Dealing With "Post Charter Syndrome"

by Nicholas Reid
University of Iowa, ‘21

Brother Nicholas Reid (University of Iowa, ‘21) speaking at the Chapters re-chartering on September 28th.

Initiation.

It is the time that every fraternity brother will remember for the rest of their life.

Eighteen of our Iowa Delta brothers were available to experience it for the first time at the Iowa Delta Chartering this past September.

Members were excited, nervous, anxious and overall cold. It was a cold day.

The initiation was an incredible experience, followed by a resound “PHI” Phi Kappa Theta chant.

After the weekend, the greatest question from brothers was, “Where do we go next?”.

Usually, this can cause an infamous “Post Charter Syndrome” where members become relaxed and aren’t as motivated as they used to be. Thankfully, that is not the problem for Iowa Delta. Brothers immediately after the ceremony were asking what they could do to work harder and help better the fraternity.

One of our brothers, Sam Sharp (University of Iowa, ’21), came up to me directly and said, “I want to be more involved and help this Fraternity in any way I can.”

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Nicholas Reid (center) with members of the Iowa Delta Chapter, picking up trash in support of CMN.

Members like that, that will do anything for their brothers, are the reason fraternities will never die away. No other organization is able to create a closeness that arises because of Greek life.

As Iowa Delta advances, we hope to not only advance the Fraternity but the University of Iowa. By becoming the ideal gentlemen we are meant to be, we can create a lasting impact on the people around us, hopefully changing their lives for the better.

We are excited to continue this journey, and we hope that all of you continue to keep updated with us on this blog.

As always, PROUD TO BE A PHI KAP!

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About Nicholas:

Brother Reid is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus in Business Management. He is the current Vice President of Fraternal, Recharter Head and Social Media Chair for Phi Kappa Theta Iowa Delta. Nicholas grew up in Peoria, Illinois, attending St. Vincent de Paul grade school and Peoria Notre Dame High School. He was involved and active in many things, including scholastic bowl, numerous sports with his primary being soccer, key club and French Club. Nic also received the Presidental Award, National Honors Society, Old Gold Scholarship and an Illinois State Scholar. He is the first person of his family to move out for college, attend a big 10 school and join Greek life. Knowing nothing of what Greek life is about graduating, Nic has since taken a strong passion towards Phi Kappa Theta and bettering himself, along with his brothers. Nic is also involved in Dance Marathon and Intramural Sports, along with numerous service projects through the Fraternity. In his freetime, he loves to workout, play sports, hunt, fish, play video games and hang out with friends.

How Our Chapter Grew

Dr. Brown formed a personalized program for our house. This program hit home with all the brothers, talking about individuals and their struggles and putting those things into perspective as a brotherhood.

Neil Patel
RPI, ‘20
Chapter President

On October 8th, 2018 the New York Sigma Chapter at RPI was extremely honored to hold its first brotherhood retreat with Dr. Michael Brown of DMB Coaching.

Over the course of the last year many brothers have gotten to meet Dr. Michael Brown at the Boysie Bollinger Leadership Academy and IMPACT18.

After each of those events, many non-attending brothers were excited by the ideas and impact Dr. Brown had on their fellow brothers. With all this excitement, it was only right to have Dr. Brown come visit the chapter.

Over the past year the chapter struggled with passivity and ideals, Dr. Brown formed a personalized program for our house. This program hit home with all the brothers, talking about individuals and their struggles and putting those things into perspective as a brotherhood.

The key moment for us was when Dr. Brown had us write down something we are currently struggling with personally. After reading each of those anonymous struggles, many were taken back about how the Fraternity serves as that support system that each of us as individuals need.

Using the strategies taught by Dr. Brown, the Chapter formulated their personal values which allowed us to establish our first recruitment guidelines. These guidelines specifically show who were are as a chapter and why we do the things we do.

The executive board had a meeting with Dr. Brown the following morning. Despite leading a discussion from 10AM to 6PM and hanging out with the brothers from 6PM to 10PM, Dr. Brown was still lively.

He allowed us to ask questions about what we struggle with and how to implement what we talked about as a chapter.

Overall, our Chapter went into the retreat knowing about what it means to be good leaders and an even better brotherhood but being able to still be critical about these things allowed us to be even more efficient in these areas.

Also, being able to talk about tasks we struggle with made everyone more cognizant of where we look to improve!

Neil Patel
RPI, ‘20
Chapter President

Georgia Tech Homecoming 2018

Georgia Tech Homecoming is coming up!

Here is a list of the scheduled events:

Friday, October 12 - 7-10 PM

• Cocktail Party at the Phi Kappa Theta House

• 800 Fowler St NW Atlanta, GA 30313

Saturday, October 13, 9 AM - 12:20 PM

• Homecoming Tailgate at the Phi Kappa Theta House

• BYOB

Sunday, October 14

• Actives & Alumni Flag Football game - 9:00 AM

• Meet at the House 15 minutes beforehand or meet at the burger bowl

• Brunch 11:30 AM - 1 PM at the Phi Kappa Theta House

• Alumni Chapter Meeting at 2 PM

The chapter is excited to have an opportunity to meet more Phi Kaps. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to meet the collegiate brothers and network with brothers of Phi Kappa Theta. They hope to see you there!

If you have any questions feel free to email jchua30@gatech.edu.

Northern Arizona 50th Anniversary

Dear Fraternity Brothers, Families and Friends,

We have completed plans for Phi Kappa Theta Fifty (50)+ years Reunion on Friday Oct., 26th, Saturday, 27th and Sunday (leaving), 28th 2018.

It is with great anticipation that we look forward to renewing our close fraternal bonds at Arizona State College or Northern Arizona University, whichever has the most meaning for you. The close fraternal bonds, the opportunity to be a part of small campus college life, the period of becoming a young man, while pursuing our educational goals, was a very magical time in our lives for all of our brothers, significant other, and friends. Much time has passed, but the relationships and memories have continued to bring gladness in our lives. For some there has been marriage, children, grandchildren, careers, good times and some not so good times. However, wonderful experiences of being a Phi Kappa Theta brother and the lasting relationship formed will never be forgotten. This will again be our opportunity to look back at those wonderful years in our lives with great fondness with our Brothers that made this a special time in our lives possible.

Our desire is to bring our Brothers together as well as their significant other, and share some of these great memories, stories and experiences of fraternity life in the past, while sharing our plans for the future. Your attendance and participation in the 2018 reunion will make this reunion a very special and unforgettable time in all of our lives.

In the interest of sharing the experience of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity life with a new generation of young college men, we have asked Father Lowry, Chaplain of the Newman Center and his guest to join our 50+ Reunion celebration and determine the feasibility and interest of recolonizing the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta at NAU.

Logistical information including lodging, conference room, breakfast, dinner, buffet and football tickets (20 and 40 yard line seats) are detailed within attachment “A”. A donation of $80.00 per person is recommended, which defers the cost of a buffet, dinner and incidentals. Pls. provide your reimbursement by 9/30/2018 to Larry Barman, 647 Alta Way, Laguna Beach, California, 92651. The excitement is building for the 2018 Phi Kappa Theta reunion, and a fabulous time for all who are able to attend.

PLANNED EVENTS

• Friday (10/26/2018):

  • 3:30 PM: Registration @ Hilton Garden Inn - Please see attachment “A” for particulars and address.

  • 4 PM - 5:30 PM: Welcome Desk near lobby.

  • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Old Student Union Building on Campus - Buffet of Hors d’oeuvres served in the lounge area of “Old Student Union Building” Please see attachment “A” for particulars.

  • 8:00 PM – 11 PM: Reacquaint yourself with your brothers and friends from the past, while coming back to our roots at ASC (now NAU).

    • Bring pictures, stories, college year book of fraternity life, brothers, friends and events during College life @ ASC.

• Saturday (10/27/06)

  • 8:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Meet in the “Old Student Union Building” for Breakfast. Also, traditionally this has been a location were Alumni from past years have met before Homecoming Parade.

  • 10:45 AM – 12 Noon: View Homecoming Parade in “temporary stands” immediately opposite and North of “Old Student Union”

  • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: “University Tailgate Party” located south side of “Dome”. Informal and leisurely walk, while meeting students and friends from the past. Optional

  • 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Football Game between NAU Lumberjacks and Cal Poly.

  • 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM: Dinner/banquet (casual attire)

    • Dinner @ 1899 Bar & Grille located in “Old Student Union” Building. Pls. see attachment “A” for address.

    • After Dinner, gather in lounge area of restaurant within “Old Student Union Building”.

      • Introduction of Special Guest:

        • Father Matt Lowry, Newman Club Chaplain

        • Father Dan, Newman Club

        • Introduce four young men from Newman Center

        • Ms. Christina Wirth, Newman Center Dev. Dir.

        • Brother Robert Riggs Executive Vice-President of PKT National, or Delegate from PKT

      • Special tribute to known bothers that are deceased.

        • Father Lowry will lead Brothers/Guests in Special Invocation

      • Each Brothers will say a few words (year graduated, location of home, hobby/interest, and introduce significant others and guest.

      • Ms. Christina Wirth will give a short update of Plans for the Newman Center

    • Each Brother will share a story and experiences about a fellow brother/fraternity life @ ASC, or NAU

    • Determine interest for a possible next Reunion.

• Sunday (10/28/18)

  • 10:30 AM: Mass @ the Newman Center

  • 12 Noon: Breakfast @ TBD location

    • Say “so long”, but not “good by”, until our next Reunion…It’s great to be a Phi Kappa Theta Brother and Lumberjack!

Raise your spirits—and your glasses—to the 50+ Anniversary of Phi Kappa Theta Alpha Omicron Chapter Fraternity Reunion. Join your fraternity Brothers and college friends at Northern Arizona University for the time of your life. That a promise!

UPDATE: We have upgraded our Buffet and banquet area on Friday to be located at the 1899 Lounge within the “Old Student Union Building”. Also, we will be utilizing the same 1899 lounge on Saturday for our Reunion get together immediately after Dinner. We have provided updated detailed information in regards to location of buffet, attendees, added guests and agenda for Friday and Saturday. Updated attachments listing said changes are highlighted in yellow. Please review the list of attendees and if we have missed someone who may be interested in attending the PKT Reunion, please send their contact information to Steve Bojorques, or Larry Barman and we will certainly follow up.

All accommodation, buffet, dinner, football game tickets and banquet space has now been reserved. However, if you have not made your reservation with the Hilton Garden Inn, you have 2 days (9/25) remaining to make your reservation before the per day lodging cost increases from $129.00 plus taxes to $180.00 plus taxes. Plsease call Hilton @ 928-226-8888 referencing PKT Reunion to make your reservation. Also, pls. call Hallee Codiga referencing PKT Reunion 928-523-0639 to make reservation for the football game. Making reservation early will ensure availability of rooms and football tickets (40 yard line please), while capturing the best prices.

Your Brothers in Phi Kappa Theta Alpha,

Steve Bojorquez (Northern Arizona University, ‘66)
Rudy Navarro (Northern Arizona University, ‘63)
Larry Barman (Northern Arizona University, ‘64)