TIMELINE
Pi Kappa Phi, as a national organization, is excited for our return to Penn State University. Our expansion model led to the successful establishment of chapters across the nation in the last eight years. The basis of this model begins with four weeks of recruitment, during which a minimum of two staff members will be present on campus. We will be providing additional staff support for the new associate chapter after those four weeks of recruitment on campus to help create the foundation and infrastructure needed to be successful in the future. A general timeline for the Alpha Mu chapter, from expansion to chartering, is included below.
In Spring 2017, Pi Kappa Phi will send one staff member to campus to visit with the Fraternity and Sorority Life office to prepare key logistics for the expansion the following semester. During this time our staff will reach out to faculty and staff members on campus as well as students interested in starting a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. We call this portion of the expansion process a pre-site visit, and it is an opportunity for our staff to learn the similarities and differences between Penn State’s culture and other campuses. While our staff is meeting with faculty and student leaders, we will also be looking to begin engaging alumni in the surrounding area to assemble a Council of Advisors for the chapter. A strong group of advisors is a vital component to long-term success for Alpha Mu.
The expansion will begin the semester after the pre-site visit (Fall 2017). During the recruitment process, Pi Kappa Phi will solicit referrals from student organizations, faculty, and staff. Pi Kappa Phi will then identify those men who chose to be leaders, chose to get involved in the community, and chose to strive for academic achievement. At the end of the recruitment phase, the staff will interview and install the Executive Council, provide risk management training for the chapter, host a recruitment retreat, train the Executive Council, and host a strategic planning session with each new officer.
Associate Chapter Development will be provided throughout the remainder of the year following the installation of the chapter. Pi Kappa Phi will send one Leadership Consultant to visit the chapter for continued officer training and the implementation of strategies to ensure the chapter’s path to becoming a chartered chapter. Additionally, at least ten members of the chapter’s executive council, including the Risk Management Chair, will attend Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers held every January. Pi Kappa Phi will assist in providing the chapter’s first national conference free of charge. While Pi Kappa Phi visits new associate chapters a minimum of two to three times each semester in the year after installation, we realize that starting a brand new chapter can be difficult and we believe it is our responsibility to ensure the chapter’s success. Therefore, when we have identified a chapter that can use additional support we will do our best to provide them with the resources needed.
Proposed Timeline
Month 1
Recruitment: Develop a recruitment plan; develop a list of potential new members
Chapter Operations: Establish a committee structure; develop a budget; create the chapter’s OmegaFi and billing account; approve local dues structure; meet with fraternity/sorority life advisor, Chapter Advisor, Council of Advisors, and Regional Governor
Member Education: Begin implementation of the fraternity’s new member education plan; hold weekly brotherhood events
MONTH 2
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members
Chapter Operations: Develop written scholarship plan, risk management procedures, and constitution and bylaws; attend all IFC meetings
Member Education: Ongoing, as outlined in the new member education plan
Philanthropy & Service: Set up a friendship visit with an organization for people with disabilities
MONTH 3
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members
Chapter Operations: Finalize outstanding written programming
Member Education: ongoing, as outlined in the new member education plan
Philanthropy & Service: Host an Ability Experience fundraiser
MONTHS 4-6
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members
Chapter Operations: Hold at least one chapter meeting a week; hold at least one formal chapter meeting per month; hold at least one subordinate ritual each month; hold regular committee meetings
Philanthropy & Service: Establish a local volunteer relationship with an organization for people with disabilities; Ability Experience fundraising of at least $750 completed (goal: $1,000)
Member Education: Ongoing, as outlined in the new member education plan
Parent & Alumni Relations: Hold a parent and/or alumni event; distribute a parent and/ or alumni newsletter
MONTHS 7-9
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members; ensure chapter meets minimum size requirements for chartering
Chartering: Complete outstanding Minimum Chartering Requirements; begin planning for chartering weekend; begin chartering brochure
MONTH 10
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members; ensure chapter meets minimum size requirements for chartering
Philanthropy & Service: Ensure the chapter has met the Ability Experience fundraising requirement ($1,000)
Chartering: Submit all outstanding written programs and the chartering brochure at least 45 days prior to chartering
MONTH 11
Recruitment: Continuous recruitment of potential new members; ensure chapter meets minimum size requirements for chartering
Member Education: Administer a practice National Exam in order to prepare for chartering
Chartering: Host a post-chartering strategic planning workshop; finalize locations for the Ritual of Initiation and chartering banquet; distribute invitations to the chartering banquet to alumni, special guests, families, and university staff members
CHARTERING MONTH
The general chartering weekend schedule is as follows: Written exam (Thursday evening), oral exam (Friday afternoon), Ritual of Initiation (Friday evening/Saturday morning), and chartering banquet (Saturday evening).
POST-CHARTERING
The chapter will work on executing the goals established during the strategic planning workshop and will receive support and guidance from the leadership consultant.
The chapter will continue their volunteer relationship with a local organization for people with disabilities and will implement the new member education process for the first class of post-chartering initiates.