Selling Arrowmont...?!

breathesgelatin · #1 08-19-2008, 03:11 AM

I just saw this on the Pi Phi website:

Quote:

Grand Council has informed Fraternity officers and former members of Grand Council that the Fraternity was approached by a party interested in purchasing Fraternity property currently leased to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is anticipated that an agreement may be reached as early as September. "This is an historic opportunity for Pi Phi and also for Arrowmont," said Grand President Emily Tarr. "Pi Phi came to Gatlinburg in 1912 to build a Settlement School with the mission of educating children. We were faithful to that mission until Sevier County assumed control of the school in 1968. Our work in Gatlinburg brought education, healthcare and economic development to the area. This development is another opportunity to benefit the community."....

Arrowmont holds great affection among members for its historical significance to the Fraternity. The members of the Arrowmont Board of Govenors are considering several options regarding the future of the crafts school.

"It's not an easy decision to leave Gatlinburg after almost 100 years," says Mrs. Tarr. "But our founders created Pi Phi to be a living, thriving organization with extension as a goal. We now have the opportunity to extend our literacy vision, but we will always be grateful for the opportunity to realize that vision in Gatlinburg. "

Any thoughts? This makes me really

piphiangel314 · #2 08-21-2008, 09:55 AM

I'm personally upset about this...

It's been with Pi Phi for over 100 years. I understand wanting to expand on our literacy philanthropies, but I still think we shouldn't just dump Arrowmont.

srmom · #3 08-21-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

I'm personally upset about this...

It's been with Pi Phi for over 100 years. I understand wanting to expand on our literacy philanthropies, but I still think we shouldn't just dump Arrowmont.

I ditto this sentiment. That is such a shame, there's so much history and lore regarding Arrowmont.

NutBrnHair · #4 08-21-2008, 03:04 PM

I was in Gatlinburg last weekend. When we passed Arrowmont, I explained to my friends about the connection to Pi Beta Phi. One of my friends who has visited Gatlinburg before with me said, "Nut, you tell us that everytime!"

breathesgelatin · #5 08-21-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piphiangel314

I'm personally upset about this...

It's been with Pi Phi for over 100 years. I understand wanting to expand on our literacy philanthropies, but I still think we shouldn't just dump Arrowmont.

I totally agree as well. I didn't post my opinion at the moment I posted this thread, because I had just seen the notice and didn't want to post something that I would regret later. But even out of the heat of the moment, I sort of feel that this is a short-sighted decision. I understand the idea of "branding" and focusing more energy and money on the literacy philanthropies (for one thing, it's something more people in the general public connect with than Arrowmont), but I can't help feeling that this seems rather sudden - of course, I'm in no position of authority so maybe it's been talked about for a while.

I wonder if member letters to Grand Council would change anything? I know the announcement on the website sounds pretty final.

I am also a bit

that this first appeared on the website and not in the Arrow. Although maybe it will come out later.

Another question: how is Arrowmont governed? Would they have to have this approved at Convention? Or can Grand Council/the Foundation board members just sign off on it?

I.C. a Pi Phi · #6 08-23-2008, 03:36 PM

This is what I don't understand. Tennessee just did a HUGE project on the history of Arrowmont and Pi Phi's connection to it. And now we're severing the ties?

www.lib.utk.edu/arrowmont

And i think the woman in charge of this project was a special honor initiate at last year's AZ convention.

breathesgelatin · #7 08-24-2008, 08:34 PM

New update on the website. It seems like it is a done deal.

Here is an FAQ that answers a bunch of my questions (please note it's a PDF so it takes a while to download):

http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/u...ale%20FAQs.pdf

Basically, I see the rationale but I'm still not sure I truly like it.

The other thing I don't get is who are we selling the land to? We aren't selling it to Arrowmont. So are we selling it to some developer who is going to kick Arrowmont off the property? That's really crappy. One thing that rubbed me the wrong way is that they said Arrowmont can continue operations "if they choose to." What does that mean? I mean we're giving them lots of money (yay for that at least) from this sale, so why couldn't they continue operations - unless they were going to lose their facilities thanks to this sale???

I really want more answers.

AGDAlum · #8 08-26-2008, 12:39 PM

I got this e-mail from a PiPhi friend who has had some involvement at the national level:

"Perhaps you and the rest of the Greek world would like to see what our esteemed Grand Council is up to. They are (or have already, who knows!) sold the land under Arrowmont. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savearrowmont/signatures-76.html"

My friend isn't best pleased with the strategic direction set by this Grand Council.

MysticCat · #9 08-26-2008, 01:16 PM

Having Pi Phis in my family, and coming from a family with a very long and deep appreciation of the Southern Appalachian arts and crafts tradition and culture, I'm really sorry to see this. Maybe something can happen before an agreement is actually reached. I have to wonder what kind of reaction is coming in to Pi Phi's IHQ.

I couldn't find anything about it yet on Arrowmont's website. (There is, however, a Pi Phi page there.)

breathesgelatin · #10 08-26-2008, 05:43 PM

Reading the comments from that petition that AGDAlum posted, it seems that they're selling Arrowmont to condo/amusement developers. So Arrowmont is going to lose all their facilities. I'm assuming the information is correct, because it seems a lot of it is posted by TN/Gatlinburg residents.

I really hate to say this, but now I'm really pissed.

NutBrnHair · #11 08-26-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

...it seems that they're selling Arrowmont to condo/amusement developers.

As if Gatlinburg isn't already overrun with tacky developments.

MysticCat · #12 08-26-2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

As if Gatlinburg isn't already overrun with tacky developments.

Ain't that the truth.

Seriously, I think this is when I'd be pulling out the old alumnae directory and starting a campaign to call all the Grand Council (?) members at their homes. Seems to me that, however a good deal this might be financially, it's just not worth the potentional loss of good will among alumnae and actives.

piphi74 · #13 09-26-2008, 06:12 PM

This has happened without the true knowledge and understanding of the membership of Pi Beta Phi. GC took it upon themselves to make this HUGE decision and have totally PO'd a lot of big donors! The Nashville Alum Club is furious since they are big BIG donors to Arrowmont. GC states that they have the backing of former council and Arrowmont Board officers but that is not entirely true. Many former national officers are not happy about this. Convention in '09 should be very interesting.

SWTXBelle · #14 09-26-2008, 06:53 PM

I remember well when Gamma Phi Beta sold Camp Sechelt (sp? I'll double check), our camp in Canada. While I am sure it was financially an intelligent decision, I still regret that we lost a hands-on expression of our philanthropy, and one which enabled our actives to work as counselors. You also can't replace the historical significance of it . I'm sorry to hear that Pi Phi will be losing such a jewel in her crown.

breathesgelatin · #15 09-27-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piphi74

This has happened without the true knowledge and understanding of the membership of Pi Beta Phi. GC took it upon themselves to make this HUGE decision and have totally PO'd a lot of big donors! The Nashville Alum Club is furious since they are big BIG donors to Arrowmont. GC states that they have the backing of former council and Arrowmont Board officers but that is not entirely true. Many former national officers are not happy about this. Convention in '09 should be very interesting.

I agree that this will be an issue at Convention, even if the deal is already set in stone or concluded by then.

I plan to go to Convention '09! It will be my first one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I remember well when Gamma Phi Beta sold Camp Sechelt (sp? I'll double check), our camp in Canada. While I am sure it was financially an intelligent decision, I still regret that we lost a hands-on expression of our philanthropy, and one which enabled our actives to work as counselors. You also can't replace the historical significance of it . I'm sorry to hear that Pi Phi will be losing such a jewel in her crown.

SWTXBelle, thanks for posting that. I'm interested to see that something similar has happened with other NPCs.