|
NEW Canadian Leadership Consultant
Zeta Psi enjoys a strong fraternity presence in Canada and in an effort to strengthen our presence we recently brought Brandon Gurley, Tau Theta '07, on staff to specialize in servicing our Canadian chapters this spring. Brandon will be on staff starting January 7th and continue until March 31st. He will be based in Toronto and his charge is to spend extended time with each of our seven existing chapters in Canada and, if the situation presents itself, spearhead a colonization at one other Canadian university.
Membership recruitment is the most pressing issue facing most of our Canadian chapters so Brandon's emphasis will be in that area, but he'll also be prepared to assist with chapter operations and financial management. Our goal with Brandon is to spend quality time at each chapter, giving the help that is needed at each, and by April have all of our Canadian chapters in a strong, stable position with a bright future.
|
Chapter News & Notes
Alpha Psi: The fall semester was certainly an exciting one for the brothers of the Alpha Psi. With 2008 Convention being hosted in Montreal we all knew in September that we had a challenge in front of us. Thankfully, as a tight-knit group of brothers, we have been able to band together and collectively meet it.
Traditionally, Alpha Psi has been a comparatively small Chapter. However, we have never considered ourselves less worthy or significant than any other Chapter - quite the opposite. Our Chapter size allows each of us to form special bonds with every other member of Alpha Psi in a way that larger chapters may not be able to experience. Thanks to plenty of sacrifice and commitment, we were able to have a very successful rush and initiation this past semester, and look to increase our Chapter size further next semester. No brother's commitment has dwindled; our next semester's rush is already beginning to look equally as promising.
The international Convention is arguably the biggest Zeta Psi event of any given year. As our Chapter set to host that event this summer, our anticipation is quickly becoming a mixture of excitement and nervousness. In preparation, the Alpha Psi has undertaken a number of projects; for instance, each brother is currently participating in the Zeta Psi Star Points program. Our goal is to have every active brother at the third point (of five) by Convention. Additionally, we hope to have at least two brothers achieve all five points by then! As part of the Star Points program, a number of brothers have become involved in the Yellow Door, a Montreal-based charity organization to aide senior citizens.
Still in preparation for our international Convention, the Alpha Psi organized and participated in our Fraternity's escutcheon exam, administered by elder Brother Barth Gillan. As we wait on our results, each brother is proud of the work that went towards their preparation for this difficult test. We are confident that this has strengthened our overall knowledge of the fraternity and ritual.
Fraternities everywhere have a difficult time in shedding the negative stereotypes with which they find themselves associated. The Alpha Psi is very aware of these stereotypes and works daily to improve their public image. We know how to have a great time with one another, but we also understand and respect the seriousness of the association that brought us all together. Our chapter may be small, but each brother is equally committed, respectful, honest, and loyal - characteristics that we are proud to bring to our fraternity of Zeta Psi.
Mu Theta: At our most northern chapter, the brothers at Mu Theta have been working hard at their elder and family relations. On November 8th we help our elder-active stag at the Edmonton Petroleum Club. With twelve brothers in attendance and approximately thirty elders, we celebrated Tau Kappa Phi late into the night. I think we all learned a few things from days past over games of poker and billiards. We also hosted our first Parent's Day on November 17th. We served appetizers and toured the house. This provided a good opportunity for the parents to better understand Zeta Psi and meet some of the brothers. Mysteriously, while one of our members was away on vacation in Mexico, his room was painted Barbie pink. We're still looking for the pranksters... Finally, I proudly welcome two new brothers into our circle, Brothers Chris Proulx and Taylor Hecker. Both of these brothers will make a wonderful addition to our fraternity.
Theta Xi: This year's commemoration was definitely one for the ages - with over 200 brothers showing up from a variety of Chapters from Canada and the United States. Many festivities were had, including the rededication of the Felix Bolte chair by his nephew, Auguste Bolte. Two of the many distinguished guests were Phi Alpha Greg McElroy and a member of our Oxford interest colony who was flown here by our active class and elder association. We also announced the creation of the Theta Cup during the event, which will be awarded to the best Ontario chapter. We here at Theta Xi are also pleased to welcome 9 new brothers into our coveted circle, we wish all of them the best in there coming active career. We are now in preparations for Chapter day. We are looking to unite all of the Canadian chapters on this day as it was the beginning of the first Greek society in Canada. The size and scope will be the largest in memory and with that we are looking for the support from all of our Canadian brothers active and elder. Please stay tuned for news and information regarding this event. For a list of upcoming events, EMAIL SIM BRIGDEN HERE.
| |
| 161st Convention in MONTREAL
 SAVE THE DATE
August 13-16, 2008
for what promises to be the best attended Zete Convention in years
In honor of 125 years of Alpha Psi! |
|
Zeta Psi In Canada: On the Rise!
 (LEFT,Greg McElroy, Oxford Colonist James Poole, and Gamma Alpha Dave Busacca at the York Club. BELOW, Greg & James with Roddy McDonald '83 and other Theta Xi Zetes.)
As I was preparing to spend a weekend last month in Canada for an event that has become a highlight each fall in the social and historical calendar of Zeta Psi-the annual Commemoration celebration in Toronto-I was surprised to discover that the Canadian dollar had surpassed the U.S. dollar in value for the first time in a very long time. In fact, that very week, the loony reached a value of $1.06 against the U.S. dollar and, understandably so, my Canadian Brothers had reason to gloat to their American brothers, including me, who ventured to this year's annual Commemoration ceremonies sponsored by the oldest Canadian fraternity, the Theta Xi Chapter at the University of Toronto. It was the first time I could recall the exchange rate swinging in favor of the loony since I attended my first-ever Zete convention in Halifax in 1971, at which time the Canadian dollar was worth about $1.02.
I had occasion as Phi Alpha to address the annual gathering of nearly two hundred Zetes, tightly squeezed into the main room of the Theta Xi house, for a most impressive ceremony to solemnly remember the many Theta Xi Zetes who sacrificed their lives in The Great War, World War II, and other conflicts. The reading of the war dead from each war, followed by the recitation of the most famous of Canadian poems and arguably the most acclaimed war poem ever written (by Zete Dr. John McCrae, Theta Xi 1894, of course), then the emotional dedication of the new Phi's Chair by Elder Phi Sim Brigden, and finally the introduction of the Chapter's pledges to the assembly, highlighted the formal presentations at the house. Then it was on to the social events that attract over 200 Zetes (most of whom dress in black tie) from almost every chapter in Canada, plus visitors from the U.S.: a cocktail reception at the house, a formal dinner at the nearby and impressive York Club, and ending with a post-dinner social gathering at the Zete house.
My first remark to the assembled gathering was a remembrance that it was a full 25 years to the month that my first Zeta Psi boss, Phi Alpha CXII Jim McLaughlin, Theta Xi '50, had passed away. A photograph of Brother McLaughlin-one of only two three-term Phi Alphas in Zeta Psi's history-is displayed prominently in the dining room. It was Jim who mentored me in the first three years of my 25-year career at Zeta Psi's International Headquarters, and despite our age difference, he was one of the best friends I've ever had in my 40 years as a Zete. I also told the crowd that Zeta Psi was as strong as it had ever been, both in the United States and in Canada, and that we were poised to establish another milestone in the Greek world by establishing the first chapter of a North American fraternity at Oxford University in the UK in 2008. As I sat at the York Club dinner with a member of the Oxford Colony next to me, I was convinced that it was well within the realm of possibility that Zeta Psi would soon become the first Transcontinental Fraternity.
Finally, I made mention of the fact that Zeta Psi would again highlight its proud Canadian heritage by having its 161st International Convention in Montreal-one of North America's outstanding cities-next August. I sensed that many of those in attendance at this year's Commemoration evening planned to join us the week of August 11, 2008 for what should be one of Zeta Psi's largest conventions in years!
 There is of course no difference in culture and traditions when it comes to the celebration of the year-end holidays, so to all my Canadian Brothers: Happy Hanukah to my Jewish Brothers concluding their holiday this week, Merry Christmas to my Christian Brothers who will join me in celebrating later this month, and to all my brothers, my best wishes for a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year.
Greg McElroy, Phi Alpha CXXXI. EMAIL GREG | |
|
GREETINGS!
 I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Canadian LeadershipConsultant. I have recently been given the position by IHQ to support the operations and especially recruitment at our Canadian Chapters. Starting January 2008, I will be traveling to each chapter for several weeks to work with both the elders and actives to strengthen operational and recruitment programs.
Most of you know that recruitment in Canada the past several years has been a major concern - with dwindling chapter sizes almost everywhere and a few Canadian Chapters having closed - Alpha Mu at Dalhousie and Chi Gamma at Calgary. A number of others are close the brink as well. As the first and foremost Fraternity in Canada, we want to ensure our legacy continues for years to come, and with continued expansion of other Fraternities into Canada, we know it's possible and entirely doable to grow our Brotherhood. Myself and IHQ have come up with a number of successful recruitment and growth strategies that have worked and will increase number of brothers at each chapter while still keeping the quality of men at the utmost highest.
My goal is to work with our chapters to educate our brothers on effective new strategies and be there during the execution stages. A hands on approach is the best way to learn in a situation of this sort, and we are all committed to maintaining our standard of excellence in Canada.
I am very excited to be working with you all and will see you in the near future.
Yours in TKPhi, Brandon Gurley. EMAIL ME |
Notes from the Road in Canada
(pictured, Anthony Abbate and Steve Halperin in Zete Bow ties at the Toronto Commemoration Dinner)
Our Canadian chapters of Zeta Psi are unique and different from their American brethren in several ways. And this semester, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting them all and learning these slight differences personally. Nowhere in the States have I seen such fluid movement between the chapters. Many reasons contribute to this idea, the most recent being the newly instated Theta Cup of Ontario, rewarding the growth and inter-chapter support of the Ontario chapters. Also, it's amazing how smoothly the brothers of the Canadian chapters work and relax so easily together, whether driving an hour or two for a night of fun or moving to a new part of the country and remaining an active brother in the daily operations of your new chapter. Distance makes no difference in the great white north, as many brothers stay in close touch despite being close to a full day's drive apart from their home chapters or from other brothers they know. Most of all, everyone is looking forward to impressing the Americans with Montreal.
In addition, despite the fact that many of our Canadian chapters are smaller than average in membership size, they still maintain the highest degree of respect and honor for our rituals, operate strongly and consistently, and keep a sustainable number of Zetes active. However, I still encourage each chapter to grow, because if Zeta Psi is strong at the levels we are currently, just imagine where we could be with further expansion.
My one item of note, I must say it wasn't very enjoyable to watch the exchange rate shift further and further against me as I worked with each chapter, but I still look forward to my next visit. |
|
BUY YOUR ZETE TIE TODAY!
 Dress to impress this holiday season with your very own Red or Gold Zeta Psi Neck Tie! Or, for those formal affairs, our new and VERY limited edition Zeta Psi Black Bow Tie. CLICK HERE buy TODAY! | |
|
|
|
