Activity

Throughout the Chapter Leadership Guide, we have stressed the importance of maintaining a smooth running internal organization. As you know, obtaining the status of "an excellent chapter" takes the combined efforts of every member. However, there is more to being in a Fraternity than making sure internal operations are in top shape. Fraternities also need to work on maintaining a strong commitment to activities outside the Fraternity. This is where you and your involvement in the activities committee come into play. As you may already know, Delta Tau Delta prides itself on having a strong reputation for total commitment in every aspect of the Fraternity. As a member of the activities committee, you are responsible for upholding this reputation. You may be asking yourself, "Why are extracurricular activities so vital to the Fraternity?" The answer is simple. A chapter that engages in all areas of the university and community builds campus prestige. A chapter that has a good reputation on campus attracts more individuals to the organization; therefore, the chapter continues to grow. Your primary responsibility as a member of the activities committee, therefore, is to encourage interest and participation in extracurricular activities of the chapter.

Duties of the Activities Committee

In this section you will learn the basic duties of the committee. The activities committee, first and foremost, is responsible for developing a program of scheduled events for the chapter. This program gives the committee a good starting ground for what the chapter should accomplish.

Once it has formulated the program, the committee must begin to commit to certain activities. In making this commitment, the committee must carefully analyze the interests and capabilities of each chapter member. You don't want the committee scheduling activities that no one will enjoy.

After you've determined the activities your chapter is going to pursue, your committee will need to ensure participation in these events. Begin by explaining to the members how they can benefit from participation. For instance, you can explain that participation facilitates brotherhood, individual success, and ultimately a stronger chapter bond among members.

Maintain a Balance

Although participation in several activities contributes wonderful benefits to the Fraternity, always remember to maintain a balance between the internal and external activities of the chapter. You don't want the members to dedicate so much time to extracurricular activities that your internal structure begins to suffer. A successful chapter is strong in both internal and external activities.

PURPOSE

The activities committee is created for the purpose of encouraging interest and participation in extracurricular activities by the chapter. It shall advance a program by which proper balance is maintained between chapter and extracurricular activities.

THE COMMITTEE

The chairman of the activities committee will be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the chapter. It is recommended that one member of the committee be charged with the duty of directing individual participation in extracurricular events, one member be charged with the duty of directing participation in intramural sports, and one member be charged with the duty of directing participation in other activities.

DUTIES OF THE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

The duties of the activities committee normally include the following:

1. Formulate a chapter calendar for the year.

2. Ascertain extracurricular talents and interest of members and pledges and direct their entrance into appropriate activities.

3. Direct the participation of the chapter in all intramural activities.

WHY HAVE AN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE?

Chapter participation in interfraternity and extracurricular competition is imperative to campus prestige. The success or failure of the chapter in these pursuits serves largely as the criterion by which the actual success or failure of the chapter itself is measured. The responsibility for directing a successful extracurricular program lies primarily with the activities committee.

PROGRAM

First, the activities committee should formulate a well rounded program which will serve as an outline for it to follow. Next, the committee should conduct a careful analysis of the members and pledges of the chapter in an effort to determine the interests and capabilities of each. The committee should then do all it can to instill in the members and pledges a desire to succeed in the respective activities. Finally, the activities committee should offer any assistance necessary to facilitate the success of the individual members and pledges and, ultimately, the chapter.

SECURING PARTICIPATION

Methods for securing participation by the members and pledges in the activities program will vary greatly, depending upon the respective natures of the activity, school, and individual. With this in mind, it is recommended that participation in extracurricular activities remain on a quasi-voluntary basis and be secured through tact rather than by mandate. It is suggested that the activities committee meet with the pledges of the chapter early in the year and explain to them all of the activities and activity groups on the campus. It shall be the duty of the activities committee members to be thoroughly familiar with all of these activities. Individual participation should then be encouraged by illustrating to the pledge the advantages to be gained by the individual and the chapter through participation in these activities.

HONORARIES

Many honoraries exist on all college campuses throughout the country. The activities committee should make a careful survey to determine which are worthwhile and have benefits to offer to men initiated into their order and should bring this information to light before the members and pledges of the chapter. The committee should encourage members and pledges to work toward initiation into those honoraries which represent bona fide achievement.

INTRAMURAL ATHLETICS

The committee member charged with the duty of directing participation in intramural athletics has a very important job. It is his responsibility to see that all members and pledges participate in the program and that those who are not actively engaged attend the events and support the participants. Wholehearted support of intramural athletics is an indication of chapter solidarity and spirit. Each cup won by the chapter represents achievement and serves as tangible evidence of closely-knit cooperation of the chapter.

SUMMARY

The chapter should participate in as many university-supported extra-curricular activities as possible. Among the events customary on most campuses are interfraternity athletics of all types, interfraternity sings, homecoming competition, carnivals, and many others. Even though the intramural program of the college or university requires a great diversity of talents, the activities committee should be able to represent the chapter in each event. Through careful planning, complete success should be achievable.

A word of caution is required. The importance of campus honors can be overemphasized in a chapter; many honors are of superficial value and not worth the time which they consume. If pursuit of campus honors calls for the sacrifice of time needed for study, the individual should be advised to withdraw from extracurricular participation. Many individuals have neither the qualities, nor the potential, nor the interest required for success in campus activities. An astute activities committee should be quick to discover such deficiencies and should encourage the individual to become skilled in the work required within the chapter. Every member and pledge has a job to do for the chapter and the Fraternity, whether it be external, internal, or a combination of both; and the activities committee should assist the members and pledges in finding what that job shall be.