Updated Coronavirus Advisory – March 20, 2020
Thank you for your continued leadership and support as our Fraternity, our campuses, our communities, our families – indeed, our country and the world – navigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As Past Regent Rawson Bennett (Kansas) said in 1920, “[Sigma Nu is] proud of what we have done, but [there] remains to us opportunity to do more.”
We want to make sure all collegiate and alumni Brothers and Candidates are aware of the steps the Fraternity has taken and will take to provide direct services and support to our collegiate chapters, alumni entities, and their leaders. We recognize these exceptional circumstances present operational and financial pressures for all. The Fraternity’s efforts will continue to be focused on protecting, strengthening, and advancing our honorable mission, now and in the future.
Specifically, and in addition to the measures already undertaken, the Fraternity will engage a three-phase effort over the next two weeks to provide ongoing services and support as we face these pressures together. We will continue to adjust our response plan based on new developments.
Phase One – Immediate and Ongoing Communication Needs
We will continue to provide time-sensitive updates directly to specific constituents as necessary. Those updates will be provided via email and then posted, along with all current and past coronavirus-related advisories and resources, on the Fraternity’s dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.
Phase Two – Resource Development
Most collegiate chapters and alumni entities are quickly transitioning to entirely remote operations. The Fraternity has created and launched numerous resources to assist in this transition, including supporting ongoing brother development, completing the current candidate education program, managing chapter finances, and guidance for house corporations. We also have a collection of external resources to assist collegiate chapters, alumni entities, and members impacted by the pandemic.
These resources can be found in the Fraternity Resources and External Resources sections of the Fraternity’s coronavirus webpage. Additional resources will continue to be developed and published on the webpage. We encourage you to make use of these resources and urge all Brothers to continue to participate in this new environment and be supportive of the chapter during this time.
Phase Three – Collegiate Chapter and Volunteer Support
General Fraternity staff will begin direct outreach to collegiate chapter Commanders, Treasurers, Chapter Advisors, Alumni Advisory Board Chairmen, House Corporation Presidents, and Division Commanders. That outreach will include the following:
- Fraternity staff have been and will continue over the next 10-14 days, communicating directly with the Commander and Treasurer of each collegiate chapter to check-in, provide support, and answer questions. During this outreach, Fraternity staff will gather information about the unique operational and financial circumstances of each chapter. The Fraternity’s support will then be tailored to meet the unique needs of each chapter.
- Division Commanders are invited to attend a conference call with Fraternity staff to be held Wednesday, March 25th at 5:00 p.m. ET. More information, including login instructions, will be communicated directly to Division Commanders.
- Chapter Advisors, Alumni Advisory Board Chairmen, and House Corporation Presidents are invited to attend one of our advisor support webinars to be held Monday, March 30th at 5:00 p.m. ET and Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. ET. All volunteers are welcome to join. More information will be communicated directly to volunteers about these upcoming webinars.
As always, the Fraternity’s staff team is available to answer questions and provide support as needs arise. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at headquarters@sigmanu.org or (540) 463-1869.
Working together, Sigma Nu will weather this storm, as we have storms of the past; we will prevail relying on the strength, commitment, and perseverance of each Brother of The Legion of Honor.
Fraternally,
Brad Beacham (Texas Christian)
Executive Director