Sign your chapter’s Commitment to Promote Chapter and Individual Responsibility. This month at CLA, chapter officers are being asked to sign the Commitment to Promote Chapter and Individual Responsibility, a revision of the non-hazing /membership education certificate from years past. By signing this form, chapters are committing to living the values of Sigma Phi Epsilon by showing respect and care for self and others. Chapters that did not complete the form at CLA should sign the electronic copy and email it to Morgan Maclin.

The first section on the certificate addresses the Fraternity’s zero tolerance policy on hazing. Since many chapters are welcoming new members at this time of year, it is a good time to reflect on the activities that your chapter is engaging in with your new members. Activities that produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule have no place in the Fraternity. Anyone who engages in or participates in such activities will not be covered under the Fraternity’s insurance policy.

If you are looking for something positive to do with your new members, here are 10 suggestions:

1. Participate in a leadership retreat/weekend with a ropes course and teambuilding activities.

2. Invite faculty members to lunch with new members.

3. Host a family and friends weekend.

4. Have the whole chapter attend a campus performance or athletic event chosen by the new members.

5. Have everyone write a letter to themselves to be mailed in two months or upon a major event stating their goals, aspirations, thoughts and feelings about the future.

6. Develop an alternative spring break program for all members.

7. Gather once a week for lunch or dinner in a formal dining hall.

8. Seek out volunteer opportunities at a local elementary school or retirement home.

9. Sponsor or host a study skills or time management workshop for everyone in the chapter.

10. Allow new members time to shadow executive board members to learn about chapter leadership positions.

Make sure you pay the spring insurance bill on time. The spring insurance bill is due on March 15. There is a 3 percent fee for chapters that miss the deadline. There is still an opportunity to get a 5 percent discount/rebate on this bill, if 90 percent of the chapter participates in a risk management program by the end of the spring semester. Just take attendance, write up a summary of the event and email it to Kathy Johnston.

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