Officers - Active

Officers

Sigma Gamma Fraternity - Officers

Successfully operating a fraternity is similar in many ways to running a business. Officers are elected/designated to provide leadership, day to day and strategic management. There are tremendous opportunities to develop leadership and management skills through fraternity activities, especially through holding an office in Sigma Gamma Fraternity.

Officers are responsible for ensuring that the organization’s standard operating procedures and policies are in conformance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations, and act as the designated representatives for the organization in its interactions with the college community, alumni associations and other clubs and organizations at SUNY Oswego.

Officers of Sigma Gamma have designated duties and are expected to coordinate their ongoing activities to ensure that the organization runs smoothly. Collectively, “major officers” form the fraternity’s Executive Board, which is overseen by the fraternity’s elected President. As needed, the fraternity establishes and elects “minor officers” for certain ancillary functions.  

If you are interesting in reaching Sigma Gamma concerning opportunities to meet our brothers, or to attend a recruitment party, or just find out more information about the fraternity, we would encourage you to reach out to our President and our New Member Education Coordinator ("PM"), as well as the brothers noted below.  

To reach our active brothers, you can use our Contact Us page. Here are a few key contacts you can also reach out to.

The Spring 2024 officers are: 

President - Jake “TΣΓminatΣΓ” Jarosinski (585) 703 - 3034
Vice President - TMax “IΓon” Leifert (917) 363 - 7093
Risk Management - Anthony “Melo” Locascio (845) 401-5256
Pledge Master - Sean “BΣlushi” Deluca (631) 539 - 1091
Treasurer - Oisin "Jame-O" Selby (845) 422-1407
House President - Danny "Dimes" Rudolph (845) 551-7998
Social Chairman- Jack "Striper" Reynolds (585) 623-0225
RIFC/Secretary - AJ "Auther" Agosto (585) 738-6269
Historian & Philanthropy - Paul "Titen" O'Brien (845) 476-1715
IFC - Connor "Jeter" Wilinski (631) 644-6217
Greek Council - Nick "Thrasher" Godino (845) 492-7063
Academic Chair - G “LΣttΣΓman” Gagnier (585) 369 - 6567
Chaplain - Aidan “Mafia” Hughes (716) 984-1169

How the Organization Elects Officers, Meetings, & Fraternity Business Matters

Sigma Gamma Fraternity relies very heavily on the passing down of traditions from each era of brothers. Indeed, it is the focus on tradition that has enabled our organization to overcome challenges and maintain our presence in Oswego.

Nominations/Eligibility

In order to be a candidate for any officer/leadership position associated with the active fraternity, a Sigma Gamma brother MUST be an enrolled student at SUNY Oswego, and be considered "in good standing" with the college, as well as with the active fraternity. It is the responsibility of the active Executive Board to ensure that these requirements are met. Should an officer candidate fail to adequately affirm their eligibility status priot to, or at the time of their nomination/election, the fraternity's Executive Board has the responsibility to remove and replace such officer candidates prior to their actual assumption of responsibilities and duties traditionally associated with the position.

As with any organization, there are designated officers elected each semester by the brotherhood. During a Sunday meeting, towards the end of a semester, nominations are held. For each office, any brother can nominate another brother for a given office provided (as noted above) that they both are in good standing, and that the nominated brother must be eligible to hold the position. (Certain positions require a given amount of service time accumulated in the fraternity in order to be eligible).

A nomination must be “seconded” in order for it to be considered. The Secretary documents the eligible slate of nominated officers and endeavors to make sure the entire fraternity is aware of the nominated slate of candidates. 

Elections

At the next meeting, for each position, the nominated candidates are read off. The President asks the nominated candidates to leave the room. Each candidates name is brought up individually. The President then asks each brother present to speak up if they have good things they wish to express about each candidate. These are referred to as “Good Points”. After each candidate’s positive qualifications are discussed the, same procedure follows for aspects that might detract from a candidate’s qualifications for the position. These are referred to as “Bad Points”. 

The whole point of this exercise is to ensure that the fraternity always elects the most qualified and suitable candidates for any given position. It is essential to remember that the Good Points/Bad Points discussions remain confidential. They are not to be disclosed to the actual candidates. After the conclusion of a Good Points/Bad Points discussion is held for the position, the President requests a vote. This vote can be taken verbally/show of hands, or it can be carried out electronically/in writing. It must always be done with integrity and discretion. The President is the first position elected and once the new elected President is determined, that person immediately assumes the Presidency and conducts the rest of the elections for the remaining positions. The outgoing President ceremoniously hands the Presidential gavel to the new President and the fraternity as a whole congratulates and commends the outgoing President (assuming they’ve served with distinction and advanced the goals and objectives of the fraternity).

Meetings

Fraternity meetings are typically held at the House, on Sunday evenings. These meetings are a follow up to what is known as the Executive Board Sessions, consisting of major officers meeting in advance of the general fraternity meeting to set the agenda, review strategy, discuss confidential matters and financial affairs. Typically, the Exec Board meets at @ 8 PM, and the fraternity wide meetings get underway at @ 8:30 PM or so. Faculty advisors to the fraternity are welcomed and encouraged to attend as many meetings as their schedule/circumstances allow.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF FRATERNITY MEETINGS, BROTHERS GATHER IN A CIRCLE AND SING THE SIGMA GAMMA FRATERNITY SONG, (the words of which are documented within pledge books and are also located on this page). 

The Executive Board is typically comprised of the President, VP, PM/New Member Education Coordinator, the House President, Treasurer and Social Chairman. The following is an outline of the duties and responsibilities associated with each officer.

President: 

• responsible for all facets of the fraternity’s activities

• serves as the primary link to the Sigma Gamma Alumni Association as well as to the fraternity’s advisor

• has authority to delegate certain responsibilities and/or to establish certain ad – hoc committees as needed

• leads the fraternity in all fraternity meetings and appearances before school and community groups

• is responsible (and coordinates with the Vice President) the fraternity’s ongoing efforts to compile the Standards of Excellence Package. Drafts of the SOE package are required to be reviewed with designated college officials AS WELL AS the Sigma Gamma Alumni Board at least once a semester. To ensure that the fraternity complies with, and exceeds the expectations associated with the Standards of Excellence, the President is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the SOE and related events/planning, etc. at each fraternity meeting

• is responsible for preparing a written list of organizational goals prior to the beginning of each semester. This list must also be reviewed with designated college officials, as well as the Sigma Gamma Alumni Board

• ensures that the fraternity’s officers have completed required continuing education classes, risk management and other training mandated by SUNY Oswego

• ensures that the fraternity remains current with all requirements expected of “registered organizations”

• leads the Executive Board and appoints the members of the fraternity’s disciplinary panel, known as the Jury Board

• appoints interim officers to act upon behalf of the fraternity while school is not in session   

• provides returning members with a “State of the Fraternity” briefing at the start of each semester

• ensures that all bank account signature cards are updated and valid

• verifies that the fraternity’s liability insurance coverage provisions are in effect and that all required payments have been made by the Treasurer

• periodically audits the books and records of all major officers and fraternity accounts

• in conjunction with other officers, particularly the Philanthropy Officer, the President coordinates the fraternity’s community service initiatives

• arranges annual composite picture taking sessions, and follows up by providing completed layouts of head shots, proof reads names and officer designations that accompany individual pictures

• ensures that the Secretary, or another appropriate designee compiles an updated Current Brothers Contact List each semester

• emphasizes to all fraternity members that they must register as a member in good standing with the Office of Student Affairs as well as with the SUNY Oswego Office of Alumni Relations

• sets the date for fraternity elections, oversees all aspects of coordinating such, including making sure that all fraternity members are aware of nominations and requirements to serve, if elected

• administers the process of “room selections” for each semester

Vice President:

The role of the Vice President is to serve the President in making sure that the President’s duties and obligations are satisfactorily discharged in all matters relating to Sigma Gamma. Traditionally, the Vice President has taken an active, coordinating role in the fraternity’s ongoing efforts to compile the Standards of Excellence Package. 

Pragmatically speaking, the duties of the President may exceed the capabilities of one individual who is also a full - time student in good standing. As such, the President and Vice President work together throughout the semester to ensure that the executive leadership/management functions of the fraternity are discharged appropriately. Stated another way, the President will designate certain functions to the Vice President, however, doing so does not mean that the President’s responsibilities as outlined above are relieved or lessened in any way.

The Vice President position has historically worked very closely with the New Member Education Coordinator to ensure that the college is kept apprised of our program scope and plans for the semester.

New Member Education Coordinator /Pledge Master:

• appoints 4 – 6 brothers to serve as the Pledge Committee

• maintains a written journal, chronicling his planning, execution and documentation of all recruitment and pledging activity related functions

• in conjunction with designated “Rush Chairs”, organizes and supervises all recruitment activities and publicizes associated dates

• after ensuring that all intended candidates are in fact eligible to pledge, the PM finalizes formal “bids” extended to prospective members. Such “pre-bid” vetting is of vital importance to the fraternity. The fraternity relies on the PM and his Pledge Committee to conduct a “reasonable” vetting process, and in so doing, various vetting techniques should be deployed under general agreement with the fraternity’s Executive Board

• individually meets with all new member candidates to make sure that any special requirements, and/or medical or psychological conditions are privately disclosed and reviewed with fraternity members on a “need to know” basis. Should special accommodations be required, or applicable, it is the PM’s responsibility to ensure that they are offered/executed in a manner that ensures individual privacy and ongoing conformance with all applicable codes of conduct 

• administers all facets of the pledge program 

• maintains an ongoing expense tracking ledger to account for all direct and indirect expenses incurred by the fraternity and/or individual members associated with new member recruitment and education programs

• designates a “secret advisor” for the pledges, known only to him and the new member candidates

• coordinates the designation of “Big Brothers” and ensures that each Big Brother is aware of their specific responsibilities, including that of regularly meeting with their little brother to ensure that the prospective new member is provided with ample opportunities to devote to academic excellence, family obligations and commitments to other recognized clubs or organizations that the potential new member is simultaneously associated with 

• designates a specific home improvement project that the pledges will be responsible for carrying out

• advises the fraternity members as to which days/nights will include pledging activities, as well as days/nights dedicated to academic studies

• is responsible for ensuring that the fraternal and college policies and prohibitions concerning hazing, anti-discrimination, harassment and/or alcohol and substance abuse are fully conformed to within the context of the fraternity’s recruitment and new member pledging activities

• provides a listing of pledges to Office of Student Services following prescribed procedures

• works hand in hand with Alumni representatives to plan and administer formal induction ceremonies

Treasurer:

• responsible for all financial activities of the organization, including the collection and recording of all dues and fines/judgments, as well as ongoing budget parameters set and maintained for activities and events reasonably anticipated for the fraternity for the term applicable to the elected Treasurer’s authority

• ensures that all fraternity bills are paid on a timely basis, including the MONTHLY liability insurance premiums as well as ANY and ALL obligations the fraternity may incur while school is not in session (i.e. summer and winter breaks)

• in conjunction with the Treasurer, the House President verifies that liability insurance policies held by the fraternity accurately depict descriptive information at all times, including, but not limited to, the fraternity’s address, proper designation of officers as needed, and other data points and descriptions required in order for policies to remain in effect/good standing at all times

• provides an accounting to the Alumni Board of all monies spent, dues collected, obligations incurred, and budgetary plans. Typically, this accounting is requested and reviewed during conference calls, however the Treasurer must be prepared to provide same at any time requested, as deemed reasonable 

• provides an accounting to all current members during Sunday meetings. Typically, such an accounting includes expenses incurred during the previous week, current bank balances, upcoming obligations, outstanding payments, revenues collected during the previous week and the like. This recap is referred to as “the Treasurer’s Report”

• works in conjunction with the Executive Board to establish dues amounts and payment deadlines

• must formally advise the Executive Board as well as the Alumni Board of any instance where a current brother cannot or refuses to meet their obligation of paying fraternal dues during the allotted time frame. The Treasurer must also make the fraternity’s membership aware of any circumstances where a brother requests to extend their payment obligations past deadlines established by the fraternity

• audits the books and records of interim treasurers, if applicable

• ensures that all bank accounts in the name of the fraternity are properly reconciled, and balances reported to the fraternity’s membership. Furthermore, the Treasurer is responsible for knowing, AT ALL TIMES, the physical whereabouts of any active debit or credit cards maintained in the fraternity’s name

• audits and verifies that financial obligations incurred by other fraternity officers, including for example, the President, VP, PM, Social Chairman, House President, etc. are proper, authorized, accompanied by evidentiary receipts and are in conformance with the fraternity’s budgetary plans

Recording Treasurer:

• On at least a weekly basis, this officer goes through the fraternity's Venmo (on line payments app) account, the fraternity's bank account and petty cash to verify that the fraternity's Treasurer has accurately and properly accounted for each revenue and expense transaction 

• Assists the Treasurer in preparing the fraternity's Weekly Update presented at meetings, and within the fraternity's Executive Board. In this role, the Recording Secretary/Recording Treasurer acts as a double - check/auditor on the master transactions ledger the Treasurer is required to maintain on behalf of the fraternity

House President:

• responsible for ensuring that adequate provisions have been made and continue to be in effect as relating to the upkeep and safe operation of the fraternity House

• maintains primary liaison relationship with landlord, property owner and/or management company 

• provides a specific accounting for all home improvement activities that require an outlay of fraternity funds, and/or funds donated by Alumni or other persons/entities not affiliated with landlord, property owner or management company

• is responsible for instructing fraternity members on proper building departure and emergency response services notification procedures in the event of unsafe and/or emergency conditions arising inside and/or at the fraternity’s primary location. Among the envisioned scenarios include but may not be limited to fire or combustion conducive conditions, electrical malfunctions, smoke conditions, water pipe ruptures, excessive standing water in common areas, unsafe conditions created as a result of snowfall or snowdrifts, HVAC system abnormalities, lead bearing structural deficiencies, and other similar scenarios

• is responsible for ensuring that the fraternity’s Executive Board is made aware of the existence of any of the above conditions as soon as possible. As a best practice recommendation, the House President should also notify the fraternity’s Alumni Board as expeditiously as possible. In most instances, the identification of such unsafe conditions may trigger requirements to notify insurance carrier(s) as per liability insurance policy provisions

• is responsible for posting appropriate signage and other informational channels intended to improve tenant and visitor awareness of proper refuse disposal procedures and policies

• in conjunction with the Social Chairman, assigns designated facilities cleaning duties to current members

• in conjunction with the Social Chairman, conducts periodic inspections of premises prior to, during and after fraternity sponsored events to make sure that points of egress, fire exits, stairwells, restroom facilities, etc. are not blocked or otherwise deemed to be in a materially unsafe condition. Should any such issues be identified during such periodic inspections, it is the responsibility of the House President to inform other members of the Executive Board on a timely basis, with the primary objective being to initiate corrective measures as soon as feasibly possible

• coordinates authorized home improvement projects, always placing an emphasis on safety, and negligence minimization strategies

• identifies fraternity members whose actions, whether intended or not, may warrant the pursuit of disciplinary measures, as relating to actions or conduct deemed detrimental to the health and welfare of the fraternity House

• responsible for maintaining and securing the House President’s Supplies Closet

• works closely with the Pledge Master to plan and budget for improvement projects that may be suitable for intended actions undertaken by the pledge class

• assists in providing access to house common areas and individual brother rooms should contractors, inspectors and/or landlord, property owner and/or management company representatives require and/or request access

• ensures that the entrances to the House are properly secured

• escalates critical capital improvement and maintenance needs to the property landlords, management company representatives and the Gamma Alumni Board

Social Chairman

• coordinates and plans all social activities sanctioned by the fraternity, including inviting other organizations and guests, as well as coordinating any decorations and music or other media associated with such social activities

• in conjunction with the House President, the Social Chairman ensures that the premises of the fraternity, as well as the surrounding areas, including neighboring properties are cleaned and tidied up after social activities and that such locations are kept free from hazardous conditions before, during and after sanctioned fraternity social events

• in conjunction with the Executive Board, the Social Chairman develops and implements a facilities access/door control schedule as well as emergency handling protocol for the fraternity during fraternity sanctioned events. Emphasis must always be placed on guest and member safety protocols and procedures, including any and all measures required to reduce or avoid catastrophic injuries or loss of life

• in conjunction with the Chaplain, coordinates the designation of fraternity awards or recognitions at each Sunday meeting

• provides a full accounting for all monies spent and monies collected as relating to fraternity sanctioned social events

• organizes and plans mixers with other organizations

• is responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of fraternity formals, Senior Send Offs, and “date parties”

• coordinates invitations to, and duties of fraternity members during fraternity social activities. In carrying out this component of his duties, the Social Chairman must verify that the anticipated invitation list does not include brothers who are not designated as being “in good standing” with the fraternity

Recording Secretary:

• takes attendance at and documents all fraternity meetings in the official record books of the fraternity

• documents New Business Matters identified during fraternity meetings, ensures that such new business items are discussed and brought to some level of closure at next or future fraternity meeting

• reviews “Old Business” Matters with the Executive Board to ensure that a resolution has been attained

• posts an official record of nominated brothers, per office

• works closely with the President to ensure that important fraternity matters are addressed during Executive Board sessions

• works closely with the President and VP to ensure that any and all documentation needed by the fraternity for Standard of Excellence programs is compiled and archived

Rush Chair(s):

• directly assists the PM/New Member Education Coordinator in planning, staging and executing all membership recruitment events and activities

• coordinate the design and printing of tastefully designed rush shirts or other fraternity attire associated with the current semester’s recruitment

• disseminates approved fraternity recruitment materials throughout the brotherhood, as well as through established, approved distribution channels

• coordinate the staffing and structure of organization table(s) or other presence at school recruitment, student involvement/awareness events and new student orientation fairs

• develop and execute individual recruitment measures, including visiting prospective candidates on campus, or holding brotherhood group events on campus

• assist the PM/New Member Education Coordinator in appropriate candidate vetting measures, as well as any and all required measures to ensure that membership candidates meet all pertinent eligibility requirements

• assist in all other activities and programs not previously outlined that are designed to increase the potential pool of prospective members 

Additional Officers of the Fraternity Include: (brief overview of duties)

(Note: Due to membership level variations, there may be certain semesters where each office below may not be filled by designated persons, or where duties are consolidated.)

Finance Coordinator /Philanthropy Officer- plans, administers, and executes fraternity fundraising 

Greek and/or IFC Council Rep(s) – represents the fraternity in Greek Council meetings, along with the President

Historian – documents the activities of the fraternity over the course of the semester in an appropriate and tasteful manner, through pictures and videos. Of primary importance is to make sure that activities documented through evidentiary materials are suitable and appropriate for further dissemination and consistently reflect the fraternity’s values and objectives. This position works very closely with, or can be combined with the duties of the Social Media Coordinator/Webmaster/Community Relations Coordinator

Social Media Coordinator/ Webmaster/Community Relations – maintains Sigma Gamma’s presence on social media and assists in the development and updating of content contained on websites associated with the fraternity. In so doing, this brother works hard to publicize fraternity events in an appropriate, tasteful and culturally acceptable manner. Especially so during recruitment season, this post is of vital importance to the fraternity. Brothers nominated for this position must have demonstrated a consistent pattern of responsible decision making. The goal of this position is to promote the fraternity in a manner that cultivates and maintains good relations with the college community as a whole, as well as alumni, neighbors and the media.

Chaplain – provides recap at end of fraternity meetings of the week’s activities, often doing so in a humorous manner

Athletics Coordinator - coordinates the fraternity’s participation in recreational activities, including Greek Week activities and other intra-mural activities

Sgt. at Arms - Periodically, the fraternity has established and elected a brother to serve as the fraternity's Sgt. At Arms. This individual would, among other potential duties, be responsible for ensuring that "good order" is always maintained at fraternity events.  

Food Treasurer – administers all aspects of the Sigma Gamma Meal Plan, including budgeting, expense accounting, food supply shopping, designation of Dish Crew per evening, meal plan costs per meal for guests
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