Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI A L U M N I N E W S L E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 W hen I realized two years ago that our beloved Alpha Chapter was going to close, it was hard for me to feel anything but defeated. After all, the chapter had already survived one closure in the last 15 years and I didn't know if it could overcome a second. But the resiliency of the Alpha Chapter Steering Committee has given me new hope for our chapter's return and long-term viability. For the last 18 months, more than 40 Alpha alumni have been hard at work trying to analyze how our chapter got so far off-track, how we as alumni let them down, and how we ultimately get back to the values fraternities were built on; all the while remaining relevant to today's college male—not an easy task! Our hard work will culminate this August as Alpha Chapter will begin recruiting new members to rebuild our beloved brotherhood. But just what goes into restarting a fraternity chapter today? Having helped start 17 or 18 new/returning Beta chapters across the country, I could go on for pages about all the details that need to be executed, but instead, I've tried to list the top five questions we are getting from alumni about the recolonization: 1. Who will recruit the new members? Beginning this summer, David Greis, University of Kentucky '14, a full-time Colony Development Coordinator (CDC, employee of Beta Theta Pi) will be dedicated to this project. David and a team of recruiters (also young Beta Theta Pi staff members) will be responsible for the day-to-day recruitment of the new chapter. Alumni are encouraged to pass along referrals and to attend special recruitment events as they are able. David will also advise the chapter on all operations as well as help recruit and train the team of advisors. See the box below to learn more about our CDC, David. 2. How will recruitment take place? The recruitment team has a thick playbook of recruitment strategies. Instead of only participating in formal "rush," the team takes a more proactive position and goes out to find the best gentlemen, scholars, and leaders that Miami has to offer. For instance, they'll meet with countless faculty and ask for referrals; they'll offer a scholarship to non-Greek men (hundreds will apply); and they will present to sororities, student government, RAs, sports teams, ROTC, and others to share their message. After getting hundreds of names, they then host activities/sports games; they put on alumni events and recruitment dinners; and they invite recruits to special fraternity functions. Finally, the recruitment team meets with every potential member individually to review our mission and expectations. There is an application process for each new member; each member is evaluated and vetted to make sure he meets the high standards of Beta Theta Pi. 3. With the house being rented to another fraternity next year, where will the chapter meet and when will it move back into the chapter house? In 2016-17, the chapter will conduct meetings/ gatherings at 219 E. Church Street (old Evan Scholars house/ZBT house) as Beta's General (Continued on page 3) "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." – Martin Luther King Jr. FOREVER ALPHA Beta Kicks Off Recolonization Process This Fall with New Member Recruitment Members of Alpha Chapter's steering committee met in January to work through the logistics of Beta's future at Miami. Meet Alpha Chapter's Colony Development Coordinator T his summer, David Greis, Kentucky '14, will begin his work as Beta's CDC, working towards the recolonization of Alpha Chapter. David earned a master's degree in corporate communication from the University of Kentucky and joined the Beta Theta Pi staff in June 2015. He worked as the CDC at Texas Tech, where he met and exceeded goals. "I'm honored that the alumni and the Administrative Office selected me as the CDC to have a hand in bringing back Alpha Chapter. There is so much history in this chapter and it has done so much for the fraternity for 177 years. The last time Alpha recolonized, it only had a life of 15 years. My goal is to provide this chapter with a strong foundation that will last forever. I'll work to instill a culture that sets it up for long-term influence in the lives of men at Miami." You can reach David at david.greis@beta.org.

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