summer 2017 - omegafi · as previously reported in the beta-gamma gab, we hope to gain the support...
TRANSCRIPT
We have come to the end of the school year and the Central Illinois Alumni Association (CIAA) is in fairly good shape. That means we survived the financial consequences of having only nine (9) men residing in the Chapter House. I want to thank alumni Brotherhood for their support as we work through a "slow period." Nearly 125 of you came forward to pay dues, with about half that number sending in donations to promote our activities and programming. I am pleased to report that the 2017-18 school year we anticipate 50% increase with housing contracts.
On the subject of being appreciative, I want to thank a few people and groups for their exquisite work on behalf of our Alumni Association. We have our professional careers, families and other commitments, but when it comes to our Fraternity and paying back you can always count on a few good men.
A guy I have known for too many years, Chapter Director, Bill Mulvaney '81, was the consummate undergraduate always wearing his pride for the Fraternity on his chest. No one dared to bad mouth the good name of his Fraternity or a Sigma Pi Brother in his presence.
He is hoping the youthful undergraduates realize the history and unsullied name left to each of them. Being the Chapter Director is probably the most time-consuming commitment of any of our volunteer positions. I applaud him for his continued commitment and patience in this undervalued role. Thank you for your two hours of travel from your family to attend the weekly Chapter meetings.
This year, I had the pleasure of getting to know Dan Carr '74, who has taken over the Housing Corporation's finances and bookkeeping. More important is Dan's willingness to chip in. He spent many hours as a carpenter, plumber and electrician making those necessary and important improvements to the Chapter House. I thank God he is retired and lives close enough to Charleston to make regular trips to check in on the House. He serves on the Housing Committee, too.
One goal of the CIAA is to improve communications. I hope you are enjoying the resurgence of the Beta-Gamma Gab. It has now been published for seven consecutive quarters. We owe our appreciation to the interim editor Jeff Knezovich '75. "Knez," as
he is known, reminds me it is only an interim appointment and waits for the day he can turn the responsibility over to another alumnus. He also serves as the CIAA Treasurer.
Another one of my contemporaries has taken on the role as our Housing Chairman. Darrin Bacon '82 and his committee accepted the task to operate our properties in the black. They are also making recommendations on how to proceed with the planned renovations to the Chapter House. Just recently, he announced that our 964 property has been leased for the 2017-18 school year. This will bring in badly needed revenue, after the house was left vacant for this school year.
Everyone knows the University requires the Chapter have a faculty advisor and we have none better than Chris Clayton '89 in that role. This was probably the single most difficult voluntary role to fill. You must report to the University while keeping the boys in-line and out of trouble. Chris runs the perfect business in town to hear all the scuttle-butt of what is happening in the University's Greek Community. He owns and operates the Panther Paw Bar and Grill.
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BETA-GAMMA GABSigma Pi Fraternity | Eastern Illinois University
President's Prerogative
To the Class of 2017
Summer 2017
The chapter continues to shine in Intramural Sports by winning the 2017 Softball Championship.
To each of our Brothers who have now joined the ranks of Alumni status. With graduation comes additional responsibilities and many years of remarkable challenges and decision-making. From us old-timers, we can tell you it will be a journey of successes and pitfalls. The thing is to treat all your experiences as learning opportunities. This is where the wisdom comes in. If you ever become down and out, just recite our Creed. It will point you in the right direction. Best wishes and great successes!
continued on page 2
"This might be the craziest thing I have ever done, but it is one of the most exciting projects I have ever taken part in," said CIAA treasurer, Jeff Knezovich '75. He is talking about the planning for the renovations to the Chapter House.
Again, at last year's CIAA membership meeting, a vote was taken to move forward with a renovation project and provided the executive committee with the authority to negotiate on behalf the Alumni. Since then, the CIAA leadership has been pulled in several directions to get to where we are at today.
We thank Brother Dave Nall '80 who notified the CIAA that his firm can and will assist with the architectural drawing for the project. In mid-March the site visit was complete and a proposal was made to CIAA to complete a preliminary set of engineering and building drawings. We will need an immediate influx of funding to move forward.
The City of Charleston was notified of our desire to renovate the Chapter House. We have some obstacles with the House located in Charleston's Historical Preservation District. However, both government bodies have shown a willingness to work with us. We need to get plans to the City before August 1, 2017.
As previously reported in the Beta-Gamma Gab, we hope to gain the support of all the alumni Brothers with donation exceeding $500,000. At the annual membership meeting it was reported that we were finding it difficult to find a way to make all donations tax-deductible.
Since that meeting, Sam Postlewait '75 of the Housing Committee, identified a non-profit organization called the Society for the Preservation
of Greek Housing (spgh-foundation.org). They are excited to be working with us. Recently, we submitted an application that allows us to proceed. Once approved, you will receive a mailing announcing the program.
Here's the real deal on financing the project. We need 200 Brothers who are willing to donate $2,500 to the housing initiative. We will accept five (5) annual payments of $500. Of course, we are hoping for several Brothers who will be able to support the project with substantially larger donations. Let Marty Morgan '82 know if you are willing and able to commit more to the building program. Please check with your employers to determine if they will match your contribution.
In April, a random survey was released to approximately 10% of the Brothers seeking their input on our ability to successfully raise the needed funds for the project. The results of the survey are found on page three of this edition of the Beta-Gamma Gab.
The undergraduates were notified that the Chapter House is scheduled to be closed on May 10, 2018, to begin the renovations. The Brotherhood will be temporarily relocated to our property next door (964 Sixth Street) for the 2018-19 school year. Our construction schedules call for the House to reopen on our seventieth (70th) chartering anniversary on June 10, 2019. This will be a gala affair that no one will want to miss!
If you have questions or concerns, please direct your questions to CIAA Secretary Brent Barnard '85 at [email protected]. We hope we have your support for this once in a lifetime experience.
BETA-GAMMA GAB S U M M E R 2 0 17
CIAA Leadership
PresidentMartin Morgan '82
Vice PresidentJeffery Phillips '82
SecretaryBrent Barnard '85
TreasurerJeff Knezovich '75
DirectorCorey Thiesse '13
Chairman - Housing Corporation
Darrin Bacon '[email protected]
Chapter DirectorBill Mulvaney '81
Chapter AdvisorsChris Clayton '89
Tim Butler '[email protected]
Peter Pace '[email protected]
Beyond the Planning Stage
President's Perogative (cont)
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Our CIAA Secretary Brent Barnard '85 does a great job organizing and maintaining our business meeting minutes. More important is Brent's true love for the Fraternity. Being a legacy and having a father (Dick - Δ Moose) who was a national officer, gives him a sense of balance and he communicates that to the other Board members during our deliberations.
Finally, the most impactful Brother that I have come to know and respect is Eli Sidwell '55, Jr. His sage advice and counsel guided me as an undergraduate but also gives meaning to whom I have become as an alumnus. I
want to maintain greatness for Beta-Gamma Chapter. I have the luxury of remembering Sunday evenings when Sid would come to the chapter house for the weekly chapter meeting (with 80-plus in attendance) to shed insight on what we could achieve as a cohesive respectful Brotherhood. Before each meeting he would always make a courtesy visit to Mom Slevin's apartment to inquire on her well-being and to find out the real story of what transpired in the House that week. What terrific memories!
I could go on and on about our effective volunteer leadership. I want everyone to
know it is not just me at the helm - I depend on a group of motivated and committed men who make this work. I truly appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from all the Beta-Gamma Alumni. Everyone keep up the good work! If you would like to volunteer, let me know. I remain confident we can achieve a higher level of greatness!
Fraternally,
Martin Morgan '82, CIAA President [email protected]
In early April, an electronic survey was issued to 127 randomly selected Beta-Gamma alumni with active email addresses. The response rate to the survey is 42.519% (54). Brothers were questioned on the likelihood of the CIAA engaging in fundraising activities to modernize the Chapter House. The CIAA leadership wanted to gain alumni input and gauge the willingness of our alumni to financially support the proposed renovations. The following graphics reflect the opinions of those who responded to the question.
The first question was to gain insight on CIAA name recognition. This question was asked because an individual is more likely to support a cause if they are familiar and have knowledge of the sponsoring organization. 96.30% of the respondents felt they were familiar with CIAA activities. This indicates great name recognition.
The next question addressed the need for Chapter House Renovations. The individual responses overwhelming support this idea with nearly ¾ of the respondents agreeing changes are required to the Chapter House.
Individuals then responded to a question about doing what is just necessary to modernize the physical plant. There is strong support not only to proceed with the sprinkler systems but to make all the improvements at one time.
How we might fund the project moves responses to a split decision. The first of the two graphs show a specific financial program. While the second of the two reports how many individuals are willing to financially support the building project.
One of the most telling responses was our question about after the house is remodeled. Overwhelming support that we bring back a Housemother.
Part of the due diligence process was to determine if we have a unique body of individuals that will support the program. Even though the responses did not fly off the chart with undying support, we see a significant number of alumni who will support the remodeling project and the CIAA should move forward.
BETA-GAMMA GABS U M M E R 2 0 17
Remodel, or Not to Remodel; That is the Question
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As the 2016-2017 school year comes to an end, we are preparing to close the year on a high note. We have been reflecting on our accomplishments over the last two semesters. Some of these accomplishments consist of meeting our national grade requirement in the fall with a 2.8 GPA, which was among the highest on Eastern campus, welcoming a total of 14 new members over the spring and fall semester to our brotherhood, winning every event in Homecoming, winning Big Man's Tug Championship, on the verge of winning the campus intramural cup, one more event takes place and the winner will be determined, hosting very successful events and philanthropies and lastly, developing a very strong relationship with our nationals as well as our alumni association. On behalf of the chapter, we would like to thank all the good you do for the active chapter and the support that comes with it. The presence of the alumni helps and motivates us, which really does go a long way.
Chapter advisor, Bill Mulvaney '81 is present in weekly chapter meetings. Without his help, insight and personal connections, who knows where we would be.
Same goes for CIAA president, Marty Morgan '82 and CIAA Treasurer, Jeff Knezovich '75.
Beta-Gamma is currently setting goals for the fall. We are looking to master the rush process and recruit a large class for Fall '17, looking to collect money that is owed from active members and alumni brothers and changing our summer dues to $200 dollars instead of $100, so upon returning to school, our fall dues are $100 dollars less ($320). Lastly, we have the aspirations to have a Fall formal outside of Charleston. Thank you for your time. I hope everyone has a great summer.
Jonathan Casamajor '14, Sage [email protected]
As I have said in my other articles, times are tough on Eastern's campus for a flourishing Greek Community. The University provides minimal assistance and very little promotion of the Greek system. To institute change, I tell our guys to get involved and take over the appointed and elected undergraduate positions on campus. Easy to say but difficult to follow through.
For the first time, Sigma Pi did not participate in the full complement of Greek Week activities. They only fielded tug teams. The little man's team was unable to tug because they did not make weight. I am pleased to report our guys were successful in bringing home Big Man's Tug Championship.
The decision not to fully participate stems from rule changes instituted last fall that required Greek Week participants maintain a 2.5 grade point. We had guys who could not make the cut. Thus, rather than finding replacements, the undergrads gave up and made the decision not to fully participate. Again, if we had representation in these groups making decisions for the Greek Community we could have been better prepared for the consequences.
One of the most outrageous situations is the current accounts receivables. Some members of the Chapter are not meeting their financial obligations and causing great harm. Sigma Pi Headquarters handed the undergraduates a bill for $10,000. It seems the guys
were forgetting to pay "big brother." They are now on a payment plan. The greatest concern is the guys owing the most seem the least interested in paying down their debt. I continue to have frank discussions with the Executive Committee to be firm on the rules governing debt to the Chapter.
I want to thank Brother Bill Tapella '80 for his remarks at this year's Founders' Day Dinner. He hit the nail on the head talking about leadership and how the Men of Sigma Pi never retreated from being the leaders and gentlemen on campus. He, too, admitted that he wasn't the best student, but he expressed hope that the undergraduates are still understanding of the purpose of the fraternal experience. Most important for Bill was to understand the importance of sharing living space and learning how to work as cohesive group. This means respecting and honoring the needs of our diverse membership. He wished the Chapter continued success.
I am going to use this summer hiatus to retool and explore opportunities for our undergraduates. It is going to be EXTERMELY important that they have a successful Fall Rush. Rebuilding with a diverse and strong group of young men interested in advancing our Creed must be front and center in the fall. I look forward to promoting and working with our undergraduates.
Bill Mulvaney '81, Chapter Director [email protected]
BETA-GAMMA GAB S U M M E R 2 0 17
Beta-Gamma's Executive Council
SageJonathon Casamajor
Chicago, [email protected]
First CounselorBrandon Rosenbusch
Chicago, [email protected]
Second CounselorRyan Frazier
Braidwood, IL [email protected]
Third CounselorGreg Gilfillan
Chicago, [email protected]
Fourth CounselorZach Wollenschallger
Melrose Park, [email protected]
HeraldRyan OsemanFrankfort, IL
Communication support and assistance provided by OmegaFi.
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Sage's Segment
Chapter Director Reports
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It seems like forever we have been talking about renovating the Chapter House I think we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. We are excited to be partnering with the Society for the Preservation of Greek Housing. With them partnering with the CIAA, all housing donations are tax-deductible. Not an issue for most of us, but for those who can
Housing Committee Chair
The chapter hosted a philanthropy project called "Life Goes On" which involves promoting organ donation.
continued on page 5
Financial Report
BETA-GAMMA GABS U M M E R 2 0 17
The CIAA had a good year regaining alumni support through the reinitiated dues ($50 annually). One hundred and twenty-one Brothers supported CIAA programming which included homecoming programming, publishing the Beta-Gamma Gab, support for our social media presence and general programming. In addition, over $10,000 in other donations were received. Most of these funds were used to offset housing costs due to the low number of undergraduates committed to residing in the Chapter House.
I received a lot of response to last quarter's article pertaining to our problem with accounts receivable. Since that time, promissory notes have been prepared for undergraduates and alumni with balances 30 days past due. The Board is considering publishing a list of those individuals with outstanding balances. In accordance with Sigma Pi Fraternity Bylaws
we may request Fraternity expulsion for anyone owing the Chapter or Alumni Association. This too will be considered by the Chapter's Executive Council and the Association Board of Directors.
Account Balances (as of April 30, 2017): Central Illinois Alumni Association (operating account) $5,345.00 Central Illinois Alumni Association (housing account) $5,345.00 Beta-Gamma Undergraduate Chapter $1,234.00
Our fiscal year closes on June 30, 2017. The billing cycle for CIAA dues will begin on August 1, 2017. Please watch for your notice. This will include details about our 2017 Homecoming Festivities. If you have any questions about our finances, please feel free to contact me.
Jeff Knezovich '75, Treasurer [email protected]
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Please take time today to pay your 2017-18 Central Illinois Alumni Association dues. By paying your dues, you are indicating support for our initiatives and activities. It becomes difficult to manage the affairs of an Alumni Association if brothers do not step forward in support of the cause.
Our Success Is In Your Hands - New Dues Cycle Begins
2017-18 Central Illinois Alumni Association DuesName: Initiation Year:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Email: Telephone:
Annual Dues $50.00
Donation $
Total $
Credit Card Number
Expiration Date
Security Code
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: CIAA
Clip and mail this form to: CIAA Treasurer, 380 Prairie Knoll Drive, Naperville, IL 60565
give a little extra, it truly helps. I ask everyone to take a careful look at how you can support the fundraising program.
As for the properties, 964 Sixth Street (the auxiliary house) it has stood empty during the 2016-17 school year. The biggest problem is that here is a glut of property on the market in Charleston. Which is due in part to the low enrollment at EIU. However, for the coming school year we have a signed lease for the property that will certainly help with cash flow. It will be back off the market in 2018-19 because it will serve as the chapter house while the remodel of 956 Sixth Street takes place.
To our historical Chapter House where we concluded this year's (school year 2016-17) operations in the black. This is due in part because of the generous gifts donated by the alumni. The extra monies made it possible to make one additional mortgage payment. The bulk of the funds came from the Brothers contributing to the Mom Slevin Retire the Mortgage Campaign.
We have increased by 50% the number of contracts of those living in the
Chapter House during the upcoming school year. Our goal is not to put any significant dollars into the Chapter House in the coming months. It is all about doing the very minimum to keep the House standing. As mentioned in an earlier article, the Chapter House will close in May 2018 for the next school year.
If you have a unique talent or you don't and want to expend some energy in the House, please join us for the inaugural year of Alumni Volunteer Days, June 10-18, 2017. Whether it is one day or a week, we need your help with painting, primping and cleaning our two properties. We are especially in need of person(s) with carpentry skills. The front staircase handrail requires reinforcement. Also, we need a suggestion on some minor repairs and reconditioning of the woodwork in the dining room. If you think you can lend a helping hand, please let me know.
Darrin Bacon '82, Housing Committee Chair [email protected], 630) 369 - 5795
Housing Committee Chair (cont)
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Submit Your ThoughtsVisit SigmaPiBetaGamma.com, the official Beta-Gamma alumni website, to:• Learn more about the chapter• Search for alumni• Update your address, phone number and email address• Find out about upcoming events• Post noteworthy accomplishments (a new baby, a recent marriage or promotion, etc.)
June 10, 2017 - 68th Anniversary of the Charting of Beta-Gamma Chapter
June 10-18, 2017 - Alumni Volunteer Days
August 19, 2017 - Chapter House Opens for Fall Semester
October 20-22, 2017 - EIU Homecoming (eiu.edu/homecoming)
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PO Box 2187Columbus, GA 31902-2187
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BETA-GAMMA GAB S U M M E R 2 0 17
All Brothers are invited to submit items for the Beta-Gamma Gab. Send your comments, photos, or tidbits to Interim Editor at [email protected].
CIAA Announces Alumni Volunteer DaysCome one come all to the first ever Alumni Volunteer Days. The
purpose of this event is to bring Brothers together to put a little sweat equity into our Chapter House. The work days will take place June 10-18, 2017. Come for one or two days or for the extended week, everyone is welcome.
Projects on the agenda include remodeling the chapter room (garage), conditioning the woodwork throughout the house, repairing window casings, yard manicuring and concreate work on
the sidewalks. This is besides all the cosmetic work that needs to be completed within the four walls of the Chapter House.
If you have the tools, bring them. We will supply lunch each day, and if you choose to bunk in the house, accommodations will be made available. We hope to make this an annual event. To RSVP for the event, please contact Darrin Bacon '82 at [email protected] or (630) 369 - 5795.