This document provides an overview of risk management for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity chapter at the University of Oregon. It defines risk management, outlines the benefits of proper risk management and consequences of poor risk management. It introduces the chapter's risk management plan and contract, which establishes policies around issues like alcohol and drug use, hazing, abusive behavior, and transportation. It also discusses the importance of insurance coverage for the chapter.

1. Phi Delta Theta
Risk Management Presentation
Updated Fall 2015

2. What Should You Get From This?
• Define Risk Management
• Understand why it is important
• Introduce our Risk Management Plan that the
chapter follows
• Learn to take Risk Management seriously
because not doing so will lead to serious
repercussions

3. What is Risk Management?
• Protecting your chapter brothers safety and
the reputation of our organization
• Taking preventative steps to prevent an
incident
• Identifying the nature of risks involved in
activities
• Recognizing both inevitable and obscure risks

4. • Everyone doing their part to follow through
with preventative measures
• Everything the fraternity does involves risk
management
• If anything happens at our events, whether it’s
caused by a member or guest the chapter is
held responsible. Not just any one person.
What is Risk Management?

5. Benefits of Proper Risk Management
• Our chapter brothers are protected
• Our organization is protected
• We can continue to operate as a chapter
• Women see us as “respectable”
• Therefore they want to hang out with us
• Our chapter doesn't end up in an
embarrassing article in Rolling Stone
Magazine, USA Today or The New York Times

6. The Consequences of Poor Risk
Management
• A brother can be injured or even killed
• Guests at our events can be placed in
unnecessarily danger
• We can be put on probation
• Our chapter can be suspended or expelled from
the University and we can be disaffiliated from
our organization
• Our chapter ends up in an embarrassing article in
Rolling Stone Magazine, USA Today or The New
York Times

7. The Ladder of Risk
• A metaphoric way of explaining how
damaging specific activities can be to our
chapter if something goes wrong, or we’re
caught doing it (there are 10 rungs)
• The higher you are on the ladder, the higher
the chance we can fall from the ladder and
harm the organization

8. Rung One
• The possession, sale, use or consumption of
alcohol or illegal drugs on chapter premises
– Prescription drugs are permited with the
exception of marijuana
• The possession, sale, use or consumption of
alcohol or drugs for those under the age of 21
at chapter events

9. Rung Two
• Alcohol or drugs being purchased through or
with chapter funds
• Alcohol or drugs can not be purchased under
coordination of chapter members (such as a
slosh fund)

10. Rung Three
• Open parties
• Parties with unrestricted access by non-
members of the fraternity with out specific
invitation (Facebook events do not count)
where alcohol is present

11. Rung Four
• Members, collectively or individually,
purchasing or providing alcohol to any minor
• Remember it is a serious crime to do so

12. Rung Five
• Possession, sale or use of illegal drugs or
controlled substances on chapter premises or
during a fraternity event
• GHQ has a zero tollerance policy for this and is
part of how the house was lost in the first
place
• Medical marijuana is not allowed on or in a
chapter facility

13. Rung Six
• Providing alcohol via a distributor at third-
party events

14. Rung Seven
• Co-sponsoring, co-financing, attending or
participating in a function where alcohol is
purchased by ANY host chapter, group or
organization
• An example is if we have a function with Delta
Gamma at a golf course and they buy alcohol
for it using their dues we can be held partially
liable

15. Rung Eight
• Drinking or using drugs at rush events
• Even if members are 21 they may not be
under the influence of, consume or be in
posession of alcohol/drugs
• This is because individuals cannot be expected
to make a life changing choice while under the
influence of alcohol
– Alcohol can also be considered a selling point,
which is not the foundation of Phi Delta Theta

16. Rung Nine
• Members, associate member (pledges)
permitting or encouraging drinking games
• This is because drinking games encourage high
risk drinking

17. Rung Ten
• Alcohol/drugs during ritual
• No part of our sacred ritual mentions the
consumption of alcohol or drugs and has no
part in it
• This includes but is not limited to activities
associated with ritual such as “induction,” “bid
night,” “Big Bro night” or “initiation parties”

18. Oregon Alpha’s Risk Management
Contract

19. • This is the policy our chapter follows to
minimize any potential damage
• Includes everything from sexual harassment to
Hazing
Oregon Alpha’s Risk Management
Contract

20. Section 1: Abusive Behavior
• Acts of physical anger or aggression of any
type (regardless of present intoxicants) will
not be accepted
• Such behavior will be reported and accused
sent to the Judicial Board for an immediate
hearing
• This will result in probation and possible
review for suspension /expulsion

21. Section 2: Sexual Harassment
• Sexual harassment is any type of abusive sexual
behavior that is directed against any person
• Sexual harassment also includes intimidation,
bullying or coercion of a sexual nature
• Sexual harassment has a zero tolerance policy in
our chapter and such acts will result in action up
to and including expulsion from the chapter
• Sexual harassment extends outside the chapter
and proper law enforcement will be notified if the
need arises

22. Section 3: Hazing
• Any form of hazing or practices not mentioned
in fraternal law, polices or ritual will not be
tolerated
• Hazing is any action taken or situation created
with or without the consent of the persons
subject to the action, which produces mental
or physical discomfort, embarrassment,
harassment or ridicule.

23. • Hazing activities include and are not limited
to: paddling, excessive fatigue, physiological
shocks, quests, treasure hunts, road trips,
wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not
in good taste, late work sessions etc.
Section 3: Hazing

24. • Any member caught in the act of hazing guests,
PNM’s or phikeia are to be reported to the
Judicial Board and dealt with in an appropriate,
proper and timely manner
• Punishment may include suspension or expulsion
• Hazing is also illegal and the chapter may receive
a fine of $1,000 for the chapter and $250 per
individual involved
• The chapter may also be placed on probation,
suspension or can be expelled by the University
or the general Fraternity
Section 3: Hazing

25. Section 4: Alcohol
• All alcohol consumption by members and
guests or on behalf of the chapter, must be in
accordance with current laws of the city, state
and university
• Alcohol can’t be bought with fraternity funds
• Sale of alcohol is forbidden
• All recruitment functions/activities and pledge
education program are to be alcohol free

26. Section 5: Drugs
• Use or possession of unlawful intoxicating drugs
or narcotics in any form is not permitted at any
Oregon Alpha event or in any chapter facility
unless prescribed and prescription is present
• Marijuana is banned from any Oregon Alpha
Chapter events or within chapter facilities
• Any use of marijuana in a chapter facility results
in immediate suspension, long-term probation
(greater than one term) or expulsion and then
reported to the national fraternity

27. • Any transaction of drugs will not be tolerated
and is a crime in Oregon
• Maximum fines doing doing so range between
$1,250 and $375,000 and 30 days to 20 years
and prison
• Any violation results in direct suspension from
the chapter
• All recruitment functions/activities and pledge
education program are to be alcohol free
Section 5: Drugs

28. Section 6: High Risk Events
• There is no definitive list of a high risk event
but must take a common sense approach to
evaluate the risk
• The presence of alcohol at an event defaults it
as a high risk event regardless of activity
• It is the responsibility of the executive and
judicial boards to determine whether or not
an event or function is considered for high risk
• The chapter cannot be sponsoring such events

29. Section 7: Property Management
• These subsections summaries will be more
relevant when we have the house back

30. Section 8: Members’ Personal Property
• Use of personal property in Fraternity
activities shall be strictly voluntary and the
sole responsibility of the owner
• Oregon Alpha assumes no liability or
responsibility for any loss or damage to any
personal property of members even if used in
conjunction with Fraternity activities
• Other summarized subsections will be
relevant when we have the house back

31. Section 9: Automobiles and
Transportation
• All members or Phikeia shall obey all applicable
motor vehicle laws along with safety, financial
and operational commitment
• If a member or Phikeia uses another members or
Phikeia’s vehicle they must be insured and able to
operate the vehicle
• Use of personal vehicles for Fraternity activities is
strictly voluntary and the sole responsibility for
accidents, injuries, death or damages is on the
driver or owner of the vehicle

32. Section 10: Contractual Agreements &
Additional Insured
• No chapter, member or housing organization
may enter into a written or oral
contract/financial agreement using the name
Phi Delta Theta
• This is done because the Fraternities
insurance does not afford protections to
outside individuals or entities

33. Insurance
• Why do we need it?
• Who is insured?
• Why is it so expensive?
• What if we don’t pay?

34. Why we need it
• The University of Oregon demands we have it
in order to be recognized
– If we’re not recognized then we can’t participate
in campus activities, have an FSL sponsored rush
or hold chapter on campus
• Allows for expansion
• Protects our members from legal liability

35. Who is insured
• Every member when our chapter obeys the
laws of the our institution or city/state/federal
laws
• All alumni advisors while performing their
duties related to the chatper
• If we break our Fraternities risk management
policy, we’re not insured if something goes
wrong

36. Why it’s so expensive
• Only 2 companies insure fraternities
• Fraternities carry the second highest in
underwriting risk of any business or
organization (first is nuclear waste storage
facilities)
• Phi Delt has low premiums compared to other
fraternities so we’re extremely lucky
– This is because of the dry housing policy

37. If we don’t pay
• The chapter is suspended by GHQ
• The chapter is suspended by the University of
Oregon
• The chapter is not covered for any actions
performed
• The chapter faces disciplinary action by GHQ
up to and including charter revocation

38. Social Event Risk Management Plan

39. When You Hinder, not help Keep your
Brothers, Guests and Chapter Safe
• Breaking your sober shift
• Encouraging others and targeting younger
members to break theirs
• Not caring about the greater impact of your
actions and only caring about yourself
• Dinking to excess

40. An example of what can happen
• https://youtu.be/bUKLHa4f7h4

41. • A result of improper, or neglected risk
management
• Carson had an estimated blood-alcohol level
between 0.39 and 0.44 (almost 6 times the
legal limit)
• The Big Brother of Carson was charged with
felony hazing and served 45 days in county
jail, along with a $500,000 settlement
Carson Starkey’s Story

42. Carson Starkey’s Story
• Four other members were sentenced to between
30 days to six months in the county jail
• The pledge educator was not charged but paid
$150,000 in legal fees and even more in
settlments
• Civil suits were filed against eight other members
• The Fraternity’s national headquarters dissolved
the chapter
• The National Fraternity was sued and was forced
to settle

43. Know the signs
• If someone is very intoxicated DO NOT LEAVE THEM
• If the person is breathing less than eight times/min, is
unconscious, or vomiting uncontrollably, call 911
immediately
• If not and the person is asleep, lay the person down on
their side and position them so they cannot choke on
their own vomit
• If you’re a minor that’s intoxicated and you call 911 to
help someone, you cannot be changed for an MIP
• Do not be afraid to call, better to be safe than risk
losing a brother or someone else

44. Risk Management at Social Events

45. So how are we going to change
behavior?
• Through this presentation
• With our risk management plan
• Most importantly: Establishing and culture of
risk management now, so it can be passed
down to future members

46. Social Risk Management Plan
• Risk manager prepares an event area using a premade
checklist
• 1 sober monitor for every 20 members (assigned by
the risk manager)
• ID checks at the door with an X written in black marker
to indicate if they are under 21 or not (X if they are). If
they don’t have ID then they do not get an X
• We will review the crisis management plan from Phi
Delta Theta GHQ should a situation arise
• Water, non-alcoholic beverages and non-salty foods
will be provided

47. Sober Monitors Positions
As the title states, sober monitors are sober. That means
not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Door Man (ID Checker)
• Designated Driver
• Floaters
• Exit Door Area Monitors
Sober monitors shifts don’t have an established end time,
when the event has wrapped up then your shift is over.
NOT when midnight or 1am hits.

48. Door Man (ID Checker)
• ID everyone at the door
• Mark everyone that is 21
• Do not let in aggressive people into the event
• Do not let in people that are too intoxicated or
underage and intoxicated
• Do not let people congregate outside
• This position may be covered by 3rd party
security for some events

49. Designated Driver
• Has access to a vehicle that can be used to
drive intoxicated guests/members home
• Acts as a floater unless he is needed
• Is not counted in the 1 sober monitor per 20
people ratio (because he may have to leave
the event)

50. Floaters
• Walk around the events and mingle with
members/guests
• Keep an eye out for unsafe
behavior/situations and react to it (don’t be a
bystander)
• Keep an eye on members/guests so they
aren't drinking to excess or acting
inappropriately

51. Exit Door Monitors
• Positioned at exits to keep people from
entering or exiting unless an emergency arises
• Has the same duties as the floater but stays in
one particular area

52. Duties of ALL Sober Monitor
• Show up on time to the event
• Anticipate risky situations and manage them
• Be proactive
• Kick out people that need to leave
• Keep your fellow sober monitors accountable
(doing their job, staying sober etc.)
• STAY SOBER

53. When You Break Your Sober Shift
• You put the entire chapter at risk
• You put your chapter brothers at risk (we are
our bothers keepers)
• You are selfishly putting yourself above
everyone else just so you can drink
• You put the chapter's leadership (President,
Vice President, Risk Manager etc.) at risk

54. • If someone is in trouble, you are unable to
help them
• If the police arrive you cannot communicate
with them as effectively as you could
otherwise
• If an event gets out of control you can’t
appropriately take action to deal with the
situation
When You Break Your Sober Shift

55. GHQ Crisis Management Plan
This crisis management plan has been developed to
aid chapters in case of an emergency such as:
• Accident resulting in severe or fatal injuries
• Damage from natural disaster (like a 9.0 mega
quake)
• Fire or explosion at a chapter facility or liveout
house
• Chapter member, members or entire chapter
being accused of violating local, state, federal or
university laws, rules or regulations

56. Guidelines
• The chapter president is in charge, unless
removed only by the CAB, Housing Corporation or
General Fraternity representative. In his absence,
the next highest rank officer is in charge
• Proper authorities will be contacted immediately
• If living in the house, the property will be secured
and only members, supervisory personnel and
proper authorities are allowed inside
• President contacts Crisis Management Help-Line
GHQ Crisis Management Plan

57. • President notifies GHQ, Leadership Consultant,
Province President, Housing Corporation, FLS
Director and Insurance Company
• Emergency chapter meeting will be called by the
president
• All members will make no statements, comments,
suggestions or remarks to the media, or other
parties not affiliated with our organization,
authorities or university
• The President will be the only chapter member to
give statements
GHQ Crisis Management Plan

58. How this Crisis Management Plan
Applies to you
• Follow all guidelines and instructions of the
crisis management plan and the president
• Allow authorized personal into the situation
where the crisis originated
• Professionals (police, university etc.) will
notify families in the case of a death or serious
injury
• Do not move anything in a room until
instructed by parents or police

59. In Conclusion…
• This presentation is not here to ruin your college
experience, it is here to prevent irreversible
damage to yourself, brothers, chapter and fellow
students (which would ruin it)
• Fraternities are at more of a risk now than ever in
their history, so we need to be mindful and
recognize that our actions (or that of others) can
have a lasting impacts on our organization