October 2017 Newsletter
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
There will be a Homecoming open house celebration at the Sigma Chi house involving light food and beverages (non-alcoholic) starting several hours before kick off. A tailgate party may also be planned by the Alumni in the parking lot directly behind the Sigma Chi house.
GRAND TRUSTEE’S REPORT
The news from the general fraternity is, in a word, good. In June, Grand Chapter was held in Providence Rhode Island. Tommy Geddings was elected as our new Grand Consul and our own Beta Phi Steve Schuyler was elected as Grand Pro Consul. I was appointed to fill Schuyler’s role as Grand Trustee, overseeing chapter housing and alumni engagement in Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
By just about any measure, Sigma Chi International Fraternity is excellent condition. We have undergraduate chapters on 242 collegiate campuses with 16,000 undergraduate members and 250,000 living alumni. We represent less than 1 percent of the student body population, yet we have student body presidents on 12% of those campuses. That is leadership.
Our undergraduates committed over 540,000 service hours last year (over 30 hours per brother) and we raised over $1.5 million for the Huntsman Center, which is working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer. The Sigma Chi Foundation has more assets than the next nine fraternities combined. Last year, over $400,000 in scholarships was awarded to undergraduate brothers, dwarfing all other fraternities. Our fraternity continues to be the leader in the Greek world but we have set our sights on even higher goals.
Grand Consul Geddings has asked us all to, “expect more.” He has set his sights on growing alumni engagement and has expanded the role of the Grand Trustees to accomplish that goal. Beta Phi has been good at this historically and we look to build upon that success while also helping other alumni groups grow.
Congratulate Brother Schuyler when you see him and we hope to see you all at Homecoming!
CHAPTER ADVISOR’S REPORT
Worthy Brothers,
I am honored to serve as Beta Phi’s newest chapter adviser. Back in 2008, a small group of men asked me to join their colony in the attempt reinstate Sigma Chi at The University of Arizona. Their goal was to develop an organization that seeks individuals with different temperaments, talents and convictions, while sharing a common belief in an ideal. Nearly a decade later, I am happy to share that these goals, and the spirit of Sigma Chi is alive and well at Beta Phi.
While serving as assistant chapter advisor last year, I was able observe and identify a few things that I will have the chapter focus on this year. Interestingly enough, they all start with the letter R. They are; recruitment, ritual and risk management.
In the past few years we have had issues with recruitment with regards to legacies and the interaction between alumni and the chapter. New procedures were implemented to mitigate this issue over the summer, and I am happy with the progress made. Out of 1,700 candidates and 50+ legacy recommendations, the undergraduates narrowed it down to 22 immerging leaders that make our current fall rush class.
Last year I observed some opportunities for improvement in our Ritual with regards to chapter meetings and the Investiture. I am in the process of asking alumni and international headquarters for support to help our chapter get back to the book.
This year we will also continuously improve our risk management procedure. It is our priority to keep our members and guests safe, while maintaining a positive partnership with the university.
If any of you have further questions or would enjoy visiting the house, feel free to reach me at Fauset@me.com or 928.606.4201.
Always proud,
Rylan Fauset
CONSUL’S REPORT
The chapter is looking forward to a very busy and ambitious semester. After winning another consecutive Peterson Award at The Balfour Leadership Workshop this past summer, we are ready to carry the momentum.
We began the semester with a very strong rush. We have welcomed 22 new pledges into the program. These students are some very impressive individuals who we are confident will continue our strong legacy. We hope to initiate all 22 on Nov. 4.
We have also decided to move Derby Days to the fall for logistical reasons. It is scheduled for the third week of October. We would greatly appreciate all of your support to contribute to The Huntsman Cancer Institute.
As always this semester our primary focuses are to improve on Ritual, accountability, academics, involvement on campus and to improve our prestigious reputation. We are looking forward to seeing you all for Homecoming. Feel free to reach out to me anytime with any questions. We really appreciate your continued support.
SIGMA CHI LEADERSHIP
The Sigma Chi Green Valley Alumni Club meets monthly at noon at La Perla within the La Posada complex. They have extended an invitation to all Tucson Sigma Chi Alumni to join them this coming Thursday, October 19th for some Sigma Chi friendship and participation.
Jerry Schultz is President and contact man. He can be reached at jerryschultz@cox.net or 520-399-3205.
Please RSVP to Jerry no later than Tuesday, October 17th if you are able to attend. He can provide complete directions to those planning to attend.
Fraternally, Jack McDuff mcduffjack@aol.com
CHAPTER ETERNAL
Brother Jim Geist passed away in Denver Colorado early last week. Jim was quarterback and captain of the 1960 football team and pitcher for the UA baseball teams that went to the College World Series 3 times from 58 - 60. He retired from the Air Force as a highly decorated Colonel having flown a record 200 missions in the Viet Nam War and was an assistant coach at the Air Force before leaving the service.
Jim is survived by wife Sandy; first wife Dee and their children Jennifer & Christopher; nieces & nephews; and many friends. Jim was a fighter to the end on the football field, in an F-4, and on the golf course. Committal Service Fri., 09/29/17, 9:15 AM, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Area C. A Celebration of his Life to be announced later. Donations suggested to the Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry St #700, Denver, CO 80246.
All Honor to His Name
