Summer 2016
Brothers:
My name is Jackson Bandy and I am proud to be serving as the current undergraduate president of Alpha Delta Phi at Miami. I am writing today to ask for your support for the fund drive currently underway.
I’m pleased to report that Alpha Delta Phi is one of the strongest fraternities at Miami. In the past few years our GPA ranked in the top 3 fraternities several times and we have won Greek Week more than once. Our 120 members support our strong sports, philanthropic, social and literary programs.
But we also know this kind of strength can change over time. As our Realty Board leaders sometimes remind us, and as we see at other fraternities on campus, we know that the condition of the fraternity house is a major influence on the chapter. A fourth of our brothers occupy the house, and a majority of those involved with the fraternity visit the house on a weekly basis for chapter or social reasons. When the house is in its best state fraternal morale is noticeably higher and apathy is diminished.
When there are issues in the house that are beyond the scope of what we're able to repair, protect, clean, etc., unfortunately we begin contributing to the problems more. The projects and tasks we do have control over become prioritized less, as people view the house as something that only needs kept up to a certain standard, due to everlasting issues that prevent it from reaching the full potential of a home.
This is where fraternity-wide apathy may begin to arise again, and the effects spread, gradually but increasingly, to any area or process of the fraternity you can name. When that starts to happen, the chapter officers need to work diligently to provide leadership from the inside. But support from outside – contributions, expertise, advice – is extremely important as well. That’s why we’re glad that the Realty Board and our wider group of alumni are there to turn to.
Some years ago, Alpha Delta Phi reached the "low end of the spectrum" and the chapter had to close and the house be completely renovated. We are nowhere near that now; more important, we now understand how to make sure we don’t step back in that direction. That’s why your contributions won’t just help fix our rotten plumbing, they will keep our brotherhood strong. Good can always become better.
You can read more about the chapter and the plumbing project in the attached report. We appreciate your input and we’re glad to host you on campus at any time. Thank you for considering a contribution.
Xaipe,
Jackson Bandy '17
Chapter President