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6.1

Alumni Big BrotherProgramMission Statement The Sigma Chi Alumni Big BrotherProgram will:

• Create a new dimension to the Sigma Chi experience

• Cultivate meaningful, relation-ships between undergraduatesand alumni of Sigma Chi

• Provide an outlet for undergrad-uates to gain relevant advice, and for alumni to share life experiences and assist in a younger brother’s development

• Assist alumni brothers in the development of personal mentoring skills

• Further educate undergraduate brothers about the opportunitiesin Sigma Chi and its role in their lives

• Create opportunities for all brothers to fulfill their lifelong commitment to Sigma Chi

• Enhance networking opportunitiesthrough career advice and job skill development

Expectations of the Alumni BigBrother Program Participants The Alumni Big Brother Program has a num-ber of basic expectations for both Alumni and Undergraduate Brothers.

The basic expectations of both parties include:

• Showing respect for each other as individuals and for each other’s privacy,

• Regular contact at least once per month

• Provide open and honest feedback on how their relationship is evolving

The Big Brother relationship is one of reciprocity and should not be abused by either party.

An Alumni Big Brother is expected to be a positive role model, a counselor, a friend, a teacher of what it means to be a Sigma Chi … to lead by example.

A Little Brother is expected to actively utilize and learn from the advice and counsel of his mentor.

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Attributes of Effective Alumni Big BrothersSkills

• Active listening skills

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Comfortable giving and receiving feedback

• Capable of seeing solutions and opportunities

• Flexible and open

Attitudes• Willingness, interest and ability to share expertise and time

• Accessibility

• Able to be balanced and objective

• Sensitive to behavioral and cultural differences

• Committed to contributing to the professional development of others

• Respectful of less experienced brothers

• Empathetic (being able to understand what another person is experiencing without having had the same experience)

Attributes of Successful Little BrothersSkills

• Able to give and receive feedback

• Capable of seeing solutions and opportunities

• Flexible and open

• Active listening skills

• Communication and interpersonal skills

Attitudes• Willingness to learn and share

• Willingness and ability to assess personal skills objectively and evaluate potential opportunities for self-development

• Able to recognize the value of the Alumni Big Brother’s time

• Committed to achieving the objectives of the mentoring relationship

• Able to respect the boundaries of the mentoring relationship

Commitment Levels The Alumni Big Brother and the Little Brother are each expected to initiate phoneand/or face-to-face meetings at least once per month. If circumstances, such aslocation, prevent parties from doing this, special arrangements can be made (e.g., e-mail, snail mail). While this is a suggested minimum, the more time you putinto the relationship, the more rewarding it will be.

6.3

How to Start anAlumni Big Brother ProgramSince each undergraduate and alumni chapter is unique, we will focus on the “bestpractices” of locations in which an alumni chapter and an undergraduate chapter currently exist. In areas where there is no alumni chapter, the Alumni Big BrotherProgram can still exist. It will require more effort on the part of the undergraduates torequest local alumni support for this initiative.

• Select an Alumni Big Brother CoordinatorIdentify an alumnus, a Chapter Advisor or a member of the alumni chapter who willtake on the role of Alumni Big Brother Coordinator.

• Select an UndergraduateCoordinator Identify an UndergraduateCoordinator who will work with theAlumni Coordinator to plan the ini-tial meeting between both partiesand who can provide ongoing feed-back to the chapter and to alumnimembers. This role could beassigned to the Tribune.

• Prepare a Roster ofInterested Participants Collect the names and informationof those undergraduates andalumni that wish to participate inthe Alumni Big Brother Program.The Alumni Coordinator shouldobtain the alumni names and the Undergraduate Coordinatorthe names of undergraduateactives. This information shouldbe completed before the undergraduates and alumni meet to better align memberswith similar needs, careerdesires, or past undergraduatepositions. On the right, is a sample invitation letter to potential Alumni Big Brothersthat can be customized for yourchapter’s use by replacing theunderlined text.

Brothers,

We are looking for local Sigma Chis to take advantage of a unique opportunity to serve as Big Brothers for the undergraduate brothers/new pledges at Lambda Lu Chapter.As many of you know, Lambda Lu has made great strides to increase alumni involvement and this is one extra way you can help. A key part of an undergraduate’s education is teaming them upwith an alumni/active undergraduate Sig. We need to rely on you for this part of their educationand support.

Ideally, we need XX to XX Alumni Big Brothers to provide support for 1 to 2 brothers/pledgeseach. Your key responsibilities would include:

• Maintain Regular Contact: Make contact each week/month with your Little Brother either by phone or in person.

• Provide Encouragement: Provide support for your Little Brother’s active participation in the chapter/pledge program/campus life. If they have concerns, or accept responsi-bilities and need help, you need to be one they can turn to.• Participate with the Chapter: Participate in periodic chapter activities, including a planned big brother group event scheduled tentatively for the week of Date/Month.• Help Set Standards & Goals: Stress our high standards. Some of the “old ways” muststay in the past. We all have great war stories, but we need to avoid glamorizing pastpractices that could sow the seeds of future trouble.

You’re more qualified than you think. It is not necessary to have the Norman Shield memorized, nor will you be quizzed. You just need to assist the undergraduates with the application of Sigma Chi teachings to everyday life and share with them what has made you successful and perhaps how Sigma Chi got you to where you are today.If you can help, please reply back by Date/Month. Reply to Alumni Big Brother Coordinator at:alumni.guy@sigmachi.org .

The pledges have already started their program, and since there is so little time left in the schoolyear, it is important for their Big Brothers to be assigned as soon as possible.Thank you in advance for your willingness to help get these new pledges off to a strong start inthe fraternity.

In Hoc, Alumni Big Brother Coordinator

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• Host a Kick-Off MeetingHost a Kick-Off Meeting between the interested members at either the chapterhouse, at an alumni event, or other venue to accommodate the group. The purposeof this event is to introduce the Alumni Big Brother to his little brother(s), and allow them to:

If the kick-off meeting is just with members,conduct a portion of the Ritual or other relevant literary exercise to formalizethe occasion.

• review their schedules,

• obtain contact information,

• determine their expectations for the relationship, and

• set mutual goals. (Review the Alumni Big Brother Information Gathering Tool. See illustration below.)

Big Brother/Undergraduate Brother

Information Gathering Tool

Alumni Big Brother: _____________________________ Contact Info:__________________

Undergraduate Brother: _________________________ Contact Info:__________________

Anticipated Graduation: ________________________________________________________

Hometown: ___________________________________________________________________

Major: _________________________________________________________ GPA:_________

Interests/Hobbies: _____________________________________________________________

Sigma Chi Offices/Positions Held: _______________________________________________

Extracurricular Activities: _______________________________________________________

Sigma Chi values best exemplified? How?

Sigma Chi values —opportunities for improvement? How?

What does the undergraduate hope to achieve in life? Short term and long term goals?

Undergraduate Offices/Chapter contributions the active hopes to achieve?

� Reflect — Where is he now?

� Connect — Where does he want to go?

� Plan — How will he get there?

� Do — How will he know he is successful?

How can the Alumni Big Brother be of greatest help/support?

To Do’s for the Next 30 days:

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6.5

Supporting the ProgramThe success of the Alumni Big BrotherProgram lies in Big Brothers and under-graduates maintaining contact with eachother and focusing on the mutual goals set at the Kick-Off Meeting. In addition, thecoordinators should continue to obtainfeedback from alumni and undergraduatebrothers to ensure that everyone continuesto communicate.

The coordinators may wish to set up regu-lar events or notify the Alumni Big Brothersof the events that they are specifically invit-ed to attend (e.g., homecoming, Initiation,chapter meetings, pledge pinning). Alumniattendance at these events will help facilitate face-to-face meetings betweenundergraduate and alumni brothers.

DisengagementEither party may choose to dissolve the relationship for legitimate cause (e.g., failure to meet requirements, abuse of relationship). The Alumni Coordinatorshould assist in mediating any situations of disengagement to allow for substitutionof another undergraduate or alumni member.

Best Practices• During the first meeting, conduct the concentric circles portion of the Sigma Chi

Brotherhood Retreat between the Alumni Big Brother and undergraduate brother.This will be a good ice breaker and allow for the participants to get to know each other in a short amount of time.

• To enhance regular monthly meeting times, look into attending an event or creating other special opportunities. All events should reflect highly upon Sigma Chi and should be done in observance of our values (e.g., career shadowing, athletic event).

• Invite undergraduate brothers to an upcoming alumni chapter sponsored event.

• Geographic limitations may affect how often participants can meet face to face.Telephone and email contacts are encouraged if you cannot meet in person.

Alumni Service Leads Contact Information:Director of Alumni Services1714 Hinman AvenueEvanston, IL 60201847.869.3655 ext.246www.sigmachi.org

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