Beta Theta Pi - Oklahoma State University

6 Think Back. Think Big. Think Beta. A Message from Our Chapter Counselor S tepping into the chapter counselor role for Gamma Lambda is equally an exciting challenge as it is a humbling opportunity. Over the past few years volunteering for both the chapter and general fraternity, I have been greatly encouraged by the leadership capacity of our undergraduate members. This year's 2018 chapter leadership especially excites me as these men have the proper balance of enthusiasm, work ethic, and integrity to lead the chapter through its most challenging transition period of recent memory. Tangibly, Gamma Lambda and our leaders will be challenged in maintaining chapter expectations, a culture of excellence, and the spirit of 1207 while moving into a temporary residence during the construction of our new chapter facility. Alongside this physical transition, our current leadership is tasked with leading Gamma Lambda into a new era as a chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. With an ever-changing social landscape on campus and increasing focus on refining our mission of developing Men of Principle for a principled life, the fraternity at large is transitioning toward improved programming and elevated expectations for our undergraduate chapters. With the introduction of new guidelines, policies, and programming from Oxford over the next few years, the leadership in Stillwater of both undergraduates and volunteers and support from alumni will be paramount to our continued success. I believe the fraternity at large is moving in a great and necessary direction and continuing toward a bright future, thus leading the way for collegiate organizations, such as our own. Gamma Lambda's advisory team brings me supreme confidence in our chapter's long-term stability, vision, and success. While the undergraduate leaders continue to execute daily operations with greatness, the advisory team is focused on long-term, sustainable growth and success over a five- year rolling period. This past semester we have refreshed our advisory team with seven young, accomplished, and eager alumni to bring our team of volunteers to a total of 12 devoted advisors. These 12 men and their commitment to Gamma Lambda's tradition, culture, and lasting brotherhood will be the key to our success over this upcoming, multi-year period of transition, growth, and refinement. I am very, very proud to not only serve alongside these men, but also associate with them as brothers. If you have a moment, please reach out to an advisor or other chapter volunteer and let them know their work is appreciated. As an advisory team, a main goal of ours is to maintain a positive relationship with the undergraduates as well as our strong alumni base to field any concerns, comments, or questions. The wisdom and care of the individual advisors is what makes our volunteerism meaningful. I have seen, year over year, relationships developed with individual undergraduates which promote personal growth and leadership potential. I believe the service our advisors, volunteers, and Gamma Lambda alumni continue to provide is important work. Our world wants better leaders, our communities need more role models, and our families deserve better husbands, fathers, and men. The experience of brotherhood and leadership provided through an undergraduate membership at the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Beta Theta Pi will continue to develop young men into these leaders of tomorrow by equipping them with values of integrity, mutual assistance, intellectual growth, responsible conduct, and trust. In my own life, I reflect on actions, habits, and decisions made as an adult and track those characteristics to moments of refinement during my time at 1207 W. University. Likewise, the bonds of brotherhood created during my four years of college have already shown their integrity, support, and love through life's most trying moments since graduation. My hope is that all alumni and brothers may value their experience in a similar light and look for opportunities to support our brothers of tomorrow. Yours in _kai_, Chase Colvin '14 Chapter Counselor chasemcolvin@gmail.com Editor's Note: Chase Colvin '14 is our new chapter counselor. Chase was chapter president in 2012. As some brothers know, an active and functioning advisory team, under the direction of a chapter counselor, was one of the last cornerstones implemented under our Men of Principle initiative. The chapter counselor provides leadership counsel to the chapter president, facilitates implementation of fraternity standards and policies, and organizes and coaches the advisory team. An advisor attends weekly chapter meetings. The new advisory team is listed in this issue of the Big Red Island. We extend our sincere appreciation to Jody Vivion '09, who worked with our General Fraternity as chapter counselor in 2015 to implement a hands-on advisory team. With Jody's broadened professional responsibili- ties, he plans to continue to assist with leadership on this team going forward. In the following message, Chase relays his thoughts on the role of the chapter counselor and the advisory team. He also tells us about his Beta experience as a chapter brother as well as his feelings as an alumnus. "There followeth after me today. A youth whose feet must pass this way. To that young man may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building this bridge for him." Chase Colvin '14, Chapter Counselor

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