Theta Xi - Bradley University

THE TAXI NEWS PAGE 5 Theta Xi 152nd National Convention Highlights Alpha Sigma's Strength in Scholarships New Member Fee Structure Passed by HQ, Financials in Good Standing S ince the last convention two years ago, our chapter count remained about the same. However, there were three chapters that were essentially dormant and replaced by growing colonies, so the quality of the chapters has improved. The colony at Colorado-Mesa cost us very little in resources as we were approached by more than 30 students seeking a national organization to charter a fraternity. Headquarters financials are in far better shape than they were two years ago. In addition, they passed a new fee structure, shifting from a chapter and member fee to a member fee only. This will raise headquarter revenue by about $80,000, allowing for a full-time position dedicated to development and expansion of chapters. Among other things, this has allowed our chapter to get a full-time headquarters staff member to assist our chapter with this year's recruitment to renew our membership numbers. The Alpha Sigma Chapter really shined when it came to the Theta Xi Foundation Grants report. It's our 10th year with our alumni dedicating themselves to using the Theta Xi Foundation to create scholarships for the undergraduate members. We are one of about 50 chapters, and we issued $10,350 in scholarships over the last year, while the other 49 chapters combined issued $13,880. In other words, we make up 2% of the chapters but about 43% of the Theta Xi Foundation's scholarship grants. We also issue the largest scholarships; we not only had the largest scholarship payout at $3,850 for the Janus Scholarship, but we had the second and third largest scholarship payouts as well ($2,500 for each Blue Iris Scholarship). Alpha Sigma Hosts Second Annual Theta Xi Casino Night Attendance, Profit Increase Significantly from First Year A lpha Sigma hosted its second annual Theta Xi Casino Night in the Chicago Marriott in Oak Brook, Ill., which benefited the Janus Scholarship fund. The event was on Sunday, July 17, and was open to the public. Attendees enjoyed an appetizer buffet, cash bar, and multiple gaming tables, including craps, blackjack, and poker. Craig Janus '00 gave a brief speech, including the status of the scholarship endowment, which is approaching $100,000 in principal. Then a prior scholarship recipient, Andrew Potter '15, spoke about how the scholarship allowed him the financial resources to study abroad, which he attributes to helping him build his personal brand and land his dream job as an accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. The event has grown quite a bit in its second year; attendance was up 70% and the net profits doubled to about $4,000. The second annual Theta Xi Casino Night was held at the Chicago Marriott in Oak Brook, Ill., in July. The casino event benefited the Janus Scholarship fund and was open to the public. Casino games included craps, blackjack, and poker.

• Cover