Alumni News - 2003

KAPPA OMEGA ZETA of LAMBDA CHI ALPHA
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Meeting,
December 3rd, 2003

I hope all is well with you, and I won't take up anymore of your time. Nice work on the newsletter!! 
I remain available to assist in and sponsor any events as I can.

Cliff Branham

******

Due to budget constraints, the undergraduate newsletter was e-mailed out this week.  If you did not receive your copy via e-mail, please contact us.  You can also download a copy here.

Updated 6/29/03

I want to put together a Lambda Chi Alumni night at the Lexington Legends baseball game for Tuesday, August 12, and I would like to see young and old there. We will go to the Pepsi deck where tickets are only $5.00. You can see the game well with room to walk around and see all the brothers. At this point, we do not have reservations. I need to look into the idea of how we can pay for tickets and pick them up there. It may come down to people sending me money I put the tickets in will call. But for now, mark it on you calendars! At this point, I am thinking brothers only. We may change it to a family night if there is enough interest or maybe do a family night later in the spring.

I don’t have many e-mails and may not be able to make calls for a few weeks- going to NYC and NC, so tell as many brothers as you can, forward this on.

In ZAX,
James Koeppe

Updated 6/5/03

New or revised e-mail addresses:

David Carter - njctaximum@hotmail.com
Bruce Chestnut - bchesnut@laurelgrocery.com  
Logan Lanham - Gator1963@aol.com 

Updated 5/10/2003

For those of you that want to contact me during training, I will have my cell phone with me (859-552-7160).  Feel free to drop me a call. You should be able to e-mail me, but I will not have access to the Internet all the time. Also, I will have multiple mailing addresses for the next 6 months, so it will easier for you to mail me via my parents address:

 701 Wales Drive
 Highland Springs, VA 23075

 I will miss everyone!!!  I'm leaving Monday 05/19, so wish me luck. 

Cory R. Smith

Updated 4/29/2003

We have just received word from Mr. Thomas A. Helmbock, Executive Director of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity, that our Georgetown Chapter, Kappa-Omega Zeta, has been awarded the Certificate of Merit by the North American Intrafraternity Council NIC]. This is subsequent to having been nominated for this prestigious award and recognition by our General Fraternity and places our Georgetown Zeta at not only the top-tier of Lambda Chi Alpha chapters across the country - but of all fraternities.

And I quote from the letter of citation.....

"I am pleased and honored to inform you that, the NIC has selected Kappa-Omega Zeta to receive the Certificate of Merit. This honor is presented annually by the NIC to individuals and groups for recognition of
overall leadership and excellence in the advancement of fraternal ideals.  The chapter that receives this Certificate cares about the great good, is motivated by the success of others, identifies the needs of the community
and works to meet those needs. This group lives the ritual of it's Fraternity, at all times, holds others accountable to the standards of the group, provides assistance to others, before being asked, and is cutting edge and different from the rest. Both the NIC and the General Fraternity strongly feel that Kappa-Omega Zeta exudes these attributes.

Congratulations to you and the brothers of Kappa-Omega Zeta from the Grand High Zeta and Staff."

Most Warmly,
Pete LaRue

Updated 4/28/2003

At the campus-wide Greek Life Recognition Banquet which was held last evening, the Brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha were again the most-recognized and honored Greek organization of any fraternity or sorority on campus. Awards garnered included.....

Academic Excellence
Outstanding Fraternity Scholar - Mr. Andrew Harris
Community Service
Collegiate Involvement
Fraternity Advisor of the Year - Dr. Pete LaRue
Fraternity Man of the Year - Mr. Martin Rains
Fraternity President's Cup

A very special thanks to Recent-Past High Alpha, Mr. Jeremy Sexton for ensuring that all the necessary paperwork and forms were completed for the Greek Life Banquet - and for the leadership he provided for the Brothers and the Brotherhood during the 2002-2003 academic year - the time of record for these awards and recognitions.

Most Warmly,
Pete

******

Brother Lenahan,
Please see the letter below from John Pierce concerning the pyramids developed in conjunction with the Senior Ritual. A copy of the letter is also available on our website (http://www.lambdachi.org/alumni/aac/pyramidletter.asp)

Yours in ZAX,
Tom Helmbock
----------------------------------------------------

The Association of Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni

----------------------------------------------------
April 25, 2003

Dear Brothers,

In our 12-year history, our Dallas/Ft. Worth Association of Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni has volunteered to raise money for many worthy causes, such as the Ronald MacDonald House, the North Texas Food Bank, the Lambda Chi Alpha Food Drive, and A Clean Trinity (River).  This year we have selected the most worthy of all projects, the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation.  This ambitious project is designed to supply alums with a unique memento they can enjoy for life, and at the same time help raise a minimum of $10,000 in 2003 for the Educational Foundation.

On the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Website is a picture of the Alumni Pyramid (www.lambdachi.org/alumni/images/pyramid.jpg) that we are offering.  The pyramid was created in conjunction with the newly approved Senior Ritual and can be proudly displayed at home or in your office to show your pride in Lambda Chi Alpha.  Created by the Fraternity's jeweler, Masters of Design, formerly Balfour, this quality memorabilia has been acclaimed by people outside as well as inside our brotherhood.

By handling all of the marketing and distribution ourselves, we have reduced the expenses, so that from the purchase price of $45, we profit approximately $10 on each pyramid.  This price includes the postage throughout the U.S. and Canada.  For each pyramid purchased, the Educational Foundation will send each purchaser a tax deduction receipt for $10 minimum. All profits will be sent to the Educational Foundation with a portion of these funds being used to promote alumni activities and development.  Below is our order form for the pyramid, or it can be downloaded from the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Website (www.lambdachi.org\alumni\AAC\Pyramidorderform.pdf)

You can help by forwarding this e-mail and the attachments to all alumni that you have on your e-mail list.  I am asking all brothers who have additional e-mail addresses to do likewise.  If we continue to utilize the Internet to spread the word of not only the availability of these stylish pyramids, but also what we can accomplish for our Fraternity, our goal of 1,000 pyramids will be not only achieved, but shattered the first year. There will be a story on the pyramids in the upcoming Cross & Crescent, and the first presentation of the Senior Ritual in October 2002 on the first initiate, the Fraternity's Executive Vice President, Tom Helmbock.

We just received 250 pyramids and plan to have another order placed by the first part of May.  There is an 8-week completion time for these orders and we plan to keep the pipeline filled to prevent delays.  We will ship orders within 24 hours of receipt, and delivery is usually less than 7 days.

This advertisement and the work of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Association is supported and approved by the General Fraternity.

As chair of this fundraising campaign, let me thank you in advance for your assistance in helping us to achieve this goal for our Fraternity and aiding seniors in their transition to alumni status.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Yours in ZAX,
John

John Pierce
Upsilon 1053 (LSU)
972-243-5196
2824 Valley View Suite 3
Dallas, TX  75234

ORDER FORM

         Alumni Commemorative Pyramid

Buy one for yourself and buy others for your brothers.  Makes a great gift for your big brother and little brother!

Your Information:
Name ______________________________________ Zeta    ____________________
Address ______________________________________ E-mail ____________________
Address ______________________________________ Phone ____________________
City ______________________________________ State ____________________Zip _______________

Shipping Information: (If different from above)
Name ______________________________________
Address ______________________________________
Address ______________________________________
City ______________________________________ State ____________________Zip _______________

Payment method
Visa # ____________________     Expiration Date:  ____ / ____ / _____
  ______________________    Name as it appears on card

MasterCard # ____________________     Expiration Date:  ____ / ____ / _____
  ______________________    Name as it appears on card

Check: Payable to: The Association of Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni
2824 Valley View, Suite 103
Dallas, TX  75234

Quantity: Alumni Pyramids:   ______units  @   $45.00     =    $ _________

Questions? Please contact:    
John Pierce   
972-243-5196  
jwpierce@swbell.net

Updated 4/14/2003

Brothers in ZAX,

Some of you have asked if the Chapter is having problems.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. KOZ is running at 110% of perfection.  There are always bumps in the road, but the Brothers are more than capable
of handling these.

A potential problem which might become a disaster is recruiting. We took in eight (8) new brothers in the last class, but we will be loosing twenty-two (22) to graduation. This will leave us with only thirty-one (31) actives next year.  A full house would be forty (40) men. 

This low turn out is not a reflection on the Chapter, but a trend for all the organizations on campus. One of our long time rivals got only three new men.  College enrollment continues to increase, but Greek participation seems to be on a decline. What is the reason? I suspect it has something to do with money. It now costs nearly twenty-thousand Dollars ($20,000) per year to be enrolled at Georgetown College. I am sure that some parents are financially strapped by this and any "frivolous” expenses must be curbed. They see membership in a fraternity as a waste of money. The only impression they have is the “Animal House” stigma, and five-hundred Dollars ($500), or more, for social activities, would be a waste of money.

We are the most expensive organization on campus, and National is raising the cost of the mandatory liability insurance for each man from fifty-seven Dollars ($57) to seventy-eight Dollars ($78). This may not appear too excessive, but add it to the many trivial expenses incurred by an active brother, and we see why it cost so much to be a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

When these facts are presented to potential candidates, it is not surprising that they decline our invitations. 

Should we alumni be concerned? You tell me. Is there anything we should do to help?  Steve Bowman, the Association Treasurer, reports that we have seventeen-hundred Dollars ($1,700) in our account. This will not make much difference. 

One idea is to create an annuity that would generate enough money to pay the insurance cost for the first year of new members. Assuming we take fifteen (15) new associates, at seventy-eight Dollars ($78) each, this would take eleven hundred and seventy Dollars ($1,170) per year. At today’s low interest rates, this would require an annuity of approximately sixty five-thousand Dollars ($65,000). The proceeds fluctuate depending on the number of associates and interest rates. Any excess could be placed in the Alumni Association fund for future needs, such as Homecoming, awards, postage, etc. 

Anyone have sixty five-thousand Dollars ($65,000) they don’t need? Maybe someone needs a substantial tax deduction. I know this is a lot of money to most of us, but we have done it before, and I feel we can do it again. I will see to it that anyone donating one-hundred Dollars ($100) or more will be listed in the “Purple, Green and Gold” directory. You can pay by credit card on the Chapter Web Page at: www.kozlca.com/donation.html or mail checks to Kappa Omega Alumni Association, Bill Beams, 308 Jessamine Station Road, Wilmore, KY 40390.

DON’T CRY BECAUSE IT’S OVER, SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED.

Bill Beams
Alumni Association

Updated 4/5/2003

Pete LaRue, 

You've been an incredible asset to Lambda Chi Alpha of GC, and an asset to the fraternity and Greek system in general.  As an "old" Lambda Chi (Lambda Eta 109), please let me know if I can ever be of assistance to the GC Chapter....I'd love to help! (In addition, Dr Pete......go Tiger Bands!)

Darryl Callahan

Updated 4/2/2003

It is a profound professional privilege and great personal pleasure to announce that Mr. James B. Compton shall become the new High Pi and Chancellor of the Kappa-Omega Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha at Georgetown College. Mr. Compton shall assume his leadership role with the Brothers and the Brotherhood on or about May 1st, subsequent to formal approval by the Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters in Indianapolis and an investiture ceremony at the Ralph L. Curry House on the Georgetown campus.

Jim Compton, a 1998 graduate of Georgetown College and a 2001 graduate of the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, is currently a practicing attorney with the law firm of Clark and Ward in Lexington, Kentucky. He brings to his new role a plethora of experience with Lambda Chi Alpha, having as a student served both as High Gamma [Secretary] and High Alpha [President] of the Kappa-Omega Zeta. Jim is very excited about the future and potentialities for the award-winning Georgetown College chapter.

Dr. Peter LaRue, has served as High Pi & Chancellor for the Georgetown Lambda Chi Alpha chapter since 1997, and as Educational Advisor for the fraternity for two years prior to that appointment. LaRue says, "I know of no one, either better qualified or well-suited for the role as High Pi than Jim. He will bring great vision and energy to the Brothers and the Brotherhood. We are very fortunate that one of his professional accomplishments and personal characteristics will now be at the helm of our Kappa-Omega Zeta".

Pete LaRue

Updated 3/30/2003

Brothers,

I visited with Mom Ewing on the way to New Orleans to watch the University of Kentucky Wildcats win the Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship.  My oldest son, Kyle, and I had dinner with her and spent the evening in her fine company.

I think that many of the brothers would be proud to know that she has her Lambda Chi Alpha certificate framed and located in a place in her home that everyone who visits has to see it. 

At 84, she is still very sharp, active in her church (1st Baptist of Picayune, Mississippi), and a blessing to many.  She pulled out a whole box of pictures of brothers to look over during my visit, and she remembered details about each and every one.

My son lamented that he wished that he could have a positive experience like Mom during his time in college (He is a freshman at Middle Tennessee State, where there is no Lambda Chi chapter). 

Mom told Kyle in great detail how suprised and proud she was to be greeted by the brotherhood during her visit to G-town for Homecoming 2 years ago.  She loved the white roses, and cherishes many wonderful memories of that visit.

Yours in ZAX,
James Morris
KOZ 814

Updated 3/21/2003

Dear Brothers:

As the Fraternity celebrates Founders Day on March 22, Lambda Chi Alpha needs your help fulfilling its
mission. In commemoration of Founders Day we are asking brothers to honor our grand history and
shared future with a gift of $50 to the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation. By visiting
http://www.lambdachi.org/foundation, you can support Lambda Chi Alpha with an online gift.  (Gift processing by Network For Good, a Lambda Chi Alpha online partner)

There are many reasons to support Lambda Chi Alpha:

* We have seen a recent increase in our membership, with a 9.7% increase in associations and a 13%
increase in initiations since 2000 -- at a time when the remainder of the fraternity world has seen only a 1% increase in recruitment.

* We have an impressive record of expansion, with 23 new colonies opened since 1998.  This spring, we will
see new colonies at South Carolina - Aiken and Valparaiso University.  Charters will be granted at Marietta, Loyola - Marymount and Gettysburg.

* Our Impact Leadership program, which provides leadership training to undergraduate members, is unmatched in the fraternity world. Last year over 825 undergraduates participated.

Now is our time to remember the value of the bond of brotherhood and to rally to its cause.  I hope I can count on your support of Lambda Chi Alpha with a gift of $50.  Visit http://www.lambdachi.org/foundation now!

Sincerely yours in ZAX,

Ted R. Grossnickle
Grand High Alpha

Updated 3/10/2003

Dear Brothers,

I hope this finds you well. Tonight at the General Meeting of the Brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, I shall announce that a year from this date - I will end my tenure as High Pi & Chancellor of Kappa-Omega Zeta. As you know - my actual, current two-year term [the third of these] ended on December 31st - and originally I had planned to "enlist" for another full term. To date we have not processed any of the necessary paperwork in this regard. Upon careful reflection, I feel my time in this role must come to an end. Due to the particular challenges of the coming academic year for the fraternity - and my desire to have a smooth transition to a new High Pi - I will continue to serve as the Faculty Advisor for most of the 2003-2004 academic year, however, looking at the coming year as a time of "transition".

I shall always celebrate the many great memories I have shared with the many outstanding young gents down at the Curry House - during my two years as academic advisor and now over six as the Faculty Advisor. For many, many professional and personal reasons, however, and after a great deal of reflection and prayer - I feel this long-due decision must be made. I am most appreciative to the great support which so many have afforded the Brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha over the years. And although in the future, I shan't serve the Brotherhood of Lambda Chi Alpha in a leadership role - I shall remain until my demise - a very proud Brother of Kappa-Omega Zeta. Be Well.

Most Warmly,
Peter LaRue

******

Dear Brothers of Kappa Omega Zeta,

It gives me great pleasure to greet you all once again. Spring initiations have just finished, and we are proud to welcome eight new brothers into our bond. This brings the Zeta Numbers up to 1254! We are proud of our new initiates and look forward to their continued success in Kappa Omega.

Unfortunately, gentlemen, this letter is not complete good news. Our active chapter faces financial problems of great measure at the current time. Skyrocketing costs and unforeseen expenses have left us without the funds for White Rose Formal this year. After searching the many different routes to alleviate this situation, we have decided upon a fundraising event to raise the money. We are offering magazine subscriptions at a very excellent price – the good people with whom we are doing business have assured us that the price can not be beaten anywhere. The subscription times are as follows: a weekly magazine will be provided for a full year and monthly magazines will be provided for TWO (2) years! If you are a current subscriber, then we can renew your subscription at this time as well. The following magazines are offered in this event:

Allure
Business 2.0
Car and Driver 
Electronic Gaming 
Entertainment Weekly 
Essence 
Field & Stream 
Food & Wine 
Glamour 
Golf Magazine 
Health 
Home 
Money 
Parenting 
PC Magazine 
People 
People En Espanol 
Popular Science 
Real Simple 
Ski 
Sports Illustrated 
Teen People 
This Old House 
Time Magazine 
Travel & Leisure 
Fortune 
Woman's Day

The members of the active chapter wish to express our thanks and gratitude in advance for your assistance in these difficult times. We know that we can always count on our Brothers. If you wish to purchase any of these subscriptions (the price is only $40 for the year of weekly magazines or two years of monthly), please let Joe Elias, the head of this project, know as soon as possible. Our deadline is March 14. He can be reached at this e-mail address: jelias0@georgetowncollege.edu or by phone at (502)863-8663.

Thank you again.
In ZAX,
Roy Lowdenback
High Rho
Kappa Omega Zeta 1243

******

New or revised e-mail addresses:

Matt Williams - Matthewandlea@aol.com 

******

Hello brothers at VXA house, G-town.  Have new computer and would like to correspond.  My pledge class was 1972.  I am Kappa Omega 655.  Tell me what you guys are doing.  It has been a long time. 

James Upchurch

Updated 2/3/2003

Dear Alumni Brothers of Kappa-Omega Zeta,

I hope this finds you well. I wanted to take a brief moment to inform you of several recent and notable events involving the Brothers of Kappa-Omega Zeta and activities at the Curry House.

Prior to the beginning of the new academic semester, the Brothers held their annual "Brotherhood Retreat". This event, well-planned by High Kappa, Brian Mattingly, provided a wonderful venue to have necessary meetings - as well as good times of brotherly bonding. As the semester began, we were in the midst of Rush, and both our Informal Party and Formal Dinner were very successful, in large part, due to the efforts of High Delta, Danny Dermitt. We were especially grateful that Brother Alan Redditt gave of his time [driving up from Alabama] to again provide a wonderful and inspiring speech for the prospective gents. Even while we were in the midst of Rush - we hosted Mr. Peter Newhouse, the ELC [aka Educational Leadership Consultant] from "HQ" [aka the International Headquarters of Lambda Chi Alpha in Indianapolis]. As always, Mr. Newhouse reviewed all operational aspects of our fraternity - giving advice and support to the Zeta Officers - during the course of his visit. Mr. Newhouse also apprised the Brotherhood of some startling news from Lambda Chi Alpha - which presents a challenge that we are going to face - and we shall need the help and support of all Alumni and Active Brothers to see our way through these times.

Last spring we had been told by "HQ" to plan on "modest" increases in both dues and our insurance premiums per man - starting in the 2003 Spring Semester. We had raised our dues slightly - being ever-conscious of the financial burden which they represent to each Brother as they stand - and decided that we could "eat" the difference. The consultant, much to our collective shock, indicated that insurance premiums would be going up 300% this semester, in addition to an increase in the dues paid per Brother. Additionally, we were told to count on continuing increases in both for the coming semesters.

You can imagine what a shock this was to us all. Both Brother Beams and I have been in contact with "HQ" regarding this matter, and I have requested for the Director of Chapter Services, Mr. Andy Longo, to schedule a visit to Kappa-Omega so we may further discuss this issue. Our dues [Lambda Chi Alpha] are by far the highest now on campus, and for the past few years this has impacted recruiting. We figure - to just cover the current increases - we will have to set dues at $500.00 a Brother next fall. And there are two other potentially distressing facets of this; a) this increase might not fully cover the ongoing increases from "HQ" and b) over the past few years an ever larger portion of the dues which each Brother pays is going to Indianapolis - diminishing that portion we which can keep for programming, parties, upgrades to the Curry House, et al. 

I know that with the resources and energies of you our Alumni Brothers and our highly-energized Active Brothers - that we will develop necessary and appropriate strategies to deal with this [i.e. fund-raising, general development projects, even closer eye on all internal budgets, etc] - but to my way of thinking we dare not let our dues get much higher - or we shall price ourselves completely out of the market. We shall keep you posted on these challenges as we go.

Now the good news - and it is very, very good news indeed. I would like you to join with me and all of our Active Brothers - as we welcome the 2003 Class of Associates. These fine young gents are; Ty Bowles, Patrick Clifford, Chris Hill, Tyler Howard, Josh Rodgers, Joshua Shoulta, David Simpson and David Taliaferro. Yes, this is a smaller class than we have had in some years - but believe you me - these gents represent a quality and caliber - across the board - that we have seldom had. In terms of campus involvement, spiritual values, academic success, leadership skills [and I could go on and on] these young gents are simply "off the scale". Additionally, we are very happy to announce that Dr. Michael Cairo, our new Educational Advisor, has been made an Honorary Brother of Kappa-Omega Zeta. I know you are as excited as am I about this most-remarkable class, and I also know you shall greatly enjoy meeting them.

I know that our High Rho, Roy Lowdenback [also recently installed President of the Student Body - by the way], shall keep you abreast of coming events and activities. We have a very full spring ahead of us with the Date Auction, Operation Torch, Family Day, Ritual, Hot Tub-A-Thon and the Spring Formal to name naught but a few events. 

I hope you shall keep in your thoughts and prayers our Brotherhood and the Brothers of our Kappa-Omega Zeta. Be Well.

Most Warmly,
Peter LaRue
High Pi
Kappa-Omega Zeta
Lambda Chi Alpha
Georgetown College

Updated 1/21/2003

Andy Longo 
Dir. Chapter Services 
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 
Indianapolis, IN 46268 

Dear Brother Longo, 

I was shocked to hear Brother Peter Newhouse, ELC, explain the proposed increase in our Chapter's liability insurance premiums. This may be the "straw that broke the camel's back", as we are already the most costly fraternity on campus. Adding this additional expense will kill our recruiting efforts. The pool of candidates nearly dry now. 

You must find a way to avoid this increase. I'm sure you know the costs of higher education are skyrocketing. Parents and financial providers will not approve funds for fraternity participation. They too, have suffered losses during the down turn in the markets, leaving no funds for nonessential activities. 

Georgetown College has liability insurance for every student and being residents of College property, that insurance should be sufficient. Might I suggest that you contact them for details. You may find that additional insurance is unnecessary. Reduce the coverage, raise the deductible, or shop for another provider, but don't flatten us with this expense without exploring other avenues. Kappa Omega Zeta is too successful to be strangled this way. 

Sincerely, 
IN ZAX 
William Beams, KO384
 President, Alumni Association

Updated 1/20/2003

To: Mr. Andy Longo, Director of Chapter Services 

Dear Mr Longo, 

I hope this finds you well. Please know I am stunned, mortified and filled with angst over news that the ELC, Mr. Peter Newhouse, has brought to the Brothers of Kappa-Omega Zeta - regarding a most-unexpected "hike" in insurance premiums for our Kappa-Omega Zeta. Yes, we were aware that an increase in both the insurance and dues would be inevitable this year - and as we established Brotherhood dues for the 2002-2003 academic year last spring - we factored this into the equation. A modest raise in our dues charged to each Brother - while we as a chapter would basically "eat" the remainder of the increases.

You perhaps can imagine my surprise and chagrin when we fully understood the vast increase in the insurance premiums per man this semester. At this rate - as a Chapter - we are "eating" somewhere between $1,500.00 and $2,500.00 [we have not quite figured how this will fully "shake-out"]. on dues/premiums this semester alone. This causes my concern to exist on several levels.....

01. this is an extraordinarily difficult recruiting year for us anyhow - very small number of gents rushing -and we have tried to keep our Kappa-Omega Association dues as low as possible - although they are still significantly higher than the other national and local fraternities on campus

02. our yearly Brotherhood dues are substantially higher than the other national and local fraternities on campus which does not help our recruiting

03. the exigencies represented by the national economy has hit each family, each Brother - and many of our Ma's & Pa's are truly scuffling to keep their son in college - let alone dealing with the growing expense of fraternal obligations

04. although we were able to absorb some of these increases this semester - internally - this cannot remain long-possible as the coffers shall soon be exhausted

I AM TRULY FRIGHTENED THAT IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUE - THAT OUR KAPPA-OMEGA ZETA WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS BETWEEN FORTY AND FIFTY BROTHERS - SOON SHALL BE REDUCED TO A BROTHERHOOD OF TWENTY TO TWENTY-FIVE BROTHERS [if that many].

It almost seems like those Zetas which have tried to be good stewards of their resources [i.e. pay all obligations in a timely fashion] are being penalized by the "deficits" at HQ of which Peter has mentioned several times. It seems that those Zetas who have tried to be basically "clean" [i.e. abide by Risk Management policies, and generally work to ensure a hazard free environment] are being penalized by those - who have not. It seems like there should be a greater delineation between Zetas like ours - who live in a Chapter House - but that house is owned and maintained by the College, sits on College property and is fully the responsibility of the institution - versus - houses with independent housing corporations, etc. 

I am gravely concerned that the effects of these rate hikes perhaps - are not fully understood by those at HQ - and the possible dramatic, negative implications for our Brothers and Brotherhood are not fully appreciated. and it seems there is no end in sight - to these increases.

Yes, immediately we are going to begin conversations with our EC and Leadership Team on how we might handle this fiscal challenge. Yes, immediately we shall be in conversation with our Alumni Brothers on their thoughts and how we might handle this fiscal challenge. Yes, immediately I shall begin conversations with my Pi Advisory Board [all past High Alphas with whom I have served] to figure how we might deal with these challenges. I fear, however, that there are no good answers.

Mr. Newhouse said last evening that your pathway might be bringing you to the Commonwealth in the near future - with visits to Morehead and Easter Kentucky. I am wondering if during this visit - you might be able to make time to visit our Kappa-Omega Zeta - an have some discussions with our EC, Leadership Team, General brotherhood and Alumni? It would be greatly appreciated.

I will graciously receive any thoughts or suggestions you might have on this topic. Thank-you, Be Well, and as always.....

I remain most warmly yours 
Pete LaRue 
High Pi 
Kappa-Omega Zeta 
Lambda Chi Alpha Georgetown College 

******

I was browsing the membership directory and I noticed that apparently no one has informed you of passing of our brother Curtis Siria (101).  Curt, a long time friend of my family, passed away early in 2001.  His widow passed away this past year.
 
I enjoy the site very much as I can not return to Georgetown as I would like.  I see some familiar faces in the homecoming pictures.  Keep up the excellent work.  

Yours in ZAX,
Wm. Hayes Kington, Jr. (585)

******

Dear Brothers:
 
As you may know, Lambda Chi Alpha has been conducting a search over the past few months to recruit a new Chief Operating Officer for the Fraternity.  The project has brought us in contact with a number of highly-qualified candidates, three of whom were of great interest to the Search Committee. As luck would have it, however, each person had a unique opportunity for promotion at his current employer as we neared the final stages of the search, and for that reason we are re-starting the process to find a Chief Operating Officer.
 
The profile of the position is below for your review.  Key characteristics sought are strong financial skills, solid management experience, excellent communications abilities, and the sort of leadership personality that makes others naturally want to follow.
 
We would appreciate your thinking of brothers who either fit the profile and who conceivably could have an interest in the position, or who would know such a person, so that we can refer him to our executive search consultant, whose contact information is on the enclosed profile. Thank you in advance for giving some thought to the Fraternity's needs. 
 
Sincerely yours in ZAX,

Thomas A. Helmbock
Executive Vice President
Lambda Chi Alpha
(317) 803-7312
thelmbock@lambdachi.org
www.lambdachi.org
"The fraternal world's most powerful journey starts here......and lasts for life."

LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
Chief Operating Officer

Founded at Boston University in 1909, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity has grown to a total of more than 240,000 initiated members and currently has 210 university chapters and colonies.  The Fraternity devotes considerable resources to leadership training, mentoring, and support to local chapters in such areas as financial controls, recruitment, personal development, and property management.  As it approaches its 100th birthday in 2009, Lambda Chi Alpha is the third largest organization of its kind, with a $5.5 million annual budget and 28 professional staff members at its Indianapolis International Headquarters.  The Fraternity is composed of three operating units: Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, Inc., Lambda Chi Alpha Properties, Inc., and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  Each has its own operations, its own Board of Directors, and reports up through separate Chief Operating Officers to the Fraternity's Chief Executive Officer.

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is responsible for financial management, administrative services, and program activities of the Fraternity itself. The organization has 21 staff members and an operating budget of $3.2 million annually, and has recently launched a nationwide search for a Chief Operating Officer.  Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, and in close cooperation with Board committees, the Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for implementing the Fraternity's strategic plan by managing programs and activities with fiscal discipline and accountability for outcomes.  Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer will be a Corporate Controller; Program Managers responsible respectively for chapter services, the Impact Leadership and Mentoring Program, and administrative services; an editor whose duties include the magazine and web site; and a manager of information systems and technology.

Qualities of the successful candidate will include:

* An executive who uses strong team building and organizational skills to develop a highly-capable operating group.
* One who leads by force of intellect, insight, credibility, and power of persuasion.
* At least ten years of experience in successfully managing a complex organization with a multi-million dollar budget, a large staff, and a variety of service-oriented programs.
* Background managing through multiple levels using a combination of delegation, evaluation, and empowering while still being attentive to key details.
* Ideally, experience as a professional in a not-for-profit organization with a mission of client service and support.
* Strong financial savvy, particularly with respect to the "dynamics" of money as part of growing, expanding, and maturing an organization.
* Notable abilities to plan, organize and execute administrative functions and procedures in order to serve the "customer" in a timely and efficient way.
* Proficient in the strategic applications of information systems and related technology.
* An effective listener who communicates well, builds consensus among disparate interests and parties, and empowers others.
* Approachable and accessible, with the ability to engender trust and confidence among a variety of stakeholders.
* Energetic, enthusiastic and mission-driven.

Compensation is expected to be in the high five- to low six figures. Candidates may now be in senior finance or operating roles of such not-for-profit organizations as non-Greek service fraternities, chambers of commerce, industry associations, city management, cause-related organizations, independent schools, higher education, or cultural institutions. Alternatively they may presently be senior operations officials in for-profit organizations-with significant experience in the volunteer arena-in such roles as hospital administrator; chief administrative officer of a law, accounting or consulting firm; banking or financial services; hospitality; transportation; and real estate asset management.

For more information contact:
L. Lincoln Eldredge or Catherine J. Wicker
Brigham Hill Consultancy, Inc., Dallas, Texas
Phone: 214-871-8700 / Fax: 214-871-6004
www.brighamhill.com