Menu Experiences

Graduate Engagement

Introduction to Graduate Brotherhood

Graduate Engagement gives undergraduates a variety of meaningful opportunities to engage with graduate brothers. It provides a sense of connection to the Fraternity after graduation, preparing undergraduates for lifelong membership. Completion of this programming allows undergraduate and graduate brothers to engage in healthy, semi-structured activities, while allowing graduates to give undergraduates advice for life post-graduation.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Graduate Relations Chairman or Built to Lead Chairman

Fraternity Programs

• Proud to Be: Learn about local chapter history. (Currently no program guide)
• Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years? (Mock Interview): Members will be able to: identify strategies for researching a company before an interview; list the three main responsibility types a potential employer will likely ask questions about; and discuss formulating a response to situational questions. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)

Fraternity Program Guides

Leadership

Courageous Leaders Impacting Their Communities

Leadership programming focuses on key leadership skills that will be useful throughout the chapter experience. It will also help our members stand out on campus and in their careers. Completion of this programming will help our members build confidence when as they explore leadership roles and develop ambitious professional goals.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Built to Lead Chairman or another appropriate role

Fraternity Programs

• Building Trust: Frances Frei, professor of technology and operations management at Harvard Business School and an advisor to executives embarking on large-scale change initiatives, discusses how leaders can build trust, speak authentically, and empower workers to do their best. Frei is a guest on the WorkLab podcast, where host Elise Hu has conversations with economists, technologists and researchers who explore the data and insights into why and how work is changing. (Format: Podcast and discussion)
• Mastering Difficult Conversations: Most people do not enjoy having difficult conversations, but it’s something that needs to be done. While these conversations might come naturally to some, most leaders need to develop this expertise. Listen to Episode 16 of our Executive Leadership Podcast for tools that will help you with difficult conversations and create lasting, productive relationships with your team. (Format: Podcast and discussion)
• The Problem with All Stars: Butler Bulldogs have a habit of shocking college basketball fans by beating top teams with far more talent. How do they do it? Adam Grant joins the team to talk about why stars are overrated, role players are underrated and how humility can go hand in hand with confidence. Also featuring “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis and Brad Stevens, coach of the Boston Celtics. (Format: Podcast and discussion)
• Start with Why: Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership –starting with a golden circle and the question: “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Wright brothers. (Format: TED talk video and discussion)
• What Is Leadership, How to Be a Great Leader & Game Theory: In 2009, Simon Sinek started a revolution. It wasn’t started with bombs or bullets, but with an idea, a TEDx talk and a best-selling book: “Start With Why.” His idea was that good leaders inspire people to act by giving them a sense of purpose or belonging – a “why.” In this talk, Simon discusses what leadership is and how to be a great leader through game theory. (Format: TED talk video and discussion)
• Why Everyone Should See Themselves As a Leader: Sue Ashford, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, breaks down her decades of research on leadership – who achieves it and how a group grants it. She explains the world isn’t divided into leaders and followers. Instead, it’s a state everyone can reach, whether they are officially in charge or not. She also explains why shared leadership benefits a team and organization. Ashford offers tips on how to effectively grow leadership in yourself and your employees. (Format: Podcast and discussion)

Fraternity Program Guides

Life Skills

Skills for the Modern Fraternity Man

Life Skills programming helps ensure undergraduate brothers can confidently transition from living in a close-knit campus community to living independently and navigating common challenges not covered in traditional undergraduate education. Completion of Life Skills programming will support members’ abilities to thrive in adulthood.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Built to Lead Chairman or another appropriate role

Fraternity Programs

• Bandages, Bruises & Brotherhood: Upon completion, members will be able to: discuss basic wound care; determine when an injury needs professional attention; perform skills to assist someone choking; describe signs of a concussion; demonstrate how to check for breathing and a pulse in a compromised individual; and explain the side-lying recovery position and when it is most appropriate to use. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Budget Basics: Upon completion, members will be able to: develop a budget for current expenses and describe values-based budgeting including philanthropic giving. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Getting Out of Debt (Budget Basics follow-up): Upon completion, members will be able to identify at least three steps they can take to address any current debt. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• I Have an Opinion! (Civics): Upon completion, members will be able to: list the steps for voter registration; describe the voting process and relevant timetables; access resources about political candidates; define healthy discourse; and demonstrate the ability to engage in healthy discourse. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Practical Car Care: Upon completion, members will be able to: identify where a car’s washer fluid is; change wiper blades; describe how to check a car’s oil; describe the purpose of changing oil; describe how to jump a dead battery; demonstrate how to check tire pressure and refill its air; demonstrate how to change a tire; and discuss how to check all exterior lighting. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Sticky, Slimy & Smelly (Housekeeping): Upon completion, members will be able to: identify appropriate products to clean common household areas/items; discuss the frequency for cleaning common household areas/items; review sanitizing procedures for common fomites; and describe the process for completing laundry. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Wait, I Have to Pay Taxes?: Upon completion, members will be able to: identify documentation necessary for the tax process; and list options for completing and submitting tax documentation. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)

Additional Program Ideas

• Career connections with campus career center
• Cooking class with graduate brothers or campus/community kitchen
• Healthy relationships and violence prevention with campus health center

Fraternity Program Guides

Philanthropy & Service

The Call to Serve Others

Service is one of Phi Gamma Delta’s five core values, and each member participates in meaningful civic engagement and philanthropic work.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Philanthropy and/or Service Chairman or Built to Lead Chairman

Program Ideas:

• Host a fundraiser for Phi Gamma Delta’s philanthropic partners: Donate Life, Red Cross or the USO
• Coordinate a donor drive supporting the Immortal Phi Gam Project (organ and tissue donation)
• Volunteer at a local community nonprofit

Success in College

Connecting with Resources

Success in College is designed to help members utilize resources which elevate their undergraduate academic experience holistically. Attending certain on-campus activities may fulfill this programming requirement. Completion of Success in College programming allows our members to find tailored support as they strive for academic and personal excellence.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Scholarship Chairman, Wellness Chairman or Built to Lead Chairman

Fraternity Programs

• Behind Happy Faces: Nine guided mental health conversation hosted by the Human Power Project. Content depends upon which lesson(s) are utilized. (Format: Peer-facilitated)
• Building a Chapter of Courageous Leaders: This program gives participants the opportunity to examine the three elements of courageous leadership, practice courageous leadership with realistic scenarios, and develop a plan for the chapter to better fulfill Phi Gama Delta’s mission. (Format: Graduate facilitated interactive program)
• Graduate Lead Hazing Discussion: The purpose of this guide is to provide graduate brothers a framework for a productive conversation with undergraduates about the “Number One Killer” of fraternity chapters. Learning outcomes: Define hazing and identify the types of activities that are considered hazing; show the conflict between hazing and our values; identify the consequences and risks of hazing; and set the graduates’ expectations regarding new member education and hazing. (Format: Graduate facilitated conversation)
• I Don’t Have Time to Be Healthy: Introduction to Physical Wellness: Members will be able to: identify effective bodyweight exercises that can be done at home; list components of a healthy fitness regimen; recognize healthy alternatives to common snack foods; and discuss the importance of balanced nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Mission Possible: Understanding Your Personal Values & Mission: Members will be able to: identify their core values; describe how their core values can impact their collegiate experience; discuss the difference between a job and a purpose; and state their individual mission statements. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Scholarship, Fraternity, Self: Setting Your Priorities: Members will be able to: understand what adherence to “Scholarship, Fraternity and Self” means to them and how it relates to college success; identify the four dimensions of success in college; understand the primary ways to become engaged as a college student and identify opportunities to enhance their engagement; and articulate the expected outcomes of a college education, reflect on outcomes that have been achieved and those that they need to continue to work on. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)

Additional Program Ideas

• Campus safety with campus police/safety
• Growth Mindset
• Internship preparation
• Time management skills

Fraternity Program Guides

Work & Play

Brotherhood Building Activities

Work & Play teaches members life is meant to be experienced and life is best experienced when they take care of themselves. Completion of Work & Play programming encourages members to consider engaging in activities that promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The program options listed are a non-exhaustive list. Your chapter may select other Work & Play events with the approval of the Director of Education.

Reporting Responsibility Role: Brotherhood Chairman or Built to Lead Chairman

Fraternity Programs

• Dinner Etiquette: Where Does This Tiny Fork Go?: Members will be able to: set a table for a meal with utensils correctly placed and list common etiquette rules when dining with others. (Format: Interactive facilitated program)
• Escape Room Program: We Escaped, Now What?: Members will be able to: recognize how frustrations from the Escape Room experience may be similar to frustrations within the chapter; discuss their contributions to the Escape Room experience; and identify ways those contributions mirror how they can contribute to the chapter experience. (Format: Activity with debrief guide)

Additional Program Ideas

• Chapter research project
• Day hike or outdoor activity
• Game night
• Shared meal with rotating discussion questions
• Sports activities: football, basketball, e-sports, etc.

Fraternity Program Guides