In the spring of 2023, Xi Triton (University at Albany) President Aidan Morgan reached out to the Central Fraternity Office to discuss some of the Charge’s plans for the semester. At the end of the call, Bro. Morgan asked if we could meet again in two weeks.

Grand Lodge staff agreed. Bro. Morgan was not the only member who wanted to connect regularly. This was the start of the Personal Leadership Development Coaching Calls. Within a month, a dozen Charge officers met with staff biweekly for coaching calls.

After a vision-setting meeting, the recurring agenda discussed what was going well, what needed work, and the commitments for the next two weeks. This basic framework helped support new and growing leaders in their self-identified endeavors.

The calls started as a way to support a leader who wanted to gain confidence in their direction and strategies. The outcomes were even more than anticipated. This coaching agenda is now part of the Advisor Training Manuals. Officers are connecting with more resources than before. There is increased feedback, support, accountability, and discussion of organizational and personal goals. The ability to take action and bring the values of Theta Delta Chi to fruition is a key indicator of the health of a Charge.

In the spring of 2023, Xi Triton (University at Albany) President Aidan Morgan reached out to the Central Fraternity Office to discuss some of the Charge’s plans for the semester. At the end of the call, Bro. Morgan asked if we could meet again in two weeks.

Grand Lodge staff agreed. Bro. Morgan was not the only member who wanted to connect regularly. This was the start of the Personal Leadership Development Coaching Calls. Within a month, a dozen Charge officers met with staff biweekly for coaching calls.

After a vision-setting meeting, the recurring agenda discussed what was going well, what needed work, and the commitments for the next two weeks. This basic framework helped support new and growing leaders in their self-identified endeavors.

The calls started as a way to support a leader who wanted to gain confidence in their direction and strategies. The outcomes were even more than anticipated. This coaching agenda is now part of the Advisor Training Manuals. Officers are connecting with more resources than before. There is increased feedback, support, accountability, and discussion of organizational and personal goals. The ability to take action and bring the values of Theta Delta Chi to fruition is a key indicator of the health of a Charge.

The Historical Quiz Book was adopted in 1922 under the direction of Nelson P. Mead, Pi Deuteron 1899. Its successor was the first edition of the Pledge manual, written and compiled by Norm Hackett, Gamma Deuteron 1898, in 1934-35.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Editions were also written and compiled by Norman Hackett Gamma Deuteron 1898 in the respective years of 1936, 1945, and 1952.

The Fifth Edition of The Handbook was prepared in 1962 under the direction of Daniel L. Conrad, Kappa Triton 1965 and was edited by an 18-man committee of which John H. Poupart, Zeta Deuteron 1957, was chairman.

The Sixth Edition was a modest revision of the Fifth Edition. It was prepared in 1966 by a committee consisting of Steven L. Davis, Psi Deuteron 1966, and Dwight R. Schaeffer, Xi 1966, Secretary and Treasurer of the 89th Grand Lodge, respectively, and Raymond L. Howe, Phi 1954, Executive Secretary.

Extensive revisions were made in 1971 for the Seventh Edition by Shield editor William McClung, Iota Deuteron 1966. He was also the editor and designer of the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Editions, published in 1977, 1980, and 1985 respectively.

Thomas J. Blackwood, Epsilon 1986, the Field Consultant in 1989 and 1990, assumed the duty of editing the Eleventh Edition in 1990. Dwight E. DeJong, Beta Deuteron 1990, the Field Consultant in 1991 and 1992, produced the Twelfth Edition in 1992. The Thirteenth Edition was compiled by reading all the Editions of the Theta Delta Chi Handbook and added to by James F. Kaucher, Beta Deuteron 1996, Abel Beach Intern in 1995.

The Handbook was revised for online use by the Central Fraternity Office in 2001 and served as the fourteenth edition. The previous edition, the Fifteenth, based on that revision, was prepared by Charge Consultant Adam McCready, Chi Deuteron 2002, and Systems Administrator Kay McNulty Davila, Psi Deuteron 2001. 

The 16th edition was published in 2010. Systems Administrator McNulty Davila and Director of Expansion Eric Kelley, Sigma Triton 2004, compiled it. It hosted much organization information and history, but its use in New Member Education was limited. As the handbook stock ran low, the CFO and Grand Lodge were tasked with creating a suitable replacement.

The 17th edition is unique yet inspired by past editions. It was created to be used in New Member Education. The goal is to prepare someone for their initiation and to help their relationship with Theta Delta Chi develop. The current edition takes the words Norm “Mr. Theta Delta Chi” Hackett wrote in the second edition of the Pledge manual and surrounds them with stories and context of why they are relevant today. Executive Director Brian Bertges uses his voice and story through a series of parables to allow members to grasp better what it means to be a member of Theta Delta Chi. A Brothers recruitment and New Member Education experience are critical in setting the trajectory of their lifelong membership in this Fraternity.

The 17th edition was published in the spring of 2023. It is already receiving positive feedback from members and New Member Educators. It is the foundation for a revised new member education curriculum.