Lancaster County Alumni Association Meeting Minutes

Saturday, February 19, 2005 in Steinman College Center -Booth Ferris  (Lancaster, PA)

Prior to the official start of the meeting, the group heard from a few individuals. First, Dean Kent Trachte spoke regarding the Greek system at F&M. He explained that two of the more significant issues facing the Greek system are expansion of new Greeks and a possible Greek row. Thereafter, the group heard from Brad Kovolesky, the F&M Greek advisor to Penn Eta. He was positive and indicated how much he enjoyed working with Penn Eta. Finally, the group heard from Penn Eta Chapter Advisor Dino Vervitsiotis. According to Dino, Penn Eta was the real driving force in rerecognition. Finally, he was proud of the undergraduates for pinning three great pledges. The official LCAA Meeting started at 2:15 P.M. I. LCAA President Marc Persson called the meeting to order and had the alumni and undergraduates introduce themselves. Thereafter, he requested that the LCAA members sign a membership form which is required by Phi Psi National. II. HI Inspiration- Alumni Brother Ricardo Rivers filled in for the absent HI Alumni Brother Christopher McNally. Brother Rivers read a letter prepared by Brother McNally. In summation, our fraternal ideals will benefit us in our personal lives. It is important that brothers live the ritual. III. After the high inspiration was read, Alumni Brother Persson requested that the alumni brothers read over the proposed minutes from the Homecoming 2004 LCAA Meeting. A motion to pass the minutes was made by Alumni Brother Josh Axelrad and seconded by Alumni Brother Marc Chalpin. IV. LCAA President Marc Persson’s report a) According to Alumni Brother Persson, much is going on with the F&M Alumni Greek Council (AGC). The key issue is communication. The AGC will provide a grant to permit the College Reporter to go online on the F&M website. Currently, only issues from 1987 to 2001 are online. b) Additionally, the Greek fundraising guidelines are on the F&M website. According to Alumni Brother Persson, fundraising is needed in order to receive financial leverage. One possible fundraising idea would be for alumni to contribute funds in order to send undergraduate brothers to national conventions, such as the Woodrow Wilson Leadership School or the Grand Arch Council. c) According to recently obtained data, 145 out of 430 members of the freshman class are pledging at F&M. d) On another matter, Tri Sigma had its charter revoked. Finally, Lamba Chi Alpha is ready to rejoin the F&M Greek Community. V. Alumni Brother Jason Safro’s Plan for Alumni Sponsorship of New Initiated Brothers Alumni Brother Jason Safro presented to the LCAA membership his proposal for Alumni Sponsorship of newly initiated brothers. The purpose of the plan is to help mitigate Phi Psi initiation fees newly initiated members are required to pay. Alumni in the same lines as the pledges would sponsor said pledges by contributing anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00 toward initiation fees. According to Brother Safro, the maximum contribution an alumnus could pay is $200.00. The newly initiated brothers would be responsible for any remaining fees. Finally, the LCAA Treasurer would be responsible for holding the aforementioned funds until needed by the undergraduate chapter. There was much discussion regarding Alumni Brother Safro’s proposal. The following motions were made. First, there was an amended motion made by Alumni Brother Rivers, seconded by Alumni Brother Chalpin, prohibiting the undergraduate Penn Eta brothers from using the Plan as a marketing tool. This motion was not passed. Second, there was an amended motion made by Alumni Brother Vervitsiotis, seconded by Alumni Brother Geoff Clark, limiting the plan to a one year trial period with future review. This motion passed. Finally, Alumni Brother Safro made a motion, seconded by Alumni Brother Chalpin, calling for the LCAA to endorse the overall proposal of Alumni Sponsorship of newly initiated brothers. This motion passed. VI. LCAA President Marc Persson presented two awards. The first award was given to Penn Eta Undergraduate Brother Brandon Sherlinsky for outstanding scholastic achievement. Brother Sherlinsky received a $250.00 check. The second award was given to LCAA Treasurer Stuart Gallin as the outstanding LCAA Alumni of the year for all of his hard work and dedication. Alumni Brother Gallin received a cigar and F&M minted pocket knife. VII. LCAA Vice President Ricardo River’s Report a) The schedule of events for Founder’s Day was as follows: 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.- Attendance at an F&M basketball game 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.- Undergraduate brother’s meeting at 446 Nevin Street 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.- Dinner at the Olive Garden Restaurant 9:00 P.M. to ??- Social outing at 446 Nevin b) West End Associates had been dissolved. Unfortunately, one of our key contributors did not follow through with his promised financial donation. Currently, the LCAA is anticipating F&M’s Greek housing plan. However, the LCAA is still looking into short-term undergraduate housing. Finally, Alumni Brother Rivers stated how proud the alumni are of the undergraduates. He urged them to keep alumni “in the loop”. VIII. LCAA Treasurer Stuart Gallin’s Report First off, Alumni Brother Gallin thanked the Penn Eta undergrads for the January retreat. According to Brother Gallin, the LCAA started its year, Founder’s Day 2004, with $171.00. At the time he gave his report during the meeting, the LCAA’s surplus had grown to $305.00. Despite this fact, the LCAA had a pending LCAA bill of $100.00 due to Phi Psi National. Likewise, the LCAA will soon owe the AGC $200.00. Finally, dues are $25.00 per year. While the LCAA has money to pay its bills, contributions are appreciated. IX. Report of Penn Eta President Mike Pitzer Undergraduate brother Mike Pitzer thanked the alumni for attending Founder’s Day and undergraduate brother Neil Solinsky for organizing the day’s events. Additionally, the undergraduates took three pledges this semester. Finally, the chapter is required to function out of various houses. It is difficult to expand without a stable house. X. Old Business: None XI. New Business: Election of LCAA Officers. The elections started by Alumni Brother Marc Persson requesting that the by-laws be amended to better clarify the election process. Thereafter, Alumni Brother Ricardo Rivers, the nominating chair, presented the various officer elections for a vote. 1) Presidential nominees: Alumni Brother Marc Persson and Alumni Brother Micah Kleid. Alumni Brother Andrew Morrow spoke for Alumni Brother Marc Persson. Brother Morrow indicated that Brother Persson had done an excellent job as LCAA President. He stated that no one has worked as hard for the LCAA as Brother Persson. Alumni Brother Micah Kleid spoke for himself. According to Brother Kleid, the LCAA needs to change. We as alumni need to focus on the alumni that graduated since 2000. Additionally, the LCAA need to better focus on the Penn Eta chapter. We need to provide more donations to the chapter. By vote of the LCAA members, Alumni Brother Marc Persson was re-elected to the position of LCAA President. 2) Vice Presidential nominees: Alumni Brother Ricardo Rivers and Alumni Brother Micah Kleid, who dropped down to this position. Alumni Brother Chalpin spoke for Alumni Brother Rivers. His speech was summarized as “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. By vote of the LCAA Members, Alumni Brother Ricardo Rivers was re-elected to the position of LCAA Vice President. 3) Treasurer nominees: Stuart Gallin. By vote of acclimation, Alumni Brother Stuart Gallin was re-elected to the position of LCAA Treasurer. 4) Secretary nominees: Alumni Brother Nate Boonisar, Alumni Brother Jeremy Fishman, and Alumni Brother Micah Kleid, who dropped down to this position. Alumni Brother Morrow spoke on behalf of Alumni Brother Boonisar. Brother Morrow indicated that he desired for Brother Boonisar to become more involved with the LCAA. In addition, Brother Boonisar had served a few stints as BG while an undergraduate. Alumni Brother Rivers spoke on behalf of Alumni Brother Fishman. According to Brother Rivers, Brother Fishman was previously LCAA secretary and is very dedicated. Alumni Brother Vervitsiotis spoke on behalf of Alumni Brother Micah Kleid. According to Brother Vervitsiotis, Micah has written articles for The Shield and is a very capable writer. By vote of the LCAA Members, Alumni Brother Nate Boonisar was elected to the position of LCAA Secretary. 5) HI nominees: Alumni Brother Christopher McNally and Alumni Brother Micah Kleid, who dropped down to this position. Alumni Brother Chalpin spoke on behalf of Alumni Brother McNally. By vote of the LCAA Members, Alumni Brother Christopher McNally was re-elected to the position of LCAA HI. 6) LCAA Board of Director Nominees: Alumni Brothers Wainwright Dawson, Dino Vervitsiotis and Geoff Clark. By vote of the LCAA Members, Alumni Brothers Wainwright Dawson and Geoff Clark were elected to the Board of Directors. Additionally, Alumni Brother Christopher Payne is also a member of the Board based on his status as immediate past president of the LCAA. XII. Motion to adjourn by Alumni Brother Chalpin, seconded by Alumni Brother Ivo Becica. There was no gavel pass. Meeting Adjourned: 4:00 P.M.