▶ 2013 Sigma Phi Epsilon Honor of Philias

Thanks to Brother Renato Villacorte for posting this video on YouTube. It is a fantastic story of Brotherly Love.

▶ 2013 Sigma Phi Epsilon Honor of Philias - YouTube: ""

'via Blog this'

Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy

An interesting choice by the Eastern Washington SigEp chapter. Do you agree with their decision?

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Steiner said, “This year we actually changed [from donating to our national philanthropy] to the Wounded Warrior project. They help wounded vets get back on their feet with medical expenses or housing or things like that.”

Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy « Easterner Online:

Philanthropy in EWU sororities and fraternities has a long history that today’s Eastern students continue.

The first fraternity in the U.S. was created in 1776 and the first sorority in 1851, and while the original intent was to promote sociability among students, that intent soon expanded to include service as more Greek organizations formed across the country, according to AlphaDeltaPi.org and PBK.org, the websites of these first Greek organizations.

Sororities and fraternities at EWU are local chapters of national Greek organizations, each with its own history and special philanthropic cause.

“All fraternities and sororities are values-based organizations, so they all have value placed on engaging in community service and also engaging in philanthropic activities where they support either local or national charities,” said Samantha Armstrong, EWU adviser for leadership education. “Most of the requirements come from their national organization.”

EWU currently has 18 recognized sororities and fraternities with a variety of national causes including heart disease, autism, disability awareness and many more. According to Armstrong, students joining a Greek organization are told that the organization engages in community service.

The expectation is that members will participate and join in as part of each organization’s philanthropy ethic and service hours requirement. Each organization turns in monthly service hours for each member to Armstrong, who helps each group organize service and stay on track.

Reanne Charuhas is the student vice president of Panhellenic Societies and Philanthropy. “We had a ‘Mr. Greek’ pageant. … All the money went to cardiac care for [the organization’s] national philanthropy. Alpha Xi Delta had its annual spaghetti feed, unlimited spaghetti, salad and stuff at the community center, and raised over $2,000 for Autism Speaks,” Charuhas said.

Charuhas reeled off a list of projects done by different chapters for 26 Days of Kindness, such as a blood drive, candygrams, notes and special deliveries to people all over campus, support signs for EWU sports teams and more.

“Each sorority establishes its own community service requirements, varying from three hours to 10 hours a quarter,” Charuhas said. “This involvement needs to be outside of our group philanthropy work, getting out into the community.” She talked about how excited the women are to be involved in local elementary schools and shelters doing all kinds of projects.

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Steiner said, “This year we actually changed [from donating to our national philanthropy] to the Wounded Warrior project. They help wounded vets get back on their feet with medical expenses or housing or things like that.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon has members who have been or are currently in the military, and they consider veterans to be an important cause, according to Steiner.

Steiner also described an annual Haunted House fundraiser event held by his chapter house each fall. Community members, students and faculty donate $5 to come through and see the haunted house. This money is donated to Wounded Warriors.

Doran Williams is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy chairperson. “We’re helping build a playground in Spokane and building with Habitat for Humanity,” Williams said. “We raised about $2,000 this last year [at Haunted House] and hope to raise more this coming fall.”

“Right now we don’t have any philanthropies planned,” Steiner said, “but we do want to do something for Youth Aid because that is our national philanthropy. We go through challenge courses, and each challenge requires community service for our members.”

One of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s principles is diligence, so members try to work hard in everything they do, according to Steiner.

Arkansas Alpha Chapter Going to the Dogs

This is a guest post written by Wesley Storrs and edited by Teddy Cunningham, VP Communications at AR Alpha.

On March 29, the  SigEp brothers of the University of Arkansas ,Arkansas Alpha, had the privilege to organize a community service event for our philanthropy team at the Washington County Animal Shelter in Fayetteville, AR. When Wesley Storrs first called the shelter to inquire about their hours, the desk clerk sounded somewhat enthused about what she thought to be only one more volunteer to spend a few hours there, until Wesley informed her that there was going to be a large group coming with me from the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter from the University of Arkansas campus. At this, she became much more excited, and scrambled to gather all the information the members would need to get everyone signed up and on the itinerary to volunteer.

When we showed up, the look of both shock and relief was on the employee’s faces as they quickly began to pass out their volunteer paperwork and delegate what tasks we were to undertake. In all, there were 15 SigEps that came. We spent the afternoon walking and playing with dogs that had before been either abused or neglected in a large grass field that the shelter provided. When we were directed to their kennel with our leashes, the amount of barking shocked most of us. To these dogs, this would be the most attention they would get for a long time until they were either adopted, or euthanized.

Throughout the day, we took our turns walking and playing with dogs as we spent time with every one of them. As the hours passed, each time we went into the kennel to return and walk another dog, there would be less and less barking, the employees became less stressed as they were able to fulfill other duties that would have otherwise been neglected, and more and more SigEps would show up to the shelter. Not only were we enjoying ourselves, but the employees also enjoyed our good manners and we were having a blast.

As SigEps, we know that by joining Sigep, we would be dedicating ourselves to our virtues of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love, and that through these principles we will be able to become involved in philanthropy work more wholeheartedly than we would on our own. But little did we know beforehand that through this experience and several other experiences all the members of SigEp have had through philanthropy, the impact that our chapter can have not only on campus but our community as a whole. Under the direction of our Vice President of Philanthropy, Hayden Vernia, and his predecessor and current President, John Fowler, the members of Arkansas Alpha have been able to make aspirations to become philanthropic men a reality. After seeing the impacts we are starting to make  an impact on our community in Fayetteville and makes us proud to claim ourselves as a SigEps and people in the community recognize the great organization we are a part of.

Written by : Wesley Storrs

Edit by: Teddy Cunningham, VP of Communications

The December Sound Bite is online. This story about Logan Fletcher, UND student body president, is featured.

Senior balances campus and chapter leadership

Senior balances campus and chapter leadership

Logan Fletcher, North Dakota ’13, serves as the student body president at the University of North Dakota, representing over 15,000 students and overseeing a budget of over a half million dollars. He is a 2012 Ruck Scholar, past vice president of communication, past BMS chair, and is now the Phi challenge coordinator and senior marshal. Fletcher proves that you can be involved on your campus and in your chapter.

Sound Bite: When did you realize you wanted to be student body president and what inspired you to run?

Logan Fletcher: When I was a freshman, I met the student body president in my residence hall.  I set a goal to be elected my senior year early on.  My brothers and the Greek community are really what motivated me throughout the campaign and election, though.  It was an incredibly stressful six weeks, but when I came home to the chapter house at night, I had a house full of guys encouraging me to keep going. 

SB: What are the challenges of being heavily involved in two organizations?

LF: Sometimes I have to make a choice between spending a Friday night at the chapter or attending a conference or meeting out of town. But I've never felt that I can't be involved in both.  We mostly make our own schedules in Student Government, so if a SigEp event is my priority, it's rare that I can't make it work.

SB: How does your role on your campus help your chapter?

LF: If nothing else, I try to use Student Government as a way to recruit new members to SigEp and vice versa. A number of brothers are involved in student government besides me. I know I can hire or appoint them to positions, and we will share the same values and drive to succeed. Two other brothers have served on my executive team. One is a student senator representing Greek students, two are on our presidential finance committee, and two have represented UND students to the North Dakota Student Association. We've taken on these roles together to make Sigma Phi Epsilon a name on campus that's respected by students, staff, faculty, and administration alike.

Hits and misses from SigEp's intro to Shotgun with the NRA

We had a post about this earlier, but now we have "Genuine Official Video from the NRA".

Hits and misses from SigEp's intro to Shotgun with the NRA

Centreville, Virginia - When members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity made it up our way from Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University, we decided to take a few cameras along to memorialize the occasion.

Above are some highlights (and lowlights) from the day's event.

Held at the Arlington Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the event was an introduction into the shotgun realm for most. With staff from NRA headquarters on hand, most took to the clays with the greatest of ease. Sure, there were a few stumbles at first, but everyone ultimately found their way.

If you'd like to try your hand at shotgun, head over to www.nrainstructors.org, click find a course, and start searching in your area. Soon enough, you'll be cracking clays of your own.

Sigma Phi Epsilon house continues eternal playdate with ghost girl

Greek Afterlife: Sigma Phi Epsilon house continues eternal playdate with ghost girl 

The supposed haunted Sigma Phi Epsilon sits at 327 South
Milledge Avenue in Athens, Ga., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.
 (Photo/ C. B. Schmelter, cody.schmelter@gmail.com)

Of all the things usually found in a frat house, a ghost isn’t one of them.

For the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, bumps in the night are all too frequent. Members claim that their house on 327 S. Milledge Avenue is haunted.

“I lived in room No. 2 my entire sophomore year and there were many, many kinds of weird things that would happen throughout the year, whether it was flickering lights or seeing things that weren’t where we left them,” said Jeff Ostenson, a recent marketing graduate from Stone Mountain.

Sigma Phi Epsilon's haunted story begins with a family who lived in the house prior to the fraternity. The father — who was in some variations a priest and in others a chemistry professor from the University named H.G. White — was fired from his job.

In a fit of madness, he drowned his young daughter, Tabitha, in the upstairs bathroom. According to rumor, he either hung himself in the attic or disappeared altogether, never to be seen again.

“Ever since then the house has been haunted by Tabitha,” said Jim Martin, a fifth-year psychology major from Alpharetta.

Several fraternity brothers have come forward with unexplained occurrences — a ball bouncing, footsteps in the attic and the echo of a girl’s laughter — all of which were supposedly done at the mischievous hands of Tabitha.

Students pack fighting hunger into homecoming week festivities

Here is a good counterpoint to the dismal news of late. The SigEps at Nebraska-Lincoln started a new Homecoming tradition

Students pack fighting hunger into homecoming week festivities : The Lincoln Journal Star Online:
'via Blog this'

University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman
Katie Pankonin stacks bags of food to be
 sent overseas as part of the Huskers
 Against Hunger event Tuesday, September
25, 2012, at Pershing Center in Lincoln.

Alpha Phi member Megan Freese called the event a bonding experience.

“It’s fun to do with your house,” said Freese, who planned to do two shifts between studying and attending homecoming festivities.

A few tables away, UNL freshman Travis Eakins of Sigma Phi Epsilon summed up his motivations for volunteering in a single sentence:

“It feels good to help people,” he said.

The new homecoming week tradition began last year when Sig Ep members decided that the $4,000 reserved for building a float and to decorate their house for homecoming would be better spent providing food for hungry children in disaster areas. Fraternity members also volunteered with Lincoln Kids Against Hunger to package food.

“It was such an impactful event for our guys, we decided to expand it to a university wide event,” said Max Rodenburg, Sig Ep president and co-chairman of the Huskers Against Hunger event.

Students representing all areas of campus teamed with the local satellite of Kids Against Hunger, a humanitarian food-aid organization that works with volunteers throughout the United States and Canada to package a dry, vitamin-fortified soy-rice casserole that is distributed to starving children and their families in more than 60 countries.

WI Theta, SigEp's Juggernaut on the Rise - #whysigep

Congrats to WI Theta. We got this piece of news from the always humble and unassuming Tom Barton:

SigEp Mucky Mucks,

SigEp’s newest juggernaut, WI Theta from University of Wisconsin at Platteville, just today achieved second place in the national Hoop of Steel sweepstakes with 100% participation.  This comes in addition to nearly doubling manpower thus far this fall, elevating grades to a 3.0, being named UWP Greek Organization of the Year, and setting a record for pizza consumption in Barton’s kitchen after gutting a house as a fundraiser.

PUT US ON YOUR RADAR…  READ MY LIPS:  WI Theta…Excelsior 2011 CLA; BUC CUP 2013 Conclave.

Chief Kief, This one’s for you!!!  SigEp can’t smile without WI Theta. We are SigEp music, and we write the songs!!!!!  Music and passion are always the fashion in Platteville, Wisconsin!!!  It’s a miracle…but…looks like we made it!

WI Theta from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville continues to plot its SigEp fraternal jihad en route to our first Excelsior and Buc Cups.  Lock up your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, your children, and small farm animals: WI Theta is in the HOUSE!!!!

Tom Barton
President

BARTON  WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
WELLS FARGO ADVISORS FINANCIAL NETWORK

SigEp presents the Goonies

SigEp presents the Goonies
Originally uploaded by jdebner

This is what it felt like every time we worked on a float or display when I was in school. Things really haven't changed that much after all.

Undergrad NBD members request feedback

The undergraduate members of the National Board of directors are asking for feedback from chapter officers. They say they want to increase interaction between the members and the board. Great idea. We are all for it.

But..., Um..., er..., how come it took an entire year for them to figure out how to send an "eBlast"? We're just saying...

---

*Sigma Phi Epsilon eBlast*

---

TO: Undergraduate Chapter Officers
FROM:
Steven R. Dorsey, Student Director, American, '09
Michael J. Schlotterbeck, Student Director, Wichita State, '08
Jace A. Thompson, Student Director, Texas Christian, '08

As the countdown to Conclave 2009 begins, we are reaching out to our undergraduate chapter leaders to help us, your Student Directors on Sigma Phi Epsilon's National Board of Directors, find new ways of better serving you.

If you are not already familiar with our roles, at the 2007 Conclave in Atlanta, Georgia, we were elected by the Grand Chapter to serve a two-year term on the National Board of Directors. As the three voting undergraduate members, we represent more than 14,000 undergraduate brothers and work with the Grand President, Grand Treasurer, and alumni National Directors in governing the national Fraternity until the Grand Chapter convenes again for Conclave 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

We have been working hard during this past year, and now we would like your input into how we can better represent you to the national Fraternity-we are your direct representation and influence in guiding SigEp's Headquarters staff, national operations, budget, Leadership Continuum, and many other aspects of the national Fraternity. We would like to hear about your chapter's successes and struggles, where you would like to see Sigma Phi Epsilon headed, and what you think could be improved upon.

We are also starting work on a strategic plan to guide SigEp over the next five to 10 years. We will be looking for ways to strengthen SigEp nationally and on your campus, and build upon our strengths. Your input and feedback will be sought for this process in the following weeks and months.

Sigma Phi Epsilon is an undergraduate-driven Fraternity, and, therefore, we always welcome your feedback. We are working to increase publicity of your chapter's accomplishments in the Journal and on the SigEp web site. You can also expect regular messages from us throughout the year regarding national Fraternity updates, details on Conclave legislation submissions, and strategic plan announcements.

Please "reply" to this email with ideas for us to work on for you and your chapter.

Yes, the link will open an email to the proper HQ address.

Here's a suggestion - start a blog to communicate the ideas as well as using email. S&P would welcome the company.

Chapter updates - Ohio Theta

Dave Wenzel sent this update on Ohio Theta

Attached is the chapter's newsletter that highlights their $8,000 infundraising and 2,000 hours of community service the undergrads didthis spring. Also, here are a few links of press coverage the chapterhas gotten over the past spring quarter.

-Greek week
-SigEp and greek week president profile
-three Vlogs about SigEp @ UC
-Step show
-Senior gets UC recognition as top student

Fraternally,
Dave Wenzel
Ohio Theta '06

Quality vs. Quantity

Bob Kerr has sent in another article for your consideration. As usual it is excellent and thoughtful material.

In a critical examination of the sustainability of the North American Fraternal Movement, it might be helpful to ascertain some basic facts about the Movement. For me, long have I wondered about the debate between quality versus quantity. I found this distilled to a simple question of are we a collective (quantity) or are we a community (quality). Within that distillation, I see some interesting data points worth examining.

If we can use Dr. Martin Burber’s work on community versus collective, we see these unique differences. Here they are:

Collective		Community
1. Social activities		1. Interpersonal relationships
2. Seeming		2. Being
3. Judgment		3. Empathy
4. Propaganda		4. Education
5. Autocracy		5. Democracy

Pretty striking realities, and sadly enough, an all too familiar landscape.

On my campus, I would say the talk, for the longest time, was “community” but the actions were that of a collective. As chapters pulled endless and increasingly destructive pranks on each other, including the stealing of charters, The end result was an earned reputation of petty criminals that didn’t care what they did but who insisted that they were “just having fun”. A variety of sanctions and rules were developed to reign in this destructive behavior but nothing seemed to change. Then, Vishal Khemlani, a senior Sig Ep at Oregon Alpha had a vision.

He wanted to help those less fortunate than us and build schools, provide drinking water and create mobile health care for the people in underprivileged areas. Thus Karmic Causes was born: An organization whose sole purpose was to direct funds into direct care needs of the global underprivileged. But, he knew he couldn’t do it alone. So a truly wise vision of one man now needed to find a community to help bring it to life.

Fortunately, some very compassionate chapter leaders were willing to reach across organizational lines and launched Sig Stock. This multi chapter-event raised $25,000 in the first time collaboration between Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi and Kappa Sigma. The money was raised for Karmic Causes and will build 3 new schools in an impoverished country and provide one mobile medical unit as well. I would suggest that is community in action.

In this example, no argument was made about quantity or quality. No annual report scrutinized, no field consultant engaged and no alumni involved. Just a group of students who were tired of the same ole, same ole and wanted to make a tangible difference now. My experience suggests there is always urgency to creating and sustaining community. There were also no debates as to who got the credit. I have always found it exciting when a group of people come together and no one is concerned about who gets the credit. So, was it quality or quantity that got Sig Stock off the ground?

Whether you side with “it took quality to conceive it and then quantity to create it” or “it took a community of quality people to breath life into it” at the core of this extraordinary effort was one man with a vision and the faith that others would support the vision. This faith was rewarded by building a bridge between four fraternities who rarely cooperated on anything; much less undertake such an extra-ordinary task. As for me, I believe a quantity of people was raised to quality performance when an opportunity presented itself to them and inspired them to live out the ideals of their individual chapters. So, perhaps it is more about the intent than the starting place?

Imagine if we can that each chapter of each fraternal organization sincerely pursued quality performance in every aspect of operation. Wouldn’t this attract people, both in terms of numbers and in terms of quality to our chapters? Where we were actuality building and sustaining campus Greek communities that were performing at a highly effective manner across the board? If we really are mere collectives, won’t we find it hard to attract authentic quality people but can expect to see such masses attracted to us that we gain in revenue but lose in effectiveness? So, I submit that the issue is to be clear about the intention of the individual. Do they want to pursue excellence or are they looking for a social outlet that will not require much of them so little is given.

“If better is possible, good is not enough.” – anonymous

In my experience, I have seen chapters filled with quality men pursuing less than quality endeavors. There was no achievement, no sense of living up to their potential. On the other hand I have seen a chapter of less than quality pedigree

men work towards high achieving goals and earning Outstanding Chapter recognition against chapters 3 times their size. They were clearly focused on their chapter goals and they knew what they had to do to achieve their potential. They effectively pursued their potential and were handsomely rewarded for their work.

Regardless of which side of the debate, quantity or quality, we fall on, it is our intent and our actions that are the final outcome.

Bob Kerr

Recruiting to Win - 50 Steps to Successful Recruitment

We found this recent post in a forum about, oddly enough, recruiting. Most of the posts are looking at the corporate variety, but this fraternity (SigEp) related one slipped in somehow. It has good stuff. Here are the first 3 points:

1. RECRUITMENT STANDARDS. Set high standards for joining. Keep standards articulate and quantifiable. Strong chapters recruit men smarter than the "average" student. Set your GPA standard higher than the all-student GPA for upper classmen and above the average incoming student GPA, SAT, and/or ACT for freshmen. SigEp is not an "average" fraternity experience, and is intended for outstanding men. Increase standards over time to ensure the chapter’s strength is improved. Be sure all brothers know chapter recruitment standards.

2. ASK QUESTIONS FIRST. Get to know a potential member by asking questions about him before talking about SigEp. Find out about his attitude. Is he committed to getting the most out of college? Does he value academics? Athletics? Fitness? Diversity? The more you find out about him, the better you can talk about SigEp in a way relative to what he finds valuable.

3. BE ARTICULATE. Make sure all brothers know HOW to talk accurately about the SigEp experience. Does everyone in your chapter know how to discuss Sound Mind, Sound Body? SigEp’s cardinal principles? The activities your chapter has accomplished or is planning that men may find attractive? Don’t allow SigEp to be just like everyone else. The things your chapter VALUES and DOES sets you apart from competitors. Talk about what makes you different, a cut above.

...And there are 47 more. This may be straight out of the HQ playbook, but it is worth reading and using.

New Chapter Announcement

Ed Jones, Chapter Counselor for the DC SEC - American University, sends an announcement that the chapter has been notified they will be officially installed as DC Delta. The installation date has not been set for certain, but he expects it will be this coming October.

Congratulations! Anyone who has been involved in the process of chartering a chapter knows it is not a simple task. Lots of hard work and commitment are involved.

New frat president breaks race barrier - Campus News

From deep in Huckabee territory...

Corey Perry's race was far from his mind when he was elected president of his fraternity last semester.

But his election to the top leadership spot for an Interfraternity Council group represents one of the first times a black man has led the group of eight fraternities nearly wholly dominated by white members.

Perry, 20, even looks different in his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. He's the only black member.
[...]
Perry was elected by his brothers at the end of last semester and took office before finals. He believes that he will make a good president because he is able to connect and identify with all of his brothers and because he is adamant about keeping traditions.

Perry said that he was attracted to this fraternity because it felt like home, and because it was different from the rest, despite there being three traditionally black fraternities already on campus.

SigEp, as usual, leading the way.

New frat president breaks race barrier - Campus News

SigEps to hold fundraising chili cookoff

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi will hold a chili cookoff to help raise money for its national philanthropy, the Youth Aids Program.

Over the past few years the Southern regions of Sigma Phi Epsilon have helped raise more than $500,000 for this particular cause.

The cookoff will be from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the fraternity house located on Fraternity Drive at Southern Miss.

The event is open to the public. Attendees may give $1 or $5 donations at the door. The $1 donation includes unlimited chili and free drinks. The $5 donation includes unlimited drinks, chili and a raffle ticket to win big prizes.

For more information, call the Southern Miss Greek office at (601) 266-4823.

Hattiesburg American - www.hattiesburgamerican.com - Hattiesburg, Miss.

NPR : From Togas to Yoga: Fraternities Try to Alter Image

This recent NPR article discusses changes in Fraternity focus, but mostly concentrates on the SigEps at Georgetown. There is also a link to listen or download as an audio podcast.

Chana Joffe-Walt for NPR

Paul Happel, president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at Georgetown University, says his brothers take a moderate approach to drinking. The fraternity follows a program called Balanced Man.

When asked about his fraternity's latest, wildest, hottest party, freshman and new Sigma Phi Epsilon recruit Lin Chen at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., brings up pumpkins. Not togas or beer bongs, but pumpkins. And not pumpkin smashing, either.

"[We] laid down some tarps and just started carving. Music, hot cider, [got] the real family feel together," he says.

Wholesome pumpkin carving?

Fraternity President Paul Happel says he and his brothers aren't about random drunken hookups, either. They are trying to do something different.

"There's sort of this thing at Georgetown, this sort of unspoken rule that you don't exactly take girls out on dates," he says. "And it's interesting that SigEp really takes great pains to improve the culture of dating at the school, and they do that through having different sorts of events off of campus." Events like ice skating, formals or going to the opera.

NPR : From Togas to Yoga: Fraternities Try to Alter Image

We don't need those wimpy bicycles!

Running. In November. In Montana. Now THAT is dedication! I bet you thought the SigEp bicycle story was impressive. Check this one out.

Running to Bozeman / Fraternity treks to Gallatin Valley on foot to raise money for charity
By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

Jogging past the Clark Fork River, Nick Ferrington picks up the third leg of Sigma Phi Epsilon's every-other-year charity relay run from Missoula to Bozeman for the Griz-Cat football game. The event raises money for the Watson Children's Shelter.
Photo by SEPP JANNOTTA/Missoulian

Every other year, when the Brawl of the Wild takes place in Bozeman, the guys from Sigma Phi Epsilon arrange a road trip.

They get a couple of vans together, stock them full of food and beverages and hit the road.

They take their time getting there, sort of the long way. Oh sure, it's the same way that any number of Griz fans take, that 217 miles of Interstate 90 heading east. But while you're listening to tunes in the comfort of your heated, padded four-wheel cradle of vehicular luxury, the Sigma Phi's are getting snowed on, rained on, honked at and blistered as they run - run, as in, with their feet - the entire distance from Missoula to that other town whose university has some sort of feline-like creature for a mascot.
[...]
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor dark of night - and yes, they do run through the night - will stop these guys (and a few sorority women as well) from reaching the stadium by game time Saturday. And when they return (by car; are you bonkers?), there will be no trophies or accolades. Just a pile of cash for Missoula's Watson Children's Shelter, for which their lungs and legs pump.
[...]
For at least 20 years - and some say as many as 30 - the boys of Sigma Phi have done this for the center, which houses children who have been abandoned, neglected or abused, serving as an emergency shelter for infants to 14-year-olds.

If it weren't for a good cause I would say these people are crazy. At least they have a great attitude.

“In the past, police cars have stopped us because someone will report there's been an incident of spousal abuse and someone's running in front of the car,” said Colin Boyle. When they learn it's a group of fraternity guys doing the running, many assume that it's a hazing ritual.

Hazing? No. Crazy? Sure.

Because November in Montana can be ... well, it can be all wintry.

And if it snows?

“We run through it,” said Mahoney.

“Wear a flannel shirt,” said Boyle.

“Good shoes with lots of traction,” said Duncan. “And hopefully, there will be no cardiac episode.”

You can make a great case for it as a "Sound Body" activity, but you have to wonder what happened to the "Sound Mind" part.

Missoulian: Running to Bozeman / Fraternity treks to Gallatin Valley on foot to raise money for charity

UW frat launches 16th ‘Tour de Touchdown’ philanthropy endeavor - The Daily Cardinal

Another great news story. This chapter has been doing their special event for the last 16 years.

By: Jacob Ela /The Daily Cardinal

Sigma Phi Epsilon started its multi-thousand dollar philanthropy event Wednesday that includes a bike ride to the Minnesota-Wisconsin football game to raise money for sick children

UW-Madison’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity kicked off the 16th year of its Tour de Touchdown philanthropy project Wednesday, working to raise funds for the UW American Family Children’s Hospital.

The Madison Fire Department and patients and staff of the Children’s Hospital joined fraternity members at their Langdon Street house for the launch. About 60 members will ride their bikes to Minneapolis to deliver the game football to the Badgers as they take on the University of Minnesota Saturday.

UW-Madison senior and TDT chair CJ Goldberg said this year’s goal is to raise $15,000.

“We’re really trying to get more people involved this year,” Goldberg said. “The best part is definitely the fact that we’re raising money for the kids.”
[...]
Raising more than $100,000 since its first year, TDT is the largest Greek philanthropy event on campus, with more than $20,000 raised in the last two years, according to UW-Madison junior and Sigma Phi Epsilon member Nathan Fuller.

UW frat launches 16th ‘Tour de Touchdown’ philanthropy endeavor - The Daily Cardinal

Sororities tackle 'idiots'

Part of "Greek Week" at George Washington University was a presentation by TJ Sullivan of CampusSpeak, an organization that represents college speakers.

Media Credit: Viktors Dindzans

About 350 Greek-letter members attended a presentation on "Confronting the Idiot in Your Chapter," by TJ Sullivan Saturday night. The event, sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi, was part of an annual Greek Week.

"By a round of applause, how many of you have an idiot in their chapter?" motivational speaker TJ Sullivan asked Saturday night to a crowd of about 350 GW fraternity and sorority members at Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.

The response was loud.

Sullivan's presentation, "Confronting the Idiot in Your Chapter," sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi as part of Greek Week, dealt with recognizing and responding to problematic or "idiot" behavior within Greek-letter chapters.

"I've been in Greek life for 20 years. I love being a Greek," said Sullivan, a founding father of the Indiana University chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. "But there's two things I don't like - that we put up with behavior from our members that we wouldn't put up with from other people and that we don't have a problem with a brother's or sister's behavior until it affects the reputation of our chapter."

Sororities tackle 'idiots' - News