Blog Articles written by Acacians
One of the Acacia alumni from IWU shared his blog with myself and others via our IWU forum. Made me think it would be a good idea to aggregate blogs written by Acacia members in one, or more, places. Thus, I invite you to submit a comment, with your blog title, address and focus, in the comment sections. Maybe someone will take this further and create some form of aggregator for these so more people read each of them. Mine is Tutor/Mentor Connection - Dan Bassill Illinois Wesleyan …
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This is a concept map created to show issues that rich and poor people face. They are mostly the same. However, rich people have more resources to help them overcome these challenges and poor people have fewer resources.
I received my Winter 2016 issue of the Acacia Fraternity today and see that the fraternity is doing many things to strengthen undergrad chapters, and their members, and engaging alumni in the effort.
This discussion group was started many years ago to support issues undergrads and alumni face in the real world, out of college. I'd like to see efforts by all fraternities to engage alumni in many of these issues, using on-line spaces like G+ communities to help groups form and focus on specific issues, in specific places. Maps like this could include links to such platforms and communities, helping others find them and join.
This is a map of my Facebook network in Nov 2012. One cluster shows Acacians from Illinois Wesleyan who I'm connected to. Another shows youth from the Cabrini Green area of Chicago who I'm connected to as a result of the tutor/mentor program I've led since 1975. My goal of social media is to connect people from many places with information and ideas build their involvement in efforts that help close the gaps between rich and poor in the world. Volunteer based tutor/mentor programs are one form of engagement that is important in this effort. What this map shows is that too few of my Acacia and my family are yet connecting with the tutor/mentor and social entrepreneur communities that I make available to them. I wonder how true this is for other Acacia chapters.
We've launched a public awareness and fund raising event, called Tutor/Mentor Jam, which will be held August 29 at the Darkroom in Chicago. One of the feature bands, The Usual Suspects, is led by Allen Redford, an IWU Acacia alum from the Rockford, Ill. area.
We'd like to mobilize support from alumni in the Chicago area, from many different chapters, and use this as an event to stimulate volunteer involvement by alumni in many tutor/mentor programs, in Chicago and in other cities.
Can you help?
October 23, 2009
Volume 3, Issue 6
Brother Rob Roberson Elected President of Acacia
On October 14, 2009, by a special vote of the International Council of Acacia Fraternity, Robert E. Roberson, Illinois Wesleyan '74, was elected the twenty-fourth President of Acacia Fraternity. Brother Roberson has been serving as Treasurer on the International Council since 2001, and will fulfill the remaining term of the office of President vacated due to the recent death of Brother David J. Allen.
In reaching out to the 6,500 brothers who will receive this Crest, Brother Roberson expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in him. "Brother Allen's death is a big loss to the Fraternity, but I know he would want us all to continue moving forward," said Roberson. "I am eager to continue serving the Fraternity in this new role. I look forward to working with all of you to better our Fraternity's record, and to continue establishing Acacia's place as a leader on our campuses."
Rob is excited about working with actives and alumni, with a particular focus on continuing to work to ensure the financial stability of the Fraternity, the refining and updating of Acacia's short and long-range goals and the further development and support of Acacia's new membership educational program, Cornerstones.
In beginning his new position, Brother Roberson also wants to recognize the donors who have continued to give their time and money to the Fraternity, and the chapters which are living up to their financial commitments. "Contributions in time and money are critical for our ongoing growth, and to ensuring the Fraternity's financial stability," said Roberson. "Alumni gifts have become an even more important aspect in the support of our Fraternity's operations. I would like to thank our many loyal donors for their unselfish and generous dedication to Acacia, and encourage our active chapters to remain diligent about their finances."
As prescribed by the Laws of Acacia, the Council has begun its search for an interim Treasurer to fill the opening left by Rob's acceptance of the President's position. The Council will be meeting again in early December. Rob and the rest of the Council also invite all Acacians to attend Acacia's 56th Biennial Conclave and Leadership Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana from August 4-8, 2010.
Fraternally,
Darold W. Larson
Executive Director
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Brother Roberson's Background
Brother Roberson attended Illinois Wesleyan University and was initiated into Acacia Fraternity on September 22, 1974, where he holds roll number 239. During his undergraduate years, Rob was both secretary and treasurer of his chapter.
After college, Rob went on to a career in the banking industry. From 1977-83, he was employed with the First National Bank of Nashville in Nashville, Illinois, where he served as vice president and compliance officer. In 1984, he began working for Farm Credit Services, working with that organization during the farming crisis of the mid '80s. In 1990, Rob began employment with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), where he currently holds the position of senior compliance examiner within the Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection.
During the years following his graduation, Rob dedicated time to his Illinois Wesleyan chapter, and in 1990, he became president of the Illinois Wesleyan Alumni Association, a post he held until 2006. Dedicating much time to the preservation and success and of his chapter, Rob also served one term as house corporation board president.
In addition to his Council service, Brother Roberson's work with the International Fraternity includes serving on the board of directors of the Acacia Fraternity Foundation from 1998-2001. Rob's efforts, both on the local and national level, have not gone unrecognized. He is a 1993 recipient of the Order of Pythagoras, a 2005 recipient of the Award of Merit, and in 2006 Rob received the George F. Patterson, Jr. Award.
Acacia Fraternity
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Brother Roberson has been a donor and supporter of the Tutor/Mentor Connection for more than 10 years.
If we can get some traction over the next couple of months our discussions here could draw attention, and volunteers, to tutor/mentor programs in the cities represented in the discussion.
Thanks for the feedback, and you're right! One of the best things about this new site (as opposed to the old one) is that it is going to be much easier to update with new information - so we definitely have that ability. Perhaps the two documents that you attached below would be appropriate???
Here are two articles that I encourage you to share with students and alumni of your Syracuse chapter
Students as leaders pdf
Role of Fraternities in building campus leadership teams
If you can enlist 2 or 3 students or alumni to view these and discuss them, and brainstorm ways they would apply these ideas, and benefits that would accrue to the fraternity, and the university as a result, you'd be on the way to making this happen.