Ultimate Sigma Chi I-Exam Study Guide

Organized by Pledge Adam Welch, Sigma Chi Gamma Phi

The Purpose

The fundamental purpose of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is the cultivation, maintenance, and accomplishment of the ideals of friendship, justice, and learning within our membership.

The Jordan Standard by Founder Isaac M. Jordan (and how is it used by all undergraduate chapters and members)

The confidence of the Founders of Sigma Chi was based upon a belief that the principles which they professed and the ideal of the Fraternity which they sought were but imperfectly realized in the organizations by which they were surrounded.

The standard with which the Fraternity started was declared by Founder Isaac M. Jordan to be that of admitting no man to membership in Sigma Chi who is not believed to be:

A Man of Good Character…A Student of Fair Ability…With Ambitious Purposes…A Congenial Disposition…Possessed of Good Morals…Having a High Sense of Honor andA Deep Sense of Personal Responsibility

The Sigma Chi Creed (and discuss its major themes)I believe in fairness, decency, and good manners. I will endeavor to retain the spirit of youth. I will try to make my college, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and my own chapter more honored by all men and women and more beloved and honestly respected by our own brothers. I say these words in all sincerity; That Sigma Chi has given me favor and distinction; that the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal, that I will endeavor to so build myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit to our Fraternity. –George Ade, Purdue 1887

The Spirit of Sigma Chi (and discuss its meaning)The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than 150 years ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that…

Friendship among members, sharing a common belief in an ideal…And possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions

…Is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents,

and convictions, and that…

…Genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of

individuality or sacrificing one’s personal judgment.

Significance, Role, Definition, and Components of Ritual: Can be found on

Pages 25-27 of the Norman Shield

The Ritual: At its most fundamental level, ritual serves to create a common

experience for its participants, thereby binding them together in a closer way. It

outlines the basic teachings, provides the code of conduct, explains the history and

symbols, bonds brothers from different chapters and generations with one another,

and serves as the ceremony we use to initiate new brothers into the order. The

founders wrote initiation ceremonies to help teach their principles and to set

themselves apart from other societies.

First American Society to Bear Greek Letters: Phi Beta Kappa, 1776

The Miami Triad: Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi

The Founding

The founding of Sigma Chi began as the result of a disagreement over who would be elected Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society of Miami University in Ohio.

Several members of Miami University's Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter (of which all but one of Sigma Chi's founders were members) were also members of the Erodelphian Literary Society. In the fall of 1854 this society was to pick its Poet, and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon was nominated for the position. He was supported by five of his brothers, but four others (Caldwell, Jordan, Runkle, and Scobey) felt that he lacked the required poetic talent. These men instead chose to give their support to another man who was not a member of the fraternity. Bell and Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, but their support for the dissenting four was

unequivocal. The chapter had twelve members and so was evenly divided. Other differences might have been forgotten, but both sides saw this conflict as a matter of principle and over the next few months there came a distancing of their friendship.

The matter came to a head in February 1855, when, in an attempt to seal the rift, Runkle and his companions planned a dinner for their brothers. The feast was prepared, and the table was set, but only one of the men who supported the DKE member as poet arrived, Whitelaw Reid. With him Reid brought a stranger. The six learned that the stranger was an alumnus of DKE from a nearby town."My name is Minor Millikin; I live in Hamilton", said the man. "I am a man of few words." Reid had told Millikin his side of the dispute, and the two were present to lay down punishment on Runkle, Scobey, and the rest. The leaders of the rebellion (Runkle and Scobey) were to be expelled from the fraternity. The other four, after being properly chastised, would be allowed to stay a part of the group.

At the announcement of the punishment, Runkle stepped forward. He pulled off his Deke pin, tossed it to the table, and said, "I didn't join this fraternity to be anyone's tool! And that, sir, is my answer!" Runkle stalked from the room and his five brothers followed. One final chapter meeting was held, at which the chapter was six-to-six divided on the issue of expulsion. The parent chapter at Yale University was contacted, and all six men were formally expelled.

The six men soon associated themselves with William Lewis Lockwood, a student from New York who had not joined a fraternity. Lockwood's natural business acumen helped to organize the fraternity in its early years. On June 28, 1855 (Commencement at Old Miami), the Sigma Phi Fraternity was founded.

Founders

Benjamin Piatt Runkle “courageous in spirit and idealism”o Threw his badge down at the DKE meeting.o Episcopal Priesto Suspended for fighting a beta in chapel

Thomas Cowan Bell “the qualities of learning”o Superintendent of schools in Minnesotao Editor and publisher of local newspaper o Final Founders’ Memorial Monument dedicated to him in 1933

William Lewis Lockwood “honest and trustworthy through life”o Only Founder not a member of DKEo Treasurer and businessman of Sigma Chio He was presented the tiffany sword.

Isaac M. Jordan “energetic and faithful to every task”o Author of the Jordan Standardo Elected to U.S. Congress in 1882o Died by falling into an elevator shaft

Franklin Howard Scobey “courteous and loyal in his friendship”o Main proponent of spirit of sigma chio Suffered from increasing deafness

o Worked for newspaper James Parks Caldwell “true to principle”

o 14 years old at foundingo Taken prisoner during Civil War by the Union Armyo Never got married

Daniel William Cooper “ruler of the spirit”o Oldest of seven founderso Presbyterian Ministero Known as the “balance wheel”

Insignia

The Badge The Seal The Flag The Crest

The Undergraduate Chapter: Know who and 2 things that they do

Consul: Drew Bowker- President/CEO of the chapter. He presides over chapter meetings as well as other chapter activities. He is responsible for the security of the charter, Ritual and ritualistic materials.

Pro Consul: Connor Noyes- Vice President of the chapter. He works with the Consul in running chapter meetings as well as other chapter activities. The Pro Consul presides over the chapter's executive committee and works with other committees within the chapter. The Pro Consul is also responsible for running Post Initiation Training (P.I.T.) and must be prepared to take over the Consul's duties if the Consul were to be absent.

Annotator: Tyler Morris- keeps accurate records of chapter meetings in the chapter minute book. He keeps track of all chapter files and records as well as the chapter's permanent record of member data. In addition, he coordinates the community service activities of the chapter.

Quaestor: Dan Gavin- treasurer of the chapter; He keeps track of all chapter funds and is responsible for collecting dues from members. He must prepare a budget before each fiscal year and presents it for approval before the chapter.

Magister: Tripp Nuetzel- pledge teacher who prepares the pledge brothers for Initiation. He prepares the program that teaches the pledge brothers about the ideals of Sigma Chi. He is allowed to assist the Pro Consul in P.I.T (Post Initiation Training).

Chapter Advisor: Brandon Gross- appointed by the Grand Praetor and serves as chairman of the chapter advisor’s board, working directly with the chapter officers and executive committee. He serves as liaison between the chapter and community alumni, university officials, and the General Fraternity. Oversees the submission of required reports and forms and fees

Charter Date: 1942

General Fraternity Government

Grand Officers: Know who the are and 2 things that they do.

Grand Consul: The Grand Consul is the International President of Sigma Chi. He presides over the Executive Committee, Grand Chapter and the Sigma Chi Corporation. The current Grand Consul is Dennis R. Santoli

Grand Pro Consul: The Grand Pro Consul is the International Vice President of Sigma Chi. He presides over the Grand Council and the selection committee. He must be prepared to take over the Grand Consul's duties if the Grand Consul were to be absent. The current Grand Pro Consul is Michael Greenberg

Grand Quaestor: The Grand Quaestor is the International Treasurer of Sigma Chi. He is responsible for Fraternities funds and financial regulations. He issues and signs all warrants for the payment of money and must report to the Grand Chapter and Grand Council. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee. The current Grand Quaestor is W. Thomas Geddings Jr.

Grand Tribune: The Grand Tribune is the International spiritual leader and fellowship advisor of Sigma Chi. The current Grand Tribune is Rev. Francis "Skip" Flynn (Miami, Florida '67)

Grand Historian: The Grand Historian is the International Secretary of Sigma Chi. He compiles all historical information about Sigma Chi and is responsible for maintaining the archives and documents of the Fraternity. The current Grand Historian is William Fleming

Grand Trustees: The eighteen elected members of the Board of Grand Trustees function as liaisons and mentors for chapter house corporations to assist in legal issues, corporate governance, facility maintenance and renovation planning, fundraising, generating volunteers and other relevant issues.

Grand Praetors: (pronounced Pray-ters)- There is one Grand Praetor for each of the fifty-five provinces and he is nominated by the chapters in his province and elected at the Grand Chapter. They are required to visit each chapter in their

province at least once every year, provide leadership guidance to the undergraduates in their province and maintain a general knowledge of each chapter’s condition and progress. The Grand Praetors are known collectively and officially as the "Praetorial College." At the Grand Chapter, a Dean of the Praetorial College is elected as their "chairman." The current Dean of the Praetorial College is William Scott. Our Grand Praetor, for the South Florida Province, is Julio Varela, a Gamma Phi

Understanding of the struggles of the Emperor Constantine and how his battles were influential to the founders while establishing Sigma Chi: Pages- 48- 50

Grand Chapter: Grand Chapter is the supreme legislative body of Sigma Chi and convenes on odd numbered years. It is composed of one delegate from each active undergraduate chapter and alumni chapter, the Grand Consul and Past Grand Consuls, each being entitled to one vote. The Grand Chapter elects the officers of the Fraternity as well as alter or amend the Constitution, Statutes, and Executive Committee Regulations. It may grant or revoke charters as well as discipline any chapter, officer or member.

Grand Council: The Grand Council meets every year when no Grand Chapter is held. The Grand Council consists of the Grand Officers, Past Grand Consuls, members of the Executive Committee, Grand Trustees, Grand Praetors, members of the Leadership Training Board and one undergraduate from each province. It may amend the Statutes or Executive Committee Regulations

The Executive Committee: The Executive Committee meets at least four times a year. The Executive Committee consists of 11 members; Grand Consul, Grand Pro Consul, Grand Quaestor, the immediate Past Grand Consul, a Grand Trustee elected by the Board of Grand Trustees, a Grand Praetor elected by the Praetorial College, one alumnus member-at-large, two undergraduate representatives elected by the undergraduate delegates from each chapter, and the two most recent International Balfour Award winners. The committee regulates the budget and expenditures as well as assigns duties to the International Headquarters staff.

The Individual Member

Contributions you will make to any specific area of chapter activity and/or the involvement that can be expected of you as a member in and as an alumnus

Describe the involvement that can be expected of you as an alumnus. Your understanding of the meaning of true brotherhood. Understanding of the responsibilities of being a member of Sigma Chi.

Pages 157-158 of the Norman Shield provide an outline of what to study look at this and everything else