THE FRATERNITY OF PHI GAMMA DELTA Epsilon Lambda Graduate Association Report Report Of the Epsilon lambda trustees JANUARY 15, 1991 Many things have been happening at our Chapter at Michigan State in the past six months. This report is designed to bring you up to date on allfacets of the situation. Here's a brief and very straightforward history of recent events: D,uring the '88-'89 school year, major inside, as well as siding and a new roof outside. This was paid for by the Housing tion had gotten out of control and that major changes would have to be made. Working with Bill Martin, Executive Direc tor of the International, Headquarters Staff as well as the Undergraduate Cabi net plans were developed to effect a turn Corporation by increasing the outstanding around. structural improvements were made to the Chapter House. 239 got a new kitchen, bathrooms and major wall repairs on the mortgage to ± $150,000.00. This is a very reasonable sum considering the house ca pacity is 31 brothers. However, because of construction, under-capacity utilization, as well as major non-collection of under graduate dues and bills the Chapter fell substantially behind in all debts. During the '89-'90 school year the chapter partially righted itself with substantial ef forts of the cabinet. However, they could The first step in the process was a meeting of all interested graduates. The meeting took place on the Sunday of homecoming, October 28, 1990. At that Sunday morn ing meeting 38 graduates were counted; a very impressive number representing all eras of our Chapter's history. All were in terested in saving the Chapter and 239. Bob Anderegg of the Headquarters Staff led the meeting. not pay past debt and service the current debt at the same time. By the spring of 1990 the Housing Corpo ration filed for bankruptcy for lack of funds. The Chapter had not paid enough rent. The Chapter and Corporation were also cited by the East Lansing Building Dept. with numerous building code viola tions, fined $600.00 and given until Octo ber 4, 1990 to fix up or have the house closed permanently. F X r r om this meeting the following actions were taken: 1. A Graduate Trusteeship was formed, and with Archon approval took immedi ate and complete control of the under graduate chapter. Any and all opera tions of the Chapter are now the Trustees' responsibility. There are 16 trustees representing all eras of Chap ter history. John Paff is the Chairman. By January of 1990 John Paff '78 and David Pavlik '64 who had been working with the Chapter realized that the situa 2. At the direction of International a Fi nancial Trustee was appointed. This \r\nEPSILON LAMBDA GRADUATE ASSOCIATION REPORT Trustee is Brother Kevin Cole '76. Al Munro, Eric Deal in Atlanta, Dave PavUk though Brother Cole is a member of the Trusteeship, he reports directly to the Archons through the Headquarters in Cincinnati and John Paff and Kevin Cole in East Lansing the money was bor rowed and the crisis averted. Staff. The financial trustee directs un dergraduate financial and collection op erations, approves aU spending, super vises the undergraduate treasurer and is the Treasurer of the new E.L. Gradu ate Association. 3. An Epsilon Lambda Graduate Associ ation was formed to promote aU aspects of the Chapter's life. AU graduates are automaticaUy members. The Chairman is Eric Deal. This organization, we hope, Au four separate graduate organizations are hard at work; The Trustees particularly those 8 in East Lansing are in and out of the house every day. A shadow cabinet has been formed; i.e. Hie Trustee Chairmen works with the will be the dominant force in future undergraduate cabinet and president. The financial trustee works with the newly ap pointed undergraduate treasurer. Henry Rehn works with the corresponding secre chapter growth. tary and historian and is therefore in 4. The FIJI Housing Corporation was re constituted. Brothers Andy Munro, Judge Tom Brennan and Brian Page are the operating officials. All are lawyers. charge of all graduate relations/campus relations. A still-to-be-named trustee will be working with the Rush Chairman. John Webb is working with the Judicial Board. A trustee attends each undergraduate meeting. PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS The Financial Trustee has induced all current undergraduates who owe the ^oon after being formed the Trusteeship undertook a membership review of the current imdergraduate Chapter. Two in terview teams worked aU day to interview every undergraduate, assessing individu ally cind as a group the strengths and weaknesses of the Chapter. Several Broth ers were moved to graduate status, one resigned. At the end of fall term 1990 the Chapter stood a 38 good men and 3 good pledges. On October 4, 1990 the undergraduate Chapter working with only small graduate guidance passed the East Lansing Build ing Code Inspection. A truly remarkable feat! 239 was safe for another day. On December 17, 1990 the Housing Cor poration faced court ordered foreclosure with debts of$15,000.00 and no cash; this again due to non-payment of rent. Through some 11th hour efforts by Andy Chapter money to sign a letter of agree ment to pay, a letter which is legally binding. Financial records are being cleared up. Most important is that spend ing must be approved in advance. Future rent will be paid! Housing Corporation is back up and run ning the FIJI Firm running the operation. If the undergraduates can keep the house at 28 average living in, the mortgage can be serviced. The Graduation Association proved im portant to the Chapter as soon as it was formed by helping raise the money to save the house on short notice. The Associa tion will be leading a fund raising drive. The Undergraduate Chapter is working well with the graduates. Although no one is thrilled with tight rules, the undergrad uates are working full steam ahead to meet the goals set for them. \r\nEPSILON LAMBDA GRADUATE ASSOCIATION REPORT 1991 PIG DINNER . SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1991 No outside motivational speakers. Short reports on the progress of the chapter and Good Times! GRADUATES MEETING . . 5:00 p.m. at the House. Everyone encouraged to attend. CASH BAR 6:30 Timberidge Country Club—Lake Lansing Road DINNER 7:45 Minimal after dinner speakers LATE NIGHT PLANS ....TEA Cash at the Door Let us know if you are coming. If not, send money! RESERVATIONS: Henry Rehn (313)751-3400 Kirk Rehn (at 239) (517) 337-3185 (tape will be on—leave message) Announcing the Graduate Association Fund Drive The Goal $25,000.00 As reported the Graduate Association tion—TOGETHER.These funds will not be borrowed $18,000.00 on short notice. wasted! Most of this money must be repaid within 90 days. We need your help and we need it now. All monies collected will go into the Grad uate Association's account in Lansing under the direct supervision of Kevin Cole. After repayment of the current debt, it is hoped that this fund can be used for Chapter House improvements at 239; fur niture and fbrtures. Brothers: It's time to Buck up! Send what of the Trustees, the Financial Trustee, and you can: $25,$50,$100,$500. This is not only for the high rollers among us, al though large sums are greatly appreci ated. If everyone gives we can meet our the Chairman of the Graduate Associa goal easily. DO IT NOW!!! Distribution of any money can only be done with the agreement of the Chairman Make your check payable to: Epsilon Lambda Graduate Association Name Class Current Address Any Comments: _ Send to: Brother Kevin Cole / 5305 Greenbriar / Lansing, Michigan 48917 DO IT NOW/ \r\nMil 3077 HARRISON AVE. CINCINNATI, OHIO 45211 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, Ohio Permit No. 777