Founding Father

Cover Profile:
Founding Father
Greek leader helped start new chapter
by Jennifer Lind, associate editor

     Jeff Parks has 35 brothers. Like any other tight-knit family, they share common goals and support each other. However, unlike most conventional siblings none of them are related. They share a bond created by their involvement in the Beta Gamma Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity at Youngstown State University in Ohio.
     Parks, a YSU senior, not only is president of the fraternity but also is one of the founding fathers. “I had the opportunity to help found the group last year along with several other men after we decided that the time had come for a new fraternity on campus that provided opportunities not available at the time,” Parks says.
     His interest in Greek life started as a freshman. “I had looked into it—there was certainly no lack of recruitment efforts,” says Parks, 21. “None were a right fit. I had an idea in mind of what I hoped to get out of it. I was kind of looking for a chance to meet new people and beyond that, find some opportunities to explore different parts of college life.” All of the fraternities had some of the aspects he was looking for, but none had all of them. “I already had opportunities to meet people. I wasn’t trying to fill a void, so I didn’t give it much more thought.”
     In January 2000, Douglas Bernier, director of chapter development for Sigma Tau Gamma, visited YSU hoping to start a new chapter. The national fraternity, with 71 chapters, had a presence on the Ohio campus in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but the chapter experienced financial problems and dissolved. Bernier corresponded with several YSU students who thought the Greek system could use some new blood. One of these men, Rajah James, spoke to Parks about getting involved. “Rajah was the first one to talk to Doug and get familiar with the process of how to set one (a new chapter) up,” Parks says.
     James and Parks joined forces and turned their attention toward recruiting. “We talked to people we thought would be interested. Word-of-mouth was the standard since we didn’t have any name recognition,” Parks says. They also worked to fill all of the requirements necessary to become a colony. “You have to have at least 15 members, hold regularly scheduled meetings, and there has to be some sort of financial budget structure in place—money being put in and used in an organized fashion,” he says.
     The group colonized in May 2000 and the following November, Parks’ brothers elected him president. Beta Gamma Chapter went on to become the fastest Sigma Tau Gamma colony ever to be chartered (46 weeks). They were officially inducted in April 2001.
     The little fraternity that could is now a force to be reckoned with. Last year, the Sig Taus won awards for community service, programming, and intramural sports. So what’s the secret of their success? According to Parks, the answer lies within the fraternity’s diverse membership. “The best thing about us is our differences and the opportunities that come out of that,” he says. “We try to take input from each person and put together something that works for everyone. That’s our greatest strength.”
     Even with all of their extra-curricular involvements, the members of Sigma Tau Gamma know their primary reason for attending YSU is to learn. The chapter earned the Interfraternity Council Scholarship Award in 2001, an honor bestowed upon the fraternity with the highest average GPA. “Our primary purpose for being here is school. Brothers need to be there to support and encourage that,” Parks says. This is especially true for Parks. “As a University Scholar, I have to keep up with my studies. I wanted a group that would understand that and kick me in the butt.”
     While many of the fraternity members share a rented house, Parks lives in campus dorm with other scholars. “The program requires 60 hours of yearly community service and enrollment in honors classes. In turn, the program recognizes and rewards its members with a full scholarship plus room and board,” he says. Parks also serves on the University Scholars Board of Trustees as a representative. The board plans various events like the “Scholars Formal” and acts as a liaison between the students and the directors of the program. “We also organize ‘Fireside Chats’ where professors or local businessmen come and give speeches on a variety of topics,” he says.
     Parks also is serving a two-year term on the YSU Board of Trustees. As one of the two student trustees, Parks is “expected to be knowledgeable of every issue that comes to the board for a decision and to offer my input into the deliberations.” He’s proud of the fact that he gets to act as a voice for the 12,500 YSU students. “I’m in a position to bring issues facing students to the board for review. I’ll be the pesky student who pushes it to the top and says ‘let’s solve this.’”
     In addition, Parks volunteers as an advisory board member for the Community Outreach Partnership Center. “This is a new program designed to address community issues such as housing and neighborhood revitalization, economic development, crime prevention, mental health, and community organizing,” he says.
     Parks, nearing the end of his presidential term, has some very specific goals in mind regarding his fraternity’s future. ”My goal is to make sure the organization is poised for continued success after I leave office,” he says. “At this stage, the most challenging thing is passing on the enthusiasm and dedication that the founding fathers had. We’ve had a stake in building this group up. For guys coming it it’s already there just like any other frat. We still need to work on some things, and I want them to take ownership and continue that growth so the group doesn’t get stagnant.”

Contact Parks at (330) 219-7359 or jeffjparks@yahoo.com. To learn more about Sigma Tau Gamma, visit www.sigmataugamma.org.

Parks’ Leadership Tips
     Don’t take yourself too seriously. “A strong sense of humor is a non-negotiable requirement of leadership.”
     Think ahead. “Put plans into motion that may not yield results until the next leader takes over. That long-term planning should be a major part of the ultimate goal.”
     Give members ownership of the organization. “Get them involved so that they invest their time and efforts into the group.”
     Embrace the unexpected. “You can’t plan for everything, so when something happens that you didn’t see coming, take it as an opportunity to learn.”

When starting a new student organization remember to:
• Clearly define the goals of your group and what path you’ll take to reach those goals. Build this “roadmap to success” on a foundation of strong principles and values. They’ll guide your decision-making when situations arise with no precedent or rules in place to address them.
• Keep documentation, records, and all other information organized and accessible. You want to ensure the group’s smooth operation while laying the foundation for future members and leaders.
• Keep the lines of communication open. Problems or complaints can fester if they’re not addressed properly, so allow everyone the opportunity to express their thoughts. This prevents rumors or misinformation from derailing your efforts.
• Include members in the building process and try to assign them jobs that match their interests. The group will get more accomplished if members have a personal stock in the organization.
• Get the word out. Be ready to provide information to anyone who asks about the group. Know the strengths of the organization and answers to other common questions that potential members might ask.
By Jeff Parks