20 Oct 03

Fellow Gamma Gamma Alumni,

Homecoming 2003 set all records for Alumni turnout and participation. Throughout the weekend we had well over 80 Alumni returning home to see just what Gamma Gamma is all about.

The Friday Golf Outing was a huge success. We had over 20 Alumni participating and it appears some really good golf was had by all. I look forward to an even bigger golf outing next year. The reception was also a huge success. My thanks again to Heather Bunn, Kim Knowles and the actives for a great spread. Thanks again!

The meeting started out just a few minutes behind schedule due to circumstance beyond our control, however, we promise to be on time next year. We had approximately 55 plus in attendance. I would like to thank two of our Founding Fathers, #5 Scrappy Cadwell and #10B J.R. "Rus" Baxley*, for attending. I look forward to seeing many more of our Founding Father Alumni in the future. I would also like to recognize #839 Matt Meeks who was in attendance. He is recovering nicely after returning from Iraq and his battle with Iraqi Pneumonia. We're glad you're recovering nicely brother.

* Note: Why the 10B initiation number for Rus? Several Founding Fathers were drafted in Vietnam before our Chartering Ceremony and could not be initiated until after their return from serving their country. Once initiated, they were assigned initiation numbers in their appropriate location to include these fine men in the seniority and respect they justly deserve.

The meeting itself was interesting to say the least. I wish to thank Steve Calton for his inspirational well written prayer recognizing our brothers John Calhoun, David Guillot, Matt Meeks and all our brothers serving in the military who are in harms way. We recognized Gerard Holzmann #417 - Alumnus of the Year (AOY) 2000, Jim King #355 - AOY 2001-2002, Alan Ruud #517 for achieving the "Most Obnoxious" for 2002 and our 2003 Alumnus of the Year, Jim King (3 yrs running). We also have a plaque that will hang in the Chapter House with each year's winner. Thanks again for all those that participated in our donation drive last year and those that will join us this year. Thanks also goes to Greg Wilkes who did a superb job in registering all the Alumni, taking the 2004 donations and providing the voting and proxy sticks. Greg was also instrumental in some behind the scene activities such as the informational boards and meeting preparations. Thanks again Greg.

Mike Bunn, Alumni Chapter President, announced that he is stepping down this year to take over as Chapter Advisor. There is a lot of work to be done with the Actives, and I ask that all of you to support Mike in this endeavor. The National Office recognized the sacrifice that Mike has made over the years and we presented Mike with a National Certificate of Appreciation. Thanks again for all of your hard work Mike. Look in the next Star and Lamp, your Alumni Chapter will be recognized. We should all be proud of that.

Bobby Cook, Archon, did a great job presenting the status of the Active Chapter. Bobby also represented us in this year's Journey of Hope. He should be commended for his efforts. The Chapter is currently at 29 brothers and 12 pledges. We are expecting a minimum of 6 to graduate this year. We are in discussion to bring in a National Recruitment Team to assist in the Winter Rush period. Amanda Scott, Rose (Alpha Gamma Delta), was crowned Homecoming Queen 2003. Congratulations Amanda! The future goals of the Active Chapter are recruitment and improving the quality of the house. The current need of the active chapter is the purchase of new ceremonial attire with a cost of $1,100. The Executive Council will determine the feasibility of purchasing the item in the future.

Lee Hussey was, and still should be, thanked for such and outstanding spread for the tailgate catering and Chuck Norris for arranging the tent, tables and chairs. The actives also take credit for providing some great T-shirts. For those that have the craving for Crowes Chicken, be sure to attend next year, I believe we have started a tradition.

The Voting By-law Amendment was voted on and approved. Voting rights are now strictly for Participating Members. Any alumni that donates $25 or more in the 2004 year (started at HC03) and/or the 2005 year (starting at HC 04) will have voting privileges.

Total Donations for 2003 were $29,170. We had a total of 119 PKP Alumni, 5 Little Sisters and 2 others contribute. That is impressive. We currently have 212 Active Alumni on the Web Page directory. The year group that had the most donators was from initiation number 301-400 with 31 (19%). The year group that donated the most was also 301-400 with a total of $9,140 (32%).

Financial Statement

BANK BALANCE as of 9-30-02 $9,214.94

CASH DEPOSITS $34,452.00

LESS CHECKS -$8,953.66

LESS RETURN CHECK & FEE -$30.00

2004 Budget voted on and approved

HC 04 Catering $900

HC 04 Tent/ Chairs $775

Cups $400

Alumni of the Year $100

PO Box $130

Mailings $700

Web Page $180

Domain $0 (2005 next pmt)

National Dues $100

MISC $500

Our 2004 goal is to raise $29,071 by HC 04. This will allow us to meet our current budget requirements and complete our housing goal for TSU. We also have the loan approval from PKP Properties for up to $35,000 in the event it is needed. This is allows us to commit to TSU for the upcoming Greek Row project. Our goal is to NOT take the loan and raise the money on our own. We will hold the money in our own Housing Account that will never be touched by TSU. This is a great deal. TSU will build it while we maintain ownership and control of the $60K housing fund.

Housing

Thanks go to Keith Maddox for completing the short term housing requirements of the Active Chapter. A 1 yr. lease has been agreed to with the current landlord. The monthly rent has increased from $1,800 to $2,200 with the actives being responsible for repairs. While this may seem a little high, this was the best deal in town and I commend Keith for his efforts. Without his assistance, the actives could have been put in a precarious situation. Thanks Keith!

The long-term new TSU Greek Row plans are still in the hands of TSU. We are awaiting notification of the next TSU Board Meeting to approve the bonds required to start the new Greek Row. As soon as more information becomes available, we will notify you.

The meeting was terminated at this time due to time constraints. As per the By-laws, the next scheduled Executive Council Voting will be held at HC 04. In the interim, the following are your 2003-2004 Executive Council:

President Larry Turrin *

VP Communications Greg Wilkes

VP Special Projects Jim King *

Treasurer Chuck Norris

Secretary Steve Calton *

Housing Corporation Keith Maddox (Non Voting)

*Note: Your Executive Council now includes 3 individuals that have held the position of Chapter Advisor either at Gamma Gamma or other Chapters across the country. This will bring a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to the table that is unparalleled.

In closing, let me remind everyone of what we have accomplished this past year:

1. We raised over $29,000 towards the Alumni Chapter and the Housing Fund
2. We have formed the Housing Corporation
3. We have gotten loan approval from PKP Properties in the amount of $35,000
4. We have raised over $12,000 toward the David "Max" Guillot Scholarship Fund
5. We have "Set the Standard" for all National Alumni Chapters to follow in both structure and procedure
6. We have had the best turnout of Alumni at HC since the founding of our Chapter.
7. We had the biggest tent and catering spread of all the fraternities during the Tailgate Party
8. Saturday Night's Band Party was just outstanding. Several older Alumni even attended and have pledged to become active members.
9. We have an Area Representative Program that is unmatched. Tim Schmidt #773 has volunteered to take on the Atlanta area and Dothan is planning to kick it in.
10. Our communication network and Alumni Mailing program is unmatched. Our lost Alumni list has decreased from almost 300 to just under 100

We should all be proud of what we have accomplished. Remember the road is not always smooth but becomes "Rough and Rugged" at times. We are on the smooth highway to success right now and only can stay that way if everyone maintains the vision of achieving our goals. I can honestly say that it will be impossible to please everyone in an Alumni group as large and one that covers as many generations as ours. It is vital that everyone continues to participate financially so that we can achieve our financial goal by Homecoming 04. The door to the Executive Council is always open and I highly encourage you to contact any one of us if there is doubt or concern with the status of where your Alumni Chapter is heading. I remind everyone that it is vital to keep everyone as active with the Alumni and Active Chapter's as they wish. I only ask that you coordinate your efforts with the Executive Council. The lines of communication must also remain positive. We have come too far to divert our path to success now. Many attempts have been made to complete the formation of the Alumni Chapter in the last 20 years and we are finally achieving that now. We need everyone's support along with all of us maintaining the primary focus, which is to assist the Active Chapter whenever needed.

I wish everyone a great year to come.

Fraternally,

Larry Turrin 398

President

Gamma Gamma Alumni Chapter