With great pleasure, I write this letter to announce that the UW IFC Council has unanimously voted to return Kappa Chapter of Chi Phi to campus. Although the task was difficult, we kept the faith after our September 23 meeting with the IFC executive board. I thank the 33 Brothers who traveled to Madison for our board meeting and for the volumes of letters and e-mails supporting Chi Phi’s return to campus. A number of Kappa Brothers and two Brothers from National attended the IFC meeting on November 9 to present our petition to recolonize. After we presented, we waited outside the Red Gym room for the outcome. When the IFC president gave us the news, a collective cheer of emotion erupted. We did it!
More Madison-Area Alumni Needed
The first big hurdle was cleared, and now the work begins. On page X there is a checklist of things we must complete for recolonization. Please read this carefully and help where you can. We need four to eight more alumni in the Madison area to step up and join the Chapter Advisory Committee. Joe Hildebrandt ’66 has graciously volunteered as chairman, along with Bill Steinberg ’68 and Andrew DeMarco ’90.
Send in Your Recruitment Recommendations
We are planning to spend approximately $35,000 to have Paul Janowicz, Alpha Chi ’08, and Rich Kuerston, Mu Zeta ’02, from National campaign for our Chapter this fall. Our goal is to pledge 30 new members. We have six legacy candidates in school now or planning to attend this fall. Please promote your Fraternity and send in recruitment recommendations. Remember, sons of Chi Phis are automatic pledges. Help in our recruitment.
The PIKE’s are very good tenants and are easy to work with. They have elected to take the fourth-year rent option. They will occupy the house in fall 2010 and spring 2011. Assuming we are successful in our recruitment efforts, we will move back into the house as an active Chapter in fall 2011, That’s right, we are coming back!
Alumni Association Solidifies Recolonization Goals
The alumni association continues to work diligently and performed an alignment exercise, led by Andrew DeMarco. The purpose was to get all board members on the same page, strengthening our resolve as we move toward recolonization. We answered a questionnaire and accumulated thoughts and information. The results gave us a platform to unanimously commit our energy to the recolonization success. With an active Chapter, our future is solid. Please read our mission statement on page 1 and consider what these words mean.
We have formed a social committee to plan one main social function and two smaller gathers each year. Please see the insert for more information.
What You Can Do to Help Kappa Chapter:
1. Provide us with your son’s name or potential members we can actively recruit; this is our number one priority.
2. Volunteer to help your Chapter succeed. We need more Madison volunteers.
3. Plan to attend our social functions. Remember, we joined Chi Phi because we fit in there. It’s a lot of fun to see your Brothers again. Make Chi Phi a part of your life.
4. Continue to donate to help pay for this communication.
5. Prepare to visit the house in fall of 2011 on football weekends.
6. Join in because it’s fun!
Thank You, Brothers, for Your Support
What we have accomplished to date is remarkable. Many of us had doubts, but we have persevered and now there is an even bigger job ahead. I thank each wonderful Brother who has stepped up and helped bring Chi Phi back to 200 Langdon Street. I thank everyone who provided financial support in these tough times. I thank you in advance for your willingness to volunteer and help in our success.
Chi Phi Continues to Change Lives
Chi Phi was very important in each of our lives. Fraternities are as relevant today as they were in the past. Remember when you first walked into the house and knew this was the place for you? You talked with the guys and felt you fit in. There was a sense of, “These guys think like I do!” You were comfortable in your surroundings. You joined, and you joined for life! You then met a woman who thought like you do, and again felt a sense of belonging. You may have dated, fallen in love, or pinned that girl. You may have married her. You went on with life and shared successes and failures, but the trend was very positive in your endeavors. Your Fraternity gave you the foundation to reach for your goals. How relevant is that? Is it any different today?
Chi Phi: A Platform for Life Success
Our purpose is to establish Chi Phi as a platform for success in life. This includes academics, leadership, responsibility, social networking, a sense of belonging, spirituality, and brotherhood, all wrapped up as a home away from home. Chi Phi is your home on campus and a springboard for life success.
We are bringing Chi Phi back to the University of Wisconsin, so get on board! This is a perfect opportunity to shape a new image of our Kappa Chapter and there is no turning back. I am very proud to lead this wonderful association and share our accomplishments.
Fraternally,
Jim Trotter ’78
Alumni Association President
(262) 352-1716
Ksjet@sbcglobal.net
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