Andy Huston, Author at Sigma Alpha Mu

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Developing Leaders Initiative: 2021 Recap

Written by Adam Cohen (Illinois, ’09), Developing Leaders Initiative Co-Chairman

Sigma Alpha Mu once again held our award winning Developing Leaders Initiative (DLI) in the spring semester with great success. Despite not being able to meet in person, our DLI Committee led by Education Committee Chairman Phillip Glauben (North Texas, ‘73), DLI Chairman Adam Cohen (Illinois, ‘09), Assistant Executive Director Michele Peterson, and Director of Operations Sam Friday (W. Florida ‘13) were able to host the experience virtually.

The six-week virtual program focused on topics designed to enhance the leadership skills of each individual to not only improve their chapter, but the international organization as well. The sessions included:

Service on a Board of Directors by Guest Speaker: Mary Pat Higgins, President and CEO, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Ask the Octagon

The Future of ΣAM: Strategic Plan

The Undergraduate Perspective on Fraternal Matters

The DLI Iota Class developed two projects that would have significant impact for chapters and a lasting impact on the Fraternity as a whole. The first project was created after in-depth discussions regarding the need for more education, awareness and support around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They created a DEI Chairman position description for chapters wanting to incorporate education and advocacy within their chapter operations. The other project focused on the importance of values-based growth within Sigma Alpha Mu. They created a values-based recruitment rubric to assist chapters in recruiting and selecting men based on the values (Simplicity, Holiness, Purity, Justice, Sincerity, Fraternalism, Idealism and Truth) of our beloved Fraternity.

Due to this experience, many of the DLI participants plan to be involved as an alumnus with ΣAM after graduation. Jared Garson (Mu Psi, ‘19) stated, “I hope to be a part of the Octagon one day, and I would love to serve as an advisor for future DLI classes.” Sigma AlphaMu is fortunate to have engaged and passionate volunteers and we look forward to seeing members of the DLI Iota Classes involved in the future.

Members of the DLI Iota Class include:

Aaron Silberman (Sigma Tau, ’19)
Alan Hakki (Gamma Tau, ’18)
Austin Hubsch (Gamma Tau, ’19)
Jared Garson (Mu Psi, ’19)
Jeremy Degre (Beta Omega, ’18)
Joseph Malone (Sigma Delta, ’19)
Lyle Yaggy (Mu Psi, ’20)
Robert Osborne (Sigma Omicron, ’19)
Rory O’Connor (Delta Omega, ’19)
Ross Bernstein (Epsilon Nu, ’19)

DLI is funded by the ΣAM Foundation and was awarded the NIC Laurel Wreath in 2017.

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A Year Unlike Any Other: A Message from the Supreme Prior

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Sammy Stories: Oral History Project in Partnership with PCI

Every Sammy has a story, and Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity wants to hear yours. However, with over 70,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each Sammy individually.

That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project — Sammy Stories — to collect the stories of alumni in their own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Sammy has had on our lives and who we are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started!

To submit your Sammy story or to update your information, please call the number listed on the postcard or email you received or call our partner, PCI at 1-800-982-1590. You do not need to log in to the Sam.org website.

The Fraternity has published more information about this project and FAQs at: https://sam.org/alumni/sammystories/.

Sigma Alpha Mu was founded in 1909 at the College of the City of New York as a fraternity of Jewish men; the organization has been open to all men of good moral character since 1953. Sigma Alpha Mu’s vision is to be the first choice of collegians seeking a forward-thinking, inclusive fraternity which enhances the university experience and prepares the fraternity member for a fulfilling life. With its International Headquarters located in Indianapolis, IN, the fraternity currently has 46 collegiate chapters and over 59,000 living alumni.

A Welcoming Brotherhood: IDEA Committee Update

Written by Daniel Puentes (FIU, ’13), Young Alumnus Consul to the Octagon

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) is a growing focus in fraternity life, with Greek organizations working around the clock to examine their infrastructures and develop changes to improve the climate for male fratres from different identities. Sigma Alpha Mu has initiated this work with the activation of a IDEA task force, which began meeting in July 2020. The task force comprises of alumni volunteers, staff members and friends of Sammy, including the author of this article. The task force has tackled several projects that align with the ΣAM 2030 plan through our biweekly meetings.

One of the things we wanted to understand as a task force was the opinion of our fellow undergraduate fratres. Together, we generated a survey that was developed and dispersed via email to every active chapter member. With help from the Undergraduate Advisory Committee, our task force collected 129 anonymous responses to help inform our discussions. We also drafted an anti-bigotry policy, adopted by the Octagon this past January 18, 2021, and shared it with the international ΣAM community. The policy can be found online as well and aligns with our Trans-Inclusive Policy. The policy “reaffirms the commitment made to stride towards a future, free of discrimination and bigotry” when undergraduates choose to join our fraternity.

The work is not done yet. Our committee has continued to have in-depth discussions about topics, including identifying IDEA-based learning outcomes to incorporate in our TrueMDH candidate education program. We, as an organization, recognize the importance of IDEA in our infrastructure. Inclusive and equitable environments provide a thriving space for a diverse set of young men to be successful and supportive of each other. We appreciate the time and energy our task force members have brought to the table. Alumni interested in joining these critical conversations are encouraged to reach out to International Headquarters.

Get involved at sam.org/volunteer and learn more about the IDEA committee.

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State of the Fraternity Summer 2021

Written by Executive Director Andy Huston (Minnesota, ’01)

I must admit that this past summer, I was not certain that the fraternity would have been able to keep all chapters operating, retain all staff, and successfully maintain our austere budget. A great deal of planning from staff and volunteers, innovative resource development, and new chapter engagement strategies made us hopeful at this time last year. These exceptional plans were also met with an extraordinary investment in staff time and energy to sustain chapter operations. As a result, we were able to coach chapters to execute COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols, build confidence in virtual and hybrid operations, navigate anti-Greek Life campaigns on campuses, and virtually initiate hundreds of our newest fratres.

Sigma Alpha Mu currently has a presence on 46 campuses. We ended the 2019-2020 academic year with 2605 undergraduate fratres, but began the 2020-2021 academic year with 1580 undergraduate fratres. Recruitment efforts this academic year yielded 613 candidates, which is a 24.2% decrease in year-over-year performance compared to a forecasted reduction of 25%. A third of our chapters did as well or better with recruitment than the previous fall term. Half of the chapters could say the same this spring.

Spurred by our ΣAM 2030 strategic plan, we have continued to prioritize growth. We added four active locations to our chapter roll this academic year. We have chartered Mu Pi at Colorado-Boulder as a holdover from spring 2020 and successfully restarted Sigma Alpha at Oklahoma this fall. Spring 2021 growth efforts included restarts for Epsilon Theta at West Virginia and Omicron at Cincinnati. It is our vision to build our team to support up to eight expansion projects a year by 2030. We are actively communicating with more than 60 university administrators about our are expansion prospects, which includes dormant and new locations.

We have delivered a steady flow of virtual programming (including webinars, videos, and enhanced social media content) throughout the academic year thanks to the diligent and creative work by the education committee and staff. The virtual Chapter Leaders Day program reached 329 participants and facilitators. The advantage of the virtual CLD format was the ability to have breakouts with leaders of similar chapter size and institution type, rather than just those in regional proximity. The chapter visitation program was transitioned to virtual, bi-weekly coaching calls with each chapter.

Yes, we are all anxiously awaiting the return to normal times. Our future following the COVID-19 pandemic will likely look different from the international fraternity. We have evolved programs and services. Zoom meetings and reunions have their place. As do handshakes and hugs. We hope you let us know when you reconnect with your fellow fratres in person. We look forward to seeing those photos. In the meantime, the screenshots will do. Sigma Alpha Mu has persevered. We can continue to sing out with confidence, “everlasting, ever faithful, ever staunch and true stands the brotherhood we formed in Sigma Alpha Mu.”

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Sammy Expansion Effort

Written by Former Director of Growth Alex Hart

Often times the most exciting news I get to report is driven by numbers. Four new chapters installed this academic year with over 65 total new initiates.And while I love to tout the wins in our analytics and data, what can get lost in that are the people behind the numbers. In addition to reporting on numbers, one of the more exciting pieces of my role is working with the Priors of our Provisional Chapters on a weekly basis. In what has been an unforgettable year, my favorite memories come from working with, and even recruiting some of, the Priors at Colorado, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, and West Virginia.

When I started last summer, I was quickly introduced to Arthur Didinsky (Mu Pi, ‘20) and Logan Rock (Omicron, ‘21). Both were leading groups excited to be Founding Fathers and bring Sammy back to their campus. As I began weekly coaching sessions, I quickly learned that both were faced with a lot of uncertainty and an uphill battle ahead, but both were committed.

Arthur was originally from Maryland and learned about Sammy during the spring of his sophomore year when a friend from high school recommended him to Headquarters staff during our expansion at Colorado Boulder. The excitement of our return to CU was quickly met with the uncertainty of the pandemic and the men who had decided to join were left with a choice; turn away from Sammy or move forward with resilience facing the challenges that were sure to come.

Arthur and his new friends met regularly throughout the summer building their brotherhood and planning for the fall. Though there was some attrition, the core group remained committed and went into the Fall Semester knowing their small group would need to grow. With the addition of a few new members and the development of chapter operations, during a time of social distancing and facemasks, the men remained committed. The Mu Pi Chapter was installed, and the men were initiated in the fall of 2020 on a Zoom call with Headquarters staff and chapter alumni. Arthur and I have continued our weekly calls as the chapter has continued to advance their vision and grow this year. He is now in his junior year studying Political Science and plans to participate in an internship this summer.

Not only do I inherit some outstanding members to work with, but I also get the pleasure of watching them grow and develop as leaders from the time before they have even signed their bid. Watching someone you personally recruit become a leader in their chapter is truly an indescribable feeling, and I do take great pride in that opportunity. In addition to working with Logan and Arthur, I now also meet on a weekly basis with Caleb York (Sigma Alpha, ‘20) and Chase Ciliberti (Epsilon Theta, ‘21). Both were Founding Fathers of their chapter who then became Chapter Priors this year, and I had the pleasure of officially offering each of them their bid for membership.

I met Chase after he was recommended by a friend of his who I was already recruiting. Chase had heard about Sammy coming to WVU and our vision for being leaders and difference-makers in the community. Chase had transferred from UNC Wilmington and was in his sophomore year as a Cyber Security major. Chase was immediately interested in what we were looking to build at WVU. He was excited about the opportunity to be a leader and make an impact on campus and in the community. But he was also interested in meeting new people.

Transitioning to a new school can be challenging, but doing so during a pandemic is even harder. Normal welcome week activities and campus engagement opportunities were virtual or nonexistent and didn’t do much to help students get involved and connected on campus. Chase was a big soccer fan and had played a lot, and though he had joined the club soccer team on campus they were unable to practice or hold events so he hadn’t been able to connect with many new people that way either. Thankfully because of a common friend, Chase had met Thomas Baehm, and because Thomas met me, Chase did too. Together they both became Founding Fathers and eventually the Prior and Vice Prior of the newly restarted Epsilon Theta Chapter at West Virginia.

Navigating our current environment and preparing for unforeseen challenges, that’s what was on the front of everyone’s mind as the 2020-2021 academic year approached.

Over the last few years, Sigma Alpha Mu had seen an overall decline in recruitment numbers. This was due in part to the closure of some chapters while other chapters’ membership declined on the local level. Though it could be assumed that some would be better off than others, it was fair to say that we all needed to focus our efforts on supporting Sammy’s growth while navigating the pandemic.

Our staff, with approval from the Octagon, had already made a strategic move to support recruitment best practices by providing the Phired Up Digital Classroom to our entire membership in the spring of 2020. The first-of-its-kind product provided top-notch, asynchronous recruitment education and training to fraternity members, and even included a section on “virtual recruitment.”

However, the most savvy undergraduate recruiter and even the best trained members are only as good as the tools at their disposal. Behind every great recruitment effort is a recruitment system, and every great recruitment system requires the proper technology for execution. In the fraternity recruitment world, that tool is ChapterBuilder.

ChapterBuilder is the best-of-its-kind recruitment software for fraternities, and it also comes from our partners at Phired Up and TechniPhi. In addition to providing a Recruitment Certification program to every member, Headquarters and the Octagon ensured every chapter would be provided with the tool to execute their recruitment plans. Noting the challenging environment of fraternity recruitment coupled with a pandemic, providing the Virtual Classroom and ChapterBuilder were key in ensuring our chapters were best equipped to grow partners this year.

With the number of Certified Recruiters and usage of ChapterBuilder growing throughout the fall semester, we were excited to see a bump in recruitment and initiation numbers. Over 400 new members were initiated into our fraternity in the fall of 2020, which included some Candidates who were carried over from spring of 2020. As spring approached, we were excited to see again how chapters would perform as we eclipsed over 100 certifications and saw the launch of ChapterBuilder 2.0, the system’s biggest overhaul to date. The new version, which came with additional training, provided chapters with an updated look and feel, technology enhancements, and better data and analytics reporting.

One of the biggest recruitment wins of the fall was highlighted on social media as the Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Arizona recruited men all summer via Zoom and initiated 41 during the fall semester. This trend continued in the spring as we saw high- level wins as 22 chapters (50%) outperformed their previous year’s recruitment results.

Among those wins was the Sigma Chi Chapter at the University of Maryland having their best spring recruitment since recharting as they initiated 13 new members. A little farther south, the Epsilon Xi Chapter at Emory University had their best spring recruitment to date as they initiated 20 members. And lastly we look to the opposite coast and highlight the recruitment efforts at the Mu Theta Chapter at USC as they added 19 new members in the spring, bringing their total new initiates for the year to 27.

Navigating the pandemic has challenged us all, and the basic operations of Sigma Alpha Mu chapters were no exception. As we look forward at the growth of our organization in alignment with our vision, it’s important to celebrate the incredible victories of the last year. In addition to now having over 135 certified recruiters and our chapters recording 45% usage and implementation of ChapterBuilder, these and other recruitment successes would not be possible without the support of advisors and more importantly the commitment of our outstanding undergraduate leaders.

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A Year Unlike Any Other: A Message from the Supreme Prior

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Around the Chapters 2020-21

Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity continues to have clear policies regarding risk management. The policies exist for proactive planning and to protect our members and guests. Our obligation is to demonstrate responsible behavior and the requirement of accountability applies to all Fraternity entities and all levels of Fraternity membership.

To review our risk management policy, go to SAM.ORG/RISK.

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The Value of Alumni Involvement

Written by Joseph Weinholtz (Stony Brook, ’91), Tri-State Alumni Club

When you went to college and pledged, your fellow fratres told you this was a lifetime commitment beyond the 4-year college experience. So now, as an alumnus of Sigma Alpha Mu, what does it mean for you? For many, you have fond memories and developed great friendships but you are lacking recent experience over the last decade. We are here to tell you that if that is the way that you feel, you are missing out. Being a Sammy alumnus is one of the most important and possibly most untapped affiliations in your life.

You likely have a LinkedIn profile. Are you looking for a job, business development, or building your personal brand? Similarly, many of you are on Facebook, looking to reconnect with old friends, or to share your current life experiences with others. There are over 70,000 current Sammy Alumni across the US, and over 15,000 in the NY/NJ/CT Tri State area alone. For most, that is significantly greater than any business or social network you have or will have.

Most importantly, what you share with these 70,000 other fratres do not compare. We created the Sigma Alpha Mu Tri State Alumni Club with the mission of promoting and providing a Spirit of Fraternity, Mutual Moral Aid and Support to mutually build and strengthen our networks and friendships beyond the college experience.

Our goal is to foster and maintain these networks and friendships to the advantage of all members by providing events, mentorship, and access to social and business opportunities. Our goal is to replicate this formula and to utilize these simple ideals in any region and nationally with the fratres of Sigma Alpha Mu.

While that all sounds great, what is the real value proposition?

I have seen first-hand how welcoming Sammy’s are to each other, strangers that share the bond of brotherhood forging new and deep relationships. Creating new opportunities through Jobs and mentoring for brothers of all ages. Brothers ages 20 and 85 and everyone in-between working together to facilitate deals and opportunities for mutual benefit. The networking opportunities have serious long-term benefits.

Additionally, brothers become trusted advisors not only to other brothers but in many cases for their clients. Brothers provide important information when needed, and access to their networks, camaraderie, and support. Being there to celebrate the highs, and to help when the chips are down. Coming together for a collective good, while also helping others in need. Putting to practice and delivering on the promise of the fraternal bond.

So, re-engage and take advantage of the opportunity that you have to reap the benefits as an alumnus of Sigma Alpha Mu.

Take the 12-minute alumni survey at Sam.org/alumnisurvey and share with us information that will shape our alumni engagement moving forward.

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A Year Unlike Any Other: A Message from the Supreme Prior

A Year Unlike Any Other: A Message from the Supreme Prior

Forever remembering these men and the love they had for Sigma Alpha Mu and their fratres. Notices of their passing were reported between early December to Mid-May. To report a death, please email samhq@sam.org. Memorial donations in memory of Chapter Eternal members may be directed to the Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation. To donate online, go to SAM.ORG/DONATE.

Beta

Barry Goldman (Cornell, ’53)

GAMMA

Seymour Sadinoff (Columbia, ’54)

ETA

Marshall M Gelfand (Syracuse, ‘45)

THETA

Harvey L Katz (Pennsylvania, ‘63)

Justin J Strauss (Pennsylvania, ‘51)

Ronald W Weiss (Pennsylvania, ‘58)

KAPPA

Glenn S Beaubaire (Minnesota, ‘41)

Herbert R Goldenberg (Minnesota, ‘52)

Leroy L Kieffer (Minnesota, ‘52)

Wayne J Salita (Minnesota, ‘56)

Sheldon A Vermes (Minnesota, ‘52)

Jonathan D Zats (Minnesota, ‘81)

Richard A Strauss (MIT, ‘57)

OMICRON

Phillip H Wilks (Cincinnati, ‘52)

TAU

Rabbi Allen I Freehling (Alabama, ‘50)

PHI

Dr. Gilbert Cherrick (WashU, ‘47)

Jerome S Levy (WashU, ‘48)

SIGMA ETA

Lawrence H Jacobson (Purdue, ‘58)

Dr. Raymond Cohen (Purdue, ‘42)

John M Gellman (Purdue, ‘52)

SIGMA ALPHA

Stephen E Biespiel (Oklahoma, ‘48)

COL Leon S Hirsh (Oklahoma, ‘51)

SIGMA BETA

Allan D Gersman (Ohio State, ‘53)

Dr. Randy M Feldman (Ohio State, ‘72)

SIGMA GAMMA

Donald B Wolfe (Tulane, ‘49)

SIGMA ZETA

Ronald E Freemas (Indiana, ‘70)

Lonnie G Nefouse (Indiana, ‘70)

Sanford W Sirkus (Indiana, ‘55)

Robert E Skirboll (Indiana, ‘70)

SIGMA Iota

Dr. Allen H Holt (Michigan, ‘42)

SIGMA XI

David B Rabinovitch (Manitoba, ‘49)

SIGMA OMICRON

JUDGE Norman M. Krivosha (Nebraska, ‘54)

Steven L Wald (Nebraska, ‘66)

SIGMA PI

Gerald W Gartman (UCLA, ‘51)

SIGMA THETA

Brett A Kirstein (Texas, ‘85)

William M Knobler (Texas, ‘56)

Howard Misle (Texas, ‘76)

Stanley D Rosenberg (Texas, ‘50)

Dr. Michael Rotman (Texas, ‘60)

Paul L Salzberger (Texas, ‘52)

Daniel H Zeligson (Texas, ‘73)

SIGMA TAU

Alan L Barzman (Oregon, ‘50)

Don H Rotenberg (Oregon, ‘52)

SIGMA CHI

Gordon Becker (Maryland, ‘52)

SIGMA OMEGA

Henry D Brandenberg (NC State, ‘62)

MU GAMMA

Dr. Howard F Korman (Case Western, ‘61)

Arturo D Scherson (Case Western, ‘87)

MU DELTA

William G Levy (Louisville, ‘46)

MU THETA

Corey L Brown (USC, ‘80)

Martin C Brown (USC, ‘83)

Steven L Drobinsky (USC, ‘66)

Barry L Goodman (USC, ‘53)

Harvey S Kopitsky (USC, ‘57)

W Gregory Lee (USC, ‘73)

Robert A Mannheimer (USC, ‘53)

Arthur Mintz (USC, ‘49)

Howard I Press (USC, ‘51)

Eugene D Prowizor (USC, ‘62)

MU PHI

Eugene Goldenberg (LIU-Post, ‘58)

Joseph C Larocca (LIU-Post, ‘67)

MU CHI

Alan J Lorenz (Michigan State, ‘62)

MU PSI

James M Button (Miami OH, ‘59)

BETA RHO

Kenneth A Meiselman (Houston, ‘69)

GAMMA EPSILON

Sean P Daly (UIC, ‘95)

GAMMA XI

Corey A Gold (Cal State-Fullerton, ‘84)

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