Tri Serp February 2010

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The Tri Serp is a newsletter from Tau Sigma of Beta Theta Pi that is a report of any recent news along with any additional information for our alumni, adivisors, and family.

Transcript of Tri Serp February 2010

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2120 Lincoln Way

Ames, IA 50014

March 8, 2010

Dear Beta brothers, alumni, and parents:

Welcome to the first edition of the TriSerp newsletter, a publication created by the public relations

chairman of the Tau Sigma chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Iowa State University.

We’ve put together a couple articles for the first edition of this newsletter. The main part is composed

of reports written by members of the executive committee.

In this issue, we also write about how the Tau Sigma chapter of Beta Theta Pi exemplifies the nickname

The Singing Fraternity. Finally, we’ll let you know about a Tau Sigma alum who was recently recognized

by the national fraternity.

Keep an eye out for more news and articles in future editions of the Triserp.

If you have requests or ideas for future articles, send me an email at [email protected].

Enjoy!

Nick Davis, PR Chairman

ΤΣ 1785

Josh Larson, Secretary

ΤΣ 1781

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From the Exec Committee 4-6

Beta Men’s Group Returns 6

Beta Theta Pi Serenades Kappa Alpha Theta 7

Beta Alum Recognized 7-8

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This has been an interesting month adjusting to the role of Chapter President. This last month and a half I have been to two leadership development opportunities: CPLA and Keystone. I have also had a lot of interaction with our chapter advisor Steve Bensema, leadership consultant Rory Curren, and Matt Brauner from the administrative staff. Through talking with these men I have decided on my main focus as a president to be working closely with the recruitment team and make sure that we achieve our chartering directives of a 50 man roster and 40 signed housing contracts.

This semester we have many great events planned to promote brotherhood. This semester, we are promoting many micro-events, which any brother can create and promote. These events require little planning and help promote an environment where there are less structured events to gather brothers, but brothers gather more naturally. This does not mean we have events planned, however. In the coming weeks, we are holding a game night and have available all types of games from video games to card and board games. Our Keystone event, however, will be in late April where all the brothers will be camping out in Boone, IA. We plan on having various activities as well as some ritual practice at this event. Look for more

news on Brotherhood events later in the semester!

After going to Keystone in Chicago with the rest of our executive committee I had my goals and expectations for the upcoming semester. My goals include adding penalties for late payments and rewards for payments on time to the bylaws. Also, I want to find a way to ensure members don't become delinquent on their rent and dues.

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As secretary of the Tau Sigma colony of Beta Theta Pi, I’ve been working on improving chapter communications. One of these efforts has been working with Nick Davis, our PR chair, to create a chapter newsletter –what you’re reading right now. I’m also using my journalism skills to create a chapter video using a real video camera and lighting. It should be pretty neat – keep a lookout for that in the future!

Coming back from Keystone and knowing what expectations the chapter has for recruitment, I am striving to meet and go beyond them. Upon my return to our chapter I noticed that there are always 10 members that take part in recruitment and I should not have to keep only relying on them for helping out with recruitment. These observations charged me to fully develop the Recruitment Committee to more than just three additional members helping out the recruitment chairmen. The whole chapter will be split into three teams all guided by each recruitment committee member. These committee members would be in charge of giving tasks to members in their team and then Griffin and I would make sure the recruitment committee members are doing their part. This 'new way' of doing recruitment will take full force during spring semester

for Greek Getaway, Summer Recruitment, and then Fall Recruitment. Everyone needs to help out with recruitment. Matt Brawner from the General Fraternity will be coming to Tau Sigma to help out and guide us with recruitment that will push us to guide the rest of the chapter. We will be striving to build upon our current pledge class and/or getting a head start for Greek Getaway and Summer Recruitment. All I ask for is everyone's full commitment in helping out with recruitment. We do not just rush, we recruit. We are great Betas and can achieve what we want, but it will just take time, energy, and dedication.

Cultivation of the Intellect has become an ever-increasing aspect to the members of our fraternity. Through continual education and discussion, we are

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dedicated to increasing the standards and aide for every member. We will apply to all possible scholarship awards offered both locally and nationally, we will strive to increase both our new member and active GPA, and we will foster a mentality that a cultivated intellect is something to be sought after. Graduating from Iowa State University as an intellectual will not only provide our members with personal satisfaction, it will provide the business world with dedicated, professional Betas.

In the past weeks, our new recruits have begun to become familiar with the

members of our house. We are beginning pledge education soon, and our pledge education program has been modified with a focus on academics. We are working to prepare our pledges for their futures with Beta. They will be working with officers to prepare themselves for offices, and we are going to make all pledges aware of the opportunities open to them. Our pledges are eager and willing to learn, and they are going to make great additions to our house.

Tony Labat, ΤΣ 1783, is our chorister for the 2010 calendar year. Tony and six other brothers comprise our men’s choir this semester. They have been meeting twice a week for an hour each working to put together a cappella versions of Beta classics like Beta Doxology, Gemma Nostra, and The Loving Cup. They have also been working on other songs as well, including an a cappella version of “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. A video of Beta Dox can be seen on YouTube - Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPivDQopqOY&feature=related

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ΚΑΘ

So far this semester, we have participated in one serenade. Kappa Alpha Theta sorority asked for us to sing to them during the Saturday of their Mother’s weekend. We had approximately 15 guys participate in the serenade. We sang “All the Single Ladies” by Beyonce. Then we sang “Best Day” by Taylor Swift which was requested of us by the sorority. Then we ended with “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles. The ladies of Kappa Alpha Theta really enjoyed our presence so they asked for an encore. On a whim we sang “Everything” by Michael Bublé, which we sang for the big serenades at the beginning of fall semester. Here is the link to our performance of “Best Day” on YouTube. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXyBUf30Dhs

Recently, Tau Sigma alum Taylor Hopper (ΤΣ 1733) was recognized on the official Beta Theta Pi fan page

on Facebook for receiving the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award. The page on the ISU

Alumni Award site gives a description of Taylor’s accomplishments at Iowa State:

Taylor Hopper has balanced a stellar academic career with a tremendous commitment to community

service, and in the process he has inspired others with his enthusiastic spirit of involvement. In addition

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to his 3.95 grade-point average in civil engineering and 3.81 grade-point average in the M.B.A. program,

Hopper has been a leader in civic and extracurricular endeavors throughout his college career. In 2006 he

co-founded the Barista Café, a student-operated business, through his involvement with the

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Community. Today, he serves

the learning community as a peer mentor. He has participated in the

Spring Break hurricane recovery volunteer program in addition to his

volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, 4-H, Special Olympics, Dance

Marathon, and river cleanup projects. He is the scholarship chair,

Webmaster, and leadership development chair for Beta Theta Pi

Fraternity and the Webmaster for the MBA Association, as well as a

four-year member of the ISU Cyclone Football “Varsity” Marching Band.

He is active in the College of Engineering Honors Program and

participated in the Freshman Honors Program Research Mentorship.

Hopper is an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Scholar, and a four-year

member of both Cyclone Alley and the Student Alumni Association.

Congratulations, Taylor!