Balanced Man Project 
      "Building Balanced Leaders for America's Communities."
      Updated 6-22-98
       
       
      For information on the Russellville area click here.  Also, for information on where we are located visit the (soon to come) Location Page.
       
        Why should parents want their young college men to be in SigEp?  And why should any young college man want to be in SigEp?  Well, there is realy only one word.  And that is simply - SIGEP!!  But for those of you who need more than one word that you have no idea what means, we have a little more incentive, and that's the Balanced Man Project.
        First implemented by Sigma Phi Epsilon in the fall of 1992, the Balanced Man Project is the Fraternity's leadership development program.  It is a self-paced membership experience for undergraduates that is based on achievement in the chapter and the community.

        The Balanced Man Project builds brotherhood by developing individual members through mentoring and community service.  Brotherhood is also strengthened by developing the group through chapter experiential learning activities and enhanced Ritual ceremonies.  As members progress through the challenges, their ability to lead and serve will be tested and, through mentoring, nurtured.

        Implementing the Balanced Man Project provides chapters with Many advantages including:

        Group activities which provide increased opportunities for brotherhood and
              fun;

        Many different Mentors throughout college;

        Opportunities to have an impact in the community through service-learning;

        Improved academic support through mentoring and goal setting;

        New support materials which provide guidance for the personal
              development of each member.

        Utilization of community Mentors in addition to alumni volunteers.

        The vehicles used in the Balanced Man Project for leadership development are:  mentoring, service-learning, experiential learning, and brotherhood.

        The Journey to a Balanced Life is perhaps the best way to describe The Balanced Man Project.  It is a program based on the concept of life as a continuous Journey.  This Journey will be marked by many challenges.  Sigma Phi Epsilon is striving to better prepare its members to face and surmount these challenges by providing one of the most innovative programs in the fraternity world.

        Supported and encouraged by the fun and excitement of fraternal life, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon will move through The Journey of Brotherhood.  The completion of each stage in the Journey is self-determined.  You set your own goals and create your own plans for the achievement of those goals.  There is an emphasis on involvement both in the community and in the chapter through service to others and active participation.  With the experience and exposure provided by working in these settings, you will be empowering yourself to become an effective leader.

        Throughout this journey, you are never alone.  In each stage of the Journey, you will be given or you will recruit a Mentor - that is, someone who is more experienced to help you along the way.  These Mentors will provide the necessary support and encouragement to ensure success throughout your chapter experience.  Each successful step along your Journey will be marked by a rite of passage in which the chapter celebrates the success of all of it's members.
         
         

        For more detailed information on the Balanced Man Project click here.

        Mentoring
        A mentor is an individual who serves as a positive role model and is a source of support and guidance.  A mentor oversees the development of his Mentee by teaching, counseling, and supporting him in his endeavors.

        Historically, such relationships are varied and involve different levels of interaction.  Examples of mentoring relationships are:
         

        • Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers
        • Yoda and Luke Skywalker
        • Batman and Robin
        • John F. Kennedy and millions of Americans
         
        As a Mentee, you will have the opportunity to learn.  As a Mentor, you will have the opportunity to teach and positively influence a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.  Mentors are the stewards of the Fraternity's cardinal principles.

        Service-learning
        Service-learning involves direct contact and personal effort in meeting the needs of the community.  It is an opportunity to bring people of different backgrounds and experiences together for mutual benefit.

        Philanthropy is raising money for a cause.  Service-learning involves selfless volunteering that impacts your community.  Service-learning provides you with the opportunity to learn from others.

        A service-learning project could mean working to feed the homeless, providing day care for the children of working mothers, or tutoring adults in a literacy program.  It could also mean building a house, driving an elderly neighbor to the grocery store, or working in an animal shelter.  Whatever the size or type of community, the opportunities for sevice-learning are plentiful and varied.

        Service-learning is critical to leadership development.  Through service projects, you will become a balanced individual who has developed empathy for his neighbors, a broader world view, and a dedication to responsible citizenship for a lifetime.

        Experiential Learning
        From every experience you have in life you can learn a valuable lesson.  Some of these experiences are more structured than others, with experiential learning activities being one of the more structured.  An experiential learning activity is a planned challenge that requires chapter participation, problem-solving, and cooperation.  SigEps create brotherhood through individual contributions to these group activities.  Examples of experiential learning include high ropes courses and team building activities such as trust falls.

        The frequency of these activities contributes to the leadership development of a chapter's members.  Experiential learning enhances your self-awareness and increases your self-confidence.  This, in turn, will sharpen your leadership skills.  Another benefit of experiential learning activities is that they nurture brotherhood by improving chapter communication, motivation, and cooperation.  Experiential learning builds and maintains a strong brotherhood!

        Brotherhood
        Men join the Fraternity for fellowship, the opportunity to experience personal growth, and brotherhood.  Brotherhood is the fourth component of the Balanced Man Project.  It is addressed by providing many opportunities, both traditional and innovative, for the members of the Fraternity to enjoy their college years.  The traditional opportunities are formals, homecomings, and sharing meals.  The innovative opportunities involve groups of men participating in community service projects, experiential activities, and mentoring.

        The advantage of the Balanced Man Project lies in the fact that the traditional components of brotherhood do not change.  The first three components of the Balanced Man Project - service-learning, experiential learning, and mentoring - all work together to provide new opportunities for the increased enjoyment of fraternal life and brotherhood.  The variety of group activities in Balanced Man Project chapters results in increased enjoyment of college life and a more fulfilling fraternity experience for all those involved.
         
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