I have wanted to run for the position of Director of New Member Education ever
since I joined AKPsi, last fall. This organization and this brotherhood have given me many
opportunities and experiences to grow as an individual that I am extremely grateful for. By
running for this position, I want future brothers to see how much this chapter has to offer
them, by creating a welcoming environment that sets high expectations for each pledge
individually, as well as for the collective group. The groundwork for this position is strong,
which is why I want to focus on how important the execution of this position is.
Conor O’Bryan was my pledge educator. He was an incredible mentor for my pledge
class who made us feel welcome and comfortable. At the same time, he set high standards
for us to meet if we wanted to be official brothers. There was an expectation to not simply
pass our quizzes with a 70%, but rather to exceed that by getting a 95-100% on each one.
On our pledge project, Conor made sure we knew when we were falling behind and we all
knew we had to step it up as a group to get the work done.
As a chapter, we give each pledge all of the tools they need to succeed. There is no
reason for anyone to fall short or to get by, simply by doing the bare minimum. As Director
of New Member Education, I will make sure every pledge understands this from the
induction ceremony and throughout the pledge process by explaining it to each pledge
class right from the start.
As Director, I will create a balance of mentorship and high expectations. Pledges
will feel welcomed into the chapter but also they will be motivated to prove to the brothers
that they deserve the bid that they received.
This past spring, I worked closely with Ben on the Member Ed committee. I got my
feet wet and saw what this position is all about. I assisted Ben at meetings, and consulted
with him about the ups and the downs throughout the whole process. My experience on
this committee and my sociable personality will help me create a mentoring environment
that sets firm expectations for our chapter’s pledges. Hundreds of people apply to AKPsi
each year and only so many are selected. I believe it is important for pledges to prove to us
all that they deserve to be here, just like we have at one point or another.
After speaking with past directors, I realize this position calls for someone who is
willing to expect the unexpected. Every semester there are new challenges. I feel that I am
capable of taking on this position and handling the things that are thrown my way.
I am aware that this semester the pledge project was different from the past where
instead of doing an amazing race or a 5K, there was a “Pumpkin Palooza”. I am open to
working with the chapter and creating another steering committee, similar to what Ben
had, to brainstorm new ideas for possible spring pledge projects. I know that some
brothers feel that pledges tend to fall behind on the pledge project, which is why I want to
introduce the project and allow them to sign up for committees from the bat, and move up
the date a week or two so that pledges can focus on the project initially, and then on the
professional development workshops towards the back end of the pledge process. By
setting the process up this way I believe the pledge project will be more successful and that
pledges will get more out of each workshop.
Like I said earlier, the groundwork and foundation for this position has been
extremely well developed over the past several years. The execution of this position is what
is so important. I believe that my experience in the pledge process and my time on the
Member Ed committee will allow me to be an extremely effective director over the next
year.