Sigma Phi FLAME NUMBER 116 • DECEMBER 2010 Convention 2010 in Vermont, pages 8-11. PAGE 2 THE FLAME The Chairman’s Message: ‘Priorities’ by Marshall Solem, F’79 [email protected] ur ever-vigilant editor has been thing be lowered: not an easy trade-off on my case for a few weeks to to make. To do so requires some intro- O get this written. I’m a bit spection about why we’re involved in embarrassed, in fact, to confess that certain activities and organizations. my article was the last to make it to his For me, the experience of being desk in support of this Flame. No way involved in Sigma Phi is rich. (One of for the Chairman to comport himself, Webster’s definitions for ‘rich’ is deep, for crying out loud! intense, and delivering pleasurable quali- There’s a reason, of course. ties.) I thoroughly enjoy my interaction (There are always reasons in my life. with Sigs across generations. I learn Yours, too?) I am blessed to work for a something new from my brothers all company that continues to grow the time, and the variety of our dia- through these difficult economic logues and shared perspectives is times. Our cautious strategy regarding always fresh and rewarding. I get Marshall Solem, F’79 hiring while growing has put a lot of charged up and energized being back pressure on everyone at the firm, from on campus visiting our chapters. Is in a small way) on a more frequent top to bottom. there anything more fun and exhilarat- basis – so the realization of these bene- While my ‘busyness’ is the truth, ing than being back on campus on a fits stays front-and-center in our minds. it’s an Al Gore kind of truth: inconven- fall Saturday? Perhaps it’s a feeling of As we enter the season of giving in ient, as my wife reminded me on a recapturing some of our youth, delu- 2010 – and with absolutely no regard recent Saturday when she asked me sional as that fleeting feeling may be! for dollars or for dues – I recommend when (if?) I was going to quit working On a deeper and a far more authentic giving just a little bit more … to the and join the rest of the family for the level, I know that my involvement – Thrice Illustrious. The difference our activities we’d planned. Ultimately, I just like yours – helps perpetuate an personal efforts can make in our chap- delivered ‘the best of both worlds’ by organization which builds character ters and/or in the larger Society is finishing this message at my two girls’ and offers so many growth opportuni- dramatic. There’s no such thing as too swim meet, which provided me and my ties for young men. Those efforts con- much alumni care, input and involve- laptop adequate time between events tribute, I believe, to a one-of-a-kind ment … on any Sig campus or in any to put on the finishing flourish. men’s organization which has certainly leadership group. Best of all, it’s a As I reflect on my conflicted but stood the test of time. two-way gift, with a great return for perhaps common saga, it seems like The other thing I’ve realized is each and every giver. a microcosm of at least one of the that the more often I’m actively Precisely because our ‘busyness’ is challenges Sigma Phi faces both engaged with Sigma Phi, the clearer both inescapable and inconvenient in nationally and locally – our alumni these benefits become. So, perhaps the these demanding times, the response volunteers are so busy with demanding best way to elevate Sigma Phi on our we make to Sigma Phi is that much daily lives that Sigma Phi often gets priority list is to stay involved (even if more important … and rewarding. put on the back burner. So, how do we change this? If I knew the right Sigma Phi answer, of course, I wouldn’t The Sigma Phi Flame is published twice yearly by the Sigma Phi Society. be getting nearly as many terse e-mails from our editor! Please direct all inquiries, suggestions, photos and changes of address to I do have a few thoughts on Sigma Phi National Headquarters, the matters, however. Post Office Box 4633 I’m certain a big part of Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4633. the solution is rearranging EDITOR: MIKE IMIRIE M’69 our priorities and elevating [email protected] Sigma Phi on our respective NORTH-AMERICAN priority lists. But, making INTERFRATERNITY such a change is far easier CONFERENCE MEMBER said than done. Elevating one thing on the list neces- Sigma Phi Home Page: www.sigmaphi.org sarily requires that another DECEMBER 2010 PAGE 3 From the Secretary: ‘What’s Your Story?’ by Scott McCrae, V’82 [email protected] y wife bought me a belated them. Dare I say all? birthday present recently. It About halfway through the story M was a Bonsai tree and I was telling I was asked, “What’s your delighted to receive it. The beautiful story?” So I told them how I was invit- little tree came with a second present ed as a sophomore to the house for a which was a book teaching how to take coat and tie dinner by Ward care of it. I have since read much of Cunningham IV, V’81, a friend from the book and realize that these beauti- freshman year. Without telling me he ful little trees require a lot of care and was Greek, Ward conned me into get- work to keep them alive and healthy. I ting dressed up for a dinner at the was thinking how much these trees are place that he currently lived. I walked like our active Sigma Phi chapters. over to 420 College Street and – when Instead of pruning and watering, our I saw the Sigma Phi house – I froze. I chapters require insurance, mainte- didn’t know Ward was in a fraternity Scott McCrae, V’82 nance and active participation from and I was intimidated by the majesty of alumni. the Sig house. I was getting ready to moment was in my life. If I had decid- Mike Imirie, M’69, and I had a turn around and “beat feet it” back to ed to beat a hasty retreat when I first chance to play the role of the “caretak- the dorm when I heard a friendly recognized Ward’s home as a fraterni- ers” a month ago while facilitating a voice calling to me from the Sig house ty, who knows how my life might have recruiting program as part of the lawn. Ward was washing his car (a late changed? My point in making this National Convention’s Undergraduate ’70s Grand Prix called “The Mint statement is for us all to think about Workshop. That Friday afternoon, we Mobile”) and motioned for me to our stories and how one little event engaged the actives on how to recruit come on over. Trapped! could have caused us to take a very dif- in today’s college environment. One of He brought me inside to intro- ferent path. In the recruitment work- the best ways to recruit is to be able to duce me to his friends and I have to shop, I shared this with the undergrad- relate your personal story as to why say I did not expect what I saw. First, uates. In very short order, they got this you became a Sig in a salient way. With the house was beautiful with the smells truth: that recruiting well takes a com- a little editing, one can put together a of bounteous repast emanating from mitment to make sure we don’t miss pretty convincing argument for the the lower regions. Secondly, there out on the guy who could be your best merits of the Society. The best part were several 70 year old men mixing friend forever … or your best man … about this exercise, though, was listen- with the brotherhood. Ward quickly or the business partner with whom you ing to the undergraduates tell their introduced me to Chet Eaton, V’30, launch the next Google. stories. It wasn’t just the content of and Bob Pond, V’40, and I was quickly Recruitment really is and has their stories but the excitement with made to feel at home. You all know always been the heart and soul of which they told them. It was obviously the story from here. our beloved Society. I believe it is a life-changing event for many of It is amazing how pivotal that incumbent on all of us to support and encourage our Kudos & Thanks … chapters to hone these skills. It takes … to the following Sigs for their articles, information or encouragement a little care on our supporting this issue of the Flame: Todd Campau, M’88, Jeff Chandler, parts but, as illustrat- H’08, Tex Currie, I’72, James Dong, I’09, Ax Hayssen, V’09, Gregor ed above, the per- Nelson, I’76, Dan Neumann, F’71, Robert Orr, V’67, David Pauls, M’65, sonal upside and John Rawley, V’05 & Jack Romaine, L’90. Special thanks must go to membership rewards Rick Bingham, V’87, for sharing his stellar photos of Convention ’10! are tremendous. Issue after issue, we solicit real Sig perspectives from real Sigs. Just like having a Each shared viewpoint improves the quality and readability of Society Bonsai tree, a little communications. Each one is a genuine gift to Sig readers, coast to coast: care taking and a personal testimonial about brotherhood and this Society’s continuing support can yield a imprint on each of us.