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Let's Grow In Canada
 All chapters in Zeta Psi are special and we have many "regional" affiliations with our chapters. Look at Zeta Psi more as a single entity as opposed to a fraternity with chapters in three countries. That said, there is no doubt our Canadian Chapters have a special flavor of Zete pride and camaraderie that all chapters ought to immolate. Lately we've seen a slow decline in Zeta Psi in Canada with the closings of the Chi Gamma at Calgary, the Delta Kappa at New Brunswick, the Alpha Mu at Dalhousie, and the Theta Phi at Western Ontario. These chapters failed because of financial problems brought on by continually low member numbers. That trend needs to stop and in fact has stopped.
This spring Zeta Psi should be chartering a new group at Brock University and we are looking into a group ay Queens University and will investigate returning to Dalhousie this spring. On the horizon in the next year or two is a return to Calgary and to Western Ontario. This spring we'll also make a concerted effort at Pi Epsilon at Manitoba to get that chapter to sustainable numbers. Zeta Psi has always been the dominant fraternity in Canada and we need to get to a point chapter-wise where we feel we still are!
Special thanks to our current Canadian Development Director, Ruben Vina, Theta-Xi '08. Thanks also go to our Spring '08 CDD, Brandon Gurley, Tau Theta '07 and all-around volunteer Rob MacMullen, Alpha Mu '02.
In Tau Kappa Phi, Dave Hunter, IA '80
EMAIL ME
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The newest Zete internship program in Canada is looking for host companies for the summer of 2009. If you are willing to host a top tier undergraduate at your company next summer please contact us! Undergraduates will be provided housing, stipend and mentor while staying in city by the program. If interested or if you can help, please click here! |
Significant Events
On November 8, 2008 the Theta Xi Chapter hosted a Commemoration Banquet with 140 Zetes from three continents in attendance and another 100 at the fraternity house for before and after celebrations. As always, the event was a resounding success and an inspirational gathering.
On November 14, 2008 Zeta Psi formally pledged 24 men into the soon-to-be Theta Chi Colony at Brock University in St. Catherine, Ontario. Zeta Psi has a brief stint at Brock in the early 2000s, but the group did not stick. We won't have that problem with this current group as all systems are go for a spring installation.
On November 15, 2008 the Alpha Psi Chapter held a Commemoration Banquet in Montreal with over 60 Zetes in attendance. After dinner the chapter entertained many of the attendees at their chapter house. A good time was had by all.
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Toronto Elder Association Events
Scandinavian Culture Night Friday, January 16th 2009
Chapter Day and LTI Saturday, March 28th 2009
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Zeta Psi Active & Elder Services
Click below to learn more about each of these great Zete programs:
Career Mentors List.
Elders can offer the inside scoop on their industry, and actives can figure out their interest.
Job Bank.
Post or search resumes and jobs.
Internships.
Info on the most internships in the Fraternity world.
Scholarships.
$50,000+ in scholarships
History of Zeta Psi.
Now online - the 1928 story of Zeta Psi and more!
Shop Zete.
Ties, T's, and eMall online to support Zeta Psi.
Community Service.
ZeteKidz, ZeteScout, and StarPoints service programs.
Visit www.zetapsi.org for these and other Zete programs. | |
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Brock Colony Pledges 24!
On Thursday November 6th, 2008 a group of representatives from the Brock University interest group met various elders to discuss the groups' progress. Marc Reynolds, Gord Timbers, Matt Besant, and Mike Snow had the pleasure of meeting with Brothers Dave Busacca, Dave Hunter, Dave Schimmelpenninck, Ruben Vina-Garcia, Chris Reid and Rob MacMullen. The elders explained their history as a Zete, what their membership in Zeta Psi has meant to them, and most importantly, what it expected of a Zete. Following the dinner, they met the rest of the Brock interest group back at their house. After introductions were given, each elder gave an inspiring speech on what Zeta Psi has given them and the invaluable bond it can bring to a group. Elders and prospective brothers then conversed for the remainder of the evening
On Friday November 14th, 2008 the Brock University interest group had the pleasure of attaining colony status. The pledging process was conducted subsequent to a wine and cheese gathering which was hosted by the Brock group at their house. Thanks to the efforts of Brother Dave Schimmelpenninck and Brother Vina-Garcia, we were able to host numerous elder brothers from across Ontario. Upon the elder's arrival, they met and conversed with all the members of the colony and educated them with their own perspective of Zeta Psi. In one of the most touching moments of the night, Brother Bernard Nehring gave a remembrance day speech to commend the fallen and remind us that one day a year will never be enough to remember the men who gave their lives for our freedom.
After Brother Nehring's speech, the pledging process began and concluded with twenty-four selected Brock University students receiving pledge pins. Out colony would like to extend a sincere thanks to those who had a special hand in helping us reach our colony status: Brother Vina-Garcia, Brother Schimmelpenninck, Brother MacMullen and Brother Gurley.
- Marc Reynolds, Colony President |
Elder Profile
Andy Webb - Delta Kappa (University of New Brunswick) '02
Andy Webb, from our short lived chapter at The University of New Brunswick has made a significant contribution in his young career with our federal government, at the time of this interview he was Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Chris Reid interviewed him to talk about his academic and political career and thoughts on Zeta Psi.
Chris: Andrew, can you tell me a little bit about your academic career?
Andy: I did my Undergrad at the University of New Brunswick in Political Science, then a semester of grad school at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, followed by a year at the University of Calgary where I received my MA in International Relations. Most of my academic background focuces on Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Chris: You are currently a Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Emmerson. Can you shed some light as to what kind of work you do and some of the international issues currently going on?
Andy: So the position I was in was Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister Emerson was really a brilliant and forward thinking Minister, and as a country we should be disappointed he left federal politics. Every Minister's office has a policy staff. Ours was five people, one Senior Policy Analyst who had the Afghanistan file and generally oversaw all, and four of us assigned specific geographics. My responsibilities were Europe, Russia and the Middle East. This sounds like a huge area, and it was, but at the level of the minister's office I only directly involved myself in affairs when there was something pressing. The department (that is the department of foreign affairs and international trade, aka DFAIT) looks after the day to day stuff. Based on that, what occupied me most was the Russia-Georgia crisis, UN voting on Middle East issues, and with my academic background I got pulled into helping out on Afghan-Pakistan items pretty quickly.
The work involves a good bit of travel, which included being in Georgia meeting with President Saakashvili near the height of the conflict and we toured around a bit to the damage done to Georgia proper on the outskirts of the breakaway regions. It was striking; you don't often see firsthand the result of military strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Chris: We all have had some interesting experiences as Zete's be it nationally or internationally, can you comment on your amazing experience?
Andy: My Zeta Psi experience was a great one. Sadly my chapter has fallen on some difficult times, but I still remain very close with the guys I went through with and 10-15 of us usually try to meet up at least annually as we get more and more scattered. Probably the greatest impact Zeta Psi had on my life was through the Washington Scholars Program, which was founded by our illustrious alumnus RADM James Carey. In the summer of 2002, the program set me up with an internship at the Heritage Foundation, a think tank in Washington, D.C., which was really life-changing and set me on the political/policy career path I'm on today. I know Graham Little, also of UNB, took advantage of the program as well, but I'm not sure how many other Canadians have been through it. Eventually, I'd like to see a similar program spring up in Ottawa, but that will take some time.
Chris: Any last words or comments?
Andy: With that said, I always take any opportunity to thank Admiral Carey for putting the program together and giving me that opportunity. I'm certain not enough of our rank and file bothers realize the strides he has made for our fraternity.
I'd like to thank Andy for taking the time out to speak with the Quarterly and wish him best in the future, I'm sure we will be seeing more of him. |
Theta-Xi put on Halloween Haunt Charity Event!
The actives of Theta Xi, led my Alpha-Phi Ryan Jones recently put on a scary Halloween haunt for over a dozen inter-city kids from the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club in Toronto. The kids toured around the haunted Zete Mansion which was full of ghostly Zetes! The kids carved pumpkins with the help of the brothers, had their faces painted, played Halloween inspired games and capped it off with a hotdog (and candy) filled lunch! Kudos to the actives for putting on such a great event for these very deserving kids, fun was had by all! |
From The Road...
 The fall semester has been a good one for Zeta Psi in Canada. We had strong numbers across the board and a couple of exciting projects have taken flight. The energy that numerous Zetes and pledges have put forward this term has been tremendous. We would like to welcome the many new brothers across the country, who have now taken their steps into our lifelong brotherhood.
As a Fraternity we must want to extend this incredibly special experience to other Zete-Worthy men in Zete-Worthy institutions. If you know of any Zete-Worthy men at quality universities please contact us. There is a special focus on schools in Halifax, Guelph, Kingston and Ottawa. We hope to have your help in expanding our circle!
In TKPHI- Ruben Vina,Canadian Development Director |
From the Desk of the Director of Leadership Services
 Throughout my Canadian travels, I've seen more of your country than I ever expected to. From the northern most city limits of Edmonton to wandering the old bars of Montreal with mobs of Zetes, it's been a pleasure. However, the one thing that has truly hooked me for life are the annual Commemoration dinners, notably Theta Xi's as I've attended it the last two years.
This year was no different from what I've come to expect. Well over a hundred brothers in attendance over the course of the weekend, including representation from almost every Canadian chapter ever to exist, three US chapters, and our esteemed new brethren from 'across the pond'. The event allowed me the opportunity to help to initiate 9 new brothers, and at the same time celebrate the history and bonds of our brotherhood in Canada. It's hard to imagine that every year at this time, brothers of all ages from all over the continent plan their lives around the holiday, the chapter, and the return to the bonds that have developed in the almost 130 years since our fraternity became the first international. But I know that even in the short time (relatively) I've been on staff, I'm made fast friends for life, and you will likely see me often at these events in the "Great White North".
- Anthony Abbate, Director of Leadership Services | |
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