[gillisc679]

Dear fraters,

It’s been three months since fire ravaged the fraternity’s Chapter House at 63 Wachusett Street. This devastating event requires a tremendous effort to overcome. The time since the fire has been marked by great strength and determination demonstrated by the undergraduates and the Board of Advisors alike. I would like to update you on the status of this project.

Insurance Update:
We employed a public insurance adjuster who helped us reach a settlement with our carrier, Chubb. We have received what we consider to be a fair settlement, as permitted by our policy on the property and contents coverage.

Fundraising Update:
Understanding the tremendous reconstruction costs the Chapter would face, 256 alumni have so far pledged a total of over $65,000 to the effort. Many pledges were for unspecified amounts. Of these, $60,370 have been collected so far. A complete report will be published in the coming months as additional donations trickle in.

Reconstruction update:
We employed ServoPro who provided demolition services and the removal of wet or fire-damaged building materials. Many composites were damaged in the fire and we have started the process of getting them replaced or repaired. F. W. Madigan Company has secured the house against the elements and protected it from the winter. We have employed the architectural firm of Gregory J. O’Connor Associates to create the detailed reconstruction plans. We expect this work to be completed in late January and Construction Manager solicitation to begin then. The actual construction work should occur between February and June.

Database Update:
Through several years of neglect, our alumni mailing list contained many inaccuracies. The efforts to contact all of our alumni through the fundraiser brought this fact to light. The database on the Chapter’s web site has been made temporarily unavailable while the update is underway. Nearly three hundred mailing addresses have been corrected, and this update is expected to be completed before Christmas. Working down the list of “lost” alumni will be an ongoing challenge.

Brotherhood Update:
The active Chapter is resilient. They threw a memorable Homecoming and have just completed Rush. Sixteen new members have joined the fraternity this fall, despite the challenge of not having a central meeting place. The Red Carnation Ball is tentatively scheduled for February 18th, and the actives welcome our involvement. Look for a formal invitation soon.

In Closing:
The events of this fall have galvanized many Tekes, forcing us to think about what our fraternity means to us, and what it should mean to us. Sometimes, this relationship does not meet our expectations. There have been some uncomfortable times this fall, as we have become more aware of the poor relationship between the active Chapter and our alumni.

As one example, the Chapter has gotten out of the habit of publishing a printed newsletter to our alumni. Many alumni have commented on this fact as a sign that their connection to the Chapter has been broken. Printed newsletters are only one element of a good program of regular communication between Chapter and alumni. A perceived lack of interest in maintaining alumni connections to the Chapter is a criticism voiced often in the past three months. We need to do a better job.

As we proceed with the reconstruction effort, it may help to think more expansively about rebuilding - not just a house, but a Fraternity. I look forward to working with each of you who wishes to become involved with this rebuilding.

Yours In The Bond,
Charlie Gillis
TKE/ZM Board of Advisors President