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October 03, 2004
Consul Philip Morris Delivers First Word of Fall 2004
Consul’s Word – September 29, 2004
In the spirit of past Iota Sigma Consuls, it is my pleasure to address members of our Chapter, Alumni and other readers of this page in my first “Consul’s Word”. It is my sincere belief that continuance of this exercise is dually beneficial. While this page can be utilized by Alumni, parents or others with and interest in the affairs of our chapter, these updates also prove beneficial to the chapter. By encouraging reflection upon the state of our chapter somewhat frequently, taking the time to pause and “seek the pulse” of the chapter (thanks Dave Martens), it allows us to perhaps take a sobering, encouraging or inspirational view as to where we have been, where we are and where we are going. It is in that spirit that I write.
October’s chill arrived a week early this year to Northwest Indiana, and the refreshing snap in the air served as a reminder to all of just how fleeting those Indian Summer days of late August and September can be. I’ve always found pleasure in the early days of autumn, especially here on campus, where the fresh exuberance of new beginnings and the renewal of old acquaintances still abound.
The exuberance of a crisp autumn morning is similar to the type of excitement which has permeated the Iota Sigma chapter this semester. It resounds in the words and actions of our members, and has caused our brotherhood to be rejuvenated with a confident spirit and a thoroughly optimistic outlook on where our chapter is currently poised.
We have arrived at this moment of excitement, I believe, because our brothers have taken up the charge of having a successful year, and placed that load voluntarily upon their shoulders. Our successes this year have occurred, not because brothers have been forced into attending events or forced into volunteering their time, but rather because “What can I do to help?” has become a more common phrase than “Where have you been lately?”
The undergraduate brothers have come into this year with a positive mindset, which is perhaps the most important quality anyone can bring to a group. These first four weeks of the semester have caused us to fully realize that the only thing pessimism breeds is more pessimism, and that the most productive way to get an organization excited, is to be excited yourself. Our brothers here at Iota Sigma are excited; for it’s a good time to be a Sigma Chi. Throughout the first month of the semester a sentiment has arisen in the chapter that we are in the midst of something special.
Part of our excitement regarding the year has been due to the success which we have already experienced. We once again held a highly successful Fall recruitment, and now currently face the enjoyable challenge of assisting our six Pledge brothers through our pledging process. For the second year in a row our chapter has received the largest Fall pledge class, yet we continue to make a deliberate and conscious effort to add quality new men to the chapter, rather than focus on the quantity of men we convince to join. While we are constantly looking to share the special qualities which characterize our brotherhood with as many individuals that we come in contact with, we also recognize that recruitment is the easiest way to strengthen, or weaken the chapter.
After once again conducting an overwhelmingly successful Derby Days (can you believe we’re in our 15th year already?), in which we once again raised over $5,000 in donations, our brothers made an emphatic statement at our Brotherhood Retreat that they wish to see our chapter once more commit ourselves to serving the community through philanthropic events. Progress is being made in providing a plethora of philanthropic opportunities to our undergraduate brothers, ranging from volunteer work at a local day care center, to coaching youth basketball teams at the YMCA, to participating in other Greek Philanthropy events on campus. With as much support that we receive from sororities each year during Derby Days, it’s time for us to begin giving back, and participate with the same level of enthusiasm in their events.
So, as Homecoming draws near, and the baseball season dwindles, and while we here at Iota Sigma are enjoying a successful and encouraging start to the semester (even our intramural football team is undefeated), we must look at what still can be accomplished.
None of us, undergrads, those who have just recently graduated, or alumni of fourteen years, have the gift of foresight, yet we cannot allow that to cause timidity in our actions. While there will be dips and bends in our lives, we cannot know or anticipate when they will occur. It is the new and the sometimes uncertain situations which challenge us and cause us to grow. The advantage that I believe we, as Sigma Chi’s have, is that we know that when a challenge arises, we may accept it with the confidence that we are not alone. We face our challenges with the strong arms of our brothers intertwined with ours, for support, comfort and encouragement.
Knowing that the support of our brothers, both undergraduate and alumni, is unwavering, it is therefore our obligation to seek out new challenges, and test our own abilities. It is by stretching ourselves, heading beyond our comfort zone and striving for more than the average student, the average chapter, or the average alumnus that we will begin to step closer to the ideals and principles we as Sigma Chi’s say we hope to attain.
Over our first few weeks, our chapter has accomplished much. There is a sentiment amongst brothers that we must strive to return to our ambitious purposes and to do so by remaining respectful to our past, and confident about our future.
In a word, it’s a good time to be a Sig.
Guard well my brothers,
Phil Morris
Consul