Eta Omega Alumni,
As the year comes to an end, we are happy to look back on another successful year for Theta Chi and the Eta Omega chapter. We are excited about 2016 and hopeful that our Chapter will continue its success on Chico State’s campus. The Alumni Board thanks you for your continued support of the chapter and we hope you all have a Happy New Year.
Cheers!
John Wenger
President, Eta Omega Alumni Board of Directors
Chapter Update
Our Chapter continues to function outside of the IFC board following sanctions that both the Alumni Board and National HQ Board object to. Following the disciplinary actions taken by the IFC, our National Executive Director Mike Mayer released the following statement “It is clear that the Chico State IFC is uninterested in working productively with Eta Omega Chapter of Theta Chi at this time, and that this policy discrepancy remains unresolved. Nonetheless, Theta Chi Fraternity maintains the stance described above, and thus chooses to function beyond IFC participation.” With Chico State’s President Paul Zingg retiring in the Spring, we are hopeful that the newly appointed President will work constructively with our Chapter and the Greek community.
Regardless of the school’s actions, 2015 was a great year for the brothers of Eta Omega. With roughly 70 to 80 active members, our Chapter continues to be the largest and most influential on campus. Since the fall semester did not include any sanctions from the school, the Chapter was finally able to have socials for the first time in over a year and it was a big success. In November they were also able to have their annual retreat and conduct a philanthropy prompting the USO, which is a new philanthropic partnership through National HQ. The Chapter is excited to be able to be involved with the community again and show the school and community what Theta Chi Eta Omega is about, “lending a helping hand”.
Going into next year there is no doubt that the Chapter will continue to get stronger.
Current Status of the House
Seven years ago the Alumni Board of Directors (BOD) and Chapter embarked on a multi-phase project that included a renovation of the President’s Cottage, and a full upgrade to the Chapter House.
As some of you may remember, we were able to raise $20,000 in 2007 during our 25th Anniversary Alumni Event to remodel the cottage. With the help of Brothers Eric Sondeno and Jim Hull, we were able to completely remodel the cottage over the summer months. The next year, a new roof was installed on the Chapter House to address an immediate threat of water leaks into the house thanks to a generous donation of materials from Brother Brian Flournoy.
In 2009 we began the two-phased approach to remodeling the entire fraternity house. In the first phase, thanks to the tremendous efforts of Tom Hyatt and Jeremy Reither we were able to refinance the Chapter House’s existing mortgage of $176,000 while also securing a $194,743 loan to redesign and renovate the basement, foundation, and 1st floor of the house.
In 2013 we began the process of applying for an additional loan to refinance our existing mortgage and remodel the remainder of the house. It took the Alumni BOD a full year to complete the 110 page loan application, but in the end we succeeded in refinancing $300,000 of our mortgage and securing an $180,250 loan to remodel the second and third floor. I’m happy to report that as of August 2014, the House Remodel Project, led by Jeremy Reither and Thomas Hyatt, has been completed.
Pictures of the newly remodeled house can be found here.
What we need to do
None of this progress would have been possible without contributions from our outstanding Alumni members. I know many of you are homeowners and know the work is never truly done.
The basement is in need of weatherproofing and the cottage is due for serious maintenance. We cannot let all of the hard work that has gone into restoring the Chapter House go to waste. In addition to ongoing costs to the house, the Alumni BOD is working to setup a Foundation through the university to provide scholarships to deserving members. So brothers, I ask you, who’s ready to extend a helping hand?!! Below is how you can help in making our Chapter the strongest it’s ever been.
There are two ways to donate:
First, we are (re)introducing The 1981 Club. Membership is simple: commit to an automated monthly donation of $19.81 a month. This small monthly donation will go a long way in helping to cover the costs of maintaining the beautiful new Chapter House and support our vision of setting up a lasting Foundation. To setup a reoccurring account please visit the following link:
MAKE A RECURRING DONATION OF $19.81 A MONTH
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT RECURRING DONATION OF $19.81 A MONTH ENTER $19.81 AS THE AMOUNT CLICK THE BOX THAT SAYS “MAKE THIS A REOCCURING PAYMENT”
Second, if you do not want to setup a account we are also asking for one-time donations that can be made through PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account you can set one up here: https://www.paypal.com/signup/account. Once you have setup an account you can either submit a payment to the alum.board@etaomega.org for any amount you wish. Or you can click on the link below.
We have come so far as a Chapter and the only way to continue to grow as a chapter is through alumni support. Thank you all for your continued support!!
Upcoming Events
It is still a little early, but we would like to put on everyone’s radar that the Chapter will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2017. Be on the look out for a save the date for a huge Alumni party in our old stomping grounds.
The 33rd annual Giants OX Alumni game is scheduled for Saturday, June 11th versus the LA Dodgers. Check the Facebook page for updates and details on this year’s game. The 32nd annual OX Giants game was a huge success, thanks to Brother Joe Silva and David Markham. The brothers of Eta Omega have been attending an annual SF Giants game since 1984. This year’s game was attended by nearly 30 brothers from a variety of pledge classes.
Here’s a post from Joe ‘The Jet’ with some info:
The Giants will be hoping for some more “even year” luck in 2016 and this time we’re putting our 20-12 record on the line against the Bums from SoCal. Yes, Giants/Dodgers at the OX Game.
I have purchased 50 tickets this year and I’m challenging you mags to not make me sell them on Stub Hub! There isn’t any reason we can’t get 50 guys to a Saturday game with the Dodgers.
I’m trying something a little different this year in terms of price. I’m only charging $55, basically what I paid for the tickets. I’m asking guys to throw in something extra to pay for beer and food if you are able to. Whatever you think is right. Remember, the extra goes to the alumni board for improvements to the house.
The game time hasn’t been set yet, but I would think the Giants/Dodgers is likely to make it on the Fox schedule so it will probably be a day game, 1:05 start.
Game: Giants versus Dodgers
Date: Saturday June 11
Seat Location: CF Bleachers.
Party Time: TBA
Game Time: TBA
Where: Parking Lot D
Food: Salame will be providing great eats again this year the food alone is worth the cost of the ticket!
Cost: $55, basically what I paid for the tickets. Please throw in something extra to pay for beer and food if you are able to. Whatever you think is right.
I only purchased 50 tickets. Let’s make this the biggest OX game in years.”
Special Thanks
Last but not least, I’d like to give a special thanks to my Alumni Board: CJ Scott (Vice President), Zach Fairris (Secretary), and RC Berry (Active Relations). I’d also like to thank Jeremy Reither who recently stepped down from his Treasurer position after 10 years! Without Reither our Chapter house and finances would not be where they are today. Thanks Reither for keeping the Chapter alive!
If anyone is interested in joining the Board and giving back please don’t hesitate to contact me: jwenger15@gmail.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR BROTHERS!!!