As we look towards our 118th Birthday, we take some time to look at the Founding Fathers of today. Men on campuses across the country who are taking the step to create their own chapters of Phi Kappa Tau. This piece is written by one such brother - Matty Staib, founding member of the Grand Valley State University Associate Chapter.

In order to stay relevant across the nation, Phi Kappa Tau needs to not only nurture the growth of existing chapters, but expand to new campuses to continue to foster those ideals to keep the tradition and importance of Phi Kappa Tau alive. With over 80 active chapters nationwide, the Phi Kappa Tau community has recently witnessed 9 new associate chapters/interest groups emerge.

Why start a new chapter?

In the world of Phi Kappa Tau, motivation to start a new chapter tends to stem from a deep-rooted connection to the fraternity. Andrew Tillman, a fourth-generation Phi Tau, felt drawn to continue his family legacy at the University of Dayton. "I am a fourth-generation Phi Tau. After going through rush as a freshman, I didn't find my home in any other fraternities, so Phi Tau was naturally the next move, and it was the best decision I could have made." This same motivation of Tilman was then extended into something greater, by redefining fraternity culture on campus.

Similarly, Jonah Edgerton of Grand Valley State University drew inspiration from seeing the tight bonds he witnessed between his father and fraternity brothers, driving him to create a similar experience at his own university. "I saw how people viewed [Fraternity & Sorority Life] in a negative light, and I intended to change that. My dad was in the Beta Mu chapter of Phi Tau at Kent State, and I wanted to bring that bond here to GVSU."

It’s clear that starting a new chapter versus joining an existing one offers an experience to connect to something greater than yourself, but also craft change on your campus. However, it can be difficult to do without the proper support.

Who can help?

Navigating and establishing a new chapter is not a simple process, but the support provided by the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Office proves invaluable. From day one, founding members receive guidance and assistance, ensuring a smooth transition from inception to charter. The Phi Kappa Tau Growth Team plays a crucial role throughout this process. They are constantly fostering growth and success, actively working with the undergraduates, and leaving these men with every resource they need in order to build a successful chapter.

*Chartering Celebration for Delta Kappa at the University of Tennessee Knoxville* .

"It’s super nostalgic for me. I was in the Delta Kappa [a 2019 restart] chapter and we were all extremely driven on growing and solving problems we had never seen before," said Chris Hilton, current Growth Consultant, when asked about expansion, he continued, "With the new expansion, It's something I get to do everyday, and it makes the job fun for me. I also essentially gain 15+ little brothers each chapter I aid in. Expansion is in a great place right now and our founding fathers are creating top chapter experiences extremely quickly after we leave."

Membership Growth Manager Ryan Callahan shared similar thoughts of excitement, "There is so much room for creativity in this role, I am able to pick topics and take them almost anywhere I want. The best route I get to go on is working with the undergraduates. Getting to know and work with them as individuals and chapters as a whole aids in us all being on the same page"

Even with national support, new chapters face all of the highs and lows you would expect to come with taking on a great challenge.

What’s the goal?

*University of Dayton Associate Chapter Members.*

Once an associate chapter is installed, they begin a process called “chartering” in which the new chapter is given a set of expectations that align with the performance metrics that active chapters are evaluated on annually.

Some of these standards include maintaining a healthy chapter size relative to campus average, community service hours, philanthropic donations, and participating in national events to name a few. Beyond the metrics, the founding brothers’ greatest challenge may be gaining and maintaining momentum over what can be a long journey. From installation to being approved to charter can take any way from several months to in some cases years.

While chartering may be the final goal of an associate chapter, it is not a finish line. Once the group is chartered they then begin the exciting challenge of continuing to build their campus identity and strive to become a force for change on campus for years to come.

In many ways this hearkens back to the original founding of Phi Kappa Tau. Borradaile, Shideler, Boyd, and Douglass didn’t have to fill out a series of chartering requirements, but they did have to inspire a group of peers to strive for greatness and become men of distinction. It is comforting to know that 118 years later this is still very much the case for the Founding Fathers of Today.