In 2012, Phi Delta Theta’s nationals came to the Oregon Alpha chapter to ensure that the fraternity was abiding by it’s values. Unfortunately, a vast majority of the house was not and a shockingly small number of men remained. Now, the current men of the Oregon Alpha chapter must work diligently to recruit men and keep their charter.
Phi Delta Theta is one of Oregon’s smallest chartered fraternities with 39 official members. This winter, the fraternity is taking advantage of the opportunity to expand their organization by recruiting more members.
Phi Delt, as it is commonly known, has so few members because, in 2012, the chapter went under membership reviews, said junior rush chair Taran Hughes . As a result of the membership review, the fraternity was left with 12 members, a very small number of members compared to most chapters.
Membership reviews are when a chapter’s national leaders visit and ensure that members of that organization are sticking to the fraternity’s values and abiding by the fraternity’s policies. For Phi Delt in 2012, members were forced to no longer be a part of the organization due to lack of recruiting and members not sticking to the fraternities values which are sound learning, more rectitude and friendship.
Always keeping in mind that growth is a priority, members of the organization do their best to recruit members of different ages.
“It can be scary for the chapter if too many members are in one grade and graduate at the same time,” Hughes said. “It puts more of an emphasis on recruiting lots of different types of men.”
With growth as a basic need to continue existing, the fraternity can face challenges.
“It’s definitely more of a challenge (having fewer members), but it allows you to sell other things,” Hughes said.
The fraternity sells the idea of close relationships with brothers, and a more personal feel overall to potential new members.
Freshman Trevyn Vermilyer is one of these new members who likes the idea of a smaller group of brothers.
“Keeps it really close knit,” Vermilyer said.
The fraternity does not see winter recruitment as a negative thing, but rather as another opportunity to find quality men on campus.
Phi Delta Theta’s new member goal this term is five men, but the organization won’t accept just anyone.
According to their rush chair, they are looking for “well-rounded men who will be good brothers.”
Recruiting members in the winter can have negative stigmas and can give the stereotype that a fraternity is not successful. But Phi Delta Theta has proven that it can constantly grow and, by taking advantage of more recruitment opportunities, they can find more quality men.
President of Phi Delta Theta Alexander Davis said, “It’s a time to capitalize on a lot of guys making the decision to go through recruitment, and having the extra time to show those guys our fraternity and what we’re about.”