Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri • Spring 2014 First Floor and Lower Level Work Complete Much Work Is Needed on Second and Third Floors Slow Fundraising Will Result in Hard Decisions about Future Work I t is now spring in Columbia and the Alpha Chis are taking full advantage of the beautiful new deck on the south side of the chapter house. Last summer's major renovation of the first floor and lower level had a definite positive impact on the chapter. Members are proud of the house and more inclined to spend time at 900 Richmond in the newly designated study room or the new lounge. The House Corporation Board (HCB) is wrapping up finishing touches: hanging artwork, adding accessories and concluding decorating of the powder rooms on the first floor and lower level. House Corporation Awarded Gold Certification Our renovation project has been acknowledged by Alpha Chi Omega National Headquarters in a variety of ways. Photos and a brief summary of Alpha Nu's renovation were featured on the ACW Facebook page in February. Additional photos and an article are scheduled for the summer 2014 issue of The Lyre. Alpha Nu has been asked to present "lessons learned" about fundraising and executing a renovation at ACW National Convention in July to members of other ACW house corporations. In addition, the Alpha Nu HCB has been recognized by National Headquarters as a gold certified board and will receive a certificate at National Convention. The program rating levels include certified (Level I), silver (Level II), and gold (Level III). Alpha Nu met all minimum standards for governance, fundraising, communications, risk management, alumnae relations, financial stability and property performance. We earned extra points for programming and excellent execution. HCB members are proud of the accomplishment and pleased with the recognition. Second and Third Floors to Be Focus of Future Renovations The second and third floors of the chapter house are in critical need of renovation. Specifically, the two bathrooms on the north side of the chapter house, which have not been updated in nearly 25 years. Approximately 10 bedrooms are using furniture that is nearly 30 years old. Hardwood and vinyl floors need to be refinished in five bedrooms. Rooms on both floors need to be repainted and new carpet installed in the hallways and stairwells. Doors need to be replaced along with light fixtures, ceiling fans, and window treatments. Bulletin and message boards need to be replaced. The chapter president's suite needs to be renovated. Other needs to be addressed include replacing kitchen equipment and a new refrigerator for members to use in the kitchenette located in the dining room. Negotiating for Safer and Additional Parking Safety of our collegians is a priority for the HCB and we are excited about an opportunity to re- locate the Alpha Chi parking lot to within 50 yards of the chapter house. The current lot at the corner of Rollins Avenue and Fifth Street accommodates only 20 parking spaces and is nearly three blocks away. The proposed new lot, facing Tiger Avenue (formerly Maryland Avenue), is adjacent to the Gamma Phi Beta parking lot. In addition to being closer to the house, it is larger, meaning more Alpha Chis will be able to park in the lot. The HCB is negotiating with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, owners of the property on Tiger Avenue, to swap our current lot for the Tiger Avenue property. If all the pieces fall into place, Alpha Chis will be able to utilize the new lot sometime in 2015. We are excited to explore this enhancement for our collegiate members and are working diligently to make this happen. We hope to report in the next newsletter that it is a done deal. Fundraising Slows—Capital Campaign Goal Not Yet Met We are grateful to the many alumnae who have generously contributed to the capital campaign. However, we are still more than $40,000 below our fundraising goal of $500,000 for the first floor and lower level. We had hoped to exceed our $500,000 goal and apply the overage to renovating the second and third floors. For those who have not yet donated, we urge you to please consider a pledge. Only 13.5 percent of our alumnae have contributed. Typical sorority fundraising campaigns have a participation rate of 20 to 25 percent. While we would love a leadership-level gift, donations of any size make a difference. Pledges can be managed over a five- year period, making it more feasible to contribute. The names of alumnae who donate $2,500 and above will be included on a plaque that will hang in the composite room at the conclusion of the campaign. Special naming rights are available, including individual bedrooms for a $10,000 pledge. Alumnae may want to join together for naming rights for a room where they lived. There is so much more that needs to be done at 900 Richmond. Based on the very real positive difference the first floor and lower level renovations made, we would like to do as much work as possible, as soon as feasible. The HCB will be making very tough decisions this spring. We simply cannot do all that needs to be done without additional funds. Won't you please join more than 250 of your sisters and make a gift? Loyally, Campaign Chairmen Deirdre Hirner '72 Lou Ann Pfeifer Wilcox '75 Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of April 7, 2014 $500,000 Goal $456,896 Total Commitments 272 Contributors 1,684 Active Alumnae

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