I shall be loyal to my college and chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth.   This classic line from the Creed of Phi Kappa Tau asks you to always remember your chapter and Alma Mater and to offer your support in a variety of ways--including financial.   While chapter dues and good fiscal management by the house corporation allows us to function on a day-to-day basis, we depend on the generosity of our alumni to provide a margin of difference that makes the difference.   I know a number of you are sitting at home going... "good point Rick--tell us about opportunities and let us know how to give."   Well O.K.--I'm sure no one is sitting at home thinking about this, especially in this economy, but you should consider ways that you can do something commensurate with your abilities.  

Here in one swoop is the entire retinue of ways to be loyal to your college and chapter including a special request to honor W. Barry Worthing who passed away unexpectantly two years ago.  

W. Barry Worthing Memorial Scholarship:   To honor a man who gave over 30 years of assistance to Beta Chapter as financial advisor, Board of Governors member and Secretary/Treasurer of the House Co.   A scholarship endowment is being established through the Ohio University Foundation named for Barry.   Once endowed, this scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of Beta Chapter based on financial need and service to university and greater Athens community. The OU Foundation requires a minimum of $15,000 in order to create an endowment (within two years).   Barry's Brother, Dick Worthing, a dean at Kent State University has made the first contribution and we hope that every Phi Tau whose life was touched by Barry's service will make a special contribution in his memory this year.

To make a contribution to the Barry Worthing Scholarship Fund, make checks payable to The Ohio University Foundation, and indicate that it is for this scholarship.   Checks should be mailed to:   Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH   45701 or to Rick Harrison.

House Corporation:   We have a number of short and long term needs that will require funding above what dues and rent can provide.   The entire electrical system at the house needs a complete upgrade.   Rumblings of a more stringent fire code in Athens may require us to install hard-wired smoke detectors in each room (we currently have hard wired in hallways and public areas but rely on battery alarms in the sleeping rooms).   The house foundation continues to settle and many walls and ceilings have cracks forming that will need dealt with.   Lastly, the furnishings in the formal rooms are nearing 15 years of use and are beginning to show unrepairable signs of wear.   A long term and possibly unattainable priority is for us to purchase the property and house next door (to house more brothers and have the opportunity for future expansion).   Alumni donations can assist us in setting priorities and making plans to ensure that the house remains safe, attractive and competitive with other fraternities at OU now and in the future.

To make a contribution to the house corporation: make checks payable to Phi Kappa Tau House Co., and mail it to: Rick Harrison, 166 E. State Street, Athens, OH   45701

Scholarships:   Being able to offer financial assistance to our undergraduate members is important especially in this climate of tuition and liability insurance increases.   Beyond financial need it's important to recognize leadership and service to the chapter through financial rewards.   Thanks to John and Gail Good we now have an endowed scholarship that allows us to provide scholarships to members.   It will be important to continue to grow this fund (taking into consideration market returns and cost of living adjustments) so that we can continue this (and it doesn't hurt to be able to mention this during recruitment as well) and increase the number of awards given each year.    We would also be happy to work with anyone who would like to start a new endowed scholarship specified to assist chapter members (OU requires $15,000 minimum in order to endow a fund).

To make a tax deductible contribution to the Phi Kappa Tau-Beta Chapter Scholarship Fund through the Ohio University Foundation: make checks payable to Ohio University Foundation and specify that it's for the Phi Kappa Tau Scholarship and mail it to: Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH   45701 or to Rick at the address above.

Graduate Fund:   This account, managed by the House Corporation helps to cover costs associated with alumni relations:   homecoming mailings, newsletters, fundraising letters, Homecoming costs, reunion costs, Beta Chapter Hall of Fame maintenance, graduate brother costs involved with national conventions.   The costs of communicating to an ever growing alumni constituency and being able to offer no-cost homecoming activities etc. needs your support.   We ask all alumni to contribute $25 a year to this fund.

Make checks payable to Beta Chapter Graduate Fund and mail to Rick Harrison at the address listed above.

Leadership:   Every other summer, the respected and emulated Phi Kappa Tau Leadership Academy is held in Oxford, OH.   Each year we send from 2 to 6 undergraduate members to this leadership school so that they can take what they learn and return to the chapter with new ideas and tools to make a difference.   Alumni can help sponsor undergraduates from Beta Chapter to attend by making a specified gift to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation intended for that purpose.   This eliminates the house corporations' need to pay the tuition costs and allows us to use those funds for another purpose.

To make a tax deductible contribution for a Leadership Academy scholarship(s) for members of the chapter, make checks payable to:   Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and specify that it's for a leadership academy scholarship and mail it to:   Phi Kappa Tau Foundation, P.O. Box 30, Oxford, OH   45056.

Library Grants Fund:   You can also specify contributions to the National Fraternity Foundation for the Beta Chapter Library Grants Fund.   This tax-deductible contribution can be used for educational purposes at the house.   In the past we have used money from this fund to purchase computers, printers, software, etc.    

To make a tax deductible contribution to the Beta Chapter Library Grants Fund, make checks payable to:   Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and specify that it's for the Beta Chapter Library Grants Fund and mail it to:   Phi Kappa Tau Foundation, P.O. Box 30, Oxford, OH   45056.

Mary "Mom" Evans Loan Fund:   To honor Mary Evans, the Phi Tau housemother from the late 60's to the mid-80's, her family and a few alumni created a loan fund familiar to many graduates of the last 15 or so years who have benefited from it.   The fund, loans money to brothers who are in need for anything from fraternity bills to tuition, from food to rent.   The money is to be repaid in 6 months.   Because we charge little to no interest and as a result of a few (and I mean very few) defaults over the years-this fund hasn't grown very much.

To make a contribution to the Mom Evans Loan Fund, make checks payable to Mary "Mom" Evans Loan Fund and mail it to:   Rick Harrison (address above).

The Hamilton Fund:   Started by Wayne Hamilton--the alumnus credited with paying off the mortgage at the house 4 years ago also started a fund that would give grants to members who might otherwise have to quit the chapter or drop out of school because of a financial need.   Repayment is not required but Wayne hopes that those Brothers who have received funds will give back to the chapter someday themselves.   Part of Hamilton's inspiration was the hope that other alumni would also step up to the plate.

To make a contribution to the Hamilton Fund, make checks payable to Hamilton Fund and mail it to:   Rick Harrison (address above).

Greek Leadership Academy Endowment:   As part of the Bicentennial Campaign, the University is attempting to raise $1 million from Greek alumni and friends to create an endowment to support leadership and character development for the entire Greek community.   This fund will allow the university to increase its support to the Greek Community (Phi Tau included) by offering more workshops, seminars, classes, speakers for new, emerging and existing leaders in chapters as well as for the alumni/nae who serve their groups.   We are as strong as our weakest link and the ability to assist the entire Greek community is very important.   It's important that Phi Tau alumni be leaders in this effort.   An anonymous alumna has pledged $200,000 if we can raise $800,000 from other Greek alumni.

To make a tax deductible contribution to the Greek Leadership Academy Fund through the Ohio University Foundation: make checks payable to Ohio University Foundation and specify that it's for the Greek Leadership Fund and mail it to: Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH   45701 or to Rick at the address above.

Something Else:   If nothing above appeals to you--talk with Rick Harrison to brainstorm about other opportunities that will help the chapter and its members.   More brothers are exploring a Study Abroad experience -how about a fund to help more Brothers gain an intercultural experience?   Service-Learning Fund--how about starting a fund to give grants to brothers who volunteer as a counselor at a Hole in the Wall Gang camp instead of getting a paying summer job?  

Additional Ways to Give:   In addition to cash gifts, you might consider a multi-year pledge.   Beta Chapter will also accept gifts of appreciated marketable securities (stock), life insurance naming the chapter as a beneficiary and estate gifts made through wills and bequests.   If tax benefits are of importance--you can give to the chapter through the OU Foundation or the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation in funds named above.

So there you go--everything you wanted to know about ways to financially support Beta Chapter.   We think we have something for everyone--whether its bricks and mortar or scholarships and grants.   Also remember when you get that call or letter asking for money from OU and Phi Tau National--you can make donations to both entities and know the money will come back in some way to Beta Chapter if you ask that it go to one of these funds (Greek Leadership Fund, Phi Kappa Tau-Beta Chapter Scholarship, and W. Barry Worthing Scholarship through OU and Beta Chapter Library Grants Fund and Leadership Academy Scholarships through the National Fraternity).  

Know that your support--past, and hopefully present and future is appreciated and know that it helps Beta Chapter continue to provide opportunities for young men at Ohio University.