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a BLUE Alpha Chi Sigma

Volume 46 | Issue 5 {January 2015}

“People enter websites hoping to be led somewhere, hoping for a payoff.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Websites, social media, smart phones, and tablets – the electronic communication and information world is literally at our fingertips and it is evolving constantly. We have known for some time that the Fraternity’s national website was feeling dated and the menus did not have the intuitive feel we desired. With the expansion in chapters and membership, it is of increasing importance that we update the look, feel, and navigation of our website. During the next six months, we will be doing an audience analysis of our website, reorganizing our menus, updating the look and feel of the na - tional website, and developing a social media strategy to make our site more integrated with social media sites. Look for an announcement about how you can help with some of our research.

It is also probably a good time for your chapter to look at the electronic face you present to the world. Can your audiences (current members, pledges, prospective members, other chapters, and the outside world) quickly find answers to the questions that they have about your chapter? Have you looked at the Fraternity social media guidelines? Is your calendar, officer list, and contact information current? Do photos that are posted of members Updating our portray the image you want of your chapter?

electronic persona Take some time for your own electronic persona. To quote Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, “ There's no first impressions anymore.You go to a job interview, By Patrick J. Johanns, and they'll probably Google you. It's a shame - people should play it a little closer Alpha Theta 1981, Grand Recorder to the chest as far as what information they release to the world. If I'm angry about something, I'm not going to take to myTwitter. ”

Alpha Chi Sigma | More than 68,000 members National Office: ( 800 ) ALCHEMY 53 Collegiate Chapters | 6 Collegiate Colonies www.alphachisigma.org 9 Professional Chapters | 10 Professional Groups © 2015 Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity Gamma Psi Chapter celebrates the International Year of Crystallography By Dr. Cora Lind-Kovacs, Tau 2001

Gamma Psi Chapter and its Chapter Advisor, Dr. Cora solution containers were prepared. This activity took up most Lind-Kovacs, developed a Girl Scout outreach program to of session 2. During the final session, the girls harvested their celebrate the International Year of Crystallography. The crystals and took them home to keep. chapter conducted a three-session program in October with a local Girl Scout troop at Robinson Elementary School inToledo, Thanks to a large number of Brothers helping out, the girls Ohio. Each session was held after school and was spaced two participated in all steps of the crystal growth in small groups of weeks apart. Dr. Lind- Kovacs designed this program to teach two to three scouts per Brother. During the demonstrations, the scouts basic principles about crystals and crystal growth. the scouts were assisted and well supervised as they learned about laboratory safety and how to use an analytical balance, a The children had a wonderful time while participating in the mortar and pestle, a volumetric cylinder and a hot plate, along experiments. Each session began with an interactive, educational with other techniques.The university’s department of chemistry PowerPoint presentation, which sparked many inquisitive questions and biochemistry donated neon-colored safety goggles for the along with an obvious desire to learn more. Topics included scouts to use and keep, which excited them a lot. If only defining what solids and crystals are, an introduction to the undergraduate students were as keen on goggles during general seven crystal systems and the lesson that structure matters as chemistry lab sessions! much as chemical composition by using graphite and diamond as examples. Another hands-on experiment that the scouts participated in was growing crystal gardens at the end of session 1.The scouts The major goal for the hands-on portions of this program was used a sodium silicate solution, also known as water glass, and to help the scouts grow crystals of alum (aluminum potassium very carefully added various metal salts to grow structures of sulfate hydrate), the same material utilized during the national different colors. Cobalt (II) nitrate, aluminum chloride, ferrous crystal growing competition organized during the International ammonium sulfate, ferric ammonium oxalate and cupric Year of Crystallography. Growing dishes for seed crystals were ammonium sulfate were used.The scouts were amazed that they set up on the first day. This step proved to be a challenge due could actually see the growth process begin right before their to the two-week period between sessions, as seed crystals usually very eyes and certainly understood why we kiddingly called grow in two to five days. Back-up seed crystals were grown in water glass “Miracle Gro for crystals!” the lab at the University of Toledo. The scout solutions were used instead to illustrate what can happen during crystal growth At each session, a collection of various crystal samples in session 2, as everything from a very large crystal to a fine demonstrated how widely crystal formations, color and texture precipitate of many crystals to a few small seed crystals had can vary.The collection included specimens that were synthetic formed. Seed crystals were glued to floss, and 700 mL growth (alum and copper sulfate) as well as grown in nature (several Continued on page 3

CRYSTALLOGRAPHY The Chrome and Blue Page 2 CRYSTALLOGRACoPntinuedHfrom pYage 2

varieties of quartz, fluorite and CaCO3). The collection was used to introduce the idea that crystals adopt unique shapes because of their crystal systems.

The last session was certainly the highlight of the program, and word of mouth had spread enough to ensure the highest attendance during all sessions. The girls were thrilled to see their finished products – crystals they had grown themselves. Some of the crystals were quite large. Others had intriguing shapes (one swallowed a stir bar!). And striking clarity and shine were noted for many. Luckily, the Gamma Psi Brothers brought a few extra crystals grown in our labs so even the new scouts got to take home some smaller crystals.

Based on the feedback and excitement of the scouts and the troop leaders, this program was a huge success. The experiments, as well as the experience as a whole, were not only educational for the girls but also motivated and inspired them to want to further expand their knowledge through chemistry and science.

In December, Gamma Psi Chapter was invited to participate in an event to demonstrate our crystallography experiments.The event took place at Toledo’s Imagination Station, an interactive science museum for children of all ages.

To use our PowerPoint presentation to create an outreach program for your chapter, contact Dr. Cora Lind-Kovacs.

Submit your bid to host the 53 rd Biennial Conclave

Does your chapter want to host the 53 rd Biennial Conclave? Now is the time to prepare your chapter’s bid.

If your chapter would like to submit a bid, you must gather information about facilities, room and board, accommodations, estimated transportation cost, local area items of interest and more.

Visit the national website for the list of bid documents. These documents will help your chapter determine if you have the resources necessary to host a Conclave. It also will guide you through the process of creating a bid for consideration.

The deadline to submit bids to the Supreme Council is April 30, 2015. Please contact the National Office with any questions.

The Chrome and Blue Page 3 Meet the Supreme Council

The next four issues of The Chrome and Blue will help you get to know each member of the Supreme Council. Spotlight on Mark N. Evaniak Beta Sigma, 1980 - Grand Master Alchemist

I pledged Alpha Chi Sigma in the remember that Conclave, I grin every time I pass the Mark Fall Quarter of 1979 as a Twain residence hall. sophomore. For those who may remember, the movie “Animal One question I have been asked by many a pledge is how Alpha House” originally came out the summer before I began college Chi Sigma has helped me. Over time, I think the question that in 1978. All of us freshmen in the dorms were terrified of should be asked is how my professional career has helped joining any Greek organization. It wasn’t until after a full year Alpha Chi Sigma. In addition to Alpha Chi Sigma, I have in the Chemistry curriculum that I got to know many of the volunteered my time for other non-profit organizations. What Graduate Students who wereTA’s in my classes and were also I have learned from those organizations has helped me Brothers of Alpha Chi Sigma. So I took the chance and joined tremendously to guide my decisions on the Supreme Council. the following year. If you ask any of the Brothers who were The policies that I have to follow within my professional career around then, I was a terrible pledge, and probably wouldn’t as a Chemist help me in dealing with those that we put in place make it by today’s standards. It wasn’t until I attended my first for the fraternity. Our organization originally draws its Conclave in 1982 at Delta Chapter that I learned what Alpha members from Chemistry and Chemistry-related fields. As Chi Sigma had to offer, and it helped me figure out what I had you graduate and progress throughout your career, it is not to offer the organization. surprising that very few of us remain in the true Chemical sciences. I would charge all of us to use these new talents that I started graduate school atVirginia Tech in 1984, and my first we continue to learn to help the Fraternity grow. As a Conclave while living inVirginia was conveniently at Rho Chapter professional, I would encourage all of us to stay involved. just down the road in Chapel Hill, NC – about a 4 hour trip. Reading articles online about the Millennial Generation, one of It was there where I got to know three brothers: Benny Good, your greatest strengths is your willingness to volunteer for then the Piedmont Appalachian DC, Morris Bursey, who was worthy causes. Consider during your collegiate career what just elected onto Supreme Council, and Herb Sipe, the Chapter in Alpha Chi Sigma qualifies as a worthy cause. Is it the Advisor for Beta Chi. They suggested that it would be easy for friendships? The professional connections? The outreach? two grad students, Nelson Daniel, BX ’82, and I, to start a Whatever you determine it to be, please continue to support chapter at Virginia Tech. Both of us doubted it, but with the that aspect throughout your life. help of 14 other students who became Brothers, Gamma Iota Chapter was installed within a year. In my entire career as a As Grand Master Alchemist, I am committed to three goals. member, this is still to this day the accomplishment I am most First and foremost is communication. Even though we are a proud of; to see the Chapter continue to grow, and the many secret organization, this does not mean we should be keeping Brothers I saw initiated there who I still call close friends. secrets from ourselves. We cannot learn from our mistakes or successes if we do not know what they were. Second, is our When I left Grad School, my first “real” job was at the Radford continuing effort to expand the organization. We have seen Army Ammunition Plant. For a Chemist, I still think this was incredible growth in the Collegiate Branch, and we now look a great job. Who amongst us doesn’t enjoy the chemistry of for ways to grow within our Professional Branch. This is not making and analyzing things that blow up? However, it is also limited to having more Professional Chapters and Groups. It not a safe place to work when the terrorist threat of 20 01 also implies that more of us remain active as Professionals occurred. Since then, I have been working in the Pharmaceutical after graduation. The last goal has just begun. By the time you field. Not nearly as exciting, but much more rewarding. I read this, the SC will have approved funding for a complete moved from the east coast in 2008 back to a city I visited in redesign of our website. The proposal given to us promises to 1980 – Columbia, MO. I find it slightly amusing that my make www.alphachisigma.org a site we will all be proud of, professional career has taken me full circle back to where my that will be useful to us and a showcase to everyone who fraternal career figuratively began, and for those who vaguely wants to know more about what Alpha Chi Sigma is all about.

The Chrome and Blue Page 4 Thumbs up!

As of Dec. 17, the following chapters submitted initiation paperwork and/or payments on time for fall 2014. Thank you and keep up the good work! Alpha Alpha Omega Gamma Tau Beta Beta Gamma Gamma Phi Gamma Beta Delta Gamma Chi Delta Beta Eta Gamma Omega Epsilon Beta Nu Delta Alpha Zeta Beta Rho Delta Beta Iota Beta Sigma Delta Gamma Mu Beta Psi Delta Delta Pi Gamma Beta Boston University Colony Sigma Gamma Delta Beta Iota Colony Tau Gamma Eta UC-Irvine Colony Alpha Beta Gamma Theta University of Tampa Colony Alpha Theta Gamma Iota University of New Orleans Colony Alpha Kappa Gamma Kappa Winthrop University Pre-Colony Alpha Rho Gamma Nu Philadelphia University Pre-Colony Alpha Upsilon Gamma Omicron Thumbs down!

As of Dec. 17, the following chapters have initiation paperwork and/or payments pending from fall 2014. Please contact the National Office if you have any questions.

Alpha Epsilon

Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, the current versions of the active logs and the delinquency list are posted online. Be sure to check the website frequently and let us know if our records are not up to date.

Alpha Chi Sigma Order Sourcebooks today! Sourcebook A Repository of Fraternity Knowledge for Reference and Education

To order Sourcebooks and pledge pins for your chapter’s upcoming spring initiation, complete the pledge materials order form on the national website. Then submit it to [email protected]. Allow seven business days to receive the materials. Academic Year 2014-2015 Edition

The Chrome and Blue Page 5 What’s happening around the Fraternity

In December, the Kansas City Professional Group hosted Grand Master Alchemist Mark Evaniak at Johnny’s BBQ to discuss petitioning to become a professional chapter. Twelve professional members (and two guests) attended, representing Beta, Kappa, Beta Delta, Beta Rho and GammaTheta Chapters.

The Gateway, Central and Great Plains Districts will gather for the Tri-District Conclave on Saturday, February 21. The event will be hosted by Delta Chapter at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. All Brothers are welcome! For more information or to RSVP, contact CDC Sarah Pickett, GDC Rachel Palasky, or GPDC Oliver Penrose.

Upgraded certificates and cards available for purchase

Earlier this school year, Alpha Chi Sigma upgraded the certificate and card we provide to new members. The new certificate is printed on a high-quality, archive-safe paper. The new laminated card features a copy of the member’s certificate on the front and the Three Objects on the back.

Some members have indicated that they would like to purchase these new certificates and cards for themselves. The price for this service is $5.

If you were initiated prior to March 2014 and would like to purchase a new certificate and card, please contact the National Office. Please provide your name, initiating chapter, initiation date and current mailing address. Payment must be received before we can place your order.

There is no guaranteed delivery date for these items.Your order will be processed with the next batch of materials for new members.

For more information, contact the National Office.

January issue of Fraternal Law

The Fraternal Law Newsletter provides a discussion of fraternity law and industry issues for Greek organizations.

The Chrome and Blue Page 6 Congratulations to the newest Professional Representatives! By Dr. Jonathan E. Wenzel, Delta 1996, Grand Professional Alchemist

The Grand Chapter consists of the Supreme Council, the new opportunities for growth and creativity. Please join Master Alchemists, the Professional Chapter Presidents, the me in welcoming and congratulating our recently elected District Counselors and the Professional Representatives. Professional Representatives who will serve from 2015 to 2016: All are valued members of our national organization. Professional Representatives (PRs) serve a two-year term Jason Ellis , Delta 1997 and are elected by the active professional members, Brothers Sandra D. Lukaszewski-Rose , Alpha Theta 1995 who respond to our annual fundraising campaign. Mike Raffay , Iota 2000 Laura L. Walkup , Beta Psi 2005 It is an exciting time to serve as a Professional Representative as they re-invent and re-invigorate the role following Thank you to everyone who ran! We appreciate your changes in the position made by the Grand Chapter at the enthusiasm for supporting Alpha Chi Sigma. If you are 52 nd Biennial Conclave. PRs also contribute to bringing new interested in becoming a Professional Representative, vitality to the Professional Branch by directly interacting with contact Calvin Bond, the chairperson of the Nominations their constituents as the PRs organize social and networking Committee. events. A new class of Professional Representatives brings

Would you like to receive $1000?

Any member of Alpha Chi Sigma may submit a nomination for the Alpha Chi Sigma Scholar Award. The Alpha Chi Sigma Scholar Award encourages and recognizes outstanding scholarship among collegiate members of the Fraternity. The winner receives $1,000 in addition to a scroll, a scholarship key and a paid trip to Conclave. A biographical sketch of the recipient(s) will be published in the annual awards issue of The HEXAGON .

Nominations are due Feb. 1. Read more about eligibility requirements and the nomination procedure online.

Hand tool safety Source: Advanced Chemical Safety

• Use the correct tool for the job • Use all hand tools correctly • Inspect hand tools before each use • Maintain hand tools to perform properly. Keep tools sharp, clean, and properly lubricated • Do not modify hand tools • Store tools properly • Keep your work area neat • Use appropriate personal protective equipment for the work • Follow all lock-out; tag-out procedures

The Chrome and Blue Page 7 CALENDAR

JANUARY

10 Founder Edward Gustav Mattke was born in 1881. 10 Initiations at Rho and Gamma Xi Chapters. 17 - 18 Supreme Council meeting in Indianapolis. Notify the National Office if you plan to attend. 24 Initiation at Alpha Sigma and Gamma Psi Chapters.

FEBRUARY

1 Deadline to submit Scholar Award nominations. 21 Tri-District Conclave (Gateway, Central and Great Plains) hosted by Delta Chapter. 21 Initiation at Beta Tau Chapter. 28 Initiation at Gamma Zeta Chapter.

MARCH

1 Founder Harold E. Eggers was born in 1882. 2 Founder Bart Eldred McCormick was born in 1882. 31 Professional Chapter reports due to the National Office.

Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity 6296 Rucker Road, Suite B | Indianapolis, IN 46220 (800) ALCHEMY | [email protected]

The Chrome and Blue is a newsletter published monthly during the academic year primarily for collegiate chapter officers and District Counselors. It also provides information useful to the rest of the Grand Chapter and to any interested Brothers. It serves to communicate news, reminders and updates in a timely manner.

www.facebook.com/alphachisigma @alphachisigma

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