President’s Letter February 2013

Brothers,

Happy New Year!  Guess what?  Chi Phi is not on probation!  We have been very successful in overcoming all the challenges we have faced over the past two and a half years.  Our organization is now more structured, involved, and stronger than I have ever seen.  This accomplishment could not have been made if it wasn’t for your combined support of contributions and time.  Our brotherhood has truly come together and set the bar for what a model chapter should look like. Snaps to all my Brothers.

Last year at this time we shared the Briarfield’s Strategic Plan.          Attached to this report is another copy so you can see all that has been accomplished.  The only place that we still are falling short is building the “Chi Phi Scholarship Memorial Fund”, and the “Chi Phi Programming & Education Fund”.  Asking for financial support is my least favorite part about writing these semi-annual reports.  We currently have a large number of Chi Phi alumni that give directly to the university. If you would consider marking a small portion of your donation to either of these funds it would help us to support and educate our chapter.  If you currently do not give at all, but have wanted to give, please take this time to help the brotherhood.

The funds this year have been used to send two active members to Chi Phi Congress, three members to College of Excellence, and you sent our new Alpha, Gabi Rosenbrien, to Chi Phi Alpha’s Academy.

In making your donation to Chi Phi, be sure to indicate “Chi Phi Memorial Scholarship” or the “Lehigh University Chi Phi P&E Account.”  These donations are all tax deductible. Also, please check to see if your company matches your charitable contributions, as many do.  The link for Chi Phi tax deductible donations made via: credit card is:   http://mylehigh.lehigh.edu/givechiphi.  If paid by check and mail it to: Development Office, 622 Broadhead Ave, Bethlehem PA 18015

Other developments to follow everyone up on: The sword ceremony that was created in the Psi Chapter and presented to congress has been placed in the member’s only section of the National organization’s website for other chapter to access and incorporate into their own new member education program.  The heritage and traditions committee also wanted to see two more ceremonies developed to pay homage to the Princeton and Hobart Orders. These ceremonies have been developed by Matt Scheller and myself with editing from the new Alpha Gabi Rosenbrien.  This will complete a trilogy of ceremonies that can be performed in the new member education process, bring brothers and pledges together to pay homage to our three founding chapters in a most respectful way.  These newly developed ceremonies will have been first performed at the Psi chapter, and will be presented at the next National Congress in Baltimore this year.  This will be another stamp in Psi history.

On a more personal note, it has been a pleasure to serve as your Briarfield president over the past four and half years.  My wife Jilian, is about to have our 1st child any day now. By the time you read this we will probably have the blessing we have been waiting for.  With that, as many of you know, my life is about to get much better and much busier.  We will be electing new officers and trustees at this next Briarfield meeting February 23rd.  I will continue to stay involved, but I will be stepping down from the position of president.  I encourage all that would like to get involved in one way or another to come to our next Briarfield meeting.  If you can come the night before, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner and partake in witnessing the Pledge ceremony along with a few others. The whole weekend has events that can use alumni support, so please check your schedule and see if there is a part of that weekend you would like to attend.

 

Upcoming events Spring Semester:

  1. Pledge Ceremony Dinner- February 22nd 6:00 p.m. Jacket required, ceremonies to follow dinner.
  2. Briarfield Meeting- February 23nd at 9:00 a.m.
  3. Initiation- February 24th The whole day is filled with events that can use alumni support. Come when you can starting from 8:00 a.m. breakfast.
  4. 3.0 GPA Dinner- March 5th at 6:30 p.m. Percy St. BBQ 900 South St. Phila 19147
  5. Active/Alumni BBQ April 13th 11a.m. – 4p.m. At the chapter house food and outdoor games, bring the whole family, very casual.
  6. Annual golf outing at Wedgewood Golf Course -April 27th at 10:40 a.m. 4875 Limeport Pike Coopersburg, PA 18036.  Please email Frank Staber:  fjws@verizon.net .

 

Upcoming events Fall Semester:

  1. Reunion Classes of the 70’s September 27th– 29th Details to follow on Briarfield website. Joseph Iannoni 74’ is point man. jiannoni@jordanhospital.org
  2. Senior Reunion Classes from 50’s and 60’s October 12th & 13th At Chapter House during the Lehigh Pacing Break. The idea would be to mimic the agenda that Bruce and Parry Adam used——arrive Sat. afternoon, have a fine dinner that evening, reserve a block of rooms at a local motel, and re-convene for a brunch Sunday morning. Ardie Emery 61’ is point man. amemery38@aol.com
  3. Lehigh/Lafayette Tailgate November 23rd Alumni tent will be set up with refreshments and activities.

 

Remember to browse the websites below for updates, pictures, and ways to get connected:

Fraternally,

Jay T. Crosby

Briarfield President  Crosbyjay88@gmail.com,  610-217-9773