Here is a quick update on some things going on in the chapter.
I have looked a little deeper into the RMF Grant and there is some information I would like to share. I received an email from Steve Davidson earlier in the week asking for some clarification on the quotes I submitted. I take this as a good sign that we are seriously being considered to receive this grant. Under the grant guidelines, we would receive 3000 from HQ, made payable directly to the installer. Any costs associated with the installation beyond the original seed money would be covered by HQ in the form of a non interest loan spread out over three years. Our best quote for a fully installed system was 3950. I stated last week that I would cover the remaining cost. If we are to receive the grant, we would not have to worry about that as we would be covered by the loan program. It is just broken down and added to the property contribution that is included in our RMF payments each year. With the system installed, we would receive an automatic deduction in our RMF payment of 560 dollars for the year based on current contribution levels. By my estimation, to cover the remaining installation costs, we would only see about a 30 dollar increase in our RMF payment (1000 divided by 36). With the discount for the system and for our claim history, we would receive a deduction in our current RMF payment of 1120.04 a year which is a signifant savings on our part bringing our total RMF contribution to right around 10000 for the year which I believe is as about as low as we have ever had it. That would put the chapter's RMF responsibility around 2500 a payment. I believe that this is a very positive possibility for our chapter. It will not only make our insurance more affordable, but it would provide, at least in my mind, a sense of relief knowing that we are providing a safe, sound living situation for our undergraduates. It will also increase the chapter's revenue therefore reducing the strain on the chapter to cover its obligations to Housing Corp. and RMF.
I welcome any feedback any of you may have in regards to this manner.
On another note, with the help of our Grand Praetor, Randy Bracey, we were able to successfully complete the Peterson's application on time. I have reviewed all but three parts of the application and I believe that we are in a very good position to receive a Peterson's. I believe that the current and last group of leaders have been some of the best the chapter has produced and I am confident that we should place strongly in the Peterson's. I believe that this group of young men has a strong group of leaders that will finally turn the corner for Epsilon Tau. We have always been a strong chapter in my eyes, but I believe this group is setting expectations and goals above any group I have been around and they are all determined to make our chapter one of, if not the best in our province. I believe that the days of UK and Louisville leading the pack are at an end. In response to their leadership, I am committing myself to a renewed energy in pursuing goals that we have either ignored or lost sight of completely, such as the RMF Award. I believe that we can continue to grow and be successful. I am asking for all of your insight and support in this endeavor and I will be calling on each of you personally in the coming months for your insight, especially those in the safety or construction business.
I spoke with Lyndsey Geib at the Murray Tourism Commission early this week. They have agreed to partner with the chapter this year for the annual haunted house. We did not do the haunted house last year out of concern about the toll the event had on the house. This year, the haunted house will be at the basement of the Old Post Office on the Murray court square. The basement is perfect for this event due to its layout and the "old" feeling it brings to the event. The tourism commission will handle all of the PR for the event. In addition, they would like to expand the event to include a fall festival on the square. We will also be looking at involving some student groups from the local high school. This year it should be one of the better haunted house's we've had. It will be a great recruiting tool, a great public relations event, and it is also a great fundraiser for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Plus, it saves the house the punishment.
Last but not least, here is a list of some of the house projects we have planned for the summer. Any help any of you can provide, be it time, advise, or contacts with suppliers will be greatly appreciated.
- We are in negotiations with a laundry service to provide a commercial washer and dryer. The company will provide a commercial size washer and dryer and provide maintenance and upkeep of the equipment. It is going to cost the brothers a dollar a load, but half of that will be returned to the chapter as part of the contract. Those funds will be used to purchase detergent and dryer sheets for the brother to help reduce their costs.
- Through alumni contributions and chapter fundraising, we have made preparations to lay the laminate flooring in the east stairwell to match the work we had done in the west stairwell last year. The cost of the improvement is 600 dollars.
- Brother Jimmy Jones has some extra flooring that he is going to donate to the house at half the cost of normal flooring. It is wood flooring that we will use to replace the wood flooring in the foyer and first floor hall way of the house.
- We have taken quotes on carpeting to replace the carpet in the tv room of the first floor. This is an ongoing project.
- We were able to provide a wireless signal booster to the house to help improve internet connections in the house.
- The Consul, Grant Masterson had a tech from Randy Thornton's Heating and Air look over our ventilation system. We do not need to pay for cleaning the ventilation system. We were advised to check the filters on the air systems, which had been removed, and to clean the vents with bleach. This should provide better air quality in the house.
- We would like to paint the eaves both sides of the exterior of the house. Burton has a plan for this.
As you can see, we have a long list of things to do, but if we can get these done, our ability to keep the house full should increase based on feedback from the undergrads. In addition, it will keep our chapter house in good condition and will be a great recruiting tool as we will have the best house on campus.
Any feedback or help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
In Hoc,
Mike Maxwell
Chapter Adviser
Epsilon Tau Chapter
Sigma Chi Fraternity
