Pi Beta Phi - University of Minnesota

P B F 1890 WINTER 2021 MINNESOTA ALPHA New Year, Same Strong Sisterhood New Year, Same Strong Sisterhood Campaign Off to a Phenomenal Start Our Home. Continuing the Legacy at 1109. B y the end of 2020 alumnae and friends helped us raise $553,975 toward our $1 million goal to fund the much-needed renovations to our chapter house. Not only is this the largest amount of funds raised in Minnesota Alpha's 130-year history, but we accomplished this major milestone in the middle of a pandemic. Just imagine what we could have accomplished in brighter days! Our original plan was to begin phase one of the project this spring. However, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the finances of the Minnesota Alpha chapter. Due to an unexpected early closure in spring 2020 alongside university housing and other fraternity and sorority houses on campus, the chapter issued over $140,000 in unplanned refunds to members. This past fall, while the chapter had a phenomenal recruitment (all done virtually!) and has over 150 active members, many attended school virtually and paid reduced dues. Unless our project can be funded with 100% donations, we plan to borrow funds to complete construction, resulting in an increase in rent paid by the chapter to service the new debt. Before we do this, we must give the chapter time to rebuild its finances and reestablish strong connections to the sisterhood and our home, which newer members have not yet been able to enjoy. In 2021, our focus is to increase campaign participation. We want as many sisters as possible to be part of this exciting project! In 2020, 80 individual donors supported the project, representing 6.5% of living alumnae and collegians. Before we begin work, we would like to reach a participation rate of 20% — typical for projects of this nature. The fundraising committee will continue to pursue and welcome major gifts, but as 2021 progresses and opportunities to safely connect in person arise, we will introduce several efforts that focus on contributions at all support levels. As the campaign progresses beyond our initial timeline, mostly due to factors outside of our control, some volunteer fatigue has set in. To better support our chapter, Chapter House Corporation transitioned day-to-day management of our chapter house to Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) at the end of the fall semester. FHC was established in 2008 to support and manage Pi Phi's chapter facilities nationally. If you have any questions about FHC, please visit pibetaphi.org/housing or reach out to me at the phone number or email address below. As we move forward, we may ask for volunteers to help with some fun campaign events and activities. Every donation or volunteer hour put in makes a difference and moves us one step closer to reaching our goal. In Pi Phi, Anna Haag Sabiston '02 2020 President, Chapter House Corporation 2021 Communications Chair, Campaign Fundraising Committee (347) 371-3646 anna.sabiston@gmail.com I n the spring of her freshman year, Katherine Erickstad Schoneman '01 witnessed her roommate (and now lifelong best friend) go through informal recruitment. Katherine joined her for some of the events, and before long she knew she wanted to join Pi Beta Phi. "The sisters were smart, focused, leaders on campus, fun and genuinely loved being together," she said. "I loved the traditions, the lasting friendships, the introduction to philanthropy and being part of a strong institution that empowers women to lead." Katherine's favorite memory from her undergraduate years is a simple one: just being at the chapter house with her best friends. "With 70 girls in the chapter there was always something going on — lots of fun and hilarity!" Of course, they also had many fun times on campus, at football games and Homecoming, Spring Jam events and much more. She also made her two best friends, Miranda Shaft '01 and Lainie Norstrud Overbeck '01 in Pi Phi, and they remain close this day; they even introduced her to her husband of 14 years. SUPPORTING A VALUED INSTITUTION Katherine Erickstad Schoneman Found Friendship at Minnesota Alpha (Continued on page 4)

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