Brother Tom Helmbock

[Tom Earp]

I have had a confirmation from International and it is for sure.

Brother Tom Helmbock will resign his post as as Executive Secretary of Lambda Chi Alpha.

He will be sorely missed. He has done an outstanding job in The position that He took from a very outstanding Brother, George Spasyk.

I really never figured anyone could fill Brother Georges shoes, but Tom has done it so very well.

The time, travel, constraints not being with his family, working with other National Greeks, and the toll of working so very hard for Lambda Chi Alpha are tough on any man who has put his heart and soul into our Fraternity must at last come to an end.

Give Brother Tom Helmbock your very best Wishes for not only a job well done, but being the Fine Gentleman and Brother that He is!

Thank You Brother Helmbock!


I am sure, for all going to G A it will be interesting to say the least.

No decision has been made for Toms replacement at this time.

[SGill4613]

As much as he has done for the fraternity, he has done just as much in the negative. It is partly his fault for the International Fraternity going into such debt.

With the new Grand High Alpha coming in, it has been my understanding that Tom has (excuse my language) had his balls chopped off. He hasn't been allowed to do much.

Perhaps I am way off and my information is incorrect. But in now way am I meaning to pay any disrespect to Tom. For at the the last international Ritual, I listened to him tell stories after it was over and was very impressed. He will be missed, but his position has become somewhat less important, and will continue to be until there is a GHA that is not as hands on. And I don't see that happening in the forseeable future.

[Mooch279]

So who will be replacing Brother Helmbock?

[jbn566]

It is my understanding that cause of the IHQ to be in debt is becuase of the lack of leadership in many chapters.... you be surprised how much money some chapters owe the IHQ.... The active brothers are the members who support the IHQ and all their functions... when chapters don't pay then IHQ suffers and many programs have to be dropped... In the past IHQ used to sort of turn the other way when chapters are in the Red, but now it is gotten to the point where IHQ is really suffering so in recent years they are very strict and don't have a problem shutting down chapters that can't pay the dues....And they should...

...I understand that the leader is the one who takes the fall and praise for everything his organizational accomplishes but sometimes one has to look what is the cause of some problems....

...If you want IHQ to run certain programs (impact,GA,mentor..etc) then make sure your local chapter is all got up with IHQ...if everyone does then I promise IHQ will no longer be in the Red....

...By no means am I saying that alumni don't help out IHQ, I understand that many of them have and continue to donate alot money and in many ways it fills in the gaps that some chapters create....

I have personally met Tom at GA and I have to say he is a great brother and a great mentor...

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by jbn566
It is my understanding that cause of the IHQ to be in debt is becuase of the lack of leadership in many chapters.... you be surprised how much money some chapters owe the IHQ.... The active brothers are the members who support the IHQ and all their functions... when chapters don't pay then IHQ suffers and many programs have to be dropped... In the past IHQ used to sort of turn the other way when chapters are in the Red, but now it is gotten to the point where IHQ is really suffering so in recent years they are very strict and don't have a problem shutting down chapters that can't pay the dues....And they should...

Seriously, with respect given, dont even begin to blame the state of the general fraternity on the individual chapters. If IHQ hadnt been so damn liberal with policy, chapters wouldnt have accrued $10,000, $15,000 or even $20,000 worth of debt per some chapters. Shut that chit down at $5K, (thats HQ'a fault and NO ONES ELSES - DONT GO MAKING EXCUSES) and we wouldnt be in that state, but leadership played favorites with chapters, instead of equality, and thats where we are. Zetas with prestigious alums who donate lots of CASH can rack up $45K of debt (read UT-Austin in 1996) and get to stay open. Shit hole chapters with no alus get closed with 3K of debt. Who was it that screwed HQ? It wasnt small ass chapters like Texas Weslyian. It was chaps like Michigan.

IMHO - Tom's been an adequate administrator, but nothing to get excited over. We needed a shakeup. Much like when we FINALLY got rid of Bob Lundon. (one of the the worst things to EVER happen to IHQ admin - He's how we went from 226 chaps and colonies to 208 with NO expansion plan and no vision all the while going what, 3 million into the reserve fund. its gonna take us YEARS to recover from that.

Our current GHZ has FINALLY got it right and understands the financials, isnt afraid to tell it like it is and FINALLY has an understanding of what it is to lead a NON-PROFIT - not a law firm, not a machiene shop, not an accounting firm.. MUCHO KUDOS to the current GHZ. For the first time in my membership, I feel comfortable with them handeling business.

Honestly, Not sad to see Tom leave. I've been waiting for it. (and I dont know where Tom Earp's love comes from for him... just cause he came after Spazyk? I could go into a church after MLK, but that wouldnt make me a civil rights leader?) Looking for dynamic leadership to lead the frat into the next generation. Sorry Toms, it wasnt there.

Ready to go - lock and load, lol.

[RACooper]

$10,000 to $20,000... umm.. thats actually small change compared to what some chapters have managed to rack up.

But I agree that blaming the chapters, solely, for the finacial state is a mistake. It's partly IHQ's fault for some programs... such as booking events at "executive" hotels in expensive locations (ie. Renisance in DC.. rooms listed at 465 a night, so even with 50% off thats a disaster); but it's also chapter's faults for not sending delegates (more people means less of a hit to IHQ), for large debts and insurance issues.

On a chapter level things need to be run tighter, both financially and responsiblity wise. Further, although it sounds simple, send at the minimum number of delegates to events.. if IHQ can have a confrimed base number then it's easier to get a more favourable deal.

IHQ wise they need to run a tighter ship financially too... one way would be to hold conferences in smaller venues... don't always book large population centres, but use mid-range to small-range cities or towns. Personally I'd love to see one held up here in Canada (if only to shorten my drive), but I can see why IHQ would be hesitant (risk management nightmares), but it can be a lot cheaper... for example the Skydome Hotel (Renisance) could have been booked for half the listed price of the DC conference....

[Tom Earp]

As far as running a tighter ship, I often wondered that my self. Why hold Conclaves at some of the most expensive hotels.

It seems that logistics should play a big part in where Conferences are held. Kansas City should be a main one as in the center for the most part of more Zetas.

Certain areas, such at the NE, (Tx), West Coast,(Cal.) SE are areas of concentration or closer access to more Chapters. From the sounds of what I have heard, IHQ is trying to do this. Granted, there needs to be more done to tighten the belt.

I was at two conclaves at the Marriot, KC Airport and thought damn, how could we have saved money by doing it at a less expensive place.

But I think that both Brothers above have very valid points. Who goes for owing so much money and who stays. Is there equaty? Maybe not. If a Chapter owes money, then preasure needs to be put on them to get the money paid. Period.

But remember too, International had some very slipshod book keeping along with Chapters not notifying Hdq about membership status.

It took three years of fighting to get Hdq. to realize that LX Z PSU was in Kansas and Not PSU, In Pennsylvania. The difference in Risk Management fees is a big difference. Try getting that straightened out!

It is no difference than what Alums and Actives are like in Individual Situations. It is just on a bigger scale, such as the workings of Alums and Active Chapters. Alums can help, but the Active Chapter has to carry the ball.

Andy for your edification, the reason I like Tom H so much is the fact, that He came to PSU to Present a Plaque of appreciation to our patroness, Mrs. Ligon. Not on his way to anywhere but a special trip.

I will not blame Tom for everything that has happened to LXA, and I dont want to mention the name that you did as I did my damndest to get him out of IHQ!

There may not be a New Executive Sec in the future, I guess time will tell.

But the Head of anything takes the heat for the lacking of the many. Correct? On the on the other hand, The Head takes the credit for just being there. Correct?

Not to belabor this much longer, but I remember talking with Tom H, who said that the State Of National Greeks were all in a close to the cuff state of finances and it was conceivable that down the road, that there would be mergers that would bug eyes out!