Acacia Fraternity Foundation Seeks Director of Development
Conclave 2008, Louisville, KY: Raising the Stakes
New Century Campaign Poised for the New Year
Louisiana Tech Colony Forges Ahead
Headquarters Bolsters Staff Size and Capabilities
Acacia Fraternity Foundation Seeks Director of Development
Job Description:
Founded in 1904, Acacia Fraternity is a men's college social fraternity with chapters in Canada and the U.S. Acacia is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference with International Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Acacia Fraternity Foundation was established in 1989 to support the educational activities of Acacia Fraternity and raise funds for scholarships and educational programs. The Foundation shares staff with the fraternity.
The Foundation has begun implementation of a $5 million capital campaign to endow its existing programs and fund Acacia Fraternity's new, comprehensive Cornerstones member development program for undergraduate members.
The Foundation is seeking an experienced professional to manage and lead all aspects of its capital campaign, including working with alumni volunteers and fraternity staff, final preparation of the campaign case materials, donor development, campaign communications, visits with top tier campaign prospects and all other elements of campaign planning and implementation.
The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director and Board of Directors of the Foundation.
Upon the successful completion of the capital campaign, the duties of the Director of Development may be expanded to include the Foundation's current annual giving program and creating an ongoing comprehensive fund development program, with emphasis on developing a major gifts and planned giving program.
Position available immediately.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required
- Minimum of 3-5 years demonstrated successful experience in fund development, preferably capital campaign management
- Experience as a member of a college social fraternity is desired (but not required)
- Certification and/or completion of fund development training with recognized fund development associations is desired
- References will be required
How To Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit a letter of application stating qualifications; a current resume; and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three references to Executive Director Darold Larson via e-mail (by clicking the link above), or by mail at:
Acacia Fraternity
International Headquarters
8777 Purdue Road
Suite 225
Indianapolis, IN 46268
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Conclave 2008, Louisville, KY: Raising the Stakes
And we're off! Members of Acacia Fraternity will be racing for the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, to celebrate our 55th Biennial Conclave and Leadership Academy. The dates for this year's event are August 6-10, 2008. All Acacia undergraduates, actives as well as pledges, and alumni may attend.
The Brown Hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city, just two blocks from the city's exciting new entertainment district, 4th Street Live! Moments from the beautiful Waterfront Park, exciting racing at historic Churchill Downs and only blocks from the Home of the Louisville Slugger - you'll appreciate the convenience of the Brown. Other downtown attractions include the Kentucky Derby Museum, Frazier Historical Arms Museum, Muhammad Ali Center, IMAX Theater, Slugger Field and the Belle of Louisville. Conclave is sure to offer something to all Acacians, young and old alike!
Conclave registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2008. The first official event will be the Ritual Opening and First Business Session beginning at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. All delegates must be in attendance for this session. Jacket and tie are requested for all business sessions. The Conclave will conclude on Saturday evening, August 9th, with the Final Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Checkout and departure are the next morning, August 10th, by 11:00 a.m.
Rooms for the Conclave are being held through July 15, 2008. To ensure a room, your reservation must be made prior to that time. Late hotel reservations are subject to availability. When you make your hotel reservation, please be sure to note that you are with Acacia Fraternity. The special Conclave room rates represent an exceptional bargain. They are $119.00 for 1 to 4 occupants.
Online registration is now available on the hotel’s website here. For further information regarding hotel service, please call the Brown Hotel at (888) 888-5252.
If you are flying into Louisville, the airport is just six miles away and hotel guests enjoy complimentary van shuttle service to and from the airport.
A full agenda of educational sessions is planned as Acacia strives to “Raise the Stakes.” We began a continual chapter planning process at the 2004 Conclave with the adoption of our Rising to the Challenge Strategic Plan. One of the results of this plan has been the implementation of our newest initiative, Cornerstones. Along with new information on this program will be included topics for improving chapter operations, membership recruitment, personal development and accountability and risk management. With over 250 Acacians in attendance, the Conclave offers many opportunities to share ideas in a most fraternal and comfortable atmosphere.
For further information, please call us at (888) 345-1904.
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New Century Campaign Poised for the New Year
As Acacia Fraternity began its second century of brotherhood, Acacia leaders committed to strengthen the Fraternity by strengthening alumni relationships. For the past two years, Acacia leaders have been traveling the country reaching out to alumni of all chapters and eras.
These travels have provided a powerful insight into the importance of Acacia Fraternity and the impact it has made on many of our brothers. We have met with alumni from various walks of life: a dentist from Purdue, insurance executive from Minnesota, family business owner from Oregon State, lawyer from Texas, and a vintage car enthusiast from Cornell. And this just brushes the surface.
Each of these men have given their time to learn about the New Century Campaign and help us shape the future of Acacia Fraternity. To date, we have met personally with over 100 alumni and shared the campaign’s vision with several hundred more at local and regional events.
Over the coming months, we will be launching the next phase of the campaign that seeks to attract the leadership and involvement of even more alumni. You can expect to see a rising level of communication throughout 2008. We look forward to what promises to be a transformational year.
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Louisiana Tech Colony Forges Ahead
December 2007 marked another victory for Acacia. The Fraternity was granted associate membership status on the Louisiana Tech University campus. The Louisiana Tech journey began at the beginning of the fall 2007 semester. The International Headquarters was contacted by a small group of men interested in starting a new chapter of Acacia on their campus. As the semester progressed, the group was able to add more interested parties and by early November, there were 10 men ready to bring Acacia to campus.
In November, the group was recognized by the university as a Student Organization, the first step in recognition by the IFC as a fraternal organization. During this time, the group was active in all areas. They identified the Ruston Food Bank as their chapter philanthropy and have been volunteering monthly to assist this organization. They also secured a chapter house and were able to move in after the Thanksgiving holiday. Due to their efforts, the university invited Acacia to make a presentation to the IFC and President’s Council for full recognition. On December 10, 2007, a presentation was made and the group was unanimously voted to become an associate member of the IFC. The colony is now participating in all events and becoming an integral part of the Greek community at Louisiana Tech University.
The Louisiana Tech colony members are currently holding informal recruitment and plan to participate in the formal spring recruitment in March. In February, the Founding Fathers will begin their membership education with plans for initiation in early April. Visit the chapter website at www.techacacia.com
If you have rush recommendations for our newest colony, please forward them to:
Keith Bushey, Assistant Executive Director
Acacia Fraternity Headquarters
kbushey@acacia.org
Stephen Johnston, Venerable Dean
Louisiana Tech Colony
smj027@latech.edu
Jason Fossella, Recruitment Chairman
Louisiana Tech Colony
jcfossella@gmail.com
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Headquarters Bolsters Staff Size and Capabilities
Michael Pastko, Purdue, ’04, joined the Acacia Headquarters staff in June 2007. Pastko served his chapter as Venerable Dean, Secretary, and in numerous other positions. He was voted as Executive Officer of the Year in 2005. Pastko received Acacia Fraternity Foundation Scholarships and Leonard E. Wood Scholarships during his time as an active member.
Outside of Acacia, Pastko served on the Interfraternity Council Board of Directors as the Director of Academics. He also served as team leader for Boiler Gold Rush, Purdue’s freshmen orientation program. In recognition of his contributions to the University, his academic success, and particularly his involvement in the Greek community, Pastko was selected as the Outstanding Greek Senior of the Year in 2007.
Inside the classroom, Pastko was a Computer Graphics Technology major. He received several awards and honors for success in his field including the Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Pastko graduated With Distinction in May 2007.
Combining a breadth of experience in both the fraternity world and the computer graphics realm, Pastko currently serves Acacia Headquarters as both Director of Communications and Co-Director of Membership Development.
Acacia welcomes Eric D. Wheeler, Northwestern Oklahoma State, ’03, as its newest leadership consultant on staff. Wheeler graduated in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications. As an undergraduate, he served as Venerable Dean and also took an active role serving on various committees within his chapter. Wheeler is an Acacia Fraternity Foundation Scholarship recipient and has received both the Brother of the Year Award and Advisor’s Award – the highest awards at the Northwestern Oklahoma State chapter.
Wheeler was very active in several organizations on campus during his undergraduate studies. He was in both the band and jazz band playing trumpet. He ran on the NWOSU cross-country team all four years and was a member of Phi Delta Music Society, Cardinal Key Honor Society and Student Government Association (SGA).
While in SGA, Wheeler served as Vice President for one term and President for one term. He also served as chairman for several committees within SGA. Wheeler served on several university committees including homecoming and the presidential investiture committees. Perhaps Wheeler’s highest honor as an undergraduate was being selected by the university’s President to represent NWOSU at the George and Donna Nigh Leadership Academy.
Some of Wheeler’s achievements outside of college include marching with Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps from 2003 – 2006, running and finishing the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in 2006, and holding an internship with Yum! Brands, Inc. in Louisville, KY.
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Cornerstones Provides New Mentoring Pathway
At one time or another, each Acacia brother has experienced the benefit of connecting with another Acacian to share talents, insight, and brotherhood. As a fraternity, we recognize the importance in our quest to “seek the truth and knowing it, to give light to those with whom we may be associated as we travel along life’s pathway.”
When we give our time to better our Fraternity and guide our brothers, we are fulfilling our purpose as stated in the preamble to Acacia’s constitution. Hence we see Cornerstones not so much as a new idea in our Fraternity, but as a recommitment to living our mission. Utilizing emerging technology, we are connecting alumni with active members and creating new opportunities to give light to our brothers.
One goal of the program, and of our “Rising to the Challenge” Strategic Plan, is to involve 200 new alumni volunteers. We have created two new alumni positions that will be involved with the Cornerstones program: Level Advisors and Career Development Mentors. We’re asking for your participation as a Career Development Mentor (CDM) to help us surpass our goal. As you help us populate an online directory of alumni volunteers, you may serve as a professional mentor to one of our undergraduates in a Cornerstones pilot chapter. Only members who are actively participating in the program will be granted access to contact a CDM through a Level Advisor. For further explanation of these positions, you may view the Program Manual PDF by clicking here.
Think back to your college years and how valuable the advice of an older brother in your chosen profession would have been. As our Fraternity moves forward, help us build a brotherhood that delivers on its promise of developing great young leaders. Please visit our website at www.gatesofsamos.org for more information.
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A Few Good Men
As summer approaches, many high school seniors are looking forward to graduation, a break from school, and the excitement of attending college. This period of life can prove to be one of both excitement and unease. The prospect of moving to college, being away from family, and trying to forge new friendships can create some apprehension for many college freshman.
Do you remember how you felt as you arrived on campus, getting ready to start a new chapter in your life? What was it that led you to the doorsteps of Acacia? Were you looking for a new group of friends? Were you looking to find a way to be a leader on campus? No matter the reason, it's certain that you found lifelong friends, and a place that provided for an enjoyable social life and academic success.
Hopefully, you are now thinking back to that first year of college, and the enjoyment that being an Acacian brought. With this in mind, please, take the time to think if you have a son or relative — or know of a friend's son or relative — that will be attending college this next fall. If you know of someone, we ask that you share with him the idea of joining Acacia Fraternity, and that you share his information with us by filling out our online Rush Prospect form by clicking here.
This information will help the Fraternity to continue its pursuit to provide college men an enjoyable collegiate and fraternal experience.
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