Keep your chapter safe and sound

Is your chapter planning an event this semester? – SigEp’s Event Planning Checklist is a great resource to help your chapter cover all your bases when planning a safe event. The chapter executive board should review the list prior to each event for a comprehensive plan. You may be asked to provide a certificate of insurance from the venue where you are hosting your event. This certificate can be issued by the Fraternity’s insurance broker if your event is in compliance with all risk management guidelines. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call Director of Risk Management Kathy Johnston at 804-612-1402 for assistance.

With Halloween approaching, now is a great time to remind your chapter about making sure costume choices and party themes are appropriate and not offensive. Use this Party Theme Guide to understand how offensive themes and costumes can hurt the reputation of yourself and your chapter.

Leases, agreements and contracts - BEWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING!  If your chapter is asked to sign a contract or agreement for a formal or function, to rent space/equipment or lease a house, you should always have someone with insurance and/or legal experience review the document to make sure it does not contain inequitable language.  Please seek the advice of an alumni volunteer or Kathy Johnston.

Remember to plan a risk management educational program this academic year – If you do, your chapter can receive five percent off its insurance bill which goes out in January 2013. Last year, only 40 SigEp chapters took advantage of this discount opportunity.  Let’s increase participation this year. Have 90 percent of your members participate in a program, facilitated by a qualified presenter, and your chapter can receive this discount.  Simply submit an attendance sheet signed by the facilitator plus a summary of what you learned to Kathy Johnston.  Educated members make better choices!

Call 24/7 if there is a fire, death or serious injury involving a member or guest.

Store this number in your cell phone and post it at the chapter house.

PHYSICAL ASSAULT (FIGHTING) CASE STUDY

Physical assault is a real problem for all fraternities.  For SigEp, this type of case occurs more frequently and accounts for more claim dollars than other types of cases. Something must be done to address this problem which poses a significant threat to Sigma Phi Epsilon. The following situation  occurred in January 2009 which could have easily been prevented.

An Alabama SigEp chapter hosted a party at its chapter house.  Toward the end of the evening, a group of non-members attempted to enter the party.  The females in the group were allowed into the function.  The guys continued to make attempts to enter the party and were turned away each time.  One individual angrily said something to one of the new members which upset him.  The new member threw a punch, striking the individual which knocked him to the ground where he struck his head on a cement sidewalk. The chapter had hired security, but they had just left.  

The individual sustained a skull fracture and was taken to the hospital where he spent two weeks in intensive care.  He immediately filed suit against SigEp and the individual who struck him.  After depositions and mediation meetings over almost three years, the case was finally resolved.  Significant dollars were spent on legal fees and settlement. The new member was charged with criminal assault.  

Do not take matters into your own hands.  Call police to assist with uninvited guests or intruders.

SigEp has zero tolerance for fighting.  In the Fraternity’s Statement on Chapter & Individual Responsibility, the Fraternity commits to operate in such a manner as to exhibit respect, care, and concern for self and others.  There is no place for fighting in our organization. If a situation arises where someone becomes out of control or begins using force and wants to start a fight, call the police immediately.  When hosting events, hire professional security to assist sober monitors. Do not attempt to manage a problematic situation by fighting back. 

*TIMELY REPORTING –Always report an incident involving injury within 24 hours to the national Fraternity so that assistance and support can be provided to the chapter.

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