Alumni Chapters

There are presently two active alumni chapters in District XV - the Knoxville Alumni Chapter and the Nashville Alumni Chapter. Although there is a chaptered alumni chapter in Memphis, it is presently inactive. If you are interested in assisting in efforts to reactivate the Memphis Alumni Chapter, please contact DJ Grida.

We Are on FACEBOOK!

Please send DJ Grida (Nicole, ESQ - Tennessee/Temple) and ADJ White (Stephanie White - N. Kentucky) a friend request on Facebook. Also, please join our Facebook Group Page - Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International - District XV!

2010 District Conference

We are presently finalizing details for District Conference. It will be held sometime in September or October at McReynolds Chapter at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. All Chapter Officers are expected to attend and the date will be finalized within the next two weeks.

58th Biennial Convention - August 4-8, 2010 in TAMPA, Florida

It is not too late to register for the 58th Biennial Convention. Remember, every chapter is expected to send at least one delegate to Convention. Please email DJ Grida or ADJ White with any questions regarding convention. If you have already registered for convention, please let DJ Grida know your travel arrangements as soon as possible.

I have also copied a recent post on the Phi Alpha Delta Yahoo Group from Stephen J. Savva, who is the current International Advocate, as to why you should attend Convention.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR CONVENTION YET?

TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND:

10. PAD's Biennial Convention (August 4-8 in Tampa, FL) is the
single-best networking event PAD offers for law students and alumni to meet, share
information and create a nationwide list of contacts.

9. PAD pays certain travel and registration expenses for one delegate
from each eligible law school and alumni chapter to attend.

http://www.padcommunity.org/page.php?page_id=9920_


8. American Airlines is offering a special discount on all U.S. flights
to Tampa!

http://www.padcommunity.org/page.php?page_id=9920_

7. Our Biennial Convention is where delegates elect our International
Officers and vote on matters of importance to the Fraternity.

6. At Convention you will learn more about the Fraternity, learn about
legislative procedures, participate in professional programs and learn about
national events such as the Mock Trial Competition and PAD Day at the
Supreme Court.

5. You will have an opportunity to meet this year's Keynote Speaker and
recipient of the Barbara Jordan Award, The Honorable Diane P. Wood
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/wood-d_


4. Our Convention is being held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel &
Marina - a recently renovated AAA Three Diamond Hotel Resort. The HOTEL IS
CURRENTLY SOLD OUT FOR EVERYONE BUT PAD MEMBERS ON THESE DATES!

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/tpamc-tampa-marriott-waterside-hotel-and-marina/


3. Convention is where many of PAD's future leaders are cultivated.

2. You will learn more about the history of the PAD by meeting highly
distinguished members of the bench and bar who have supported the Fraternity
for decades.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON why you need to visit PAD.org right now to
register is....

1. We work hard at Convention, but we play even harder!


If you have any questions about Convention or are still not sure whether it's worth attending, please contact DJ Grida (nicole.grida@gmail.com), ADJ White (stephanien_white@hotmail.com) or International Advocate Savva (SJSavvaPC@aol.com).

District XV Fall Calendar

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International
District XV Fall 2008Calendar


August
MCK Thursday 14 1L Orientation Welcome at Newby’s
CHA Tuesday 19 Recruitment Presentation to 1Ls
MCK Thursday 21 First Bar Review at Celtic Crossing
HOF Friday 22 Happy Hour at Skyline Tavern: First Round on PAD
VIN Friday 22 Executive Officers Meeting at 12PM
MCR Monday 25 Membership Drive Starts
HOF Tue/Wed 26 & 27 General Interest Meeting/Intro Question Panel, noon (26) &
5:30 (27)
VIN Tuesday 26 Recruitment/General Meeting at 12 noon
VIN Wed/Thur 27 & 28 1L Outlining Workshop 27/08 at 5pm and 8/28/08 at 12:10pm

September
HOF Monday 1 General Meeting, 5:30
MCR Wednesday 3 Chapter/Interest Meeting (dues by Sep 10)
CHA Thursday 4 Bar Tab at Woody's for interested 1Ls and current members
VIN Tue/Fri 2-5 Wii Fundraiser at Student Activity Center from 10-2
HOF Friday 5 Cornhole Tournament
MCR Friday 5 Membership Drive Ends
HOF Tue/Wed 9 & 10 Supplement/Study Guide Session, noon (9) & 5:30 (10)
VIN Friday 12 Rush Event Mini Bambi Walk on Bardstown Road (time TBA)
VIN Friday 12 Deadline for upperclassmen to turn in outlines for outline bank
HOF Saturday 13 Philanthropy Event
MCK Saturday 13 Habitat Build Day
CLY Mon/Wed 15-17 Recruitment Table
HOF Tuesday 16 Guest Speaker
MCR Thursday18 Fall Induction (reception to follow- location TBA)
HOF Friday 19 Red’s Game, 7:00
CLY Monday 22 Chapter Meeting
MCR Tue/Wed 23 & 24 Outline Library
CHA Tuesday 23 Initiation of new members
HOF Thursday 25 LOCAL DUES DUE
HOF Thursday 25 Chase Bowling League Begins
HOF Friday 26 Party for a Purpose Every drink you take benefits the
American Cancer Society!
VIN Friday 26 Rush Event Tailgate – UofL vs. UConn
MCK Saturday 27 Picnic and Children’s Book Drive at Audubon Park
HOF Sunday 28 Initiation, 6pm, dinner following at Montgomery Inn
VIN Sunday 28 Initiation (tentatively)
MCK September 30 Deadline for fall recruitment applications


October
VIN Wed/Tue 1-14 Kentucky Harvest Can Good Drive 10/1/08 –
10/14/08 (bring a can don’t get called on in class)
MCK Thursday 2 Initiation, 6 pm, Shelby County Courthouse
HOF Monday 6 General Meeting, 5:30
CLY Monday 2nd Meeting/Induction 5:00/6:00
MCR Wednesday 8 Regular Chapter Meeting
HOF Saturday 11 Keeneland Tailgating Trip
CLY Saturday 11 Keeneland Tailgating Trip
MCK Fri/Sat 10-11 U of M Reunion Weekend
HOF Tuesday 14 Professional Event
HOF Friday 17 LaRosa’s Dinner Night benefiting charity
Saturday 18 PAD District Conference in Memphis, TN
HOF Saturday 18 MPRE Review with Bar/Bri
CLY Thursday 23 MicroMash Bar Exam Informational 12:00-Courtroom
(lunch provided)
HOF Friday 24 Bobby Mackie’s Social Outing, 9:00
HOF Saturday 25 Walk-a-thon
MCK Saturday 25 Habitat Build Day
CHA Mon 27-Fri 30 Service Day (Hopefully participation in a "safe Halloween"
event)
HOF Tuesday 28 Halloween Bake Sale
VINSON
Guest Speaker TBA
Additional Academic Program

November
CLY Sunday 2 Ambulance Chase 5K Run
HOF Monday 3 General Meeting, 5:30
CLY Wednesday Speaker- Professor Lawson: Overcrowded Jails
HOF Thursday 6 Apprenticeship Dinner
HOF Friday 7 Theme Party
CLY Monday 10 3rd Meeting
MCR Mon/Tue 10 &11 Outline Library
MCR Wed 12 Regular Chapter Meeting
HOF Sunday 16 2nd Initiation, 6:00
MCK Monday 17 Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
HOF Wed/Thur 19 & 20 Exam Prep Session, 6:00 (19) & noon (20)
VINSON
Second Wii Fundraiser (tentatively first two weeks of November)

December
CLY Monday 1 4th Meeting (tentatively)
MCR Wednesday 3 PAD Study Breakfast
HOF Friday 12 Christmas Party, 9:00

VINSON
Christmas Gift Fundraiser (tentatively first two weeks of December)

Donation Letter

The following is an example of a donation letter used for silent auction items. I will be posting the letterhead template on the District Yahoo Group shortly.

Chapter Leadership

Leadership

Leadership ability is not made of magic. Leadership skills are made up of observable, learnable practices. There are five basic practices common to most great leadership achievements:

(1) leaders challenge the process,

(2) leaders inspire a shared vision,

(3) leaders enable others to act,

(4) leaders model the way, and

(5) leaders encourage with the heart.

Leaders Challenge the Process

Leaders think creatively and refuse to accept the status quo. Leaders learn from what has occurred in the past and look for new ways to approach situations. Just because something has always been done in a certain way does not necessarily make it the best way to do it now. Leaders recognize a void and search for a way to fill it. Leaders experiment, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. The best leaders recognize that people excel when they have a chance to put their own ideas into action. An effective leader embraces change and views challenges as an opportunity for growth.

Leaders Inspire a Shared Vision

Leaders have a clear mental picture of the future, and the desire to implement that vision. Leaders must have the ability to inspire others to help attain that vision. To move others to share their vision, leaders must appeal to a common purpose, communicate expressively, and sincerely believe in their vision.

In Phi Alpha Delta, every leader shares a vision guided by our declaration of purpose:

“The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service."

Given our goals, leaders must be able to effectively communicate not only the broad purpose of Phi Alpha Delta, but their Chapter’s specific vision of how its greater goals will be accomplished as well. Because our leaders truly believe in these goals, they are able to communicate them with the passion necessary to effectuate Phi Alpha Delta’s larger vision and breed excitement for those ideas among Chapter members.


Leaders Enable Others to Act

Leaders, having inspired a shared vision, make their volunteers feel strong, capable, and committed. They emphasize the importance of teamwork. Leaders immediately get new members involved to make them feel like a vital part of the Chapter. They show their support by offering assistance and advice whenever possible. The best leaders delegate – they don’t abdicate.

Leaders know that their strongest tool is their index finger. They point it at someone and ask them to do "just one thing." Leaders go beyond the Chapter Officers and they get the Chapter members involved. Leaders realize that involving members from the start – giving them the tools and the power to act – will prevent apathy from developing.

Leaders Must Model the Way

Leaders practice what they preach! They set an example by behaving consistently with their values, aims, and vision. Leaders don’t expect others to make their ideas work – they know they have to pitch in and help in order to make things work. Leaders serve as a representative of the Chapter. Their attendance at events is noticed, and their absence is noticed even more. Leaders take the time to set an example.

Leaders Must Encourage the Heart

Leaders know that attaining any shared vision is difficult. They recognize that members may become exhausted, frustrated, or disenchanted. Leaders celebrate others’ accomplishments regularly to combat apathy. They recognize volunteers publicly – thanking those who worked together to make an event happen. Leaders encourage their members to take on greater roles and they help to cultivate future Chapter leaders. They know that cream always rises to the top!

Never Forget You Are Dealing With Volunteers

As a leader in Phi Alpha Delta, it is important to remember that you are dealing with volunteers. They have given you a commitment to do "a little work." Therefore, keep the "little work" motto in mind – give them small, definite, and manageable assignments. Don’t overload them and they’ll be willing to help out again in the future. Also, keep the following items in mind:

Thank and praise volunteers. When things go well, make sure to recognize the people who made it possible. Recognize volunteers in a public fashion – and make sure to include everyone who helped!

Admit your shortcomings. Everyone makes mistakes – leaders are no exception. So, if you make a mistake, own up to it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. As a leader, you can’t be helpful to the Chapter if you don’t have an accurate picture of what is going on. Finally, be willing to expect and accept criticism – as a leader you will not be able to please all of the people all of the time!

Realize you are working with colleagues. Always follow the chain of command within the Chapter. The other officers are your colleagues – don’t let personal feelings (friendships or disagreements) interfere with your working relationship. Recognize that people are going to make mistakes, but with teamwork and understanding, the Chapter can overcome them.

Develop the ability to say “No!” Being up front with people from the beginning, even if it is difficult, is for the best. Just be tactful and as nice as possible when delivering your response. As a leader, it’s very important to avoid promising what you cannot deliver.

Act in a timely fashion. Late action, in many instances, is worse than inaction.


One of the greatest benefits of Phi Alpha Delta membership is the opportunity to hone your leadership skills. These skills will open many doors for you throughout your career. Make the most of your time as a leader in your Law School Chapter by developing and expanding your leadership abilities.