16th Annual Deranian President’s Conference

The Gamma Tau chapter was represented well at the 2010 Deranian Presidents Conference, held annually in Indianapolis, IN.

Joel Bennett, Jason Handberg, Michael Thornton, Joe Kandray, Shawn Bennett.

Five great men—Shawn Bennett (’92), Joel Bennett (’95), Jason Handberg (’09), Joe Kandray (’13) and Michael Thornton (’13)—attended the conference along with 230 undergraduate and alumnus brothers from more than 100 chapters.

Shawn Bennett, Director of Learning and Development at the Theta Chi International Headquarters coordinated this year’s event. At this conference, undergraduates have an opportunity to enhance their leadership abilities and develop a comprehensive recruitment plan specific to their individual chapters. For the first time, attendees could choose to participate in one of two educational tracks: recruitment and leadership.

Shawn’s brother and fellow Gamma Tau alumnus Joel Bennett was also on hand to lead the leadership break out session “Θηρόποεα Χείρ- Reclaiming Relevance Through the Helping Hand,” which showed participants how lending a helping hand in their communities can help forge long-term relationships and build character. Joel also helped facilitate “Just Say No—to Burning Out,” which discussed the causes and solutions to the problems of overwork and burning out. Joel is currently the executive director for “A Call to Serve” Ministries of Iowa (ACTS), a non-profit service organization he co-founded in 2006. ACTS Ministries utilizes short-term, local projects to provide opportunities for those interested in serving others through the work of their hands.

Jason Handberg, Expansion Coordinator for Theta Chi International Headquarters, led three leadership breakout sessions: “Managing External Relationships,” “Growing Your Chapter,” and “Membership Development.” In Fall 2009, Jason traveled to the University of Rhode Island to assist with restarting the Eta chapter. He also spent a month working with our Colony at Alpha Lambda/Ohio State University. Through these experiences he motivated undergraduates from across the nation to make Theta Chi the best fraternity at their respective universities.

Representing Gamma Tau’s undergraduates were Joe Kandray and Michael Thornton, who attended the recruitment track and leadership track, respectively. They were able to make great connections with other undergraduates around the country and are looking forward to staying in contact with their newfound brothers.