Phi Alpha's Message

I'll be in Lincoln for Zeta Psi's 160^th International Convention this August.  Will you?

Okay, I'll be up front with the big reaction many have to my opening sentence in this month's UpZete column:  why would I ever want to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska - even if for a Zete Convention - in mid-summer?  As Zeta Psi's CEO, I will not only preside over this convention, but fondly remember my first convention in the Cornhusker State.  This year will be my 37^th Zete convention in a row and it's bound to be one of the better ones, as was that first Lincoln convention in 1996.  But for those who've never been to Lincoln - or a  Zete Convention - what's the draw?

I recognize that Lincoln does not enjoy the same reputation as some of the cities in which Zeta Psi has held its annual conventions in recent years.  It doesn't have the historical sites of our last two conventions in Boston and Philadelphia, for instance.  Then again, how many of the attendees at the 2005 and 2006 conventions spent much time (or any time?) touring the sites of two of the most historically famous cities in the early years of the United States?   Not many.  Why?  Because Zetes came to those cities - and wherever our conventions have been held in the recent years - to share their common Zete experiences and enjoy some fun times with other Zetes and their families that have come to share their own special kind of brotherhood in Tau Kappa Phi.

What will happen in August is what many of us regular Zete convention attendees often refer to as our annual "Renewal Reunion" with Zetes we see at least once a year at the annual convention.  Many of us have seen our Brothers progress in their own and their families' lives by catching up with them at our annual conventions, and we all share lifelong memories of wonderful times spent in cities across North America.  Many of us have enjoyed memorable times in venues like New York and Toronto, Boston and Calgary, Orlando and Philadelphia.  But one the most memorable was in Lincoln in 1996.  For me, that was the occasion of my parting words to the Grand Chapter as its longest-term Executive Director of 24 years, but it also marked a departure from what had been Zeta Psi's pattern of going to some of the larger cities in the US and Canada, and it worked well for us.  It was smaller, to be sure, but it was highly memorable because our local hosts went out of their way to bring their special brand of Midwest hospitality to their guests from other parts of this vast and diverse continent. 

This will also be a chance to meet one of our flagship chapters, our host, the Omicron Chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University.  The Omicron has consistently been a top-rated chapter within Zeta Psi for more than a decade because its alumni participation and leadership are among the best we have in Zeta Psi.  It is this outstanding chapter - both Actives and Elders - that wishes to show its visitors what a great vacation it can be to renew one's sense of Zete brotherhood with about 200 of your Brothers from far different places and experiences, but who all share the common link of being Brothers in Tau Kappa Phi.

If you're looking for a mini-vacation (August 15-18) in a place most of you have never been to, consider joining me, some 50+ of Zeta Psi's Board and Elder Chapter leaders, about 100 of Zeta Psi's finest undergraduate members, and dozens of the Omicron Chapter's Actives and Elders to enjoy four amazing days of activities in Lincoln, Nebraska that you'll never forget.

I hope to see many of you who are reading this UpZete in Lincoln in August.  Until then, have a wonderful summer!

Always in Tau Kappa Phi,

Sign-up Early!

You'll note many announcements about our annual convention here in the UpZete.  This is because now is the time to make your plans!  We're heading to Lincoln, Nebraska August 15-18, 2007 for Zeta Psi's 160^th International Convention hosted by the Omicron Chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

You're going to enjoy Lincoln with its Midwest college town charm and its wide variety of fun places to go in the evening.  Our host hotel - the Embassy Suites Downtown - is perfectly located on the border of the University of Nebraska campus, two blocks from the Haymaker Entertainment District and three blocks from the many clubs and bars on "O" Street.  We're steps from all the action.

Our information and registration website is up and running and you can sign-up online.  Some of you will drive and that process is self-explanatory.  You have three options with air travel: 1) fly directly to Lincoln, 2) fly into Omaha which is one hour away by car, or 3) fly into Kansas City and drive three hours northwest.  You may find Omaha is the best option.  We're most likely going to arrange a van service between Omaha and Lincoln, so Omaha might indeed be the way to go.  We'll post a notice on the website in the coming weeks.

So sign-up now for Lincoln.  We've got the Early Bird registration fee and air travel costs will be lower if you act now.  See you in Lincoln in August!

--Dave Hunter, IA '80 (email me)

Steve Halperin, Beta Tau 84', has been involved with Zeta Psi for over 26 years and has devoted countless hours to our fraternity. He chaired our 150^th Anniversary Convention in New York, and is currently a member of the Zeta Psi Executive Board. In 1995, Steve's service was honored with an Outstanding Alumni Award.

As a freshman at Tulane University in 1980, Steve was delighted in all that New Orleans had to offer - including Greek life. During rush he visited every house, and when he visited Zeta Psi, he immediately felt a connection. It was a smaller house on campus, but he just felt comfortable at Zete. He wanted to find a different group of friends from those he went to high school with, and he found them in Zeta Psi. The fraternity not only brought with it a great group of guys to hang out with, but it also helped Steve in other ways. He admits that without his fraternity brothers he would not have graduated college. He never had an older brother, and his fraternity brothers were there to make sure he got his work done. While Steve has many great memories from his time as an undergraduate brother, some of the best include road trips to visit other Zetes at UT Austin.

When pledges enter Zeta Psi, they are told that there is no such thing as an inactive Zete, and Steve has epitomized this statement. Since attending his first convention in 1983 in Montreal, he has only missed going 3 other times. He lists John Gephardt and Lou Capozzoli's acceptance speeches for their Distinguished Alumni Awards as the most memorable moments he has had in Zeta Psi. As long-serving chairmen of the Awards Committee, he felt great knowing that they got it right with their selections.

Steve's involvement in Zeta Psi does not end with formal functions; he still interacts with Zetes in his daily life. He met Ozguar Karaosmanoglu his 1^st week freshmen year and now 'Oz' is his stockbroker and they talk twice a week. Every year Steve and couple other Zetes compete in the Cooper Union Golf Tournament wearing their Zeta Psi Fat Bastards Golf Team jackets; in their first year, they won it.

Whether in his daily life or during convention, Steve has met hundreds of Zetes. He has interacted with people he never would have met if not for Zeta Psi. He is an example for young Zetes everywhere of what you can gain and the people you can meet if you stay active and involved in Zeta Psi, our lifelong Brotherhood.

The Zeta Psi International Convention is closer than you may think, as in past years Zete Kids will hold a silent auction during the Grand Chapter Banquet on Saturday August 18^th.  All proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Zete Kids Foundation which will donate the monies to worthy children's causes and charities in the areas of education, medical needs, and leadership development.

As Chairman of the Star Points Committee, I would like to congratulate those Chapters that have adopted the Star Points program into their new member education processes. Tying Star Points to your chapter is a great way to build more capable leaders throughout the entire undergraduate experience. Over the past school year, several chapters have included the first point of Star Points in their requirements for initiation, which is an outstanding way to involve the entire house in this important program. Furthermore, several brothers at both the Sigma Zeta and Beta Tau chapters, have already been awarded their second point pins, and are now able to wear them at convention. That sort of chapter-level dedication is truly commendable.

 

In Tau Kappa Phi, Tony Napolitano (email me)

Chairman, Star Points Commitee

First Annual NC Zete Cup - UNC Chapter and NCSU Colony join Pete Slomianyj for a new Zete tradition!

Zeta Psi well represented at the National Debutante Cotillion "DUB" Ball