Chapter Retreats

[caddd365]

Hey James,
Well my chapter has one every year right before the school year begins, like about 2-3 weeks before, we cover the up coming year, our mission statement, recruiment, by-laws, policies, make the scrapbook, and get reacquainted with everyone we haven't seen for the past months. It lasts about 3 days, it is really great, because it is perfect to get back into the swing of things! They would be even better if you could incorporated every officer to have a bit of time to go over thier plans for the school year
Hope this helps!

[James]

This topic is so we can share ideas about Chapter Retreats.

Specifically:

Do you have them?

When do you have them?

What topics do you cover?

Do you have a written record thats distributed?

How long do they tend to be?

How helpful have you found them?

What suggestions do you have to make them more helpful?

[James]

Would it be safe to say from the lack of responses that most of your chapters don't really utilize a retreat?

Please post if you don't really use one . . . I would be interested to know.

[LeslieEMU]

Hey James...

My chapter does an overnight retreat in the winter semester. It's kind of informal; there isn't an itinerary(sp?) or anything. It's just a chance to kick back and get to know each other better. It's really great for the girls we get during winter open recruitment because they get to see everyone together and meet sisters that they haven't met yet. We play silly games, and usually something like truth/dare or I never, which tells us more than we every wanted to know about certain sisters.

[Tom Earp]

James, we as a growing Alum Group started having a retreat last year for a work weekend between Alums and the Active Chapter.
This was basically to give them the experience of what we went through while in school.
We discuss, rushing, marking themselves on campus (Advertising), educatiing not only the current Actives but how to show possible rushees about our Chapter and International. We discuss how important grades and community invlovement is!

Many times, the active chapter is to busy in their own little world to realize that one of the main things are is to get new members to keep the chapter alive.
I am in hopes that is what we are as Alums are trying to aid with!
All Alums should think about this as I for one would not go back to my Shool if not for My Fraternity!

------------------
Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

[SoCalGirl]

My chapter has 3 a year. Fall/Winter/Spring

Fall--Rush Retreat, usually this'll consist of an overnighter to kick it off. It starts the night before everyone has to move on campus. Then about a week more of workshops. From the time retreats start to when Formal Rush starts, we'll get maybe 2 days off.

Winter--Sisterhood Retreat, depending on the calender this can be a one day thing or an overnight trip.

Ritual--usually a one day thing. Spring is hectic w/ philanthropies so not much time for other stuff.

For Rush retreat there's usually thick packets handed out. They'll have everything we need to know for rush. Like times, dates, locations, etc, etc, etc.

For Sisterhood retreats songs might be distributed but that's pretty much it. We do tons of team/sisterhood building activities. We'll also do crafts and make lil souvenoirs.

For Ritual retreats any thing that is handed out is usually numbered and everything must be checked back in before we leave. These retreats consist mainly of discussions of why ritual is important, why we should know it, and trying to memorize it all.

[Thrillhouse]

James, we had one in the fall and winter. It was totaly about buisiness and bonding. Ours were utilized well in terms of planning etc.

[Pike4Life]

My chapter typically has three types of retreats - Executive, Brotherhood, Pledge -- that are held at various times throughout the year.

The Executive Council Retreat is held in late summer (next weekend to be exact) to plan for Fall, and then again in January just before Spring semester starts. The Jan. retreat is usually the officer transition retreat where the outgoing officers and incoming officers meet, trade notebooks, dicuss their positions, and work on the semester plans.

Brotherhood Retreats can be called for several reasons - Rush planning, general bonding, Chapter house workday, etc. These give all Brothers a chance to get away and spend time with other Brothers.

Pledge Retreats are usually held at least once a semester, but sometimes twice. Normally, the first is just after Rush is completed to help the pledge class meet each other and become comfortable; and the second is usually held the weekend before Initiation Week starts to make sure everyone is prepared.

[Wooglin4Ever]

We have quite a few a year. Right before each semester begings we have an EC retreat. The EC usually rents a cabin in the state park near by and they go over the calander for the upcoming semester decide if there are any chair positions in the house that need to be changed, etc. Then we have a retreat once a semester that is for everyone. It takes up the whole weekend and is not really buisness related. It's more about building brotherhood. Starting Friday night until sunday morning we do everthing together. We do a lot of leadership and team building excercises and we then at night we all go out and do something together. When we go out at night though we keep it alcohol free. We usually just go bowling or all go to a movie together. We do this about a month into each sememster so the new pledges get a chance to know each other and the actives. About half of the time the actives and pledges are split up and the pledges do their own thing. By the end of the weekend you would be amazed how close you feel to your brothers.

[James]

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