General Assembly 2006
 

While I would love to attend, I wont be able to.

Who all is going?

There needs to be someone from G C who is attending to get the Brothers from GC together for a picture taking as We did in 2004 at Indy!

I know Chris Anderson will be one of the delegates from LX Z!

where is GA this year? also, can the people from inactive chapter attend GA. I'm an alum, can I come as well?

yours in ZAX,

Wayne Hsieh
Delta-theta 109

Wayne, is In Orlando, Fl. of course!:) :)

If You sign up for it, You can go!

If You have not been to one, it is an experience for sure!

Lot Of LXA Brotheres there (:cool: ), but also a way to contact many of the IHQ people when they have time!

Good thought on Your part!

I'll Be There!
 

Hi, Brother Tom!

I will be there.... I will be there to attend the Alumni Advisory College and then GA.

Zeta-Upsilon will re-start in September. Right now, we have about 25 Alumni Brothers who have volunterred to be on our Alumni Advisory Board. A small group of us, with help from IHQ and Miami University's Greek Affairs Office, will train these men and put them to work immediately. Every Colony Officer will have at least one Alumni Advisor on call for help and support.

As an interesting side note: we have 18 volunteers to serve on our Ritual Team! Shortly, we should have enough Alumni to mount a complete Alumni Ritual Team for our new Colony. Every man is a former Ritual Team member, many are former Phis, and one has served on our International Ritual Team and will serve on our Centennial Ritual Team! I don't know if this has happened before.... an Alumni Ritual Team instead of a Team from another Zeta.

I am I excited? You bet I am!

See you in Orlando!

Yours in ZAX,

Mike Raymond,
President
ZUZAA

Not only will I be there in my usual guise as a mild-mannered alumni communications consultant, but I'll also be doing a couple of workshops after Alumni College is over.

I just spoke today w/Tim Reuter @ IHQ about the tentative schedule for the first day. We'll have Alumni College until 12:00, followed by lunch. From 1PM-3PM the usual GA stuff will occur (a GA preview, determining who's a delegate, etc.).

From 3PM-5PM we'll have 3 mini-workshops. I'm responsible for the first pair, and they're tentatively titled: "Drawing Alumni Back" and "Working Together". A former ELC (his name escapes me, sorry) will be doing another program after I'm done.

"Drawing" will be a discussion of how chapters are doing a great and/or lousy job of getting their graduates involved. I've been putting together info from various alumni groups for this program; if you get a phone call from me, don't be surprised.

The other program, "Working Together", will be more of an open forum for all in attendance (i.e. I do less talking/more listening).

My work has given me a lot of opportunities to see how other GLO's handle things like Leadership Conferences. I'll share some of that info & then lead the discussion on how we alums can do a better job of supporting IHQ and our chapters.

Well, that's my story & I'm sticking to it. If I have to lawyer up, I'll give John G. a shout...

ZAX,
BF

me too
 

I'll be there too. I'm probably not going to be involved with anything, however I did email Tim Reuter about helping out with the Ritualism sessions. Also Chas Wheeler will be there. Look forward to seeing everyone again, and this time I won't be stuck in the International Ritual Team closet.

hmmm I think this year's GA is out of my budget. maybe next time when I have more funds...

Wayne Hsieh
Delta-theta 109
Grand Valley State University (chapter is now closed)

boz, can You coordinate the Picture Gathering?

Need an announcement as was done at one of the Lunch Hour as Was done in Indy.

Am sure Your Bride will be with You to keep You in line. LOL!:) She also takes some preety good pictures.:cool:

docroc, keep an eye on both of them and get in the picture this year!

Matt, corral all of them, that is You challenge! Who will argue with You?;)

Actually, the lovely Mrs. Boz won't be in town until later on Saturday. After not seeing much of each other in College Park last year, we have a new theory about these trips.

We've discovered that we'd rather do an actual vacation together, so she'll arrive after most of the GA stuff's finished...I'll actually get to see Mickey, Shamu & whatever after GA's over.

If we're lucky, there'll be a message board near the front desk. I imagine we could leave some sort of note there. If that's not feasible, then the good old announcement @ lunch will have to do.

ZAX,
BF

Oh No, Mama will not be there to Keep You in Tow ande You will be on Your own!:D
You seem to be the Designated BROTHER for this Chore If You Except it!:)

Look For Matt and He will be Your Lead Dude.

People just cant say NO to someone that large and who smiles a lot!:D

Matt, Just Keep and Eye on The BOZ!

Bill, it is about time You and Mama have a Shamu experience!:)

In ZAX All Of My Brothers!

I'll be there. From what I hear from Headquarters, the numbers so far are very good and there will be some great programming for both undergrads and alumni. I look forward to seeing everyone.

ZAX,
Lynn Chipperfield

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'...okay, enough Steve Miller stuff. We've got a mere 3 weeks to go, guys.

Per my previous note about the programming on Thursday, I've just been informed that I'm the only person facilitating a workshop between 3-5PM. As I mentioned, the titles are "Drawing Alumni Back" and "Working Together".

Undergrad attendees will be busy working on their own agenda during this period, according to Josh Lodolo @ IHQ. That means it'll be just us old guys batting ideas around like piñatas. If you're going to be in Orlando (but won't be part of any other administrative meetings during that period), stop on by & give a fellow GCer some support!

In ZAX,
BF

GA and time and what we're all doing
 

Bill, I will be there as well, and would really, REALLY like to work with and help facilitate your sessions; at this time, however, I don't know exactly what they have in store for me. When I get a firm read on my schedule I'll let you know.

I want to go but I dont have leave, right now. I do however, plan on saving leave for next summer. The only thing that will stop me form being there next summer is if I am over seas.

I'll be there. Am bringing 3 undergrads from UIW with.

We all arrive on Wedensday afternoon. I'm not doing the Advisors College this year because I went through it last summer in College Park and was told it is the same curricula. Thats one more day I can be here in San Antonio working. I am hoping I get franchise, as i hear I am already on a committee. Cant serve on a committee unless I have franchise, so were gonna hope all that works out, lol. Should be a good time and am looking forward to seeing everyone again. And for the mini-vaccation.

Matt, we've never been introdcued, so I'll have to look for ya and say hello. It will also be good to see Chas again. I was amaized at the amout of progess he had made when I saw him last summer in CP. I gave Greg Smith a ride to Austin from SA in January and he told me that Chas continues to make progress. I even think he said he was working at a gym or something. Awesome.

At any rate, see all you fellas there. Bill - check your second email account. I finally got you that stuff for your presentation I promised way back when I'd send.

I look forward to meeting you. I won't be staying at the hotel, but I'll be around almost all the time.

Okay, boys, we s/b figuring out when/where to take the infamous GC photo. My bride won't be available (she's not hitting O-Town 'til Saturday & won't be attending any of the proceedings), so we'll have to ask somebody to do the pictorial honors.

Anybody have a good idea of what would be an optimal time to get both UG's & alums together?

boz, do like We did at Indy. Post on Board and have an announcement done after a lunch time one of the days.

Catch some unspecting LXA to take the Pix of all of the Brothers!:D

Cant wait so try to get several of them for posting.

Hey, You might get a hold of Walt Moser to take some also. Offical Photog of The Fraternity. "Brothers working with Brothers". Hard to miss Walt, always has a camera with Him!!!!

Brother Tom,

Good ideas!

How about before or after lunch on Saturday? I'll bring a camera.

Yours in ZAX,

Mike Raymond,
Zeta-Upsilon Zeta

Maybe if We can get an annoucement after lunch would be better!

I am sure we could get a little help from Brother Lynn C on that account!:)

I for one would like Him to be in the PIX as He is an important Member of LXA and GC!

Matt, You and Andy (lifesaver) are to funny as both of you were in the Indy Pix!!!!

Andy, just look at Old Pix from Indy and look for a Big Bro! Upper Left!:D

He is to Cool! I knew Him When, right Matt!:)


Mike You need to be in this one as You were not in the one in Indy!

Just make sure that everyone can hear the announcement and where to meet!

Brother lifesaver (Andy) called me and is keyed up to get to G A!

Just look for a Brother who is bouncing around like a super ball!:D

He has done an outstanding job working with the Young Brothers at UIW who He was there from the start. They will have 3 Active members and 1 Advisor and that is fantastic.

For a small school population, they have done an outstanding job for being Brothers of LXA. Oh, it is 1 of 3 Zetas in San Antonio. I remember fondly of Gid and Randy at Indy GA. in Jono's and My room! Great Young Men and Brothers.

I am getting excited about G A even though I will not be there and hope there are a lot of PIX taken and shown for Us who cant make it!:)

We live through Your eyes!

GA Bills
 

Any comments on the bills up for vote at GA this summer? You can find them at http://www.lambdachi.org/conferences...veworkbook.pdf

Something that stood out to me was Bill 12, the elimination of the "eight semester rule". This rule allows brothers to elect to alumni status after 8 full dues-paying semesters as an active. The justification for this was that with more students staying five years in college more of these guys are hanging out with the actives without the liability insurance protections of dues-paying actives.

In my opinion, this seems to be another way for nationals to raise more money from the brothers. Just because alumni are active in the chapter's activities doesn't mean actives should be forced to stay in a failing chapter or one that has lost respect for the values it was founded on.

But that's my opinion, what about everyone else?

Since the term alumnus refers to the school rather than the fraternity, and is defined as "a male graduate or former student of a school, college, or university", anyone staying in school longer than four years in order to graduate would not be an alumnus hanging out with the actives. He would still BE an active. In other words, you don't become an alumnus until you graduate or otherwise leave school.

I have no opinion one way or another, just making a technical point.

ZAX,
Jono

Greetings from rainy Orlando--we had a pretty good downpour about an hour ago. So far, no GCers have show up--most alums will arrive this evening, I hear.

RE: our photo op, I'm picking up Mrs. Boz @ the airport around 11:30 Saturday morning. As Tina from IHQ has pointed out to me, that means I'll miss the luncheon when all of the winners are announced (scholarship, alumni communications, etc.). All may be fair in love and war, but there's no way I'm not gonna be there to p/u my bride.

The reason I note the timing is that, as I recall, we've gotten the photo shot after lunch on Saturday. If y'all want to go w/that time frame, groovy--however, I won't be back until sometime after 1PM since we're not staying @ the Buena Vista Palace. Let's try to nail down an actual time pronto--

In ZAX (and Kissimmee),
BF

Photo taken
 

Photo taken, all but Lynn Chipperfield appeared.

While as Jono says, it may be a technical point, what He stated is true.

I never agreed with Alum status for an undergraduate who while is still in school. They use the facilitys and attend partys but save money for them and take from the Zeta.

I figure in for an ounce, in for a pound.:)

I dont really think that if the Zeta is in trouble, has any thing to do with it, than that is more reason to stay Active and do something for the Zeta.

Fantastic, cannot wait to see them!!!!!!!!:)

Whoa! What a mix of emotions these meetings can provide. Now that it's over (including the shouting), it's interesting to reflect on everything that occurred.

There was good stuff (Northwestern won 1st Place for Alumni Affairs Publication and took home a Grand High Alpha Award) and bad stuff (chapters and colonies declared inactive). Anybody who thinks this is easy ought to try sitting in an extended legislative session for a while.

Oh, well...it's time to go see what Mr. Disney's World has to offer...

In ZAX,
BF

And names misspelled

Can you give any info on the closed Zetas and Colonies?

We cannot seem to get any info from IHQ.

It is of course always sad to see any closed.:(

Were there any indications of Zetas being reopened or new colonies?

Some quick notes that I took
 

These are some rough notes that I took. Some details edited for brevity.


Bill 5 - Discipline Code - Unfavorable recommendation by committee. Defeated
Bill 6 - Colony time limit - Pass
Bill 12 - Fees - Chapter fees - Pass
Bill 13 - Eight Semester Rule - Fail
Bill 14 - Study Abroad Students - Pass

Discipline of Delta-Theta Zeta @ Grand Valley State - closure. Zeta Closed as of May 2006.

Discipline of Phi-Epsilon Zeta @ Cal State Fullerton. – Multiple violations of risk management, failed chapter excellence 8 or 12 categories, 280 days probation. Membership review, Alumni Advisory Board, Impact Leadership I and II (90%+)., Two (2) anger management sessions twice per semester for next year.

Discipline of Lambda Eta Zeta @ Murray State. - Risk management, guest policy lists, alcohol: Stage III probation. No less than one year. Case study of violations

Discipline of Gamma-Psi Zeta @ Lehigh University. - Membership review; Alumni Control Board; 90 % Impact I and Impact II; ZAX sessions; Alpha, Beta, Theta attend Council of Presidents; Develop plan to implement LXA risk management policies.

Discipline of Lambda Phi Zeta @ Texas State University San Marcos: Hazing, underage drinking, kegs, paddling, no responsibility, pledge training, $5,206.90 debt. Closed.

Bill 9: Eliminate Board of Investment Advisors from Constitution.- Pass
Bill 10: Eliminate Board of Investment Advisors from Stat Code - Pass
Bill 11a. Amend Constitution to provide for GHZ membership for Counsel of Presidents Chair and vice chair - Pass
Bill 11b Amend Stat Code to provide for GHZ membership for Counsel of Presidents Chair and vice chair – Pass

Status of Florida International Colony: After two years, only 4 of 14 chartering standards; fees & dues, $4,028 debt, one member present. Continue as Colony: Payment Plan on/before 12/31/06. Get a High Pi. Application on / before 11/1/6. Final app 12/31/06.

Status of Southeastern Oklahoma State Colony: 3 of 14 standards, debt debt. Chartering app by 12/31/06.

Status of Westchester County Colony: 3 of 14 chartering standards, debt. New organizational tactics. Organization. High Pi required. Pay off debt by 9/30/06. Officer duties by 12/31/06, Alumni Ass’n by 12/31/06, Charter app 12/31/06.

Status of York College Colony: 2 Years, 1 of 14 standards, debt Local organization, poor annexation, poor campus climate, showed up to Rx drunk. No High Pi. Bitter. Closed.

Discipline of Mu Zeta @ California – Low numbers for two years. Lack of evidence of a strategy for meeting standards. Again and again failed review. Intensive micro-management. Inconsistent local alumni support. Failed to use support avenues. Poor fraternity education. House corporation worried about the physical plant more than the chapter. Declared inactive.

Discipline of Phi-Pi Zeta @ Sac State – Low membership, debt loss of 2/3 membership review, strides in planning events. Rush concentration.

Discipline of Zeta-Sigma Zeta @ Louisville. Low numbers, poor alumni support. Declared inactive.

Discipline of Beta-Lambda Zeta @ Morehead – Minimum membership standards for two years. Despite 30 days of support. Despite training, unheeded advice. Two active, two associates. Declared inactive on 10/7/05 but rescinded. Declared inactive.

Discipline of Zeta-Omicron Zeta @ Oregon – Debt. No insurance on house. Declared inactive until payment plan for Fraternity debt in place to clear debt by 6/30/07 and insurance obtained.

Discipline of Lambda-Lambda Zeta @ Western Kentuncky. Debt. $received. Payment plan in place. Removed from financial suspension. Educational session.

Discipline of Phi-Beta Zeta @ Eastern Kentucky. Debt and a payment of $2,500. Payment plan in place. Remove from financial suspension. Educational session.

Discipline of Delta-Gamma Zeta @ UC Davis. Debt. No payments. Suspended. Payment plan by 8/31/06 or suspended until paid in full.

Discipline of Zeta-Epsilon Zeta @ UTEP. Debt and payment of $4,000. Payment plan in place. Removed from suspension. Keep current.

Discipline of Beta-Epsilon Zeta @ Texas A&M Kingsville. Debt and payment of $1,500, Suspension is upheld until payment plan in place. Plan in place by 8/31/06 or else suspended until paid in full. $3,000 by 11/30/06.

Discipline of Beta-Omicron Zeta @ Illinois State. Debt. Pay $2,000 by 8/31. Payment of plan.

Discipline of Iota Upsilon Zeta @ East Carolina University. Off suspension.

======================

My impression is that there is a new sheriff in town. Chapters not 14/14 for chapter excellence will get slammed. Smaller chapters beware.

John, thanks for the current update.

All I can say is WOW!:(

More truth than fiction about New Sheriff in Town.

Maybe a hard nose approach will get some off of square one or rears.

As You pointed out, I am sure with a sad heart, Mu Zeta had a strong lack of Alumni backing as I am sure there are more that have been shuttered also.

That is why I continually harp about Alumni support backing from IHQ.

I also hope that in a future Cross and Crescent this list is shown and for what reasons they were closed.

This may give some Zetas a real wake up call.


Was there any talk about upgrading the High Rho position?

Odd,

Didnt Louisville get recognized like 2-3 years ago for totally turning around a terrible chapter and getting the Phoenix award?

Lenoxxx

Tom, you simply assume that they (the staff) were not trying to make a personal point.

"Let's put the fear of God into everyone. Let's close Berkeley and PROVE that not even the chapter of a GHZ member and the newest Order of Merit winner is safe"

Smell the coffee

Good to see my chapter survived this GA. We have been in debt since before I joined. Poor guys can't seem to shake it as hard as we have tried. Zeta-Epsilon lives to see another day unlike many others it appears.:(

Glad I dont do Coffee!;)

No, I am not assuming anything John.

It boils down to basics. If a Zeta is not performing to Standards then they will and can be suspened, censored, or De-Chartered.

I cannot disagree with IHQ on any of this.

But I can say in the situation with My Zeta, LX, we were in a situation that We should have been closed. But with some circumstances IHQ gave us some breathing room, help, and We are now on our way upward again.

But the key word is Alum and Zeta willing to work to revearse a problem Zeta.

If they are not then what happened at Mu and others will be what happened.

The New Sheriff in Town will work to keep only if that Zeta is willing to and shows improvement.


Lenoxx is correct about Louisville, but it is amazing how fast a Zeta can turn around either way!:(

I was one of the few that voted Nay in Indy to close a Zeta, but that is just Me. The weakest Zeta is a major link in the Chain of LXA!

Louisville
 

I am relieved to offer a correction to your earlier post, John.

The Zeta Sigma chapter (Louisville) did not in fact get closed. Yet, anyway. The motion to place us on inactive status was defeated and a new motion sending us back to the Grand High Zeta for review was passed.

The meeting date has not been set for this hearing but you can be sure we're busting our asses to find a way to convince the GHZ we're worth keeping open.

And Lenoxx, you're right. We did receive the Phoenix award about 2 or 3 years before I joined. Since then though we had a rather cataclysmic event in 2005 that axed or caused to drop out over 60% of our membership, including most brothers with experience recruiting and running the fraternity. That pretty much left the chapter in charge of newly initiated members like myself with no real experience with running or recruiting for a campus organization.

Since then we've had no luck in recruitment. We have everything else going for us: no debt, a fully paid house (in by far much better condition than all the other fraternity houses on Greek Row) owned by our local alumni, a more helpful Housing Corporation of late, and a good GPA on campus. It's just been hell getting and keeping members. That's why we sent 3 guys to GA this year and hoped they could convince Nationals to send us a recruitment team. Instead the standards committee recommended we be closed indefinitely. Thank God most of the GA disagreed.

Brother Bill, this is very good news.

Thank You for being on Site and informing us of the true situation.:)

You sound in much better shape than My Zeta did, but The New Leadership at IHQ looks at many things and works with tem on the merit that they desearve.

Dont be a mouse in the house, let them know where you are at and what you are doing. It cannot be done overnight as I worked for 4 years and two Ex. Secs, to get the aid that We needed and it is proving fruitful!

Fell free to PM me anytime and maybe We can talk!

In ZAX,

Bilski,

That's cool that John was a bit inaccurate. Best of luck with rush.

Shake some hands, get some girls.....

You'll be fine

Lenoxxx

No offense Tom, but seeing the chapters they decided to keep open and those they decided to close, it seems as though there were some definate biases. A chapter's status seemed almost entirely determined by what Status of Chapters committee you were sent to. One recomended no closures, while another recommending closing all zetas before it. I can only think that it was purposeful.
Also, for any chapter under 40 men, watch your back, that new Sherrif is standing behind you with a bloody knife.