The Challenge to Grow our Ranks In the last biennium, past Regent Don Densborn (Indiana) and members of our High Council put forth the most aggressive strategic plan Sigma Nu Fraternity has ever seen. Among numerous other forward-focused goals, that plan also called for the Fraternity to

"grow its number of new members pledged and initiated by 10%, annually, beginning in the 2008-2009 academic year."

Perhaps a goal that was easier to put in writing than to achieve in real life, Director of Recruitment Jon Sprenger (Drury) knew he would have to take an innovative approach to his efforts. "With nearly 180 chapters and roughly 7500 undergraduate members across North America, we wanted to give each member the ability to take ownership of this stretch goal. After all, the undergraduates are the lifeblood of our organization," said Sprenger. 

In the months leading up to the 62nd Grand Chapter this past summer, members of our Expansion and Recruitment staff began to develop the framework for a new program to be unveiled in Indianapolis, Indiana. Centered on competition, the program would allow each chapter, regardless of manpower size, to not only push their members toward achievement, but compete for recognition within the Fraternity as a whole. Sigma Nu's 10% Challenge was born.

The program's inner workings are quite simple: In order to "hit the mark", a participating chapter must initiate 10% more men than they did the previous year. So, if a chapter initiated 20 men in the 2005-2006 academic year, they must only initiate two additional men, for a total of 22, in the 2006-2007 academic year. And, those chapters achieving success will be recognized in future issues of The Delta and may also be profiled as case studies in recruitment (if you'd like a preview of those numbers, please see the Fraternity News story in this issue).

To help the General Fraternity better monitor our progress toward this ambitious goal, participating chapters are required to document their efforts with monthly status reports. And, by doing so, they also gain assistance from our staff in developing and tweaking a Values-Based Recruitment plan for their campus. To date, 109 chapters have signed up to participate in the 10% Challenge.

Although the early returns from formalized fall recruitment look good, we still want and need your assistance! If you would like to participate in Sigma Nu's 10% Challenge, there are several ways to get involved:

If you are an undergraduate member, encourage your Commander to "accept the challenge" (if he hasn't done so already) by contacting Jon Sprenger at General Fraternity Headquarters (540) 463-1869 for more information. Alumni members and volunteers are encouraged to ask their undergraduate leaders if they plan to participate in the program. And, finally, all members are encouraged to refer the names of potential Sigma Nus to the General Fraternity. Once received, we will pass them along to the appropriate Recruitment Chairmen for local follow-up.