The Balance Man Program
The Balanced Man Project was created by the Sigma Phi Epsilon National Chapter to "Build Balanced Leaders for America's Communities." This project was adopted by Michigan Alpha in the Fall of 1997 during recolonization. We expect the best of each Brother as we implement this endeavor, and we are sure that the Balanced Man ideal will be a positive force in our chapter. The Balanced Man Program focuses on written goals and mentoring, each which are dynamic as the member moves through the program. The following links describe the stages of a Balanced Man Project, The Sigma Challenge, The Phi Challenge, The Epsilon Challenge, The Brother Mentor Challenge, and The Fellow Challenge.
The balanced man program means no hazing, no pledging. We build a strong brotherhood through constructive projects and social events.
Contact Dan Schwartz with any questions.
Sigma Challenge
To Adjust and Assimilate into the Chapter and Campus Community
4-6 Weeks
This challenge for new members focuses on getting acquainted with all aspects of Sigma Phi Epsilon, from the symbols to getting to know the individual members. Members in the Sigma Challenge are to develop written goals, be active in the chapter's recruitment activities, participate in community service projects, and other activities that allow a person to become acquainted with being a SigEp.
Requirements:
- Participate in the Sigma Rite of Passage
- Turn your New Member Registration form and fees into the V.P. of Member Development to be turned into Headquarters
- Receive your Balanced Man pin, LifeTime Responsibility of Brotherhood Book, The Quest, and the Membership Development Program Guide
- Meet with your assigned Mentor and review the Expectations of the Sigma Challenge
- Join the Sigma Challenge Council and attend their weekly meetings run by the Sigma Challenge Coordinator
Expectations of the Sigma Challenge:
Complete the four week New Member Education Program where you will:
- Sign the Covenant on the inside cover of the Quest
- Complete the Sigma Challenge Action Plan in the Quest (Quest Appendix A)
- Develop three personal written goals in the Quest
- Review "Part III - Responsibility" in the Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood with your Challenge Council
- Review and understand the symbols of the Fraternity (Quest Appendix B)
- Know the history of fraternities, our Fraternity, and our chapter in the Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood Book (vii-viii, pgs. 63-164, Appendices A& B)
- Participate in the Balanced Man Project Discussion
- Complete the Milestones section of the Sigma Challenge in your Dialogue Journal (Quest Appendix E)
Chapter:
- In your Challenge Council, you will plan and host a brotherhood event for all the Brothers of Michigan Alpha
- Become acquainted with all the Brothers of Michigan Alpha
- Recruit your Mentor for Phi Challenge
Community:
- Participate in at least one community service project
Phi Challenge
To Understand the Benefits of Fraternalism
12 Weeks - 1 Year
The Phi Challenge, like the Sigma Challenge, involves written goals and community service, but adds much more. Substance abuse, relationships, gentlemanly behavior, chapter operations, mentoring, intramural sports, and involvement in campus organizations are all addressed.
Requirements:
- Participate in the Phi Rite of Passage
- Meet your new Mentor and review the Expectations of the Phi Challenge
- Join the Phi Challenge Council and attend their bi-monthly meetings advised by the Phi Challenge Coordinator
Expectations of the Phi Challenge:
- Complete the Phi Challenge Action Plan and develop three personal written goals in the Quest
In your Challenge Council you will: Plan an event to address "Respect for Self and Others" issues:
i. substance abuse - alcohol and other drug; and
ii. relationships - diversity, sexism, and date rape; or
iii. health - STDs, weight, time, and money
Develop gentlemanly behavior: Etiquette or Sportsmanship
Plan a Brotherhood event for all Phi Mentors and your Mentees- Discuss pages 3-8, 11-25, 27-32, 37-46, 47-52, and 179-181 in the Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood with your Mentor
- Complete the Milestones section of Sigma Challenge in your Dialogue Journal
Chapter:
- Volunteer as a Mentor to someone in the Sigma Challenge
- Recruit at least one individual for consideration by Recruitment
- Participate in intramurals
- Recruit your Mentor for Epsilon Challenge
Community:
- Participate in at least one community service project
- Be actively involved in at least one campus organization for the duration of the Challenge or represent SigEps in intramurals for one season
- Attend an IFC, Panhellenic, or Executive Board meeting
Epsilon Challenge
To Explore the Issues a Servant Leader Faces
12 Weeks - 1 Year
The Epsilon Challenge is geared to the member who is nearing graduation. In this stage, members recruit their Mentor for the Brother Mentor Challenge out of community. Values and ethics are taught, appreciation for the arts, planning of chapter activities , and serving as a leader in another organization are all involved in the Epsilon Challenge. Members in this challenge design and implement an individual service project of at least 30 hours.
Requirements:
- Participate in the Epsilon Rite of Passage
- Meet your new Mentor and review the Expectations of the Epsilon Challenge
- Join the Epsilon Challenge Council and attend their bi-monthly meetings advised by the Epsilon Challenge Coordinator
- Receive your Founder's badge
Expectations of the Epsilon Challenge:
- Complete the Epsilon Challenge Action Plan in the Quest and develop three personal written goals in the Quest
- In your Challenge Council, you will:
- Plan an experiential learning event to address Values and Ethics (see Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood pgs. 57-62; 183-212 and The Lexicon) or
- Assist in planning a semester chapter retreat
Enhance your appreciation for the arts(language, classics, fine arts) - Complete the Milestones section of the Sigma Challenge in your Dialogue Journal
- Recruit your Mentor for the Brother Mentor Challenge
Chapter:
- Participate in planning a chapter service project
- Recruit at least one individual for consideration by Recruitment
- Volunteer as a Mentor to someone in the Phi Challenge
- Recruit your community Mentor for the Brother Mentor Challenge
Community:
- Complete 20 hours of community service with a minimum of 10 hours done in chapter philanthropy
- Serve as an involved leader in another organization for the duration of the Challenge or represent SigEps in intramurals for one season
- Enhance your knowledge of at least on aspect of community operations, such as attending a city council meeting or community meeting
Brother Mentor Challenge
To Develop and Utilize the Skills of a Servant Leader
Until Graduation
The Brother Mentor Challenge is for the SigEp who is ready to graduate. Brother Mentors are required to work on his resume each semester, serve as a leader in the chapter and another organization, be a mentor for the Epsilon Challenge, and continue to participate in other chapter activities. The Brother Mentor has an option to declare his intent to become a Sigma Phi Epsilon Fellow.
Requirements:
- Participate in the Brother Mentor Rite of Passage
- Meet with your community Mentor and review the Expectations of the Brother Mentor Challenge
- Join the Brother Mentor Challenge Council and attend their bi-monthly meetings advised by the Brother Mentor Challenge Coordinator
Expectations of the Brother Mentor Challenge:
- Complete the Brother Mentor Challenge Action Plan in the Quest with your Mentor
- Develop three personal written goals in the Quest
- In your Challenge Council, you will:
Develop your resume and revise it each semester
Plan a Brotherhood event for all Brother Mentors and your Mentees
Invite a guest speaker to discuss preparation for after-undergraduate plans
Host a faculty appreciation event or SigEp family appreciation event
Address an issue with a guest speaker or chapter event, and follow up by planning a community awareness philanthropy project
Chapter:
- Serve as a chapter leader for the duration of the Epsilon Challenge
- Volunteer as a Mentor to someone in the Epsilon Challenge
- Complete the Milestones section of the Sigma Challenge in your Dialoque Journal
- Recruit at least one individual for consideration by Recruitment
- OPTIONAL: Declare your inent to become a Fellow
Fellow Challenge
To Cultivate a Lifelong Commitment to Service
Until Graduation
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fellow would exemplify the essence of what our Fraternity embodies: virtue, diligence, and brotherly love. This brother must show excellence in academics, leadership, and above all, service to his fellow man. A Sigma Phi Epsilon Fellow strives for excellence through his pursuit of the Balanced Man. To be recognized as a Fellow is not symbolic of achievement, but of service and dedication to society. The Fellow Challenge must be accepted with an element of self-sacrifice and a true spirit of unselfish service to others.
Requirements:
- Have at least a 3.0 out of a 4.0 GPA
- Have served as a leader in at least one other campus organization
- Submit a completed application, including project description and recommendation forms
- Be a member of the Brother Mentor Challenge
- Have completed a 500 hour or 60 day service project focused on benefiting society
- Submit a final summary report to the Balanced Man Project Advisory Committee
Steps to become a Fellow:
- Fill out the Fellow application
- Submit your application to: Balanced Man Project Advisory Committee P.O. Box 1901 Richmond, VA 23218
- Within three weeks your application will be accepted or returned for modification. Acceptance by the Committee will make you Candidate
- Complete your proposed project
- Submit a final report to the Balanced Man Project Advisory Committee
- Once the project has been completed, the committee will confer the honor of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fellow