Phi Delta Theta - University of Georgia

Fall 2020 GEORGIA ALPHAN g a a l p h a . c o m President Seth Currie #2475 2020 has been one of the most unconventional years for everyone and has brought new challenges that the brothers of Georgia Alpha were prepared to take on. I commend all of my officers and every brother for the obstacles they individually and collectively overcame to further their education and stay healthy throughout this semester. This year specifically has changed my role as chapter president. One of the biggest tasks I had for the semester was finding alternatives for all of the events and chapter meetings we previously hosted while maintaining social distancing guidelines, following local and state guidelines, and overseeing the health of all of our members. While some of the alternatives were not easy (or financially doable), we have been able to come up with some equivalent events for our members to participate in and bring our Chapter together when this year is pulling everyone apart. Without the support of our friends and family, the University, our alumni, and every member, this year would not have been possible, and I would like to personally thank all of them for supporting us. Brotherhood Chairman Matthew Ikard #2503 COVID-19 has changed the world we live in, as well as fraternity life. As brotherhood chairman, it is my job to increase the overall bond in the fraternity and improve college life. In a normal fall semester, this would usually involve brotherhood events like tailgates for Georgia football and dodgeball or poker nights for the whole fraternity. With on-campus tailgating banned by UGA and having to account for capacity limits and social distancing, this made my job a lot harder. One change I made this semester wasn't a new event, but instead was simply calling brothers to check up on their well-being. Coronavirus took a mental toll on everyone and I needed to make sure that my brothers were coping well with that. I was also able to have some small events with capacity limits. We also had a few poker nights that were split up into smaller groups, and we followed similar guidelines for Georgia football games. It is unfortunate that I was not able to do all I wanted to as brotherhood chairman, but I am happy to have made something work in these uncertain times. Philanthropy Chairman Thomas Weingartner #2506 The philanthropic efforts of our brothers have not slowed down in any way despite dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the summer and this semester, I made sure that any activity we conducted was done so with full attention to social distancing guidelines, especially when assisting our ALS families. Out of consideration for the safety of our Adopt-a- Families, we have only completed work or spent time with them outside — with plenty of space in between each other. We always show up to their property with masks on, but never go inside their homes. Some of the ways we assisted our fellow families include doing yard work and going fishing with their children. The most important aspect for me is to ensure that anyone who wishes to help out our ALS families does so with the utmost consideration of their surroundings to keep everyone safe. Our chapter is still able to maintain our valiance in fundraising for ALS research, and I am proud to say that our chapter, especially our newest pledge class, earned ourselves a fifth straight Iron Phi Chapter award (given to the Phi Delt chapter with the highest amount of money raised). Much of the semester for me has also included stressing the importance of service to our former Phikeia of the fall '20 pledge class. I helped them set up their own personal Iron Phi fundraising accounts at the very beginning of the semester, and every single new member raised over $500 by the time they were initiated. Additionally, they conducted a distanced tidy- up of our Adopt-a-Highway in Athens (Fourth Street). Now as new initiates, their service efforts continue to be strong. I plan to continue to organize appropriate service projects and events so that our Chapter persists in serving others around the Athens community and beyond. In October, I led a canned food drive to be sent to the Northeast Georgia Food Bank. In November, distributed meals prepared by brothers to the homeless individuals around downtown Athens. I would like to conclude by mentioning one of our brothers, JR Bingel #2567. He recently started the Thirst Project at UGA, a service club dedicated to fundraising for the installation of clean freshwater wells and awareness for the global water crisis. Many of our brothers are involved, and I have partnered with him in giving them service credits for actively participating in this wonderful philanthropic organization. Recruitment Chairman Jack Herring #2523 Summer and formal recruitment were very different from years prior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In past summers the rush team and rising sophomores lived in the house during the summer. They put on smaller events during the weeks for rushees during their orientations and big events on the weekends. This summer, we were unable to use the house at all which presented real challenges for the rush team and myself. Instead, we had events at brothers' off-campus houses for the few rushees that could make it during the pandemic. There were fewer actives in town this summer as well, so the ones who were living in Athens truly stepped up and made sure we had yet another successful recruitment cycle. Formal rush was even more different as there were very limited house tours and everything was socially distanced. Knowing this going in, we wanted to fill as much of our class as we could before it started. Most of the out-of-state freshmen came from formal rush and I was very pleased with the way it turned out. Despite the challenges and uncertainty this summer came with, the Georgia Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta continued its success and added great young men to our Chapter. This could not have been done without the dedication and hard work of the rest of the recruitment team of Bart Mueller #2530, Hayden Chunn #2535, and Curtis McClelland #2544. Education Chairman Seth Reynolds #2508 Extreme importance was put on carrying out Phikeia education in an effective manner throughout the pandemic. We were faced with many safety challenges that broke the norms of a typical Phikeia education. However, with the help up of nationals and our internal executive committee, these young men grew significantly during the process. The most glaring change we had to implement was capacity limits in nearly everything we did. We had Phikeia in groups on a rotating basis meeting and interviewing brothers. Technology was also a huge factor that we utilized to connect with the Phikeia. We used Zoom and also had virtual study hours multiple times a week. Phi Delta Theta history was ingrained through the use of online modules and homework assignments. We were extremely pleased with the amount of learning that took place from these modules and will most likely continue the use of these post- pandemic with our next class. These initiated Phikeia are now no less of brothers than anyone and we are all ecstatic to have them. Alumni and actives outside the stadium before the Georgia vs. Florida game. Persevering Through the Pandemic Chapter Officers Share Thoughts and Experiences from the Fall Semester

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