GO GO GAMMA PHI

DO OR DIE


DO OR DIE

Social Chair

Contrary to common perception, the social chair does not just plan parties. This position is responsible for the unity of the organization and building the bonds that are formed throughout a academic year. The social chair sponsors both a spring and fall campout, formal social gatherings, trips to Stone Country to dance, and several other social activities. The responsibilites and duties can not be fully outlined in writing because of the nuances of the position.

The social chair position was in a little upheaval at the beginning of the. We actually had two social chairs. The most recent and tenured chair, Emille Morales, did an excellent job with this position throughout the year. Matt "Danger" Janus received the gavel from Emille and Danger ran unopposed.

Corresponding Secretary

The Gamma Phi Corresponding Secretary is responsible for being a liason between the alum of the organization and current members. This position connects years of performers together. Also, this position requires making bulletin boards that are around campus that Gamma Phi has. Lastly, the Corresponding Secretary needs to help plan the family picnic and write the alumni newsletter.

April Hurt did an excellent job as the Corresponding Secretary this year. She now passes the gavel to Nick Harden. I think that Nick or as he is affectionately known as "Big Nick", will do an excellent job connecting us to former Gamma Phi members and performers.

Recording Secretary

The position of the recording secretary is one that requires organization, legible handwriting, and patience. The recording secretary records the notes for ALL official meetings of Gamma Phi, including weekly meetings. These meeting minutes must be recorded, posted online, and accessible to Extended University to monitor. This person must also track attendance at all functions.

This past year, Sarah Smith took this responsibility. She now passes the gavel to a close personal friend of mine, Jessica Stanke. I am more than confident that she can exceed the expectations of a recording secretary.

Treasurer

The treasurer of Gamma Phi is responsible for all of the accounts of the organization. This member collects dues of active members and ensures that they are paid ON TIME. The treasurer also is the Tickets Committee chair, so this person ensures that all tickets are distributed for sale and that the members sell their tickets for the correct price. This is one of the most challenging, involved, and beneficial aspects of teh treasurer's position.

This year's incumbent treasurer will continue her reign. Heather Grant will surely do another excellent job running the finances of Gamma Phi. Their is NO ONE who can do this as well as she can.

Act Captains

It is the time to choose act captains! I do not know how this process goes, but Im gonna assume that people apply for the position and are approved by the director AL and new Assistant Director Jay.

Act captains are responsible for creating the acts that will be performed and running act practices. They also choose act music and have meetings to address issues that involve the Circus. These positions can not be understated and I hope to have the prviledge to be a co act captain for clowns next year!

Vice President

The VP of Gamma Phi is used to recruit new members and to take care of them throughout the course of the academic year. They sponsor dinner and other gatherings to make prospectives feel as if they are a part of the organization. The VP is also responsible for educating the new members of all of the Gamma Phi traditions and history. This position is extrmely important for creating the future of Gamma Phi.

Vince Bruno passed the gavel to Matt Szynkarek on Sunday. Matt is a grad student at Illinois State and has 7 years of Gamma Phi experience. He will do a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing who he brings into the organization next year!

New President

During induction on Sunday, elections were held to appoint new executive board members of the Gamma Phi. Former President Mike Sophcyk figuratively and literally "passed the gavel" to Vince Bruno. Vince Bruno was the Vice President for this academic year and is excited to serve in the President capacity next year.

Other candidates were equally qualified and voting for this position was the most difficult aspect of the ceremony. The other candidates were Chris Ries, Physics Ed major and Agribusiness major Heather Grant. All of the candidates deserved this position because of their contributions to Gamma Phi.

Gamma Phi Induction

Multiple prospectives became active members in Gamma Phi on Sunday, April 29th. This was an occasion to remember. Held ironically in the Circus room in the Bone Student Center, the formal induction ceremony presented the prospectives to the active members to be inducted. Alongside these members were the Directors and Alum of the organization.

The most memorable aspect of the event were the words of Former Director of the Gamma Phi Circus, Jerry "Coach" Polacek. "Gamma Phi Circus is what we do, but Gamma Phi is who we are." These words will echo in the hearts in minds of all of the old and new members of Gamma Phi.

Gamma Phi isn't over...

Gamma Phi is not over for members quite yet. There are a few non-performance activities that we have left. We still havent had a great time to reflect on all of the fun times surrounding the events of circus. I truly miss those whom I performed with and will miss those I will never be able to perform with again.

Good luck to all of the Gamma Phi Circus members who are not returning next year. Your value to the organization can not be measured. I love each and everyone of you (ok, thats not entirely true, but for most of you, thats pretty much true).

Do or Die

Gamma Phi Circus rocked final show!

The time came for the Gamma Phi Circus to put on the show of the century! Although members were very worn down from the long, long, week the performers put their all into this performance. Once again, no injuries occured during this performance, making this year's show completely injury free!

The energy of the audience was EXTREMELY high during this performance. From Pre-Show to the Teeterboard finale, the crowd did not let up! Filling most of the available seats in the building, the audience rocked under the "big top" in Redbird Arena.

The Gamma Phi performance aspect of the year is finally over. However, there are still ways to get involved with Gamma Phi in the future and great opportunities now.

Go Go Gamma Phi!

Its over! Friday night's performance

Gamma Phi Circus had an excellent performance on Friday the 20th of April. The troupe performed in front of thousands of people! This show night was ideal, with very few tricks missing and the energy of the performers very high.

Crowd support was not as apparent as expected during the performance, but members tried hard to keep the crowd's energy high as well. Thankfully, there were no injuries during this performance.

Gamma Phi closed part of a performance chapter and only had one more performance after the two on Friday.

T minus TWO DAYS!

Yes, in TWO DAYS Gamma Phi Circus will be performing at Illinois State University! If you havent seen publicity for this event, you had to have been living under a rock. The Quad is chalked, flyers in mailboxes, ticket sales at Watterson, Southside, Stevenson, the COB, and Schroeder, people WEARING show ads, emails, posters, TV and radio ads, the Pantagraph and much more. Gamma Phi is everywhere! Dont miss this remarkable show. You will simply be dissappointed if you miss out.

Tickets are still available. Go to one of the campus selling locations. Go to the campus ticket offices. Find someone in circus. Whatever you have to do, do it. Its totally and completely worth it!

GO GO Gamma Phi!

Its coming...

This morning Gamma Phi began putting their rigging and equipment into the arena. The show is SOOO close. Everything is coming together and Gamma Phi is ready to shine! We practice all week, everyday, so dont let our hard work go to waste. GO SEE GAMMA PHI CIRCUS! It is a great show for ALL ages and is an excellent part of the community. Gamma Phi will do everything in their power to entertain you for an evening and get your mind of all of the problems of your world.

Thank you, and GO GO Gamma Phi!

Women are Awesome!

This is a joke that has nothing to do with Gamma Phi Circus. Wait... I'll try to make a connection. Initially, Gamma Phi did not have any women invovled whatsoever. Eventually after some years, women were allowed to be a part of Gamma Phi. Jen Binninger (current Assistant Director) is the first ever female director of any sorts in Gamma Phi history! She is an awesome leader and an inspiration to the Circus! To honor females in positions of authority, I am posting this joke that my girlfriend (yes, clowns have girlfreinds) sent me.
Enjoy.

A woman goes to Italy to attend a 2-week, company training session.
Her husband drives her to the airport and wishes her to have a good trip.
The wife answers: "Thank you honey, what would you like me to bring for you?"
The husband laughs and says: "An Italian girl!!!"
The woman kept quiet and left.
Two weeks later he picks her up in the airport and asks: "So, honey, how was the trip?"
"Very good, thank you." "And, what happened to my present?"
"Which present?" She asked.
"The one I asked for - an Italian girl!!"
"Oh, that" she said "Well, I did what I could; now we have to wait for nine months to see if it is a girl!!!"

* Moral of the story: Don't tempt a woman, they are far too intelligent!

Be easy...

If you know someone in Gamma Phi, bee very nice to them for the next two weeks! They are going through very stressful times trying to put on a great show and complete all of their normal tasks and duties. Go easy on em!

Go Go Gamma Phi

I got a excerpt from the Gamma Phi website, which by the way, is gammaphicircus.ilstu.edu:

How do students become involved in Gamma Phi Circus?

Membership in Gamma Phi is open to all full-time Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff regardless of major field of study, department affiliation, or gymnastics background.

Students who want to join the circus must audition twice, trying out for at least two acts. They are judged on their progress and skill development, cooperative spirit, variety and execution, and their potential as a circus performer. Students are judged by the circus directors and by Gamma Phi's student leadership-the captains of various acts. Each new member must fulfill a yearlong pledgeship, requiring him or her to attend practices, serve on various committees that help run the circus, and perform in two small exhibitions.

Beginning in the Fall with the first Monday evening of classes, (Spring semester, Monday and Thursday evenings) both active members and prospective members, attend practices. During this time, actives and prospectives work together learning skills, setting up and taking down equipment for practices, putting together acts for various performances, and most importantly - developing friendships that will last a lifetime. These practices are held in the South Gymnasium at Horton Field house beginning at 7 p.m.

Spring semester is spent developing and learning acts, making costumes, creating publicity materials, selling tickets, selling ads for the Circus Program Book, performing in Road Shows and of course, performing in the Home Shows.

Although membership in Gamma Phi Circus requires hard work, dedication, cooperation, and adherence to circus rules, the group is permeated with a spirit of cooperation and "togetherness."

GO GO Gamma Phi!

Get Free Tickets

Yes, discount tickets are available through any Gamma Phi performer/member. However, if you live in the residence halls, ask your RA if they will request tickets for your floor! These are free for residents of these floors. Just a thought. Otherwise, find a Gamma Phi person!

Go GO Gamma Phi

Skating

Quad sit, sit-split, "breakers", Rolling Splits, T lift trick, partner tricks, pass-throughs, style and smile!

--Gamma Phi Circus Skating Lingo/Jargon

Go see Gamma Phi Circus on April 20th and 21st. You will not regret it.

Gamma Phi's rich history

Gamma Phi Circus has a rich history. Started by ISU's own Pop Horton (which the Fieldhouse is named after) Gamma Phi began as a fraternity for very talented atheletes. Gamma Phi Circus is now the oldest collegiate circus in the world and can be seen at Illinois State's Redbird Arena on April 20th and 21st. Tickets will be on sale around Illinois State's campus the week of the show and current members are selling tickets right now!

First Day of Blogging

Despite the deal I made with myself not to use blogging, I am dictated to do so as a requirement of a computer competency course that I am taking. Therefore, I will simply accept it and try to make the best of it.

I plan on mostly talking about the great Gamma Phi Circus. Go Go Gamma Phi!