaile Challenge Standards: Recruitment, Membership, Bylaws
Break class into three groups, assign each group a standard to discuss questions
on activity sheet.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Read to
Group
You will have about 10 minutes to discuss each standard with your small group.
Your discussion should mirror the questions found on your activity sheet, which
can be found on pages 45-47. After 10 minutes, have one member of your group
explain your answers to the large group. Please take notes for every standard
even though you will only be discussing one.
47
After 8-9 minutes, wrap up the discussion and have each group answer these
questions:
What is your standard?
Membership, recruitment, or bylaws.
Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
Membership (Retention)—If you do not have a good membership level, you will
not be able to split enough work among members to have a positive experience.
Also, most of the focus will be on recruitment, which takes away from other
endeavors that would make your experience more enjoyable.
Recruitment—Fraternity by its very nature needs new members every year to
keep it alive. By not recruiting at a high level, you are risking low or poor
membership, making everyone’s experience worse by default.
Processing
Bylaws—Without specified bylaws that are approved by the Executive Offices,
one of two scenarios could happen. If you do not have bylaws, it will be much
harder to solve issues that arise in the Fraternity. For example, if you do not have
a by-law stating what percentage of vote a potential needs to get associated, one
could argue both sides of bid or no bid and this will cause a rift in the Fraternity.
By the same token, if you have poorly written or vague bylaws, Fraternity
members could argue over the meaning of the rules or create ones that are not in
keeping with the values of Phi Kappa Tau, essentially defeating the purpose of
being a member.
How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
Membership—From our creed discussion today, if you do not have quality
members in numbers, it will be hard to take just pride in your organization, as it
won’t be able to achieve much of what is possible with a larger fraternity.
Recruitment—If you are not recruiting members, then you are not giving other
quality men a chance to wear a mark of distinction and are depriving your current
members the ability to take just pride in your Fraternity.
Bylaws—This relates to our Resident Council operations discussion. Without
planning and organization, it becomes extremely hard to provide a quality
fraternity experience for members in your chapter.
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Instructions
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Group
Programs: Building Men of Character Retreats
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Phi Kappa Tau offers a multitude of programming to make you as an individual
and you as a member more successful during your undergraduate membership.
This week, we are looking at Building Men of Character Retreats.
48
What is a Building Men of Character Retreat?
A Building Men of Character (BMC) Retreat focuses on strengthening
brotherhood, internal communication and operations at the chapter level.
Members participate in curriculum to build awareness and appreciation for the
purposes and values of Phi Kappa Tau, while examining the individual role of
each member in relation to the success and future of the chapter. The two-day
program, facilitated on-site by alumni and friends of Phi Tau, offers experiential
activities and ample discussion time to address individual concerns in a smallgroup environment.
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Who facilitates these retreats?
Volunteers who are trained by the BMC Retreat dean or trained volunteers.
Why would a chapter/colony apply for a BMC Retreat?
To get help with goal structuring, brotherhood building, internal communication,
etc.
Where can you apply for a BMC Retreat?
www.phikappatau.org-->Programs-->Building Men of Character Retreats.
You may also contact the Executive Offices to sign up.
What opportunities does a BMC Retreat provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
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Instructions
Read to
Group
Associate Class Nominations and Meeting Wrap-Up
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in a circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Sometimes the best way to learn how to do something is by actually doing it and
learning from your experiences. Over the coming weeks, your class will be
expected to plan and fulfill several events to learn how a Resident Council works.
We will be electing officers for the prescribed positions on page 50. The
responsibilities of each officer can also be found on that page. Remember, the
member who is elected is in charge of these responsibilities, but it is the collective
responsibility of every member in your associate class to make sure these events
are successful.
Since members are still meeting each other, it is ok for members to nominate
themselves. Write these nominations down for each position.
Do I have nominations for president?
Processing
Treasurer?
Community service chair?
Brotherhood chair?
49
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page ___. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
50
Week One Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 Introduction
 Dedication
 The Creed of Phi Kappa Tau
 Welcome from the CEO
 Mission Statement
 “Brotherhood, Fellowship and Fraternity...”
 Origins of Phi Kappa Tau
 The Period of the Founding of Phi Kappa Tau
 The Founding of Phi Kappa Tau—First Founders Day
 William Shideler Bio
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 17-32.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 BMC Retreats page (Programs tab)
Exchange
Review roles and responsibilities web pages for the following :
(Leading Your Chapter column)
Chapter Officers
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
President
Vice President
VP Alumni Relations
Treasurer
Secretary
Recruitment Chairman
Membership Orientation Officer
Scholarship Chairman
Community Service Chairman
Philanthropy Chairman
House Manager
Risk Management Chairman
Social Chairman
Mark of Distinction


Sample Agenda
Resident Council flowchart
51



Sample Agenda for an Executive Council meeting
Plan for a Chapter Room
Developing Committees
Other
 Locate and review chapter bylaws
52
Creed
“Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of distinction
in which I take just pride.”
What does mark of distinction mean to
you? Why does membership in Phi
Kappa Tau give you a mark of
distinction?
How does this line relate to your
associate member period?
What does “just pride” mean to you?
How can we apply this line to our daily
lives?
53
Mission Statement
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to … learning.
What does it mean to champion a
lifelong commitment to learning?
Why is this relevant to our mission as
members of Phi Kappa Tau?
How can we apply this line to our daily
lives?
“The theory is that our students
complete their fraternal undergraduate
experience better prepared to be leaders
in their organizations and communities.”
—CEO Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89
54
Origins of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (1776-1906)
1835
Alpha Delta Phi
established at Miami
University
1849
Phi Delta Theta founded
at Miami University
Significance?
1873
Miami University
suspends classes
Significance?
Significance?
1892
A political “ring” is
established by Beta Theta
Pi, Sigma Chi and Delta
Kappa Epsilon fraternities
at Miami
Significance?
1776
Phi Beta Kappa founded
Significance?
1839
Beta Theta Pi founded at
Miami University
Significance?
1851
Delta Kappa Epsilon
established at Miami
University
1885
Miami University reopens
March 1905
Non-Fraternity members
lose track meet to “ring”
members
Significance?
Significance?
Significance?
What historical period was occurring in the 30 years leading up to our founding? According to Borradaile, did it play a role in our
founding?
According to Borradaile, what benefits do fraternities hold? What were fraternities actually like in 1906?
55
Non-Fraternity Association Founding
“It was a move to eliminate the faults in existing fraternities, and at the same time retain all
their good features.”
—Taylor A. Borradaile
Upon what three ideals were the NonFraternity Association was founded?
What do they mean, respectively?
Are these ideals still relevant today?
Why or why not?
Do you think our chapter upholds these
ideals? Why or why not?
How does the history we discussed today
relate to our purpose statement
discussion?
56
William “Doc” Shideler
What role did Shideler play in the founding
and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
How did Shideler bear a mark of distinction
in his life? How did he take just pride in this
distinction?
How did Shideler champion a lifelong
commitment to learning in his life?
57
Sample Agenda
The Omega Omega Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau
Sept. 12, 2012
1.
Opening ceremony.
2.
Invocation by the chaplain.
3.
Roll call.
4.
Reading of the minutes.
5.
Reports of the officers.
Athletics Chair
1) Flag football starts next Tuesday at 8 p.m.
2) Ultimate frisbee team sign up
3) Anyone interested in soccer intramural team?
Risk Management Chair
1) Risk management overview—Sunday, 9/16, 4 p.m.
2) University program on alcohol abuse—Thursday, 9/22, 8 p.m.
3) Guest list for BYOB party—need names by Friday, 9/14
Community Service/Philanthropy Chair
1) Park clean up—Saturday, 9/15, 2 p.m.
2) IHSA golf tournament—Saturday & Sunday, 9/29 & 9/30—any volunteers?
3) HITW fundraiser—taco or pancake dinner?—October sometime
House Manager
1) Rent is due Sept. 15
2) Stop stealing toilet paper from common bathrooms
3) Stop kicking in water fountain
Scholarship Chair
1) University program on how to manage time—Thursday, 9/31, 7 p.m.
2) 5/8 people completed hours in library this week
3) Reminder—3.5 GPA or higher gets a free blizzard from Dairy Queen
Recruitment Chair
1) Recruitment Week continues into next week—schedule is posted on website
2) Bid discussion will be Monday, 9/17, 7 p.m. at house
3) Reminder—NO alcohol at recruitment events
58
Membership Orientation Officer
1) MO will begin Sunday, 9/30, at house
Treasurer
1) Budget for spring semester will be ready for vote at next meeting
2) 29/40 have paid in full, 11 are on payment plans
3) $215.61 spent on recruitment events this week
Secretary
1) Minutes from last meeting are now posted on GIN website
Vice President of Alumni Relations
1) Quarterly newsletter will be sent out Oct. 1
2) Alumni reunion/homecoming will be Oct. 3-5
3) Listserv has been updated to include those who graduated last semester
Vice President
1) Two committees met this week—recruitment & community service
2) New Standards Board members meet after meeting
President
1) Brothers from Omega Kappa chapter will be visiting in October
2) Need better attendance at university orientation events
6.
Reports of standing committees.
Community Service Committee
1) Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
2) The committee has finalized a new community service project at the Humane
Society with the Psi Psi Sorority
7.
Reports of special committees.
Ritual/Regalia Committee (Chaplain, Chair)
1) The committee members have taken stock and cleaned the chapter’s regalia
8.
Unfinished business.
1) Discussion and vote on raising initiation vote from 75 percent to 80 percent
2) Discussion and vote to add new position of webmaster
9.
New business.
59
1) Amendment to make it mandatory for 10 hours of community service every
semester
10.
Communications.
1) Handwritten thank you notes for donations need to be written and sent out to
alumni.
11.
Proposals for membership.
12.
Balloting on candidates.
Election of a Homecoming Chairman
1) Candidates: Tommy Morgan (Jr.), Josh Henry (Soph.) and Ryan Thompson
(Fresh.)
13.
Chapter advisor’s report.
14.
Remarks for the good of the chapter.
1) Justin Brown received an ‘A’ on his Senior Exam!
2) Lee Johnson got an internship with the State Senate!
15.
Closing ceremony.
60
Sample Agenda for an Executive Council
I. Call to Order
The chairperson announces the beginning of the meeting.
II. Roll Call
Checking attendance may be done by (1) reading a list of members aloud; (2) having assigned
seats; (3) passing around an attendance sheet; or (4) having someone sign people in or out at the
door.
III. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting
The secretary reads a summary of the last meeting. The chairperson should then ask, "Are there
any corrections or additions to the minutes?" If there are none, "They stand approved," or
"Stand approved as corrected," if changes are made.
IV. Officers' Reports
Each officer reports to the group the progress of any activities in which he/she is involved.
During officer reports, the officers may solicit help from members or give instructions to
individuals. The treasurer should make a brief report on the financial status of the organization.
If an officer makes a recommendation, its form and content should resemble a committee
recommendation. After the report is given, the chairperson should restate the recommendation
and ask for a "second" to the proposal. If seconded, it becomes an original main motion.
V. Special Orders
Special orders become a specific category in a business meeting only when business is left over
from the last session. They are then taken up in the order that they were to have been considered
in the last session.
VI. General Orders/Old Business
General Orders or "Old Business" includes a question that was pending at the last session when
it adjourned, any unfinished business that did not come up at the last session, any general
orders from the last session that were not completed, or matters made general orders by a
majority vote.
VII. New Business
61
Motions that introduce new items of business or motions to take from the table are in order at
this time.
VIII. Announcements
Announcements must be made before the meeting is adjourned; motions are out of order at this
time. The chairperson may make important announcements at any time during the meeting.
IX. Adjournment
Adjournment ends not only the meeting but also the session. The next time the assembly
convenes, it must start from the beginning of the agenda.
(Note: Every member should receive an agenda two days before meeting)
Adapted from Alan Chapman 3/2/2001
62
Developing Committees
A committee should be viewed as a “team” within the chapter. The chair of the committee is the
leader of that team. A chapter with a strong, working committee system can accomplish a great
deal in a small amount of time.
The Purpose of Committees:







To plan activities
To assign tasks
To brainstorm ideas
To evaluate the value of a project
To decide on action or carry out an assignment
To follow through and complete a job
To presents programs, ideas and policies to the chapter
Executive Council: Chapters of Phi Kappa Tau coordinate the work of all officers and
committees by forming an executive committee to direct overall plans.
Standing Committee: Usually exist for the duration of a term. Usually has a continuing
task (recruitment committee, risk management committee, etc.).
Special Committee: Usually appointed for a specific task. Has a definite job to do and time
limit in which to get it done (awards committee, dance or formal committee, etc.).
Elements that may hold back your chapter
committees:
Lack of organization and direction




Responsibilities of a committee chair:

Lack of time
Poor use of talent
Attempting too much
Domineering member

Traits of exceptional chapter committees:







Well organized
Enthusiastic chair
Good attendance
Established goals
Atmosphere that enables all to express
their feelings
A feeling of “we”
Shared leadership
Duties of the committee member:





To know the job assigned
To attend all meetings
To participate (share ideas, ask
questions)
To assume responsibility
To bring new ideas







To arrange meeting times and notify
members and advisors who are to
attend
To be sure that every member of the
committee has a clear understanding
of the committee’s responsibility, its
authority and function. In other
words, be sure the committee has
established and written goals!
To appoint a secretary to record
minutes of committee meetings
To know when the committee is
expected to complete its tasks
To know whom you are responsible for
To be a democratic leader
To follow through, coordinate, check
To continually evaluate progress
toward established goals
To think and say “we,” “ not “I” or
“you,” think in terms of “our group”
Recognition and reward:




The committee meeting:







Keep the meetings short — about
60 minutes
Keep all committee members
involved
As the committee chairman, ask
other members to answer questions
and aid in leadership of discussion.
The committee chairman need not
be the focal point at all times
Keep the meeting organized and on
task. Encourage members to keep
frivolous and impertinent
discussion outside of the meeting
Realize when one topic is eating a
lot of time and state an allotted
amount of time for further
discussion on the topic
Be sure to have a typed agenda
ready for all committee members
Be sure to remind committee
members of your meeting before
hand
A personal thank you
A certificate of appreciation
An appreciation dinner
A “thank you!”
Responsibilities of each committee member:




To be an alert listener
To play an active role in discussion,
brainstorming
Adapted
To follow through with tasks on a
timely basis
To help the leader settle arguments,
keep discussion on task and get others
to contribute
from Gayle L. Beyer “Indiana Greek Leadership Conference.”
63
Plan of Chapter Room
64
Flow Chart of the Resident Council
Domain
Director
Chapter
Adviser
Board of
Governors
Faculty
Advisor
Chapter President
Vice President
Treasurer
VPAR
Finance
Committee
Alumni
Relations
Committee
Membership
Orientation
Officer
Secretary
Recruitment
Chairman
Social
Chairman
Recruitment
Committee
Scholarship
Chairman
Scholarship
Committee
Resident Council General Membership
Graduate Councils—All alumni members of a specific chapter.
House Corporations—Chapters that have a house, and even some that don’t but
once did or will, count on local volunteers to oversee the financial, physical and
safety aspects of the residence.
Board of Governors Members—chapter alumni, faculty members, parents
and/or local leaders—who oversee a chapter, and specifically help with scholarship,
finance, policy and goal-setting. The BOG’s primary goal is to see the chapter thrive
and become as successful as possible.
Resident Council—All undergraduate members of a specific chapter.
65
Chapter Operations
What is a resident council?
What is an executive council?
When does the resident council meet?
When does the executive council meet?
What is an agenda?
Why do we use agendas?
66
Chapter Officers and Committees
What are a chapter officers primary
responsibilities? What GPA (national or
local specific) must an officer have to
hold an office?
What are committees?
How often should they be meeting?
What are the three types of committees?
Who can be on committees?
What are my top three committee
preferences?
67
Borradaile Challenge: Membership
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: 110% or more of campus average chapter size.
Order of the Star: 100% or more of campus average.
Basic: 30 men.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
68
Borradaile Challenge: Recruitment
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: Recruit and initiate 27.5% of campus average size, with a
minimum of 8 men.
Order of the Star: Recruit and initiate 25% of campus average size, with a
minimum of 8 men.
Basic: Recruit and initiate a minimum of 8 men.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
69
Bylaws
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic:
Approved set of bylaws, submitted once every four years.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
70
Building Men of Character Retreats
“Our BMC Retreat helped our chapter understand the importance of communication between
brothers. Plus, we became closer in two short days, which was an added bonus.”
—Cameron Hutton, Oklahoma State ’07
What is a Building Men of Character
Retreat?
Where can you apply for a BMC Retreat?
Who facilitates BMC Retreats?
Why would a chapter apply for a BMC?
What opportunities do BMC Retreats
provide you as a member?
71
Associate Member Class Elections
Purpose
To learn how a functioning Resident Council operates through real-life experience with planning
and executing events per the Mark of Distinction Membership Orientation Program.
Positions to fill
President—generally in charge of the associate class; assists the MO officer in making sure class
is attending and participating, planning and executing events assigned to them, and preparing
for initiation.
Treasurer—assists Resident Council treasurer with collecting associate and initiation dues from
associate members; co-budgets associate class events with Resident Council treasurer.
Community Service Chair—in charge of planning and executing service event per associate class’
ideas.
Brotherhood Chairman—in charge of planning and executing brotherhood event for entire
Resident Council.
Projects for associate class before initiation:
Brotherhood event for any member of Resident Council
Service event for any member of Resident Council
NOTE:
All associate class events will be approved by the MO, with communication to the executive
council although chairs are in charge of the planning and preparation of events, it is the
responsibility of THE ENTIRE ASSOCIATE CLASS to help the chairman with the event that is
being planned. Associate members will elect positions per the chapter/colony bylaws.
72
Associate Class Nominations
President
Treasurer
Community Service Chairman
Brotherhood Chairman
73
Week Two Prep
Task
Done
Critically read and review week two curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with Board of Governors Chairman regarding week two facilitation.
Contact and invite Leadership Academy attendee from chapter regarding
guest facilitation for Leadership Academy in week three. Refer him to or send
him related documents from curriculum to review.
Survey and identify undergraduate members who have volunteered at a Hole
in the Wall Camp.
Contact chapter adviser about guest facilitation for the creed discussion, the
Boles/Brandon discussion, and the local history (if desired) portions of week
four. Refer him to or send him related documents from curriculum to review.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Write a thank you letter to the president for his help in facilitating week one.
Review agenda for week two with chapter adviser.
74
Week Two
“I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands.”
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong
commitment to … brotherhood.
Creed and Mission Statement Discussion
Risk Management Spotlight
Hazing
Alcohol and Drugs
Founding Father Spotlight
Taylor “Boss” Borradaile
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
Board of Governors
Domains/Domain Directors
Borradaile Challenge Standards
Finance
Risk Management
Board of Governors
National Programs
Presidents Academy
Regional Conferences
Election of Class Officers/Committee Assignments
75
Week Two
120 Minutes
Session Objectives







The associate member will learn the second line of the creed and the brotherhood portion
of our mission statement
The associate member will learn risk management policies for hazing, alcohol and drugs
The associate member will learn about Taylor Borradaile
The associate member will learn BOG structure, and operation domains and Domain
Directors
The associate member will learn about Presidents Academy and Regional Conferences
The associate member will learn Borradaile Challenge Standards: Finance, Risk
Management and BOG
The associate member will elect members for class positions
Guest Speaker

BOG Chairman or Member
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
20/120
Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Creed: Line Two
Championing a Lifelong Commitment to…Brotherhood
Discussion
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
This week’s purpose statement discussion focuses on brotherhood. While the
implementation and outlook on brotherhood can vary, what we will be discussing
today focuses on the universal traits that are common in all successful
brotherhoods. Before we start down that road, let’s recap from last week.
Did you see any members take just pride in their mark of distinction over the past
week? What did they do?
Did you see any members championing a lifelong commitment to learning over
the past week? What did they do?
Processing
What does it mean to you to believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it
stands?
It means that you believe in universal brotherhood; caring for all mankind.
What does it mean to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood?
76
It means that you put others before yourself, and subscribe to a commitment to
being a good and loyal citizen to the world.
Why is this relevant to our mission as members of Phi Kappa Tau?
As a brotherhood of men bound by a set of cardinal principles, it stands to reason
that we have to believe in brotherhood. Brotherhood, however, in Phi Kappa Tau
is a universal kind of brotherhood. Thus, by championing this lifelong commitment,
we are upholding our values and bond as members of Phi Kappa Tau.
What do you think the founders’ brotherhood was like?
Key points: no hazing, strong ideals, a common goal to change the campus and
its culture (vision statement).
A lot of fraternities say they have the best brotherhood on campus. How do we
prove that? Is there a way to quantify brotherhood?
The bottom line is that you can’t prove it. Brotherhood is a qualitative and
intangible idea. Just because someone says they have the best brotherhood on
campus doesn’t mean another member from a different fraternity can’t make that
same claim. Brotherhood is what you make of it, and like anything in life, you get
what you put into it. What is it that makes your brotherhood so great? If you can’t
describe what makes your brotherhood great, how great can it be?
What is false brotherhood? Does it exist in fraternities? Why or why not?
False brotherhood is the ideas that while you are part of a “family,” your brothers
really care only about themselves more than you. This can be seen by several
different cases, namely through alcohol, but encouraging any kind of destructive
behavior would qualify. [For example, there are several cases every year of
pledges dying from hazing, and their fraternity brothers trying to cover up or deny
hazing them to death for fear of retribution for their actions.] Even letting a brother
go down a destructive path of drug/alcohol abuse can’t really be considered true
brotherhood—if he was truly your brother, would you just live with it or would you
try to get help?
How do you think strong brotherhood is built?
This is an opinion question, but look for answers that involve building people up,
making people intrinsically better and supporting people with compassion and
empathy through both the easy and hard times.
Brotherhood is a tricky concept. If any of you have brothers, you may understand
how complicated a brotherly relationship can be. But in the end, if you are truly
family, you will do everything you can to support your brother in making the right
choices and being successful. These things don’t necessarily mean backing your
brother up in a bar fight or pounding a fifth of booze with him, it simply means
supporting him in positive actions and experiences, and helping him in times of
dire need or stress.
30/120
Logistical
Instructions
Risk Management Spotlight: Hazing, Alcohol and Drugs
In the first ten minutes, the group will discuss the worksheets in the workbook
related to hazing, alcohol and drugs. After the initial discussion, split the class into
77
four groups and assign each group one of the four articles to read. After the ten
minute group discussion, use the last ten minutes to have each group read their
answers and discuss why they decided upon them. Other groups should be taking
notes so that all graphic organizers are filled out by the end of the module. This
will take about ten minutes as well.
Read to
Group
Our risk management policy is not a set of rules that adults are trying to bust you
for breaking; rather, it is a set of guidelines to follow to insure maximum safety
and minimize behaviors that have major consequences and in some cases, death.
We are going to take a hard look at these behaviors during your associate
member period, and it is my hope that you understand poor decisions can have
terrible consequences.
Hazing is something that fraternities have spent more than a century trying to
eradicate from their organizations.
In your own words, what is hazing?
This is an opinion question, but refer to the definitions in the workbook on page
55-57 of this packet.
Why do you think fraternities haze?
This is also in opinion question, but look for answers like: previous members were
hazed, retribution for how members got hazed, feeling superior and feeling better
about oneself by bringing other people down, a feeling of immense power. Other
answers may include “to build brotherhood,” “break a group down and build them
into a solid unit,” and “because it’s a tradition.” These are all excuses that
fraternities give to justify hazing.
Processing
Why do you think hazing is outlawed both in our risk management policy and in
most states across the nation?
In our risk management policy because it has brought insurance rates up to levels
higher than that of a traveling carnival (true fact). Because it has brought so much
emotional and physical harm to people over the years, including numerous
accounts of death, it has also been outlawed in most states to make it available to
prosecute hazers. We are also morally opposed to it because our values do not
include tearing people down and causing them harm.
What are the three types of hazing according to stophazing.org?
Subtle, Harassment, Violent.
If you recall, our founding principles were the importance of the individual,
democratic principles, and the golden rule. How does hazing conflict with these
principles?
The goal of hazing is to break a collection of individuals down and build them into
a mold. This is in clear conflict with our first founding principle, emphasis of the
individual in the Fraternity. The Non-Fraternity Association did not want every
person in the organization to be the same, it wanted differing opinions and
backgrounds to make the organization more inclusive and stronger.
Hazing also promotes the idea that certain people are better or more important
than others, as hazing is essentially the degradation of pledges to make them feel
inferior. This runs in direct conflict with the principles of democracy, which state
78
that all members are equal.
Finally, hazing involves practices that people never want to go through again
because they are not ethical, enjoyable, or, in many cases, safe for someone.
This flies in the face of the Founders third principle, the golden rule, or as some
know it, do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
If you as a member claim to believe in these principles, then how can you also
believe in hazing?
How does hazing relate back to the creed and mission statement discussion we
had today?
Many times fraternities will use “building brotherhood” as a crutch for hazing.
Hazing is a perfect example of false brotherhood. New members go through
hazing to be in the brotherhood, to belong, but really, after it is over, there still
tends to be hard feelings all around. If you have a real brother, you know you
would never put him through this kind of nonsense. Hazing does not build
brotherhood, it only builds worse hazing. Hazing doesn’t build fraternities, it builds
classes.
Alcohol and drug abuse is at the forefront of university concerns in today’s higher
education community.
Why do you think Phi Kappa Tau has such an extensive alcohol and drug policy?
Alcohol and drug abuse seems to be the most frequent and complicated issue for
college students today. What constitutes a fraternity party? How many people
from your fraternity need to be there for it to be considered a fraternity party?
Does it have to be at the official house to be considered a fraternity party? These
questions and many more live in a gray area of the law and cannot be answered
the same way in every situation.
The alcohol policy is meant to be a guideline to follow; the more steps you follow,
the safer your event will be and the less liability you are taking on as an individual
and chapter if something bad were to happen.
You all should have read the worksheet regarding fraternities and higher rates of
alcohol abuse. Describe in your own words what the five reasons in that
worksheet mean to you.
(a) Continuity of heavy alcohol use from high school to college.
(b) Self-selection into heavy drinking environments.
This essentially means new members are looking for heavy drinking
environments, and many times they achieve this by joining a fraternity. Then they
always have a drinking buddy, and other people looking for heavy drinking
environments are attracted to that fraternity and it becomes a cycle of heavydrinking environments.
(c) The central role that alcohol plays in fraternity socialization.
This says that most to all social functions of a fraternity center around alcohol, and
thus, members correlate their social ability and enjoyment directly with alcohol
intake and frequency. When was the last mixer, social or formal you’re been to
that hasn’t involved large quantities of alcohol intake?
(d) Misperceptions of drinking norms.
79
There are actually a number of studies on this, but what this means is that
fraternity members have a skewed perception of how many students are drinking
with the frequency and quantity on their campus. Because other greeks tend to
have as heavy (if not heavier) environments, and tend to drink more days of the
week, and have brothers that drink most to every day of the week, many fraternity
men believe that everyone on campus has the same drinking habits as them,
which typically isn’t true. Many times drinking behaviors are a lot lower than
fraternities believe it to be.
(e) The enabling environment of the fraternity house.
Again, this boils down to always having a drinking buddy. Enabling means
encouraging or letting certain behaviors go, even if they are detrimental. Most
fraternity brothers aren’t going to tell someone else in their chapter that they are
worried about their drinking habits. On the flip side, there are many people who
will encourage poor drinking habits, including large amounts of binge drinking and
drinking with a high frequency during the week. If your brothers are doing it, it
must be OK for you to do it as well, right?
Why is it so important to call 911 if you are unsure about someone’s state of
alcohol consumption?
This is really simple—are you worried about your brother’s health and safety, or
getting him or yourself in trouble? Many of the deaths that have occurred in
fraternities have stemmed from members not wanting to get themselves or
someone else in trouble, whether it is underage drinking, hazing or anything in
between. It is important to understand that by not calling 911, you are putting the
life of your brother in severe jeopardy. There is nothing worse than watching a
parent find out his son or daughter is dead; if you know you could have done
something to prevent it, or even if you think you caused it, that’s not something
you want to live with for the rest of your life. Alcohol can kill people if it is not used
responsibly.
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
 Mental confusion, stupor, coma or person cannot be roused.
 Vomiting
 Seizure.
 Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)
 Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
 Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
How do alcohol and drugs relate back to our creed and mission statement
discussion today?
As a brother in this Fraternity, it is YOUR responsibility to do something if you see
a brother struggling with alcohol or showing signs of alcohol poisoning. Just like a
real brother, if you thought he was in danger, what would you do? Get him help!
This comes back to the concept of false brotherhood. Are you more concerned
with getting caught doing something wrong or the life of your brother? This will be
the answer to whether you truly have brotherhood or if it’s just a façade.
Please split into four groups. Each one of your groups will be assigned an article
to discuss. Please fill in the corresponding worksheet with your group’s answers.
After 10 minutes, we will regroup and go over your answers.
(Groups include BB gun hazing suspension, a drug suspension, a hazing death
and brother Robert Schmalz. Have the groups present in this order. During the
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small-group function, you should be walking around and answering any questions
or evaluating if members are participating or understanding the activity. The group
with the article regarding the hazing suspension at California-Berkeley will go first.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
This essentially violated all aspects of our hazing policy; this could be considered
almost any part of the definition of hazing. From causing physical harm with BB
guns, making pledges feel inferior or emotionally harming them, they were
definitely hazing.
Why do you think no one did anything to prevent this from happening?
This is an opinion question, but here are a few ideas: no other member knew
about it, which probably isn’t true; they’ve always hazed, so nobody thought it was
a big deal; along with that, the group had “group think,” which is when nobody
wants to upset a group with differing opinions, so they just let the status quo
fester. Many times this is why hazing is allowed to continue, because nobody
believes there is something wrong with it, and if someone does, they do not voice
it for fear of upsetting the majority of people.
Why did the actions of one member affect everyone in the chapter?
Because in fraternity, every member has taken an oath to hold themselves to
higher standards. Many times, non-affiliated members only know one or two
members, and when this is the case their opinions of your chapter will be based
on those one or two people. Since one or two members were hazing new
members, these members were representing their entire chapter. Fraternity
chapters are only as strong as their weakest link.
Why did even the appearance of wrongdoing affect the chapter?
In life, if you constantly appear to be doing bad or wrong things, people begin to
assume you are guilty, even if there is no evidence. In greek life, we are all
already guilty of hazing and alcohol abuse in most people’s eyes because greeks
before us were guilty of it on a mass level. We will be fighting these stereotypes
for decades to come, which requires us to be even more squeaky clean than
previous years. Even something as simple as a small party can blow up through
rumor and speculation and get reported as some wild and crazy kegger. This is
why action and discipline are so crucial in today’s fraternity. In the public’s eye,
you will almost always be guilty before proven innocent.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
We are using this as an example for several reasons. First of all, this did not result
in death or hospitalization, but this group was still suspended by the school and
national organization. This is to show you that any kind of hazing can land you in
hot water real quick, and hazing almost always starts out small and festers like a
sore.
Second, this is a prime example of how one or two members’ actions can
completely destroy a chapter. Not only did this chapter have to close, but two IFC
officers had to step down from their positions. Who knows what non-participants
had to sacrifice because of their poor decision. Every member has the potential to
destroy their chapter with a bad choice.
Lastly, as you have read in the article, this chapter clearly had some great
leaders. Even if you have great leaders, you can have dumb members who do not
care about rules. This is why recruitment of quality members is so imperative. You
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could have all the best leaders on campus, but one or two members could
completely ruin a chapter.
How does this incident relate back to the creed and mission statement discussion
we had today?
Again, we talked about false brotherhood and this is a prime example. How does
shooting BBs at new members align with our values? Clearly it doesn’t, yet some
people will try to justify hazing through other means. True brotherhood does not
require proving yourself worthy, only support of positive actions honorable
endeavors and actions.
The group that had the article relating to a suspension due to drugs will go next.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
These members violated rung five of our alcohol and drug policy, which state:
“The possession, sale, or use of any ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES while on chapter premises or during a Fraternity event or at any
event that an observer would associate with the Fraternity is strictly prohibited.”
Why do you think these men had leadership positions in the fraternity?
This is an opinion question, but here are a few ideas: Maybe people in the chapter
do drugs as well, so they didn’t care that these guys were dealing drugs. Maybe
they tried to ignore it and play the ignorance card. Maybe they were just scared to
step up and speak out against these members’ actions.
How did the actions of a few members affect everyone in the chapter?
These three members single handedly closed their chapter by keeping and
dealing drugs out of their fraternity house.
Why didn’t anybody do anything to prevent this incident from happening?
This is an opinion question, but here are a few ideas: the members knew what
was going on and either didn’t care or didn’t have the guts to stand up and
confront either the drug dealers or someone who could help; the members didn’t
know for sure and decided to be safe and not ask any questions; the members did
drugs as well and didn’t want to judge or shut down their operation.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
This is a prime example of how the bystander effect can ruin a chapter. The
bystander effect is essentially knowing or watching bad behaviors go on and
enabling it or letting it happen. In this case, members knew these brothers were
dealing drugs out of the house and chose to do nothing about it. Because of their
inaction, these men will be get prosecuted to the full extent of the law and the
chapter will be closed. Again, YOU are as responsible for bad behavior in the
fraternity as the members who are actually participating.
How does this incident relate back to our creed and mission statement discussion
that we had today?
This is a clear case of the bystander effect. Most people equate brotherhood to
blind support of a brother, regardless of his actions. However, true brotherhood
requires support of positive actions and doing something about negative
behaviors. If you had a real brother who was dealing drugs, would you just let him
do it or would you do everything you could to get him help? This should ring true
in fraternity as well. It is always hard to do the right thing, but you have vowed to
hold yourself to a higher standard and that is what true brotherhood is built upon.
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The group with the article about a death from fraternity hazing will go next.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
While it violated all of our hazing policy, it also violated a number of our alcohol
policies, creating a dangerous, and in this case, fatal, combination of reckless
behavior.
Why do you think no one prevented this incident from happening?
This is a clear case of “group think” run amuck. While most of the members had
probably been through a similar hazing ritual, even if there were dissenters to this
activity, they weren’t proactive enough to stop it. This is how bad ideas breed
even worse ideas. In these member’s minds, this was a completely safe and fun
activity, what was the worst that could happen? When “group think” hits its high,
members don’t see the horrible consequences of their actions, only what they
want to do and why it is important to who they are.
If this ritual is so important, why do you think chapter members removed their
associate’s pin on the way to the hospital?
Because they were scared of getting in trouble. Clearly they knew that what they
were doing was wrong in the eyes of non-members, but they didn’t care about
anybody but themselves. They didn’t want to get in trouble, whether individually or
as a chapter, and they put that first on their priority list, which is why they turned
around after Carson vomited instead of going that extra mile to make sure he
would be ok.
Even if Carson drank voluntarily, why are the chapter and its members being held
responsible for it?
Why are we using this example as a case study?
This is a prime example of how hazing can turn into manslaughter in less than a
few hours. This is probably not how every new member was hazed before this
class, but over the years it got progressively worse until someone died. While
most young men think that things like this will never happen to them, this mentality
may be why these deaths occur every year. Big brother night is one of the most
dangerous nights in America for college students. Everyone thinks hazing is OK
until someone dies, and it is a shame that it takes a tragedy like this for young
men to understand the real dangers that hazing poses to new members.
Do you think the activities this chapter was participating in really built
brotherhood? Why or why not?
No. This is a perfect example of false brotherhood. At two points during the night
these members made decisions that cost a young man his life. On the way to the
hospital they were more worried about getting his associate pin off so they
wouldn’t get caught, and wouldn’t take Carson to the hospital even thought he
was puking in the car. Then, when they figured out he was dead, they spent more
time trying to get their new members out of their house than worrying about their
dead brother. This is false brotherhood in a nutshell—giving lip service to
brotherhood, but when push comes to shove, worrying more about your own wellbeing than your brothers safety, in some cases, even his life.
The final group had the task of discussing something that happened to one of our
brothers in Phi Kappa Tau.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
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He probably violated either the BYOB or third party vendor guidelines, but he
really didn’t break any policies.
What does it mean to you to be your brother’s keeper?
This is really an opinion question, but you should drive it towards reversing the
bystander effect and making sure your brother is safe and not participating in
potentially lethal behaviors—essentially, putting your brother’s needs in front of
your own if he truly needs help.
Could this happen to you or someone you know? Why or why not?
The answer here should be yes, for the most part. Try to get your class to open up
here; some members may have had alcohol poisoning, while others may have
seen someone come dangerously close. If they haven’t seen anything like this, try
to get them to understand that this could happen to anybody, nobody is invincible.
Do you think young adults tend to think they are invincible? Why or why not?
The answers here should be yes. You may get some no’s, but try to get them to
understand that many young people don’t think about death or don’t always
consider the consequences of his actions.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
First of all, it is one of our brothers and this shows that we are not immune to the
problems of greek life. Phi Kappa Tau has its challenges, like all fraternities and
really any kind of organization.
Secondly, Robert Schmalz didn’t really break any rules. He drank himself to
death. This is to show that just because you are following our risk management
policy for events, that doesn’t mean you are immune to hurting yourself or others.
These policies are guidelines for making your fraternity experience safe and
enjoyable; you can still be irresponsible on your own time and engage in
destructive behaviors.
Thirdly, Robert was not a new member. When we think of deaths in fraternities,
most people tend to think of freshmen getting hazed by forced drinking. This was
a case of a 22-year-old young man making a poor decision and paying the
consequences for drinking too much alcohol. By all accounts, Robert was a kid
with lots of potential, and an all-around good person. He was not the sort of
stereotypical alcoholic jerk that drinks and makes everyone else miserable. This is
to show you that these things can happen to anybody; everyone needs to be
responsible when it comes to alcohol.
Lastly, this is another example of the bystander effect or “group think” in play.
Nobody told Robert to stop or tried to cut him off, most likely because they were
drinking as well, or they just viewed it as normal behavior. As your brother’s
keeper, don’t be left wondering what you could have done to prevent a tragedy
like this from happening.
How does this relate to our creed and mission statement discussion today?
Clearly brotherhood is a meaningful concept, and here we do not have a clear-cut
example of false brotherhood. These men loved Robert like a brother, but he
drank himself to death and they were left mourning his memory.
I hope this has been an eye-opening discussion for you today. As you can see,
these tragedies happen every year, and to think our chapter is immune is naïve.
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Brotherhood is not easy; it requires work and dedication to each other. As our
brothers, we will challenge you to make positive decisions and hold you
accountable when you don’t. This is not because we are jerks, this is because we
care about you and want to see you mature into a responsible brother and adult.
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Founding Father Spotlight: Taylor “Boss” Borradaile
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
In the spirit of brotherhood, this week we will be discussing Taylor Borradaile. The
longest living founder, Borradaile passed away in 1977. His dedication and
passion for brotherhood has been well documented through his writings and
interaction with the Fraternity until his death.
What role did Borradaile play in the founding and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
He was instrumental in bringing the political alliance of non-fraternity men, Delta
Rho and Phi Delta Theta together. He was the first president of the Non-Fraternity
Association and lived the longest of the four honored founders.
How did Borradaile champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood throughout
his life?
As a member, Borradaile attended every Convention from 1951 until his death in
1975. He has been quoted several times regarding the importance of
brotherhood, and for many members, he is the only link to our four honored
founders.
Processing
What was Borradaile’s goal when he helped found the Non-Fraternity
Association?
He wanted to disassemble “the ring” from power. Later he would describe the
Non-Fraternity Association as the idea of creating a fraternity with all of the good
parts of fraternity and none of the bad.
What did Borradaile believe the advantages of fraternity to be?
Education, social and financial; they satisfied the natural desire to belong, the
tendency of youth to gang up, and the satisfaction of sharing a secret, although
the real secret was that generally there was no secret.
Although Borradaile was not very instrumental in the growth of Phi Kappa Tau, he
would go on to become the lone connection to the origins of Phi Tau for many
members. Attending every Convention from 1951 until 1975, Borradaile served as
a window into the motivations and events that surrounded our inception.
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20/120
Board of Governors Roles and Responsibilities, Domains and Domain
Directors
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Logistical
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If BOG Chairman or member is in attendance, allow him to facilitate the
discussion as much as possible.
Read to
Group
This week we are going to learn about one of the most important positions in Phi
Kappa Tau—the Board of Governors. In charge of organizing and recruiting these
boards are the Domain Directors. We will discuss both of these positions today
and why they are so important to the consistent success of our Resident Councils.
What is a Board of Governors (BOG)? How often do they meet?
The BOG is a group of at least five volunteers (alumni or non-members) and two
Resident Council officers who supervise all matters pertaining to chapter finances
and scholarship. The BOG of each chapter is responsible to the National Council
through the Domain Director and serves as the general supervisory body of the
chapter.
Boards meet at least once a month.
Why does a Resident Council have a Board of Governors?
Since turnover in a Resident Council is so quick (members graduate every year),
having a local group of advisors is key to sustained success of a chapter.
Institutional memory, or being able to pass on learned lessons and successful
ideas to up-and-coming members every year, is most effectively achieved through
a Board of Governors.
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What are the general roles and responsibilities of a BOG?
Board responsibilities include hearing appeals of disciplinary decisions, financial
delinquency and membership status, reviewing and making recommendations on
Resident Council policies, and reviewing the Resident Council’s progress on
achievement in the Borradaile Challenge.
Board members are also expected to meet with their Resident Council equivalent
at least once a month.
Why does Phi Kappa Tau rely on the BOG to be the primary advisory group to a
Resident Council?
Phi Kappa Tau believes that the most effective way to maintain its chapters’
success is having an effective and trained BOG. Since BOGs are local and can
track progress of a chapter easier and more efficiently than a centralized office, it
stands to reason that they are one of the most important groups in Phi Kappa
Tau.
In what two operational areas does the BOG have absolute authority?
Finance and scholarship.
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What is a domain in Phi Kappa Tau? What purpose do they serve?
It is a grouping of chapters in your region. Phi Kappa Tau has divided regions up
into domains so that a volunteer may be able to assist and organize Boards of
Governors for these regions’ chapters. By organizing it this way, we can have a
clear top-down structure that works to ensure sustained success for our chapters
in the long run.
What chapters, open or closed, are in our domain?
This is a local specific question. See page ___.
What is a Domain Director? What are his primary responsibilities?
A Domain Director monitors the chapters’ operational status while fostering
progress through the development of supportive Board of Governors. This
includes ensuring policy and standard compliance through the Borradaile
Challenge and serving as the primary National Fraternity ambassador in the
domain. This is done through the support and maintenance of chapters’ Boards of
Governors and the coordination of resources and programs that will aid in chapter
development at the Graduate and Resident Council levels.
Why are we discussing BOGs and Domain Directors on the same day that we
discussed brotherhood?
As we have stated before, BOGs are one of the most important functions in the
structure of Phi Kappa Tau. Without a consistent BOG to mentor and maintain
leaders in the Resident Council, a chapter is more likely to struggle and eventually
fail. If you look at the best chapters in Phi Kappa Tau, the ones that are
consistently Maxwell status all have dedicated and knowledgeable Boards of
Governors.
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Logistical
Instructions
Borradaile Challenge Standards: Finance, BOG, Risk Management
Break class into three groups and assign each group one of the three standards
for discussion.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Read to
Group
You will have about 10 minutes to discuss each standard with your small group.
Your discussion should mirror the questions found on your activity sheet, which
can be found on pages 93-95. After 10 minutes, have one member of your group
explain your answers to the large group. Please take notes for every standard
even though you will only be discussing one.
After 8-9 minutes, wrap up the discussion and have each group answer these
questions:
Processing
What is your standard?
Finance, BOG or risk management.
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Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
Finance—Paying the bills is a crucial part of being a great member in Phi Kappa
Tau. At both a local and national level if the bills are not getting paid, the
brotherhood will suffer. By including it in the BC, we are giving credence to getting
your chapter’s bills in on time so that your members may have a great experience,
not just an experience focused on who is paying and who isn’t.
Board of Governors—If you do not have an active BOG, you are missing a key
part of the Phi Tau experience. As the primary advisory board, it is the institutional
memory of the chapter, as students and leaders roll over every four to five years.
If you do not have these advisors, your chapter members will be left alone to
figure everything out for themselves, which limits the chapter’s ability to maintain
sustained success.
Risk Management—Clearly, if your chapter has risk management issues, your
members are not having a great fraternity experience. Whichever section of the
risk management policy it is, if your chapter is found in violation, chances are your
members will not be having the experience we want them to have and are not
living up to the values of Phi, Kappa and Tau.
How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
Finance—Finance is crucial to having a strong brotherhood; nothing can tear
apart a brotherhood quicker than fights about money. This is why it is imperative
that your chapter utilizes OmegaFi to budget and track payments and you are
adept in getting your members to pay on time.
Board of Governors—Since they are the primary advisors to a chapter, their
membership and time commitment is the difference between a successful longterm chapter versus a struggling chapter.
Risk Management—As we talked about false brotherhood today, many times
fraternity chapters try to build brotherhood with the risk areas found in our policy.
As you have found out today, many times this will eventually lead to chapter
closings, people in the community being hurt, or even the death of a brother.
Clearly, if these things happen, we are not providing a great fraternity experience
for our brothers.
Why are we talking about BOGs on the same day we discussed brotherhood?
As we discussed today, a BOG is the one of the best ways you can champion a
lifelong commitment to brotherhood in Phi Kappa Tau. It takes a time commitment
that ordinary people don’t want to give to a bunch of young males, and many
times these volunteers have wives and children. Their sacrifice to Phi Kappa Tau
is the engine that keeps our organization running and sustaining success every
year.
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Logistical
Instructions
Programs: Presidents Academy, Regional Conferences
Split the group into two, assign one group Presidents Academy and one group
Resident Council.
88
Read to
Group
Phi Kappa Tau offers a multitude of programming to make you as an individual
and you as a member more successful during your undergraduate membership.
This week we are looking at the officer training programming of Presidents
Academy and Regional Conferences.
What is Presidents Academy?
Presidents Academy is designed for new presidents to learn their role within the
chapter and to learn about the four pillars of a successful chapter president.
Education includes breakout sessions, crisis management practice and a past
presidents panel, to name a few.
When is Presidents Academy?
Every year before the winter term starts.
Why is it important to send your incoming president to Presidents Academy?
The training incoming presidents receive during Presidents Academy is priceless.
As president, you are responsible for the entire chapter, and this program will
make that transition and implementation of goals easier and better.
What are the four pillars that make a successful president? Do you agree with
these pillars? Why or why not?
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Processing
Leading effective chapter meetings
Leading an effective executive council
Creating constructive relationships beyond the Resident Council
Taking positive action in critical incidents
What opportunities does Presidents Academy provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
What are Regional Conferences?
Regional Conferences are offered each year to participants from every chapter.
The one-and-two-day conference curriculum combines practical chaptermanagement training, including recruitment, Borradaile Challenge, alumni
relations, Ritual, risk management and service, with chapter-officer training for
presidents, vice presidents, VPARs, treasurers, MOOs, risk management
chairmen and recruitment chairmen.
What is the closest conference to your chapter?
This is a chapter specific answer. See attached domain sheet.
Why is it important to attend Regional Conferences every year?
Regional conferences are imperative to attend due to several factors—every
chapter officer goes through training in his respective position;, new members or
members who are not officers learn important knowledge about different functions
of fraternity, such as service, recruitment, etc; there is an important Ritual
discussion that will reaffirm the values and oath you will swear as members of Phi
Kappa Tau; and, finally, you get a chance to meet and network with fellow
brothers from across the region.
Where can you sign up for a Regional Conference?
On the website—www.phikappatau.org.
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What opportunities do Regional Conferences provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Associate Class Elections
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
We will now elect our class officers. We will elect them as per our chapter’s
bylaws. Class will be done after elections.
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page 100. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
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Week Two Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 Taylor Borradaile Bio
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 33-53.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 Presidents Academy page (Programs tab)
 Regional Conferences page (Programs tab)
Exchange
Review roles and responsibilities web pages for the following:
(Leading Your chapter column)
Volunteers
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BOG Chairman
Financial Advisor
Recruitment Advisor
Faculty Advisor
Scholarship Advisor
Alumni Advisor
Chapter Advisor
Risk Management Advisor
Mark of Distinction
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Hazing Defined
Examples of Hazing
Hazing Myths
Fraternities and Alcohol
Snapshot of Annual High-Risk Drinking Consequences
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
CALL 911!
Hazing—A Chapter Gets Shut Down
Drugs—A Chapter Gets Shut Down
Hazing—Death
Alcohol—PKT Death pt. 1
Alcohol—PKT Death pt. 2
Board of Governors Roles and Responsibilities
Domains and Domain Directors
Phi Kappa Tau Domains
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Creed
“I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands.”
What does the spirit of brotherhood
mean to you?
What do you think the founders’
brotherhood was like?
How do you quantify brotherhood?
What is false brotherhood?
Does it exist in fraternities?
Why or why not?
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Mission Statement
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to … brotherhood.
What does it mean to champion a
lifelong commitment to brotherhood?
Why is this relevant to our mission as
members of Phi Kappa Tau?
How do you think strong brotherhood is
built?
“By individually seeking to attain the
ideals as embodied in the cardinal
principles of the Fraternity and making
them a part of your life, by adhering to
those principles, the door to Fellowship
is opened.”
—Jack Anson, Colgate '47
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Hazing Defined
“Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in
a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the
person's willingness to participate. In years past, hazing practices were typically considered
harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities.
Today we know that hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and is experienced by
boys/men and girls/women in school groups, university organizations, athletic teams, the
military, and other social and professional organizations. Hazing is a complex social problem
that is shaped by power dynamics operating in a group and/or organization and within a
particular cultural context.
Hazing activities are generally considered to be: physically abusive, hazardous, and/or sexually
violating. The specific behaviors or activities within these categories vary widely among
participants, groups and settings. While alcohol use is common in many types of hazing, other
examples of typical hazing practices include: personal servitude; sleep deprivation and
restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/rookies; being
forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or
smearing of such on one's skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking
games; sexual simulation and sexual assault.
Some common definitions and examples of hazing are below:
In the Alfred/NCAA survey of college athletes, hazing was defined as:
"Any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or
endangers, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. This does not include activities
such as rookies carrying the balls, team parties with community games, or going out with your
teammates, unless an atmosphere of humiliation, degradation, abuse or danger arises."
“Hazing is an activity that a high-status member orders other members to engage in or suggests
that they engage in that in some way humbles a newcomer who lacks the power to resist,
because he or she want to gain admission to a group. Hazing can be noncriminal, but it is nearly
always against the rules of an institution, team, or Greek group. It can be criminal, which means
that a state statute has been violated. This usually occurs when a pledging-related activity results
in gross physical injury or death” (from Hank Nuwer's book Wrongs of Passage, 1999, p. xxv).
Hazing is defined by the FIPG (Fraternal Information Programming Group) as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to
produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities
may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation
of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts,
road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter
house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging
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in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any
other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations
and policies of the educational institution."
"1. If you have to ask if it's hazing, it is.
2. If in doubt, call your advisor/coach/national office. If you won't pick up the phone, you have
your answer. Don't B.S. yourself.
3. If you haze, you have low self-esteem.
4. If you allow hazing to occur, you are a 'hazing enabler.'
5. Failure to stop hazing will result in death..."
Adapted from Will Keim, Ph.D., "The Power of Caring"
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Examples of Hazing
The following are some examples of hazing divided into three categories: subtle, harassment and
violent. It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific.
While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides some common examples of hazing traditions.
Subtle Hazing
Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other
members of the group or team. Termed “subtle hazing” because these types of hazing are often
taken-for-granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically involves
activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new
members/rookies on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics.
New members/rookies often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group
or team. (Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment hazing).
Some Examples:
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Deception
Assigning demerits
Silence periods with implied threats for violation
Deprivation of privileges granted to other members
Requiring new members/rookies to perform duties not assigned to other members
Socially isolating new members/rookies
Line-ups and Drills/Tests on meaningless information
Name calling
Requiring new members/rookies to refer to other members with titles (e.g. “Mr.,”
“Miss”) while they are identified with demeaning terms
Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession
Harassment Hazing:
Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the
group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new
members/rookies (some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing).
Some Examples:

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Verbal abuse
Threats or implied threats
Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
Expecting new members/rookies to perform personal service to other members such as
carrying books, errands, cooking, cleaning etc
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



Sleep deprivation
Sexual simulations
Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a normal schedule of
bodily cleanliness.
Be expected to harass others
Violent Hazing
Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional or psychological harm.
Some Examples:
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Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption
Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
Branding
Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
Burning
Water intoxication
Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
Public nudity
Expecting illegal activity
Bondage
Abductions/kidnaps
Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection
Adapted from www.stophazing.org.
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Hazing Myths
Myth #1: Hazing is primarily a problem for fraternities and sororities.
Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the
military, athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional schools, and other types of
clubs and/or organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools are on the rise.
Myth #2: Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry.
Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others—it is victimization. Hazing is premeditated and NOT accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening.
Myth #3: As long as there's no malicious intent, a little hazing should be OK.
Fact: Even if there's no malicious "intent," safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing
activities that are considered to be "all in good fun." For example, serious accidents have
occurred during scavenger hunts and kidnapping trips. Besides, what purpose do such activities
serve in promoting the growth and development of group team members?
Myth #4: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline.
Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED, not taught. Victims of hazing rarely report having
respect for those who have hazed them. Just like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds
mistrust, apathy and alienation.
Myth #5: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can't be considered hazing.
Fact: In states that have laws against hazing, consent of the victim can't be used as a defense in
a civil suit. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous
action, it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to
the group.
Myth #6: It's difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing; it's such a gray
area sometimes.
Fact: It's not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense and ask yourself
the following questions:
1) Is alcohol involved?
2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the new members and do
exactly what they're being asked to do?
3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?
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5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, to a professor or
University official?
6) Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by
the local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," the activity is probably hazing.
Adapted from Death By Hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 1988.
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Hazing
What are the three types of hazing?
What does each mean?
Why do you think hazing is outlawed in
most states in America?
Why do you think fraternities still haze?
How does hazing conflict with the three
principles that the Non-Fraternity
Association was founded upon?
How does hazing relate back to our creed
and mission statement discussion
today?
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Fraternities and Alcohol
Fraternity and Sorority Involvement
Arguably, the greek, or fraternity-sorority, system is the best environment on campus in which
to examine the role of social influence processes on alcohol use and problems. Members of greek
organizations consistently demonstrate higher levels of alcohol use and problems than
nonmembers (Lo & Globetti, 1995; Sher, Bartholow, & Nanda, 2001). Specifically, fraternity and
sorority members and leaders exhibit high levels of use and approval of use (Cashin, Presley, &
Meilman, 1998). In fact, particular houses often have reputations based on their members’
alcohol consumption (Larimer, Irvine, Kilmer, & Marlatt, 1997).
In a review of two decades of research on fraternity drinking, Borsari and Carey
(1999) identified five factors contributing to the heavy drinking consistently observed in
fraternities:
(a) a continuity of heavy alcohol use from high school to college;
(b) self-selection into heavy drinking environments;
(c) the central role that alcohol plays in fraternity socialization;
(d) misperceptions of drinking norms;
(e) the enabling environment of the fraternity house.
Thus, an individual’s decision to join the greek system and the subsequent socialization that may
occur in this environment provide an ideal context in which to study the influences of selection,
socialization, and active and passive social influences on college student drinking.
Recent longitudinal studies (e.g., Bartholow, Sher, & Krull, 2003) have provided support for
socialization effects among those involved in the Greek community and have begun to explicate
potentially important social influences that may mediate relations between greek involvement
and collegiate alcohol use and problems.
Excerpted and adapted from “Fraternity and Sorority Involvement, Social Influences, and
Alcohol Use Among College Students: A Prospective Examination.”
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Snapshot of Annual High-Risk College
Drinking Consequences
The consequences of excessive and underage drinking affect virtually all college campuses,
college communities, and college students, whether they choose to drink or not.
Death
1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from unintentional alcohol-related
injuries, including motor vehicle crashes (Hingson et al., 2009).
Injury
599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence
of alcohol (Hingson et al., 2009).
Assault
696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been
drinking (Hingson et al., 2009).
Sexual Abuse
97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or
date rape (Hingson et al., 2009).
Unsafe Sex
400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 had unprotected sex and more than 100,000
students between the ages of 18 and 24 report having been too intoxicated to know if they
consented to having sex (Hingson et al., 2002).
Academic Problems
About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking, including
missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades
overall (Engs et al., 1996; Presley et al., 1996a, 1996b; Wechsler et al., 2002).
Health Problems/Suicide Attempts
More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem (Hingson et al., 2002),
and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the
past year due to drinking or drug use (Presley et al., 1998).
Drunk Driving
3,360,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 drive under the influence of alcohol (Hingson
et al., 2009).
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Vandalism
About 11 percent of college student drinkers report that they have damaged property while
under the influence of alcohol (Wechsler et al., 2002).
Property Damage
More than 25 percent of administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and
more than 50 percent from schools with high drinking levels say their campuses have a
"moderate" or "major" problem with alcohol-related property damage (Wechsler et al., 1995).
Police Involvement
About 5 percent of 4-year college students are involved with the police or campus security as a
result of their drinking (Wechsler et al., 2002), and 110,000 students between the ages of 18 and
24 are arrested for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the
influence (Hingson et al., 2002).
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a
diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to questionnaire-based selfreports about their drinking (Knight et al., 2002).
Adapted from Collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
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Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
What Happens to Your Body When You Get Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex
(which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. It is common
for someone who drinks excessive alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach.
There is then the danger of choking on vomit, which could cause death by asphyxiation in a person
who is not conscious because of intoxication. You should also know that a person's blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. Even after a person
stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestines continue to enter the bloodstream and
circulate throughout the body. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.
Critical Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
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Mental confusion, stupor, coma or person cannot be roused
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)
Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
What Should I Do if I Suspect Someone has Alcohol Poisoning?

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
Know the danger signals
Do not wait for all symptoms to be present
Be aware that a person who has passed out may die
If there is any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help. Don't try to guess the level
of drunkenness
What Can Happen to Someone with Alcohol Poisoning that Goes Untreated?

Victim chokes on his or her own vomit
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
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
Breathing slows, becomes irregular, or stops
Heart beats irregularly or stops
Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) leads to seizures
Untreated severe dehydration from vomiting can cause seizures, permanent brain damage,
or death
Even if the victim lives, an alcohol overdose can lead to irreversible brain damage.
Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet or a dare) is especially dangerous because the
victim can ingest a fatal dose before becoming unconscious.
Don't be afraid to seek medical help for a friend who has had too much to drink. Don't
worry that your friend may become angry or embarrassed—remember, you cared enough to help.
Always be safe, not sorry.
Adapted from Collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
105
IF YOU ARE
NOT SURE
ABOUT
SOMEONE,
CALL 911.
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Alcohol and Drugs
Why do you think we have such an
extensive alcohol and drug policy?
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Why is it so important to call 911 if you
are unsure about someone’s state of
alcohol consumption?
Describe in your own words the five
identified reasons that fraternities tend
to have higher rates of alcohol abuse.
How do alcohol and drugs relate back to
our creed and mission statement
discussion today?
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“University to Close Fraternity for
Hazing”
The Pi Kappa Phi logo is built into a bench outside the fraternity. The building will be closed for
a year and reopened with new members.
The UC Berkeley chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity will be shut down for a year and
reopened with new members and a ban on alcohol as punishment for an April hazing incident,
university officials announced Tuesday.
The settlement, reached between the campus and the fraternity last month, will strip the
fraternity of its current membership and allow it to reopen in fall 2006, provided that it follows
a host of conditions.
The punishment is the university's response to an incident on April 8, when police say at least
three chapter members took turns repeatedly shooting a pledge with Airsoft pellets loaded in a
BB gun after he refused to tell them the location of other pledges.
Because the settlement shuts down the house for a year, it has forced both the president and vice
president of the UC Berkeley Interfraternity Council, both Pi Kappa Phi members, to resign.
Dean of Students Karen Kenney called the punishment the strongest against any campus
fraternity in the last 15 years. She said the university had been close to permanently revoking the
fraternity's charter.
"In the absence of the dedicated partnership of the national (Pi Kappa Phi) organization, we
would have completely eliminated the fraternity from university recognition," she said.
The agreement puts a number of conditions on the chapter's return, including a ban on alcohol
in the chapter house until 2008, a live-in adult house director for at least five years, a $4,000
fine and 750 hours of community service.
All 35 current members have been transferred to "alumni status" by the fraternity's national
organization, and only up to four of them will be allowed back in for the fall 2006 semester.
The three individuals involved still face additional punishment from the university's Student
Judicial Affairs office, said UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore.
The hazing punishment marks one of several incidents last semester that drew negative
publicity to the Greek community, including a fight at a Kappa Alpha Psi-sponsored ferry party
on May 1 which resulted in four arrests. The university responded to the semester's events in
May by indefinitely banning alcohol at the campus's 70 fraternities and sororities.
Campus and national fraternity officials called the moratorium on alcohol harsh but necessary.
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Mark Timmes, the chief executive officer of the Pi Kappa Phi national organization, said
yesterday that he supported the punishment, and that the members of the fraternity had "fallen
victim to what we call groupthink."
"For Pi Kapp, it's an embarrassment," he said. "But they've done some good things-it wasn't that
the culture was so rotten that it couldn't be saved."
Sam Endicott, a member of Pi Kappa Phi who stepped down from his post as president of the
Interfraternity Council last month, agreed that the punishment was appropriate.
"I'm disappointed that 95 years of Pi Kapp history ended that way," he said. "A few members
messed up, and the whole organization needs to be accountable to the members' actions," he
said.
The future of the chapter is uncertain. Two representatives from the fraternity's national
organization will help recruit a new house membership in fall 2006, Timmes said, but they will
be forced to do so with no returning leadership and a ban on alcohol.
Sam Kim, a member of Pi Kappa Phi, said the chapter was already facing recruiting difficulties
before the hazing.
"About a year and a half ago, we had a membership of 55, and we've fallen far from that now,"
Kim said. "Let's hope that nationals can work out some kind of magic and get us back on track."
Kim criticized the university's investigation-which found substance, weapons, hazing and abuse
violations from the hazing incident-as inaccurate. But he said even he does not know exactly
what happened.
"The only people who really know what happened were the people there shooting the pledge
with the air gun," he said.
Source: Josh Keller, The Daily Californian.
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“Purdue Withdraws Recognition of
Fraternity after Drug Arrests”
Purdue University on Tuesday (July 19) withdrew recognition of Tau Kappa Epsilon following
the arrests of three of the fraternity's former executive officers on drug-related charges.
Three members of the fraternity, which has a house at 300 Russell St., were arrested on May 5
on charges of possessing and dealing cocaine and psilocybin (sill-ah-SCI-bin) mushrooms.
Subsequently, the university learned that all three had held fraternity leadership positions
during the past academic year. One student had been vice president of the house for the spring
semester, and the other two were pledge class chairman and treasurer during the fall semester.
"The situation involving this fraternity house was unusually egregious," said L. Tony Hawkins,
dean of students. "Illegal drugs were confiscated at the TKE house. We believe that members
had reason to know or suspect that there was a problem and did not take corrective action or
alert university authorities."
In the arrests, one of which occurred at the TKE house, police seized one-half pound of
psilocybin mushrooms and about 7 grams of cocaine. Purdue police said the street value of the
confiscated drugs was approximately $1,800. The arrests were made by the Tippecanoe County
Drug Task Force, which includes Purdue police officers.
"We take illegal drug activity very seriously at Purdue," Hawkins said. "We intend to be
proactive. Drugs exist on all campuses, but our research shows that it is not as pervasive at
Purdue. Our research shows the magnitude of the problem here, on average, is less than at other
universities nationwide. It's not part of the Purdue culture, and we intend to be proactive in
keeping it that way."
"The university has withdrawn recognition of TKE for an indefinite period, the length to be
determined after the completion of the investigations by the police," Hawkins said.
Withdrawal of recognition means that the TKE fraternity is no longer affiliated with Purdue
University and has no rights or privileges associated with official recognition. The sanction takes
effect immediately and is final unless the fraternity decides to appeal the decision to the Campus
Appeals Board.
The appeals board is composed of students, faculty and staff and is independent of the Office of
the Dean of Students. The fraternity has one week to appeal the decision. If TKE appeals the
decision, the board has the authority under university regulations to uphold or overturn the
decision. It also may lessen a disciplinary sanction or make it more stringent.
Source: Jeanne V. Norberg, Purdue News Service.
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“Felony Charges in Alcohol-Related
Death Tied to Pledging Ritual at
California Fraternity”
Four young men surrendered Thursday to face charges alleging a fraternity hazing ritual caused
the alcohol death of a university freshman from Texas, police said.
Carson Starkey, 18, of Austin, was found dead in December with a blood-alcohol level between
0.39 percent and 0.44 percent.
Police said he had to drink a bag full of alcoholic beverages as part of the fraternity pledging
process.
"This investigation has exposed a ritual that was as disturbing as it was deadly," Police Chief
Deborah Linden said. "Carson's death was the result of a crime and it was entirely preventable."
Haithem Ibrahim, 20, of Lafayette, and Zacary Ellis, 22, of San Luis Obispo were charged with
felony hazing causing death. Russell Taylor, 22, of Fresno, and Adam Marszal, 21, of Carmichael
were charged with misdemeanor hazing. All four California Polytechnic State University
students face a misdemeanor charge of permitting a minor to consume alcohol.
Starkey was pledging the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which has since been suspended.
According to fraternity tradition, the pledges participated in "Brown Bag Night," in which a "Big
Brother" purchased alcohol and put it in a brown bag for each pledge to consume, police said.
Ibrahim was Starkey's "Big Brother," but because he was not yet 21, Taylor allegedly purchased
the alcohol on his behalf. Police said Marszal, Taylor and Ibrahim went to two stores to buy
liquor, including 151-proof Everclear.
On the night of Dec. 1, the pledges gathered in a garage that fraternity members had prepared
with tarps on the furniture and a bucket for vomit, police said.
The 17 pledges sat in a circle around the bucket and Ellis allegedly instructed them to drink all
the alcohol in their bags by midnight. The "Big Brothers" watched while the pledges drank.
The investigation found that when Starkey passed out, several members put him in a car to take
him to a hospital - removing his pledge pin so he wouldn't be associated with the fraternity - but
he then began vomiting so they took him back to the house and put him to bed. Police said the
members checked on him until everyone went to bed about 2 a.m.
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When he was found unresponsive the next morning, fraternity members allegedly shooed other
pledges out of the house before police and paramedics arrived.
"Dangerous hazing rituals remain part of the culture of certain groups - a culture that claims to
promote leadership and value friendship, but which fails to protect young and impressionable
recruits who simply want to belong," Linden said.
Although the incident occurred off-campus, university president Warren J. Baker issued a
statement Thursday reiterating the school's zero-tolerance policy for hazing.
Starkey's parents said in a statement they believed their son would not have wanted to join a
fraternity if he knew the initiation rituals were dangerous.
"He participated in a dangerous fraternity ritual during which he was compelled to drink a fatal
amount of alcohol. His death was not caused by 'voluntarily' drinking too much, and anyone
who might suggest otherwise is misinformed," they said.
"Vomiting is a sign or symptom of alcohol poisoning, and we don't know but if they had realized
that and took him to the hospital as opposed to, 'Oh, good, he's throwing up, he's going to be
okay,' maybe Carson would be alive today," Texas State Senator Kirk Watson (D) told CBS
Station KEYE.
Watson, whose son grew up with Starkey, has authored a bill that would require educating Texas
public school students about the dangers, symptoms and causes of alcohol poisoning and binge
drinking.
Watson told KEYE correspondent Katherine Stolp that the bill is not only about honoring
Starkey's life but about making a difference and hopefully changing others' habits.
The bill already passed the State Senate; Watson expects it to pass through the House on Friday.
Ibrahim and Ellis were released on $50,000 bail and face up to three years in state prison if
convicted of the felonies. Taylor and Marszal were released on $10,000 bail and face up to a year
in county jail if convicted of the misdemeanors.
Attempts to contact their attorneys on Thursday afternoon were not successful.
Source: CBS/Associated Press.
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“Student Dies after Drinking with
Fraternity for 14 Hours”
A student died of alcohol poisoning in September 2003 after participating in a night of drinking
before Calling Out, a ceremony that welcomes incoming pledges to greek houses.
Senior psychology major and Phi Kappa Tau member Robert Schmalz had reportedly been
drinking for 14 hours before he died of ethanol toxicity.
Students said he “oozed personality and pizzazz,” was known for dragging others to the library
and for consistently making the dean’s list.
Director of Greek Life Nathan Thomas announced in February as an indirect response to
Schmalz’s death, Calling Out would not continue. Thomas said the event did not represent the
values of the greek system, and it was unfortunate Schmalz’s death had to showcase it.
Source: Pat Oldendorf & Emily Reginold, The Bradley Scout.
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“Bradley Reflects on Death”
Candles flickered in the cool night breeze Wednesday as students shed tears and shared
embraces in remembrance of Phi Kappa Tau member Robert Schmalz.
The candlelight ceremony in the fraternity's front yard drew hundreds of students. Pictures of
Schmalz and his fraternity brothers, bouquets of colorful flowers and massive numbers of
sympathy cards covered two tables as crowds filed silently through the house.
Bradley continued to mourn a man friends have called one of the greatest people they have ever
known.
Schmalz, a 22-year-old senior psychology major, died Sunday, Sept. 14, possibly due to alcohol
poisoning.
Friends of Schmalz found it difficult to talk about the loss of such a wonderful person.
His close friend Ben Teichman wrote a letter to the media expressing his grief over Schmalz's
death.
"Personally, I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to be a friend of Bobby's," Teichman
wrote. "Bobby has greatly impacted everyone's life, and our community has just lost the kindest
person I have ever known."
Teichman expressed that Schmalz was the best friend a person could ever have.
"People went to Bobby for everything, any advice or problems they may have had. Bobby was
always the one to help them," Teichman wrote.
Schmalz was also extremely bright, making the Dean's List many times during his career at
Bradley. He planned to attend graduate school after graduating from Bradley in December.
Teichman said he wishes everyone would have had the chance to befriend Schmalz.
"For anyone who was unlucky enough not to know Bobby, they missed out on an amazing
person and he will never be forgotten," Teichman wrote.
Senior health science major Marisa Scheetz said Schmalz was kind.
"I remember that every time I saw him in passing, he always had a smile on his face," Scheetz
said. "He always said hello when he was walking by."
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Phi Tau president Brett Krapil said Schmalz was the embodiment of the fraternity's ideals.
"If anyone knows what Phi Tau is all about, it is Bobby Schmalz," Krapil said. "We strive on
brotherhood. He was the link in the chain that kept us all together. I don't think I ever saw him
without his [fraternity] letters on."
Krapil also said Schmalz was willing to help anyone with anything.
"We shared the same major," he said. "Anytime I had a question about class or which classes I
should take, I would ask him. Even if I didn't want to take a [certain] class, I would take it, just
to be in the same class as him. I knew if I was in the same class, he would help me stay on track."
Mike Bair, a senior Phi Tau member, said Schmalz was a constant source of inspiration.
"He would always drag me to the library with him," Bair said. "He kept me on the ball, always on
track. Even if he didn't have anything to do, he would go there with me and just be there next to
me when I studied, to make sure I got stuff done."
Matt Wright, president of the Interfraternity Council and Phi Tau member said Schmalz had a
fantastic personality.
"Bob oozed personality and pizzazz," Wright said. "Everyone here has at least one enemy on
campus, except for Bobby. I don't know anyone in the world who couldn't like him. If anything,
he knew how to love unconditionally, [which was] something I always envied."
Wright said a good example of how much Schmalz was liked on campus was how many people
attended Wednesday night's candlelight ceremony.
"I would say 1,000 people came through tonight. For that many people to come and show
support like that, it speaks volumes," Wright said.
Bair said people who came to the candlelight ceremony who didn't know Schmalz probably wish
they had known him.
"The ten percent or so of people who came through and didn't know him probably wanted to
know him because of all the good things they have heard," Bair said.
Phi Tau member Tom Mallory gave Schmalz credit for helping him start a relationship with his
longtime girlfriend.
"I met a girl one night and the next day I couldn't call her," Mallory said. "He talked me into
calling her and even went on a double date with us. We're still together. If it wasn't for him, I
doubt I ever would've [had the courage] to call."
Senior Phi Tau member Brad Tracy said Schmalz always lent a listening ear.
115
"He had a rare quality where he was never mad at anyone or anything. I would always go to him
for advice, whether it was about school, family or social life," Tracy said. "I would say probably
some of the more important things I learned, I learned from him. He taught me self-confidence
to be myself. I have the utmost respect for him."
Wright said Schmalz had a love for soccer.
"He was a huge soccer player. He was never one to say that he would go in first just because he
was a senior. He smoked, though, so he couldn't play for long, but when he did play, he played
his ass off, even if it was only for 30 seconds," Wright said and laughed. "When he was out there,
you knew something good was going to happen."
Tracy said Schmalz was always the first person in the house to wake up and first to go to bed,
which is a good example of what kind of person he was.
"He made it his goal to know everyone better. The best conversations came out at six in the
morning, when we were all slap-happy," Tracy said. "He would also never leave anyone behind.
Even if he was just going to Taco Bell, he would make sure to stop by everyone's room before he
went."
A sign quoting Henry David Thoreau now hangs on the inside of the front door at the Phi Tau
house.
It reads: "On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have
devolved on us a task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our
friend's life also, in our own, to the world."
Bair said he will always remember Schmalz as someone who had the gift to bring people
together.
"Unfortunately, through this tragedy, we were given a gift - his memory," Bair said. "He gave us
himself."
Schmalz's funeral service was at 8:45 a.m. today in his hometown, Roselle. A decision about a
university service is pending, based on his family's wishes. Donations can be made to the Phi
Kappa Tau fraternity.
Source: Hyacynth Filippi, The Bradley Scout.
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BB Gun Hazing Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Why did even the appearance of
wrongdoing affect the chapter?
Why did the actions of one member
affect everyone in a chapter? Why do you
think that no one did anything to prevent
this from happening?
Why are we using this example as a case
study? How did this case study relate to
our purpose statements discussion
today?
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Fraternity Drug Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Why do you think these men had
leadership positions in the fraternity?
Why do you think that no one did
anything to prevent this from
happening?
How did the actions of a few members
affect everyone in the chapter?
How did this case study relate to our
purpose statements discussion today?
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Hazing Death Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
If the Ritual is so important, how come
chapter members removed his pledge
pin on the way to the hospital?
Even if Carson drank voluntarily, why
are the chapter and its members being
held responsible?
Do you think the activities this chapter
was participating in really build
brotherhood? Why or why not?
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Robert Schmalz Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Could this happen to you or someone
you know? Why or why not?
Do young adults tend to think they are
invincible? Why or why not?
What does being your brother’s keeper
mean to you?
How does this article relate back to our
purpose statements discussion today?
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Taylor “Boss” Borradaile
What role did Borradaile play in the founding
and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
How did Borradaile champion a lifelong
commitment to the spirit of brotherhood
throughout his life?
To what did Borradaile credit the founding of
the Non-Fraternity Association? What did he
consider the advantages of fraternity to be?
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Board of Governors Roles and
Responsibilities
Board of Governors Chairman
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Oversee all operations of the BOG.
Maintain an adequate membership on the BOG.
Pre-schedule and conduct monthly BOG meetings.
Develop and publish/distribute a schedule of BOG attendance at chapter meetings.
Establish an understanding with each of the undergraduate executive council members
that they will have a full written report prepared for distribution and discussion at each
of the scheduled BOG meetings.
Periodically review the chapter’s progress as it relates to the Borradaile Challenge, and
then discuss with the Resident Council president where the group stands in each
category.
Ensure that the chapter has an active chapter advisor and that there is an open line of
communication between the BOG and advisor. Conduct meetings with the chapter
advisor twice a semester.
Conduct a meeting with the House Corporation chairman each semester and report the
results of this meeting to the BOG.
Manage the Chapter Educational Grant (CEG) Fund.
Contact the school’s greek advisor, or corresponding school official, each semester
monthly to exchange relevant information about the chapter.
Oversee the Resident Council as it devises long-range planning strategies, goals and
objectives, and follow through on all progress made.
Chapter Advisor
1. Apply accepted facilitation techniques in student interactions.
2. Supply the chapter with information, expert knowledge and insight gained through
experience.
3. Explain the components of the Borradaile Challenge to the chapter.
4. Discuss risk management guidelines with the chapter annually.
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Fraternity’s Constitution and Statutes.
6. Encourage the chapter to participate in the Fraternity’s national philanthropy and
Founders Month of Service initiative.
7. Explain the mission, creed and Ritual to the chapter.
8. Summarize the various resources that Phi Kappa Tau has to offer its chapters and
members, including but not limited to the “Our Heritage”, “Leading Your Chapter”, and
“Leadership for Life” links on The Exchange.
9. Follow up on recommendations, in conjunction with the BOG, from the Domain
Director, university and Executive Offices, as well as review the chapter’s record for filing
reports, making payments and other related business with the Executive Offices.
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10. Plan effective orientation, training and transitioning of new chapter officers.
Financial Advisor
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Have a working knowledge of the Omega Financial Company.
Know the financial policies of Phi Kappa Tau.
Support the chapter officers in enforcing the local financial policies of the group.
Monitor monthly reports of receivables and payables (via Omega Financial) from the
Resident Council treasurer, and review at each BOG meeting.
Communicate with the Resident Council treasurer between BOG meetings.
Make sure all BOG work with the Resident Council treasurer to establish a budget for the
year, and review each semester.
Ensure that all required financial reports are filed with the Executive Offices.
Work with the House Corporation to ensure that all employee taxes and compensation
are paid and filed.
Risk Management Advisor
1. Have a strong working knowledge of the Phi Kappa Tau risk management policy and
general liability coverage.
2. Understand the FIPG and FRMT and periodically review available resources.
3. Prepare and review with the risk management chairman a crisis management plan.
4. Ensure that the chapter executive council and chapter members are knowledgeable of
the crisis management plan.
5. Ensure that chapter hosts all four of the required risk management educational
programs and submits the corresponding risk management report form.
6. Report any incidents or liability losses immediately to the Executive Offices.
7. Update BOG membership about the Phi Kappa Tau risk management policy and general
liability insurance policy changes in terms of coverage.
8. Ensure that chapter has a knowledgeable understanding and is abiding by the Phi Kappa
Tau risk management policy.
9. Promote additional risk management seminar(s) on an unrequired topic.
10. Work with the House Corporation to make sure all insurance needed are meet, (boiler,
property, etc.) if applicable.
11. Conduct risk management inspections with the House Corporation on the chapter house
and grounds, if applicable.
Recruitment/Retention Advisor
1. Understand the 5-Step Recruitment Process, as supported by Phi Kappa Tau.
2. Remain accredited to serve in the position. Accreditation is provided through
orientation, understanding of the handbook, etc.
3. Understand the mission of Phi Kappa Tau, and oversee the quality of that message as it
translates through the recruitment process.
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4. Regularly participate, as a member of the BOG, in monthly meetings, consistent
correspondence, etc.
5. Ensure the quality, continuity and alignment of all undergraduate recruitment strategies
through continuous assessment, in conjunction with the BOG.
6. Submit requests, in conjunction with the BOG and local undergraduate leadership, to the
national recruitment/retention advisor for training and other recruitment resources
necessary to ensure successful recruitment efforts at the local level.
7. Identify and leverage local alumni resources that can assist the chapter in recruitment
initiatives.
Scholarship Advisor
1. Develop and sustain a chapter scholarship program.
2. Serve as a resource person for the chapter by identifying, locating and providing
academic resources.
3. Work with the Resident Council scholarship chairman to monitor members’ grades and
communication between meetings.
4. Summon members who fall below a 2.0 GPA (in a 4.0 scale) to BOG meetings to discuss
chapter expectation and potential suspension.
5. Recognize, in front of the entire membership, those who excel in the classroom.
6. Organize and conduct seminars for the chapter on academic and personal development.
7. Encourage the chapter to recognize a “faculty member of the year” and/or invite the
faculty members(s) for dinner.
8. Ensure that all members (associates and actives) are meeting all national academic
polices, including officer eligibility and initiation eligibility.
Alumni Advisor
1. Develop and sustain an alumni relations program for the chapter.
2. Understand what may be important to different generations of alumni, and be able to
work across generational differences.
3. Work with the Resident Council vice president of alumni relations to produce quality
alumni newsletters.
4. Establish and maintain alumni fund raising for the chapter.
5. Welcome new alumni into the Graduate Council, and help them make a transition into
the working world through a mentor program.
6. Help with career development for graduating seniors, young alumni, and all alumni who
are seeking employment by providing job referrals and networking.
7. Help the chapter set up homecoming, Founders Day and other alumni events, acting as a
liaison with alumni.
8. Establish and maintain a Parents Club, with the assistance of the Resident Council vice
president of alumni relations.
9. Encourage area and chapter alumni to participate with the Fraternity’s national
philanthropy.
10. Help update and maintain an accurate alumni roster at the Executive Offices.
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Local Flow Chart
Domain Director
Recruitment Chairman
VPAR
Treasurer
Scholarship Chairman
Risk Management Chairman
Resident Council
Fill in the corresponding Boards of Governors roles.
Why is the Domain Director at the top of the chart? What is his primary role?
Although not listed, who is the Board of Governors secretary? Why?
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Board of Governors
What is a Board of Governors?
What are their general roles and
responsibilities?
What two operational areas does the
BOG have absolute authority over?
How often does a BOG typically meet?
Why does Phi Kappa Tau rely on the
Board of Governors to be the primary
advisory group to a chapter?
Why do resident councils have a BOG?
Why are we learning about the Board of
Governors on the same day we discussed
brotherhood?
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What are the
Domains and Domain Directors
Domains
A domain in Phi Kappa Tau is a geographical organization of three to five chapters in a regional
area. Domains are put together to specify with what chapters Domain Directors are responsible
for working.
Primary Purpose
A Domain Director monitors the chapters’ operational status while fostering progress through
the development of a supportive Board of Governors. This includes ensuring policy and standard
compliance through the Borradaile Challenge and serving as the primary National Fraternity
ambassador in the domain. This is done through the support and maintenance of chapters’
Boards of Governors and the coordination of resources and programs that will aid in chapter
development at the Graduate and Resident Council levels.
Major Responsibilities:






Support and monitor local Boards of Governors.
Maintain open communication and a positive relationship with the following individuals:
 Chapter Board of Governors—Board of Governors chairman as the primary
contact.
 Executive Offices staff—Coordinator of volunteer development as the primary
contact.
 University administrators—Greek advisor or dean of students as the primary
contact.
Recruit volunteers to serve on chapter Boards of Governors .
Assist Board of Governors in implementing national polices, programs and resources.
Help facilitate the relationship between Boards of Governors and Resident Councils.
Conduct a yearly program for the chapter that covers the state of the Fraternity and
available resources.
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Phi Kappa Tau Domains
Allegheny
Eta–Muhlenberg
Xi–Franklin & Marshall
Omicron–Penn State
Alpha Iota–Pennsylvania
Alpha Omicron–Lafayette
Gamma Omega–La Salle
A-OK
Beta Kappa–Oklahoma State
Gamma Xi–East Central Oklahoma
Delta Phi–Arkansas
Big Apple
Alpha Beta–New York
Gamma Gamma–St. John's
Gamma Kappa–C.W. Post
Epsilon Xi–Pace
Blue Ridge
Delta Kappa–Tennessee
Epsilon Nu–Clemson
C of C Colony–College of Charleston
Bluegrass East
Theta–Transylvania
Delta Theta–Georgetown
Delta Rho–Eastern Kentucky
Bluegrass West
Delta–Centre
Kappa–Kentucky
Beta Beta–Louisville
Buckeye North
Epsilon–Mount Union
Alpha Phi–Akron
Gamma Pi–Youngstown
Buckeye South
Beta–Ohio
Gamma Colony–Ohio State
Alpha Mu–Ohio Wesleyan
Delta Lambda–Muskingum
Chesapeake
Alpha Gamma–Delaware
Beta Omicron–Maryland
Epsilon Omicron–Frostburg State
Epsilon Omega–Shepherd
Citrus
Alpha Eta–Florida
Beta Delta–U of Miami
Beta Iota–Florida State
Delta Sigma–Webber
Epsilon Iota–Barry
FGCU Colony–Florida Gulf Coast
Cornhusker
Upsilon–Nebraska Wesleyan
Gamma Rho–Nebraska-Kearney
Deep South
Alpha Chi–Mississippi State
Beta Epsilon–Southern Mississippi
Gamma Upsilon–Spring Hill
Gamma Chi–Delta State
Delta Gamma–Ole Miss
Empire
Rho–Rensselaer
Sigma–Syracuse
Alpha Tau–Cornell
Alpha Upsilon–Colgate
Epsilon Eta–Oswego State
Erie
Alpha Delta–Case Western
Alpha Omega–Baldwin-Wallace
Beta Mu Colony–Kent State
Delta Xi–Cleveland State
Epsilon Psi–John Carroll
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Golden Bear North
Nu–UC Berkeley
Beta Omega–Cal State-Chico
Gamma Epsilon–U of the Pacific
Gamma Iota–Sacramento State
Gamma Sigma–UC-Davis
Epsilon Theta–San Francisco State
San Jose Colony–San Jose
Golden Bear South
Pi–Southern California
Beta Nu–San Diego State
Beta Rho–UCLA
Beta Psi–Cal State-Long Beach
Gamma Omicron–Cal State-Fullerton
Delta Tau–Cal Poly-Pomona
Epsilon Sigma–Chapman
Great Lakes East
Tau–Michigan
Alpha Alpha–Michigan State
Beta Tau–Bowling Green
Gamma Theta–Western Michigan
Gamma Lambda–Central Michigan
Zeta Beta–Saginaw Valley State
UM-Flint Colony–UM-Flint
Great Lakes North
Gamma Alpha–Michigan Tech
Gamma Delta–Northern Michigan
Great Lakes West
Mu–Lawrence
Omega–Wisconsin-Madison
Delta Epsilon–St. Cloud
Great Plains
Alpha Epsilon–Kansas State
Beta Theta–Kansas
Delta Zeta–Emporia
Hawkeye
Iota–Coe
Alpha Nu–Iowa State
Delta Alpha–Iowa Wesleyan
Delta Omega–Truman State
Hoosier
Lambda–Purdue
Beta Lambda–Indiana
Delta Beta–Evansville
Epsilon Phi–Indiana State
Lincoln
Zeta–Illinois
Beta Chi–Southern Illinois
Gamma Mu–Bradley
Epsilon Upsilon–St. Louis
Lone Star
Beta Alpha–Texas-Austin
Gamma Psi–Texas State-San Marcos
Delta Omicron–Pan American
Epsilon Alpha–Texas A&M
UNT Colony–North Texas
Mid Atlantic
Delta Psi–Rider
Epsilon Gamma–College of New Jersey
Epsilon Epsilon Colony–William Paterson
Epsilon Kappa–Rutgers
Mississippi Valley
Delta Pi–Murray State
Delta Upsilon–Tennessee-Martin
Zeta Alpha–Belmont
Ohio Valley
Alpha–Miami
Gamma Beta–Cincinnati
Delta Nu–Wright State
Epsilon Pi–Northern Kentucky
Pacific Northwest
Alpha Zeta–Oregon State
Alpha Kappa–Washington State
Alpha Pi–Washington
Beta Gamma–Idaho
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Patriot
Beta Pi–Middlebury
Gamma Zeta–Connecticut
Gamma Phi–Northeastern
Delta Delta–Bryant
Rio Grande
Alpha Psi–Texas-El Paso
Beta Zeta–New Mexico State
Epsilon Tau–Arizona
Gamma Tau–Old Dominion
Epsilon Delta–Virginia Wesleyan
Upstate
Beta Upsilon–Hobart
Gamma Nu–RIT
Delta Chi Colony–Rochester
Epsilon Zeta Colony–Buffalo
Rocky Mountain
Psi Colony–Colorado
Alpha Sigma–Colorado State
Beta Sigma–Idaho State
Shenandoah
Alpha Xi–West Virginia
Delta Eta–Marshall
Epsilon Beta–West Virginia Tech
Epsilon Lambda–Longwood
Epsilon Chi–Virginia Tech
Southeast
Alpha Lambda–Auburn
Alpha Rho–Georgia Tech
Beta Xi Colony–Georgia
Southwest
Beta Eta–New Mexico
Delta Iota–New Mexico Highlands
Delta Mu–Santa Fe
Tar Heel
Chi–North Carolina State
Gamma Eta–East Carolina
Epsilon Mu–North Carolina-Pembroke
Three Rivers
Phi–Bethany
Beta Phi–Westminster
Epsilon Rho–Indiana U of Pennsylvania
Tidewater
Alpha Theta–William & Mary
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Domains and their Directors
What is a domain?
What is a Domain Director?
What are their primary responsibilities?
Which domain is your chapter in?
What are the other chapters in your
domain?
Why are we learning about Domain
Directors on the same day we discussed
brotherhood?
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Borradaile Challenge: Risk Management
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic:
No risk management violations and all risk management seminars and
reports submitted on time.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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Borradaile Challenge: Finance
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic:
Must submit an annual budget and be in good standing at the end of the year.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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Borradaile Challenge:
Board of Governors
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell, Order of the Star, Basic:




Five certified advisors through the Phi Kappa Tau Volunteer
Certification Program.
Ten BOG meetings annually, with minutes available upon request.
Completed end-of-term chapter assessment.
Representative present at two Resident Council meetings per month,
plus other important activities.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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Presidents Academy
What is a Presidents Academy?
When is it?
Why do you think it is important to send
your incoming president every year?
What are the four pillars that make a
successful president?
What opportunities does Presidents
Academy provide you as a member?
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Regional Conferences
What are Regional Conferences?
Where do I sign up for a Regional
Conferences?
What is the closest conference to your
chapter?
What opportunities do Regional
Conferences provide you as a member?
136
Associate Class Elections
President
Community Service Chairman
Treasurer
Brotherhood Chairman
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Week Three Prep
Task
Done
Critically read and review week three curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with Leadership Academy regarding week three facilitation.
Contact Vice President and brotherhood/programming chairman regarding
upcoming brotherhood event that associates will plan for the entire chapter
to participate.
Survey and identify undergraduate members who have volunteered at a Hole
in the Wall Camp.
If applicable, prepare 20 minute session for part one of local history.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Wrote a thank you letter to the BOG Chairman or member in attendance for
helping to facilitate week two.
Review agenda for week three with chapter adviser.
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Week Three
“I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it
honor and credit.”
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong
commitment to … ethical leadership.
Creed and Mission Statement Discussion
History
Founding through WWII
Founding Father Spotlight
Clinton “Teeny” Boyd
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
National Council
Borradaile Challenge Standards
Scholarship
National Programs
Leadership Academy
Associate Class Activities
Plan and complete brotherhood activity for entire chapter
Local History
Part One
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Week Three
120 Minutes
Session Objectives







The associate member will learn the third line of our creed and the ethical leadership part
of our mission statement
The associate member will learn the history of Phi Kappa Tau from our founding until
World War II
The associate member will learn about Clinton Boyd
The associate member will learn the purpose, roles and responsibilities of the National
Council
The associate member will learn the purpose and details of Leadership Academy
The associate member will learn Borradaile Challenge standards: Scholarship
The associate member will help plan and implement a brotherhood activity for the entire
chapter
Guest Speaker

Leadership Academy Participant
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Processing
Read to
Group
Creed: Line Three
Championing a Lifelong Commitment to … Ethical Leadership
Discussion
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Before we start today, let’s do a little recap from last week’s meeting.
Did you see someone this week championing a lifelong commitment to
brotherhood (this can be fraternity or non-fraternity related)? Why do you think this
example champions this lifelong commitment?
Make sure these are appropriate examples—poor ones might sound something
like “Johnny ran out of beer so I gave him some of mine,” etc.
Today we will be discussing the significance of ethics and why it is important to
strive to live a life of outstanding values.
Please open your workbook to pages 101 and 102.
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Why are we only striving to attain our ideals?
Values are not something that can be attained. Think about our mission. How can
you attain championing a lifelong commitment to any of these four values? The
reason they are values is that they can never be reached, but the goal is to better
yourself and try harder to reach them every day. The harder you work, the better
your life and you as an individual will be.
What does it mean to bring honor and credit to our ideals? How can we do this?
It means living the values to our best ability. By saying we believe these things
and not following through with them, we are not bringing them honor and credit.
We can achieve this by trying to be a little better at our values every day. Living
the values of Phi Kappa Tau on a consistent basis is the best way to bring honor
and credit to our ideals.
What does it mean to champion a lifelong commitment to ethical leadership?
Living the values of our Fraternity while leading in wherever life takes you. It may
be by example, position, or in word. Leadership comes in all forms, but to
champion a lifelong commitment means to lead the right way for as long as you
live.
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Why is this relevant to our mission as members of Phi Kappa Tau?
Leadership is a key component of who we are as members of Phi Kappa Tau. By
accepting and living the values of our Fraternity, we are by nature holding
ourselves to a higher standard and being leaders in life. By championing a lifelong
commitment to, not only leadership, but ethical leadership, we are accepting a
higher standard of living and bringing honor and credit to our ideals.
Do you have to have ethics to be a leader? Why or why not?
No, there are a number of forms of leadership, and there are plenty of leaders in
the world who are unethical in their approach but are still in charge of people,
money etc.
What are some examples of ethical leadership? Unethical leadership?
Ethical Leadership: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela,
anyone who uses their position to better the world.
Unethical Leadership: Adolf Hitler, Jeff Skilling (Enron), Osama Bin Laden,
anybody who uses their position of power for personal or bad reasons.
Our ideals are vague and unreachable for a reason: to give you something to
strive for your entire life. The concepts of ethical and unethical leadership are in
the news every day, from politics to business to sports, and everything in
between. It is up to you to decide how you will live your life, but if you do not
champion ethical leadership in this world, then who will?
20/120
Logistical
Instructions
Historical of Phi Tau: Founding through WWII
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
141
Read to
Group
This week’s history discussion involves understanding our transition from the NonFraternity Association to our current greek letter name, Phi Kappa Tau. During
this time period, our initial brothers laid the foundation for much of our
organization today.
Why did the Non-Fraternity association decide to adopt the name of Phrenocon in
1909?
Members thought the name carried a negative connotation, some thought it was
too general, they wanted to be a part of the greek system and bring it inclusion,
not to rail against fraternities and eliminate them.
What parts of Phrenocon still exist in Phi Kappa Tau today?
A big portion of our oath in the Ritual, and some of the Ritual itself; the idea of
expansion, especially by adopting local fraternities; the forerunner to the Laurel,
known as Sidelights; our official flower, the red carnation and our cardinal
principles.
Why did Phrenocon change its name to Phi Kappa Tau in 1917?
They still could not shake the opinion from other organizations that they were
somehow anti-greek; they became something of a “greek prep school”, they
began recruiting large amounts of men who later left to join a “real” fraternity on
campus; they were also losing chapters, as Miami was the first member to break
away from Phrenocon and become a Greek letter organization.
Processing
Which were the first six chapters to adopt the name “Phi Kappa Tau?” What did
all of these organizations have in common when they became members?
Alpha, Miami University—Non-Fraternity Association
Beta, Ohio University—OU Union
Gamma, The Ohio State University—Booster Club
Delta, Centre College—Zenophilia
Epsilon, Mount Union College—Agora
Zeta, The University of Illinois—Loyante
They were all born as a backlash to fraternities on campus, and they wanted to
embody all the good qualities of fraternity without any of the bad parts.
If the Non-Fraternity Association had never been formed at Miami University, do
you think a similar organization would have been founded elsewhere? Why or why
not?
Most likely because the other five members of Phrenocon were born of the same
principle stated above.
Which of our founding six chapters hosted the 1917 Convention? Why is this
Convention widely considered to be the most important Convention in our history?
Zeta, University of Illinois:
Many things were founded at this Convention: The concept of two councils in a
chapter, one undergraduate and graduate; alumni associations and clubs; The
Laurel; the first executive staff as the National Secretary-Treasurer, which later
evolved into the CEO and just about all of the Ritual we use today.
After the 1917 Convention, Phi Kappa Tau sprung to life, opening 38 more
chapters by the time the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. This was a
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critical period in the development of Phi Kappa Tau as we know it today. From our
structure to our Ritual, our name to our rapid expansion, this era of Phi Kappa Tau
history proved to be as significant as the founding itself.
10/120
Logistical
Instructions
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Group
Founding Father Spotlight: Clinton “Teeny” Boyd
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Since we are talking about ethical leadership, we will be discussing Clinton Boyd
this week. Please turn to page 107.
What role did Boyd play in the founding and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
He was one of the members of the infamous track meet in 1905 that served as a
catalyst to the Non-Fraternity Association. He helped Borradaile organize one of
the two non-fraternity alliances that combined to form the association, and he was
the first person elected to position of national organizer at the 1915 Convention.
He was aggressive in expansion efforts until 1916 and a frequent speaker at
Founders Day banquets at Miami and around the country. He visited chapters on
the West Coast in the final year of his life.
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Did Boyd strive to attain the ideals of Phi Kappa Tau in his life? How did he bring
our ideals honor and credit?
As a lawyer and later a judge, he represented the fraternity as a moral and just
authority in the area he lived in. He was active in politics and in the Fraternity until
he died.
How did Boyd champion a lifelong commitment to ethical leadership?
As a lawyer and judge, he had to be ethical and set an example for people in his
community. Many times lawyers are seen as unethical, but Boyd was a guiding
example of how ethical lawyers and judges should act.
15/120
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Instructions
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Group
National Council
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
A very important and often times misunderstood role in the Phi Kappa Tau
Fraternity is the National Council. The council is the primary guide of the
Fraternity through strategic planning, policy setting, and the ability to hire the chief
executive officer of the Fraternity. The council also serves as the governing body
143
when the National Convention is not in session.
Who are the two officers you as a delegate can elect to the National Council?
National Vice President and two National Councilors.
How long are the terms of each Council member?
National Vice President/President—4 years
Graduate National Councilor—6 years
What are the primary responsibilities of the National Council?
Serves on the national board of directors, reviews and decides on all organizationwide policy issues, and other duties no prescribed in the National Constitution and
Statutes.
Why is it important for Phi Kappa Tau to have a National Council?
As most successful businesses have a board of directors, we too have a volunteer
board of directors to govern between Conventions and plan strategic initiatives
and operational policies for long-range success. This is not much different from a
business model, and this is the best way for us to stay successful over the long
run.
Who are the voting members of the National Council?
National President, National Vice President, six National Councilors, two
Foundation board members.
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When does the National Council meet?
Monthly phone conferences, biannual, in-person meetings.
Where are members of the National Council elected? How are they elected?
National Convention, by the majority vote of the Convention.
How does serving on the National Council champion a lifelong commitment to
ethical leadership?
To serve on the board means giving up an individual’s time and energy for the
betterment of the Fraternity. In order to be successful in a values-based
organization, the council not only has to hold strategic planning initiatives to the
Fraternity values, but also the members themselves. To be a National Councilor is
to put oneself at the head of the organization, and to do that, councilors must hold
themselves to a higher standard.
How does serving on the National Council bring honor and credit to the ideals of
Phi Kappa Tau?
Councilors commit themselves to a higher standard and must create policy to
make the Fraternity as successful as it can. To take on that tremendous
responsibility and do it in line with our core values is to live our cardinal principles
to the fullest every day.
The National Council is an extremely important function of Phi Kappa Tau. While
most students only experience Phi Kappa Tau for four years or less, as an
undergraduate, council members take time out of their personal and professional
lives to make Phi Kappa Tau successful for long past their time.
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Borradaile Challenge Standards: Scholarship
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Scholarship is a major part of being a member of Phi Kappa Tau. Can someone
read our standards for scholarship?
Do you think these standards are hard to achieve? Why or why not?
This could be construed as a personal question, but the answer should be no,
because we are all in school for a degree, and part of recruitment is finding the
best individuals. If associates have a problem with basic standards, you are most
likely going to have more problems with them down the road.
Why is scholarship part of the Borradaile Challenge?
Fraternity exists in its purest form (and introductory form) in higher education,
specifically at the undergraduate level. Since the main purpose of higher
education is, in fact, getting an education and a degree, it would be appropriate of
our Fraternity to make that a top priority for membership.
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How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
Our ideals center around making our members better people. If we are not helping
students graduate and creating a productive environment of learning then we are
not making our members better. Learning is a crucial part of who we are and if our
members can not commit to higher education then they are missing the point of
Phi Kappa Tau and its existence.
Scholarship can singlehandedly break a chapter. If we are recruiting and retaining
great students, we should be well above the all-men’s GPA at every campus
across America. If our undergraduate members are not achieving a higher level of
success in the classroom than non-members then those members are missing a
key value of fraternal life.
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Programs: Leadership Academy
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Logistical
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If Leadership Academy participant is in attendance, allow him to facilitate the
discussion as much as possible.
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Read to
Group
Phi Kappa Tau offers a multitude of programming to make you, as an individual
and as a member, more successful during your undergraduate membership.
This week we are looking at Leadership Academy.
What is Leadership Academy?
It is the premier individualized leadership-development event. Held annually, the
curriculum guides students to think critically about important issues facing
individuals, chapters and the Fraternity, while preparing them to be ethical leaders
on their campus and in their chosen field. Leadership Academy challenges men to
translate the creed and Ritual of Phi Kappa Tau into positive action.
Who is Leadership Academy designed for?
Leadership Academy is especially valuable for newly initiated brothers, colony
members and rising leaders as they begin to make their mark on Phi Kappa Tau.
When is Leadership Academy?
Annually in the summer.
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What does it cost for an undergraduate member to attend Leadership Academy?
Why?
Usually a nominal registration fee and travel costs. Between the Leadership
Academy Pool, CEG scholarships and donors to the program, the Academy is
extremely affordable. Each year, every chapter pays money into a pool, so if your
chapter is not sending at least two people to Leadership Academy then you are
wasting chapter money.
Why is it so important to send members to Leadership Academy?
Chapter turnover is inevitable. Most members will only have four to five years as
an undergraduate, so it stands to reason that you want to consistently have good
leaders in the chapter. In order to get a head start, sending people to Academy
will help provide all kinds of leaders for the chapter every year, instead of hoping
the younger guys figure it out by the time it is their turn to lead. This is a wonderful
opportunity to consistently keep your chapter successful after you, as an older
member, graduate.
What opportunities does Presidents Academy provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
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Local History Pt. 1 (Optional)
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
You can skip this part if you do not know or have any important local history to
learn about. If you do choose to do a segment on local history, try to stay away
from memorizing dates and times, and instead focus on why the group formed,
146
what the members accomplished and where they failed, how they are impacting
you today, etc.
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Brotherhood Activity
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Since we discussed brotherhood last week and ethical leadership this week, it is
time to put these values into practice. Please flip to pages 115 and 116. This is a
list of example activities you can use to plan a brotherhood activity for the entire
chapter. In a minute I will turn it over to your president and brotherhood chair, but I
would like you to answer the questions on this page as you are planning it. You
will have about 15 minutes, if you need more time, you are welcome to stay after
and finish planning.
What will be the event?
When will the event be held?
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Bearing in mind our creed and mission statement discussion, how will this event
build a stronger brotherhood?
How will this event follow Phi Kappa Tau’s risk management policy?
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page ___. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
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Week Three Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 The Founding of Phi Kappa Tau: First Founders Day through end of
chapter
 Clinton Boyd Bio
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 54-67.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 Leadership Academy page (Programs tab)
 Historical Vignette Video: 1906 through WWII
(About KT tabResourcesVideos)
Exchange
Mark of Distinction—(Lead Your Chapter column)



PKT Flowchart—Week 3
Constitution and Statues—National Council
Brotherhood Activity Suggestions
(Our Heritage column)


History through the decades 1906 through 1945
Jubilee celebration: Silver Jubilee
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Creed
I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit.”
Why are we only striving to attain our
ideals? Can’t we just achieve them?
How can you bring honor and credit to
our ideals?
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Mission Statement
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to … ethical
leadership.
What does it mean to champion a
lifelong commitment to ethical
leadership?
Why is this relevant to our mission as
members of Phi Kappa Tau?
Do ethics need to be part of leaders? Are
all successful leaders ethical?
What are some examples of ethical
leadership? Unethical leadership?
150
Why did this happen?
Why is this significant to the founding of Phi Kappa Tau?
1906
Non-Fraternity
Association
1909
Phrenocon
1916
Phi Kappa Tau
Why did this happen?
If the Non-Fraternity Association had never been founded at Miami, do you
think it would have been founded elsewhere? Why or why not?
151
Phrenocon
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
152
Six Founding Chapters
Alpha
Beta
College/University:
College/University:
Original Name:
Original Name:
Gamma
Delta
College/University:
College/University:
Original Name:
Original Name:
Epsilon
Zeta
College/University:
College/University:
Original Name:
Original Name:
153
Phrenocon Adopts Phi Kappa Tau
What did all of these organizations have in common when the affiliated with
Phi Kappa Tau?
Which of these schools hosted the 1917 Convention?
Why was this Convention so important to Phi Kappa Tau?
154
Clinton “Teeny” Boyd
What role did Boyd play in the founding and
development of Phi Kappa Tau?
Did Boyd strive to attain the ideals of Phi
Kappa Tau in his life? How did he bring our
ideals honor and credit?
How did Boyd champion a lifelong
commitment to ethical leadership?
155
The Constitution of Phi Kappa Tau
Article D 1.I.
(a) The National Council shall represent the National Convention between National
Convention meetings; shall be the governing body of the Fraternity; and may enact such
legislation and take such actions as it deems necessary for the proper supervision,
management and administration of the National Fraternity. The graduate members of
the National Council shall be the trustees of the Fraternity and as such, shall be its legal
representatives. See Statutes--Title IV.
(b) The National Officers shall include the National President, National Vice President,
Chief Executive Officer, National Councilors, and such other National Officers as from
time to time the National Council shall so designate except that no employee of the
National Fraternity, other than the Chief Executive Officer, shall be a National Officer
unless individually so designated by the National Council. See Article F and Statutes-Title IV.
Article F 1.
I. Election of National President and National Vice President. The National Vice President
shall be elected by the National Convention and shall hold office for the term of two (2) years or
until a successor shall be elected and qualified. The person so elected National Vice President
shall succeed automatically to the office of National President at the adjournment of the
succeeding National Convention except when the office of National Vice President expiring at
the Convention assembled has previously been vacated for any reason and/or when a vote of
confidence is not presented by the National Council. Then and in such event the National
Council assembled shall elect a National President and a National Vice President both to serve
two (2) years or until a successor National Vice President has been elected and qualified. See
Statutes--Title IV.
III. National Council Membership, Election and Meetings.
1. Membership. Voting membership on the National Council shall consist of the
National President, National Vice President, six (6) National Councilors all of whom
shall b Graduate Council members, three (3) National Councilors who shall be Resident
Council members, the Immediate Past National President and the Chairman of The Phi
Kappa Tau Foundation and one (1) other designee of the Foundation. See Statutes--Title
IV.
2. National Council Meetings. The National Council shall meet at least annually
or at the call of the National President or on the written petition of three (3) members of
the National Council to the National President who shall not have the right of veto. All
meetings of the National Council shall be at the times and places directed by the National
President. A quorum at a meeting of the National Council shall be a majority of those
eligible to vote. Mail ballots are permitted. To address certain specific urgent matters, a
telephone conference may be held. In the matter of mail ballots and telephonic
decisions, an affirmative vote of a majority of those eligible to vote shall be required to
pass a motion. Enactments of the National Council shall be reported to the National
Convention at the first session following such action. See Statutes--Title IV.
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The Statutes of Phi Kappa Tau
TITLE IV
NATIONAL FRATERNITY OPERATIONS
32. National Council. The National Council shall be elected per the procedure
prescribed by Article F, Section II of the Constitution. The National Council shall direct the
general affairs of the Fraternity. The National President shall be the presiding officer. The
Council shall select and commission a Chief Executive Officer to implement the purposes and
policies of the Fraternity. Meetings shall be held at least once a year and at such other times as
the National President or a majority of the National Council specifies.
33. National President. The President shall be elected to the office in the manner
prescribed by Article F, Section I of the Constitution. He shall function to assure the
continuation and success of the National Fraternity as outlined in the Articles of Incorporation
and the Constitution and Statutes and to oversee all functions and procedure of the Fraternity as
they relate to the Divisions of the Fraternity. He shall preside over all meetings of the National
Convention and the National Council and appoint such committees as he deems desirable. He
may require any officer or committee to make a report and perform other duties as commonly
devolve upon such an office. He shall have such other powers as are conferred on him by the
National Council. His decisions shall be binding unless reversed by the National Council or the
National Convention.
34. National Vice President. The National Vice President shall be elected per the
procedures prescribed by Article F, Section I of the Constitution. He shall serve as the assistant
to the National President, and work with him at his discretion in the interest of the National
Fraternity. He shall perform all of the duties of the National President in his absence.
157
Phi Kappa Tau Flowchart
National Convention
Coordinating
Council
National Council
Foundation Board
Chief
Executive
Officer
Fraternity
Committees
Foundation
Executive
Director
Executive Offices
Staff
Domain Director
Graduate Council
Board of
Governors
Housing
Cooperation
Resident Council
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National Council Basics
Which members of the council do undergraduate or graduate delegates vote for?
How long do the following officers’ serve their terms?
President
Vice President
National Councilors
How is the president elected?
159
National Council of Phi Kappa Tau
What are the primary responsibilities of
the National Council? Why is it
important to have a National Council?
Where/how are members of the National
Council elected? Who/how are the voting
members of the National Council?
How does serving on the National
Council bring honor and credit to the
ideals of Phi Kappa Tau?
How does serving on the National
Council champion a lifelong
commitment to ethical leadership?
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dddd
Borradaile Challenge: Scholarship
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: Chapter GPA must be at or above 2.7 AND 0.2 points above
campus men's average.
Order of the Star: Chapter GPA must be at or above 2.6 and at least 0.05
above campus men's average.
Basic: Chapter GPA must be at or above 2.5 and campus men's average.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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Leadership Academy
“Leadership Academy was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had as a member of Phi
Kappa Tau.”
—Andrew Lopez, Cal State-Fullerton ’07
What is a Leadership Academy?
When is it?
What does it usually cost for a member
to attend Leadership Academy?
Who is Leadership Academy designed
for?
What opportunities does Leadership
Academy provide you as a member?
162
Brotherhood Activity Suggestions

Paintball

Sponsoring a little league team

Ropes course

Golf outing (alumni optional)

Softball tournament/game

Hosting an alumni cookout

Basketball tournament/game

House fix-up day

Euchre tournament

Casino night

Bowling

Hosting a Habitat for Humanity house

Volunteering at community agencies

Volleyball tournament

Etiquette dinner

Lock-in (dry)

Board game night

Monday night football

Tailgating before a football game

Visiting a nearby museum

Wiffleball

Eighteen holes of Golden Tee

Camping weekend

Pool tournaments

Gavel pass at the end of a meeting

Capture the flag

Chapter dinner

Dodgeball

Road trip to a nearby chapter

Darts

Ski weekend

Foosball

Pro/semi-pro sporting events

Mom's/Dad's/Little Sib's Weekend

Whitewater rafting

Themed movie marathon

Fishing

Karaoke Night

Flag football

University athletic/special event

Alternative Spring Break at a Hole in the
Wall Camp

Laser tag
163
Brotherhood Activity Planner
What will the event be?
When will the event be held?
Bearing in mind our Creed and Mission
Statement discussions so far, how will
this event help build brotherhood?
Does this activity align with Phi Kappa
Tau’s Risk Management Policy?
Why or why not?
164
Week Four Prep
Task
Done
Critically read and review week four curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with chapter adviser regarding week four facilitation.
Invite Hole in the Wall Camp attendee to help facilitate the Hole in the Wall
Camps portion of week five. Refer him to or send him related documents from
curriculum to review.
Ensure executive council review and approval of brotherhood event organized
for the entire chapter to participate.
Contact Greek/IFC Adviser or IFC President for wrap-up session. They may be
free to talk about current plans for greek life at your university, tips for being
successful as a fraternity member at your campus, or anything he, she or you
deem important for members to know after imitation.
If applicable, prepare 20 minute session for part two of local history.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Set a date for the national exam.
Write a thank you letter to the Leadership Academy participant for helping to
facilitate week three.
Review agenda for week four with chapter adviser.
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Week Four
“I shall be loyal to my college and chapter, and shall keep strong
my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth.”
Creed Discussion
History
WWII through 1969
Honored Brothers Spotlight
Ewing T. Boles
Edgar E. Brandon
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
Borradaile Challenge Standards
Communications
Communications
The Laurel
National Programs
Good to Great Retreats
Conclave
Local History
Part Two
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Week Four
120 Minutes
Session Objectives







The associate membership will learn line four of our creed
The associate membership will learn the history of Phi Kappa Tau from WWII through1969
The associate membership will learn about Ewing Boles and Edgar Brandon
The associate membership will learn about the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
The associate membership will learn Borradaile Challenge Standards: Communications
The associate membership will learn about Communications: The Laurel and RSS
Newsfeeds
The associate membership will learn about Good to Great Retreats
Guest Speaker

Chapter Adviser
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Creed: Line Four
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
This week, we are focusing on the lifelong commitment to Phi Kappa Tau. Before
we talk about how important it is to stay involved with the fraternity throughout
your life, let’s backtrack to last week for a moment.
Did you see anyone from our chapter bring honor and credit to our ideals this
week? What did they do?
Did you see any examples of ethical leadership this week? What were they?
Let’s look at this week’s line of the creed.
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What does this line of the creed mean to you?
This should relate to making Phi Kappa Tau a lifelong commitment. By keeping
your ties strong to your school and your chapter, you are remembering what it is
like to be young and keeping that spirit alive and burning.
Why should you keep your ties to your college strong?
You want to support the college that will help mold you into the person you
become in the future. It gave you the gift of education and you should be indebted
167
to your school for helping you achieve your degree and a better standard of living.
How can you do this?
A variety of ways: attending athletic games, donating money to a scholarship or
program, attending homecoming, updating your contact information with your
university, referring students to your alma mater, volunteering to give
presentations, etc.
Why should you keep your ties to your chapter strong?
Phi Kappa Tau is a lifelong commitment, and by staying close with your chapter
you are fulfilling that commitment.
How can you do this?
Donating money, volunteering your time (BOGs, etc.), reading the chapter
newsletter, attending chapter events, actively mentoring members, promoting Phi
Kappa Tau to prospective members, etc.
What do you think it means to retain the spirit of youth?
You have the sense of passion for living, hope, optimism and excitement for the
future, quest and thirst for knowledge, the desire to belong and have fun, etc.
Basically you remember what it was like to be young and have your whole life
ahead of you.
How does keeping strong ties to your college and your chapter retain the spirit of
youth?
You are engaging with students and providing experiences that once helped to
mold you into a better person. By providing these experiences, you are
remembering what it is like to be young, and hopefully it will enhance your life as
you get older.
When we say Phi Kappa Tau is a lifelong commitment, we are not simply using it
as a bumper sticker slogan. As you grow older, you will begin to understand how
your undergraduate time in Phi Kappa Tau has affected your life for the better and
you will want to give back for all it has done for you. I encourage all of you to
remain involved after graduation, whether it is through a donation to your chapter
or volunteering in some capacity.
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Instructions
Read to
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Processing
History of Phi Kappa Tau: WWII through 1969
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
This week’s history discussion will focus on our transition from a younger fraternity
to our current organization.
What happened at the “Victory” Convention in 1947?
It was the convention attended by Jack Anson, a streak that last 42 years; our
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coat of arms was updated by covering up our symbols with a gold shield; all
brothers who entered Chapter Eternal during the war were read into the minutes
of the Convention; President Roland Maxwell set a goal of chartering 25 new
chapters in less than 10 years, in time for our 50th anniversary.
Why do you think membership restrictions were removed from our Constitution in
1949? Why do you think it would take an additional five years to initiate our first
African American member?
These are opinion questions, but keep in mind that this is still several years before
Brown v. Board of Education and more than a decade before the Civil Rights
Movement.
How do you think the writing of the creed in 1950 affected members of Phi Kappa
Tau?
This is an opinion question, but try to get them to think critically about the fact that
all we had were our cardinal principles, which were secret. This was the first
public statement about who we are and what we represent as members of Phi
Kappa Tau.
What happened at the Golden Jubilee in 1956?
Borradaile, Shideler and Brandon were the first members to be presented with a
50th anniversary certificate.
Why is Jack Anson’s “The Golden Jubilee History of Phi Kappa Tau” still important
to us today?
It is only one of two history books about Phi Kappa Tau and provides a number of
details about the origins of the first 71 chapters.
What was so important about the Inaugural IMPACT Program in 1968?
As the forerunner to today’s Leadership Academy, it was the first educational
program that Phi Kappa Tau provided. It was the foundation that led to the
significant amount of educational programming that we offer today.
How many chapters were chartered during this 25-year timespan? Why is that
significant to Phi Kappa Tau’s history?
This shows the large amount of growth we had in such a short time. Expansion is
always significant because if you are not growing as an organization you are
declining. It should be the privilege of every student in a higher education entity to
get the chance to have a great Phi Tau experience. It also demonstrates the
quality leadership of Maxwell and Anson during this time period, basically
doubling our Fraternity in less than a quarter of a decade.
How did the end of WWII and the GI Bill affect Phi Kappa Tau?
With a lot of men returning home from the war and the ability to pay for a college
degree, enrollment skyrocketed at schools across America. Since many of these
men were in the military, it stands to reason that a fraternity would be a close
civilian tie to brotherhood in the military. This led Phi Kappa Tau’s membership to
new heights and brought us to dozens of new schools that we had never been
before.
Which significant members entered Chapter Eternal during this time period? How
do you think this affected Phi Kappa Tau?
Brandon, Shideler, Boyd. This is an opinion question.
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This time period started off with a bittersweet bang and ended with a calm before
the storm. Phi Kappa Tau experienced significant growth and success from the
end of WWII until 1969, but as you will learn next week, if you ignore some issues
long enough, they will eventually come back to bite you.
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Logistical
Instructions
Honored Brothers Spotlight: Ewing T. Boles and Edgar E. Brandon
Split the group into two, and assign one group Brandon and one group Boles.
Each group will have ten minutes to discuss and answer the questions on their
graphic organizer. After 10 minutes, the groups will present their answers to the
large group. Make sure everyone takes notes.
If chapter adviser is in attendance, allow him to facilitate the discussion as much
as possible.
Read to
Group
Even though they aren’t considered founding members, both of the men we are
discussing this week had a substantial impact in shaping the organization into the
Phi Kappa Tau that we know today. What’s more, both man’s impact on the
organization came as a graduate member. Their lifelong commitment to Phi
Kappa Tau sets the standard for the creed discussion we had today.
What role did Boles play in the development of Phi Kappa Tau?
He was national president from 1916-17 when Phrenocon adopted the name “Phi
Kappa Tau” (December 21-22, 1916) at the National Convention held in Alliance,
Ohio. As National President in 1916, he persuaded Alpha chapter to return to the
organization, and helped build the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation into what it is
today.
If Boles wasn’t one of the original founders, how come he was made an honorary
founder?
His involvement and financial contribution was so enormous over the years that
without him our Fraternity would have been set back tremendously. His impact on
the growth and success of Phi Kappa Tau single-handedly made him an honorary
founder.
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How did Boles stay loyal to his college?
He was on its foundation board and donated a lot of money.
How did Boles stay loyal to his chapter?
He donated more than $3 million to Phi Kappa Tau.
What was the Boles Challenge?
He issued a challenge in 1982 stating that he would match any donation to the
Foundation up $1 million. At the time, it was the largest donation to any fraternity
in history.
What role did Brandon play in the founding and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
He was the first faculty adviser of Phi Kappa Tau and served two terms as
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National President.
How did Brandon remain loyal to his college and chapter?
Although he didn’t graduate from Miami University, he worked there until his
retirement in 1931 at the age of 66. He served as acting president of the university
twice, vice president and dean of the university for more than 20 years. He stayed
as faculty adviser until his retirement and helped build the group from the ground
floor.
How is Brandon’s involvement in Phi Kappa Tau relevant to our fraternity today?
Faculty advisers still play a key role in our chapters, and his example is second to
none. He became heavily involved in Phi Kappa Tau’s growth and development,
something that faculty advisers can still do today.
How did his involvement in Phi Kappa Tau help him retain the spirit of youth?
By remaining involved with the chapter at Miami and the Fraternity at a national
level, he kept the bonds of brotherhood strong and traveled extensively after he
retired. Brandon lived to be 91.
Based upon the lives of Brandon and Boles, what do you think are the two most
impactful ways you can stay loyal to your college and your chapter?
1) Donate time (Volunteer)
2) Donate money (Provide a means to impactful experiences)
These men are the embodiment of everything that lifelong membership in Phi
Kappa Tau stands for. While both lived long, fruitful lives, they always managed to
stay involved in some way, shape or form with Phi Kappa Tau. Their dedication is
unmatched and a great example for you as you mature through life.
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The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Logistical
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If chapter adviser is in attendance, allow him to facilitate the discussion as much
as possible.
Read to
Group
Processing
One of the greatest untapped resources that you will have at your disposal as a
member of Phi Kappa Tau is the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation. The Foundation
provides funding for a number of activities and experiences that could change
your life, and all you have to do is apply!
What is the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation?
The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation supports the mission of the Phi Kappa Tau
Fraternity through seeking and managing charitable gifts from alumni,
undergraduates, parents, and friends of the organization.
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How is the Foundation governed and what are the leadership positions within that
governance structure?
The Foundation is governed by a self-perpetuating, volunteer board of trustees of
approximately 15 members who serve staggered three-year terms. The board is
guided by an executive committee, elected by the membership, and composed of
a chairman, one or more vice chairmen, treasurer and secretary. An executive
director serves in a staff role at the discretion of the board of trustees
What does the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation fund?
The Foundation directly or indirectly funds the following programs: Hole in the
Wall experience, Leadership Academy, Regional Conferences, Presidents
Academy, Building Men of Character Retreats, and Scholarships.
What role does the Foundation play in Phi Kappa Tau?
It finances undergraduate opportunities in leadership development, scholarship
and service learning.
What is the Brother’s Trust?
Brothers Trust is a group of Phi Tau men—undergraduates and recent
graduates—who have decided to expand their support of their Fraternity by
making a financial contribution to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation; there are two
levels of giving, the Harvard Red Society and the Old Gold Society.
Why is it important to give back to Phi Kappa Tau, even as an undergraduate or
recently graduated member?
This is an opinion question, but the key is always to remember how positive your
experience was and why you want to provide that experience for someone else. If
we all pitch in monetarily to provide better experiences for our members, we will
be passing along our values to a bigger and younger generation, making this
world a little better and making our Fraternity a little more successful.
What is the Chapter Educational Grant Fund?
Chapter Educational Grant (CEG) Funds are accounts set up within the
Foundation to receive gifts restricted for the educational benefit of specific
chapters. The local Board of Governors determines how the funds are utilized on
the chapter’s behalf. CEG Funds can be used to provide sponsorships for our
educational programs or even for educational items or repairs to a chapter house,
such as a chapter library or computer technology.
Why are CEG Funds important?
CEGs are important because they are tax-deductible donations, and they can
provide opportunities to send more than the minimum number of members to an
educational program. The more a CEG has in its holdings, the more scholarships,
logistical support for educational trips (gas, airplane tickets, etc).
How does our Foundation discussion relate to our creed discussion today?
Part of keeping strong your ties to your chapter is giving back, either in time or
finances. As we discussed with Boles, providing opportunities for young men to
have the same experience, or better, that you had as an undergraduate member
is crucial to maintaining the spirit of youth.
Boles said, “No matter how much I do for Phi Kappa Tau, I can never repay it for
all it has done for me.” What do you think he meant by this? Why do you think he
felt this way?
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Steer them towards what Phi Tau provides and how it can make a significant
impact on our members’ lives.
The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is such an essential part of Phi Kappa Tau that
two trustees from the board also sit on the National Council. I cannot stress to you
how important it is to remember the experiences and opportunities that are
available and afforded to you over the coming years, and to help provide for
members after you graduate so that they may have the impactful, life-changing
experiences, as well.
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Borradaile Challenge Standards: Communications
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Our topic today will focus on communications, which essentially entails the alumni
relations section of Phi Kappa Tau operations.
What is the communications standard?
Maxwell: Three alumni newsletters, two alumni events, maintenance of an
updated chapter website and one press release about a chapter event to The
Laurel and area/campus media.
Order of the Star: Two alumni newsletters, two alumni events and maintenance of
an updated website.
Basic: One alumni newsletter and one alumni event.
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Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
Communication with alumni is a key part of a good fraternity experience. Giving
Resident Council members an opportunity to network and connect with men from
all different ages, and giving alumni a chance to relive their fraternity experience
and mentor younger members is a wonderful aspect of Phi Kappa Tau. If your
chapter has little to no alumni communication or involvement, then you are not
providing a vital and fun part of a good fraternity experience.
How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
Clearly, keeping strong ties to your chapter to maintain the spirit of youth is the
motivation behind this standard. By expecting undergraduates to reach out first,
we are trying to remind the alumni of this line of the creed, and live it out as they
grow older.
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Communications: The Laurel
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
The Laurel of Phi Kappa Tau dates back as far as the adoption of the name Phi
Kappa Tau. While it is mostly in digital format these days, it is still an important
part of who we are and how we communicate with other members across the
country.
What is The Laurel?
The Laurel is the exoteric publication of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
Where can I find The Laurel?
Online at www.phikappatau.org
How often is The Laurel released?
Biannually.
What was the name of the national magazine before it was called The Laurel?
Sidelights.
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Why is The Laurel important to Phi Kappa Tau?
As a communication tool, it keeps members updated on the news and successes
of the Fraternity, and it’s a way to reach out to members who want to stay abreast
of where their fraternity is at. The Laurel provides a wide range of information,
from national initiatives to chapter news, and is one of the main communication
tools of Phi Kappa Tau.
How does The Laurel relate to our previous discussions today?
It is sponsored by the Foundation; it is a primary communication tool for alumni
(BC standard); it keeps strong your ties to your chapter through reading about
your fraternity chapter and your fraternity accomplishments as well as what the
organization is doing at a local level relative to an alumnus.
Submitting chapter news and accomplishments to the Executive Offices is easy
and important for Phi Kappa Tau. Under the news tab on the national website, just
click submit and either attach your press release or type it into the e-mail. Your
news stories make it onto the national website and usually end up in The Laurel!
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Programs: Good to Great Retreats
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
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“How can we make Phi Kappa Tau successful for the next 100 years?”
A National Council meeting in July 2006 began discussions of developing an
organizational strategic plan to answer this question. The concept took form, and
during a meeting in October 2006 in Chicago, the National Council formally and
unanimously adopted a motion to proceed with the Phi Kappa Tau strategic plan
based on our mission statement and the ideas and concepts found in “Good to
Great,” a book by Jim Collins.
The Fraternity's strategic plan will allow Phi Kappa Tau to improve operations,
chapters and programs.
Good t0 Great will uphold the goals of the strategic plan by focusing on the
process flow for success found in the book “Good to Great.”
These four retreats are:




Read to
Group
Recruiting Men of Character Retreat
Executive Council Retreat
Ritual Retreat
Response Ability
“Disciplined people, using disciplined thought, taking disciplined action.”
These four programs will address the seven characteristics of companies that left
good to achieve great. Those characteristics are:







First Who, Then What
Level Five Leadership
Confront the Brutal Facts
Hedgehog Concept
Culture of Discipline
The Flywheel
Technology
They will also tackle building greatness to last through preserving core values and
building clock towers, not just telling time.
The goal of these retreats is to provide the chapter specific and in-person
programming to create or improve these disciplines. Each retreat will have video
segments from “The Good to Great Experience,” the book’s faculty edition, and
will include a set of action plans for the chapter to set and complete after the
program.
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What are Good to Great Retreats?
Programs to provide the chapter specific and in-person programming to create or
improve these disciplines.
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What are the four programs that compose Good to Great Retreats?
Recruiting Men of Character Retreats, Ritual Retreats, ResponseAbility, Executive
Council Retreats.
What is the primary purpose of a Recruiting Men of Character Retreat?
The Recruiting Men of Character retreat focuses on the first of three disciplines to
take our organization from good to great; disciplined people. The Retreat focuses
on three sections: a chapter recruitment SWOT (strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, threats), active 365 day recruitment, and the Phi Kappa Tau 5-step
recruitment process. After the retreat, the chapter will be asked to put together a
comprehensive recruitment action plan based around our five step recruitment
process.
What is the Ritual Retreat?
The Ritual Retreat will focus on building greatness in their chapter to last through
the rituals and beliefs of Phi Kappa Tau. The retreat will focus on the role of ritual
in society and culture, an overview of all of our rituals, a walk through explanation
and in-depth discussion of our initiation ritual, a post-ritual discussion with
explanations of our secrets, preserving our core values to build greatness to last
and the role ritual plays in members lives at both a chapter and individual
members level. After the retreat, chapters will create action plans to better
implement all rituals of Phi Kappa Tau during the year and how to apply them to
daily chapter operations.
What is the Executive Council Retreat?
The Executive Council Retreat seeks to equip the leadership of the chapter by
focusing on all three disciplines of taking an organization from Good to Great;
disciplined people, using disciplined thought, taking disciplined action. The retreat
will focus on the following sections: Officer transitions, the incoming Council’s
group dynamics, fraternity and university policy, roles and responsibilities of an
executive council, Level Five Leadership, Confronting the Brutal facts, aligning a
shared vision and action planning. After the retreat, the chapter will be asked to
set a big hairy audacious goal for the year and create four to five individual officer
action plans for their term.
What is the Response Ability program?
Response Ability is a "reality-style" educational video program that helps viewers
understand how group dynamics can prevent people from taking action to stop
dangerous or unhealthy behaviors, and it demonstrates skills to successfully
intervene when these behaviors are witnessed.
How can your chapter sign up for a Good to Great Retreat?
Contact resource@phikappatau.org or call the Executive Offices at (513) 5234193.
How does moving from good to great relate to our honored members discussion
today?
Ewing T. Boles and Edgar E Brandon were not founders, but they believed in the
message and goals of the organization. Both men were successful in taking Phi
Kappa Tau from good to great. Brandon and Boles believed in making Phi Kappa
Tau an organization that would last long after their time on here, which makes an
organization truly great.
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Programs: Conclave
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Piloted in July of 2011, Conclave is an opportunity for you as members to network
with other undergraduate members, volunteers and staff in a fun and loose
environment.
What is Conclave?
The Phi Kappa Tau Conclave is an off-Convention-year event that will bring
brothers together from across the country to discuss Fraternity issues, visit Phi
Kappa Tau's founding sites, and celebrate chapter and individual member
achievement.
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When is Conclave?
Off Convention years.
How does Conclave present an opportunity for you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page 118. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
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Local History Pt. 2 (Optional)
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
You can skip this part if you do not know or have any important local history. If
you do choose to do a segment on local history, try to stay away from memorizing
dates and times, and instead focus on why the group formed, what it
accomplished, when it failed, how it is impacting you today, etc.
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177
Week Four Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 Ewing T. Boles Bio
 Boles and the Foundation
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 68-80.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 Good to Great Retreats pages (Programs tab)
 Scholarships page (Foundation Tab)
 Historical Vignette 1945 though 1969
(About KT tabResourcesVideos)
Exchange
Mark of Distinction—(Lead Your Chapter column)



Two Ways to Give Back to Phi Kappa Tau
PKT Flowchart—Week Four
Brothers Trust
(Our Heritage)
 History through the decades 1945 through 1969
 Jubilee celebration: Golden Jubilee
 Edgar E. Brandon Bio
 The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
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Creed
“I shall be loyal to my college and chapter, and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may
ever retain the spirit of youth.”
What does this line mean to you?
Why should you keep your ties to your
college strong? How can you do this?
How can you do this? Why should you
keep your ties to your chapter strong?
How will these ties retain your spirit of
youth?
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History of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (WWII-1969)
1949
Membership restrictions
removed
Significance?
1947
Victory Convention held
in Lake Wawasee, Ind.
Significance?
1950
President Maxwell pens
the creed
Significance?
1950
Founder Boyd enters
chapter eternal
Significance?
1957
Jack Anson publishes
“The Golden Jubilee
History of Phi Kappa Tau”
Significance?
1956
Phi Kappa Tau celebrates
its 50th Anniversary at
the Golden Jubilee
Significance?
1968
Phi Tau holds inaugural
IMPACT Program
Significance?
1958
Founder Shideler enters
Chapter Eternal
Significance?
1969
Phi Tau charters 52
chapters in 23 years
Significance:
How do you think the end of World War II and the GI Bill affected Phi Tau?
What significant members died during this time period? What impact do you think these deaths had on Phi Kappa Tau?
180
Ewing T. Boles
“No matter how much I do for Phi
Kappa Tau, I can never repay it for all
p.for me.”
it has done
—Ewing T. Boles
What role did Boles play in the
development of Phi Kappa Tau?
How did Boles stay loyal to his college?
To his chapter?
What was the Boles Challenge?
If Boles wasn’t one of the original
Founder Four, why has he been made an
honorary one?
181
Dr. Edgar E. Brandon
What role did Brandon play in the
founding and development of Phi Kappa
Tau?
How did his involvement in Phi Kappa
Tau help him retain the spirit of youth?
How did Edgar Brandon remain loyal to
his college and chapter?
How is Brandon’s involvement in Phi
Kappa Tau relevant to our Fraternity
today?
182
Two Ways to Give Back to Phi Kappa Tau
Donate Your:
Donate Your:
Time
Money
183
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Structure
National Convention
Coordinating
Council
Foundation Board
National Council
Chief
Executive
Officer
Fraternity
Committees
Foundation
Executive
Director
Executive Offices
Staff
Domain Director
Graduate Council
Board of
Governors
Housing
Cooperation
Resident Council
Executive Director Phi
Kappa Tau Foundation
Assists in fund-raising
strategies with the alumni;
Maintains and manages all
chapter-specific scholarship
and endowment funds in the
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
Trustee Phi Kappa Tau
Foundation
Serves on the Foundation’s
Board of Trustees; Reviews and
decides on policy decisions
related to fundraising,
investing of assets, and
granting of awards and
scholarships.
184
Brothers Trust
If you are an undergraduate Phi Tau or a brother who graduated within the past five years, this
invitation is for you!
What is Brothers Trust?
Brothers Trust is a group of Phi Tau men—undergraduates and recent graduates—who have
decided to expand their support of their Fraternity by making a financial contribution to the Phi
Kappa Tau Foundation.
The Foundation is a charitable organization that accepts contributions from thousands of Phi
Taus, parents and friends. The Foundation’s volunteer Board of Trustees invests gifted dollars
and delivers the funds to the Fraternity to help support an array of initiatives—from leadership
development programs to scholarships to stipends that assist our Hole in the Wall Camp
volunteers.
Through your participation in Brothers Trust, you join other Phi Taus in supporting the
Fraternity and establishing an early and commendable pattern of giving that will help your
Fraternity today and for generations to come.
Are there levels of giving?
Gifts of all dollar amounts are needed and gratefully received and acknowledged. You should
determine the level of giving that is right for you. All Brothers Trust donors will be recognized at
appropriate events, such as Convention, with a special nametag ribbon, and listed in appropriate
publications.
Thresholds of giving:
Harvard Red Society
Undergraduate donors who commit $60 annually, either through a one-time gift or with 12
equal payments of $5 monthly. Donors will be recognized by a special lapel pin and listing in
appropriate publications.
Old Gold Society
Members of the past five graduating classes (currently going back to 2006) who commit $120
annually, either through a one-time gift or with 12 equal payments of $10 monthly. Donors will
be recognized by a special lapel pin and listing in appropriate publications.
185
How do I participate?
To make your gift, go to www.phikappatau.org/donate and click on the "Brothers Trust"
button. Follow the steps from there to make your secure online gift.
Alternatively, you may call Foundation Administrative Assistant Angie VanWinkle at 513-5234193 x224, and she will help you establish membership in the Brothers Trust.
Thank you for your support!
186
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
What is the Foundation? How is it
governed? What does it fund?
What is the Foundation’s main function
in Phi Kappa Tau?
What is the Brothers Trust?
What is a CEG? Why is it important?
Why is it important to give back to Phi
Kappa Tau?
187
dddd
The Foundation and You
How does the Foundation relate back to
our purpose creed discussion today?
“No matter how much I do for Phi
Kappa Tau, I can never repay it for all it
has done for me.”
—Ewing T. Boles
What do you think he meant by that
statement? Why do you think he felt that
way?
188
Borradaile Challenge: Communications
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: Three alumni newsletters, two alumni events, maintenance of an
updated chapter website and one press release about a chapter event to The
Laurel and area/campus media.
Order of the Star: Two alumni newsletters, two alumni events and
maintenance of an updated website.
Basic: One alumni newsletter and one alumni event.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
189
The Laurel
What is The Laurel? Where can I find
The Laurel? How often is The Laurel
released?
Why is The Laurel important to Phi
Kappa Tau?
What was the name of the national
magazine before The Laurel?
How does The Laurel keep ties to our
chapter strong?
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Good to Great Retreats
What are Good to Great Retreats?
What four programs compose Good to
Great Retreats?
Where can you or your chapter leaders
sign up for a Good to Great Retreat?
How does the concept of moving from
good to great relate to our honored
members discussion today?
191
Good to Great Retreats (cont.)
What are the focuses of the Recruiting
Men of Character Retreat?
What are the focuses of the Executive
Council Retreat?
What are the focuses of the Ritual
Retreat?
What are the focuses of the
ResponseAbility?
192
Conclave
What is Conclave?
When is Conclave?
What opportunities does Conclave
provide you as a member?
“Conclave is a heck of a lot of fun!”
—Alex Koehler, Mount Union ‘06
193
Week Five Prep
Task
Done
Critically read and review week five curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with Hole in the Wall Camp attendee regarding week five
facilitation.
Contact Vice President and service chairman regarding upcoming service
event that associates will plan for the entire chapter to participate.
E-mail/text associates reminding them of initiation fee due week six.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Write your chapter adviser a thank you letter for helping to facilitate week
four.
Review agenda for week five with chapter adviser.
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Week Five
“I shall be a good and loyal citizen.”
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong
commitment to … exemplary character.
Creed and Mission Statement Discussion
History
1969 through Today
Founding Father Spotlight
Dwight “Fat” Douglass
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
National Convention
National Programs
Hole in the Wall Camps
Founders Month of Service
Borradaile Challenge Standards
Community Service
Philanthropy
Associate Class Community Service Project
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Week Five
120 Minutes
Session Objectives







The associate member will learn the fifth line of the creed and the exemplary character
part of our mission statement.
The associate member will learn the history of Phi Kappa Tau from 1969 through Today
The associate member will learn about Dwight I. Douglass
The associate member will learn about National Convention
The associate member will learn about Hole in the Wall Camps and Founders Month of
Service
The associate member will learn Borradaile Challenge standards: Community Service and
Philanthropy
The associate member will help the AM class plan and implement a community service
project
Guest Speaker

An undergraduate member who attended Hole in the Wall Camps
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
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Creed: Line Five
Championing a Lifelong Commitment to … Exemplary Character
Discussion
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
This week, we will be looking at individual values as we delve into the aspects of
character and citizenship. Before we dive in, let’s recap from last week’s creed
discussion.
Did you see any examples of alumni or outside members keeping strong their ties
to their college or chapter this semester? What did they do?
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What does it mean to you to be a good and loyal citizen?
Giving back to your community; being engaged in public service, community
organizations, etc.; participating in the democratic process at a local, state and
federal level; providing resources (financially and otherwise) to help the less
fortunate and those in need, among others.
Why do you think this is part of our creed?
As fraternity men it is important to better the world around us. By engaging
196
civically and doing all the things listed above, you are fulfilling your duty as a
fraternity man and living the values of Phi kappa Tau.
What does it mean to champion a lifelong commitment to exemplary character?
It means dedicating strong life to your values. Exemplary character stems from
living by your moral compass or values, in this case, the moral compass would be
the cardinal principles of Phi Kappa Tau. To champion a lifelong commitment to
exemplary character means to live these values every day.
Why is this relevant to our mission as members of Phi Kappa Tau?
As a values-based organization, character is the result of living by our own values.
If we did not strive for exemplary character, it would completely defeat the
purpose of being in a values-based organization.
How can you live these values in your daily life?
By trying to live these values a little bit better every day.
These may be the most individual and universal values that we have discussed so
far. This is what we stand for and what you represent on your campus and in your
community.
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History of Phi Kappa Tau: 1969-Centennial
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Many of the programs and functions we have learned about over the past few
weeks were introduced and developed during this period of time. From our
candlelight ceremony to our Leadership Academy, the second half of the 20th
century laid the foundation for today’s Phi Tau.
Why was the Convention in 1974 postponed? What significance did it have on Phi
Kappa Tau?
Budgetary issues, gas shortage and the ability to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee,
which was on an odd year. This was significant because it really outlined the dire
straits that both the Fraternity and country were in financially at the time.
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Why is the Candlelight Ceremony important to us as men of Phi Kappa Tau?
It has become almost a step below a ritual in Phi Kappa Tau. It is performed at
every National Brotherhood Banquet and is considered one of the most popular
events for our members.
Why is the creation of the Borradaile Challenge in 1977 important to us as
members of Phi Kappa Tau today?
It was the basis for how we would eventually implement standards for chapters,
starting in 2004. Although the criteria were slightly different in 1977, it gave us a
great foundation to implement these ideas.
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What impact did the Boles Challenge have on Phi Kappa Tau?
It was the single largest gift ever given to a men’s fraternity at the time. It basically
gave us an operating foundation to provide scholarships and stipends for
educational initiatives.
What impact do you think the institution of Leadership Academy had on Phi
Kappa Tau?
It gave us a way to educate members on an individual level and teach them the
tools become effective leaders both in their chapter and life. It also gave them
another window to involve themselves on a national level and get to know Phi
Taus from around the country.
Why was it important for Phi Kappa Tau to adopt standards for scholarship?
Before these standards were put into place, it was really up to a chapter to decide
what its standards were, and many didn’t have any. This solved a lot of that
problem by setting a standard that chapters would have to follow so that members
could stay eligible in school and get a degree.
What impact do you think adopting the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps has
had on Phi Kappa Tau?
It has changed some of the direction of the organization. We are a lot more
service-oriented now and have provided chances for our members to impact
terminally ill children, and chances for these children to impact our members and
change them for life.
Why is Past National President Charlie Ball’s writing “From Old Main to a New
Century” important to us as Phi Kappa Tau?
This is only one of two written histories of our fraternity, and the only one written
after 1957.
What do you think is so significant about having a Centennial Celebration?
It is a celebration of 100 years and this is a benchmark for any organization,
fraternity or otherwise.
While Phi Kappa Tau has gone through some significant changes since our
Centennial Celebration in 2006, understanding the origins and growth of Phi
Kappa Tau through the first 100 years is crucial to understanding where we are
heading for the next 100 years. As a volunteer-oriented organization, the ball will
be in your court one day to carry on the traditions, principles and successes of Phi
Kappa Tau. As you can see from our history, it is our volunteers that drive the
engine that is Phi Kappa Tau.
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Founding Father Spotlight: Dwight “Fat” Douglass
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
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Read to
Group
Since we are talking about citizenship, today’s founding father spotlight will focus
on Phi Kappa Tau’s least known founder, Dwight I. Douglass.
What role did Douglass play in the founding and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
Douglass, the elder member of the founders, had been crusading for a nonfraternity organization and representation for more than a year by the time he
helped found the Non-Fraternity Association in 1906. He took minutes at the
meeting that founded the NFA. With Borradaile, he was the most instrumental in
organizing non-fraternity men and creating an alliance with Delta Rho and Phi
Delta Theta. Although he only attended one Convention, it just happened to be
the most impactful one, the 1917 Convention. His role was more in the founding
than the development, although he remained excited for the growth of Phi Kappa
Tau during his life.
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How was Douglass a good and loyal citizen during his life?
Although he was a college graduate, he enlisted in the armed forces for World
War I. He dedicated his life to his country, suffering a gas attack that left him
mentally and physically impaired the rest of his life. After the war, he worked for
the Veterans Administration, still serving his country despite his physical
instability.
How did Douglass champion a lifelong commitment to … exemplary character in
his life?
Throughout his younger life, Douglass was well read and involved in his schools.
He stepped up to serve his country despite his education, and continued serving
even though he had been gassed during the war. He managed to get married and
raise a family, writing short stories when his health started failing. His
perseverance is a key point to his character, even as an undergraduate, due to
his ability to keep trying to organize non-fraternity men after so many students had
failed in the past.
Although not much is known of Douglass after his service in World War I, he was
the key piece in the initial organization of the group that evolved into Phi Kappa
Tau. He served his Fraternity and country loyally, and despite his lack of
involvement after the war, he lived the values of Phi Tau until the day he died.
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National Convention
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
National Convention is the most important governing structure in Phi Kappa Tau.
At convention, National Councilors and National Vice Presidents are elected,
delegates vote on key legislation that change Phi Kappa Tau forever, and it is the
best opportunity for you as a member to meet undergraduate and alumni
members from all walks of life.
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What is National Convention?
National Convention is the supreme legislative body of the Fraternity. It is a
biennial event, and the National Council determines where it will be held. At
Convention, members elect national officers, determine National Constitution and
Statues changes, and make recommendations on the policies and operation of
the Fraternity.
Who can attend National Convention?
Any member, associate undergraduate or graduate. There is no limit to the
number of attending members per chapter, however, those chapter members who
are not either the head delegate or alternate delegate will take part in all
Convention activities except for direct participation in Convention floor debate.
Who is allowed to vote at national convention?
Every chapter is allowed one undergraduate voting delegate and one graduate
delegate. Each National Councilor is also allowed one vote.
Processing
Why is it so important to send representatives from your chapter to Convention?
As the supreme legislative body of the Fraternity, not only are you voting on
legislation that will affect the organization for years to come, but you will also be
electing representatives to the National Council who will affect the organization as
they set policy and initiatives to better Phi Kappa Tau. If you do not have a
representative to vote for your chapter, than you cannot complain about the
direction or legislation that passes at Convention.
When is convention held?
Every two years in the summer.
How does attending and participating in National Convention live up to our values
of being a good and loyal citizen?
Part of being a good and loyal citizen is taking part in the democratic process. By
participating in Convention you are practicing the same process by which our
government is run. If you cannot learn to represent your chapter in the Fraternity,
how will you be able to represent yourself in the American government: It is up to
you as a member and citizen to be involved with politics and democracy.
What opportunities does the National Convention provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
I cannot stress to you how important the National Convention is. The direction and
influence of the Fraternity has been swayed and decided many times at
Convention, and if you do not represent your chapter than you are not only losing
out on a chance to be a part of that influence, but also a chance to better
understand democracy and legislation. Democratic ideals were a major factor in
the founding of the Non-Fraternity Association, and we as members of Phi Kappa
Tau and citizens of America should be active and passionate about participating
in that process.
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Logistical
Programs: Hole in the Wall Camps and Founders Month of Service
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
200
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If Hole in the Wall Camps attendee is in attendance, allow him to facilitate the
discussion as much as possible.
Read to
Group
Hole in the Wall Camps and Founders Month of Service are two unique ways to
live the values of Phi Kappa Tau throughout the course of your life. With both
programs we have great success at both an undergraduate and graduate level, a
real testament to the creed discussion we had last week. Today we will explore
some more details of these programs and how you as an associate,
undergraduate or graduate member can get involved. Let’s start with Hole in the
Wall Camps.
What are Hole in the Wall Camps?
Hole in the Wall Camps provide a safe summer camp experience for children with
serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions.
Who founded them? What was his career?
Paul Newman, Ohio ’43. Newman was a famous actor, philanthropist and race car
enthusiast.
When and why were the HITW camps founded?
They were founded in 1988 to positively change the lives of children living with
serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Designed for fun with a
therapeutic impact, camp fosters optimism and personal growth, boosts
confidence and self-esteem.
How many camps are there? Where are they located?
More than a dozen located all over the world.
What camp is closest to our chapter?
This is a local specific question.
Processing
When and why did Phi Kappa Tau adopt the Hole in the Wall Camps as its
national philanthropy?
The Fraternity adopted the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps as its national
philanthropy in 1995. Since then, Phi Kappa Tau members have supported the
camps through philanthropy and service.
All campers attend for free, so by donating money you providing an experience to
kids for free and to families who are already strapped by medical expenditures in
most cases.
What makes our relationship with the HITW Camps unique from other fraternities
and their national philanthropies?
Phi Tau members travel to Hole in the Wall Camps throughout the country and
overseas to serve as positive male role models. Hundreds of men volunteer as
cabin counselors, activity specialists, unit leaders, and other camp staff during a
week or summer as a camp counselor. The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation provides
up to $300 in travel stipends to any undergraduate who volunteers at a camp.
Most fraternities only donate money to their philanthropy; they don’t get involved
personally.
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When can I volunteer at these camps?
For a weekend, or series of weeks in the summer; or during the school year.
Where can you find the stipend application for the Foundation to reimburse your
travel to a camp?
On the national website, www.phikappatau.org-->Programs-->Hole in the Wall
Camps-->Stipend Application.
Transition into Founders Month of Service.
What is The Founders Month of Service?
In alignment with the service strategic imperative of the strategic plan, the
Fraternity participates in service events each March to honor its Founders. The
initiative surrounds Phi Kappa Tau's Founders Day (March 17).
Why was it instituted?
The Fraternity's founders' principles of democracy, integrity, equality and
brotherhood are just as important to Phi Kappa Tau today as they were more than
100 years ago. During the Founders Month of Service, brothers can better
understand.
When is it?
During the entire month of March.
What did your chapter do for FMOS last year?
This is a local specific question.
Why is it so critical to participate in FMOS?
This is THE service initiative of Phi Kappa Tau, and it’s important to live our
values and celebrate all the great things we do as men of Phi Kappa Tau. As this
event grows you do not want to be left out of this great experience!
Why is it important to advertise our events during FMOS?
While fraternities tend to receive more bad press than good, this is an opportunity
to show your campus and your community the great things you are doing and how
you are living the values of Phi Kappa Tau.
Where can you find sample press releases to advertise these events on your
campus, in your community and within Phi Kappa Tau?
On the national website:
www.phikappatau.org-->Programs-->Founders Month of ServiceCreate a
Successful FMOS EventClick here to for an example press release.
How does raising money for and volunteering at HITW Camps fulfill our duty to be
a good and loyal citizen?
Part of being a good and loyal citizen is giving back to your community and the
world around you. By doing these things for HITW, you are positively impacting
children with serious illnesses and getting an experience that anybody who has
volunteered at camp will tell you is second to none.
How does participating in FMOS fulfill our duty of being good and loyal citizens?
Part of being a good and loyal citizen is giving back to your community and the
world around you.
202
How does raising money for and volunteering at HITW Camps fulfill our mission of
championing a lifelong commitment to exemplary character?
Part of exemplary character is selflessness and caring about others as much as
you care about yourself. By learning and implementing the values of service, you
are living the values of exemplary character.
How does participating in FMOS fulfill our mission of championing a lifelong
commitment to exemplary character?
Part of exemplary character is selflessness and caring about others as much as
you care about yourself. By learning and implementing the values of service, you
are living the values of exemplary character.
What opportunities do the Hole in the Wall Experience and Founders Month of
Service provide you as a member?
See phikappatu.org.
These two programs are sponsored by the National Fraternity. It is just as
important to make a difference in our local community, and in some ways more
rewarding because we can see immediate effects. As you grow into an
undergraduate member, these values will impact your life in indescribable ways,
and it is my hope that you get the positive service experience that so many before
you have had.
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Logistical
Instructions
Borradaile Challenge Standards: Community Service and Philanthropy
Break the class into two groups and assign each group a standard. Each group
should discuss questions on the activity sheets.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Read to
Group
You will have about 10 minutes to discuss each standard with your small group.
Your discussion should mirror the questions found on your activity sheet, which
can be found on pages 148 and 149. After 10 minutes, have one member of your
group explain your answers to the large group. Please take notes for every
standard even though you will only be discussing one.
After 8-9 minutes wrap up the discussion and have each group answer these
questions:
What is your standard?
Community Service or Philanthropy.
Processing
Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
Community Service—It is a major player in Phi Kappa Tau’s values. Being a good
and loyal citizen involves giving back to your community, and we believe part of
having a good fraternity experience is learning the value of service.
203
Philanthropy—Since HITW is our national philanthropy, it stands to reason that
part of a good fraternity experience is philanthropy. Whether it’s through HITW or
otherwise, learning the providing financial stability to worthy charities is a timeless
lesson that is often overlooked in today’s society.
How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
Community Service—Good and loyal citizenship and exemplary character.
Philanthropy—Good and loyal citizenship and exemplary character.
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Associate Class Service Project
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
In the spirit of today’s meeting, you are now going to plan, organize and
implement a service event with our whole chapter and an organization that is not
greek-letter oriented. You can invite more than one organization, but at least one
must be a non-greek organization.
What will the event be?
What are the dates we are looking at for this event?
Which organization(s) will we invite? Why?
Processing
How will this event live up to the purpose statement discussion we have had so
far?
Assignments for next week’s meeting can be found on page 152. Please
come prepared with all assignments complete.
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Week Five Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 Dwight I. Douglass Bio
 National Convention
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 81-95.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 Hole in the Wall page (Programs Tab)
 Founders Month of Service (Programs Tab)
 Historical Vignette 1969 through Centennial
(About KT tabResourcesVideos)
 Hole in the Wall Camps Video
(About KT tabResourcesVideos)
 National Convention (Programs Tab)
Exchange
Mark of Distinction—(Lead Your Chapter column)

Constitution—National Convention
(Our Heritage)
 History through the decades 1965 through Centennial
 Jubilee celebration: Diamond Jubilee, Centennial Celebration
 Hole in the Wall Camps
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Creed
“I shall be a good and loyal citizen.”
What does the being a good and loyal
citizen mean to you?
How can you live these values in your
daily life?
Why do you think being a good and loyal
citizen is part of our creed as men of Phi
Kappa Tau?
"No one is born a good citizen; no nation
is born a democracy. Rather, both are
processes that continue to evolve over a
lifetime. Young people must be included
from birth. A society that cuts off from
its youth severs its lifeline."
—Kofi Annan,
Former Secretary General of the United
Nations
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Mission Statement
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to … exemplary
character.
What does it mean to champion a
lifelong commitment to exemplary
character?
How can you live these values in your
daily life?
Why is this relevant to our mission as
members of Phi Kappa Tau?
“Character is doing the right thing when
nobody's looking.”
—JC Watts,
Former United States Congressman
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History of Phi Kappa Tau Timeline (1969-2006)
1975
First Candlelight
Ceremony
Significance?
1982
Ewing T. Boles issues the
Boles Challenge
Significance?
1989
Standards for scholarship
are adopted
1996
Charlie Ball writes “From
Old Main to a New
Century”
Significance?
Significance?
1974
Convention postponed
Significance?
1977
Borradaile Challenge
created
Significance?
1988
Inaugural Leadership
Academy held
Significance?
1995
Hole in the Wall Camps
are adopted as national
philanthropy
Significance?
2006
Centennial Celebration
Significance?
How do you think the financial struggles during the 1970s affected Phi Kappa Tau? Why do you think so many advisers left during this
time period?
What significant members died during this time period? What impact do you think these deaths had on Phi Kappa Tau?
208
Dwight “Fat” Douglass
What role did Douglass play in the founding
and development of Phi Kappa Tau?
How was Douglass a good and loyal citizen?
How did Douglass champion a lifelong
commitment to exemplary character?
209
The Constitution of Phi Kappa Tau
ARTICLE E
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
I. Time of Meeting, Power and Duties of National Convention. The National Fraternity
shall assemble once each two years in National Convention, keep a record of its proceedings,
and cause a summary of its actions to be published and distributed to the chapters and National
Officers. The National Convention so assembled shall be the supreme legislative body of the
National Fraternity and shall consist of one (1) delegate from each Resident Council, one (1)
delegate from each Graduate Council, and the National Officers. This body shall formulate
policies and elect such National Officers as the Constitution directs. It may instruct the National
Council and all other National Officers as to policies for the period preceding the next National
Convention. Between National Conventions the National Council may enact such legislation as
it deems necessary for the proper governance of the Fraternity. Any assembly of the National
Convention may be postponed or suspended by vote of the Resident Councils. The questions of
postponement or suspension shall be submitted by the National Council on its own motion to
the several Resident Councils or by the written request of any five (5) Resident Councils. See
Statutes--Title III.
II. Voting in National Convention. Each Resident Council shall be entitled to be
represented by one (1) voting delegate, each Graduate Council having an approved organization
shall be entitled to be represented by one (1) voting delegate, the National Officers and Past
Presidents shall each be entitled to one (1) vote except when voting on amendments to the
Constitution at which time only each credentialed Resident Council and Graduate Council shall
be entitled to one (1) vote. Presence on the Convention floor when the question is called shall be
necessary to exercise a vote and attendance at the Convention session of a majority of the
credentialed delegates shall constitute a quorum.
III. Levying Monies. All assessments and fees shall be levied by the National Convention
or, between Conventions, by the National Council.
IV. Investments. All properties and investments of the National Fraternity shall be
under the direction of the National Council.
V. Retroactive Law. No retroactive law shall be enacted.
VI. Robert's Rules of Order (Latest Revision) shall govern the meetings of the
Convention, the Councils, and the Committees of this Fraternity to the extent such Rules of
Order are not inconsistent with this Constitution and Statutes.
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National Convention
What is National Convention?
When is it held?
Who can attend Convention?
Who can vote at Convention?
Why is it so important to have
representatives of your chapter at
Convention?
What opportunities does the National
Convention provide you as a member?
211
National Convention and You
How does attending and participating in
National Convention make you a good
and loyal citizen of Phi Kappa Tau?
How does attending and participating in
National Convention champion a lifelong
commitment to exemplary character?
212
Hole in the Wall Camps
“Camp is a place where you learn to live life better because you can do all sorts of things you
never thought you’d do again.”
—Hole in the Wall Camper
What are Hole in the Wall Camps?
Where are Hole in the Wall Camps
located?
Who founded Hole in the Wall Camps?
When were Hole in the Wall Camps
founded? Why were they founded?
What opportunities does the Hole in the
Wall Experience provide you as a
member?
213
Hole in the Wall and Phi Kappa Tau
“Each year, Phi Taus make up the majority of male volunteers at our camps.”
—Association of Hole in the Wall Camps
What is the camp nearest to your
chapter? When can you volunteer at
camp?
When and why did Phi Kappa Tau adopt
Hole in the Wall Camps as its national
philanthropy?
What makes Phi Kappa Tau’s
relationship with Hole in the Wall
Camps unique from other
philanthropies?
Where can you find stipend applications
to reimburse your travel to volunteer at a
camp?
214
Founders Month of Service
“Given the fact that our members always participate in service activities, it was no surprise that
our undergraduates and alumni rose to the challenge of setting aside one month to participate in
service activities to honor our Founders.”
—Matt Parker, Evansville ’93
Phi Kappa Tau National Service Adviser
What is Founders Month of Service?
When is it?
Why was Founder Month of Service
implemented into Phi Kappa Tau?
What opportunities does Founders
Month of Service provide you as a
member?
Why is participation in Founders Month
of Service so imperative?
215
Our Service Initiatives and You
“We need to be more like the farmer who puts back into the soil what he takes out.”
—Paul Newman, Ohio ’43
How does raising money and
volunteering for Hole in the Wall Camps
fulfill our duty to be good and loyal
citizens?
How does participating in Founders
Month of Service fulfill our duty to be
good and loyal citizens?
How does raising money and
volunteering for Hole in the Wall Camps
champion a lifelong commitment to
exemplary character?
How does participation in Founders
Month of Service champion a lifelong
commitment to exemplary character?
216
Borradaile Challenge: Service
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: Average of 20 hours per man and minimum one Hole in the Wall
Camp Volunteer.
Order of the Star: Average of 10 hours per man.
Basic: Average of 5 hours per man.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
217
Borradaile Challenge: Philanthropy
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: $3,000 contributed to any philanthropy, with minimum $1,500 to
Hole in the Wall Camps.
Order of the Star: $1,500 contributed to any philanthropy, with minimum
$750 to Hole in the Wall Camps.
Basic: $750 contributed to any philanthropy, with minimum $375 to Hole in
the Wall Camps.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
218
Service Activity
What did we decide will be our activity?
When will this event be held?
Bearing in mind our creed and mission
statement discussions so far, how will
this event help fulfill our commitment to
our values?
Which organizations will you be inviting
to the event? Why?
219
Week Six Prep
Task
Done
Critically read and review week six curriculum and assignments.
Follow up with Greek/IFC Adviser regarding week six facilitation.
Ensure executive council review and approval of brotherhood event organized
for the entire chapter to participate.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of initiation fee due week six.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of national exam and initiation date.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of the next associate member meeting.
Write a thank you letter to the Hole in the Wall attendee for helping to
facilitate week five.
Review agenda for week six with chapter adviser.
220
Week Six
“I shall discharge the obligation to others which arises from the
fact that I am a fraternity man.”
The vision of Phi Kappa Tau is to be recognized as a leadership
organization that binds men together and challenges them to
improve their campuses and the world.
Creed and Vision Statement Discussion
Honored Brothers Spotlight
Roland Maxwell
Jack Anson
Risk Management Spotlight
Sexual Abuse
Fire, Health and Safety
Phi Kappa Tau Structure and Operations
Executive Offices
“Nationals” Misnomer
Borradaile Challenge Standards
National Participation
Required Reports
Communications
The Planner
MO Wrap-up
221
Week Six
120 Minutes
Session Objectives






The associate member will learn the sixth line of our creed and the vision statement
The associate member will learn about Roland Maxwell and Jack Anson
The associate member will learn risk management policies: sexual abuse and fire, health,
and safety
The associate member will learn about the Executive Offices and the “Nationals”
misnomer
The associate member will learn Borradaile Challenge standards: National Participation,
Required Reports
The associate member will learn about the Planner
Guest Speaker

Greek/IFC Adviser or IFC President
Session Notes

Make sure EVERY member is taking notes—this will ensure that all of your associate
members are absorbing the material
Session Outline
15/120
Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Creed: Line Six
The Vision Statement
Discussion
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
Since this is your last week of membership orientation, we will be focusing on your
future in Phi Kappa Tau, both as an undergraduate and graduate member. First,
let’s wrap up our discussion from last week.
Did you see any members living the values of being a good and loyal citizen this
week? What did they do?
Did you see anybody embody championing a lifelong commitment to exemplary
character this week? What did they do?
Processing
What does this last line of the creed mean to you?
As a man of Phi Kappa Tau, it is your privilege and duty to put others before
yourself. By discharging the obligation to others, you are not only having to put
values into action, but also try to rope along other people, members or not, to join
your pursuit in living the values of Phi Kappa Tau. As we have learned over six
weeks, as a values-based organization, we are bound by our duties to our values,
specifically the purpose statements and our cardinal principles. By pulling other
222
people along to live these values, you are living up to this last line.
What does our vision statement mean to you?
It means that of Phi Kappa Tau are bound together in brotherhood through our
values. Challenging our men to change their campuses and the world may seem
like a large task, making a profound difference is never easy. While small service
or philanthropy events may mean an hour or two to one of our members, it could
mean the difference between hunger or contentment, happiness or depression,
life or death for someone else. Many times we as students and young men don’t
understand the overwhelming impact we can have on people’s lives by binding
together and acting as a unit.
How does this line of the creed apply to your transition from associate
membership to undergraduate membership?
As you transition from associate members to undergraduate members, the
cardinal principles will be revealed for you to uphold and strive to attain for the
rest of your life. It is your job to make sure other members in the chapter uphold
these standards, because a chapter is only as strong as its weakest link. It will be
your job as members to hold each other accountable and strive to attain our ideals
and uphold our oath every day. Phi Kappa Tau is truly only as good as its
membership makes it; if you allow members to drag it through the mud than it is
as much on you as it is the member who smears it.
How does our vision statement relate to your transition from associate
membership to undergraduate membership?
As members in Phi Kappa Tau, this is what you are working to achieve, a group of
men bound together to change your campus in the world. Although it sounds a
little ridiculous, as men believing in high principles we should be excited about this
opportunity to live our ideals and impact people’s lives. If you as a member cannot
have a true understanding of our vision as a Fraternity, how can we ever achieve
it?
Short of the cardinal principles, you have learned all of the values of Phi Kappa
Tau. While it seems like a tall task to achieve these values, remember that they
are vague and hard to reach for a reason—to keep you striving for improvement
every day. And while the vision statement sounds a bit ridiculous, let me remind
you of a quote that was not written by a Phi Tau, but one that we hold dear to our
hearts.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead.
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Honored Brothers Spotlight: Jack Anson and Roland Maxwell
Logistical
Instructions
Split the group into two and assign each group an honored brother.
Read to
Group
Similar to the two men we discussed in week four, Maxwell and Anson were not
founders, nor were they responsible for developing our organization in its infancy.
223
As you are initiated and eventually become leaders in the chapter, it will be your
responsibility to leave the organization better than when you joined it. These two
men brought Phi Kappa Tau to the next level because they loved fraternity, and
more importantly, they loved Phi Kappa Tau. Their passion left an indelible mark
on our Fraternity.
What role did Maxwell play in the development of Phi Kappa Tau?
National President of Phi Kappa Tau for 25 years; charter member of Pi chapter at
Southern California in 1922; domain chief, grand councilor, and vice president of
the foundation.
In what ways did Maxwell “try always to discharge the obligation” to others due to
his fraternity membership?
He wrote the creed so that members may have a system of ideals to understand
and abide by. His 25 year tenure as National President set a standard of
volunteerism that has been unmatched since. He helped lay the foundation for
much of Phi Tau during this time.
How did Maxwell fulfill the vision of binding men together and challenging them to
improve their campuses and the world?
He was very involved in his church, the theater and arts, and Phi Kappa Tau.
Much of his work involved uniting members across the country in the cardinal
principles of Phi Kappa Tau, writing out the creed that would go on to become the
public statement of who we are as members of Phi Kappa Tau. He was also
heavily involved in the interfraternal movement, binding men from all fraternities
together in the pursuit of a standard of living higher values.
Processing
What role did Anson play in the development of Phi Kappa Tau?
Almost every role culminating with executive director. At the time of his death he
had recently been elected to the vice presidency of Phi Kappa Tau. He also wrote
one of two histories about Phi Tau, named The Golden Jubilee.
In what ways did Anson “try always to discharge the obligation to others” due to
his Fraternity membership?”
How did Anson fulfill the vision of binding men together and challenging them to
improve their campuses and the world?
Anson was an important leader in the American college interfraternity movement
and was known as "Mr. Fraternity." Under Anson's leadership as executive
director of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, college fraternities and
sororities gained an exemption from Title IX legislation to preserve the single-sex
nature of the organizations.
Anson set the example for bringing men together for a common cause, specifically
that of living a life of core values.
Both Anson and Maxwell set a standard for Phi Tau that brought our Fraternity to
brand-new heights. These brothers are a prime example of how a lifelong
commitment to our principles and Fraternity can make an impact on thousands of
brothers. As you transition into undergraduate membership, I hope you keep
these two men in the back of your minds. They are great role models for members
of Phi Kappa Tau.
224
30/120
Risk Management Spotlight: Sexual Abuse and Fire, Health, and Safety
For the first ten minutes the group will start out together to discuss the worksheets
in the workbook related to hazing, alcohol and drugs. After the graphic organizers
for those two categories are filled out, split the class into four groups. Each one
will get an article from the workbook.
Logistical
Instructions
There are four articles to assign, two involving hazing and two involving alcohol
and drugs. They will have ten minutes to answer the questions related to their
article.
After 10 minutes, each group will read their answers and explain their answers.
Other groups should be taking notes so that all graphic organizers all filled out by
the end of the module. This will take about 10 minutes as well.
Read to
Group
Today we are wrapping up our discussion of Phi Kappa Tau’s risk management
policy. We are focusing our discussion on the policies of sexual abuse and
harassment, as well as fire, health and safety.
Sexual abuse and harassment is a consistent problem for fraternities across the
country.
In your own words, what is sexual assault?
Sexual assault, conduct or rape is defined as an act of sexual contact or
penetration with a person against his/her will.
In your own words, what is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is defined as the unwelcome, unreciprocated imposition of
sexual attention, usually in the context of a relationship of unequal power.
What are the two types of sexual abuse we learned about from our readings?
Verbal and Physical.
Processing
What are some examples of verbal abuse?
Whistling, humor, and jokes about sex or male-or female-specific traits;
suggestive or insulting sounds; sexual innuendoes about you or someone else's
personal appearance; sexual innuendoes about you or someone else's sexual
activities; demands for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats.
What are some examples of physical abuse?
Any inappropriate touching, pinching or patting, brushing against someone else's
body, coerced sexual intercourse, assault or rape.
Why do you think sexual abuse occurs?
The social environment that encourages males to be aggressive and females to
be passive is ripe for sexual abuse. Sexual harassment and rape are issues of
power abuse. If we can understand how gender role stereotyping often leads to
power imbalances, we can better understand how the phenomenon of sexual
abuse happens in our society.
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What can we do as individual members to prevent or minimize sexual abuse?
Understand that you are responsible for your own actions as an individual and a
member of a group. Understand your own sexuality and be aware of social
pressures. Don't assume that previous permission for sexual activity applies to the
current situation. Don't assume that just because someone dresses in a "sexy"
manner and flirts that she/he wants to engage in sexual activity; understand that
these actions may be misinterpreted. Don't get into a vulnerable situation with
someone you don't know or trust. Don't participate in or allow sexist behavior to
occur. Verbal harassment of women—whistles, snide comments and stares—is
an assault on one’s sense of well-being. The underlying intention is to intimidate
the person. The classic situation: A woman walks by a fraternity house and
several of the men yell or taunt the woman. Take an equal role in your
relationships with the opposite sex; reject sexual stereotypes that define women
as passive, weak and irrational, and men as aggressive, macho and dominating.
Avoid excessive use of alcohol and other drugs that will impair your judgment and
interfere with effective communication. Sexual assault is an extremely serious
crime. Sexual intimacy is a free exchange between free people. Intimidation,
coercion and force have no place in love-making.
What can we do as a Fraternity to prevent or minimize sexual abuse?
Review chapter and system "traditions" and eliminate sexist, degrading practices
that signal to members that it is acceptable to demean or disrespect others. Party
themes and T-shirts are two primary areas of concern for men’s and women’s
groups. Host educational programs for your chapter. Hold a program on human
sexuality. Aggressively address problems of substance abuse that lead to other
problems. Invite a campus counselor to conduct a program on male-female
relationships and assertiveness communication, and invite a men’s or women’s
group to join your chapter in the discussion. Take a leadership role in the Greek
system to condemn sexual harassment and abuse and promote a safe
environment for all.
Why do we as fraternity men need to be concerned about these issues?
Legal liability is a reality in incidents, situations or occurrences of sexual abuse.
Victims of sexual assault may be able to sue the perpetrator, even if criminal
charges are not filed or are dismissed. The chapter, chapter officers, and other
members may be named in a lawsuit if an incident of sexual abuse occurs at an
event or function that can be associated with the chapter.
On a deeper level, as men of Phi Kappa Tau, you have taken an oath to uphold
our ideals, which clearly do not stand for any kind of abuse listed in your
workbooks or otherwise. Your Fraternity should be a safe and enjoyable time for
anyone and should never be a place where types of abuse happen on any kind of
basis.
Even if you do not have or live in a fraternity house, many of the concepts of fire
safety are still applicable to you.
According to the figures on page164, what percentage of fires do you think are
caused by human error and thus preventable?
More than 50%.
Why is understanding fire safety so important?
If you find yourself in a fire and you do not know what to do, the chances of
panicking and making deadly mistakes are much higher.
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What do most people die of in house fires?
Smoke inhalation.
Have you seen any of the common causes of house fires in college? If so, what?
This is an individual question.
How does fire, health and safety relate to your transition from an associate
member to an undergraduate member?
As undergraduate members, you will be expected to keep the house up to fire
code, develop fire escape routes for each room, and schedule and participate in
fire drills. While these can be tedious and boring, they may one day save your life.
And if you don’t have a house, understanding the causes of fires and what to do in
the event one occurs could very well save your life. Many college students are
very careless with smoke and over fusing, and all it takes is one spark to get
caught in a potentially fatal fire.
Now we are going to take a deeper look at these two risk management issues
through the lens of real-life situations. You will have about 10 minutes to discuss
your article, then we will circle back to our large group to discuss every article.
Let’s take a look at the first case, which involves bad ideas compounded by worse
decisions afterward.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
BYOB functions at a house usually do not allow hard alcohol, which the victim
clearly thought she was having. Also, if there were date rape drugs in the drinks
then she may well have been sexually abused, which flies right in the face of the
sexual abuse policy.
Other than that, there may have been one or two more alcohol policies broken,
but this was just a really poor idea by the fraternity.
Even if they are found innocent of the charges, how do you think their escapade
impacted that chapter?
By taking a potential tragedy where the chapter could still have been found
innocent, they have created a total PR nightmare for the chapter as the members
now look even more guilty than they once may have. On top of this, many people
on campus will probably look at these men as complete buffoons.
Why do you think this chapter compounded a bad idea with a worse one?
It’s an opinion question, but here are a few ideas: The chapter was embarrassed
about what happened and tried to cover it up rather than fight it head on;
members were ashamed of their actions and tried to hide them; members were
afraid no one would come to their parties anymore if word of this incident got out.
Why do you think this fraternity’s leadership allowed this to happen?
This is an opinion question.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
This is a classic case of a chapter compounding bad ideas with worse actions.
Even though stealing newspapers is not in our risk management policy, chapter
members clearly made a name for themselves on their campus, and not in a
positive way. Even though these members may be innocent of the original
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charges, because they decided to steal these newspapers they will not only look
guilty to everyone, but they also look foolish and shady in the process.
How does this article relate to your transition from associate membership to
undergraduate membership?
There will always be mistakes made in a chapter, whether they are Maxwell status
or Below Basic. This is a great example of what not to do as a leader in your
chapter. When mistakes are made, whether you are guilty or innocent, you follow
the crisis management policy and act like responsible adults, not high school
children. By letting panic and idiocy dictate your chapter during these times, you
are letting the chapter dig itself deeper into bad ideas and worse mistakes.
Now let’s take a look at an example related to fire, health and safety. How did this
incident violate our risk management policy?
Rules one and three of our fire, health and safety policy.
Why were these men forced to leave their own house?
It was not up to code and was considered a fire and safety hazard.
Why is maintaining a clean chapter house so important?
First of all, a fraternity house is an extension of the fraternity. As the
representative structure of the fraternity, its cleanliness and aesthetics are a direct
reflection of your chapter. If it is dirty and run down, outside stakeholders and
alumni will think your chapter is lazy and squalid. If your house is clean and well
kept, outside stakeholders will think your chapter is responsible and mature.
On top of these reasons, the safety of our members should be the number one
priority. By keeping the house clean and within fire and safety codes, we are
protecting our most valuable asset—our members.
Why someone in the chapter do something to prevent this from happening?
This is an opinion question, but here are a few ideas: Most college men do not put
house maintenance/hygiene at the top of their priority list, the leadership did not
care to do anything about it, the fraternity here does not respect its ideals and has
gone the way of stereotypes.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
This is a classic example of how not following only one or two of our policies can
have a wide range of consequences. For these men, they had to leave their
house abruptly, and it could have been easily avoided if they had just properly
maintained the house.
How does this relate to your transition from associate membership to
undergraduate membership?
As a member, it will be your duty to maintain the house and keep it up to code.
Remember, the house is an extension of the Fraternity. If you disrespect a
chapter house, you are disrespecting your chapter and yourself.
Next we are going to look at an example of sexual abuse that I hope you will all
take seriously.
How did this incident violate our risk management policy?
There were some alcohol violations and potentially sexual abuse violations but it
is very much a gray area, both in the law and their student conduct code.
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Even if the members are found innocent, what do you think the ramifications of
these charges are on the chapter?
The chapter is now associated with sexual abuse. It will probably negatively
impact the group. This all stems back to putting the chapter putting itself in bad
situations.
Could this situation happen to you or someone you know? Why or why not?
This is a personal question, but most members should say yes. A common
thought process or expectation of “hooking up” for men and women in college
entails copious amounts of alcohol, which makes scenarios such as this one all
the more likely.
Do you think that one night was worth it for these two men? Why or why not?
The answer should be no. While the men accused may have had an enjoyable
experience that night, it is doubtful that getting charged with sexual assault and
standing trial was worth it.
Why are we using this example as a case study?
If a woman is intoxicated, she can technically not give consent to intercourse. This
is an important lesson to understand because most college men do not know or
care about this being the law. Even if she is making the advances towards you, if
she is not sober there is a chance she could charge you with sexual abuse later.
Responsibility is a key issue in this example.
How does this relate to your transition from associate membership to
undergraduate membership?
Many times, collegiate men define their masculinity by how many women they
have had relations with, and most of those occur at or during events where
alcohol is involved. By putting yourselves in these situations as a person, you are
creating more liability for not only this chapter, but yourself. While this exact
situation will not happen nine times out of 10, it is important to understand both as
a college student and member of this Fraternity that it can happen.
As you can see, this case is very much a gray area, but because one of these
members was charged, the chapter has had all kinds of vandalism to its house,
accusations that the fraternity is full of rapists and sexual abusers. As you have
seen with sports athletes over the past few years, just because you are innocent
doesn’t mean you will escape from putting yourself in bad situation completely
unscathed.
The last article we are going to look at hits close to home, as it involves a tragic
ending for one of our brothers at Nebraska Wesleyan, a chapter that had been
active since 1923.
Could this happen to you or someone you know? Why or why not?
The answer should be yes, fire can happen at any time for any number of
reasons, and thinking that you are immune or unsusceptible to mass fires is
naïve.
Are we prepared for something like this? If yes, what steps have you taken to
prepare? If no, what steps should you be taking to be prepared?
How does this relate to your transition from associate membership to
undergraduate membership?
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As you have seen over the past few weeks, our policies don’t cover bad ideas or
poor decisions, but they cover enough bases to limit the liability to a minimal
amount. Sometimes you can follow every policy to a tee and still suffer individual
consequences, such as criminal charges or even death. Part of being a member
in Phi Kappa Tau is learning personal responsibility, self-discipline and smart
decision making. As you make your transition into undergraduate membership,
keep these disasters in the back of your mind—no one is invincible.
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Structure and Operations: Executive Offices Staff
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
As we begin wrapping up your time as associate members, we are going to take
some time to discuss one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of Phi
Kappa Tau—the members of the Executive Offices staff, often erroneously
referred to as “National” or “Nationals.” The Executive Offices exists to make our
Fraternity run smoothly and as successful as possible, although at times they are
mistakenly viewed as the enemies of fun or some kind of police force by some
chapters.
In your own words, what is “National” or “Nationals?”
The National Fraternity is the whole of our organization—every chapter, every
member bound by a certain code that we refer to as our cardinal principles.
What do you think the primary responsibilities of the EO staff are?
There are many parts of this question, but the main answer is to implement the
plans of the National Council by vote of the National Convention. The staff’s main
function is to serve the Fraternity by tackling the day-to-day operations necessary
to keep it running successfully.
Processing
If you think of the Fraternity similar to the U.S. government, the staff is the
executive branch, implementing legislation, and the National Council and National
Convention are the legislative or congressional body of the Fraternity.
What do you think Past National President Bill Macak means when he talks about
“legacy thinking?”
In short, it is sort of the old way of thinking. Many times alumni only have
knowledge of how things were run when they were undergraduates, unless they
have taken some kind of volunteer certification. Phi Tau is a progressively moving
organization that has to evolve with the times, and since many alumni do not keep
up with Fraternity initiatives, they simply rely on their undergraduate experiences
for their opinion on how things should currently be run.
What do you think the main points of CEO Steve Hartman’s letter were?
It takes a collective effort to maintain and keep the successes of Phi Kappa Tau.
“National” incorporates all of us, from 50-year members to associate. The EO staff
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does not constitute national; we are all bound by our code, the cardinal principles,
and it is every member’s job to live them and hold others accountable as per the
creed discussion we had today.
What do you think are the common misperceptions of the EO Staff? Why do you
think these misperceptions exist?
That they visit every chapter every year; that they are primarily responsible for a
chapter’s successes or failures; that they have all the answers; that they are the
first contact with questions; they are a police force; they only want to bust
chapters for bad behavior; they do not want to help your chapter, only close it;
they only want your money.
This may be due to legacy thinking, or how we used to do things. Also, because
many times EO staff are the ones dealing with policy enforcement and are the
executive arm of the Fraternity.
How does this discussion relate to your transition from associate members to
undergraduate members?
As undergraduate members and future chapter leaders, it is important to
understand this function of the Fraternity. When you have questions, your first
contact should be the Board of Governors as they are your primary advisers, not
the EO staff. Mostly, it is important just to know what “Nationals” really means,
versus the stereotypical answer or consensus among legacy thinkers.
How does this discussion relate to our creed and vision statement discussion
today?
It is the job of every member to hold each other accountable to our values, not the
EO staff. The EO staff is responsible for carrying out legislation with the goal of
our vision statement, but it is up to every member to make that vision possible. If
you only rely on “Nationals” to make your chapter experience better, you and your
chapter will only fall farther down the rabbit hole of failure.
Since the EO staff is the policy enforcement arm of the Fraternity, many times
they get stuck with a negative connotation, but they are simply trying to help run
the fraternity as successfully as possible.
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Borradaile Challenge Standards: National Participation, Required Reports
Logistical
Instructions
Break the class into two groups and assign each group a standard. Each group
should discuss questions on the activity sheets.
Before we start this activity, what is the purpose of the Borradaile Challenge?
To provide a positive fraternity experience.
Read to
Group
You will have about 10 minutes to discuss each standard with your small group.
Your discussion should mirror the questions found on your activity sheet, which
can be found on pages 187 and 188. After 10 minutes, have one member of your
group explain your answers to the large group. Please take notes for every
standard even though you will only be discussing one.
231
After 8-9 minutes, wrap up the discussion and have each group answer these
questions:
What is your standard?
National Participation or Required Reports.
Why is it part of the Borradaile Challenge?
National Participation—Part of the fraternity experience is networking with
brothers across the country and learning as much from each other as an
educational program. Also, the education Phi Kappa Tau provides is priceless and
it would be a waste of your chapter’s dues not to send members to our national
events. Between educational programming and National Convention, the
experience your members get is priceless and something they will not likely forget
afterwards.
Processing
Required Reports—If we are not documenting what our chapters are doing, how
can anybody know how to help them, or even if they need help? By requiring
reports for each aspect of the Borradaile Challenge, we are making chapters
adhere to these standards, and if they aren’t then we are able to develop ways to
improve the chapter over time.
How does this standard relate to our previous discussions today?
National Participation—As you transition into undergraduate membership, you will
be expected to attend events such as Regional Conferences, Leadership
Academy, etc. At these events you are creating bonds in men looking to live out
our vision statement. These events also give you a deeper appreciation for being
a fraternity man, and more specifically a man of Phi Kappa Tau.
Required Reports—By documenting what we are doing in our chapters, we can
show the world what a positive impact we are having on our communities. Or we
can hold chapters accountable if they are or are not giving their members a good
fraternity experience.
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Logistical
Instructions
Read to
Group
Processing
Communications: The Planner
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
As you grow into leadership positions over the coming years, it will be critical for
you to understand what is going on at the national level. One of the best ways to
keep track of what is going on is to read the Planner.
What is the Planner?
The Planner is an electronic communication sent to all undergraduates, chapter
volunteers, national officers and foundation trustees.
How often is the Planner released?
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At the beginning of each month.
Where can I find the planner?
In your e-mail addresses’ inbox that you gave to the Fraternity, or online at
www.phikappatau.org.
Why is the Planner important to Phi Kappa Tau and its members?
It updates you on important events and programs with which you will need to be
involved, reminds you about upcoming reports, and gives you a better
understanding of what is going on in Phi Kappa Tau at a national level.
How will the Planner help in our transition from associate membership to
undergraduate membership?
The Planner is a great resource that is really underutilized by undergraduate
members. As an initiated member, it will be your responsibility to make sure you
are reading these monthly communications—they’re full of information and they’re
not very long!
15/120
MO Wrap-up and Initiation Prep
Preferred: All chairs, including facilitators, arranged in circle.
Logistical
Instructions
Otherwise, all chairs facing facilitator.
If Greek/IFC Adviser or IFC President is in attendance, have them present their
material.
Read to
Group
Congratulations gentlemen, you have finished your associate membership period!
I am excited to see you take the next step into undergraduate membership. As a
reminder, the national exam will be on [date]. You will need to score an 80 percent
or higher to qualify for initiation.
If you have not submitted your initiation fee, I will collect that now. Remember, you
will not be able to initiate if you do not pay the fee.
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Week Six Associate Assignments
Task
Done
Membership Manual
 Executive Offices Roles and Responsibilities
Associate Member Workbook
 Review/Complete pages 96-115.
Website: www.phikappatau.org
 Phi Kappa Tau’s Parting Thoughts
(About KT tabResourcesVideos)
Exchange
Mark of Distinction—(Lead Your Chapter column)
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Sexual Abuse and Harassment
Housing
Fire Safety Suggestions
House Maintenance Suggestions
House Security
How to Survive a Fraternity House Fire
Sexual Abuse and Harassment—Making Bad Events Worse
Housing—Unhealthy Conditions
Sexual Abuse—Drinking and Consent
Housing—PKT Death
A Word from Our Chief Executive Officer
(Our Heritage)
 Roland Maxwell Bio
 Jack Anson Bio
(Leading Your Chapter)
 Previous Three Month’s Planners
Initiation
 Bring initiation fee to week six meeting
 Begin review of program for national exam
234
Creed
“I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a
fraternity man.”
What does this line mean to you?
How does this line apply to your
transition from associate to
undergraduate membership?
235
Vision Statement
“The vision of Phi Kappa Tau is to be recognized as a leadership organization that binds men
together and challenges them to improve their campuses and the world.”
What does this line mean to you?
How does this line apply to your
transition from associate to
undergraduate membership?
236
Jack Anson
“Fraternity is understanding, it is recognition, it is a joining with men
in common enterprises, it is acceptance of others, it is a willingness to
share and to participate, it is discipline. It is selflessness. It is these
things and many more—it is above all an attitude.”
What role did Anson play in the development
of Phi Kappa Tau?
How did Anson try to always discharge Phi
Kappa Tau’s obligations to others in his life?
How did Anson fulfill the vision of binding
men together and challenging them to
improve their campuses and worlds?
237
Roland Maxwell
“Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon
me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit
of brotherhood for which it stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and
by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college
and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever
retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try
always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact
that I am a fraternity man.”
What role did Maxwell play in the development of
Phi Kappa Tau?
How did Maxwell try to always discharge Phi
Kappa Tau’s obligations to others in his life?
How did Maxwell fulfill the vision of binding
men together and challenging them to
improve their campuses and worlds?
238
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
The risk management policy of the FIPG, Inc. shall apply to all men's and women's member
fraternity entities and all levels of fraternity membership. The policy specifically addresses the
issue of sexual abuse and harassment as follows:
FIPG Policy on sexual abuse and harassment
The fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the
part of its members, whether physical, mental or emotional. This is to include any actions that
are demeaning to women or men, ranging from but not limited to verbal harassment to sexual
assault by individuals or members acting together.
Sexual Abuse
1. A chapter will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the
part of its members, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This is to include any actions that
are demeaning to men or women, ranging from assault to harassment or the objectification of
individuals.
2. A chapter will not sponsor or participate in any activity, including competitive games,
community service, or philanthropic endeavors, activities associated with recruitment, social
events, or events related to activities such as homecoming that are abusive or demeaning to
human beings.
3. A chapter will educate its members on these issues each year.
Why should we be concerned about sexual abuse?
Legal liability is a reality in incidents, situations or occurrences of sexual abuse. Victims of
sexual assault may be able to sue the perpetrator, even though criminal charges are not filed or
are dismissed. The chapter, chapter officers, and others may be named in a lawsuit if an incident
of sexual abuse occurs at an event or function that can be associated with the chapter.
What is sexual abuse?
In order to understand sexual abuse, we must define sexual harassment and rape or sexual
assault.
Sexual harassment is defined as the unwelcome, unreciprocated imposition of sexual attention,
usually in the context of a relationship of unequal power.
Sexual assault or conduct or rape is defined as an act of sexual contact or penetration with a
person against his/her will.
There are many types of sexual abuse. Recognize that sexually abusive behavior occurs on a
continuum ranging from harassment to rape.
239
Verbal abuse or sexist behavior may include:
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whistling
humor and jokes about sex or male or female specific traits
suggestive or insulting sounds
sexual innuendoes about your or someone else's personal appearance
sexual innuendoes about your or someone else's sexual activities
demands for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats
Physical abuse may include:
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any inappropriate touching, pinching or patting
brushing against someone else's body
coerced sexual intercourse
assault
Why does sexual abuse occur?
Although there is not one direct cause for sexually abusive behavior, there are some factors that
help build an environment conducive to sexual abuse. Factors such as gender role stereotyping what our society says is "feminine" and "masculine" - are part of the problem leading to rape and
sexual harassment.
This social environment that encourages males to be aggressive and females to be passive is ripe
for sexual abuse. Sexual harassment and rape are issues of power abuse. If we can understand
how gender role stereotyping often leads to power imbalances, we can better understand how
the phenomenon of sexual abuse happens in our society.
Do’s and Don’ts of minimizing sexual abuse?
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Understand that you are responsible for your own actions as an individual and as a
member of a group. Understand your own sexuality and be aware of social pressures.
Don't assume that previous permission for sexual activity applies to the current
situation.
Don't assume that just because someone dresses in a "sexy" manner and flirts that
she/he wants to engage in sexual activity. Understand that these actions may be
misinterpreted.
Don't get into a vulnerable situation with someone you don't know or trust.
Don't participate in or allow sexist behavior to occur. Verbal harassment of women,
whistles, snide comments and stares are assaults on any woman's or man’s sense of wellbeing. The underlying intention is to intimidate the person. The classic situation: a
woman walks by a fraternity house and several of the men yell or taunt the woman.
Take an equal role in your relationships with the opposite sex.
Reject sexual stereotypes that define women as passive, weak and irrational, and men as
aggressive, macho and dominating.
240
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Avoid excessive use of alcohol and other drugs that will impair your judgment and
interfere with effective communications.
Sexual assault is an extremely serious crime. Sexual intimacy is a free exchange between
free people. Intimidation, coercion and force have no place in love-making.
What can we do as a group to prevent sexual abuse?
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Review chapter and system "traditions" and eliminate sexist, degrading practices that
signal to members that it is acceptable to demean or disrespect others. Party themes and
t-shirts are two primary areas of concern for men’s and women’s groups.
Host educational programs for your chapter. Hold a program on human sexuality.
Aggressively address problems of substance abuse that lead to other problems.
Invite a campus counselor to conduct a program on male-female relationships and
assertiveness communication and invite a men’s or women’s group to join your chapter
in the discussion.
Take a leadership role in the greek system to condemn sexual harassment and abuse and
to promote a safe environment for all.
What can you do if you or someone you know has been sexually harassed?
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Stand up to the harasser. If you are in a situation that doesn't feel right, let your harasser
know that you feel uncomfortable. Tell him or her that you do not like what he/she is
doing.
Keep written details of each incident. It is important to record date, place, time, and the
type of harassment and your response to that harassment.
Seek out support from friends with whom you can share your concerns.
Explore your options to file a formal complaint with the university. Most universities
have a set procedure to be followed concerning sexual harassment complaints.
What can you do if you or someone you know has been raped or sexually
assaulted?
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Contact a close friend or relative with whom you would feel comfortable talking.
If a friend tells you that she/he has been raped, believe her/him. False claims are rare. It
is important to listen to her/him and then encourage her/him to call a crisis center,
contact the police and receive medical treatment.
Call a rape-crisis center or rape-crisis hotline. Rape-crisis centers are staffed with
professional counselors who will help you begin to sort through your feelings. Counselors
are available 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential.
Contact the police. By contacting the police, you will have some flexibility in your legal
options. You may or may not decide to prosecute. But if you do, the necessary evidence
will have been collected. Confidentiality is also observed by the police.
Get medical treatment. It is important that you receive medical treatment for several
reasons. First, you may or may not decide to prosecute. But if you do, evidence will have
been collected by medical personnel. Although you may feel very dirty, do not brush your
241
teeth, urinate or take a shower before receiving medical treatment. It destroys crucial
evidence. Secondly, seeking medical help will help prevent any possible consequences of
rape such as sexually transmitted diseases or even pregnancy.
What can you do if someone in your chapter has been accused of rape?
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As in other situations, identify a spokesperson for the fraternity.
Contact the persons identified in the crisis management section.
Advise the accused member of the chapter to seek the advice of an attorney.
How men can tell if their behavior is sexual harassment
Some men (and women) are confused as to what behaviors constitute sexual harassment. The
following questions may be especially helpful in assessing one's own behavior:
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Would I mind if someone treated my wife, partner, girlfriend, mother, sister or daughter
this way?
Would I mind if this person told my wife, partner, girlfriend, mother, sister or daughter
about what I was saying or doing?
Would I do this if my wife, partner, girlfriend, mother, sister or daughter were present?
Would I mind if a reporter wanted to write about what I was doing?
If I ask someone for a date and the answer is "No," do I keep asking?
If someone asks me to stop a particular behavior, do I get angry and do more of the same
instead of apologizing and stopping?
Do I tell jokes or make "funny" remarks involving women and/or sexuality? (Such jokes
may offend many people.)
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the chances of the behavior being considered
sexual harassment are very high. Because such behavior is likely to be high risk, if you have to
ask, it is probably better not to do it.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
242
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
What constitutes sexual harassment?
What constitutes sexual assault?
What are some examples of verbal
abuse?
What are some examples of physical
abuse?
243
Sexual Abuse and Harassment and You
What are some actions we can take as
individuals to minimize or prevent
sexual abuse?
Why does sexual abuse occur?
Why should we as Fraternity men be
concerned with these issues?
How does this topic relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
244
Housing
The Risk Management Policy of the FIPG, Inc. shall apply to all member men's and women's
fraternity entities and all levels of fraternity membership. The policy specifically addresses the
issue of housing as follows:
FIPG Policy on Fire, Health and Safety
All chapter houses shall, prior to, during, and following occupancy, meet all local fire and health
codes and standards.
All chapters must have posted by common phones, emergency numbers for fire, police, and
ambulance, and must have evacuation routes from chapter houses posted in the common areas
and on the back of the door of each sleeping room.
All chapters shall comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the insurance
company.
The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive devices of any kind within the confines and
premises of the chapter house is expressly forbidden.
Candles should not be used in chapter houses or individual rooms except under controlled
circumstances such as initiation
A safe house is our goal
The responsibility of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for chapter members
is a concern. Our goal in the area of chapter housing must be to make sure that all who live in
our chapter houses are protected to the best of our ability.
The responsibility of meeting our housing goals rests with chapter members working in close
cooperation with local property-holding alumnae/alumni corporations. The policies and
standards that we establish to meet this goal become a risk management program.
Areas of concern
Two major areas of concern have been shown to cause liability and property loss problems for
fraternities: fire safety and house maintenance. In both areas, a responsible risk management
program can lessen the probability of causing damage to the chapter house.
How we manage risks will determine our ability to obtain liability and property insurance.
Insurance provides a basic tool we use to limit or control exposure to loss. It does not take the
place of anything else, nor does it excuse anyone for exhibiting a lack of common sense.
Insurance is only designed to control the losses of corporation, chapter officers and members in
the event of a genuine accident.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
245
Fire Safety Suggestions
Managing our risk requires all alumnae/alumni and chapter members to set high standards for
the safety of our houses. In no area of house operations is this more important than in the area
of fire safety. An analysis of 260 fraternity and sorority house fires conducted by the National
Fire Association determined the leading causes of these fires to be as follows:









24.9%
22.7%
19.6%
9.6%
6.2%
5.8%
0.8%
0.8%
4.2%
Careless smoking and match disposal
Electrical system misuse and overfusing
Defective heating devices, chimneys
Arson or other suspiciously caused fires
Spontaneous ignition
Kitchen and cooking hazards
Lightning
Ignition from building next door
Miscellaneous
This list clearly demonstrates that the great majority of chapter house fires are preventable. The
number of fires (260) shows it can happen to you.
Basic fire safety suggestions for a fire safety risk management program follow:
1. Establish a “no smoking” policy. Ban smoking in bed and establish other nonsmoking areas. Provide plenty of ashtrays in designated smoking areas.
2. Do not overload circuits. Prohibit the use of extension cords or multi-outlet devices.
Use power strips, preferably with surge protectors in their place when necessary. Do not
permit members to install their own custom wiring.
3. Install alarm systems. Consult with local fire officials to determine the number and
preferred location of smoke and heat detectors in sleeping rooms and common areas. All
smoke and heat detectors should be hard wired instead of battery operated. Also
consider installing an alarm system wired to a central location.
4. Provide and maintain fire extinguishers. Extinguishers should be well marked and
readily available throughout the house. Establish penalties for tampering with a fire
extinguisher. Make sure extinguishers are checked and serviced regularly.
5. Hold regular fire drills. Plan, design and post your emergency evacuation plan inside
each bedroom door. Quarterly fire drills are recommended, with evacuation leaders and
a post-evacuation roll call procedure established. Have emergency telephone numbers
posted at all house phones.
6. Keep the chapter house clean. Avoid keeping flammable materials in the house.
Extra clutter, such as paper, boxes and clothing, provide fuel for a fire. Trash removal is
especially important.
7. Comply with fire codes and regulations. Local fire department officials and
insurance investigators will be willing to provide regular inspections and answer your
questions, usually without cost.
246
8. Install a sprinkler system. While this can be a great expense, it will save lives in the
event of a fire.
9. Do not allow the use of candles in the house or in individual rooms except
under controlled circumstances (i.e. initiation). The number of fires caused by
candles in residence hall rooms and chapter houses has steadily increased. Cases involve
burning candles igniting curtains or other flammable materials and candles being
allowed to burn while the occupant(s) of the room are elsewhere.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
247
House Maintenance Suggestions
A successful risk management program requires a cooperative effort of both alumnae/alumni
and chapter members to lessen the likelihood of accidents and hazards that potentially exist in
the chapter house.
Listed below are some basic suggestions that any chapter and corporation can follow to develop
their own local house maintenance risk management policy:
1. Schedule regular inspections. Thoroughly inspect the chapter house every three
months, with the chapter president, house manager and a specified alumnae/alumni
corporation board member doing the inspection together and completing a written
checklist.
2. Pat attention to traffic areas. Particular maintenance attention should be directed
toward doorways, railings, stairways, carpet, floors and windows. Outside, regular
inspection of fire escapes should be scheduled to check their operation and to make sure
they are clear of obstacles.
3. Develop a written maintenance program. Have a written schedule to replace or
change furnace filters, light bulbs, exit lights, etc. when needed.
4. Keep halls and stairways cleared. All halls, stairways and exits should be kept clear
and well lighted at all times.
5. Service heating and air conditioning equipment. Schedule annual service and
inspection of these and other major mechanical systems.
6. Service kitchen equipment. Schedule regular cleaning, service, and inspections of all
kitchen equipment, paying particular attention to stoves, deep fryers, exhaust hood
filters and fire extinguishing systems.
7. Restrict access to dangerous areas. As appropriate, limit or prohibit access to
certain areas of the house such as roofs, furnace rooms, fuse boxes, etc.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
248
House Security
Chapter leaders must become more aware of the need to limit access to the chapter house.
Unfortunately, cases of arson and vandalism are not unknown to fraternities.
Here are some house security suggestions:
1. A locked house is a safer house. The minor inconvenience of maintaining a locked
house is justified by the safety benefits to the members and physical structure. Give all
members a key.
2. Install deadbolts on all doors and lock windows. Consider installing a timer that
automatically sets deadbolts from Midnight to seven a.m. Lock all ground access
windows during the same hours.
3. Let people knock. No one enters your family home without knocking. Keep it that way
at your chapter house. The only exception should be during social events with door
monitors greeting guests.
4. Designate “key alumni.” Give keys to alumni, such as your advisor and corporation
officers, who require access to the house.
5. Have “key alumni” check house during breaks. Whenever the house closes for
holidays, term breaks, etc., establish a schedule of "key alumni" who will regularly check
house security and make sure all mechanical systems function.
6. Install outdoor lighting. Floodlights in front and security lights in back are the best
way to deter chapter house vandalism and arson.
7. Greet unescorted strangers. Don't let strangers roam the house. Confront them,
student or not, and ask if you can help them.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
249
How to Survive a Fraternity House Fire
If a fire begins in your room, yell "Fire!" and then try to put it out only if you're sure you can
handle it. If you have any doubt, get out of your room and close the door behind you to keep
smoke and flames out of the corridor. Sound the alarm and arouse other members.
If the fire starts in another part of the building, you probably will be aroused by an alarm, yelling
in the corridor, or the sound of fire engines outside.
Here's what to do in easy steps:
1. Make for the door. If there is smoke in the room, roll out of your bed with your pillow
over your mouth and crawl to the door. Don't stand—smoke and deadly gases rise. You
can die from smoke inhalation.
2. Feel the door with the palm of your hand. If the door or knob is hot, don't open it.
If the door is not hot, open it slowly and be ready to slam it shut if necessary.
3. Check the hall. If everything is clear, walk to the nearest exit. If there is any smoke in
the corridor, crawl into the hallway. Close the door behind you to protect your
belongings. Stay close to the wall so you can count the doorways to the exit. If the nearest
exit or stairway is blocked, use the alternate one.
4. Walk down to the ground level. Fires generate heat, smoke and panic, so hold onto
the handrail for guidance and protection against being knocked down by exiting
occupants. If fire or smoke is dense at lower levels, walk back up to clearer air or to the
roof if it is accessible.
If you cannot get out of your room because the room door is hot or smoke is dense in the hall,
don't panic. You can stay in your room and still survive a fire.
Here are some things to do:
1. Open a window to vent the room if there is any smoke. If you are on the first or
second floor, you may be able to drop to the ground safely. If you are up any higher, you
usually are better off staying put. Although some people survive jumps from 35 feet or
more, they are usually seriously injured.
2. Let someone know you are in the room. If the phone works, call for help. Hang a
bed sheet out the window to signal fire fighters, but don't try to climb down.
3. Fill the sink with water. It might be needed for firefighting. Turn on the bathroom
fan if it helps to clear your room of smoke.
4. Wet towels and sheets. You'll need them to put around doors and cracks if smoke
seeps in.
250
5. Get fresh air. Make a tent over your head with a blanket at a slightly opened window to
get fresh air. If the windows do not open, break one with a chair or drawer. If heat and
flames are rising outside from a lower floor, don't breathe smoke-laden air.
6. As a last resort, keep low! If your room becomes untenable, you may be forced to
make for the best exit, but remember to keep low.
Remember that few people are burned to death in fires. Most people who die do so from smoke,
poisonous gases and panic. Panic is usually the result of not knowing what to do. If you have an
escape plan and adapt it to the emergency, you can greatly increase your chances of survival.
Adapted from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Manual.
251
Fire, Health, and Safety
What is the most common cause of
house fires?
Why is understanding fire safety so
important?
Are most fires preventable?
Has anybody seen some of the potential
causes of house fires at school?
Where?
How does this topic relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
252
“Fraternity Accused of Stealing 10,000
Student Newspapers to Cover Up Date
Rape Story”
As it turns out, I’m not the only one hoping that the widespread media coverage of date rape
drugging will die down a bit. A fraternity on the University of Arizona campus has been accused
of sabotaging 10,000 campus newspapers in order to cover up a small item in which a woman
alleged having been drugged and possibly sexually assaulted at one of the frat’s parties.
The copies of the Arizona Daily Wildcat containing the offending “Police Beat” item were
apparently removed from their racks and strewn on the outskirts of campus shortly after
publication on Oct. 8. The Daily Wildcat pinned the sabotage on the fraternity named in the
piece, Phi Kappa Psi, after the Spanish homework of members Alex Cornell and Nick
Kovaleski surfaced at the site of the discarded newspapers—a revelation the Phoenix New
Times astutely notes mirrors a plot point from the 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The New Times
phoned Phi Kappa Psi President Keith Peters “to find out if two ‘pledges’ were really dumb
enough to steal 10,000 free newspapers and then leave their homework with the stolen stash.”
Peters declined to comment.
The student paper later received less hilarious evidence linking Phi Kappa Psi to the crime—emails from friends and relatives of fraternity members confirming that the theft was engineered
“under the orders of fraternity leadership.” Despite the paper’s leads, the University of Arizona
Police Department closed the case “without questioning any Phi Psi members.”
Nevertheless, the prank has directed significant campus attention to the original item, a modest
250-word crime brief. It’s clear that Phi Kappa Psi severely miscalculated their damage control
over the drugging accusations. Even on a college campus, a straight item on an attempted date
rape will hardly cause a stir. An item on a fraternity’s elaborate—and absurdly botched—plan to
keep that attempted date rape item hush-hush, on the other hand? People actually care about
that.
But let’s get back to the reason this 10,000 paper cover-up is so offensive in the first place:
Apparently, the fraternity really, really, really didn’t want people to know that its parties may
feature date rape drugs. Below is the original crime report that Phi Kappa Psi was so afraid of
getting out there. (Heads up for the future, boys: Newspapers are on the Internet these days).
According to the alleged victim’s testimony, she experienced symptoms of GHB after attending a
Phi Kappa Psi party in September:
The woman claimed that on arrival, a fraternity member she knew gave her a drink. Later, an
unidentified man gave her another drink. The woman told police she had assumed both drinks
contained vodka, as they were both colorless. The woman reported that at approximately 11:30
p.m., she had begun feeling “overly flirtatious.” The woman also claimed to have experienced a
loss of both hearing and bladder control. The woman told officers that her friend had walked her
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back to her residence at the Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall at approximately 1 a.m. on Sept. 27,
at which point she vomited. The woman’s friends later told her that between the hours of 11:30
p.m. on Sept. 26 and 1 a.m. on Sept. 27, she had made out with three different men at the party.
The next day, the woman looked up GHB online and believed she had experience its symptoms.
She also told police that she had attempted to contact the fraternity president and had left
several messages at the fraternity, but had received no replies. She told officers she was
reporting the incident to document the event in the hopes of preventing any future sexual
assaults.
Source: Amanda Hess, Arizona Daily Wildcat.
254
“
Health Inspectors Shut Down Tufts
Fraternity”
Resident members of the Delta Upsilon fraternity at Tufts University were forced to find
alternative accommodations this week after the Somerville Board of Health ordered the historic
building vacated because of health and safety hazards.
City health inspectors were called to the campus by the Somerville Fire Department, which
responded to a pulled fire alarm at the house early Sunday morning, according to Jackie
Rossetti, deputy director of communications for the City of Somerville. Upon their arrival,
inspectors found the front door disconnected from its hinges and broken windows and screens
smashed in the front yard. Trash and other health hazards were found within the building,
Rossetti said.
Students were asked to vacate the premises and had not moved back into the building as of
Wednesday, Rossetti said. Inspectors will need to revisit the building to ensure proper repairs
and cleanup take place before that happens, she said.
“We're really pushing and working with them and making sure it's livable,” Rossetti said of the
city's partnership with the building manager. “Having doors and windows be broken is
obviously a huge concern because anyone from the community could enter the building.”
According to reports, the fire alarm was pulled during a party taking place at the house, which is
located on 114 Professors Row. Reached by e-mail, Delta Upsilon student president Alexander
Ross declined to comment. Senior Sam Pollack, president of the Tufts Interfraternity Council,
said students had been instructed not to comment on the situation after an article appeared in
the Tufts Daily.
"So, we were having a party Saturday night; at some point during the party the front door came
off its hinges, which was obviously a bad sign,” Ross told the Tufts Daily. “Later, someone from
another fraternity pulled our alarm; when that fire alarm got pulled, some of the fire department
people came to make sure everything was alright.”
Tufts University hosts 11 fraternities and five sororities. According to its website, 13 percent of
undergraduate students take part in greek life on campus.
According to Tufts spokeswoman Kim Thurber, The Delta Upsilon house is owned by the
fraternity's "house corporation," not by the University. “It will be up to the fraternity or the
house corporation to determine how repairs will be paid,” she said in an email. “The University
will not be paying for such repairs.”
Fraternity house owners are required to renew their lodging house license with the City of
Somerville every August, Thurber said, at which point the houses are inspected.
Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman is looking into the incident and will meet with the
255
fraternity chapter president this week to see if further action is needed, Thurber said. Tampering
with fire and life safety equipment would be considered a serious violation of school policy, she
added, referring to reports that fire alarms were blocked in the building.
Rossetti said Sunday's incident isn't something the city has to deal with on a regular basis.
“I'm sure that it's not frequent,” she said, “but it probably has happened in the past.”
Source: Alix Roy, Boston.com
256
“Students Plead Innocent to Sexual
Abuse”
Two members of a Cornell fraternity accused of committing first degree sexual abuse at a
Valentine's party have pleaded not guilty, and will appear before a grand jury later this month.
The charges against fraternity members of sexual abuse and of serving alcohol to minors have
led to questioning of the greek system and to vandalism against the fraternity involved, Cornell
students and administrators said this week.
The students accused of sexual assault, sophomore David W. Krumsiek and junior Patrick J.
Flanagan, both members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, will appear before the grand jury
little more than a month after their alleged sexual abuse of two Brown University women at a
Valentine's Day semiformal.
The charge of first degree sexual abuse is a felony punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven
years. The state of New York defines sexual abuse as forcing someone into sexual contact by
compulsion, or by making advances when the victim is incapable of consent because of physical
helplessness.
In addition to legal problems the two accused men face, they could also face expulsion if Cornell
administrators find that they have violated any portion of the university's code of conduct.
Krumsiek signed a statement in which he admitted to having had sexual intercourse with one of
the Brown women the night of the party but stated that she had made the initial advances and
that the intercourse was voluntary.
But the woman Krumsiek is accused of abusing told The Cornell Daily Sun that in fact the
intercourse was not voluntary. The litigants both agree that both of them were intoxicated at the
time of the incident.
The second Brown woman has alleged that at the same party, Flanagan, another Phi Gamma
Delta member, forced her into sexual acts that she repeatedly attempted to discourage.
The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity--commonly called Fiji--has sent a letter to The Cornell Daily
Sun stating that members would refuse all comment on the matter, a reporter for the Daily
Sun said this week.
Friends Don't Let Friends...
In a related incident, two other Phi Gamma Delta fraternity members were charged with serving
alcohol to the two underage students who have claimed Krumsiek and Flanagan abused them.
Seniors Raymond B. Floyd and Andrew C. Heckler told public safety officers that they had that
night served alcoholic beverages to the women accusing Krumsiek and Flanagan, according to
the Daily Sun. But the two pleaded innocent in city court last week, the newspaper reported.
257
Officials have refused to release the names of the women.
In epitaphs precipitated by the allegations, phrases such as "no rape," "rapists beware," and
"rapists live here" were spray-painted on the fraternity's main entrance and on 19 cars parked
nearby, said David Stuart, spokesman for the Cornell News Office.
The recent incident has led to "heightened awareness on campus" and caused more discussion
about sexual harassment, said Glenn W. Muscosky, a member of the Greek Task Force (GTF).
Cornell created the task force last October in order to deal with the issue of sexual harassment
and abuse on campus.
Thirty-eight percent of man and 30 percent of women at Cornell participate in greek life.
Source: Sophia A Van Windergerden, The Harvard Crimson.
258
“Nebraska Wesleyan Fire Kills One
Student, Injures Three”
The news relayed during 4 a.m. phone calls is often bad. But it could have been worse, much
worse, for Greg and Diann Bergt.
“I couldn't understand what he was saying,” Greg Bergt said of the phone call he got at his
Omaha home Friday morning. “I thought he was saying the car was on fire. I said, 'Who is this?'
and he said, 'It's Ross, the Phi Kappa Tau house is on fire.”' Their 20-year-old son was crying as
he spoke.
After a fire that torched the stately fraternity house at Nebraska Wesleyan University early
Friday, some parents got the sort of calls parents fear the most.
A Nebraska Wesleyan University student, 19-year-old Ryan Stewart of Ord, died Friday from
injuries suffered in the fire, said Jan Yaussi, a spokeswoman for Saint Elizabeth Regional
Medical Center. The university said Stewart was a sophomore business administration major.
Yaussi said David Spittler, 20, of Elkhorn, Travis Mann, 22, of Beatrice, and Aaron McGuire, 20
of Sioux Falls, S.D., remained in critical condition Friday evening because of smoke inhalation.
All were members of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our students,” the university said
in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are also with three other students who are currently
being treated at a local hospital.”
School counselors were called in to comfort other students. Fire officials said the fire started just
after 4 a.m. at the fraternity house.
Lincoln Fire Chief Dan Wright said the blaze started in a second-story room and that state and
local officials were investigating the cause.
Three students in the house at the time of the fire said they couldn't recall hearing a fire alarm,
but Wright said somebody pulled the alarm and that firefighters heard it when they arrived. He
said he did not know whether smoke alarms in the building malfunctioned and that
investigators will try to find out. Nebraska Wesleyan spokeswoman Sara Olson said the smoke
alarms worked.
Police officers on the scene had executed a search warrant and were looking through the
building.
259
“We're interviewing people, looking for a cause - anything, at this point,” said Lincoln Police Sgt.
Tom Towle.
The students, who declined to give their names citing an agreement among the fraternity
brothers, were still shaken hours after the blaze was extinguished. They described a frantic scene
at the time of the fire, with at least two students jumping out of windows and others inside,
shirts pulled over their mouths to reduce smoke inhalation, trying desperately to wake up other
students and alert them to the fire.
None responded when asked whether there was any late-night partying at the house, but said
they and all the other students they were aware of were asleep when it started.
The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity released a statement about the fire Friday evening.
“The men and alumni of the Upsilon chapter of Phi Kappa Tau wish to express their sympathy to
the family of Ryan Stewart and the families of the other men that are hospitalized in this
tragedy,” the fraternity said in the statement. The fraternity members also thanked the
university's administration and community for their support.
The house did not have a sprinkler system, which Chief Wright said could have reduced the
severity of the fire.
The Phi Kappa Tau house was built in 1928 and is on the National Historic Register. Firefighters
said 39 people believed to be in the house at the time were accounted for, and the fire was
extinguished by 7 a.m.
“We were told nobody can go in it until the investigation is complete,” Olson said of the Phi
Kappa Tau house. “There was a lot of damage done. It'll be a while before anyone can move back
in.”
The brick building was still standing, the only visible damage from the outside a blown-out,
second-story window, charred brick and a hole in the roof where flames likely escaped.
Officials plan to move the Phi Kappa Tau members into a vacant section of the Alpha Gamma
Delta sorority house on the campus until the fraternity house is habitable, Olson said.
The fraternity said its members attended a campus prayer gathering before moving to their
temporary quarters at the sorority.
Phi Kappa Tau National President Charlie Ball will visit Nebraska Wesleyan this weekend to
meet with members of the local chapter.
Nebraska Wesleyan is a Methodist Church-affiliated liberal arts college founded in 1887. There
are 1,800 students enrolled there, according to the university's Web site.
Source: The Beatrice Daily Sun
260
Newspaper Theft Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Even if later found innocent of the GHB
charges, how do you think this incident
has impacted their chapter moving
forward?
Why do you think the fraternity’s
leadership thought this was a good idea?
Why do you think these members
compounded bad decisions with worse
ones?
How does this incident relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
261
Unsafe Housing Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Why were these members forced to leave
their own house? Why is maintaining a
house so important?
Why didn’t anyone in the chapter do
something to prevent this incident from
happening?
How does this incident relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
262
Drunken Sex Abuse Article
How did this incident violate our risk
management policy? Why are we using
this example as a case study?
Even if these two men are found
innocent, how do you think this incident
has impacted their chapter moving
forward?
Do you think that one night was worth it
for these two men? Why or why not?
Could this happen to you or someone
you know?
How does this incident relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
263
Ryan Stewart Article
Why are we using this example as a case
study?
Could this happen to you or someone
you know? Why or why not?
Are we prepared for an incident like this
one? If yes, what steps have we taken to
prepare? If no, what should we be doing
to prepare?
How does this incident relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
264
A Word from Our Chief Executive Officer
Dear associate member,
Your name is mine.
There are many ways to consider “National” or “Nationals,” as it is sometimes
referenced. Many times, I have heard “National” discussed as the “Headquarters” in
Oxford, Ohio. However, as Past National President Bill Macak, Florida State ’73, likes to
say, this is “legacy thinking” and it narrows the view of what “National” really means to us
and our distinction as Phi Kappa Tau members.
The National Fraternity is the whole of our organization—every chapter, every
member. We are a National Fraternity because we have agreed to a certain code … a
certain set of values, ideals and behaviors. The most obvious national code is the Phi
Kappa Tau creed. The creed is our public reminder to each other that we are part of a
family that shares these values, ideals and behaviors. Perhaps more importantly, we share
a national Ritual, in which you will soon participate, that stresses and clarifies even
more distinctly our code as Phi Kappa Tau brothers.
Like a family, we will have times that we must rely on each other—sometimes to celebrate
our accomplishments, sometimes to console our grieving, sometimes to hold us
accountable for our actions, and sometimes to just provide companionship in the pursuit
of fun. Unlike most families, however, our collective membership is the deciding voice for
how we proceed as a Fraternity. Our code is designed and decided by our principle
legislative body—our National Convention. When we aren’t meeting at our Convention
(every two years), our code falls under the guiding hand of our National Council. On a
day-to-day basis, our code is primarily the responsibility of our national staff (which
does, in fact, work at the National Headquarters, or Executive Offices, in Oxford,
Ohio). Each of these national entities, however, is mostly a caretaker for the things in
which we believe. Our Phi Kappa Tau name, certainly our Phi Kappa Tau code, is only
national because we all have voluntarily agreed to share it.
The next time you hear someone reference “National,” I hope you will think about our
entire membership—from our four founders to the 60-year-old alumnus to all the
associate brothers across the map. We stand on the shoulders of our history, and we
belong to something much larger than ourselves. We share a set of timeless ideals, and we
share a name, in Phi, Kappa and Tau.
In Phi,
C. Steven Hartman
265
Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices
National Convention
Coordinating
Council
Foundation Board
National Council
Chief
Executive
Officer
Fraternity
Committees
Foundation
Executive
Director
Executive Offices
Staff
Domain Director
Graduate Council
Board of
Governors
Housing
Cooperation
CEO and Fraternity
Executive Offices Staff—The
Chief Executive Officer executes
the National Council’s plan and
serves as a mediator between
the Council and Foundation
Board. The Fraternity Executive
Offices staff assists with
implementing said plan. The
staff is divided into four
departments: Chapter services,
education, finance and
communications. More
information is available at
www.phikappatau.org.
Resident Council
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Executive Offices Staff
What do you think are the main points of
CEO Steve Hartman’s letter to our
associates? What is Phi Kappa Tau’s
definition of “Nationals?”
What are the primary responsibilities of
the Executive Offices staff members?
What do you think Past National
President Bill Macak means when he
talks about “legacy thinking?”
What do you think are some common
misperceptions about Executive Offices
staff? Why do you think these
misinterpretations exist?
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Executive Office Staff and You
How does this line apply to our purpose
statements discussion today?
How does this line apply to your
transition from associate to
undergraduate membership?
268
Borradaile Challenge:
National Participation
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: Three members at Leadership Academy or two members at
Convention and six members at a Regional Conference.
Order of the Star: Three members at Leadership Academy or two members
at Convention and four members at a Regional Conference.
Basic: Three members at Leadership Academy or two members at
Convention and two members at a Regional Conference.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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Borradaile Challenge: Required Reports
The Borradaile Challenge helps us answer this question:
“What kind of fraternal experience are we providing our members?”
Maxwell: All reports turned in on time.
Order of the Star: All reports turned in, 85% on time.
Basic: All reports turned in.
Why is this part of the Borradaile Challenge?
How does this standard relate to our purpose statement discussion today?
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The Planner
What is the Planner?
Where can I find the Planner?
How often is it released?
Why is the Planner important to you as a
member of Phi Kappa Tau?
How does the Planner relate to your
transition into undergraduate
membership?
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Wrap-up and Initiation Prep
Task
Done
Partner with treasurer to ensure all initiation fees have been paid in full.
Partner with Treasurer and Vice President to ensure Request to Initiate form
is completed and mailed to Executive Offices two weeks prior to initiation.
Write thank you note to Greek/IFC Adviser or IFC President for facilitating
week six wrap-up.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of national exam date.
Fill out and submit the Membership Orientation Evaluation to the Executive
Offices.
E-mail/text associates to remind them to fill out the Membership Orientation
evaluation.
E-mail/text associates to remind them of initiation date and attire.
Write Greek/IFC Adviser or IFC President in attendance for helping to
facilitate week six.
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Wrap-up and Associate Initiation
Assignments
Task
Done
Review for the national exam.
Ensure your initiation fee has been submitted.
Double check initiation date and ensure proper attire.
Fill out Membership Orientation Evaluation form and submit it to the
executive offices.
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