1993 Volume 116 No 1–4 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

From the President
Fraternity must
continue to lead
BY DR. EDWARD G. WHIPPLE, GE^fER-\I. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
A
s we begin a new academic vear. Phi DeltaTheta
can point with pride to many achievements over the
past ^-ear. Two chapters, Illinois Alpha (.Xorthvirestem) and Pennsylvania
EpsUon (Dickinson), were reinstated. Three new chapters
joined the Phi DeltaTheta femUy: Ontario EpsUon
(Carleton), Tennessee EpsUon CTennessee, Chattanooga), and
Florida Lambda (Ringiing). Phi DeltaTheta now is an International
Fratemity of 184 active chapters and six colonies.
In my role as president of the General CoimcU, I have had
the opportunitv' to travel to many campuses and meet outstanding
undergraduate Phis. I also have had the chance to speak to
alumni who continuaUy practice the teachings of the Bond in
their daUy lives. I am
convinced the reason our Fratemity
is a leader in the Greek
world is because of this strong
undergraduate and alumni
membership.
This year, one of the real
chaUenges for me has been to respond to the increasing questions
about the purpose of Greek-letter organizations. As president,
mv response continuaUy brings me back to the reason for Phi
Delta Theta's existence.
What is that reason It clearh' is seen in the mission of Phi
DeltaTheta which is "to instUl in aU members, the high principles
of the Bond of Phi DeltaTheta and to attain an organized
brotherhood that\\'iU assist aU its members to conduct themselves
at aU times in accordance vwth these principles." Based on
this mission, the General CouncU has focused the Fratemity in a
direction of a^ressive commitment to meeting the needs of our
undergraduate and alunmi members.
The General CouncU has made great strides in key areas of
Fraternity- operations. Last year, at the CoxmcU's annual faU retreat,
it identified areas on which to focus for the 1992 - 94
biennium. These areas are: alumni services, chapter advisers,
chapter housing, membership recruitment, programs and services,
and General Headquarters faciUties.
Much work was done this past year, and we wiU continue to
buUd upon our successes. Of course, without the exceUent leadership
of Executive \'^ice President Robert Biggs and the work of
his staflf, the CouncU's goals could not be realized. Some of the
major accompUshments this biennium include the first annual
Aliunni Academy held in Oxford in May; the start of a "fire and
life safety loan program," avaUable to aU chapters with house or
lodge faciUties; the development and implementation of a new
pledge program; the development and implementation of the
Standards for Brotherhood ^TO^pan; and increased emphasis on
membership recruitment programs and materials.
In addition, the General CouncU continues to articulate the
critical need to support the Educational Foundation. The Foun-
222 The ScroU
If Phi DeltaTheta is to
continue offering the very
best possible services, it must
increase income.
dation is an integral part of our Fratemity. The success of many
of oiu" undergraduate, alunmi, and volunteer programs is due to
its financial assistance.
The General CouncU is committed to buUding a strong
foundation for short and long term Fratemin growth. In order to
continue to provide the quaUt}- ser\'ices and programs to our
vindergraduates and alumni, the CouncU endorsed, at its June
meeting, an annual fee for undergraduate members. The Code
Committee wiU introduce this legislation at the '94 Convention.
The General CouncU reaUzes there are many questions regarding
an aimual dues program. We wiU spend this year educating
general ofl&cers, undergraduates, and alumni on the rationale
for the program.
If Phi DeltaTheta is going to continue tot)fiFer the ver\- best
f»ossible services, programs, and products, it must increase income.
Since the last fee increase in 1988, additional income has
been spent on such items as the annual Leadership CoUege, the
.Alumni Academy, the adviser province meetings, a comprehensive
membership recruitment
campaign, educational videotapes,
a new Phikeia manual,
and increased volunteer persormel.
Phi DeltaTheta, along
vinth other firatemities, is also
faced with increasing UabiUt)-
and propert\- insurance costs above our total four-year cost of
membership. Our expenditures for these programs and services
have made a tremendously positive impact on our Fratemit}-;
however, the expenses are outpacing the revenues.
Phi DeltaTheta has added 20 chapters in the past five years.
The current ratio of chapters to chapter consultants is 31.5 to 1,
one of the highest in the fi-atemity world. Phi DeltaTheta ranks
41st of 46 firatemities in total four-year cost of membership.
Among the ten largest (by total number of initiates) firatemities,
Phi DeltaTheta has the lowest four vear cost of membership and
despite their higher costs, men continue to pledge our competition.
Even with the General CouncU's current cost cutting measures,
it is necessary to raise revenue merely to continue what we are
doing, let alone expand and improve programs and services.
Chances are that if a new fee structure does not pass at the 1994
Convention, reductions wUl have to be made in key firatemirvoperations.The
areas targeted for reduction comprise those programs
and services that have made us second to none in the
Fratemit}- industry. The reductions would aflfect Leadership
CoUege, alumni services, graduate educational ad\-isers, province
president support, consultant \'isits, and our superb expansion
program.
I hope undergraduates and alumni \\TU support the CouncU's
desire to continue improving and expanding the services, programs,
and products provided to them. The Coundl fimdy be­
Ueves the annual dues program is the best way to accompUsh this.
Midvray through this biennium I am extremely positive about
Phi Delta Theta's fiiture. With a committed General CouncU and
administrative stafi", a dedicated volunteer corps, and an outstanding
group of undergraduates, vre wiU continue to be a leader
in the Greek world. •