September Volunteer of the Month: Shawn Babine

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - For more than 15 years, Frater Shawn Babine (Lambda-Delta, Univ. of Southern Maine) has been dedicated to volunteering for TKE. From a District Vice President to an Alumni Association President, Frater Shawn has always tried to keep connected to the fraternity.

"Volunteering with TKE means I get to make a difference in a Frater's life," said Frater Shawn. "Whether I'm planning an educational conference, helping host a grand council reception, performing a chapter visit, donating to the TKE Educational Foundation, or helping a new chapter colonize, I know my work lends to the growth of the fraternity and the spirit of our brotherhood."

A Senior Vice President at TD Commerce Bank, Frater Shawn said he has managed to continue his involvement despite continually growing time constraints. Even though he took a pledge of Life Loyal service to the fraternity like many in the TKE Nation, Frater Shawn has been committed to seeing other Fraters enjoy the experience as he did.

"It comes from a sense of responsibility and tradition," said Frater Shawn. "TKE is the reason why I am who I am and where I am today. Each Frater has a responsibility that must ensure the growth of other members. It starts on initiation day and changes over time. On that day, young fraters have a responsibility to recruit new members. As they mature in college that responsibility should grow to volunteering as a leader within the chapter and TKE Nation. Being a Frater and volunteer of TKE is a life-long and life-loyal commitment."

Frater Shawn describes volunteers as the foundation or skeleton of the fraternity. Without the combination of new members and consistent volunteers, the fraternity would not be where it is today - the world's largest and most celebrated social fraternity in the world. But, Frater Shawn said, new members are not the only ones who benefit from the partnership.

"There have been very many moments that have made me internally smile about my involvement," said Frater Shawn. "A few choice moments were the presentation of our charters for the Northeast Ironmen and the Greater Boston Alumni Associations. And working with the Lambda-Sigma re-colonization group at Keene State College has also been very positive."

Aside from his involvement with TKE, Frater Shawn is a past Councilor and Vice Chairman of the Scarborough Town Council, former School Board Member, County Budget Chairman, and former candidate for the Maine Legislature. He is a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education and Families as well as a member of the National League of Cities Community and Economic Develop Council. He is the Deputy Director for the American Legion's Dirigo Boys State program for the State of Maine, board member for Camp Ketcha, board member with Volunteers of America Northern New England Council, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and sits on two professional boards (Dunn & Bradstreets Small Business Risk Insight Advisory Council and Experian's Small Business Financial Exchange).

Read more about Frater Shawn Babine in the Summer 2008 edition of THE TEKE.

Nominate a Key Volunteer for this honor by contacting Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.

If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.