Fourth Annual Master Steward Summit
by Tad Lichtenauer • July 2010 • 1 Comment •
From June 10-12, 2010, in Indianapolis, the Professional Staff of the International Headquarters hosted approximately 43 alumni brothers from across North America during the fourth annual Master Steward Summit.
As a key component of the True Brother Initiative, Master Stewards are selected by the General Fraternity based upon their service, experience, and geographic location. Upon selection, each Master Steward is required to make a three-year commitment.
In addition to attending the annual Master Steward Summit, Master Stewards are required to:
- Serve as a small-group facilitator for Lambda Chi Alpha summer conferences and regional conclave efforts throughout the academic year (both large-scale and small-scale)
- Serve as a resource for High Pis/chapters working on the Outer & Inner Circle programming
- Attend and/or orchestrate at least one regional or multi-chapter retreat focusing on True Brother and the Outer Circle
- Support ELCs traveling in a particular conclave and depend upon one another for assistance, guidance, and chapter support
- Serve as a trusted confidant and resource of the General Fraternity regarding chapter management
- Aid in the development of programming and resources as identified by the General Fraternity
Key training and programming highlights from this years training event included:
- Fraternity update from Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler)
- How to advise Ritual
- General Assembly/legislation overview
- True Leader I, II, & III presentations
- Overview of Officer Portal
- Cole Recruitment, Call to Brotherhood, Exoteric Mysteries facilitation
- Discussions about the nature of advising
- How to engage the Inner Circle
- Review of roles, responsibilities and expectations
- Update regarding the scientific impact of the True Brother Initiative on our undergraduate brothers
Reflections from Two Master Stewards
“The Master Steward Summit was a truly outstanding experience. I was able to meet many brothers who exemplify what it means to have the ‘Heart of a Servant.’ All of these guys were there for one purpose: to learn how to better serve our undergraduate brothers. One thing I took away from this event is that we as Lambda Chis never stop growing. Opportunities to learn, serve, and meet new brothers, all continue to be available, regardless of our age. We are truly blessed to have men so willing to freely give of their time and talents to help Lambda Chi Alpha provide the best opportunity for growth for our Fraternity. I am humbled and thankful to be associated with such a wonderful group of men.”
First-year Master Steward Bill Whatley (Auburn-Montgomery)
“This is a great time to be a Lambda Chi. There are so many opportunities for growth and development - from the newest of associate members to the most seasoned of alumni. The possibilities are endless. At the recent Master Steward Summit, a group of us fourth year Master Stewards had the opportunity to get together at the end of the weekends events to reflect on what we had experienced at the Summit, our life journeys that had led us to the Summit, and our hopes and plans for the future. Interestingly, our journeys had been quite varied. Although we all wound up in the same group at the Master Steward Summit, we came from different backgrounds and had traveled through many different events and life experiences to be there. Throughout the journeys, however, Lambda Chi had remained a major force in our lives and in our personal and professional development. As Lambda Chis, we have always prided ourselves on not being a ‘cookie-cutter fraternity’ that forces all men to fit the same mold. We embrace and encourage diversity and individual achievement. We celebrate individual achievements and growth within the brotherhood. A major strength of the True Brother Initiative is that allows brothers to choose their own paths and encourages them to experience and grow in ways that best suit their personalities, their talents, and their goals. Looking to the future, we saw increased opportunities for involvement and growth at many levels: from individual chapters to the General Fraternity; from associate members to active brothers to engaged alumni. There are challenging and rewarding possibilities for all of us.”
Fourth-year Master Steward Roger Grice (Polytechnic)
Special Attendee
After the new Master Stewards completed their four Inner Circle evolutions, they were presented their Master Steward collars by Lambda Chi Alpha’s spiritual leader and former Grand High Alpha, Rev. S. George “Doc” Dirghalli (Florida 1950). He traveled from his home in Syracuse, New York, to attend the summit as well as spend time mentoring the new group of educational leadership consultants.
If you are interested in learning more about the Master Steward program, please contact Senior Associate Director of Chapter Services Jordy Miller (Miami-FL 2007) at jmiller@lambdachi.org.
John Zutavern Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:49 pmIt was great to read the story about Doc, and Congratulations to him for receiving the award. I can remember attending the first Management Training Seminar, I think it was called, at Wittenberg College in 1950. Duke Flad was there as were a great group of attendees. John Zutavern, ZM, University of NM #17, Charter Member.