Getting healthy in 67!

So, some of you may have alway jumped on tree the fitness wagon, fully supporting the NSW theme of fretting fit. If so, congrats! However, I would guess that most of you as more like me. I know that I should be making healthy choices, but it's awfully hard to eat healthy when McDonald's is on my way to work, and I can eat my chicken nuggets while driving down the road. It's hard to exercise when so much of our lives revolves around typing reports and reading books. Trust me, I feel your pain. What I'd like to do is give you an idea of healthy choices that we can make while not feeling like we're sacrificing our lives for the sale of our health.

The easiest tip that I've seen for improving diet it's to start small. Chose one thing in your diet that is unhealthy. For example, most Americans could stand to eat less meat. Now, eliminate that from your diet one day a week (Meatless Mondays, anyone?) while being mindful of how much you east of that the rest of the week. Once you've got one vice under control, look at something else that you should adjust, and work on that next.

Of course, diet alone isn't worth jack squat, unless you want to look like a skeleton. Exercise is the other half of a healthy lifestyle. My favorite way of exercising is the HIIT method. In short, after warming up, you alternate short bursts of high intensity activity with slightly longer intervals where you catch your breath but still keep your heart rate up. Not only do you get a great aerobic workout, you also boost your metabolismfor several hours after your workout. My favorite part is that a whole HIITs routine can be done in under half an hour, perfect for brothers on the go.

So, there's a start to some healthy lifestyle changes. Steal them and make them your own. One word to the wise: you know your body the best. Don't do anything I say here just because I said so. I'm not a health professional, nor do I know your exact physical condition. Exercise safely, and consult a physician if you have any apprehension about starting an exercise program or get hurt.

YiLFS,
Mika

Dreaded Apathy

Today’s article is a little different.  I usually write about communication issues, given that I am the Communication Chair.  Although I suppose almost anything can be tied to communication, I am stretching those boundaries by being candid with you about my thoughts on apathy and brotherhood.

Apathy is an issue that can plague any organization, and it can have an awful snowball effect when it starts.  The symptoms:

• Lack of passion
• Sluggishness
• Distraction
• Poor attendance
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of interest

Sound familiar?  You’ve likely been witness to such symptoms within your chapter, perhaps recently.  Take any chapter at any given time, and it is very likely you will find at least one apathetic brother.  Once you’ve found one, you’re likely to find more—apathy breeds apathy.  It can be difficult to achieve success when brothers are skipping meetings, not paying attention when they do attend, and hoping others will sign up for events so they don’t have to (and still not stepping up with no one else signs up).

You are hopefully wondering what can be done to address these issues.  Unfortunately there is no easy solution.

Many people blame the leadership, and indeed that can be the case.  If your officers don’t show an interest in the things they are leading, it is quite difficult for them to inspire passion in their fellow brothers.  Similarly, if officers are not attending fellowships and service projects, why should anyone else?

If you are an officer, try to step back and take an objective look at yourself.  Are you passionate about your area of specialization?  Are you passionate about service?  About being in this brotherhood?  Do you regularly attend chapter events?  How about events that go beyond your chapter and extend into the section, region, or even nation?

Nobody is saying you have to attend everything.  We are all busy—yes, even us alumni.  But do realize that a big part of being a brother of Alpha Phi Omega is a commitment to serve.  There are bound to be service projects that appeal to you.  If there aren’t, suggest them to your Service Vice President, and maybe even offer to lead the projects yourself!  Many people use the excuse of not having enough time.  But some things you make time for.

These thoughts apply to non-officers, too.  We all need to make sure we try to be the leaders we have committed to be through our membership in this fraternity.  Some of us lead by taking on obvious leadership roles, like officers or committee chairs.  But there are other ways to lead.  The easiest way is to demonstrate your passion by attending service projects, fellowships, leadership courses, and always putting your best foot forward.  Simply attending isn’t enough.  Be engaged.  Be engaging.  Service is not a passive activity.  Nor is fellowship obtained by sitting in a corner with your laptop while others are socializing and bonding.

It sounds simple, but chances are good that the people reading this are not the ones suffering from apathy.  So you guys holding onto your enthusiasm should work to identify your apathetic brothers and engage them.  Show them (don’t just tell them) how excited you are to be a part of this brotherhood.  Let them see you getting passionate about service.  Set a good example, and make them wonder what they’re missing.

Apathy is not easily cured, but you have a greater chance of success if you catch it early.  Best of luck to all of you.  And please let me know if there is anything I can help with!

Passionately yours,

Jessica Szweda

Section 67 Communication Chair

Recruitment and the Six Bad Bs

As of now, all the chapters in Section 67 have begun their pledge processes, which means that recruitment is over, right?

That statement couldn't be any more wrong.

When it comes to recruitment, the biggest hurdle in the path of getting new members to pledge is the way that our chapters often think about recruitment.  Often times we think, "Hey, since it's rush week, that must mean that recruitment has started," and the same can be said when rush ends.  What many people neglect to realize is that recruitment is not a solitary, time-constrained act; rather, recruitment is happening at all times.  Recruitment is a year round activity, and can come up in the most unlikely and mind-numbingly simple ways.  Inviting someone to an event.  Answering questions about your fraternity.  Just showing enthusiasm is a great way to recruit.

Think about it...you walk through campus wearing your APO t-shirt.  Someone sees you, and wonders, "I wonder what...Alpha Phi...what's that thing at the end...I think it's an Omega...let me look this up.  I have no idea what that is."  Suddenly, they've stumbled upon the national website, and they begin to seriously consider rushing.  You recruited by simply wearing a t-shirt, and you didn't even realize you were doing it.

That's my first topic, but my second is largely related to the first.  It's what I call the Six Bad Bs of recruitment.  While my first topic touched on year long recruitment, this focuses in on rush week, most of which are a long way off for most chapters.  But these are things to start thinking about right now, and it's a good time to start detoxing these topics out of your system.

The Six Bad Bs of recruitment are topics that should probably be generally avoided, or at least lightly touched on, during recruitment.  Often these topics can cause animosity, a sense of discomfort, or boring conversation to ensue between yourself and the potential new member that you are trying to recruit.  I'm not saying avoid these topics entirely; I'm just saying be mindful when you use them.  So, without further adieu, the Six Bad Bs:

1. Bureaucracy, a.k.a your political views.  Chances are that at least one person that you are recruiting doesn't agree with your political beliefs, and you don't want to make them feel uncomfortable because, at the root of it, service should be apolitical.  My grandmother has told me before that there are two topics that you don't talk about at the dinner table.  This is one of them, along with...
2. Bible, a.k.a your religious beliefs.  Again, people may not share your particular religious beliefs.  Remember that Frank Reed Horton's dream of Alpha Phi Omega was based in the ideal of brothers being able to practice on their own Sabbath, in their own way.  Respect him in his pursuit of this by refraining from extensive religious ideological banter.
3. Booze.  While the National Fraternity does not have a national alcohol policy, talking about this topic with potential new members should be avoided.  Alcohol does it have its place in collegiate life, but not in the context of recruitment.  Leave this discussion it in the liquor cabinet at home.
4. Boys and Babes.  This B serves a threefold purpose.  First, don't talk idly about someone's significant other, especially if you don't know him/her.  Secondly, don't come on to a potential new member - they are interested in becoming your brother, and this violates that relationship from the get-go.  Lastly, avoid any discussion that may come off as sexist.  We are co-ed.  Respect and appreciate all brothers.
5. Books.  This is one of the easiest things to do.  "What classes are you in?"  "What major are you interested in?" "Who is your favorite teacher?"  While these are great questions, getting bogged down in them is uncomfortable and leads the conversation toward the dangerous territory of no-man's talking land.  Use them sparingly.
6. Bucks.  While it's important to answer questions about money and dues, concentrating on money has a tendency to inevitably make someone in the conversation feel uncomfortable.  Money is often an awkward topic, and you don't know the financial situation of the potential new member that you are talking to.  Bear that in mind when you casually throw around dues amounts and act like paying it is no big deal.  It may be for them.

I hope that those tidbits help you in the next rush season and throughout the year!

Until next time!

Brotherly love,

- Brandyn

To be an effective leader...

You need to understand everyone..

And by that I mean, why a person does/says or doesn't do/say what he/she does.

This book was a real eye opener.  It really helped me to understand others and how to use their strengths and weakness to work best with them.  I highly recommend it!

http://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Enneagram-Psychological-Spiritual-Personality/dp/0553378201/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317751054&sr=1-1

On a side note, Brandyn and I have been working to get trained as LEADS presenters.

YiLFS,
Laura