high kappa operations guide -...
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a Lambda Chi Alpha resource
High Kappa Operations Guide
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As the High Kappa of ________________ Zeta,I, _____________________, hereby promise to
uphold the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha and dilligently perform the duties and responsibilities
associated with this position.
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Operations GuideFraternity Educator: High Kappa
The Official Charge of the High KappaBrother High Kappa, to you is entrusted the education and development of each and every chapter member as a student, as a leader, and as a fully participating member in this chapter.
Make it your goal to develop and maintain a program of mature acceptance of responsibility on the part of every undergraduate in this chapter based on the history, aims, ideals, and traditions of our country, your school, and Lambda Chi Alpha.
In Order to Lead, You Must First MODEL ITTo MODEL IT means to implement the required functions of your office in order to lead the chapter effectively. These seven directives are the basic expectations for each brother during his term in office.
Motivate: Members to learn about the Fraternity.
Organize: Events for experiential learning for brothers and associate members..
Delegate: The development of the chapter’s educational programming to appropriate officers and other members.
Evaluate: The effectiveness of associate members and chapter education.
Lead: By providing a meaningful experience for the members.
Inspire: All members to be excited about learning.
Teach: The Seven Core Values as the purpose for caring for members and guests.
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Congratulations brother on your appointment as your chapter’s High Kappa. This position will require you to work diligently to ensure that your chapter lives up to its highest standards. The document you are currently accessing is your officer Operation’s Guide. This interactive document will be your go-to resource in successfully implementing the standards this officer position entails.
The first part of the Operations Guide is the specific operations you should be completing. These operations are separated by Basic, Advanced, and Exceptional. With each of these operations, you can click on the “Jump to Section” to view a page that will give you a description on how to complete that operation. The operations list also has a checkbox you can use when you have completed the operation. When your Educational Leadership Consultant visits with you, he will evaluate you on whether or not you have completed these operations.
There is also a navigation tab at the bottom of the screen that can take you to the previous or next page or the first or last page. You can click on the Basic, Advanced, or Exceptional tabs on the right side of each page to jump back to the operations list at the beginning of the document. At the end of this document, there is a textbox where you can keep notes and blank list where you can create your goals and task.
Should you have any additional questions about the operations of your officer position that are not covered in this Operations Guide please feel free to e-mail the Chapter Service’s staff at [email protected].
From all of us at Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters, we wish you the best going forward as you continue to promote the values and lessons of our Fraternity.
In ZAX,
Nicholas ZunigaDirector of Chapter ServicesLambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Operations GuideA Message from the International Headquarters
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Basic / Core The lamp is symbolic with learning and consistent with the initial levels of the Inner Circle and True Leader (Faithful Steward). At the basic level, the officer demonstrates an understanding of the essential duties needed to meet the most basic duties of his High Zeta position.
Operations GuideBasic Operations
Officer Task Jump to Section Frequency
1. Prepare and complete officer transition Jump to Section First week in office2. Prepare for and participate in the High Zeta Retreat Jump to Section Prior to the High
Zeta Retreat 3. Prepare and complete a High Kappa education plan,
including a budget and calendar Jump to Section Prior to each
academic term 4. Coordinate with all other officers the educational
programming for the associate and initiated members Jump to Section Each academic term
5. Ensure at least 70% of all chapter members attend all fraternity education sessions
Jump to Section Ongoing (365 days)
6. Create and implement a fraternity education program organized around the Seven Core Values
Jump to Section Each academic term
7. Present and implement the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model
Jump to Section Ongoing (365 days)
8. Coordinate the assignment of big brothers with the Big Brother Coordinator or Big Brother Committee (if applicable)
Jump to Section Within one week after the Associate Member Ceremony
9. Create a Big Brother Contract to be approved by the Executive Committee and signed by all big brothers
Jump to Section Each academic term
10. Hold a training session for all big brothers to ensure that all requirements and expectations are understood
Jump to Section At the start of each academic term
11. Coordinate and present the Associate Member Ceremony with High Phi
Jump to Section Within one week of Bid Acceptance
12. Work with the chapter High Phi to develop a pre-Initiation curriculum
Jump to Section Once per academic term; at least 30 days before pre-Initiation week
13. Prepare for and meet with the ELC during a chapter visit
Jump to Section Each academic term
14. Prepare and complete outgoing officer transition Jump to Section Upon election of incoming High Kappa
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Operations GuideAdvanced Operations
Advanced / EssentialThe cross & crescent are symbolic of growth and the cross is our guide in folowing that ideal. At the advanced level, the officer not only meets basic expectations but demonstrates a higher understanding and is able to effectively teach and delegate officer tasks to associate members and other brothers in the chapter.
1. Coordinate with High Zeta officers to present the duties and responsibilities of their respective offices to the chapter
Jump to Section Weekly
2. Hold a reflection and meaning-making session after each pre-Initiation activity with all associate and initiated members
Jump to Section During Pre-Initiation Week
3. Appoint or elect a Big Brother Coordinator separate from the High Kappa
Jump to Section Prior to the High ZetaRetreat
4. Ensure big brothers are meeting for one-on-one sessions weekly during the fraternity education process.
Jump to Section Ongoing
5. Hold a debrief following the Associate Member Ceremony
Jump to Section Within 48 hours of theAssociate Member Ceremony
6. Coordinate and present the Big Brother Ceremony with the Big Brother Coordinator and the High Phi
Jump to Section Upon selection of big brothers
Officer Tasks Jump to Section Frequency
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Operations GuideExceptional Operations
The exceptional officer incorporates the basic and advanced expectations and is able to tie the Core Values and Learning Model in his efforts to teach and delegate officer tasks to associate members and other brothers in the chapter.
Exceptional / Preferred
Jump to AppendixSupplementary material that
support each task required as an officer
Jump to Personal TasksWrite in your own personal goals for your term as
an officer task required as an officer
Officer Tasks Jump to Section Frequency
1. Ensure all other officers utilize the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model during their educational sessions
Jump to Section Ongoing (365 days)
2. Prepare for and submit Lambda Chi Alpha (Lewis A. Plourd Fraternity Education) and campus awards pertaining to fraternity education
Jump to Section Each academic year
3. Prepare and utilize a survey to receive constructive criticism from associate members and brothers concerning the overall Associate Member Program
Jump to Section Within a week after Initiation
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The High Kappa is the fraternity educator for the entire chapter. The member entrusted with this obligation and privilege must be a strong leader because within his office the High Kappa can exert influence over both new and older members. It is this influence which can play an important role in determining whether the men of his chapter will be true fraternity men for life or if they will merely wear the letters of Lambda Chi Alpha.
The fate and the mindset of the chapter rely on your ability to lead each member and to provide lessons and experiences that stimulate deep thinking, during and post lesson. Knowing the definition of a value is great, but understanding it and defining it yourself is desired.
Constitution & Statutory Article II Code III-24 reads as follows: “The High Kappa shall be Chairman of the Committee on Fraternity Education. He shall plan and supervise a course of Fraternity Education for all members based on the history, aims, ideals, laws, programs, policies, and traditions of the institution, the General Fraternity, and the Active Chapter.”
There are many aspects of the duties and responsibilities of the High Kappa which need a more detailed description. After looking through the qualities needed for a High Kappa it appears that the position is suited for none other than a man of sterling character, supreme leadership, and immutable resolve. This observation is not far from the truth when we consider that the High Kappa is required to direct the development of young men with assorted personalities and varied backgrounds, as well as demand and receive support from the members’ opinions and attitudes. The High Kappa must stress the importance of fraternity education to the entire chapter.
The High Kappa must see that each member, whether initiated or associated, fulfills his obligations of membership. When a man joins Lambda Chi Alpha, he makes a commitment to:
• Have time to give the proper attention to the interests of Lambda Chi Alpha.
• Meet all his financial obligations.
• Regard Lambda Chi Alpha with a spirit of sincerity and respect.
• Give Lambda Chi Alpha’s teachings all his earnest consideration.
• Conduct himself as a gentleman at all times and show courtesy to all.
• Work diligently in the pursuit of academic excellence.
• Take part in all suitable extracurricular activities.
Prepare and complete officer transition
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Prepare and complete officer transition
• Receive every member of Lambda Chi Alpha as a brother.
• Maintain secrecy with respect to ritualistic matters.
• Strive for improvement.
• Support freedom, justice, and patriotism.
• Employ his abilities and skill for the good of society.
• Ensure the strict adherence to all ideals, laws, oaths, and traditions of the fraternity.
The High Kappa has the essential opportunity of providing information about membership obligations in a manner that will allow our members the opportunity to understand and fulfill these obligations. It is the duty of the chapter, the officers, and especially the High Kappa to see that these obligations are learned.
To assist in this process, an Officer Duties and Responsibilities / Transition Checklist was created and can be found in the Appendix.
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Depending on the chapter’s circumstances, there may be annual or semiannual retreats for the High Zeta. A retreat for the High Zeta focuses on goal setting and calendar planning. In preparation you should review what the previous High Kappa has achieved and explore new ways to conduct your office. The Operations Guide can be a huge help in creating your goals at the retreat. Here are some sample goals a High Kappa should achieve during his tenure in office:
• Plan and execute different experiential learning sessions for all members each week this semester.
• Have 80% chapter attendance for all fraternity education events this semester.
• Have all big brothers sign a Big Brother Contract by the time of the Big Brother Ceremony.
• Hold an educational session on the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model for associate members in the first week following bid acceptance.
Reflect on how these educational events and goals are consistent with our Seven Core Values. The goals you create need to be structured. They should include a deadline and you should constantly work towards achieving them. After you have completed your goals, challenge yourself to create new goals.
The duties and responsibilities of the High Kappa work in concert with many other chapter offices, especially the High Phi. It is essential that the High Kappa and High Phi work together to educate associate members and execute a successful pre-Initiation week.
Additional Goals and Objectives can be determined using the following questions:
• How can we completely integrate associate members into the chapter at-large?
• How can we continue each member’s fraternity education throughout his undergraduate career as an associate member and initiated brother?
• How can we completely eliminate all forms of unnatural separation?
• How can we establish a unified chapter using our Seven Core Values?
Prepare for and participate in the High Zeta Retreat
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There are several items to take into consideration when building an education plan and calendar. Among the factors to consider are Lambda Chi Alpha standards and expectations, university regulations, chapter feedback on previous fraternity education events, and other items on the chapter calendar. Some universities might have a specific time frame regarding the time between association and initiation (ask the campus official overseeing the IFC for guidance); if no specific time frame is given, the associate member program should last about eight weeks. One week should be reserved for each of the Seven Core Values and the final week should include several pre-Initiation activities to prepare men to receive our Initiation Ritual.
While planning your Fraternity Education Program, refer to the section “Create and implement a fraternity education program organized around the Seven Core Values,” to gain different ideas on activities for our Core Values.
Before solidifying the education calendar, consult the chapter calendar created by the High Gamma and a calendar of university events. The benefits here are twofold. First, you may want to schedule all fraternity education at the same time each week and need to know the best time for all members to be able to attend. Second,, it is easy to take advantage of events already taking place on campus that are relatable to our Seven Core Values to lighten the burden of fraternity education for yourself and for all undergraduate members.
Additionally, when creating your High Kappa education plan it is important to utilize all other High Zeta members and appointive officers (examples, Big Brother Coordinator, Historian, etc.). Refer to section “Coordinate with all other officers the educational programming for the associate and initiated members.“ The High Kappa is not the only officer that has something to teach.
Writing a budget is simple once you have created your calendar, organized all of your events, and list the materials you will need. You can find a sample budget in the appendix. Make sure that after you complete your budget you turn it into the Executive Committee for review and approval so that you are “good to go, financially,” for the academic term that correlates.
Prepare and complete a High Kappa education plan, including a budget and calendar
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Ensuring that all chapter officers are included in fraternity education is extremely important. It is the High Kappa’s role and expectation to utilize every High Zeta’s officers and appointive officers, to assist in the chapter’s education sessions. Many other offices (High Iota, High Epsilon, High Phi, etc.) contain an educational programing component and should lead sessions under their charge.
In order to complete this task it is your role to collaborate with all officers on what educational curriculum should be presented. Many officers have required education that must be completed every year if not every academic term.
For example the following officers have education sessions included in their duties as officers.
Some examples include the following:
• High Delta: Include his recruitment education sessions or a recruitment event as the experience and lesson for Duty
• High Theta: Include his service/philanthropy events and education sessions as the experience and lesson for Service and Stewardship
Again, the High Kappa doesn’t need to add more to the schedule if the schedule already provides a strong fraternity education program. Don’t reinvent the wheel, instead direct the wheel to where you want it to go.
Coordinate with all other officers the educational programming for the associate and initiated members
High AlphaRoberts Rules of OrderChapter meeting expectationsExecutive Committee expectations
High GammaOfficer Portal trainingHistorian obligations
High EpsilonSober monitor education
High PhiRitual educationZAX Sessions
High BetaExtracurricular activity importanceImportance of committees
High TauBreakdown of chapter financesPersonal finances
High SigmaStudy skillsTime managementGraduate school prep
High RhoHow to be a good alumnus
High ThetaImportance of servicePublic relations
High DeltaCore Value identification in conver-sationsRecruitment proceduresBid discussion education
High IotaEvent Planning FormFederal, state, local law and uni-versity policiesHarm reduction education
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It is essential that the membership is actively involved in the new member education process. Brothers should contribute during debriefing sessions and continue their own growth and development. Men who have not been appointed as big brothers will get to know the associate members and will be actively involved in the associate member process.
As a fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha uses the rich diversity within each chapter to enhance the undergraduate experience. No significant difference exists between associate members and initiated brothers except the knowledge of the ritualistic mysteries of Lambda Chi Alpha. All other distinctions are artificial, and hence create a barrier between men. Having the entire active membership present for fraternity education sends a reassuring message to associate members and demonstrates the pursuit of strong brotherhood.
To accomplish this task, many different approaches could be taken. Listed below are examples:
• Turn brotherhood events into fraternity education experiences.
-Shift the chapter mentality from boring brotherhood events and boring fraternity education sessions to more exciting brotherhood/fraternity education sessions.
-Combining two events into one drives attendance, because it frees up the chapter schedule.
-Pooling High Beta and High Kappa budgets for brotherhood/fraternity education events allows for larger, more memorable events.
• Host fraternity education sessions at a time where everyone is already present.
-Before a chapter meeting
-After a chapter meeting
-After other required events (university presentation, etc.)
Ensure that at least 70% of all chapter members attend all fraternity education sessions
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“Perhaps the most fundamental change which was made at this Assembly was the complete elimination of pledgeship, and the adoption of Fraternity Education to replace pledge education. The term ‘pledge’ was officially replaced by ‘Associate Member.’ We feel in fact that this action is one of the most significant changes by any fraternity in the past 50 years.”
-George Spasyk, Executive Director, 1969-1990, following the 1972 Portland General Assembly.
The concept of fraternity education is as old and as deep as those of the fraternity itself. In fraternity education, men are brought into the chapter as individuals and are involved in the entire chapter as responsible and participating members. Their talents are used to further the experience offered by the chapter. Associate Members are given the same privileges and responsibilities as an Initiated Brother except for the right to witness the Initiation Ritual, to vote on matters concerning the Initiation Ritual, or to vote on candidates for initiation or termination of Associate Membership.
In short, there are no distinctions between Associate Members and Initiated Brothers except those stated above; rather, each man is accepted on his own merits and is made a responsible member of Lambda Chi Alpha from the beginning. Every man is an individual, coming from every conceivable background. As a fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha uses the rich diversity within each Chapter to enhance the Lambda Chi Alpha experience. Every chapter must learn to find a place for every individual to grow within Lambda Chi Alpha. In Lambda Chi Alpha, no great difference exists between Associate Members and Initiated Brothers except knowledge in the ritualistic mysteries of Lambda Chi Alpha. All other distinctions are artificial, and hence create a barrier between men. When two men become friends in a social setting, it is normally through finding common interests and they then pursue those interests together. Lambda Chi Alpha is not any different. Through involvement in Lambda Chi Alpha, a new member can find those with whom he has the most in common. This is a natural process and there need be only an opportunity for people to come together for this to occur naturally.
Fraternity education is a natural process which through creative programming, a chapter can provide a positive growing and learning experience. Different people will integrate into the chapter at different rates. Actually, a chapter is a continuous process of getting to know people, so there need not be any alarm if some men appear to be a bit slow in responding to others. Let each man proceed at his own pace, and give everyone the opportunity to get to know each other through quality programming, a high degree of involvement, and a diversification of chapter activity. A true fraternity education program gives a chapter a sound sense of fraternalism because equality and sharing are all a member knows. Each man will learn how to open up to other individuals in order to get to know them and in order to bring them into his society. This is an important lesson in fraternity. The cornerstone of fraternity education is simple: with regard to each other all individuals in the chapter interact with one another on a fraternal level. In short, the correct way in which to treat an Associate Member is just as you would a friend or brother. To make a rigid institution of what is essentially a friend making process is to falsify that process and generally leads to hazing.
Create and implement a fraternity education program organized around the Seven Core Values
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Create and implement a fraternity education program organized around the Seven Core Values
There is no “making work” in Lambda Chi Alpha. There is no pledge class (or Associate Member) officers because there is no emphasis on class unity, only on the chapter’s. There are no special duties designated only for the Associate Members; we are all equally involved in all responsibilities and obligations. There is no place for deliberately insufficient work, like cleaning floors with toothbrushes or even relying only on one set of members to clean up for us; we must all participate and use our time and resources to the maximum degree possible. Lambda Chi Alpha has no excessive manpower or time to waste – everything we do should be designed to contribute to the chapter’s programming.
The Goals and Objectives of Fraternity Education
• To totally and completely integrate an Associate Member into the mainstream of the Chapter.
• To continue each member’s fraternity education throughout his undergraduate years as an Associate Member and Initiated Brother.
• To completely eliminate all forms of unnatural separation.
• To establish a standard of treatment for both the Associate Member and Initiated Brother – complete equality.
• To establish a unified Chapter as the standard and for each member to assist in the complete elimination of pledgeship as the antiquated standard.
• To plan fraternity education for all Initiated Brothers and Associate Members in the Chapter.
During your undergraduate career, you will partake in many new experiences that you would not have had elsewhere. Being a college student is as much about learning outside of the classroom as it is within the classroom. Experiential learning is recognized by Lambda Chi Alpha as a crucial element to a member’s growth and development. The fundamental experiential learning process in Lambda Chi Alpha begins in associate member orientation and remains consistent throughout one’s entire life. During fraternity education, an event should be held each week to illustrate that session’s respective Core Value. For example, a weekend camping retreat at a national park where brothers and associates clean and refurbish a campground illustrates Service and Stewardship. Events such as bringing in a veteran to speak on the Core Value of Duty or bringing in a guest from a women’s advocacy group to speak on Respect are simple, but effective. It is your duty as High Kappa to facilitate this learning process by arranging rich experiences for all members
A breakdown of Core Values and possible experiential learning activities are located in the Appendix.
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The Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model is a four step process. The True Brother Initiative involves a progression from experience focused on the Seven Core Values and Four Roles of True Brotherhood to self-reflection about this experience to creating a sense of personal meaning for it to sharing this process with other brothers. The High Kappa’s responsibility is to facilitate and support this learning model. Have Associate Members share their experiences with big brothers then ask them to spend some private time reflecting on the experience. You might suggest some ideas or questions to help your big brothers and little brothers reflect productively. Then, have the pair spend time together discussing the experi-ence, the associate member’s reactions to it, and its meaning/significance in relation to the focus of the week’s curriculum—The Seven Core Values and Four Roles of True Brotherhood. Be sure to share your own thoughts, feelings, and related experiences. It is often useful to periodically review your debriefing experiences with everyone in conversation or group meetings.
Remember:
• Share the experience.
• Encourage self-reflection
• Discuss and debrief the experience
• Relate experiences to Outer Circle concepts and goals
• Share your own experience and journey
Here is an example of the learning model
• Experience – Conduct the bridge builder activity
• Reflection – Spend time thinking about what exactly happened during the bridge builder activity
• Making Meaning - Make connections between the experience and the Fraternity/your personal experiences
• Share - Discuss your thoughts during the debrief
An experience should be conducted every week to educate the entire chapter. After having conducted the experience you should host a chapter-wide debrief. After receiving time to think through their shared experience, all members should come together to make meaning of the exercise and how it relates to the Fraternity, its values, and our mottos and symbols. Continuing to grow in the knowledge of Lambda Chi Alpha is essential to keep chapter members motivated throughout their time as an active member. Big brothers should also follow up with the associate members and host another small debrief to review the event. This debrief may be separate or during a full High Kappa session, which includes discussion and even reviewing the journal questions found in the Paedagogus. This is another opportunity to have the men reflect on what they are learning as they progress through Associate Membership.
Present and implement the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model
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It is an honor and privilege in Lambda Chi Alpha to serve as a big brother. A big brother will guide his little brother throughout his associate membership and beyond. A High Kappa must trust all big brothers and be able to delegate responsibilities to them over the course of the semester. To prevent common missteps in big brother selection, look below:
• If a member does not assist with recruitment of an associate member or does not regularly attend recruitment events, he should not be eligible for being selected as a big brother.
• If a member is in bad standing with the chapter, he should under no circumstances be the big brother of a member. The big brother must be an example and guide to his little brother at all times and if he is not in good standing with the chapter, he is likely not fit for that role.
• A Big Brother Contract should be distributed to all big brother candidates and should be signed before any are considered. If a brother fails to fulfill his obligations as stated in the contract, then they are expected to resign as a big brother.
Because of the big brothers’ roles in setting an example for all associate members, men who are selected as big brothers should exemplify the highest ideals of membership. Things to consider when choosing big brothers:
Chapters face long-term problems when High Kappas and Big Brother Coordinators weigh the wrong characteristics in big brother selection. Things not to consider when choosing big brothers:
Ultimately the big brother/little brother relationship should serve to provide support and assistance to the associate member. Selfish considerations in big brother selection fail to accomplish that central goal.
Coordinate the assignment of big brothers with the Big Brother Coordinator or Big Brother Committee
• Adherence to the values of the Lambda Chi Alpha
• Participation in chapter activities
• Involvement in recruitment
• Academic performance
• Time-management skills
• Interest in mentoring younger members
• Offices held
• Seniority
• Whether a man has previously served as a big brother
• How recently a man has served as a big brother
• Whether the member is “social”
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A good Big Brother Contract is all encompassing. The specific duties of the Big Brother need to be laid out plainly. Likewise, all expectations outside of the normal duties of a big brother should be highlighted.
The minimum standards for a Big Brother Contract are as follows:
• Be in and remain in good standing with the chapter and the Fraternity (scholastic, financial, and disciplinary)
• Attend all High Kappa sessions and ceremonies of the chapter
• Meet weekly with your little brother
• Attend big brother training
• Follow all oaths of membership and all laws of the fraternity
An example Big Brother Contract can be found in the Appendix
Create a Big Brother Contract to be approved by the Executive Committee and signed by all big brothers
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A Big Brother must be trained on how to properly fulfill all requirements and expectations. Leading up to the assignment of big brothers, you may begin to hold big brother training sessions for all brothers that may be interested in taking a little brother in the future. In these sessions, you should outline ALL expectations of a big brother.
The Role of Big Brothers
The role of the Big Brother in Lambda Chi Alpha’s True Brother initiative is incredibly important. Along with the High Kappa, the Big Brothers are entrusted with the responsibility of teaching our Associate Members about Lambda Chi Alpha and about brotherhood. Each Big Brother also has the duty to prepare his Little Brother to participate in our initiation ritual, as well as monitoring and facilitating his progress towards the Inner Circle.
The future of Lambda Chi Alpha and the quality of our brotherhood are literally in their hands. The role of the Big Brother is a very personal one. The relationships with their Little Brother will forever shape the Little Brother’s views about Lambda Chi Alpha, dedication to our ideals and values, and commitment to a vital sense of brotherly love. More than any other person, the Big Brother will direct and shape the kind of brother the Little Brother becomes.
At the same time, the Big Brother will exert a powerful influence on the development of their Little Brother’s character and values as he grows towards manhood. The friendship which Big Brothers form with their Little Brothers will last a lifetime and will reciprocally nurture the Big Brothers as well. Lambda Chi Alpha and all of our brothers within the bond are counting on you and the Big Brothers to take this role and its responsibilities seriously. Your dedication will make a critical difference to the future of your Chapter and the success of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Below, you will find some expectations of a big brother.
• Be in and remain in good standing with the Fraternity (scholastic, financial, and disciplinary)
• Attend all High Kappa sessions, experiential learning sessions, and ceremonies of the chapter
• Meet weekly with your little brother
• Attend big brother training
• Follow all oaths of membership and all laws of the fraternity
• Involve oneself in extracurricular activities
• Serve as the ideal example of a chapter member for your little brother
Hold a training session for all big brothers to ensure that all requirements and expectations are understood
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Hold a training session for all big brothers to ensure that all requirements and expectations are understood
Big Brother Training Curriculum
Effective Big Brothers require training, development, and practice. It is an honor to serve in this role. Earning that honor requires commitment and hard work. It is recommended that each chapter develops some form of Big Brother training and requires that each brother who wishes to serve in this role complete the training. Here is a sample outline for a Big Brother Training Curriculum.
Who Should Be a Big Brother?
• Review of Requirements
• Review of Big Brother Contract
• Panel discussion by several experienced Big Brothers about how to be an effective Big Brother
Exercise: Each participant lists 10 adjectives to describe his Big Brother and then describes how each characteristic impacted him and their relationships. Share/discuss in pairs, and follow up with group discussion.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Big Brother
• Review/discuss the characteristics of an ideal Big Brother
• Review/discuss the five (5) areas of Big Brother responsibility
• Examine/discuss the “Sharing the Journey” form
Exercise: Break into small groups of three and practice effective communication skills by role playing three sample discussions. Rotate the roles of Big Brother, Little Brother, and Observer (who watches the discussion and provides feedback). Sample discussion topics:
What are your personal goals?
What do you consider your greatest personal strength and weaknesses?
Describe the worst thing that ever happened to you.
Why did you join Lambda Chi Alpha?
What does brotherhood mean to you?
Process this experience with the entire group, and discuss what builds a strong and lasting friendship.
Exercise: Trust fall - Experience with several volunteer brothers. Discuss the role of trust in relationships and how it develops.
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Hold a training session for all big brothers to ensure that all requirements and expectations are understood
Exercise: Brothers for Life—Ask your High Pi or another alumnus to describe his Big Brother and their relationships with a focus on how it impacted him across the years. Describe any continuing contact. Ask any seniors to reflect on their Big Brothers and the course of that relationship across time. Discuss the implications of these reflections for the current group of Big Brothers.
Review of True Brother Outer Circle Curriculum
• Discuss the Learning Model
• Experience ~ Reflect ~ Make Meaning ~ Debrief/Share
• Review the Seven Core Values
• Review the Four Roles of True Brotherhood
• Review Core Learning Goals for Each Week
Exercise: Role play in small groups processing the learning experience for one of the week’s curricula. Focus on one Core Value and one Role of Brotherhood per role play. Trade the roles of the Big Brother and Little Brother. Discuss in small groups and report experiences to the entire group. Develop a list of value-related experiences (events used to teach the week’s Core Value through experiential learning) for each of the Seven Core Values.
Panel discussion by the High Kappa, High Phi, and High Pi: How do you facilitate personal growth and fraternal identity in your Little Brother?
Transition to the Inner Circle
• Review and discuss Pre-Initiation activities and how to debrief them
• ZAX session with the High Phi/High Pi regarding ritualism and symbols
• Review the protocol to process the Initiation experience (2nd Degree) with Little Brothers
Exercise: Role play appropriate and effective processing of the ritual experience (2nd Degree), and discuss what comes next—How to help your Little Brother begin his Inner Circle Journey.
Closing Exercise: After a period of self-reflection, list the strengths and weaknesses which you bring to your role as a Big Brother. Divide into pairs and discuss with your partner. Discuss how to compensate for weakness. Process this with the entire group. Close with a reading of “The Bridge Builder” and a candle pass focusing on your related thoughts and feelings and your goals as a Big Brother.
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The Associate Member Ceremony is an open ceremony to which may be invited parents and families of associate members, local alumni, college or university officials, friends of members, and recruitment prospects.
This ceremony is a condensation of the pledge degree and three initiation degrees of the Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity. At the Union in 1939, this means was selected as the primary device for preserving the ritual heritage of Theta Kappa Nu in the combined brotherhood.
Although the script calls for the individuals holding the offices of High Alpha, High Beta, High Phi, High Delta, and High Kappa to perform the ceremony, substitutes may be used. The officers and all attendees (brothers, associate members, and guests) should be similarly attired, preferably in jacket and tie.
The Associate Member Ceremony must be completely memorized, including all movements. Therefore, sufficient rehearsals must be conducted to assure that the ceremony proceeds smoothly.
Equipment
• altar and plain white altar cloth
• coat of arms painting on wall
• flag of the country or countries of the candidates
• Greek lamp and lamp oil
• the Bible
• list of the full names of the candidates
• a copy of form 600A for each candidate to sign (High Gamma supplies)
• an associate member pin for each candidate
• a fire extinguisher
Coordinate and present the Associate Member Ceremony with High Phi
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Pre-Initiation, similar to the nature of man himself, has evolved over the years. The first kinds of Pre-Initiation were very similar to that of a “hell-week” mentality. In these types of events, new members called “pledges” would be directed to participate in activities that would humiliate them and the older brothers would try to test their passion for the fraternity by means of useless tests, activities, and other strange methods.
In 1925, Bruce McIntosh met with the Grand High Zeta to discuss Pre-Initiation events with many of the chapters that he visited. He was very concerned with the events in two major areas. The first area was the safety of the pledges (or new members), and the second area was if the practices were compatible with our ideals of the Fraternity. With the brothers’ forcing pledges to participate in hazing, they were going against all of the teachings learned in our ritual.
With this information provided by our chapters, the fraternity begins to slowly explore abolishing many practices that should never have been a part of Lambda Chi Alpha. While this process was tedious, pledgeship was abolished, and the term Associate Member was adopted in 1972. This changed the concept of Pre-Initiation as well, but it would take a few years after 1972 to implement changes. As Lambda Chi Alpha entered the 1980’s, Fraternity Education moved away from Associate Member only activities to chapter unity experiences. Programs were evaluated for their overall benefit to all the members.
Our Pre-Initiation is designed for all chapter members, both initiates and associates. The reason behind this is to prepare the entire chapter for the taking or re-taking of one’s fraternal oaths. The events are planned to enhance each members’ experience as a dedicated chapter member through the celebration of brotherhood. This is to be an experience that all members treasure as a vital part of the Lambda Chi Alpha experience.
The Goals of pre-Initiation
The chapter is about to undergo the most sacred part of our fraternity, the aspect of Lambda Chi Alpha that separates us from all other groups. This is our Initiation Exemplification. This ceremony should be prepared for in a variety of ways. Of course the actual ceremony should be memorized, equipment cleaned and washed, and a proper place should be secured. Besides the physical preparation for the ceremony it is important to be mentally prepared as well. This is where Pre-Initiation comes in. If your chapter does not feel mentally prepared for Ritual, then it would be a good idea to re-evaluate your chapter’s events.
Work with the chapter High Phi to develop a Pre-Initiation curriculum
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Work with the chapter High Phi to develop a Pre-Initiation curriculum
The goals of Pre-Initiation should be the rejoicing of our values and the celebration of brotherhood for the entire chapter. Here are four ways this is done:
Rededication
In this aspect Pre-Initiation serves to refresh the memory of both the old and new brothers about the ideals of the Fraternity. These ideals are not secret, and can be found in the Associate Member Ceremony as well as our Creed. Pre-Initiation events should be focused on the understanding of these teachings and ideals.
Celebration
Pre-Initiation is a time for rejoicing and fun! These are the times that the chapter should be the closest. Differences are put aside, members try to develop tighter relationships with each other and all are included in a variety of events that celebrate the bond of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Inspiration
Pre-Initiation should be a time of enjoying each other’s friendship and awaiting our Ritual Exemplification. The brothers know how inspiring of a ceremony it is and need to work as an entire chapter to make sure that the Associate Members feel inspired as well. All should be inspired by the work and dedication of all members that have prepared themselves for the upcoming ceremony.
Reflection
Pre-Initiation should be a time when all members reflect on their motives for being in the chapter. It is a time when members re-evaluate their involvement in the chapter based on our ideals. Have they met their goals as a member? What are some aspects they can work on for next semester? Have they been arguing with other members in the chapter? Can members resolve conflicts?
Making a Great Pre-Initiation Experience
The best way to create a great experience during Pre-Initiation is to have as many members participating in all events as possible. The effects of Pre-Initiation are essential to the understanding of Lambda Chi Alpha. Therefore, most of these events should be mandatory. Obviously, if members have prior engagements one cannot be forced to attend, but most members should want to attend these events because of their importance. Not to mention that they are important but they are also fun and crucial to the bond that we all possess as members of Lambda Chi Alpha. Now that attendance has been stated as an important element in a good Pre-Initiation experience, let’s look at other critical parts to a great experience.
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Work with the chapter High Phi to develop a pre-initiation curriculum
Being Mindful to Reduce the Potential for Harm
While all members know that preparing for ritual is very important, brothers must also consider the obligation to offer a safe and secure environment to share the experiences. Though not always solemn, these events should be treated with a degree of reverence and respect.
• The presence of alcohol and other controlled substances are strictly forbidden.
• Being under the influence of any controlled substance should disqualify attendance.
• Any time an open flame is present, a working fire extinguisher should be at hand.
• Events should be in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.
Selecting Worthy Pre-Initiation Experiences
In order to make your Pre-Initiation a successful one it will be important to assess your chapter’s needs. In planning the different kinds of activities needed, it will be important for the High Kappa and High Phi to evaluate the chapter by asking the following questions:
1. What are the strengths of my chapter?
2. What are some of the challenges that are faced by my chapter?
3. How prepared are all members for receiving our Ritual?
4. Was there an event that may have strained chapter relations?
5. What are the current trends of the chapter?
After the High Kappa and High Phi have addressed these questions, it will be important to then plan out the chapter Pre-Initiation events. Let’s say that during the semester, there was a fight during the chapter after an intramural football game. This fight has separated the chapter ever since. It would be a good idea then to focus the events on unity, teamwork, and the bond that we all share together. This special emphasis may not be required next semester, but instead may need to focus more on the some of the teachings of our Associate Member Ceremony.
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Work with the chapter High Phi to develop a Pre-Initiation curriculum
Once the Pre-Initiation events have been created, after every event it will be important for the High Kappa and High Phi (or committee) to evaluate the events. Have an honest discussion on how the event went. The debriefing section of each activity is critical for evaluation of each activity.
Areas to look at could be:
1. What were the members’ reactions? Did it seem like they enjoyed the event?
2. What was the meaning of the event? How does it relate to the Ritual?
3. Did it foreshadow any part of the Ritual?
a. If it did, it will be important to revise the events for next time.
4. How long was the event? Should it have taken this long?
Three examples of Pre-Initiation schedules
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In addition to this Operation Guide, during your meeting with the ELC you should bring the following items to your meeting:
• Officer goals and action plan
• Copy of the fraternity education lesson plans with the purpose and mechanics of the lessons
• Big Brother Program overview and contracts
Please Describe the Experiential Learning Sessions for the Seven Core Values:
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Prepare for and meet with the ELC during a chapter visit
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Prepare for and meet with the ELC during a chapter visit
Service and Stewardship
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage
How is the Learning Model Explained
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Prepare for and meet with the ELC during a chapter visit
Are Big Brothers present at all Kappa Sessions?
Yes No
Are follow-up sessions performed by Big Brothers each week?
Yes No
It is also highly encouraged that the Big Brother Coordinator attends the meeting as well or schedules a separate meeting with the representative from the Office of Administration.
Meetings should be around one hour and if you are asked to complete any addition forms or handouts, please do so before the meeting takes place.
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Officer Transition
For a chapter/colony to be successful, it is important that its officers don’t “reinvent the wheel”. Valuable information and resources are lost each year due to an ineffective transition process. To assist in this pro-cess, an Officer Duties and Responsibilities / Transition Checklist was created and can be found in the Appendix. It is recommended that both the incoming and outgoing officers review the checklist before the actual transition occurs.
Prepare and complete outgoing officer transition
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Every chapter officer should have the opportunity to discuss their duties and responsibilities with the chapter. This should occur at a High Kappa session. By reviewing their office with the associate mem-bers especially, officers have a chance to encourage younger chapter members to contemplate running for election to an office. Additionally, this serves as an orientation to the High Zeta for all members.
All officers should review the following information before presenting during an education session:
• Officer Operations Guide
• Constitutional duties
• Local chapter responsibilities
Coordinate with High Zeta officers to present the duties and responsibilities of their respective offices to the chapter
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During Pre-Initiation, it is essential that the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model is followed. By following the Learning Model, members not only have meaningful experiences, but they’ll also gain understanding of the purpose of each pre-Initiation event.
The journey to becoming a brother in Lambda Chi Alpha begins with self-awareness. The more you know yourself, the more easily and completely you can commit yourself to our teachings and our broth-erhood. The True Brother Initiative greatly emphasizes experiential learning and reflection. We must constantly be looking to learn from our experiences in order to grow as men. During the short time that you are in college you will have the opportunity to learn about yourself in many different ways. During the next few weeks and the months ahead in your undergraduate career you will have the opportunity to learn about yourself in many different ways. Participating in all the different activities of the fraternity will provide avenues to learn your strengths and weaknesses, things about your interpersonal style and more about who you are and what you value.
To begin the journey this exercise offers the opportunity to take an inventory about who you are and some of the ways you think and feel about yourself.
Hold a reflection and meaning making session after each pre-initiation activity with all associate and initiated members
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To accomplish the tasks of both educating the Chapter and organizing the orientation program would be too large a job for any member. The High Kappa needs someone to be in charge of Associate Member Orientation. That person is the Big Brother Coordinator. The Big Brother Coordinator serves with the High Kappa and directs the Big Brother education of the Associate Members. The Big Brother Coordinator may be selected by the High Kappa, appointed by the High Zeta or elected by the Chapter. The method of selection of this office should be spelled out in the Chapter’s by-laws.
The Big Brother Coordinator has several responsibilities ranging from Big Brother selection to weekly management of big brothers. Some duties of the Big Brother Coordinator are:
• Ensuring that all big brothers attend a training session and sign a Big Brother Contract before serving as a big brother
• Following up with all big brothers and little brothers that all of the tasks on the big brother contract are being completed
• Hold bi-monthly big brother forums to hear how the process is being completed and if any big brothers need assistance
• Work with the High Kappa or Education Committee to develop curriculum
• Assisting the High Kappa with all necessary tasks and events as needed
The High Kappa should have weekly meetings with the Big Brother Coordinator to ensure that all of his duties are taking place and offering help when it is needed.
Appoint or elect a Big Brother Coordinator separate from the High Kappa
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If you have an appointed or elected Big Brother Coordinator, include this duty within his office. If he is already tasked with too many duties or you do not have a Big Brother Coordinator, complete these tasks as the High Kappa of the chapter.
During the weekly one-on-one sessions between big brothers and associate members, the following should be reviewed:
• The week’s experiential learning session and Core Value
• Academic responsibilities for the week (tests, quizzes , papers and exams)
• Chapter events coming up
• Personal events coming up
It is crucial the Big Brother regularly discuss their Little Brother’s progress with him and give him honest feed-back regarding your perception of his growth and development in our brotherhood. This discussion should be a shared dialogue not just a critique or report card. Ask him how he sees his progress and respond with affirmation, reinforcement, clear and constructive feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Be sure to include compliments as well as constructive criticism. Offer help to achieve goals where Little Brothers may be falling behind. Explore the reasons for lack of progress and related feelings and motivational issues.
When the time comes to vote on candidates for Initiation, the big brother should be his little brother’s main advocate and offer honest insight into his associate member experience.
Weekly one-on-one sessions can be performed over meals and can be a great way to connect. Some chapters may want to utilize a signature sheet to be turned into the High Kappa or Big Brother Coordinator showing that the men are meeting weekly.
Ensure that big brothers are meeting for one-on-one sessions weekly during the fraternity education process
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The Associate member ceremony is the beginning of the journey to brotherhood. This is the introduc-tion of our fraternity, obligations, and values. It is important for the associate to truly grasp what has happened during the ceremony. This ceremony is a condensed version of Theta Kappa Nu Fraternities’ pledge degree and three initiation degrees. This session can be used as a transition into a discussion on Theta Kappa Nu history.
Debrief
With all of the brothers and associate members, the High Phi should discuss the importance and mean-ing behind Associate Member Ceremony. The Phi should be prepared to ask the associate members what they experienced and how that experience made them feel. Emphasis should be placed on the oath and the values presented in the ceremony and the application of those values to life.
Sample questions:
• Begin a discussion about Fraternity and its meaning for each person.
• Why does the Delta talk about Fraternity?
• How do the clasped hands reflect Fraternity?
• What are the stereotypes involving Fraternities in the media and on your campus?
• How do you overcome these stereotypes?
• Begin a discussion of Patriotism and what it means for each person.
• Why does the Beta talk about Patriotism?
• How does a flag reflect Patriotism?
• How does a person show Patriotism?
• Do you know someone who has demonstrated a great sense of Patriotism?
• How has this person’s example influenced your thinking about what it means to be Patriotic?
• How do you show your Patriotism in your day-to-day life?
• Begin a discussion on Learning and what it means for each person.
• Why does the Phi talk about Learning?
Hold a debrief following the Associate Member Ceremony
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Hold a debrief following the Associate Member Ceremony
• How does the Greek lamp reflect Learning?
• What is the importance of Learning to Lambda Chi Alpha?
• What is the importance of Learning to society?
• Begin a discussion on Morality and what it means for each person.
• Why does the Kappa talk about Morality?
• How does the Bible reflect Morality?
• What morals do you live your life by?
• What does “Every Man a Man” mean to you?
• What values should a man possess?
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This is where the Title goes for the Header of the Manual Officer TaskCoordinate and present the Big Brother Ceremony with the Big Brother Coordinator and the High Phi
Lambda Chi Alpha does not have an official big brother ceremony; chapters and colonies have shared their big brother ceremonies and rituals at Conclaves and summer conferences for several years, however and a large number are quite similar. A copy of the Big Brother Ceremony is included in the Appendix. Utilizing a big brother ceremony lends importance to what will be the central personal relationship throughout associate membership. Work with the High Phi and Big Brother Coordinator to present a Big Brother Ceremony.
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Ensure that all other officers utilize the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model during their educational sessions
Utilizing the Learning Model is expected not just for High Kappa sessions. Many other officers present educational programming and the Learning Model should be reflected in those events as well.
• Pre-Initiation events
• Harm reduction education sessions
• Social education
• Scholastic programming
• Financial education sessions
The more a chapter focuses on education using the Learning Model, the easier and more powerful all education sessions become.
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At every Lambda Chi Alpha summer conference up to three chapters receive the Lewis A. Plourd Fra-ternity Education Award. The award recognizes outstanding programing and initiative of Lambda Chi Alpha undergraduate chapters in developing a culture of fraternity education utilizing the Lambda Chi Alpha Learning Model.
They can be emailed to [email protected]. As the semester progresses, you should fill out as much information as possible so that when it comes time to submit an application the majority of it may already be completed.
Award applications can be found by logging on to Officer Portal and opening the Document Library.
Many colleges and universities present a similar award at their Greek awards ceremonies at the end of each academic year. Receiving recognition for your chapter’s success in fraternity education program-ming can be a great source of pride for the chapter.
Prepare for and submit for Lambda Chi Alpha (Lewis A. Plourd Fraternity Education) and campus awards pertaining to Fraternity Member Education
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The only way to improve fraternity education from year to year is to receive feedback from participants and to adapt the program when necessary. This can be done by utilizing websites such as Survey Monkey or a Google document to develop a survey to send out to the chapter. Here are some mock questions to ask:
• How often did you meet with your big brother?
• What was your favorite Kappa session?
• What was your least favorite Kappa session? Why?
• What is one area you feel we can improve in regards to fraternity education?
• What can we do to improve the big brother program?
Prepare and utilize a survey to receive constructive criticism from associate members and brothers concerning the overall associate member program
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Officer Transition Checklist
This checklist will provide the incoming and outgoing officer with many talking points that should be covered during the transition.
Duties and Responsibilities• What are my officer duties and responsi-
bilities?• Approximately how much time do I spend
with each?
Officer Operations Guide• Do you have a copy of the officer manu-
al?• Were there any sections that you found
more beneficial?
Ceremonies/Rituals• Do I have a role in the Associate Member
Ceremony?• Do I have a role in the Ritual for Conduct-
ing Business Meetings?
Officer Notebook • Do you have an officer notebook?• What should be included in it?
Officer Reports• Are there any reports that I am responsible
for?• If so, when, by whom, and how do they
need to be completed?
Event Planning Form• What is the Event Planning Form?• When do I need to complete them?
Constitution and Statutory Code, By-Laws• Are there any policies that directly relate to
this office?• Are there any policies that I am responsible
for enforcing?
Advisers• Do I have an adviser? If so, what is the
role between the two of us?• What is my role with the Greek adviser?• Who is the educational leadership consul-
tant in this area?
Committees• What committees am I on?• What do I need to know?
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Officer Transition Checklist
Yearly Calendar• When did you schedule your
events? When should I?• Are there any deadlines I should
know about?
Meetings • What is my role at the chapter meet-
ing? High Zeta meeting?• Am I a member of the Executive Com-
mittee?
Budget• Can I see a copy of your budget from
last term?• What areas do I need more or less
money?• Brainstorm and develop a budget
proposal.
Officer Goals• What were your goals?• What goals were met and which ones
were not? Why?• Brainstorm and develop new goals.
Advice• If you had an additional year, what
would you do different?• What advice do you have for me?
Programs and Events• What programs, projects, and/or
events were effective during the year? Why?
• What programs, projects, and/or events were not effective during the year? Why?
Additional Questions/Concern
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Sample Budget
1 | P a g e
iii. Sample Budget You should develop a budget or operating plan for the entire academic year. It is recommended that you plan for each semester or quarter and add the summer months if applicable.
Budget Notes: List events, activities, supplies, etc. that you would like to implement or utilize. Example: Office of the High Kappa - Purchasing Education Materials (Binders, Pens, Pencils, Journals, etc). - Fraternity Education Costs - Big Brother Program Costs - Food, etc. Budget Proposal: What do you project your expenditures to be during the next budget timeline (semester,quarter/year)? **Please e specific** Example of Budget Proposal:
Next, have the High Alpha, High Tau, the previous officer, and one at-large officer offer feedback on your budget proposal. The officers should answer the following questions: What is missing? What should be deleted? Is an item over/under budget? Any other thoughts?
Office of the High Kappa
Education Materials Binder x 10 $40.00 Journal x 10 $30.00 Total $70.00
Fraternity Education Candles $25 Laser Tag $150.00 Total $175.00
Big Brother Program Gifts $200.00 Game night $100.00 Total $300.00
Food Chapter member Grill out$250.00 Total $250.00
Grand Total $795.00
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Duty Experiential Learning Activities for Duty:
• Candle / Lamp pass (duty to brotherhood)
• Police ride-along • Canned food journey • Brotherhood Dinner • Volunteer in the community • House Jobs • Visit the International
Headquarters building in Indianapolis
• Work at a soup kitchen • Have an associate member
shadow a High Zeta officer for a week
• Flag drop • Web of Brotherhood • Wheat Rx • Work Concessions as a chapter
fund-raiser • Possible movies to watch: Good
Morning Vietnam, 300, The Last Castle, We Were Soldiers, u571, Pearl Harbor, Saving Private Ryan
• Guest Speakers on Duty: War Veteran, ROTC member, Pastor / Minister / Clergyman
Duty Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Duty:
1. What does the phrase “fulfill your duties”
mean to you? (Write common themes on a flip chart.)
2. Relate answers to the above question to
the Chapter and Lambda Chi Alpha. (The object here is to establish the existence of an agreed upon set of expectations for a brother tied to the notion of Duty.)
3. Have you known anyone who demonstrated a highly-‐developed sense of Duty? Who? 4. How did they demonstrate their sense of Duty? What did they do? 5. How did their example influence how you think about Duty? 6. What does the phrase “not subordinate Duty to expediency” mean to you? 7. The formal definition of Duty speaks of exceeding one’s Duty in ethical matters. What does this mean? Can you think of some examples? 8. What does a leader do to inspire a sense of Duty in those he leads?
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Respect Experiential Learning Activities for Respect:
• Visit a Veterans Cemetery • Participate in Double Vision • Flag Drop • Sorority women speaking on
respecting women • Invite teachers to a banquet
sponsored by the chapter • Mock Exec Trial • Human Knot • Badge/Pin • Visit a historical figures monument • Host an Etiquette Dinner • Teach how to dress properly • Attend a police or military funeral • Watch Cinderella Man, Coach
Carter, Remember the Titans, Tuesdays with Morey, Sandlot, Taking Chance, Rain Man, The Elephant Man, Money Ball
• Host a guest speaker from a women's advocacy group
Respect Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Respect:
1. Give Webster’s Dictionary definition of Respect as a starting point for discussion. Compare that definition of Respect to our Core Value of Respect. Discuss the differences. 2. Identify someone in your life, not in the Chapter, that you Respect. 3. How did this person gain your Respect? 4. Identify someone in the Chapter that you Respect. 5. How did this person gain your Respect? (Look for common themes in answers to Number III and V.) 6. How is Respect earned in the Chapter? 7. Is it important to be Respected in the Chapter? Why? 8. How can a person lose Respect in the Chapter? 9. Have you observed behaviors in the Chapter that were disrespectful? What were they? 10. How should disrespectful behaviors be dealt with? (Opportunity here for discussion of conflict resolution.) 11. How does a leader demonstrate Respect?
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Service and Stewardship Experiential Learning Activities for Service and Stewardship:
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen • Participate in assisting the elderly • Have the associate members and big
brothers participate in a service project together
• Bring in a guest speaker from a non-profit organization
• Participate in an all-campus cleanup • Participate in local philanthropies • Watch Patch Adams, Finding
Forrester, Pay it Forward, Dark Knight, Ratatouille, Saving Private Ryan, and Radio
Service and Stewardship Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Service and Stewardship:
1. What does the phrase “service before self” mean to you? 2. How do we “Serve” Lambda Chi Alpha? 3. What are we doing when we are “good Stewards” of Lambda Chi Alpha? (List these on a flip chart.) 4. What are some of the things we do when we are NOT good Stewards of Lambda Chi Alpha? (List these on a separate flip chart and compare with chart from No. 3.) 5. How does the concept of Service and Stewardship relate to the values of Loyalty, Duty, and Respect? (Object here is for Associate Members to begin to see the Core Values as interrelated rather than isolated concepts.) 6. “Effective leaders always exercise authority as opposed to power.” If the above is true, what does the quote, “authority is always built on service and sacrifice,” mean? What in this quote sounds familiar to you? 7. Effective leaders identify the legitimate needs, rather than wants, of their people and their organization and serve them. What are the differences between “wants” and “needs?” (Remember, as we develop our Associate Members we are moving them from “I want” to “We need”.) 8. What do the words “Servant Leader” mean to you?
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Honor Experimental Learning Activities for Honor:
• Interview a couple that has been married for over 25 years
• Watch Last Samurai, Men of Honor, 300, The Thin Red Line, Slumdog Millionare, Cool Runnings
• Visit a War Memorial • Host an ROTC member or
instructor as a guest speaker • Visit a Marine Base • Volunteer at a retirement home • Bring in a commander from ROTC
Honor Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Honor:
1. What do the words “Honorable Person” mean to you? (List characteristics on flip chart.) 2. Do you know someone you would describe as Honorable? 3. Who are they and how do they demonstrate the value of Honor in their behavior? 4. Is there someone in the Chapter whom you regard as an Honorable person? Why? 5. What does the phrase “Honor provides the motive for action,” mean? 6. How could one be dishonorable? 7. How does the value of Honor relate to the other Core Values we have discussed? 8. Can an Honorable person ever countenance hazing in any form? Explain? 9. Is an Honorable person someone who just follows the rules? Elaborate. 10. How does a leader act Honorably?
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Integrity Experiential Learning Activities for Integrity:
• Watch Twelve Angry Men, Crash, American History X, The Scent of a Woman, The Dark Knight, V for Vendetta
• Host a pastor / clergyman as a guest speaker
• Participate in the Heinz Dilemma • Exec mock role play • Develop and have all members sign
a chapter social contract • Cross the Line • 3 Questions • Have a stock broker come in as a
guest speaker • Have associates find articles about
people they think have integrity and people they think who do not. Discuss what distinguishes one from the other and who gets more play in the media?
• Role play some typical situations in which a group of people try to put pressure on one person to do something that is against Lambda Chi Alpha's core values. Do this several times with different outcomes, such as caving into the group's pressure, or mustering the courage to stand up for what you believe. After the improvisation, discuss what the associates learned from this and find out if they can use it they are in a similar situation?
Integrity Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Integrity:
1. Why is Integrity important? In a Brother? In a leader? 2. What do we really mean when we say someone lacks Integrity? (Can not be trusted. Discuss Intent vs. Impact.) 3. What are things that can undermine a person’s Integrity? 4. Do you know someone you would describe as a person of Integrity? Who? 5. What do they say and do that tells you they are a person of Integrity? (List these characteristics on a flip chart.) 6. Can you imagine a situation in the Chapter where you might be pressured to compromise your Integrity? Elaborate. (Older Brothers can contribute here with their experiences.) 7. “Integrity is the bridge between character and conduct.” What does this quote mean? 8. What does the phrase “walk the talk” have to do with the value of Integrity? 9. How does a leader demonstrate Integrity?
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Seven Core Value Questions and Thoughts
Personal Courage Experiential Learning Activities for Personal Courage:
• Ropes Course • Burning of the Faults • High/Low activity • Lamp Pass • If you really knew me you would
know “blank” • Roses and Thorns • Cross the Line • Guest speaker from soldier in the
armed forces • Crescens Somnium • Discuss problems in the chapter • Write a journal entry explaining a
personal weakness • Watch Glory Road, Tale Tale,
Behind Enemy Lines, Pay it Forward, Friday Night Lights, Money Ball, Black Hawk Down
• Discuss examples of personal courage in life
Personal Courage Debrief Questions for the Experiential Learning Activities for Personal Courage:
1. There are two types of Personal Courage. What are they?
a. Physical Courage b. Moral Courage c. (ZAX sessions or Post-Initiation
discussions should make the connection with the crossed
swords on the coat of arms and 2nd Degree.)
2. Is Courage the absence of fear? 3. Do you know someone who has demonstrated moral Courage? Who? 4. What were the circumstances? 5. What did they do? 6. Why do you think they acted as they did? What motivated them? 7. Did they suffer repercussions for their actions? If so, was that fair? 8. Why would “self-examination and willingness to change” require Courage? 9. Why is Personal Courage important in Lambda Chi Alpha? 10. How might your moral Courage be challenged in Lambda Chi Alpha? 11. How would you know that your response to this challenge was the correct one? (Here’s where they use all of the values to arrive at a decision or course of action.) 12. Why do leaders have to possess Personal Courage?
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Pre-Initiation Schedules
v. Pre-‐Initiation Schedules Example 1:
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6:00 PM:
Introduction of Pre-‐Initiation Schedule to Associate Members and Brothers 6:15 PM: Lamp Pass 8:30 PM: Lamp Pass Debrief/ dismissal
7:00 PM: Bridge Builder 7:30 PM: Bridge Builder Debrief 8:00 PM: Introduction to Mock Ritual 8:30 Dismissal
7:00 PM: Three Questions 8:00 PM Three Questions Debrief 8:30 Dismissal
12:00 PM Big Brother/ Associate Member Lunch 7:00 PM: Mock Ritual 7:45 PM Mock Ritual Debrief 8:15 Dismissal
5:00 PM: Initiation Ritual Begins
1:00 PM: ZAX Session
Example 2: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7:00 PM:
Introduction of Pre-‐Initiation Schedule to Associate Members and Brothers 7:30 PM: Burning of the Faults 9:00 PM: Dismissal
6:30 PM: Individual Coat of Arms 7:30 PM: Burning of the Faults Debrief 8:00 PM: Badge/Pin 9:00 PM: Dismissal
7:30 PM: Badge/Pin Debrief 8:00 PM: Crescens Somnium 9:00 PM: Dismissal
12:00 PM: Big Brother/ Associate Member Lunch 1:00 PM: Crescens Somnium Debrief 7:30 PM: Movie Night 9:30 PM: Movie Debrief and dismissal
11:00 AM: Initiation Ritual Begins **ZAX Session occurring the next Monday night.**
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Pre-Initiation Schedules
Example 3: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6:00 PM:
Big Brother/ Little Brother review of fraternity education 7:00 PM: Celebration of Life 7:45 PM: Celebration of Life Debrief/ dismissal
5:00 PM: Big Brother/ Little Brother review of creed and fraternity history 6:00 PM: Mock Ritual 6:15 PM: Mock Ritual Debrief/ dismissal
5:30 PM: Silent Supper 7:00 PM: Initiation Ritual Begins
1:00 PM ZAX Session
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Big Brother Contract
vi Big Brother Contract Big Brother Contract I, ___________________, agree to serve as a Big Brother of Phi-‐Beta Zeta. I commit to serve as a mentor and guide to my Little Brother, to be a role model of the ideals and principles of Lambda Chi Alpha, to participate in all Lambda Chi Alpha education programs and activities, to discuss and process his Associate Member experience with my Little Brother, to review all Lambda Chi Alpha education assignments and to monitor the progress of my Little Brother, and to assess and promote his readiness for Initiation. I certify that I have met and shall continue all of the following requirements:
1. Recruitment – I will actively promote Lambda Chi Alpha and assist in all Recruitment Events. As well as assist in the training of my little brother in the best practices of the Cole Recruitment Program.
2. Academics – I will obtain / maintain a 2.65 GPA or higher unless the Executive Committee by unanimous consent allows me to forgo this requirement but at no times can I be approved to be a big brother if my GPA is below a 2.5.
3. Extracurricular Activities – I will be actively involved in one or more Registered Student Organization on campus and will encourage / assist my little brother being involved in one as well.
4. Finances – I will at all times be fully paid of my dues with Phi-‐Beta Zeta or will at all times be in full compliance with my payment plan approved by the Executive Committee.
5. Alumnus – Once my time as an active undergraduate member of Lambda Chi Alpha comes to an end, I will volunteer as needed my time, talent and treasure to the Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity and Phi-‐Beta Zeta.
6. General Fraternity Functions – I will promote chapter attendance at all general Fraternity Functions including Conclaves, Stead Leadership Conferences and General Assemblies.
7. Property – I will respect all Lambda Chi Alpha symbols, trademarks, and Rituals of the fraternity. I will also respect the chapter floor in Depree Hall and set a good example for my little brother and all brothers to follow.
8. Chapter Functions – I will attend all meetings, serve as a sober monitor, assist the officers as needed, promote attendance at cultural events and encourage my little brother to do so as well.
9. Lambda Chi Alpha Policies – I will follow all Lambda Chi Alpha, university, local, state, and federal rules and regulations. I will at no time participate in or promote activities that are or could be interpreted as hazing.
10. Officers – I will follow all directions given by express wording from the High Kappa, High Phi and High Pi regarding new member education / programming.
11. Training – I will attend and participate in Big Brother and informal training. 12. Follow Up Sessions – I will meet with my little brother at least once a week outside of functions,
new member education, or events to answer any questions he may have as well as follow up on each week’s education.
For any reason, If I ____________________(print name), do not meet the above standards, my position as a big brother will be revoked by my own doing. I will hold myself to the highest standards in Lambda Chi Alpha. I will at all times be an exemplar to my little brother and all members of Eastern Kentucky University. Big Brother: _____________________________ High Kappa: _____________________________
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Big Brother Ceremony
vii Big Brother Ceremony
Big Brother Ceremony
This is an open ceremony to which may be invited parents and families of associate members, local alumni, college or university officials, friends of members, and recruitment prospects.
The officers (and all members present, initiated and associate) should be attired in coat and tie. Although the five officers named ordinarily perform the ceremony, substitutes may be used.
Equipment Alter and plain white alter cloth Coat of Arms painting on the wall Greek Lamp and lamp oil A fire extinguisher
Opening H. Alpha
Brothers, there await our pleasure [state the number] candidates whom we have welcomed as members of Lambda Chi Alpha. Brother High Kappa, you will retire and summon these men to our chamber. [The High Kappa retires and directs the associates to form a single file line facing the door.]
Induction
H. Kappa [The High Kappa knocks on the door four times.]
[The High Phi moves to the door and opens it slightly.]
H. Kappa The candidates seek one who will be their guide.
[The High Phi moves to the base of the alter]
H. Phi
Brother High Alpha, Brother High Kappa returns with the candidates. H. Alpha
Let them enter.
[The High Phi returns to the door and opens it.} H. Phi
By order of Brother High Alpha, I bid you enter.
[The High Kappa enters the room followed by the candidates in single file. He indicates to them where to stand so that they form an arc facing the altar. After the last candidate has entered, the High Phi closes the
door and follows the procession to his station. The High Kappa resumes his station.]
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H. Alpha Brothers, these men have willingly expressed their acceptance of our standards and ideals.
However, only through our teaching may they attain the knowledge they need to become brothers of our bond. We have gathered here so that we may provide each of these men a guide chosen from the brotherhood. He has shown the responsibility to guide not only now, but for all of his days.
Invocation
H. Alpha Brother High Beta, you will proceed with the invocation.
H. Beta
Great and merciful guide, our Heavenly Father, in reverent spirit we approach Thee to invoke Thy blessings upon this assembly.
We ask for Thy guidance in our every thought, word and deed, and pray for Thy blessing to impart our knowledge assembled on those here in our midst. Through Thy wisdom may we grow in brotherly love, and through Thy peace, may we come to realize the true spirit of the brotherhood.
Amen. H. Alpha
Brother High Phi, you will prepare the altar of Lambda Chi Alpha.
First Symbolic Lesson H. Alpha
Brother High Sigma, you will instruct the Associates in the ways of chivalry and learning.
[The High Sigma moves to a position in front of the coat-‐of-‐arms. He points to the helmet at the crest of the coat-‐of-‐arms.]
H. Sigma
Worthy Associates, atop our coat-‐of-‐arms you will find a helmet. It is the helmet of a squire, the apprentice to a knight. It symbolizes honor without rank, and is the symbol of a gentleman. At the time of your association, you were given the challenge to make of yourself a man. At this time, we will give you a brother to assist you in this quest. Just as the knight taught his squire the ways of honor and chivalry, he will teach you. H. Alpha
Brother High Phi, you will expound on the purpose of the Big Brother. H. Phi
Good Associates, attend my words for you now await a guide for your journey in search of the meaning of Lambda Chi Alpha. Yet you are still in darkness as to the true spirit and meaning of this bond of brotherhood. May you grow in the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha that you may develop the ideal of perfect brotherly love which is the enhancement and enrichment of our bond.
Time alone renders nothing; only when conjoined with the resolution of purpose does it foster growth. Thus we have chosen for each of you one of our brothers to act as your guide. In times of need, you may turn to him for help; in times of confusion, for direction; that you may grow in the spirit of Lambda Chi Alpha.
It is then symbolic that this man shall henceforth be known to you as your big brother. May the bond between you grow as does the bond which is the center of our brotherhood.
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Big Brother Ceremony
H. Alpha Associates, it is now time for each of you to meet the guide which has been chosen for you. I ask
you to remain facing me. Brothers, take your places behind your little brother.
[Each Big Brother moves in behind his little brother, placing their right hand upon his shoulder, and holding them so they remain facing forward. When the High Alpha sees that everyone is in place, he may
proceed.] H. Alpha
Each of you may now turn around and greet your new big brother.
[The High Alpha should give a few minutes for greetings and congratulations. The Big Brothers should then be given a silent pre-‐arranged cue that it is time to begin again.]
Second Symbolic Lesson
H. Alpha Brother High Kappa, you will instruct the brothers in the way of teaching.
H. Kappa The Bridge Builder by Will Allen Dromgoole
An old man, going a long highway Came at evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, vast and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fears for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. “Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near, “You are wasting strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day; You never again must pass this way; You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide Why build you the bridge at eventide?” The builder lifted his old grey head: “Good friend, in the path that I have come,” he said “There followeth after me today A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been naught for me To that fair-‐haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim, Good friend, I am building it for him.” In these words, we find the meaning of your charge. Just as you have traveled along this road, you
will guide another. Use your experiences to create a path for him. Know that the education of this young man will not end with initiation, but will continue all your life.
Oath
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Big Brother Ceremony
H. Alpha I now ask each Big Brother and Little Brother to take from each other the right hand of fellowship,
and repeat after me your respective oaths. The Big Brothers will begin:
Of my own free will / I, (state your full name), / do promise and swear,/ before God / and before the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, / that I will / for the rest of my life / abide by these solemn pledges: I will strive with diligence / to impress / upon my little brother / the ideals of the fraternity. / I will always work / toward the improvement of his welfare / the strengthening of his spirit / and the growth of his character. / I understand the obligations / of a Big Brother / and accept them freely / and without reservation. To which I pledge my oath and faith, / in accordance with / the Christian teachings of this Ritual / and as a gentleman. So help me God! Now the Little Brothers will repeat after me:
Of my own free will / I, (state your full name), / do promise and swear, / before God / and the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, / that I will / for the rest of my life / abide by these solemn pledges: I will work with diligence / towards the understanding / of the fraternity, / and its teachings. / Just as my Big Brother has sworn to teach me, / I so swear to learn. / With his help, / and the help of God, / I will bring honor / to the name of Lambda Chi Alpha. To which I pledge my oath and faith, / in accordance with / the Christian teachings of this Ritual / and as a Gentleman. So help me God! [The High Alpha will at this point signal for all pairs to release their grip and face him again]
Charge H. Alpha
Brother Phi, you will now administer the charge. H. Phi You were each taught a symbolic lesson. You were each administered a separate oath. However, you are charged to watch over each other’s welfare, for your relationship must be one of commitment to each other’s well-‐being, and the attainment of perfect brotherly love.
Closing
H. Alpha I wish each of you congratulations, and good luck in your quest.
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Personal Notes
The area below is for you to write notes that will help you fulfill your role as an officer of your Zeta.
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Officer Transition
Officer Tasks Frequency
The table below allows you to create your own Officer Tasks, the frequency with which you should com-plete the tasks, and a check box to use once you completed the task. When the next brother takes over your position you can review this section as part of your officer transition.
Use the text box below for additional notes about your personal officer tasks
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