The Friday after Roundtable, all brothers and new members are asked to attend an overnight retreat at Roanoke Christian Service Camp. Thirty brothers and new members arrived at the camp on the evening of September 21^st.  This is a traditional way to start the week where candidates are introduced to the principles and fundamental ideas behind Alpha Zeta and have an opportunity to meet current brothers. New members also get to know their fellow candidates over dinner, get-to-know-you games, and working together in the morning service project...

The North Carolina Chapter enjoyed hearing from Rory Roten and were thrilled that Catherine Crocker was willing to speak with the group. Recent alum, Catherine Crocker met with the 30 brothers and 3 alumni on September 12^th at 7:30pm. She joined Alpha Zeta in 2007 as an Agricultural Education major. After graduation she taught agriculture classes, worked in a veterinarian’s office, plant nursery and state historic site.  She shared what she learned from each job and how she ended up in her current position working for Mecklenburg County’s Agricultural Extension Service...

The North Carolina Chapter is lucky to have such a supportive network of alumni both locally and internationally. Alumni frequently come back for chapter meetings and sponsor events such as Agriculture Awareness Week on campus. Members of the Leadership and Government Relations Committee have been looking for ways to involve more alumni in chapter activities. The committee is working with advisors to coordinate an alumni speaker series. Our first speaker, Rory Roten met with the 35 brothers on August 29^th at 7:30pm.

New Member Education Week is held every semester after candidates for membership are chosen. This week started on September 23rd and lasted until Friday, September 28^th.  The purpose of Candidate Education Week is to teach perspective brothers the importance of teamwork to accomplish a common goal. The candidates are presented with a series of challenges in which they must learn about agriculture, find out information about the fraternity’s history as well as current activities, get to know current brothers, introduce themselves to alumni, and come together as a team...

In late September, the brother of the Alpha Zeta Cook chapter spent the day volunteering at an event known as Duck Land at the Annual Raritan River Festival. Duck Land is a place set up for little kids. The brothers helped the children make sand art, paint pumpkins, create arts and crafts, pour spin art, play games, etc. Brothers also participated in the famous Duck Race where they purchased ducks and threw them into a canal via a giant egg on a crane. The ducks were then observed until someone’s duck floated past the finish line...

On September 12th, Cook chapter gathered in front of the campus center to enjoy another summer night. Here AZ brothers kindled potential new members by lighting a fire to roast up s'mores. Brothers intermingled with other students interested in joining the fraternity and enlightened them on all AZ has to offer. Many students were interested and brothers were happy to share their experiences in Alpha Zeta. The smell of s'mores filled the air and harvested a large crowd. Brothers bonded, stories were shared, all laughed and enjoyed their treats.

On the afternoon of Thursday September 13th, the brothers of Alpha Zeta Cook Chapter participated in Cook Community Day. Brothers wore their letters proudly and the table had posters promoting Alpha Zeta’s core values of service, leadership, scholarship, etc. They spoke with students who stopped by, individually as well as in small groups, about the fraternity and encouraged them to attend future events. With the attraction of beautiful weather, free food, and raffles, the event brought more than 1,000 students and hosted over two dozen clubs and organizations.

On Tuesday September 11th, around 20 prospective new members joined the brothers of Alpha Zeta Cook Chapter to find out more about the fraternity and mingle while enjoying ice cream. It was a casual gathering, allowing prospective members to meet the brothers and speak with them one-on-one in an informal and fun setting. Everyone enjoyed themselves, ate some ice cream and made new friends. We look forward to seeing the potential new members at future events.

This semester, Cook Chapter welcomed a new Sargent at Arms onto our executive board. Danielle Clancy was elected at the end of last semester by the brotherhood to replace our graduating K.C. Murray. At the beginning of the first meeting, K.C. introduced Danielle and handed her the Sargent at Arms binder of Words of Wisdom, letters from previous Sargents explaining her duties, giving advice and offering a personal connection if she ever needs help. The ceremony was ended by a short speech by Danielle thanking K.C. for his dedication to the fraternity and for the excellent job he did last semester. With Cook Chapter's new E-Board installed, we are ready for a wonderful semester.

On Wednesday September 19th, prospective new members and the brothers of Alpha Zeta Cook Chapter gathered in the Cook Campus Center. We ate snacks and played a bunch of fun icebreaker games to help the new members feel more comfortable. Games included the toilet paper game, 2 truths and a lie, the human knot and trainwreck...