AVA Kicks Off Weekend Festivities
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – "Now is the time," said Grand Prytanis Frater Herb Songer in his welcome speech to attendees of the William V. Muse Alumni Volunteer Academy. Poignant words to kickoff a weekend full of training and celebration as TKE embarks on a new and exciting path. This event seeks to empower and enlighten one of the biggest assets the organization has - its volunteers. 
Following the warm greeting, a spectacular smell began permeating the headquarters which could only mean one thing – Buckwheat was in the kitchen. Always one to make sure Fraters don’t start anything without a full stomach, the Recruitment Legend made his infamous spaghetti sauce.
"I have been making the same recipe for many years because it’s packed with fuel to ensure these men are ready to work," Frater Buckwheat said. "These men are a special breed and make the TKE Nation continue to thrive. This weekend will arm them with all the tools needed to extend their efforts effectively."
After dinner the sixty volunteers moved into the first sessions about bystander behavior and working ritual. Later in the evening members broke into regions to start planning goals for the year and understand the overall aims of the organization. Each region only scratched the surface of their work, but got a solid footing for Saturday.
On Saturday, after breakfast, volunteers will continue their regional planning in a more in-depth and intense effort. Following lunch attendees will dive into the areas of effective visits to chapters, learn about the generational differences of current collegiate members, mentoring and coaching, effectively passing all information learned to other volunteers, and technology.
The evening begins the celebration many have been waiting for – the official opening of the new Offices of the Grand Chapter. More than 200 people are anticipated to attend: collegiates, alumni and friends of TKE are expected along with TKE and TKE Educational Foundation staff as well as members of the Grand Council and TKE Educational Foundation Board.
Sunday will bring the AVA to a close with discussions about The Blueprint and take-aways from the weekend. The entire weekend has involved the entire staff and volunteers to ensure its success. Fraters Donnie Aldrich (Director of Programs) and John Deckard (Vice President of Fraternal Affairs) deserve the bulk of credit for working so hard to make this all a reality.
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