Expansion Manual

SAMPLE CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES FOR A FARMHOUSE INTEREST GROUP/COLONY

Several things will have bearing upon the actual order of events and timetable which a colony follows in planning its own calendar of events. Things such as the date in the term in which the interest group is founded, the enthusiasm of the men, the cooperation of the alumni, and the location of common housing are all variables which will have to be considered. Even such factors as the kind of rush system used on a particular campus and an existing chapter's preference as to when to elect officers will impact the calendar.

Since there are varied dates when schools begin classes, recess, and finish the school year, this calendar is in a first week, second week, etc., format. Interest groups, colonies, and chapters are encouraged to use this sample as a guide for developing calendars of activities that more specifically suit their own situations.

First Week                

1. First Group Meeting
                * Use this meeting to get acquainted with other members
                * Discuss the need, nature, and purposes of fraternity, and
                  more precisely of FarmHouse Fraternity
                * Appoint a committee (2-3 men) to prepare for the next
                  meeting (location, refreshments, recreational activity, etc.)
                * Plan a Retreat to be taken soon.

2. Conduct informal social/recreational activity

Second Week          

1. Second Group Meeting
                * Discuss responsibilities of the group (Rush, By-Laws,
                   Alumni Relations, Social Activities, Pledge Education, Other
                   activities)
                * Have nominations for officers
                * Review information for next week's Pledge Quiz** (names,
                   classification, hometowns, and majors of all members)
                * Appoint a committee (2-3 men) to prepare for next meeting
                  (location, refreshments, recreational activity, etc.)

** While there are some negative connotations to the term "Pledge Quiz", it is very important that the Interest Group members begin early in the life of the group to gain a knowledge of one another and of the history, goals and objectives of FarmHouse. Without such, it is very difficult for the group to be able to lead those who come after them (new pledges) to an understanding and appreciation of FarmHouse. The knowledge of fellow members and of FarmHouse are two essential points in any Pledge Education Program. While "Quizzes" are not a perfect instrument to measure one's knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for FarmHouse, they are able to give some indication of these.

Third Week              

 1. Third Group Meeting
                * Elect temporary officers
                * Appoint or accept volunteers or delegate responsibilities for
                                    a) Rush
                                    b) By-laws
                                    c) Alumni Relations
                                    d) Social Activities
                                    e) Pledge Education
                                     f) Other activities

                  * Review information for next week's Pledge Quiz
                    (FarmHouse Object)

                  * Adjourn meeting and administer first Pledge Quiz

2. Conduct informal social/recreational activity

3. Attend church as a group

Fourth Week              

1. Fourth Group Meeting

                   * Discuss tentative budget and local dues structure

                   * Delegate any other pertinent responsibilities

                   * Review materials from last weeks Pledge Quiz and for next
                     week's Pledge Quiz (Pledge and Membership Handbook)

                   * Adjourn meeting and administer 2nd Pledge Quiz

2. Conduct a social activity with a sorority/women's fraternity or
    women's residence hall group

3. Correspond with International Fraternity Office in regard to
    group's progress

Fifth Week                

1. Fifth Group Meeting
                    * Explain Pledge Education program and the need for such**

                    * Adopt policy for recruitment of new members

                    * Begin constructive criticism for members

                    * Review materials from previous Pledge Quizzes and for next week's Pledge Quizzes

                    * Adjourn meeting and administer 3rd Pledge Quiz

** The members of the interest group/colony will have already been doing some the activities of the Pledge Education program up to this point (such as taking pledge quizzes covering FarmHouse history, objectives, etc.). The Pledge Education program as a whole and its purpose should be explained and discussed. By doing so the members will be prepared to evaluate it as time progresses and they can then lead the new "pledges" through the program at later dates.

1. Invite prospective new members (rushees) to informal social
    activity or organized recreational activity

2. Conduct informal social activity or organized recreational activity

3. Identify at least one new faculty member as a potential associate
    member

Sixth Week                

1. Sixth Group Meeting
                      * Discuss local By-laws

                      * Review materials from previous pledge Quizzes and for next week's pledge Quiz

                       * Adjourn meeting and administer 4th pledge Quiz

2. Begin personal contact and/or letter writing campaign to area alumni

3. Conduct a rush activity

4. Seek official university recognition as a student organization (if not already done)

Seventh Week          

1. Seventh Group Meeting
                  * Make plans to participate as a group in some university-wide function

                  * Review and adopt local by-laws

                  * Reexamine goals for the colony

                  * Review materials from previous pledge Quizzes and for next
                     week's pledge Quiz

                  * Adjourn meeting and administer 5th Pledge Quiz

2. Conduct a pledging ceremony for new members

3. Conduct informal or formal social or recreational activity among
    the members

Eighth Week

1. Eighth Group Meeting
                 * Conduct necessary business

                 * Review materials from previous Quizzes and next week's
                    pledge Quiz

2. Conduct a social/recreational activity with a sorority / women's
    fraternity or women's dorm floor

3. Correspond with International Fraternity Office in regard to
    group's progress

4. Attend church as a group

Weeks 9-12              

1. Continue weekly meetings

2. Continue Pledge Quizzes

3. Conduct a structured rush activity

4. Go to church as a group once per month

5. Participate in some form of university and/or IFC sponsored function

6. Have at least one Total Membership Education* activity

7. Conduct a planned social activity with a sorority / women's fraternity or women's dorm group

8. Continue weekly informal social activities among the members

9. Increase the number of group advisors to three (if not already
    done). Identify them from area alumni and faculty members who are
    prospective associate members

10. Correspond with the International Fraternity Office regarding the
      group's progress

11. Begin participation in intramural athletics (if the group hasn't
      already)

12. Conduct programming to encourage scholastic achievement

13. Conduct or engage in a community service project

14. (If ready) petition the International Executive Board for Colony
      status

15. Conduct a pledging ceremony for new members

16. Conduct at least one community service project

17. Conduct social activity with alumni and their wives

18. Identify prospective new associate members

Weeks 17-20 (After Christmas or Summer break)

19. Plan and conduct any activities # 1-18 as time allows due to
      Christmas and/or summer break

20. Conduct retreat or lock-in to evaluate progress and programs of
      the group, set new or reaffirm existing goals, and develop stronger
      bonds or brotherhood within the group

*Total Membership Education is a term used to describe activities designed to build men intellectually, spiritually, socially, morally, and physically, for as long as one is an undergraduate member of FarmHouse. Pledge Education activities are Total Membership Education activities, but pledgeship (by definition) is designed to help pledges to become good members, not good pledges. Pledgeship, therefore, ceases at some point. The FarmHouse education, however, does not stop upon a man's initiation into membership. Thus the need for "Total Membership Education" activities.

Summer Break        

1. Conduct at least one structured rush function for the purpose of
    attracting new members - especially freshmen

2. Conduct a "summer picnic" type activity with FarmHouse alumni
    and their families for the purpose of discussing the progress and/or
    establishment of a FarmHouse Association

3. Attend FarmHouse Conclave in even-numbered years.

4. Send a mass mailing to each incoming First-Year Student.

Weeks 21-24             1. Continue activities #1-18 as appropriate

                                   2. Insert new activities into group's calendar

Weeks 25-28             1. Continue activities #1-18 as appro-priate

                                   2. Publish the group's first newsletter to state
                                     and area alumni and members' parents

Weeks 29-32             1. Continue activities #1-18 as appro-priate

Weeks 33-36             1. Continue activities #1-18 as appropriate

                                    2. Conduct an audit of the colony's books

                                    3. Elect new officers

Upon completion of all requirements which a colony must meet to achieve chapter status, the colony should petition the International Executive Board for a charter. (See Article VI, "Establishment of Chapters", of the International Fraternity's By-Laws listed in this manual.)