Updated Coronavirus Advisory – April 13, 2020
Dear Brother [Last Name]:
The past few weeks have been some of the hardest our nation has had to endure since World War II; the months ahead will be equally challenging. This pandemic has impacted everyone, including Sigma Nu Fraternity and its members.
Challenging times are not new to our nation nor Sigma Nu. Our Fraternity was founded during Reconstruction, in the aftershocks of the Civil War, yet we persevered and grew to become one of the largest men’s fraternities. When brothers left their homes, families, and campuses to serve their country in World War I and World War II, we persevered. Throughout conflicts, pandemics, and natural disasters, Sigma Nu has persevered because that is the strength of its Brotherhood and their commitment to the Fraternity’s mission.
The achievement of that mission has always been due in large measure to the outstanding effort put forward by each collegiate chapter, every day. It is by the leadership of collegiate officers, such as yourself, that Sigma Nu will continue to protect, strengthen, and advance the mission and principles of our great Fraternity.
We have the utmost confidence in your abilities because we believe that Sigma Nu men were made for times like these. It is in these moments that the true measure of a man is determined, and a Sigma Nu man is never found wanting.
Over the coming days and weeks, you will continue to serve as a source of confidence, leadership, motivation, and grit for your chapter brothers and the Legion of Honor. We will be here to support you every step along the way.
Below is a list of the Top 10 Things You Should be Doing Now to help get you started.
- Adapt your vision – you had a vision for what your term would look like and had set SMART goals to drive the chapter towards that vision. Considering the unexpected changes to chapter operations, what needs to change with your vision? What goals need to be kept the same, adjusted, or eliminated? Any new goals that need to be created?
- Review chapter finances – chapter leadership needs to focus on ensuring chapter strength during and post-pandemic. Wise financial decisions will be an essential component of doing so. Review the Fraternity’s Financial Management Advisory for guidance on reviewing and adjusting the chapter budget during this unique disruption.
- Begin preparing the Pursuit of Excellence Self-Assessment Booklet – although chapters have shifted to virtual operations for the remainder of the spring 2020 term, it is still important for officers and committees to report on annual and ongoing operations. The deadline to submit the Self-Assessment Booklet is April 30th. Consult the Pursuit of Excellence Program Submission Advisory for guidance on how to reflect the pandemic’s impact on the chapter’s operations in your self-assessment. If you need more time to put together this year's submission, contact your Leadership Consultant to discuss a deadline extension.
- Keep candidates engaged – it is critical to keep your candidates engaged and informed. Hold weekly virtual meetings with the candidate class to check-in and share chapter updates. Encourage Big Brothers to do regular check-ins with their Little Brother. Continue their candidate education program using a virtual meeting platform. Check out the Guidance for Current Candidates resource for additional ideas.
- Keep brothers engaged – like candidates, the chapter needs to keep brothers engaged. Continue holding weekly virtual meetings to check-in with everyone, provide officer reports, and discuss chapter business. Consult the Virtual Meetings resource for tips on leading effective online meetings. Also, submit a request for a free Zoom Premium Account if your chapter needs a Zoom account with no meeting time limit, 300 participant maximum, and meeting recording functionality, among other features. Related, check out the new section of the Best Practices Library on Virtual Operations. From individual and group meetings to academic support and virtual brotherhood ideas, we’re collecting and sharing the best ideas. Have an idea to share with other chapters? Please send it to christopher.brenton@sigmanu.org to include in the library.
- Keep your alumni engaged – when was the last time you spoke with your alumni advisor? Have you shared an update with your general alumni about the status of the chapter? They want to hear from you, to know how the chapter is doing. Check out the Fraternity’s Chapter Communications resource for advice on developing an effective communications plan.
- Participate in the Founders’ Month of Service – April is the Founders’ Month of Service. Social distancing does not mean the Helping Hand cannot still be extended. Virtual volunteerism and an increasing number of pandemic-specific efforts are a couple of ways to encourage chapter members to participate in community service or philanthropy this month. Check out the Guidance for Community Service and Philanthropy Events for additional ideas.
- Support your graduating members – having to unexpectedly complete your college career remotely, and possibly without a commencement ceremony, can be an especially difficult impact of this crisis. Also, the job market looks much different than it did a few months ago. Think of ways the chapter could celebrate and provide a capstone experience for graduating ceremonies. Also, make sure your graduating members are taking advantage of the Sigma Nu Mentor Network and encourage them to participate in the April 16th webinar at 3:30 p.m. ET on optimizing your LinkedIn profile. The presenter is a social media marketing expert Shon Christy (Akron). Advance registration is required. Email David Mainella, Chief Development Officer for the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, at david.mainella@sigmanu.org to register.
- Submit nominations for Fraternity awards – the Fraternity annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of chapters and individuals. The deadline for nominations is April 30th. Check out the Fraternity Awards resource for additional information.
- Encourage GreekLifeEdu completion – this program provides essential education on the important topics of alcohol misuse, sexual misconduct, and hazing. Make sure to get all members who have not yet completed the program to do so by April 30th to ensure the chapter qualifies for the lowest eligible risk management assessment rate. Check out our GreekLifeEdu webpage for additional information.
The General Fraternity remains committed to supporting you in successfully leading your chapter. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Leadership Consultant, or any member of our staff team, with questions and support needs.
Remember, now is the time when your chapter depends upon your leadership and the example you set the most, and we have no doubt you will answer the call with Love, Honor, and Truth.
Fraternally,
Fred Dobry (Indiana State)
Director of Health and Safety
cc: Collegiate Chapter Officers, Chapter Advisors, Alumni Advisory Board Chairmen, House Corporation Presidents, Division Commanders, and Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisors