The following post was emailed to me by Consul Jason McLaughlin (’08). Hopefully we can work out some challenges real soon so he and other brothers can post here more easily. If you want to post something, email it to kimballs@hermon.net and then I will get make sure you can post your own articles. Thanks Glock for keeping all Rho Rho Brothers informed.

Greetings Brothers –

First off I would just like to say that this past year (Fall ’06 and Spring ’07) has been quite a year for the Rho Rho chapter and I would like to take the time to tell a little bit about our great accomplishments and goals for the future.

The latest feat of Rho Rho was receiving the Most Improved Fraternity award from the University earlier this month! I can honestly say that the chapter was very deserving of this reward this year and also that I am thrilled and honored to have led the chapter as Consul during such a great year.

The fall semester started out with a small chapter size of only 12 brothers. Rush went well this first semester, however, we were only able to have 2 pledges make it through the pledge process and they were initiated in December 2006. The two new brothers are Jason Knowles and Clay Cavness.

The first semester at UMaine also witnessed Sigma Chi’s First Annual “Camping for A Cure”. This is a new philanthropy that Rho Rho started this year and hopes to improve upon and strengthen it in the Fall Semesters to come. This philanthropy raises money for Huntsman Cancer Institute. Basically we decided to camp out on the mall by the library on campus for 24 hrs straight. We were sponsored by Coca-Cola and gave away free energy drinks, hot chocolate, and accepted donations, as well as sold raffle tickets for various prizes. The chapter was able to raise approximately $600 with this event, of which we are already planning ways to improve upon for next fall.

This past January many active brothers as well as Rho Rho Alums could be found at the “Hovell in Lovell” thanks to the generosity, as always, of Doug Duschenes and Tom Murphy. The Retreat proved to be very beneficial to the chapter and the alumni support was great as we had one of the biggest turnouts of alumni ever. Sigma Chi pretty much takes over the town of Center Lovell and always manages to have a blast. Thanks again to these generous alumni (Tom and Doug) and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come.

One of the biggest things that made the Spring Semester so successful was that the motivation of the actives was high after the Retreat, as it always is; however, it remained in tact as the Spring Semester got underway. This is something that is hard to keep as brothers get busy with their lives and schoolwork and whatnot. However, this year was different as the entire chapter was motivated to have a great rush and see the chapter grow for the Spring Semester, and that it did!

Spring Rush was great, and under the leadership of Rush Chairman Eric Anderson the chapter was able to have a Spring Pledge Class of 7, the biggest since I pledged in the Spring of 2004. One strategic plan of the chapter that was decided at the Winter Retreat was to shorten the rush period so that brothers and rushes alike would not grow bored with the process. So, we cut our rush period down to 3 and organized 2 or 3 rush events per week. We gave our bids earlier than normal this semester, and had brothers perform a lot more one on one interaction with the recruits. Our actions proved successful as we will start the Fall ’07 with 18 brothers.

So, on April 14th, the Rho Rho Chapter happily initiated Zach Hunt, James Spilsbury, Andrew Haley, Brad Bachelder, Maxwell Beck, Steve Barker, and Ken Harvey. These 7 men show a lot of heart for the organization and I personally see leadership coming from them very quickly.

Great things also happened to the active chapter in the end of March when Rho Rho was given the chance to have Mission 365 brought to UMaine. This is a Recruitment Workshop that is totally paid for by Sigma Chi National and is a weekend long event where a facilitator comes to town and teaches brothers about Rush Techniques and ways to Recruit New Members all year long and not just during the “Rush Period” at the beginning of each semester. There were many interesting tactics that were preached and demonstrated during this workshop and the actives plan on implementing a few of the new ideas into recruitment this fall.

Alumni were very supportive this year as well. I cannot use words to express all the help and success that newly appointed chapter advisor Rick Haney has had for the active chapter and its individual members such as myself. He has been very motivated, has attended many chapter meetings and events, and helped with Initiations as well as history night during pledging, just to name a few. The alumni chapter itself has helped out immensely as well. They have tightened the bonds of the chapter I do believe, because we always know that we have them to fall back on for help and support. Whether it be myself or Quaestor Neil Spillane, we tried to make as many monthly alumni meetings down in Portland to keep the two groups as closely tied together as possible.

I had a tremendous year being Consul of the chapter and would like to extend many thanks to my great fellow top-5 officers and Exec Board composed of Nick Webster (Pro Consul), David Parker (Magister), Eric Anderson (Rush Chair) , and Neil Spillane (Quaestor).

This summer we have several brothers that will be attending the Balfour Leadership Training Workshop in August out in Missouri. Also, brother Clay Cavness will be attending Grand Chapter out in California!

One final note, PLEASE MARK YOU CALENDARS FOR THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 9TH, as Sigs will be gathering in Lovell again for the summer retreat. Lets get a little work done on the house, talk about the upcoming semester, and have one hell of a weekend as always.

Guard Well Brothers,
Jason McLaughlin (’08)
Consul