Social Responsibility

Delta Chi was founded as a law fraternity. "The fraternity was born out of a common desire for fellowship and intellectual association. The Founders looked to enrich their college experiences by creating among themselves a common bond, a bond that would materially assist each in the acquistion of a sound education, a bond that would provide each enduring value." This area seeks to honor that founding spirit.

As a member of Delta Chi, you must now realize that all of your actions reflect on your Fraternity and on the members of your chapter. Therefore, it is your duty to understand the expectations of the Fraternity, as well as, conduct yourself in a manner that becomes a gentleman.

Not only must you be aware of the Fraternity's policies and guidelines, you must also understand your role in society. The duty of citizenship is not to be taken lightly, and is the responsibility of any good fraternity man. The skills you will acquire through this Area of Mastery are:

• Duties of Citizenship
• Peer Appraisal
• Personal Responsibility
• Alcohol Awareness

To achieve mastery over this area, complete the following four activities. Below each activity you are provided with sample options that you may utilize to fulfill the activity. Remember, these are only sample options, you may choose to come up with your own options that may better suit you or your chapter's needs. Follow up your accomplishments in your Learning Journal. Finally, once you have completed all activities within this Area of Mastery, finish the area by answering the concluding Critical Reflection questions within your Learning Journal.

Understand the expectations of the Fraternity, as well as, its risk management guidelines.

• Develop a list of basic responsibilities of fraternity membership. Then compare the list you made to the Basic Expectations of Delta Chi. Review the following questions: 1) What responsibilities did you find that were not included in the Basic Expectations of the Fraternity? 2) How can we create a chapter environment in which these expectations are the norm? 3) How can a brother confront another brother to turn his behavior into a positive reflection of the Fraternity? Compare your lists and answers with other members who have completed this activity.
• Evaluate the Basic Expectations of a Delta Chi. Personalize these basic expectations to yourself by making them into "I will..." statements. Then list ways in which you can live out each of the ten expectations.
• With your Big Brother, discuss the activities you experienced as an Associate Member which modeled respect. Knowing that respect is a "two-way street," discuss activities which did not model honor or respect. How could the activity be improved? How could the new member program be more purposeful and positive? Be sure to take notes during this discussion and convey them to the new Associate Member Counselor.

Understand the importance of conducting oneself in a positive, respectful manner.

• Develop a list of characteristics describing what you believe to be an ideal brother in your Learning Journal or other appropriate ledger. Do you see these qualities in yourself? Why do you feel these are the most important qualities related to a member of the Fraternity? Relate this information to the recruitment plan developed by the chapter's recruitment committee.
• Visit the Law School Dean, Law School Faculty members, Ethics Department Chair, or any other appropriate school faculty to discuss ethical and legal behavior of community citizens. Share with her or him the founding of Delta Chi as a law fraternity. Ask the following questions: 1) How do you try to prepare students for the ethical dilemmas they will encounter? 2) What is the most challenging ethical situation you have been in? 3) How did you resolve it? 4) Why are ethics an important aspect of community well-being?
• Collect the Fraternity's position statements, risk-management guidelines, and purpose papers (i.e. The 10 Basic Expectations of Delta Chi, the FIPG policy, etc.) Discuss these with two or three brothers, and write a summary on how the information and materials relate to the Fraternity Preamble and Delta Chi KEY Program Mission Statement. How does your chapter rate according to these ideals?
• Ask each brother to name one initiate or alumnus who he believes brings the most honor and respect to himself and to Delta Chi, thereby serving as a positive role model for the Fraternity. Then choose ten brothers, and write each of them a letter which introduces yourself, thanking them for being a credit to Delta Chi and explaining the reason for this activity.

Show respect for the law and advance justice in the larger community.

• Visit the campus judicial officer and write a report based on your visit. Ask these interview questions: 1) When do most campus policy violations occur? 2) How often is alcohol involved in the judicial issue? 3) What type of sanctions exist? 4) What are the possible long-term effects of campus judicial sanctions on an individual's career? 5) What effect can the conduct of an individual have on the status of a campus organization?
• Visit the local police, sheriff's office, or campus security division to share the founding of Delta Chi and ask how chapter members can show respect for the law. Go on a night ride with a local police officer and with one or two other brothers. If these experiences are unavailable, walk through the night duties with a resident assistant in the residence halls or invite an appropriate professional to a meeting. Record your thoughts, discussions, and other notes during this activity.
• Sit through an open court hearing in the community. Record your thoughts during the hearing. Write a summary of what you witnessed and describe why this activity relates to the Fraternity. Talk about the experience with your Big Brother.

Demonstrate an awareness of the effects of alcohol and its impact on society.

• Invite a speaker to come and give a presentation to the chapter about alcohol awareness. The speaker may come from campus, the community, a hospital, etc. Take notes during the event, then review your notes and describe your thoughts on the content of the presentation in your Learning Journal. You may invite other fraternities, sororities, or other groups on campus to attend.
• Attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous or an alcohol-related court hearing (i.e. Driving Under the Influence, Operating While Intoxicated or Minor in Possession). After the event, write a summary of what you experienced and the impact of alcohol on the lives of the people you encountered.