Gamma Kappa of Theta Chi Capital Campaign
Donation protected
Brothers-
“I believe in Theta Chi, its traditions and its ideals. Born of sturdy manhood, nurtured by resolute men, ennobled by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture and a builder of character."
"It inspires true friendship: teaches truth, temperance and tolerance, extols virtue, exacts harmony, and extends a helping hand to all who seek it."
“I believe in the primacy of alma mater; in the usefulness of my fraternity, in its influence and its accomplishments and I shall do all in my power to perpetuate its ideals, thereby serving my God, my country and my fellow-man.”
If you’re like me, reading those words harkens back memories of the crest, perseverance, and maybe typewriters… If you read a bit more deeply, maybe you’re reminded of a time filled with camaraderie and purpose. Either way, these were words memorized and repeated by each of us. These words span generations of Theta Chis from Miami University.
It is with this sentiment that I greet you today. Some of you may be aware of chapter goings on, but my assumption is that most are not. While this is not the venue for recapping years of chapter operations, the more recent history is pertinent to this letter. My name is Kyle Morgan (’06) and I, as of April 2019, have been serving as the President of the Gamma Kappa House Corporation of Theta Chi Fraternity. Over the past few years, there has been complete turnover of the board of directors of the House Corporation. Presently, the board consists entirely of Gamma Kappa alumni (’06-’09) and includes two attorneys, two CPAs, a private sector financial consultant, a private equity operations executive, and a physician. We have assumed total control of chapter finances and re-envisioned the purpose of the House Corporation. We (you included), as an alumni base, own the property that sits at 310 N. Bishop St., and our sole mission is to steward that property well.
Clearly, undergraduate chapter members, but more specifically, in-house brothers are the lifeblood of the chapter and the House Corporation. Despite a few years of decreased occupancy, we have been able to successfully operate within a balanced budget without sacrificing necessary property maintenance and repair. The house is in good condition and the financial status of the House Corporation is stable. The decrease in live-in brothers in recent years was, in part, secondary to the inability to obtain a University-mandated sophomore off-campus living exemption. As the chapter did not qualify for the exemption, no sophomores were permitted to live in the house this year.
I am, however, happy to report that the chapter is strong and now again in good standing with the University. I have been in regular contact with University officials who are excited about the potential of Theta Chi Fraternity on Miami’s campus. More importantly, the chapter’s most recently initiated pledge class was its largest in years (41 guys) and the majority of these men intend to live in the house next year. This, coupled with increased communication with undergraduate chapter leadership, and increased financial control by the House Corporation, has the current board of directors excited about the potential for the property and the chapter as a whole.
The ability for these soon-to-be sophomores to live in the house hinges on the attainment of the aforementioned sophomore off-campus living exemption. At this time, we see no hindrance to obtaining the exemption. New for the 2020-2021 school year though, the University has added a mandated live-in advisor position in order to qualify for the exemption. We are actively recruiting for this position and intend to house them in the private suite just off of the main first floor chapter room. To make this suite move-in ready, we are pursuing some minor renovations including the re-addition of a shower to the private bathroom. We believe that pursuing these renovations will help us to recruit a competitive applicant which will benefit the chapter immensely.
This brings me to the “ask” of the letter. Would you consider making a donation to assist with this project? We are expecting that the renovation will cost between $25,000-$30,000. To maintain House Corporation liquidity, we would be thrilled to raise these funds, in part or in total, amongst our large alumni base.
As a new board of directors for the Gamma Kappa House Corporation, we envision a change in the modus operandi for chapter operations. This is based on increased financial control by the House Corporation, increased in-house occupancy, and most importantly, increased alumni involvement. We envision a vibrant and connected network of Gamma Kappa alumni, and potentially the incorporation of a chapter alumni advisory board. Ultimately, our vision would be that this development of alumni relations is the driver of chapter sustainability, and potentially a major house renovation or reconstruction. If there was ever a time in which you considered reconnecting with the chapter as an alumnus, please consider this an invitation to extend “the helping hand” of Theta Chi.
In closing, I ask three things:
1) Please consider making a donation for the live-in suite renovation. Every penny will go towards property improvement, even $5 is appreciated.
2) Please send an introductory email to [email redacted]. This will help us start to organize the vast network of Gamma Kappa alumni and give updates on chapter operations.
3) Please forward this letter on to any Gamma Kappa Alumni not listed as a recipient on this email.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Fraternally,
Kyle J. Morgan
President, Gamma Kappa House Corporation
Donations or dues paid to Section 501(c)(7) corporations such as Theta Chi Fraternity are NOT tax-deductible.
“I believe in Theta Chi, its traditions and its ideals. Born of sturdy manhood, nurtured by resolute men, ennobled by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture and a builder of character."
"It inspires true friendship: teaches truth, temperance and tolerance, extols virtue, exacts harmony, and extends a helping hand to all who seek it."
“I believe in the primacy of alma mater; in the usefulness of my fraternity, in its influence and its accomplishments and I shall do all in my power to perpetuate its ideals, thereby serving my God, my country and my fellow-man.”
If you’re like me, reading those words harkens back memories of the crest, perseverance, and maybe typewriters… If you read a bit more deeply, maybe you’re reminded of a time filled with camaraderie and purpose. Either way, these were words memorized and repeated by each of us. These words span generations of Theta Chis from Miami University.
It is with this sentiment that I greet you today. Some of you may be aware of chapter goings on, but my assumption is that most are not. While this is not the venue for recapping years of chapter operations, the more recent history is pertinent to this letter. My name is Kyle Morgan (’06) and I, as of April 2019, have been serving as the President of the Gamma Kappa House Corporation of Theta Chi Fraternity. Over the past few years, there has been complete turnover of the board of directors of the House Corporation. Presently, the board consists entirely of Gamma Kappa alumni (’06-’09) and includes two attorneys, two CPAs, a private sector financial consultant, a private equity operations executive, and a physician. We have assumed total control of chapter finances and re-envisioned the purpose of the House Corporation. We (you included), as an alumni base, own the property that sits at 310 N. Bishop St., and our sole mission is to steward that property well.
Clearly, undergraduate chapter members, but more specifically, in-house brothers are the lifeblood of the chapter and the House Corporation. Despite a few years of decreased occupancy, we have been able to successfully operate within a balanced budget without sacrificing necessary property maintenance and repair. The house is in good condition and the financial status of the House Corporation is stable. The decrease in live-in brothers in recent years was, in part, secondary to the inability to obtain a University-mandated sophomore off-campus living exemption. As the chapter did not qualify for the exemption, no sophomores were permitted to live in the house this year.
I am, however, happy to report that the chapter is strong and now again in good standing with the University. I have been in regular contact with University officials who are excited about the potential of Theta Chi Fraternity on Miami’s campus. More importantly, the chapter’s most recently initiated pledge class was its largest in years (41 guys) and the majority of these men intend to live in the house next year. This, coupled with increased communication with undergraduate chapter leadership, and increased financial control by the House Corporation, has the current board of directors excited about the potential for the property and the chapter as a whole.
The ability for these soon-to-be sophomores to live in the house hinges on the attainment of the aforementioned sophomore off-campus living exemption. At this time, we see no hindrance to obtaining the exemption. New for the 2020-2021 school year though, the University has added a mandated live-in advisor position in order to qualify for the exemption. We are actively recruiting for this position and intend to house them in the private suite just off of the main first floor chapter room. To make this suite move-in ready, we are pursuing some minor renovations including the re-addition of a shower to the private bathroom. We believe that pursuing these renovations will help us to recruit a competitive applicant which will benefit the chapter immensely.
This brings me to the “ask” of the letter. Would you consider making a donation to assist with this project? We are expecting that the renovation will cost between $25,000-$30,000. To maintain House Corporation liquidity, we would be thrilled to raise these funds, in part or in total, amongst our large alumni base.
As a new board of directors for the Gamma Kappa House Corporation, we envision a change in the modus operandi for chapter operations. This is based on increased financial control by the House Corporation, increased in-house occupancy, and most importantly, increased alumni involvement. We envision a vibrant and connected network of Gamma Kappa alumni, and potentially the incorporation of a chapter alumni advisory board. Ultimately, our vision would be that this development of alumni relations is the driver of chapter sustainability, and potentially a major house renovation or reconstruction. If there was ever a time in which you considered reconnecting with the chapter as an alumnus, please consider this an invitation to extend “the helping hand” of Theta Chi.
In closing, I ask three things:
1) Please consider making a donation for the live-in suite renovation. Every penny will go towards property improvement, even $5 is appreciated.
2) Please send an introductory email to [email redacted]. This will help us start to organize the vast network of Gamma Kappa alumni and give updates on chapter operations.
3) Please forward this letter on to any Gamma Kappa Alumni not listed as a recipient on this email.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Fraternally,
Kyle J. Morgan
President, Gamma Kappa House Corporation
Donations or dues paid to Section 501(c)(7) corporations such as Theta Chi Fraternity are NOT tax-deductible.
Organizer
Kyle Morgan
Organizer
Oxford, OH