Good times with the new fellas and the alumni

Good time had by all at Yankee Stadium. For many it was the first time in the new and very modern building. The old stories however are what made the time so enjoyable. And the debate. Details soon but we would like to thank all the brothers particularly the alumni. YITB

It puts me in mind of words I read of a brother from Tennessee, visiting his chapter that I am sure he won't mind seeing reprinted:

[Brothers],

I want to pass on something that struck me on the way home last Sunday. It had been years since I saw most of my brothers. That's my fault. And with time and changing priorities, the need seems to fade away. I expected to find something very social and shallow last weekend.

What I found was something that came roaring back to me, from those that were both older and younger than I. In all of us really. We've grown around the middle and lost some hair. But I found us simply picking up where we left off the last conversation. No need for re-acquaintance. No measuring of our accomplishments against each other's. The brotherhood we speak of so pompously is actually a tangible and an enduring thing. It can carry us through many difficult moments. It doesn't have to be demonstrated or constantly reaffirmed. It is simply there.

Knowing it exists reminds me that I am wealthy beyond imagination. Seeing it in the face of each person reminds me that I still have my pearl. See ya soon.

AEKDB

Alumni - Varsity meet up and Change of time for event.

THURSDAY: General meeting. 9pm. (Neighborhood socializing to follow)

FRIDAY: Alumni meet-up. 4-8pm, Hard Rock Cafe Yankee Stadium (161st Street and River Avenue). RSVP if you can make it. We'll make plans to go up together during the meeting on Thurs.

SATURDAY: Kickoff. 10am-5pm (times tentative). More info to come.

Note:

Those attending the game at Yankee stadium with the alumni should have already secured their tickets.Casual attire and if you are at the game or matches don't forget your sunscreen. The alum coordinator for the event is Dete.

FIESTA CHANGE OF PLANS

Also the social event has been postponed as we get a bigger venue. The same guys doing the details for safety and clean up, etc. are still on it. (See the private site for more info.) The usual guys who do the promotion will inform you. Apparently there is a theme.

GUYS THAT WANT TO WORK ON THE DRIVING RANGE AT CHELSEA PIERS OUTING

It is a fundraiser and some guys from the Alum will be there. We will be doing some invitations to other folks in organizations. Most of you guys know this but the spot is here.

This IS NOT the golf event. That's the spring. The brothers still have to determine where.

Ditto with planners for the shooting trip.

YITB, B.P.

News from the 2009 Conclave

Thu, 08/06/2009

Charlottesville, VA (August 3, 2009) – The City of San Antonio and Mayor Julian Castro proclaimed the week of July 22-26, 2009 as “Kappa Sigma Fraternity Days” and what a week it was for the 67th gathering of Kappa Sigma Brothers from across North America. One thousand thirty-five undergraduates, alumni and guests came together at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Riverwalk to celebrate Kappa Sigma’s Finest Hour, representing one of the largest attendances in the history of the Grand Conclave.

The Opening Session of the 67th Biennial Grand Conclave was highlighted with presentations about the success of Kappa Sigma’s A Greater Cause (AGC) and Champion Quest (CQ) initiatives. AGC Commissioner Gregory S. Hunt (Beta-Upsilon, North Carolina State) announced that Kappa Sigma Chapters and Colonies had raised $2,532,401 to support charities throughout North America, and volunteered 660,957 total man-hours for community service and philanthropy in the past two years. This biennium’s totals for A Greater Cause doubled the dollars raised and man-hours contributed from the previous two years.

The AGC session also featured Kappa Sigma’s presentation of a check for $117,340 to the Fisher House Foundation Inc. for the Fraternity’s Military Heroes Campaign. General Paul V. Hester (Delta-Xi, Mississippi), 2002 Kappa Sigma Man of the Year and Honorary Chairman for the Military Heroes Campaign and Brothers Dean Schwart (Pi-Delta, Virginia/Wise) and A.J. Tong (Gamma-Mu, Washington State) made the presentation on behalf of Kappa Sigma. The Military Heroes Campaign provided funds to sponsor the construction of a Fisher House in the Washington D.C. area, which will lodge soldiers and families of soldiers wounded in combat while they are being treated and rehabilitated. Brothers Schwart and Tong were both wounded in combat while serving in Iraq and are recipients of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Golden Heart Award for bravery and courage.

During the Champion Quest session, Worthy Grand Master-Elect E.L. Betz, Jr. congratulated chapters and colonies on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee for a sixth consecutive year of record recruitment, during which Kappa Sigma pledged 7,036 men. The hard work and dedication also resulted in a 15% increase in initiates over the past two years, adding 9,987 new Brothers. Fifty-two new Colonies were established, representing a 19% growth over the previous biennium. Brother Betz announced the Fraternity’s new CQ goal to pledge 7,250 men for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Delegates of the 67th Grand Conclave elected a new Supreme Executive Committee to lead Kappa Sigma for the 2009-2011 biennium. The Brothers elected to serve are Worthy Grand Master E.L. “Bill” Betz, Jr. (Epsilon-Psi, Lambuth); Worthy Grand Procurator S. Christian Nascimento (Kappa-Eta, Widener); Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies Hugh M. Robert (Epsilon-Mu, Tulsa); and Worthy Grand Scribe- Gregory S. Hunt (Beta-Upsilon, North Carolina State). Brother Philip L. Thames (Theta-Gamma, Midwestern State) will continue in his four-year term as Worthy Grand Treasurer.

The Grand Conclave was highlighted by an outstanding speaker lineup. The Fraternity enjoyed inspirational presentations from Brother Marcus Engle (Mu-Rho, Missouri State), who delivered his presentation “In the Blink of an Eye,” and a leadership address by 2006 Man of the Year and Former Deputy Director of the CIA Brother Marty Petersen (Rho, Arizona State).

The energy of the week could be felt throughout the general business sessions, as the meeting hall overflowed its capacity. The success of the biennium was reflected in the number of awards presented to undergraduate chapters, colonies and Brothers. In total, 516 different awards were presented to 160 chapters and colonies and 104 volunteer alumni received recognition for their service to the Order.

The Fraternity proudly inducted two Brothers into the prestigious Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor -- Brothers Willard F. Rockwell, Jr., (Alpha-Delta, Pennsylvania State), Past Worthy Grand Master and former President of North American Rockwell, and the Honorable Robert J. Dole, (Gamma-Omicron, Kansas), 1970 Kappa Sigma Man of the Year and former U.S. Senator from Kansas.

The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund raised $218,000 during the week, through the Jackson’s Men Program and the 12th Gate Society. This represents the largest number of gifts ever pledged during a Grand Conclave. The Endowment Fund also hosted the Jackson’s Men Reception, which was highlighted by the musical performance of Dr. Joy Brown Wiener, Violinist and Cecile Skaggs, Pianist.

The Grand Conclave Banquet on Saturday night was a time of great fellowship, culminating a week of excellence for Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In the time honored tradition, WGM H. Phillip Bell, IV (Lambda-Xi, Georgia College) passed the Worthy Grand Master’s badge and gavel on to WGM-Elect E.L. “Bill” Betz, Jr., as the 64th Worthy Grand Master of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Undergraduates, alumni and guests departed the 67th Grand Conclave with a tremendous feeling of success and an eye pointed on greater achievements for the coming biennium. It was truly a time of celebration for Kappa Sigma’s Finest Hour.