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Does Perception
= Reality?
As I sit here today, the newest class of Fraternity
Leadership Consultants has just arrived for
duty. This got me thinking about just how
long I have worked on staff, and I realized
that this summer was the start of my 20th
year working for Sigma Nu. It’s hard to believe
that when I arrived here in 1987, I had a
full head of hair.
It seems like just yesterday (1985) when I
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joining either Sigma Nu or another fraternity at
the College of Charleston. Sigma Nu was the smallest
chapter and rented the smallest house on campus.
Conversely, the other was the largest chapter on
campus and owned the largest house. I recall vividly
my conversations with the officers of both chapters
as I mentioned that I was looking to join one of
these two fraternities.
The Sigma Nu Commander said that both were good chapters, but he hoped that I would join Sigma Nu. The President of the other fraternity said, "James, if you join Sigma Nu, you will be the only person of any significant worth to ever join that organization!" I looked him straight in the eyes as I shook his hand and said, "Adam, thank you! You have just helped me make my decision."
I learned a very important lesson that day. You see, I was a junior, so I knew what each fraternity on campus had to offer and what types of members they recruited. The Sigma Nu chapter had quality members, who were active in campus leadership positions, maintained good grades and could socialize with the best of them. However, because they were a chapter of fewer than 20 men, they were regarded as inferior. That day I learned about how perception, though it may not be the truth, can taint one’s reality. Because of the chapter’s size, Adam perceived that Sigma Nu could not be a strong organization...not just at our College, but internationally as well. As we all know, things are not always as they seem, and nothing could be further from the truth about Sigma Nu.
I began working in Lexington as the Assistant Executive Director under then-Executive Director ‘Mo’ Littlefield. Former Executive Director, Dick Fletcher (aka: Mr. Sigma Nu) served as President Emeritus of the Foundation and was actively working on renovating the Educational Center at the time. Over time I have held numerous positions and in 2002, migrated from the Fraternity to the Educational Foundation. It was here at the Foundation where I came to realize how the perceptions of our members have affected Sigma Nu.
When we were candidates/pledges, each of us learned that Sigma Nu was one of, if not THE best Fraternity. I remember receiving the leather-bound Legion of Honor manual that today still adorns my bookshelf. Do you remember the first time that you saw a photo of our headquarters shrine, "The Rock?" What an appropriate headquarters building. . . beautiful and stately. If you’ve had the opportunity to attend a Grand Chapter, remember the shear awe you experienced as you first entered the legislative room or attended the final banquet.
I have come to realize from numerous conversations with alumni, members and parents that their perception is that Sigma Nu is an organization that wants for little. It is true that our Fraternity has some of the best educational programs offered in the Greek community today. The LEAD Program, our ethical leadership development program, continues to prepare members for life after graduation. Through the Helping Hand Initiative, Sigma Nu has forged relationships with several charities and challenged our brothers to serve those who are less fortunate in their communities. The Pursuit of Excellence Program encourages chapter improvement and offers incentives for excellence in all areas of chapter operation. Values Based Recruitment helps our chapters recruit and retain quality members. The Sigma Nu Institutes and College of Chapters programs prepare our members to better lead their chapters.
The fact is that the Fraternity has developed and implemented these programs with very little assistance from the Foundation. As I mentioned earlier, the perception is that Sigma Nu wants for little. The reality is that we do have a beautiful headquarters building and Sigma Nu is one of the best, if not THE best Fraternity, especially when it comes to programs and services offered to the undergraduate chapters. However, we do not currently have the resources at the Foundation to fully fund these important programs.
Over the last two years the Fraternity has requested
$625,000 annually to enhance the implementation
of existing programs. The Foundation has been able
to grant only $150,000 each year to the Fraternity.
Given the goals of their Strategic Plan, the Fraternity’s
projections are that their requests will increase
by an additional
$750,000 - $1,250,000 over the next two years. These
funds will support educational programs and services
that will enhance and improve the quality of education
received by our collegiate brothers.
So, you can see, the perception that Sigma Nu is wealthy and has everything we need is not the reality. In all fairness, the Foundation has historically done a poor job of letting you and our other constituents know of our needs. In an effort to change this, in the last 4 years our development staff has made face-to-face calls with over 1,950 alumni to educate them and to seek their financial support. This program is working, and we are very encouraged by the results. The success of our Foundation at raising significant funds through tax-deductible contributions from our alumni directly impacts the operations of the Fraternity and affects the quality and quantity of services and programs available to our collegiate brothers.
As I begin my 20th year, I perceive that the Foundation
will continue growing to meet, and one day surpass,
the needs of the Fraternity. Hopefully, this will
become a reality sooner than I think. . . |
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