Sigma Chi - University of Michigan

THETA THETA CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | FALL 2020 EMBRACING THE NEW NORMAL Theta Theta Adapts to Unique Fall Semester Brothers, The Chapter is doing well. That is remarkable because the winter semester ended early, the fall semester was never a sure thing, and it is still 2020. The winter pledge class was initiated last month with the new virtual, socially distant, and temporary rituals. The Brothers continue to be very resilient and are serious about limiting access to the house and having the best year possible under the circumstances. The House Corporation is adapting to the new realities of this challenging year, and change always seems to present opportunities. Four items I would like to share: Our finances continue to be strong under the steady and dedicated stewardship of Treasurer Rick Miller, Emory '82. Our census is down this year as the result of the changes in recruitment rules and live-in trends. However, our steady debt management has resulted in a mortgage balance of under $272,000. We pay nearly $60,000 a year in debt service and those funds would be best put into a sinking fund to pay for costly repairs (e.g., roof, boiler, flooring). The House Corporation board membership has been very static over the last decade (or two). Jerry Kocis '94 has recently joined though he has been active in our website activities for many years. Currently we meet virtually for the eight meetings that occur during academic year. We have included virtual attendance even during our meetings at the Chapter House this summer. Recruitment of new HC board members has not been our highest priority, but we are taking this situation to make an appeal. The board would like to invite interested alumni to consider participation regardless of location and time zone. Please contact Dan Page '87 at dpage345@gmail.com if interested and we will reach out for a virtual discussion. The pandemic continues to rule the day. We attend monthly forums with Fraternity and Sorority Life and stay up to date with Brothers get their (business casual) professional headshots taken. T he support of the community and alumni is critical to the long-term success of the Theta Theta Chapter. With the advisement of community, university and Fraternity leaders, local area Sigma Chi alumni now have in place a system of advising which helps the Theta Theta Chapter set a solid foundation for success both now and into the future. This foundation is the Theta Theta Chapter Advisory Board, made up of alumni members who: 1. Share their expertise with undergraduates and officers of the Chapter. 2. Are committed to supporting the undergraduates, monitoring the progress of the Chapter, and providing counsel, advice, and leadership. 3. Will assist in the direction of the Chapter in areas of concentration that include academics, leadership, recruitment and financial management. 4. Will also provide emphasis on the intangible aspects of fraternalism— ritual, brotherhood, motivation, unity, caring for one another, and life skills such as health, etiquette and career counseling. 5. Keep current on new and updated ideas, tools and programs. The Chapter Advisory Board has a separate and distinct function from Theta Theta's House Corporation, which continues to serve as the landlord and works with Chapter officers in house maintenance, renovations and related finances. Interested in joining the Alumni Advisory Board? Send an email to info@thetatheta. com. THETA THETA ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD the changing campus conditions and health department requirements. Our Chapter House has a professional property manager, in-house chef, laundry, commercial grade Wi-Fi, and automatic access control, and is a safe place for our undergraduates to live and learn. Our Phase 2 fundraising campaign was successful and we are grateful to our alumni brothers who pledged and completed their donations. Our collection rate has been very good. Some pledged later in the process and others have fallen behind. Please review your pledge progress and send in the remaining donation balances. Pennington will be assisting us with contacting our well-meaning but financially tardy brothers. This fall didn't include Homecoming or tailgating, which are cherished events where we reconnect and the Brothers see what lasting brotherhood and friendship looks like. It is far more difficult to display those bonds on a Zoom call but I know they are there. Please give some serious thought to item #1 and feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. Thank you again for your continued support. In hoc, David Train, ΘΘ '83 (248) 640-7657 dtrain@ckgppw.com

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