More great SigEp Capitals discount tickets

Sigma Phi Epsilon Discount Nights!

Take advantage of this special offer for all SigEps, their friends, and their families!

Capitals v. Columbus Blue Jackets
Friday, Jan 9, 7pm

$65 Lower Level (Reg.$80)
$35 Mezz. Center (Reg.$50)
$25 Mezz. Ends (Reg.$35)



Send Orders To:

jminichiello@washcaps.com

-or-

Call Jim @ (202) 527-7955 to order over the phone


*All tickets may be claimed at Will Call on game night

Questions? Contact Jim Minichiello
(202) 527-7955 / jminichiello@washcaps.com

SigEp Discount For Caps Hockey Tickets‏

http://www.capstickets.com/si.html

The Washington Capitals proudly extend this special offer to our brothers in ΣΦΕ.

All members and affiliates of ΣΦΕ are welcome to exercise a Washington Capitals discount on select games each month.

For more information please contact Jim Minichiello at 202-527-7955 or via email jminichiello@washcaps.com

Please click below to purchase tickets:

		Friday, November 14th @ 7:00 pm vs. New Jersey Devils
		Wednesday, November 26th @ 7:00 pm vs. Atlanta Thrashers

Board Meeting Update: November 5th at La Lomita Dos on Capitol Hill

SigEp Feds November Board Meeting » Elections «
Date	Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Time:	7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Brothers usually meet around 7:00 pm.)
Location:	La Lomita Dos
Address:	308 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003 202.544.0616
Metro:	Capitol South Square Orange/Blue Line)
Points of Contact:	Ed Jones (email, Click Here)

A (Couple) Founder’s Day Toast(s)!

Due to overwhelming response in the request to have a Founder's Day Toast on multiple days, we, at the SigEp Feds would like to meet you in the middle and declare two options for a Founder's Day Toast. What would be a better reason than to share a round than with your Brothers on the day that started it all for us SigEps? We hope you can join us on either October 31^st or on November 1^st.

Friday, October 31st	We meet at 6:00PM for the SigEp Toast at Thunder Grill in Union Station. For a map and directions, visit the Thunder Grill Restaurant Web site (Click Here). Metro: Red Line
Saturday, November 1st	We meet at 4:00PM for the SigEp Toast at Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle. For a map and directions, visit the Buffalo Billiards Web site (Click Here). Metro: Red Line

For the Patriot and Philanthropic at Heart‏

SigEp Brothers of the Washington DC Metro Area,

On Sunday, 26 October - about 30,000 people from all over the country will take to the streets of DC and NOVA to run the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and Marine Corps 10K.

As many of you know, I am a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserve, and I am writing to you today to invite you to serve along side about 20 Chiefs (as well as some family and friends) at our water station at the MCM / 10K.

There is no fee or money involved. Just come out, hand water to runners and cheer them on.

Working at the water station is a great opportunity to help our neighbors and visitors to the region. Water station volunteers serve a vital role at the event, and inspire the runners as they work to complete their respective race.

The water station is at Point 10/11 (details below). As stated, this is a family-friendly table, so feel free to invite family and friends by directing them to the website listed below.

To volunteer and register at the website, click on the following link:

http://www.doitsports.com/volunteer/join-protected-group.tcl?event_id=2061

[note: if the link doesn't connect, just cut-and-paste link]

At that page, select:
"Navy Chief Petty Officers of Washington DC"

And the password:
Thunder1

You will routed to a page to enter your personal info and complete your registration. It is that simple!

The co-chair for the water station is Chief Tim Francis. After you register, please RSVP myself (purple_red_dc@yahoo.com and Edward.Jones@dia.mil) & Tim (timothy.francis@navy.mil and timlfrancis@yahoo.com) to let us know you have registered.

Details of the table are:

• » Water Point 10/11
  Army/Navy Drive near Eads Street. Parking lot. Also supports the MCM 10K run.
• » Time frame: 0830 - 1400
• » Duties:
  Assist runners by providing water and Powerade Replenisher. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Please report to the Water Point 10/11 captain (Tim & I) upon arrival. Please bring lunch, drinks or anything else needed during volunteering hours. Public transportation is available. Metro opens at 5:00 am. Pentagon Metro stop is the closest to Water Point 10/11. Please refer to Metro information for schedules on race day and road closures at www.marinemarathon.com.

Thank you very much,

Ed Jones
Buffalo State College / NY Eta '96
Chapter Counselor, DC Delta

Congratulations to American University’s DC Delta: SigEp’s Newest Chatper

The American University chapter
recently recieved its charter!

Visit the SigEp Feds Web site for more!

Board Meeting Update: October Meeting at Capitol City Brewing Company (Downtown Washington, DC)

SigEp Feds October Board Meeting
Date	Wednesday, October 1, 2008 *The SigEp Educational Foundation is holding a Young Alums / Board of Governors happy hour at the same location that evening. RSVP on the SigEp Foundation Web site.
Time:	7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Brothers usually meet around 7:00 pm.)
Location:	Capitol City Brewing Company (Downtown Washington, DC)
Address:	1100 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20005 202.628.2222
Metro:	McPherson Square Orange/Blue Line)
Points of Contact:	Ed Jones (email, Click Here)

Discussion Post from SigEp Fed: Todd Richardson

We received this blog post from Todd Richardson yesterday and would like to share it will all of the brothers and ask for their thoughts on the matter. Todd writes:

There was a discussion on Saguine and Purple the other day, and I felt compelled to post a reply, but being at work, I tried to compose it offline first, and it got long winded, as I can sometimes do... etc etc. And it was too big for a reply. It occurred to me it might be worth posting on our blog, and maybe on S&P, and see if it generates any thoughts. I'm not sure I am providing answers or throwing gasoline on a fire...

Anyway, what a great way to waste a lunch hour at work yeasterday and now again today.

When I was an undergrad, we were founding the chapter at Tulane University. The District Governor (Bill Davenport), and local alums in our AVC (or alumni board back then) were the face of HQ to me. To be fair, and because Bill Davenport will read this and call me on it, HQ provided the regional directors that first came and recruited our core group. These were impressive young men, and to my discredit I have long since forgotten their names.

My point is any line between the two (HQ and AVC) are blurred. HQ reflects on the AVC (and visa versa) where it matters - in the minds and view of the undergrads. And these can be adversarial, or at least strained relationships. AVCs and HQ felt more like fathers than big brothers. As a recent graduate, would you be ready to be a dad? Would you fell that way?

My undergrad experience was part of an organized entity, supported through HQ, with a "process", even more so now that we have the Balanced Man Program. But it does seem, in MY observation, that the lifetime experience from the sales collateral ends as an organized GOAL at graduation. Those who seek out a continuity of brotherhood, or seek out to serve a chapter (in an AVC), or to continue developing as the "man of quality"; do so on their own, no longer supported on that path by carefully laid mapping from the undergraduate programs. It seems what some advocate, and others oppose, is that there should be something more. Does the Balanced Man Program guide the graduate into an Alumni that is led to seek out an alumni association, AVC, Regional Director role, or even one day working at HQ and fixing the concerns being constantly debated on this site? Why is the young man, out of school for the first time and on his own, NOT as vital a asset/resource/brother as a senior still in school? Why is there nothing for him? And onward into life until he can be an asset again, as a well heeled donor reflecting back on the last time anyone called him brother, as an undergrad. And missing that experience so much, he is influenced to donate and support the cause. How is this the only model worth advocating?

Bill Davenport will probably agree that I was never much of a leader in my undergrad days as a founding father at Tulane, as Ed Jones will attest to now as a member of the SigEp Feds. I was and am a member – a brother of varying activity levels. But there is a continuity that runs through both experiences for me. It may not be the same exact experience, but it has the same rules. Virtue, Diligence, Brotherly Love. You get out of the experience what you put into it. It provides opportunities; some social yes, but also to remain part of the brotherhood experience. Everyone I know who is active on an AVC came to that participation through the connections they made with the Feds. The times I have been approached to become active with an AVC, it was brothers I knew as a Fed first. I went to CLA last year through their influence. I found this site through them. Oh yeah... met my wife too.

I have many incidents in my professional life where I demand someone that complains to take the initiative. Complaining is too easy, anyone can do it. If you come to me with a complaint, you better come with a solution, or at least a suggestion to get things started. In that spirit, I propose the following:

• Extend and define the Fellow Challenge as a challenge that will extend into Alumni Status. Include provisions that the Fellow attend AVC meetings post graduation, join an alumni organization, or volunteer in some way with a chapter local to where their post-graduation life has taken them.

(or)

• Create an Alumni Symbol Challenge. Same ideas as above; volunteer activity, with an AVC, chapter, or alumni group. No local alumni group? Start one. Speak to undergraduate chapters about what the first years out of school are like. Mentor Seniors on facing the real world, finding jobs, and being a Mentor for their own Alumni Symbol Challenge.

(and)

• Go further and create an Alumni Association Challenge. Let these informal groups be built into organizations that can receive these young men, and continue the experience, including a new challenge to participate in (Alumni Symbol Challenge or Fellow Challenge). These groups could participate in the training from HQ to build future Balanced Man Stewards, and the other AVC skill sets. Those that choose to join an AVC choose to meet the higher standard of leadership there, just as they would as executive board members as undergraduates.

Unlike the AVC this young man will remember, this is a two way street – you are giving back while the brotherhood is still there to help you build the balanced man into the future. You could be afforded the opportunity to connect with a chapter or chapters, fellow SigEp alumni, and work with them on a mutual goal. And yes, offer social aspects like meeting sorority alumni associations, or happy hours, or super bowl parties, or golf outings.

If the challenges are designed, and recognized by the national HQ (wouldn’t it be nice to see more Alumni attend CLA and Conclave to accept their recognition), maybe there could be Alumni dues collected to pay for the extended challenge & support. Or maybe not, to keep the Alumni 100% independent of HQ, as both risk management and “cutting the apron strings”. There could even be alumni badge alternatives signifying these successes.

Selfishly, I’d like to see a component of this to learn, understand, and aspire to the Balanced Man Program’s guidance. I came from a chapter before the BMP existed, so I have limited understanding. Build into the Alumni Challenge the chance to learn the BMP, maybe from an AVC Steward, giving the opportunity to interact with the AVC and learn the BMP at the same time.

I believe that some will argue there should be a distance between Alumni Groups and HQ. From both sides of the subject; some will want to remain free of HQ entanglement, others will say HQ exists solely for the undergraduates, and any effort in the direction of alumni is wasted. I actually am safely placed on the fence in this, unsure of who is right. I see the Feds, benefiting from the lack of HQ interference, but hurt by it’s informal nature. I see my wife’s Alumni Association flourishing under the organization and continuity provided by it’s association with their HQ. Maybe the answer is to start by focusing on the brother himself. What does Sigma Phi Epsilon say to the recent graduate? Who is there in his life to say it? Perhaps this young man has spent 4 years diligently pursuing challenges placed in front of him, in order to develop himself and his chapter. Could there be enough energy and capacity left in this young man to pursue a new challenge, designed to introduce him to the world, but ALSO to introduce him to the people in this world waiting to grasp his hand and call him brother. It might be a start.

New Poll: Founder’s Day Toast?

Due to concern over the political activity and election season, we understand that November 1^st comes before the general election. We also know that there are quite a few political operatives in the Washington, DC area who might be out trying to make a last minute stand campaigning for their cause. As such, we thought we would throw this question out to you, our members in the form of a new poll created for the SigEp Feds group on Yahoo Groups:

When should the SigEp Feds celebrate Founder's Day, raise a glass, give the SigEp Toast and where?

• Saturday, November 1st (as it should be) in Dupont Circle?
• Wednesday, November 5th (during our regular Feds meeting, after the general election)
• Friday, November 7th (after the general election and at Thunder Grill in Union Station)
• I can't make any of these event options offered.
• I don't live in the Washington, DC area any longer.
• Who the heck are the SigEp Feds?
• What's Founder's Day?
• I will still be on the campaign trail focusing on 2010.
• Wait, what time is it? I'm late!

To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sigepfeds/surveys?id=2759603.

Be sure to tell us what you think and don't delay. We need to know so we can plan in advance and get the word out, where we will be to celebrate one of our entire reasons for being a SigEp.

Board Meeting Update - Red, Hot & Blue, September 3, 2008

SigEp Feds September Board Meeting
Date	Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Time:	7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location:	Red, Hot & Blue BBQ
Address:	1600 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209 703.276.7427
Metro:	Rosslyn (Orange/Blue Line)
Points of Contact:	Ed Jones (email, Click Here)

Reminder: Tuesday Nite Wings

Title: Tuesday Nite Wings at the Capitol Lounge

Date: Tuesday August 19, 2008

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Repeats: This event repeats every month on the third Tuesday

Location: Capitol Lounge

Street: 231 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

City State Zip: Washington, DC 20003

Phone: 202-547-2098

Notes:
These are great wings and they only cost 10 cents! There are also some beer specials, and great conversations with Brothers! Contact Ed Jones for additional information (purple_red_dc@yahoo.com).

What do you want the SigEp Feds Blog used for?

We at the SigEp Feds have been toying with the idea of replacing the Forum on our Web site and replacing it with something that will be updated more often. As such, we came up with the idea of the SigEp Feds Blog. We have had a couple of ideas about how we intend to use it, but we need your help and input. Below is a short list of what we think can help better keep everyone connected as well as updated as soon as information is available, so that no one is out of the loop.

• » Event notifications: If there is a new event coming up soon or if there is a new update about a particular event such as what gate to meet at, at the new Nationals Stadium in meeting to attend a game, this will allow updates that RSS subscribers and visitors will be able to see quickly
• » Discussions: We have recently seen discussions take place in a prolonged capacity and here the "thread" can be followed without missing a beat or missing an email. Also, this will limit the number of emails that you receive when email discussions begin.
• » Informational announcements: With the use of RSS feeds and the ability to check often, informational announcements can go out without having to rely on the listserve and all will see the message without the chance of it missing delivery in your email inbox or being accidentally deleted in your email inbox.
• » A Central Location for Information: By checking back regularly or subscribing to the RSS feed from the blog, all information is accessed on one page/feed at one time. Also, any archived information is accessible at all times, so nothing gets lost.

What do you want the SigEp Feds Blog to do?

Media Blitz

Click here for pictures
from the SigEp Conclave
in Atlanta, Georgia


Click here to view SigEp on NBC's Today show


Click here to go to the Youth Aids Cause page on Facebook


Watch the American University SEC's
2007-2008 Recruitment Video


Brother Sam Arora's YouTube Video
Also a SigEp Fed

Check out the events Calendar

Please be sure to check out the SigEp Feds Event Calendar below. It is full of what we are doing in the next couple of months.

Click on the name of the event for more details.

If you have any questions or would like to suggest an event, please contact Will Hull or Ed Jones.

Thanks for visiting.

Welcome to the SigEp Feds Blog

Brothers,

Welcome to the SigEp Feds Blog. We have established this blog to facilitate the SigEp Feds in getting out the word about events, topics, ideas and any other discussion.

The first order of business is to make sure that everyone gets to see the blog and make any suggestions for improvement or things to add to it.

We hope you enjoy this blog and we hope that you are able to leave comments.