Phi Alpha's Message

To my Fellow Zetes:

We're a bit late this month with UpZete, as we're all catching up following our "week of intensity", what we call Zeta Psi's annual International Convention.  It was our 160^th anniversary celebration, and it was hosted last week by our outstanding Omicron Chapter Zetes in Lincoln.  What it may have lacked in attendance (many of our "regulars" could not attend this year) was made up in terms of enthusiastic participation, well-planned and fun events, and a memorable closing banquet.  We served about 220 banquet meals, which is a good number for any convention, as the local Nebraska Zetes turned out at least 100 additional Actives, Elders and guests last Saturday night.  As can be said about any gathering of Zetes (and we closed the 160^th Grand Chapter Meeting with over 100 Zetes counting off), "a good time was had by all."

I guess there is little drama to report that I was re-elected to a second one-year term as Zeta Psi's Phi Alpha, and I accept that as an honor which I will always hold dear to me.   The two-day meetings of the Zeta Psi Executive Committee and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees went smoothly, as did the many Capozzoli Leadership Training Institute and Rice Alumni Academy sessions and the annual meetings of the Grand Chapter and Foundation during the convention.  We were also entertained in the evenings with an outing at a Double AA baseball game (won in the 11^th inning by the host Lincoln Saltdogs), a great dinner and entertaining show at the Champions Club adjacent to Nebraska Memorial Stadium (home to the five-time national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers), and a most entertaining night at the terrific site of Zeta Psi's award-winning Omicron Chapter, highlighted by a Pig Roast dinner and casino games entertainment.

I reported as Zeta Psi's CEO that this had been a highly successful year on many fronts, financially being the most noteworthy.  With several financial changes incorporated into the operations of both the Fraternity and Educational Foundation, we reversed some past years in which we needed to turn around our financial ship, and we succeeded admirably.  We also installed two new chapters-at the University of Georgia and at Binghamton University-as well as having approved a charter for our colony at North Carolina State University and moved forward to authorize formal colony status for an interest group at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.  There were many other good things that happened at last week's annual gathering of Zetes, too many, in fact, to detail here.  And there were also some not-so-great things that happened, as four chapters were forced to be suspended for a variety of reasons, and we continued to witness more than an acceptable numbers of insurance claims, an area we must get a handle on this year and in the years ahead.

But all in all, it was another memorable week of Zete camaraderie that can't be replicated or soon forgotten by many of us who have attended multiple conventions.  In fact, there were about ten Zetes at the Grand Chapter meeting who have attended at least 20 conventions (I was in attendance at my 37^th in a row), and over 25 Zetes who had been members of the Ten Year Club and beyond.  To all my brothers who joined me in Lincoln last week, thank you for being there.

For others who couldn't make it, or who preferred to wait until next year's convention in Montreal, I can say with confidence that the 2008 convention shapes up as being one of the most well-attended in many years, if not in our history.  While Zetes everywhere will be given ample notice and opportunity to register for Zeta Psi's Montreal Convention, those who are sure they will attend might wish to record the dates now: August 13-17, 2008, hosted by the Alpha Psi Chapter at McGill University.

So, as we officially puts the wraps on the 2006-07 operational year, as we do each year at our annual conventions, allow me to wish you all well in this upcoming 2007-08 school year with the closing I gave at the annual Phi Alpha's address at last Friday's luncheon: "May Peace Be With You all!"

Always in Tau Kappa Phi,

What a Convention!

Those that attended the 160^th Annual Convention in Lincoln know what I mean.  Those of you who missed it - you really missed out on a great time.

No one who visited Lincoln can deny that it is a fun place with friendly people and fun places to go and things to do.  The Omicron Chapters planned and hosted in the best tradition of Zeta Psi with great events at the Double A Salt Dogs baseball game, the Nebraska Cornhuskers Champions Clubs, and at the Omicron Chapter House.

The events were great; however, the highlight of any convention for me is once again seeing all my Zete friends from all over the world along with meeting new friends.  The annual convention is the one place I know I'll see people I don't see in my normal life even though I visit many of the cities that house Zete Chapters.  It was great to see everyone!!!

In Tau Kappa Phi, Dave Hunter, IA '80 (email me)

Zeta Psi Website Upgrades
Check out www.zetapsi.org
We've made a lot of changes this Summer, with more on the way!  check out our new website and let us know what you think, what you want, and what we need!  SNAPS to our new website manager, Jon Clark, Theta Phi '08!

Convention Photo's Online!

Zeta Psi at OXFORD!

Charter Granted at North Carolina State University

The Gamma Chapter had battled university sanctions due to behavior issues for 18 months.  When the chapter was unable to meet the requirements of a joint plan to return to good standing on campus the Elder group was forced to suspend the chapter or face mandatory closure by the school. 

The Alpha Mu Chapter struggled with membership the past three years, falling to just four active members at the end of the school year.  The Elders felt a suspension with a major effort to restart with a new group of members this fall would best serve the long-term viability of a future Alpha Mu.

160^th Zeta Psi International Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska a Success!

 

Assembled at the University of Nebraska's Champions Club Wednesday, August 15^th,  students and alumni gathered for a great meal and then entertainment by a theatrical troupe who performed an audience participative murder mystery, "Lights, Camera, Murder!"

 

The pig roast BBQ and casino night at the Omicron chapter house was well attended with about 225 participating!  During the event, Andrew Benton (left) and Tom Clabaugh (right)  celebrate the "burning of the mortgage deed" with Ron Petri and others, now that final payment on the chapter house mortgage has been made!

Alumni and students of Omicron pose at the Saturday afternoon dedication of a granite bench now located on campus.  "This memorial is a tribute to the men who shared the honor of being our brothers in Zeta Psi Fraternity, Omicron Chapter, at Nebraska Wesleyan University.  - Always in TKF.  Dedicated at the 160^th International Convention convened in Lincoln Nebraska August 15 to 18, 2007."  Jeff Ziemba and Ben Nelson eulogized brothers Zach Anderson (1984-2006) and Pat McLaughlin (1984-2006).

Many thanks to the 225 brothers and guests who supported the convention in Lincoln this year!  Many thanks to the alumni, actives, and others (like Bobbi McElroy) for helping with this convention!  Next stop:  Montreal!