President's 2010 Spring Report
Dear Theta Brothers,
We have accomplished much since 2006, with just a few key wins summarized here:
• Keith Kennedy ’86, alumni and the brotherhood have made improvements too numerous to mention to the house (sprinkler system, safety and code compliance, landscape, basic maintenance, traditional décor, carpets, furniture, electronics, framed historical items and composites, etc.)
• We now have almost 80 active brothers and a full chapter house (and we are planning rush and the pledge program to keep it that way). Fall 2009 netted 18 new brothers, the second highest number on campus. Our spring class will add 6 or 7 to that number.
• We are winning or placing in everything: academics, Greeks Week and Greek Sing, Homecoming, IMs, THON, etc.
• We have made a commitment to our chef (not your traditional fraternity cook) through pay and benefits, and a new kitchen including equipment. The brothers agree that he is a huge asset.
• Last summer we completed many renovations: restained all outside wood, new foyer, new downstairs bathrooms, brothers bar, new kitchen (which is the best at PSU), new alumni room (the old ladies’ lounge), card room, and second floor bathroom and showers. We have spent over $300,000 on renovations and major maintenance in the last 3 years. We have $500,000 more to go!
• I have become friends with many of the seniors who will graduate this spring. They rushed when I started as President, and I will be sad to see them go (but will surely see them for alumni events in the future)! They have done nothing but improve the house, revive traditions, and bring quality men to your chapter.
The capital campaign officially ended as of October 31, 2009. We have had some success, but I will be asking for capital contributions through at least 2012. The current economy put a damper on what we expected, so we still need everyone to “belly-up to the bar” and make your pledge commitments if not already done. $5,000 pledge payments are tax-deductible! $10,000 or more and you can sponsor a room. Here are the results:
• Actual pledges with payments ongoing = $200,000
• Gifts in-kind to the renovations = $50,000
• Verbal pledges (need commitments) = $100,000
• Bequests = $175,000 (not predictable when those funds will be available).
Please consider pledging if you have not and accelerating your payments on existing pledges (or at least do not fall behind, as it costs us to send out reminders). Pledge forms and information are available on the website (www.sigmapipsu.com), or contact me directly for more information.
We welcome any amount, for the capital campaign or our annual communication program (two totally separate programs). The board is looking at all options to complete the renovations prior to the 100th anniversary of Sigma Pi at Penn State in 2012. The undergraduates are doing their part by keeping the house full and all the positive activities noted above and on the website. Now the alumni need to step it up. We need cash flow from both steams – actives and alumni. Due to limited cash flow from alumni, there are no renovations planned for the summer of 2010. We hope to restart in 2011, but it will depend on the level of alumni pledge and payment improvement. There also will be no Theta Observer newsletter this spring due to the large homecoming event last year and to save the $3,000 publishing and mailing cost.
If you would like to get personally active, we have many ways for you to get involved with our path. Just let me, a board member, or the actives know. If you would like to visit the house, please contact AJ or the actives VP (on website) so we can prepare (I know you would not arrive at someone’s house unannounced and expect it to be pristine). The actives are glad to see you, especially with a little advanced notice!
As I write this, our strategic plan (originated in 2006) is in its fifth revision (on the website at www.sigmapipsu.com). We update that with action plans each spring. The mission statement developed there still guides our choices and use of our time, talents, and finances. We have worked arm-in-arm with the chapter to distill that mission into a guide for us all known as “ARM” (Actions, Recruiting, and Maintenance). This means positive actions supporting our traditions and future, dedication to recruiting the best men, and maintaining our chapter house for all constituents (alumni, actives, future brothers, our community and Penn State). The undergraduates are doing a great job at meeting these opportunities.
In summary, the brothers and their executive committee care, Theta Board cares, and we need your care too! Please get involved with your donations and support.
Please plan to attend this year’s Chris Hull Memorial Sigma Pi Open – Saturday, June 12!
Craig D. Womeldorf ‘87
717-870-7944
cwomeldorf@aol.com