Theta
Elders Association, Inc.
Annual Corporation Meeting Agenda
July 28, 2019
The meeting was
called to order at 4:00 PM by President Doug Donaldson.
Roll Call by
Ron Niederwerfer.
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Secretary
called the role by passing a sign in sheet.
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Directors in attendance: Don Burr,
Ron Niederwerfer, Doug Donaldson, Bob Kravecs, Shelly Katz, Bill
Ruggles, Michael Joyce, Al Smith.
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Directors not in attendance: Ed
Dimock, Jim Henderson Jr, Chris Heacox, Curtis Halla, Cal Lord, Earl
Ott.
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Voting
Members in attendance: Tim Vellrath, Fran Cook, Russ Bowen, Bob
Kelley, Bob Bentley.
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Non-voting members
in attendance: none.
Declaration of
a Quorum by Doug Donaldson.
Opening
Ode
Appointment of Parliamentarian.
Approval
of Minutes from the last annual meeting.
President's
report:
Secretary's
report:
Treasurer's
report:
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Don Burr submitted a
detailed written report of the fund balances:
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General Checking
Account $ 8,016.94 (was $ 7,895.41 in 2018)
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Fidelity Investment
Account $ 193,740.44 (was $ 186,161.69 in 2018)
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Our annual distribution
from the Zete For Life program has not yet been received.
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Don Burr and Bob
Kravecs remain the authorized signatories on the accounts.
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Bob Bentley moved
acceptance of the report; Bill Ruggles seconded: Carried.Housing Committee Report:
Investment Committee:
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Bob Kravecs (Chairman),
Don Burr, Tristan Lawrie, Jeff Davis, Al Smith. The
membership continues to be pleased with the work of our investment
advisor. He continues to
work with no fee as a courtesy to Bob Kravecs.
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There were no changes
in our investments in 2018/2019 to date but the committee
reported off line that we may reduce our exposure to the market if a
downturn seems likely.
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Jeff Davis sold his
home in Connecticut and now lives as a globe trotting RVer. His
offer
to leave the committee was accepted with thanks for his many years
of service.
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Bill Ruggles moved
acceptance of the report; Bob Bentley seconded: Carried.
Website Report:
ADDRESS LIST
WEB PAGE
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Several pages need
to be updated.
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There is a Facebook
group for Theta Elders. Instructions for how to join the group
are outlined on the photo album page
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There has been no
activity reported for inclusion in the Zete News page.
Dues Notices:
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Per the vote taken at the 2018
Annual Meeting, dues notices for $20 are being produced to send to
the TEA membership via snail mail or email. The plan is to
distribute them in October.
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Don Burr moved acceptance of the
report; Al Smith seconded: Carried.
OLD
BUSINESS
Active Chapter Update:
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The Chapter is closed
and there are no Active members at the University. We believe
that Greek life at the University is good.
-
UConn has a new
President and a new President of the Foundation. Their positions on
Greek Life are not known at this time.
-
Representatives of the
Grand Chapter have been lobbying Jamel Catoe (UConn Greek
Life) and we believe he will be more receptive than in the past.
Theta
Fund at International Headquarters:
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Restricted funds have been established at the Grand Chapter.
Brothers who make gifts to
the International Fraternity may wish to earmark their gifts to the
Theta Fund.
Gifts to the Educational Foundation are tax deductible but they can
only be used for IRS
approved educational expenses.
-
Our best estimate of the Foundation Theta Fund balance is ~$43,000
following a large
contribution in 2017. Foundation funds can only be expended for
educational expenses as
approved by IRS regulations. The amount in the Fraternity Theta Fund
is ~$11,700. Fraternity Funds can be used for a broad variety of
Chapter support.
-
UPDATE: Doug Donaldson contacted Tony Hodgeson, Gamma Alpha, to
request fund
balances. He found the line item for the Fraternity Fund and pegged
it’s value at $12,000. He
could not locate the Foundation line item but agreed to work with
Executive Director, Lauck
Walton, to research the status. Brother Walton confirmed that he
remembers past conversations with Brother Donaldson regarding this
matter.
Zete 4
Life Update:
A program unveiled at the
2011 convention designed to provide long term financial
support for the Chapters.
All graduating seniors
will be asked to sign up for the Zete 4 Life program. In it they
authorize the Grand Chapter to charge a credit card a preset amount
per
month (minimum $13 per quarter).
One half goes to the Grand
Chapter and one half would be
sent to the TEA to support the Active Chapter.
We currently receive
approximately $600 per year from the ongoing donations.
Dues Notices:
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Notices were printed and
mailed through the good efforts of Jeff Davis and Michael
Joyce. We received several gifts for much more than the billed
amount.
-
Dues notices are to be
sent out annually, not because we need to money, but to maintain
contact with our membership.
Membership Eligibility and Gender Identity Study Committee:
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The Committee consisting
of Cal Lord chairman, Bill Ruggles, Jim Henderson and Ron
Niederwerfer) met, debated, sought input, conducted a survey and
issued a report with the
following recommendation:
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Proposed amendment to the
By-Laws to read, “Membership in the Theta Chapter shall be
limited to males or those who identify as “male” and who regularly
utilize HE, HIM and HIS as
their preferred gender pronouns.”
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Bob Kravecs moved
acceptance of the report. Shelly Katz seconded.
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The motion carried and the
motion will be placed on the agenda of the next TEA meeting
with advance notice transmitted regarding a proposed by-laws change.
University Liaison Committee
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The Chapter is eligible to
apply for reinstatement.
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The Grand Chapter is
supportive and ready to assist as needed.
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In 2017 the Committee met
with the University’s Greek Life Director, Jamel Catoe and expressed
our interest in “getting on the list.” He acknowledged receipt of
our materials package requesting a slot for reactivation but his
response was very disappointing. He referred to “letting us know
when we could apply after the IFC decides that the campus is ready
for expansion.” He never made contact.
-
At the request of TEA
officers, Zeta Psi’s Grand Chapter staff made contact with Mr.
Catoe at two national meetings of Greek Life professionals (2018 and
2019). They report that
expansion may begin in the near future and we should renew contact.
Convention Report:
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The 2019 convention will
be in Baltimore, MD hosted by the Phi Epsilon Chapter from
August 14 to 17. Brother Peter S. Slomianjy will be the TEA
delegate. Brothers Steve Rogers
and Doug Donaldson will serve as alternates.
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The 2020 convention will
be in Seattle, Washington and 2021 will be in New Orleans.
NEW
BUSINESS
Moment of Silence:
Approval
of Actions Taken by TEA Board since last meeting:
New Business from the floor:
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Motion to direct the incoming officers place the
proposed by-laws change on the 2020 agenda and give notice for the
2020 annual meeting.
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Bob Kravecs moved acceptance of the motion. Shelly
Katz seconded. Carried.
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Motion to expend up to $150 to the Grand Chapter to
update our mailing lists.
Ron Niederwerfer moved acceptance of the motion.
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Shelly Katz seconded. Carried.
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Motion to buy a $200 gift card at a Glastonbury
restaurant as a thank you to Panfilo Guglielmi
for his volunteer service maintaining our investment account.
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Ron Niederwerfer moved acceptance of the motion.
Michael Joyce seconded. Carried.
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Motion to allocate up to $5,000 to fund a 60th
Anniversary celebration if a suitable chairman can be located.
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Ron Niederwerfer moved acceptance of the motion.
Michael Joyce seconded. Carried.
Election of Directors:
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The following Brothers
were nominated to serve as Directors: Don Burr, Ron
Niederwerfer, Doug Donaldson, Bob Kravecs, Shelly Katz, Michael
Joyce, Al Smith, Cal Lord, Harvey Beinstein, Bob Bentley.
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A motion to cast a
single affirmative ballot for the 10 nominees was made by Ron
Niederwerfer and seconded by Michael Joyce. The motion carried.
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NOTE: 10 Directors were
elected. They choose the officers from amongst their group
which reduces the number of Directors to the mandated range of 3 to
8.
Election of Officers:
PHI: Bob Kravecs
ALPHA PHI: Shelly Katz
SIGMA: Ron Niederwerfer
GAMMA: Don Burr
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It was decided not to
elect the optional officers at this time: Beta Pi, Alpha Sigma, and
Alpha Gamma.
HA
Plaque:
Good
and Welfare:
Holiday
Party:
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The Holiday Party date was
not announced but will once again be at Dakota’s in Rocky
Hill. Cocktails at 4:00 PM on the first or second Sunday in
December.
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UPDATE: A December
blizzard forced the cancellation of the Holiday Party.
Closing
Ode and Adjournment
Respectfully
submitted in Tau Kappa Phi,
Ron Niederwerfer
Secretary
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