| Alumni Association President's Report
Dear Michigan Alpha Brother,
The Michigan Alpha Alumni Association and active chapter invite you to attend the
2013 Homecoming Open House on October 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1437 Washtenaw.
Kickoff for the Michigan vs Minnesota football game is at 3:30 p.m., so there is plenty of time to visit the chapter house and still make pre-game tailgates or park by the stadium.
We will be serving complimentary breakfast foods and beverages, and free parking will be available on the front lawn. Please remember that the chapter house will be locked during and after the football game, so this will be your best opportunity to see the interior which is in good shape. While the Mud Bowl is no longer played on Homecoming (by decision of SAE), this is still a great U of M tradition to reconnect old friends and make new ones in the active chapter membership while reminiscing at the historic -- now 110 years old -- "Red Brick Barn."
We're hoping to have alumni attendance as strong as the recent Harmon BBQ (more than 50 alums) and 2012 Homecoming (more than 35 alums). It is not absolutely required, but to aid our event planning, we would very much appreciate you sending us a RSVP if you think that you may attend the 2013 Homecoming Open House (please just reply to this e-mail to RSVP). Alumni Association's 2013-2014 Annual Fund
I also want to take this opportunity to strongly encourage you to give generously to the Alumni Association's 2013-2014 Annual Fund which began accepting donations on September 1, 2013. You will soon receive a solicitation letter in the mail from the Alumni Association, but for your convenience, we are pleased to accept gifts through our professionally administered secure online donation service. We all seem to be pressed harder than ever for donations as there are many fine organizations addressing the growing need for philanthropy to keep the communities and institutions we value functioning well. Michigan Alpha has been exceptionally fortunate to have had a solid base of alums willing to offer support in good time and bad.
Thank you for your support over the years.
The North Porch project is a special model that the Alumni Association invites groups of alums to consider. Five 1950s era alums decided to target their Annual Fund contributions to this specific goal which was endorsed by the Alumni Association. Once again, thank you Dick Young '51, John Buck '54, Doug Roby '56, Bob Leland '58 and Bernie Rinella '58 for funding the North Porch renovation. The Alumni Association installed a plaque listing their names on the wall near the entrance to the porch that will be a permanent reminder of their generosity. We see similar potential for renovating the South Porch and other areas of the chapter. Anyone interested in exploring the concept of funding earmarked chapter house projects should contact me. We have projects on a "wish list" for next few years including: putting a tile floor in the basement game room, rebuilding the South Porch, new carpeting throughout the house, enhancing the educational rooms in the house, improving safety systems in the house and instituting a greater scholarship program beyond the Ufer and Holmes awards currently in place.
Increased Alumni Financial Support Needed at All Giving Levels
To accomplish these goals we need your support. I am very pleased with the responsibility and leadership I see in the young men who have joined Phi Delta Theta at U of M. Just as those before your time supported the active chapter, we need to maintain and improve the house for those who follow us.
I have no doubt that the stressful economic situation in recent years has had some negative impact on Michigan Alpha alums' ability to give. But, if you can, please help us keep the house the best on campus.
We need the support of young alums and old ones just as we need modest donations and large ones to meet our fundraising goals and remain competitive. Your support of the Annual Fund any level is essential to Michigan Alpha's current success and future competitiveness.
Active Chapter is Doing Its Part, Time for Alums to Step Up
The active chapter has met the Alumni Association's financial expectations by filling the chapter house with 27 men living in this school year -- rental income cash flow is more than covering basic operational expenses.
The total active chapter membership is approximately 70 men which is consistent with Michigan Alpha's historic average. The chapter all-member GPA is 3.25 (slightly above the All-Greek Men GPA and All-Men Campus GPA) which is also consistent with, if not a little higher than, our past performance.
Alumni Involvement Ensures Better Outcomes and Progress
The Alumni Association's six member Board of Directors -- with men spanning the 1950s through the 2000s --- guarantees that every penny given by alums is used for worthwhile endeavors. The Board, in conjunction with the Chapter Advisory Committee, provides a level of oversight for the active chapter, and does what is appropriate to encourage them to uphold Michigan Alpha's standards of excellence while adhering to the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarter's rules to promote good conduct, scholarship and an overall high quality fraternity experience.
New Opportunities for Alumni Engagement with the Active Chapter
Ideally, the Alumni Association would like to see alumni involvement in the active chapter beyond the Board's guidance, alums' donations and alums attending one or two annual social events (mainly Homecoming in the fall and the Founders Day Dinner in the spring).
We have long discussed the concept of doing more to help the actives by starting a mentoring program and professional development activities that would create networking opportunities for summer internships, graduate school recommendations and job openings.
The Chapter Advisory Board, which is chaired by Cameron Young '08, is initiating a mentoring program and would welcome your support if you can offer internships and coaching for current active member students.
The recent establishment of the Alumni Association's Linked-in page (thanks to Dan Recinella '81) is an example of the kind of engagement which strengthens our chapter. Many potential "win-win" propositions for active chapter members and alums remain untapped.
Your Input Valued and Sesquicentennial in 2014
As the Alumni Association prepares for the 150th anniversary of the founding of Michigan Alpha in 2014, I ask that you help us to keep PDT the leaders and best in the U of M Greek System. 1437 Washtenaw is still your house on campus, and PDT is a fraternity for life.
As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome. We are especially interested in any ideas, memorabilia and recollections that would help us to prepare for the sesquicentennial celebration next year.
Yours in the Bond,
J.T. (Tom) Buck '77
President
Phi Delta Theta Michigan Alpha Alumni Association
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