- C
- M
!!! UPDATE !!!
We met our goal in record time! Thank you all for your generosity and assistance. I truly appreciate it.
I've expanded the goal to allow people to continue to contribute. Any surplus funds will go toward fulfilling a plan for an "Emergency Fund".
The emergency fund is a joint account held by the undergraduate chapter and the AVC. The reason for this is that, in the event one organization ceases operations, the funds remain available for when needed.
At the end of every fiscal year, the undergraduate chapter will zero out their own account, and deposit their budget surplus into this emergency fund.
I'll keep the original appeal letter at the bottom of this description.
Again, thank you all. We did this together as an alumni base and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.
HFF Brothers
-Ray
-------------- Appeal --------------
Distinguished Alumni and Friends,
Those of you who have been following the national fraternity lately will be aware that at last years Grand Chapter Conclave the undergraduate body of the fraternity voted to shift all membership development programs of active chapters towards adhering to the Balanced Man Program. For those of you who have been out of the loop for a bit, this will likely be a bit of a surprise to you.
While the chapter has been operating under the Balanced Man Program for some years now, this naturally prompted an audit of our process which, in turn, revealed that our member development process had over time strayed from the national flavor of the Balanced Man Program in a few ways.
Upon a re-evaluation of the process at New York Lambda, the undergraduate chapter had a split decision regarding whether or not to revamp our process to bring it more in line with the national BMP model and standard. Over the years, our process had become mired in unnecessary tasks and requirements that paid lip service to the BMP while being a perverted shadow of their former pledge model incarnations. Many in the undergraduate chapter decided that it was time to trim the fat.
Unfortunately this resulted in a rift in membership, particularly among those who did not already adhere to, nor want to bring themselves up to, the higher standard of brotherhood. Rather than improve the chapter and themselves and fulfill their duty as brothers, these former members chose to opt out instead, leaving the mess behind for those with the right conviction of a brother who would care enough about the chapter to stay. To say that accountability was a non-factor here would be a gross understatement.
This large scale disaffiliation also coincided with nationals billing period for undergraduate chapters. In effect, nationals had charged us for what was around 22 men when, after disaffiliation occurred, only 12 would be available to foot the bill. Appeal efforts proved fruitless, as they were unable to adjust the cost to our chapter due to it already being processed in their forecast model and beyond the conclusion of the billing appeals period.
Needless to say, nobody is happy with any of this, and we are left with a large and unexpected financial gap of $1,500.00.
The alumni board is reaching out to you for help.
We are soliciting donations to help get the undergraduate chapter back on it's feet. AVC involvement with the chapter has been at an all time high, and National HQ is very happy to see that. Because of this, they have offered some leniency toward the undergraduate chapter by waiving the late fee on the payment, but still require the payment to meet their bottom line. Any chapters that do not pay the bill will be placed on "Charter Review". As a chapter at a small liberal arts college in Buffalo N.Y., this is likely a certain death sentence.
The bill is due by March 20th. This date is non-negotiable.
Recently our undergrads had been part of a pilot conference program alongside the chapter at Fredonia. In attendance was the President, VP, two new members, and their chapter counselor. The undergraduate chapter, despite being in dire straits, is still doing what they can to live the ritual and be the best brothers they can be. Now is our time as alumni to do our part. Now is our time to come together and give them a hand.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I'll try my best to answer them, or put you in touch with someone who can.
Thank you for your time.
Raymond Georges
Chapter Counselor
We met our goal in record time! Thank you all for your generosity and assistance. I truly appreciate it.
I've expanded the goal to allow people to continue to contribute. Any surplus funds will go toward fulfilling a plan for an "Emergency Fund".
The emergency fund is a joint account held by the undergraduate chapter and the AVC. The reason for this is that, in the event one organization ceases operations, the funds remain available for when needed.
At the end of every fiscal year, the undergraduate chapter will zero out their own account, and deposit their budget surplus into this emergency fund.
I'll keep the original appeal letter at the bottom of this description.
Again, thank you all. We did this together as an alumni base and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.
HFF Brothers
-Ray
-------------- Appeal --------------
Distinguished Alumni and Friends,
Those of you who have been following the national fraternity lately will be aware that at last years Grand Chapter Conclave the undergraduate body of the fraternity voted to shift all membership development programs of active chapters towards adhering to the Balanced Man Program. For those of you who have been out of the loop for a bit, this will likely be a bit of a surprise to you.
While the chapter has been operating under the Balanced Man Program for some years now, this naturally prompted an audit of our process which, in turn, revealed that our member development process had over time strayed from the national flavor of the Balanced Man Program in a few ways.
Upon a re-evaluation of the process at New York Lambda, the undergraduate chapter had a split decision regarding whether or not to revamp our process to bring it more in line with the national BMP model and standard. Over the years, our process had become mired in unnecessary tasks and requirements that paid lip service to the BMP while being a perverted shadow of their former pledge model incarnations. Many in the undergraduate chapter decided that it was time to trim the fat.
Unfortunately this resulted in a rift in membership, particularly among those who did not already adhere to, nor want to bring themselves up to, the higher standard of brotherhood. Rather than improve the chapter and themselves and fulfill their duty as brothers, these former members chose to opt out instead, leaving the mess behind for those with the right conviction of a brother who would care enough about the chapter to stay. To say that accountability was a non-factor here would be a gross understatement.
This large scale disaffiliation also coincided with nationals billing period for undergraduate chapters. In effect, nationals had charged us for what was around 22 men when, after disaffiliation occurred, only 12 would be available to foot the bill. Appeal efforts proved fruitless, as they were unable to adjust the cost to our chapter due to it already being processed in their forecast model and beyond the conclusion of the billing appeals period.
Needless to say, nobody is happy with any of this, and we are left with a large and unexpected financial gap of $1,500.00.
The alumni board is reaching out to you for help.
We are soliciting donations to help get the undergraduate chapter back on it's feet. AVC involvement with the chapter has been at an all time high, and National HQ is very happy to see that. Because of this, they have offered some leniency toward the undergraduate chapter by waiving the late fee on the payment, but still require the payment to meet their bottom line. Any chapters that do not pay the bill will be placed on "Charter Review". As a chapter at a small liberal arts college in Buffalo N.Y., this is likely a certain death sentence.
The bill is due by March 20th. This date is non-negotiable.
Recently our undergrads had been part of a pilot conference program alongside the chapter at Fredonia. In attendance was the President, VP, two new members, and their chapter counselor. The undergraduate chapter, despite being in dire straits, is still doing what they can to live the ritual and be the best brothers they can be. Now is our time as alumni to do our part. Now is our time to come together and give them a hand.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I'll try my best to answer them, or put you in touch with someone who can.
Thank you for your time.
Raymond Georges
Chapter Counselor
Organizer and beneficiary
Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Lambda Chapter
Beneficiary