Yesterday afternoon, February 22, 2009, Jay Nicholson and I saw, touched and sat in our Firetruck. Locating the truck and the house items has always been a priority for the Association. This is a huge find for us. All credit for locating our truck goes to “Master Detective” Mac Humphries, everyone should send Mac a thank you for his relentless efforts in tracking the truck’s location.

The truck is in remarkable condition. It needs a little TLC and a mechanic. The paperwork has begun to re-title, license, insure our truck. The committee will discuss in detail the Firetruck addition at our next meeting, and share with a post our decision. We should all understand that the day of an 18 year old driving the Firetruck is over, or active or alumni. This will be our special purpose vehicle. The truck will be titled to the Zeta Chi Alumni Association. We will have “her” as our featured guest at events.

But, for now, we found our truck. It’s not any firetruck, not a replacement, it is Zeta Chi’s 1940 Ford Firetruck.

Jim Roebuck, President
Zeta Chi Alumni Association 2-23-2009

Congratulations to those Alumni that will be receiving their the 25th Anniversary Certificate of Membership with Pi Kappa Alpha.

Mr. Jim R. Davis
Mr. Douglas W. Dupree
Mr. Arman T. Goffey
Mr. Rocky Lane Goodin
Mr. Mark Andrew Lundgren
Mr. Darrin Craig Mackey
Mr. Michael L. Morton
Mr. Jeffry Glenn Phaup
Mr. Joseph Edward Rankin
Mr. Raymond Michael Reinhardt
Mr. Jeff Alan Schmitz
Mr. Andrew P. Wilcox
Mr. John Wayne Best
Mr. Stuart Michael Carrico
Mr. Ralph Kipp Carpenter
Mr. Thomas Richard Evans
Mr. James Albert Frederick
Mr. Whitney R. Graves
Mr. Chris Ray Jennings
Mr. Darrel B. Lewis Jr.
Mr. Timothy Jerome Litschgi
Mr. Robert James Lundgren
Mr. Kirk Matthew Sloan
Mr. Gerald Thomas Stanley
Mr. Chris Joseph Turnbough

Jim Roebuck, President
Zeta Chi AA 2-6-09

One of our illustrious brothers, Bob Mays, attended MSU for many, many years and continues to enjoy the memories of his time as an active Zeta Chi Pike. Like many of our brothers, Bob’s enthusiasm in reestablishing a Zeta Chi presence at Missouri State University has led us to establish a Bob Mays Leadership And Brotherhood Fund For Zeta Chi. This Fund can be used as a source to fund the academic and educational aspects of a future fraternity house, as well as leadership, scholastic and academic scholarships to future members of Zeta Chi Pikes.

Bob was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness which magnified his desire for a sustaining Fund to support the return and future of Zeta Chi.

While every brother cares deeply about the Fraternity, our chapter and its legacy, through the Bob Mays Leadership and Brotherhood Fund for Zeta Chi we can ensure that Bob’s wishes, as well as our own, can be realized. Zeta Chi forever is the mission. The Fund allows each of us to be a part of that mission. It is Bob’s wish that these funds be used for the replacement of the Fraternity House.

In the design of this Fund we wanted all gifts to be tax deductible by you and keep the contribution process simple. We found that our National Headquarters had in place within their Education Foundation a facility already established to achieve our goals. It is professionally managed by staff that specializes in Endowments, Funds, and Scholarship programs. The Fund we have established is specifically designed for future Zeta Chi membership use, and will not be shared by other Pike chapters.

Zeta Chi Alumni can make gifts through the Education Foundation and designate them to the “Bob Mays Leadership And Brotherhood Fund for Zeta Chi”. The money will be placed into an unendowed account which will allow our Alumni Association the flexibility to actually determine how to use the money down the line, whether through an Educational Facilities Grant or a Leadership Award.

Gifting is easy. Use the following link to access the online donation form on the website and in the “comments box” just indicate you want to designate it to the Bob Mays Leadership And Brotherhood Fund For Zeta Chi: Click here.

In addition, please select the Pike Fund option desired down the road. This is an excellent way to launch our campaign. If you should choose to send in a check, please indicate it should go to the Bob Mays Leadership And Brotherhood Fund For Zeta Chi on the memo line or with a note. You can send your checks, payable to “Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation” to:
Judy L. Bruno, Foundation Programs & Donor Relations, Pi Kappa Alpha Educational
Foundation, 8347 West Range Cove, Memphis, TN 38125.

Your tax deductible gift today in honor of Bob Mays will help secure a sound and promising future for Zeta Chi.

Bob Mays has sent this message of support to Zeta Chi and the re colonization efforts. Bob’s leadership with Zeta Chi continues and I encourage all to follow his message. Joining or renewing your membership to the Association has never been as important as right now. This can be done very easily using the PayPal link on this site. I want to personally thank Bob for his continued leadership and true meaning of Phi Phi KA.

Jim Roebuck, President ZXAA
12-1-2008

Jim,

I want to thank you so much for all your hard work, In regards to all you have done in establishing the Zeta Chi Alumni Association. I had a great time at the meeting. It was so good to see guys that I have not seen in 20 to 30 years. I can not lie, passing by the old Pike house and seeing other letters hanging there breaks my heart. Coming to the meeting I understand that Zeta Chi will never be back without a strong Alumni Chapter. For those of you that may not know John Jackson and I are sick. John was at the meeting with his lovely wife Kathy. I think those of you that have known me through the years would agree that I am a pretty tough guy. That weekend with John I witnessed a display of strength that I could only hope to match. I am both proud and honored to call him brother.

I have heard Zeta Chi Alumni say that they have no interest in re colonizing Zeta Chi. The reason was that they have nothing in common with new actives, and Zeta Chi was about drinking and raising hell. They only want to remember and socialize with people they knew. I agree that partying was very important in the times we had together. I do not believe that anyone in the history of Zeta Chi could have loved being there more than I did. I had 16 semesters to prove it. In my time there my distinguished service award means the most to me. The chapter was having a tough time financially and I came to a meeting to set up a fund raiser. Although everyone was not in agreement, everyone participated.

One thing since I graduated in 1981 is that I have realized that Phi Phi Kappa Alpha are more than letters on a page or words to be spoken. Phi Phi Kappa Alpha symbolize a bond of brotherhood and friendship that in my case has lasted for over 35 years. My dream would be that Zeta Chi will be re colonized and a new house will be built for them. Many brothers have said why should we do that for them? I do not know about other Zeta Chi alumni, but I know all I did at 800 S. National was move in. This is not a pipe dream but with the age of our alumni, quite doable. My problem is that I will not be around to see it through. I will have to trust my brothers in getting this dream done.

The first thing is that everyone pay the $50 dollars to the Zeta Chi Alumni Assoc., that is now due March 1st every year. Without the 200 paid membership there is no way to bring Zeta Chi back. Secondly I challenge each and everyone of you put money in a jar everyday. At the end of the year I would expect that you all had at least $365. I know some will give more than others, because they have it. But I also know that no one say that their experience at Zeta Chi is not worth a dollar a day.

Brothers we owe it to ourselves and to future Zeta Chi members to experience this bond of brotherhood that is unbreakable. I know we have all said the words, but I have experienced the true meaning of Phi Phi Kappa Alpha, through cards, letters, calls, emails and visits.

Yours in Phi Phi Kappa Alpha,
Brother Bob Mays

The 2008 annual meeting was held October 10-12 in Springfield, MO. The meeting was a great success. Events included a reception Friday night, meeting, pre game tailgate party at Bearfest Village, Missouri State University football game-(they won!!!!), and Saturday evening gathering at The Venice. During the meeting it was discussed that the University will be considering another colony in the Spring of 2009. We will compete for this position. The Association will support the efforts of Headquarters. They will be presenting on our behalf to the University.

Membership is the key. We need all alumni to renew their membership or join the Association. Zeta Chi needs you to support the efforts of the Association to re colonize at Missouri State University. Use the Paypal link on this site or “Join the Association” print the PDF and mail your check to me.

A plan was put into place at our meeting for everyone in the directory to receive a personal call and be asked to join the Association. If you are in the directory, and your phone number is listed, expect a call from an alumni who attended our annual meeting. You will be asked to renew your membership or join the Association. They will share with you the comments and thoughts of the meeting. We need your help and support of the Association.

I am attaching minutes of our meeting. Anyone with questions feel free to contact me or any committee member.

Jim Roebuck, President
Zeta Chi Alumni Association

Meeting Minutes:

The meeting was called to order by Jim Roebuck at 9:20 on October 12,
2008 at University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, MO.

In attendance were Tim Nichols, Mike Daly, Brad Knox, Dave Stewart, Tony Wood, Dave Barrett, John Waters, Wayne Angus, Kirk Perkins, John Jackson, Mac Humphries, Jeff Counts, Dan Kraus, Bill Becker, Todd Branson, Bron Launsby, Barry Johnson, Joe Callahan, Phil Robertson, Bob Mays, Mike McClure, Jay Nicholson, Doug Thompson, Kent McPhail, Kendall McPhail. Jim Roebuck, Mike Pearson, Steve Turek.

Welcome to everyone. Announcements. Introduction. History of ZXAA. We will be meeting around noon at Bearfest Village for the pre-game activities. 1:30 Kickoff. Afternoon after game free time. Meet later at The Venice (Nick Russo’s Place).

Thanks to Jay Nicholson for putting together the invitation.

Bron Launsby, treasurer, stepped up to the plate when needed to handle our finances. Report: Account balance was given. All data from the last three years was entered. Income statement was explained and financial handouts were distributed. 8K first year, 07 4K, this year under 3K. Further financial information was offered by Jim Roebuck.

362 alum listed in data base, addresses are good. Unopened returns are low, therefore we are reaching people.

Jim recognized Barry Johnson, Miami, Doug Thompson, Virginia, Bron Launsby, Jackson Tennessee, Bob Mays, Chicago, John Jackson, Richmond MO for traveling many miles to be in attendance.

Pay Pal has been a great boon to the website.

Many ZXAA are not current on dues. In 1997 the number was 180, well on the way to the goal to 200+. Today, it numbers 49. We need to address this issue.

Greek system at MSU has 5 sororities and ? fraternities. Sigma Chi and Tri Sig were expelled from campus this year. Recolonization is slow process, and IFC has final decision. TKE’s is doubtful. Therefore, IFC does not intend to expand until numbers get better. Many factors are taken into consideration: national presence, national support, alum support. ZX’s national presence is strong, and so is our support. WE left campus in good favor. An unsolicited email arrived from campus.

Student affairs. TKE, FIJI (?) chartering in the spring. Our contact, Marissa LeClaire, Director of Expansion, will be recommending us the VP in the event there is a need–and she believes there is. If so, a few select candidates will be invited back. In short, this will allow us, if we make it through the process, to be eligible for a a colony as early as 2009.

Jim has a plan. We have 300+ contacts. We are going to make contact with all 300 people. If we get half to re-up, we are in good shape.

Most simply need to be asked to renew their memberships. Together we can achieve great things.

“Let us all leave here today knowing our organization is strong.”
There is no other alumni association on campus with the strength of ours. Just maybe this time next year, according to Ryan, we may have our chapter, and in the meantime we have some work to do.

Q & A:

Jay Nicholson suggested sending personal letters to non-renewed members.

Mac Humphries: if we want to get over the hump, have an option of a one or two year membership, or more.

Jim said paid members could be listed. If you are not on that list, you haven’t paid. List by pledge classes and listing paid members in should be considered bold. (Brad Knox)

Doug Thompson: have a pledge class competition for membership? Good theory, but a lot of work to break down by pledge class. It was offered we could break down by percentage of renewal candidates instead.

ZXAA needs 200 plus, vs 49. Most need simply to renew membership.

Kirk Perkins offered up that PayPal auto deduct from members’ accounts each year automatically.

Phil Robertson offered that a five-year membership may be too long a term.

Jay NIcholson offered we do Constant Contact email newsletters quarterly. It was approved unanimously we initiate quarterly email newsletters.

Housing: Doug Thompson asked who owned the big properties around campus. Housing Corporations own them, and Nat HQ does work with financing for properties. Mac knows the fundraising chairman at Kansas State.

The meeting adjourned at 11:05 AM. Group photo followed.

Great idea from David Boltz, he scanned me 1981, 1983, 1984 composites which we will add a section under Gallery at www.zetachipikes.com. I will update with the years that come in from this post, but for now scan me any/all composites you have to jcr4362@sbcglobal.net. Send them low resolution or the files are to big. Once received they will be added to the site. One day we will use these to rebuild the composites lost in the new house.

***Mike Wasson is the first user of our PayPal system. It works, so use when available.***

Summer meeting hats for sale only 7 available.

Cost $20.00 + $5 for shipping and handling. $25.00 total.

Payment needs to be made through PayPal using the link below. You will then need to send me an email at jcr4362@sbcglobal.net providing your address and indicating your purchase and payment over PayPal. Once your payment is posted, I will mail you the hat.