5 Ways to Stay Cool, Calm, and Collected this Summer

By Craig Krygowski, Southern Illinois ’17

As May rolls in, so does Mental Health Awareness Month, serving as a timely reminder to prioritize our well-being. It's not just about looking out for ourselves but extending that care to our brothers too. Below are a handful of tips, tricks, and techniques you can use to help keep your mental health in check while also lending a hand to your brothers. Stay smart, stay safe, and make this summer one for the books! 

Stay Connected: Summer can sometimes feel like a solo mission, especially when you're away from your chapter. Keep the brotherhood alive by staying connected. Whether it's teaming up for online gaming or catching up on Zoom, make sure you're keeping in touch with your brothers.  

Be Your Brother's Keeper: Planning a summer getaway with your brothers couldn't be more exciting! But before you embark on your trip, make sure you've got each other's backs. Keep safety a priority, have a solid plan in place, and always know who to call if things take an unexpected turn.  

Make Time for You: Relax and take time for yourself amidst all obligations such as summer jobs, internships, and family responsibilities. Schedule activities that recharge your batteries, whether it's a solo stroll, relaxing in the park, or a hike. Remember, self-care isn't selfish—it's essential. 

Fuel Up Right: Don't let the heat drain your energy! Keep your internal AC running by fueling your body with the good stuff. That means staying hydrated and munching on meals that give you the power to tackle those long, hot days so you can continue having a good time. 

Go Outside: Why sweat it out indoors when you can take advantage of the beautiful weather?  Whether you're lifting weights on your patio, shooting hoops with friends, or simply going for a power walk, soaking up those Vitamin D rays can do wonders for your mood. 

If you are ever in distress, uncertain on who or where to turn to, please text PHITAU to 741741 for free, 24/7, mental health support. 
 
Other Resources:  
samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline  
thetrevorproject.org 
veteranscrisisline.net/ 
988lifeline.org/chat/

Boys Don't Cry - Spring 2024 Laurel Feature

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11 

This piece is taken from the Spring 2024 Laurel, to read the full issue click here.

 

Suck it up.  

Rub some dirt in it.  

Boys don’t cry.  

These are words that countless children around the world have heard time and time again—more commonly spoken to adolescent boys and young men. They’re seemingly harmless and are often used as a remedy for a scraped knee or some insignificant bruise, yet the message has a staying power that could last a lifetime. As boys grow into men, so to grows the strong, silent mythology; literature, film, television, and all forms of media work to reinforce the belief that “real men” bury their emotions down deep and bully their way through all that life can conjure up—boys don’t cry. Being strong, no matter how hard, is not only your right as a male, but your responsibility. Slowly the basics of navigating the struggles and hardships of life seem foreign, and access to them feels impossible. Asking for help, admitting “weaknesses” as common as grief, crying from any type of pain has been unlearned and systematically buried by an environment which only has time for the strong. These strains plague men of all ages, demographics, economic and social statuses, but often we only know following the most dyer of circumstances. In a year of staggering loss within our fraternity and on college campuses across the country, these issues are as prevalent as they’ve always been. Breaking an endless cycle of this magnitude cannot come from a simple article in a magazine, but with the right information and motivation, Phi Tau men can begin to change the culture within our fraternity and throughout their lives. None of this is to say that there is an issue with embracing traditional masculinity. Chopping wood, donning a finely pressed suit, and fixing a car are some of the most enjoyable experiences a person can have when embracing traditional masculinity, but the challenge is separating the enjoyable traditions from the harmful ones.  

To the untrained eye, it would appear that men suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders far less than women—women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety. However, the horrifying truth is that only 25% of men are likely to seek help for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. A result of this inability to seek aid is that over 75% of the deaths by suicide in 2022 and 2023 were by men, and nearly all of those deaths were white men. With this being the primary demographic of our fraternity, it’s of the utmost importance that this knowledge is readily available to our membership. Along with depression and anxiety, men are at a higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can be particularly challenging for an undiagnosed college student. The pressure and rigorous schedule of college aged individuals can be a stressful experience, and the presence of an undiagnosed mental health disorder does not simply exacerbate the situation but can be alienating and isolating for the individual facing it. Outside of the strenuous schedules that college students face, there also tends to be the consumption of alcohol and drugs on a regular basis. Following the highs of social events—which invite the consumption of these—the depressant effects of alcohol and mind-altering substances can affect an individual's mental health for many days and weeks to come.  

To some of you, the facts and figures of the information presented may be nothing new. It’s information often provided by campus health professionals, doctors, therapists, and countless others—typically paired with warning signs for depression, anxiety, and for someone at risk of self-harm. This is crucial information for any individual to know, but what is too-regularly overlooked are the steps to take prior to the most extreme circumstances. In joining this fraternity, you are engrained with the idea of being your brother's keeper. It’s a vow that you undertake and is one of the most important responsibilities of every Phi Tau man. With this vow comes the opportunity to shift the culture within your chapter and our fraternity as a whole. Being your brother’s keeper can’t be boiled down to simply being there when you’re most needed—although that is a crucial part—it is about creating a culture in which brothers feel they can be open, honest, and vulnerable. This type of culture starts with the self, and the ability to lead by example. In building and leading a chapter, no one has more sway on the culture created than you. Creating an honest and vulnerable environment, in which, there’s less shame and hesitation to share feelings, to ask for help, and to connect with others, is the first step to mitigating many of the mental health issue facing men of all ages. For Chi chapter President, James Ceribelli, North Carolina State '22, and Mental Health Chair, Reid Hernandez, North Carolina State '21, creating an open and vulnerable environment is of the utmost importance. In his position, Hernandez has appointed one member from each semester’s associate class to serve as a contact for brothers in need of an outlet to talk and shares information and resources for brothers at each chapter meeting. Preemptive steps like those taken by Chi chapter are the benchmark for all who truly wish to be their brother's keeper. Fellow brothers are not the only resource available to undergraduate students. In speaking with Tim Popma, Central Michigan '05, a certified LLPC and Assistant Director of CMU Cares, he believes it crucial that every student be aware of the counseling centers and resources available on their campus. Counseling centers frequently offer sessions at a reduced cost and can help guide students to finding professional help.  

In a perfect world, the ability to create an environment that mitigates these issues before they arise would be all that is needed, however that is far from the reality. Recognizing the signs of depression, anxiety, or severe mental health crises can aid in getting a brother, family member, or friend the care they need. The most common red flags are anger, irritability, or aggressiveness; noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite; misuse of alcohol and/or drugs; physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, and pain; escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time on work; and having difficulty sleeping or sleep too much. Not all of these signs are universal, and they’re not only for recognition in others. Accepting and recognizing these signs in yourself is the first step in getting needed help. Overcoming the nurtured belief that men should be strong enough to handle their own problems and resolve any issue without help is the second step on a path to grasping the enormous weight a disease like depression can have on you. Being your brother’s keeper and looking out for the ones you hold most dear must work in tandem with caring for yourself. Self-realization is vastly more challenging than recognizing a sign of something wrong in others; it requires an acceptance and awareness of the issue, and the strength to ask for help.  

For Phi Kappa Tau, renewing the focus on mental health is paramount to the well-being of our brotherhood. From the brothers of Chi chapter to National President, Mike McCrum, Texas State ’75, and CEO Matt Arnold, the ability to provide resources and information to our brotherhood has become a top priority. President McCrum has established a Mental Health committee, which although is still in the planning stage, has already begun to establish transformational resources for our undergraduate brotherhood. The Mental Health committee will be spearheaded by Tim Popma, who has been working with undergraduate students for over four years and strives to bring the type of care provided at CMU to our entire undergraduate brotherhood. Along with the committee, Phi Kappa Tau has launched our free 24/7 365 Crisis Text Line available to all of our brothers, not just undergraduates. This resource can be used for anything from finals stress to relationship problems to severe mental health crises. Phi Tau is paving the way for other greek organizations to provide the same type of care to their membership. If you’re in need of someone to speak to, in need of immediate care, or are in the midst of a struggle that seems insurmountable, text PHITAU to 741741

A fraternity in its most ideal and realized state could act as the perfect environment for men to share with each other, be open and honest about their feelings, and have no fear of being vulnerable with their brothers, but that is not always the case. Due to a number of factors—socialization, the presences of alcohol and drugs, pressures of a rigorous schedule—fraternities can sometimes act to the antithesis of the brother’s keeper mentality. Even when the brotherhood is firm in all the positive attributes listed throughout this piece, someone who is experiencing severe mental health issues will require professional help to overcome them, and it is the responsibility of us all to encourage them to seek the help needed and to provide resources for that care. Phi Tau men of all ages must make it their personal missions to be their brother’s keeper by not only acting as pillar of compassion and understanding for others, but as a beacon of honesty and vulnerability in themselves. When this example is set and the culture begins to shift, brothers can focus on staying educated, informed, and aware—no longer only acting in reaction to issues, but preemptively caring for and helping others. Through generations of socialization, the idea that boys don’t cry has acted as a conduit for mental health issues to fester and grow, but it has far outstayed its welcome. While it's nearly impossible to enact lasting change across the globe, it is possible to change acceptance within yourself, the dynamic of friendships, the culture of a chapter, and the mentality of Phi Kappa Tau.  

This piece would not be possible without the insight of Brother Tim Popma, the contributions of the Chi chapter, and the initiatives undertaken by our fraternity’s leadership. All statistics were drawn from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Psychological Association.  

A Q&A with 2024 Graduating Seniors

With graduation just around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of the men that are becoming graduate members of Phi Kappa Tau and share some their words and experiences throughout the last few years.   

Ryan Miller.

Matty Staib, GVSU’ 24 (MS)  

Ethan Jimenez, William Paterson’ 24 (EJ)  

Ryan Miller, Muskingum’ 24 (RM)  

Reflecting on your time in the fraternity, what do you think has been the most valuable lesson you've learned?  

MS: The most important thing I learned is how to take care of others, and this comes into play in many ways. Whether it's by putting together events, having one on ones, helping brothers with their tasks, or just having genuine mental health check-ins, I am constantly worried about their overall wellbeing and asking what I can do for them.   

EJ: One of the most valuable lessons I've learned during my time in Phi Kappa Tau is the importance of stepping up and taking charge, as well as the significance of sharing great ideas with my brothers. As I became more involved in the chapter, I realized that my perspective and ideas were valuable contributions to our group. I learned that taking charge doesn't mean being bossy or controlling; rather, it involves being assertive, taking initiative, and inspiring others to work towards a common goal.  

RM: My most valuable lesson is to learn and reflect on your mistakes. I have learned, especially as a leader in my chapter, campus, and the national fraternity, that transparency is key and without learning and reflecting on your actions and mistakes, there will be room for improvement.  

  

What advice would you give to underclassmen who are just starting their journey in the fraternity?  

Ethan Jimenez.

MS: It's something you want to immerse yourself in—don’t just join a fraternity because it makes you sound cool or because you want access to parties. Take the time and get to know your brothers and do all the other things outside of the fun light. You will be surprised how cool or important certain aspects of the fraternity are, and equally surprised how close of a connection you will have with all of your brothers.  

EJ: Don't be afraid to take charge and to be more involved on campus. Whether it's stepping up in clubs or councils, the connections you make there are very good. It's a chance to take charge, contribute your ideas and talents, and leave a lasting legacy. Also, remember that being in a fraternity is a team effort. Always be willing to lend a helping hand, collaborate with others, and contribute positively to the fraternity community.  

RM: Do not be scared to be a leader. Whether you are a first year or a senior, do not be afraid to stand up, ask the important questions, always lift your brothers, and no matter if you are at a recruitment event or community service event make sure to have fun.   

Can you share a memorable moment or experience that defined your fraternity experience?  

Matty Staib.

MS: I think one of the most memorable experiences this semester was our first tailgate. This was after we had got our first handful of initial members, we had never done anything big before and we were trying to recruit. Most of the people on campus didn’t know of us at the time. However, we put our flag and tent up, and had a crowd of about 40 people around us at one point having a good time and getting to know the brothers. The coolest part about this, is that about 5-6 of the guys we met there for the first time are now brothers of our own.  

EJ: A memorable moment for me was being elected to the Greek Senate e-board right after my initiation as a brother, a truly unforgettable moment for me. It marked the beginning of a journey filled with increased involvement and enriched connections with various campus organizations. Serving on the Greek Senate not only allowed me to contribute more meaningfully to our fraternity's mission but also provided me with a platform to collaborate with and learn from a diverse range of student groups.  

RM: Mine would be the Vegas Convention. This is where I got to announce the new board of the UAB, met undergrads and alumni from various chapters, and I also got to see my chapter's hard work pay off when they did the award ceremony.   

If you could go back and give your freshman self one piece of advice before joining the fraternity, what would it be?  

MS: I would honestly go back to my freshman self and tell myself to join earlier. Even though we weren’t even an interest group at the point of me being a freshman, I wish I would have had the drive to want to start something and find the guys I did earlier so I would have more time to enjoy being in a fraternity. One of the saddest things about leaving college for me is not having more time to spend with my brothers.  

EJ: Be yourself and keep being your best you and join an organization where you can be yourself. By embracing who you are and continuously seeking personal growth, you not only enhance your own life, but you'll also inspire those around you.  

RM: I would have told myself to join sooner. I waited a semester and would now love to have an extra semester as an undergrad.   

What are your goals and aspirations after graduation?  

MS: I hope to become a creative director (which falls under the advertising and public relations umbrella) at some point in my career. In terms of directly after college, I hope to work for Phi Tau in expansion.   

EJ: My goals are to continue student teaching and to get my master's in teaching math. My overall goal in life is to teach at the college level and to get my doctorate.  

RM:  I will be going through the Police Academy and then will be a police officer for the Cambridge police department. 

Gamma Alpha Brothers Revolutionize Hiking Gear

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Gongos (left) and Ackerman (right) on the PCT.

The Founders of Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear (CTUG), Austin Gongos, Michigan Tech '14, and Nathan Ackerman, Michigan Tech '14, are not the companies only tie to Phi Kappa Tau. This thriving new company is revolutionizing backpacking gear—offering custom built ultralight bags that last far longer than their competitors—and draws part of its name from a long-running Gamma Alpha tradition. Originally conceptualized by Dan Lorentz, Michigan Tech '84, drawings of the Gamma Alpha chicken can be found throughout their house, hidden for brothers to find. As the dream of CTUG began to become a reality, Gongos and Ackerman reached out to Lorentz in hopes of using the chicken iconography in the logo for their business, as well as paying homage to it in their name. Once they’d secured his approval, CTUG was born, and the company hasn’t stopped innovating since.  

CTUG began when Gongos faced the challenge of finding lightweight gear for his Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hike. Striving to find a lightweight pack that could survive the arduous 2,650 mile journey, Gongos was underwhelmed and unimpressed with the offerings available for purchase. With Ackerman planning to join for a multiple week section of the hike, the two began collaborating on building their own packs. Drawing inspiration from each other, information gathered online, and through trial and error, they successfully built the first prototypes for CTUG. Their homemade gear received an exuberant amount of praise from fellow hikers on the trail, and with it came the idea for a business venture.  

CTUG Workshop.

Upon returning from the PCT, Gongos and Ackerman began working on building and improving their products, with Ackerman quitting his job to focus on CTUG full-time in 2019. To ensure they could make the best product possible and service the community they set out to impact, the duo offered discounts to anyone hiking more than 2,000 miles in a year in exchange for their feedback, which was used to improve designs. Now based in Hancock, Michigan, CTUG has grown to ten employees, crafting modular, durable, lightweight outdoor gear. With hopes to continue growing their business, the CTUG team has set their sights on other industries like gear for bicycles and pet supplies. Their goal is to continue improving upon the current product, while also tackling similar issues throughout different industries. With love for Hancock, they are also hoping to add jobs and opportunities back to the community.  

Full CTUG Team.

Gongos and Ackerman conveyed their ability to tackle issues and solve problems as a team, by stating that they have a shorthand for working together, which dates all the way back to the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival. As part of the snow sculpture competition, the pair worked together on the smaller, more intricate aspects of the larger project. With just a week-long crash course on how to sculp ice, they were thrown into the fire, working together for the first time. The partnership proved to be a fruitful venture then and remains fruitful today. The dedication, commitment, and ambition of the CTUG team is emblematic of all that it is to be a Phi Tau man. To learn more about CTUG, you can visit their website here.  

Phi Tau Named CEO Of SeriousFun Partner Camp North Star Reach

Lewis at North Star Reach.

The bond between SeriousFun and Phi Kappa Tau has once again grown a bit deeper. North Star Reach, one of the newest SeriousFun Camps, has announced Foundation Trustee, J.J. Lewis, Central Michigan ’04, as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 20 years of nonprofit management experience, including involvement with North Star Reach as a donor and volunteer, Lewis will assume his role as CEO on Monday, April 22, 2024. Lewis, currently serving as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for United Way of the Lakeshore, brings extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit management to his new role, and will utilize his talents to the benefit of an organization he has supported since his days as an undergraduate member of Phi Kappa Tau.  

Bringing a little hometown spirit to his new position, Lewis grew up just down the road from the camp in Howell, Michigan, and has been supporting it as a donor since its founding and volunteering for the past year. He also helped setup the Community Service Event in March 2016 while serving as the National Service Advisor, and helped get camp ready for the first campers later that summer. On his new role, Lewis expressed that he is “excited, honored, and humbled” by the opportunity, and continued to say, “This opportunity is just amazing, and fits in with my personal mission of supporting my community and supporting kids. I’m dedicated to this cause and will do everything I can to make the camp successful, because the kids deserve it.” 

As many of you may know, we’ve launched an all-new initiative to get a Phi Tau volunteers to every SeriousFun camp in the country, and all those within driving distance will have an opportunity to assist Lewis and the North Star Reach staff this coming Spring. Every Camp in the Country isn’t just about being a good partner to SeriousFun, it’s about giving Phi Tau men one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. There’s nothing quite like volunteering at a SeriousFun camp. North Star Reach is inviting volunteers to participate in a Spring Work Weekend scheduled for May 3rd-5th, offering the opportunity to volunteer alongside Lewis and partake in a welcoming campfire. For more details and to register, please visit North Star Reach's website. 

The Founding Fathers of Today

As we look towards our 118th Birthday, we take some time to look at the Founding Fathers of today. Men on campuses across the country who are taking the step to create their own chapters of Phi Kappa Tau. This piece is written by one such brother - Matty Staib, founding member of the Grand Valley State University Associate Chapter.


In order to stay relevant across the nation, Phi Kappa Tau needs to not only nurture the growth of existing chapters, but expand to new campuses to continue to foster those ideals to keep the tradition and importance of Phi Kappa Tau alive. With over 80 active chapters nationwide, the Phi Kappa Tau community has recently witnessed 9 new associate chapters/interest groups emerge. 

Why start a new chapter?

Grand Valley State Associate Chapter.

In the world of Phi Kappa Tau, motivation to start a new chapter tends to stem from a deep-rooted connection to the fraternity. Andrew Tillman, a fourth-generation Phi Tau, felt drawn to continue his family legacy at the University of Dayton. "I am a fourth-generation Phi Tau. After going through rush as a freshman, I didn't find my home in any other fraternities, so Phi Tau was naturally the next move, and it was the best decision I could have made." This same motivation of Tilman was then extended into something greater, by redefining fraternity culture on campus. 

Similarly, Jonah Edgerton of Grand Valley State University drew inspiration from seeing the tight bonds he witnessed between his father and fraternity brothers, driving him to create a similar experience at his own university. "I saw how people viewed [Fraternity & Sorority Life] in a negative light, and I intended to change that. My dad was in the Beta Mu chapter of Phi Tau at Kent State, and I wanted to bring that bond here to GVSU."

It’s clear that starting a new chapter versus joining an existing one offers an experience to connect to something greater than yourself, but also craft change on your campus. However, it can be difficult to do without the proper support.

Who can help?

Navigating and establishing a new chapter is not a simple process, but the support provided by the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Office proves invaluable. From day one, founding members receive guidance and assistance, ensuring a smooth transition from inception to charter. The Phi Kappa Tau Growth Team plays a crucial role throughout this process. They are constantly fostering growth and success, actively working with the undergraduates, and leaving these men with every resource they need in order to build a successful chapter.

Chartering Celebration for Delta Kappa at the University of Tennessee Knoxville .

 "It’s super nostalgic for me. I was in the Delta Kappa [a 2019 restart] chapter and we were all extremely driven on growing and solving problems we had never seen before," said Chris Hilton, current Growth Consultant, when asked about expansion, he continued, "With the new expansion, It's something I get to do everyday, and it makes the job fun for me. I also essentially gain 15+ little brothers each chapter I aid in. Expansion is in a great place right now and our founding fathers are creating top chapter experiences extremely quickly after we leave." 

Membership Growth Manager Ryan Callahan shared similar thoughts of excitement, "There is so much room for creativity in this role, I am able to pick topics and take them almost anywhere I want. The best route I get to go on is working with the undergraduates. Getting to know and work with them as individuals and chapters as a whole aids in us all being on the same page"

Even with national support, new chapters face all of the highs and lows you would expect to come with taking on a great challenge. 

What’s the goal?

University of Dayton Associate Chapter Members.

Once an associate chapter is installed, they begin a process called “chartering” in which the new chapter is given a set of expectations that align with the performance metrics that active chapters are evaluated on annually.

Some of these standards include maintaining a healthy chapter size relative to campus average, community service hours, philanthropic donations, and participating in national events to name a few. Beyond the metrics, the founding brothers’ greatest challenge may be gaining and maintaining momentum over what can be a long journey. From installation to being approved to charter can take any way from several months to in some cases years.

While chartering may be the final goal of an associate chapter, it is not a finish line. Once the group is chartered they then begin the exciting challenge of continuing to build their campus identity and strive to become a force for change on campus for years to come.

In many ways this hearkens back to the original founding of Phi Kappa Tau. Borradaile, Shideler, Boyd, and Douglass didn’t have to fill out a series of chartering requirements, but they did have to inspire a group of peers to strive for greatness and become men of distinction. It is comforting to know that 118 years later this is still very much the case for the Founding Fathers of Today.

CEO Matt Arnold to Be Initiated into Phi Kappa Tau

3/8/2024 

CEO Arnold at the 65th National Convention.

[OXFORD, OH] We are pleased to announce the upcoming initiation of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity CEO, Matt Arnold. Arnold will be recognized as a member of the Beta Chi chapter of Phi Kappa Tau at Southern Illinois University – his alma mater.  

This initiation comes with unanimous support from the National Council, the Beta Chi Graduate Council, and the Beta Chi Resident Council. Originally initiated as a member of Alpha Tau Omega, Arnold will maintain dual membership with both organizations, a status that the current Alpha Tau Omega CEO Wynn Smiley also shares.  

“We’re very happy for Matt and are not surprised at the success he’s enjoying...” ATO CEO Smiley said while granting approval for Arnold to initiate into Phi Kappa Tau, “... [Alpha Tau Omega] applaud[s] the Board’s decision to give Matt the honor of initiating into Phi Kappa Tau.” 

Arnold will be initiated on Saturday April 13th in Indianapolis, which falls just over one year since his assumption of role of Fraternity CEO.  

See below for the full proclamation on behalf of the Phi Kappa Tau National Council or click here for a PDF version of the Proclamation.


WHEREAS, it is well-established that the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity seeks to admit men into membership who have demonstrated good moral character, wholesome living, vigorous thinking, a respect for the ideals and purposes of the Fraternity, and a desire to bring honor and credit to the Fraternity;

WHEREAS, Matthew Arnold began his association with the Fraternity in the Spring of 2023, and since that time the Fraternity’s National Council and numerous other Fraternity brothers have had an extensive opportunity to work closely with Matthew Arnold on a daily or weekly basis, travel with him, have extensive discussions with him about work issues, his family, and his views about life, observe him in many different professional, social and personal settings, and through this entire experience have found Matthew Arnold to have all the attributes of a man which make him well qualified to be a member of Phi Kappa Tau;

WHEREAS, Matthew Arnold was initiated as an undergraduate in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Southern Illinois University. Accordingly, it was necessary for the National Council to secure the approval and consent of Alpha Tau Omega for him to be eligible for dual membership in both fraternities.

WHEREAS, upon the request of the Resident and Graduate Council members of the Beta Chi Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau, having secured the enthusiastic endorsement of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity; and having discussed extensively and carefully all issues related to admitting Matthew Arnold into membership of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, the National Council on Oct 5th voted unanimously to extend  Matthew Arnold an invitation to be initiated as a Brother into the Beta Chi Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity

NOW THEREFORE, be it known to all that the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity is proud and pleased to declare that Matthew Arnold heartily accepted the invitation to be initiated into our esteemed brotherhood, with such initiation ceremony to occur on the 13th day of April in the year 2024.

Given under our hands and the seal of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, this 28th day of February, 2024.

Michael McCrum

National President


Interested in attending the initiation? Email inquiries to communications@phikappatau.org.

Delta Alumnus Changes the Kentucky Bourbon Industry

Fugate receiving his award.

For VP and Director of State and Local Public Affairs, Les Fugate, Centre '99, and the entire Brown-Forman Corporation team, the ability to pass the accord of House Bill 5 was triumphant accomplishment. Hitting the exact number of votes needed to pass, this accord means saving tens of millions of dollars and the ability to keep Kentucky bourbon barrel warehouses in Kentucky. Inked into law last year, the accord sets in motion a 20-year phase-out of the barrel tax while safeguarding vital funds for education and public services, affording local authorities ample time to recalibrate their fiscal strategies. 

The accomplishment was celebrated at KDA’s 2023 annual State Dinner in Louisville, where Fugate was awarded the prestigious Esprit de Corps Award, an exclusive commendation given by the Chair of the KDA’s Board of Directors, celebrating individuals whose actions propel forward KDA's mission and Kentucky's illustrious Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Amidst the celebration, KDA Board Chairman Chris Morris bestowed the award upon Fugate, presenting him with a commemorative plaque and a medal engraved with accolades for his extraordinary contributions. 

“For generations, the KDA has labored toward a fair resolution to the burdensome barrel tax, which has hindered our industry's competitiveness,” remarked Morris. “Through collaboration and communication, Les and his team brokered a compromise that charts a course toward a more equitable tax framework, securing the future of our beloved Bourbon industry.” 

Typically given out at the end of a storied career, the award displays the gravity of this accomplishment and signifies a monumental shift in the industry. In speaking with Fugate, he expressed how deeply honored he was to “receive this award from the great bourbon barons of Kentucky,” and how moving it is to be mentioned among these legendary folks. However, he was sure to mention that this would not have been possible without the entire team that worked on the project.  

Tau Report - January 2024

For a full PDF of this letter, click here.


January 30, 2024

 

My esteemed brothers,

      I come to you this first month of 2024 with a heart full of anticipation and enthusiasm for what will prevail these next 12 months. As your national president, I am pleased to give you this report of the progress we have made since our July 2023 National Convention. Some of you have expressed to me that an update should have already been provided. I apologize if the timing of this report is later than you wanted, but I and others wanted for several pending items to come to fruition before sending this out. Please bear with me, but I’m hopeful you will see in this letter that I and others have been working hard in all areas of our Fraternity.

      I realize this letter is lengthy, but I’ve got a lot to tell you about. If after reading this you still have questions, please send me an email. Facebook complaints and criticisms, in my opinion, are not productive in any sense of the word and only breed dissension among our brotherhood. Let’s get away from that. Instead, let’s approach each other in a positive way, even as to issues that we may have concern or frustration about, working together and lifting each other up as brothers.

      Please reach out to me via email if you have questions or concerns. My continuing intent is to be completely candid with what is going on.


BROTHERHOOD

  • I begin with the most important of all considerations, the state of our brotherhood. These past six months I have participated in many opportunities to witness our brotherhood in action: 

  • I visited fifteen chapters in Ohio, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado, and Texas. In those visits, I was able to listen to the perspectives of brothers at each chapter, both undergraduate and alumni.

  • I participated in many online, telephonic, and in-person meetings and conversations with many different elements of our Fraternity, including:

    • our National Council,

    • our CEO and staff members of our Executive Office,

    • our Fraternity’s Foundation Chairman, Executive Director, and Board of Trustees,

    • our Fraternity’s Undergraduate Advisory Board,

    • chairmen of several committees,

    • former National Presidents,

    • former CEOs, and

    • many other alumni and undergraduate brothers.

  • I participated in several fraternal events, including:

    • the chartering ceremony of a new chapter,

    • a chapter’s centennial celebration,

    • several Board of Governor meetings,

    • several Housing Corporation meetings,

    • a chapter eternal service,

    • an initiation, and

    • a Zenith Officer Institute.

  • I have listened to brothers’ compliments and encouragement, as well as brothers’ complaints, criticisms, and concerns. As for expressed concerns, some examples: frustration that brothers have not heard enough about what is going on; that minutes of Council meetings have not yet been disseminated; that information regarding the Foundation has not been analyzed or disclosed as quickly as some would like. I’m pleased to receive the encouraging words, and I listen carefully to the complaints and expressions of discontent. I hope to address everything in this letter and in future reports.

      Through all of this, I can easily say that my love and enthusiasm for our brotherhood has increased exponentially these last six months. Through the course of my visits, meetings, and conversations, I continue to sense brothers’ deep, abiding love for Phi Kappa Tau. While I also sense a deep desire for improvements in the operation of our Fraternity, I sense a strong affection for our brotherhood. We are strong, Phi Tau!!! Our brotherhood is strong!!!

      Yet, I know we can come closer to each other - - closer to each other in the way we communicate with and about each other; the way we think about each other; the way we openly support and encourage each other even in the face of brothers making mistakes in judgment; the way we walk forward through life together.

      It is my hope and mission to do what I can to help us grow closer as brothers in those and other ways.

NEW AND REVISED POLICIES

      At the National Convention, a concern was raised about transparency and other issues. I and members of the National Council have taken all of that into account and have sought to address each concern. We have seen the need for the creation of some new policies and the refinement of policies already in existence. I am pleased to announce the following:

            Transparency and Confidentiality Policy:

§  New Policy: At our 2023 Convention, it became clear that transparency was a significant concern among many brothers. It was for this reason that one of my expressed commitments following my election was “to demand transparency in my work and that of our national officers and staff.

To that end, one of my first acts as National President was to draft and present to the National Council a proposed policy of transparency and confidentiality.

After careful deliberation and necessary revisions, the National Council unanimously approved the “Phi Kappa Tau Policy of Confidentiality and Transparency,” which you can find through the new online portal described below. Brothers, this is an unprecedented written affirmation of our Fraternity’s commitment to transparency, confidentiality, and accountability among its brothers. It demands that different types of information be made available to Fraternity members on a timely basis.

§  New Online Portal: To implement this new written policy into action, we’ve done the following: 

To answer the call for disclosure of minutes, financial statements, and other information and to disseminate information in compliance with this new transparency policy, the National Council directed the Executive Office to create an online portal where members will use their FSID log in to access the information. This will include access to the following documents:

  • Minutes of National Council meetings,

  • Financial documents (financial statements; tax returns; Forms 990; audits; etc.),

  • Chapter status information,

  • Committee information,

  • Award information,

  • Executive Office personnel info,

  • Fraternity governance documents (Constitution, Statutes, Policies),

  • Other relevant fraternity documents.

Brothers, I’m excited to announce the launch of this online resource this week. By accessing the portal through the “LOGIN” link on www.phikappatau.org, you will find posted many documents for your review under “Organization Information”. Let me know if you have difficulty accessing this portal. For those brothers who do not use the internet, please let me or CEO Arnold what document you are wanting to see. Our intent is for brothers to have access to the type of information they expressed wanting at the Convention. 

Social Media Policy:

§  While social media can and has been a benefit in the exchange of important information, it will not surprise anyone that I and many others feel it often is a vehicle for misinformation and unwarranted dissension. Frankly, in my opinion, the world agrees that this is a downside of social media.

§  For this reason, the National Council approved the “Policy on Social Media,” which will be posted in our new online portal.

Privacy Policy

§  As we know, our Fraternity currently has a privacy policy which prevents the Executive Office from disseminating personal information of members, including names and contact information of undergraduate brothers who attend conferences and conventions. This policy was already in force prior to my election as President and has been posted on our fraternity website for years.  The policy was initiated to protect your privacy and conform with the numerous laws governing the protection and use of personal identifying information.

§  Some have insisted that it was said at the Convention that names and contact information of all brothers attending the Convention would be released. To the extent this was communicated, it was a mistake, as it did not comport with our existing policy - - a policy that has existed prior to the Convention. Until there is a substantial shift in policy to allow the free dissemination of member contact info, I cannot authorize its release. If you disagree, please contact me.

§  An issue came before the Council regarding the privacy policy: As you know, the Undergraduate Advisory Board is charged with initiating and maintaining communication with chapter officers. That mission was stymied by our Fraternity’s privacy policy, as it prevented the UAB to easily obtain necessary chapter contact information. The National Council addressed the issue and approved an exception to the policy for UAB to carry out its mission. To the extent it becomes necessary, the Council may have to consider approving a limited exception for a committee to do its work. Until that time, however, the policy is there to protect you – the members of our fraternity.

§  All of that notwithstanding, this entire issue of privacy has been referred to the Governance Committee to review and recommend improvements, if any, to this policy.

Posthumous Membership Policy

§  Several situations arose in the past six months which indicated the need for a clarification of our policy on posthumous honorary membership. While our current governance documents allow for honorary membership of this type, there was a need for clarity on how and when this could happen. The Council is in the process of crafting and finalizing this policy.

COMMITTEES, TASK FORCE, BOARD, DEANS & DOMAIN DIRECTORS:

      Our Fraternity is blessed to have brothers who have stepped up to answer the call to volunteer in the spirit of brotherhood. Our online portal includes a listing of all current committees (and their Chairs), task forces, National Council, Deans, and Domain Directors (including the brothers who are serving on each). If you are interested in serving on any of these, please reach out to me, the committee chairman, and/or any National Councilor.  

            Committees, Task Force, & Board:

      I am excited to formally announce seven new projects that we have created.  I presented to the National Council a request for the approval of committees and a task force that our Fraternity has not had in the recent past, if at all. You will note that several of the new projects described below are an unprecedented move forward by our Fraternity, and some are newer versions of what we have had.

      These seven new projects are listed in alphabetical order:

1.      Alumni Retention Committee: While we are all familiar with our historical Alumni Engagement Committees, the National Council determined that our Fraternity needed a distinct committee that would focus primarily on alumni retention, in addition to the historical committee which focuses on alumni engagement.

      The reason this unprecedented committee was created is to focus solely on retaining the interest and involvement of graduating seniors in their chapters and the national fraternity. While this relates to alumni engagement, the focus with alumni retention is more narrow and targets graduating seniors and members in the first couple years after college. All too often, we have been losing this level of involvement due to seniors focusing on career and personal development in the years immediately after graduation and while they are in the decade of their 20s.

Phi Tau has always encouraged a robust career and personal development outside of our Fraternity. It is our hope that this committee will encourage increased Phi Tau engagement which we believe will not detract from the career and personal priorities but enhance career and personal growth for members post-graduation.

      This Alumni Retention Committee was created to analyze these issues and recommend steps to encourage continued involvement in the years immediately post-graduation.  Brother Rick Rice agreed to serve as the Committee’s Chairman. National Councilor Ray Carlos is serving as Advisor.

2.      Chaplaincy Corps: As we know, our governance calls for the appointment of a Fraternity Chaplain. It occurred to me prior to my election that our Fraternity would be well-served by multiple chaplains given the diversity of our membership, with the goal of enlisting several brothers to serve jointly as Chaplains rather than having one single Chaplain. These brothers would serve our diverse membership through their faith and experience in diverse traditions, beliefs, and practices. I spoke about this with Brothers Lapinski and Rachford, two brothers who have served as Chaplains and have been stalwarts in this area of our Fraternity. They agreed with this new approach.

The National Council approved the creation of a chaplaincy corps that would have multiple facets to its charge: provide our members with access to a chaplain who would better suit the member’s preference and diversity, and provide our Fraternity with a diverse, ecumenical body of guidance and leadership in all areas of chaplaincy. Brother Rachford has agreed to lead this effort and is currently assimilating a group of brothers to serve as Fraternity Chaplains. I am serving as the National Council’s Advisor to this “committee.” 

3.      Constitutional/Statutory Review Committee:  It was apparent to me and the rest of the National Council that an analysis and edit of our Constitution and Statutes was necessary. Former CEO Steve Hartman agreed to serve as Chairman, and two former National Presidents and three other outstanding brothers agreed to serve as members. The committee has been regularly meeting these past months, and I anticipate that suggested revisions to our governance documents is forthcoming later this year. National Councilor Jon Hays is serving as Advisor.

4.      Financial Advisory Committee: Our 2023 Convention and events in the recent past reinforced the need for a Financial Advisory Committee to provide a vehicle for advice to me, our CEO, and/or our National Council as to all significant financial issues that our Fraternity deals with. Brother Kevin Prather agreed to serve as Chairman. National Councilors French and Bailey are serving as the committee’s Advisors.

5.      Housing Committee: The National Council approved the creation of a Housing Committee which has a dual charge: assist chapters with housing-related issues and analyze our Fraternity’s current approach to housing issues and recommend suggested changes. A search is currently underway to find a brother willing and qualified to take on this critical role. National Councilor Scott Brown is serving as Advisor.

6.      Mental Health & Emotional Wellness Committee:  As was my announced intent at the 2023 Convention, this committee has been formed to address significant issues in the health of our brotherhood. Brother Tim Popma has stepped up to lead this worthy effort. National Councilor Andy Fruth is serving as Advisor.

7.      Technology Review Task Force:  After the election at the 2023 Convention, Brother Jeff Baird approached me and suggested that a review of our Fraternity’s current technological equipment, software, and usage could be useful to take our Fraternity to a more proficient technological and operational stage. I agreed, and the National Council approved my appointment of Brother Baird. Since then, he has conducted an initial review and made a presentation to our National Council and CEO. We are excited that his effort will lead our Fraternity to advanced tech capacity in the coming year. National Councilor Bailey is serving as Advisor.

In addition to the seven relatively new committees and task force listed above, here is an alphabetical listing of committees and a Board which we are all familiar with:

8.      Alumni Engagement Committee:  Brother Tim Holman has agreed to serve as Chairman of this committee. We all can agree that the robust, energized involvement of brother alumni is critical to our Fraternity’s growth and excellence. National Councilor Scott Brown is serving as Advisor.

9.      DEIA Committee:  Brother Pedro Von Simpson has agreed to serve as Chairman of this committee and former CEO Sam Medley, a past chair of this committee, has agreed to offer his help and guidance to Brother Von Simpson.  National Councilor Bailey is serving as Advisor.

10.  Governance Committee: Brother Patrick “PJ” Best agreed to serve as chairman. National Councilor Jon Hays is serving as Advisor.

11.  Health & Safety (Risk Management) Committee: Brother Curtis Wayne Pangle agreed to serve as Chairman. National Councilor Andy Fruth is serving as Advisor.

12.  Philanthropy/Services Committee: Brother Evan Ernst agreed to serve as Chairman, with Brother Mike Rosser agreeing to stand by and assist in all ways possible.

I was privileged to spend a great deal of time with Brother Rosser on my visit to Colorado, including our travel from Denver to Fort Collins to meet with our Alpha Sigma brothers there and Brother Rosser arranging a breakfast the following day with he and Brother Patrick McGlinchey, who serves on the BOG. I am so grateful to Brother Rosser for sharing with me so much valuable information regarding Philanthropy, Service, the Foundation, and many other Fraternity issues. National Councilor Ray Carlos is serving as Advisor to this committee.

13.  Ritual Committee: Brother Matthew Grizzle agreed to serve as Chairman. I am serving as the National Councilor Advisor to this committee.

14.  Undergraduate Advisory Board: Brother Ryan Miller is the current Chair of the UAB. National Councilor Ray Carlos is serving as Advisor.  

15.  Awards & Nominations Committees: Given other issues that necessitated attention these first six months, as well as the lack of necessity of appointment of these committees at this early stage of our Fraternity’s two-year cycle, I intentionally held off appointing Chairs to these two committees. Now that we are in 2024, I am inviting all brothers who are interested in serving on one of these committees to please reach out to me, together with your background and reasons for wanting to serve in this way.

Deans:

      As you know, our CEO recently announced the hiring of Brittany Ankeny who now serves as Director of Learning & Talent Development. Her involvement in the education component of our Fraternity has not eliminated the need for our Deans. Indeed, I recently met with several Deans and reinforced my enthusiastic support for their continued involvement. Our CEO has also met with Deans, reinforced the need for their involvement albeit in a modified setting, and is working with all concerned to clarify the scope of their charge. Recently, I sent a request to all Deans for their input as to whether, if at all, our governance documents should be revised to clarify their current role given the hiring of Brittany. I know I join with many in appreciation for the valuable contribution from these brothers.

Domain Directors:

      The National Council has directed the CEO to research and develop a domain director program that meets the needs of our resident and graduate councils and be equally attractive for brothers to volunteer their time and talent. I have discussed with the CEO and National Councilors the history of contribution that domain directors provided and plans going forward, including my full appreciation for the significant contribution this program and its volunteers provided the Fraternity through many years of hard work and giving hearts. It is for this reason that I want this program to survive.

I am convinced the CEO intends to make progress with current domain directors to discuss solutions towards this worthy aspect of our fraternal life and has committed to continue work in establishing a program that makes sense in the current environment given available resources. A lot of things needed to be attended to these last months, particularly in the implementation of a whole new structure of doing business. So please be patient - - this program will be attended to. I intend to continue discussing the progress of this effort and doing all I can to encourage its development.

PROGRAMS:

      I am excited that 2024 will mark a return to an aggressive lineup of conferences for our undergraduate brothers. Even before the Foundation announced its decision to grant the Fraternity over $310,000 (promptly used to fund conferences and other items this year), the National Council had determined to find a way to return to an aggressive schedule of conferences for our undergraduates. The following schedule exemplifies the earnest intent to provide meaningful programming to our chapters.

Zenith Officer Institute:

      Several weeks ago, we held the 2024 Zenith Officer Institute. I am excited about the following:

  • double the number of chapters attended, compared to 2023;

  • double the number of undergraduates attended;

  • fifty-eight (58) of our chapters, consisting of over 200 undergraduate officers!

This is huge increase over the past year’s attendance! 

      I and four other National Council members (Councilors Brown, Carlos, French, and Fruth) were in attendance, along with our CEO and Executive Office staff, Education Deans Chad Warrick and Michael Lukins, Foundation Trustee Mike Bichimer, and Foundation Executive Director Craig Rogers. I witnessed an educational program that undergraduate brothers would not have experienced in any other forum than with several hundred of their brothers in attendance. Also, I had the privilege of meeting with many undergraduate brothers and was encouraged by the many brothers who expressed such a positive perspective of their experience at Zenith and our Fraternity. I am hopeful that 2025 will see 100% chapter attendance.   

Upcoming Regional Conferences:

      We recently announced eight regional conferences that will be held in 2024. Some members have had questions about the locations chosen for the conferences. Please keep in mind before I address why locations were chosen that we are expanding the number of conferences from an original plan of 4 to and expanded plan of 8 in 2024. This is huge, particularly given the fact that the National Fraternity did not host any last year.

      Kudos to our brothers at Alpha Rho Chapter for an outstanding job in hosting a conference last year. But now we turn to the National Fraternity resuming its obligation to bring all of us together across the country in a robust lineup of conferences. We should always strive within our combined spirit of brotherhood to join together as one fraternity. This lineup is designed with that as a primary goal.

      Now, as to the locations:  Please know that several factors were considered in determining the locations, one of which was an effort to make the conference a driving-distance away for our undergraduate brothers. That is, the goal was to maximize the opportunity for chapters to attend by situating the conference within 300 miles of almost all chapters.

      Unfortunately, I am aware of 9 chapters that will be outside the 300-mile radius of at least one conference. As to those 9 chapters, I have asked the Executive Office to reach out to the leadership of each and work with them to see what can be done, including a discussion of access to CEG funds for travel (all these chapters have sufficient CEG funds in their accounts). Plus, in the future we may have to consider adding yet another conference in addition to the 8 we are hosting in 2024, but of course that decision will be driven by cost, available funds, a chapter’s willingness and ability of attending conferences, and other factors.

      With the limited number of conferences in the past, it was common for many chapters to be more than 300 miles from the conference. In other words, chapters falling outside a reasonably close distance was not an unusual situation. We all know that we have historically seen different locations of regional conferences from year to year. One conference being held at a particular location in one year does not guarantee it will host the next year. Indeed, in a fraternity environment, a different strategy is warranted. The selection of sites was done not only to accommodate travel, but to offer different chapters the opportunity to host a regional conference. In the words to me by one of our beloved former presidents, Steve Nelson: “let’s spread the love.”

            The following schedule takes different factors into account:

1.      Feb. 17, 2024: University of Illinois

2.      Feb. 17, 2024: University of North Texas

3.      Feb. 24, 2024: University of California - Berkeley

4.      Feb. 24, 2024: Clemson University

5.      Feb. 24, 2024: Penn State University

6.      Mar. 2, 2024: Chapman University

7 & 8:  Two conferences will be held for those chapters who are not close to the locations of the six conferences listed above: (1) chapters in Washington State and Idaho, and (2) chapters in Colorado. The dates and locations for these two additional conferences will be announced soon. I and other National Councilors are making every effort to clear our schedules to attend one or more regional conferences.

Leadership Academy:

This summer, our Fraternity will host two Leadership Academies, both designed to help emerging undergraduate leaders within our chapters. These are planned for mid-May and early-August, with the locations and dates to be announced soon. Each chapter will be asked to identify two “emerging leaders” within their respective chapters to attend this academy.  

RECRUITMENT:

      I am excited to share the remarkable recruitment success of our Fraternity. It is evident to me and any person’s reasonable analysis that our CEO and his staff made recruitment a priority. I was fortunate to attend a meeting last July in our Headquarters and witness each consultant describe one-by-one the situation at chapters assigned to him. It was clear to me that the consultants were working vigorously on each chapter’s particular situation, to the extent a chapter was willing to take their call and receive the help.

      Over the summer, the Executive Office implemented the Phi Kappa Tau Growth System to include the Recruitment Services Initiative. This was intended to provide a staff member’s consultation with each chapter in their preparation, planning, and execution of their recruitment strategy. Over seventy percent (70%) of our chapters stepped up to utilize the Growth System to date. This initiative, coupled with the aggressive, dedicated effort of our chapter brothers and Executive Office Growth Consultants resulted in the following:

  • 1,235 new associate members in Fall 2023;

  • 60% of our chapters increased in size from the year before;

  • the biggest recruitment class in the last 7 years, with 14 less chapters!

  • a 25% increase from the previous year!!!

      I’ve heard that some have said that this high associate number is largely the result of the wildly successful effort by our Delta Gamma brothers at the University of Mississippi. Respectfully, the numbers do not bear that claim out. While we heartily congratulate our Delta Gamma brothers for their incredible success, we don’t want to miss recognizing nor should we unintentionally minimize in any way the other 47 chapters that have increased their chapter’s membership year over year. By any measure, our combined chapter effort in Fall 2023 was an incredible success!

CHAPTER GROWTH:

      I am also excited to share that the average chapter size across the country in 2023/24 has increased approximately 17%. In fact, it is the highest average Phi Tau chapter size in the last five years.

      Similarly, the number of chapters has increased this past year from 78 to 82.  I was proud to attend the chartering of our new chapter at Clemson University. The following is a list of recent and upcoming expansions:

Fall 2023:

  • San Diego State University

  • Bowling Green University

  • Grand Valley State University

Spring 2024:

  • University of Dayton

  • Texas Tech University

  •  St. Louis University

  • University of Arizona

Fall 2024:

  • Texas A&M University

  • California State University – Fullerton

      In addition, I have communicated with alumni from California, Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas regarding the re-establishment of chapters which have closed. As an example, I participated in a Zoom meeting with brothers from Beta Zeta chapter in New Mexico. I was happy to witness their earnest willingness and effort to re-establish their chapter.

      I also traveled to universities for the express purpose of reestablishing closed chapters or assist current chapters. As examples:

1.      I traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to meet with Kappa officers and potential Kappa BOG members.

2.      I traveled to El Paso, Texas for two days to meet with Phi Tau alumni and an administrative official from the University of Texas at El Paso regarding the desire to re-start the Alpha Psi chapter. We discussed plans going forward. 

3.      Similarly, CEO Arnold and I traveled to San Marcos, Texas, to meet with a Texas State University administration official, the incoming and outgoing Texas State Greek IFC Chairmen, and Gamma Psi chapter Resident Council officers, BOG Chairman, and Graduate Council President. The meeting was to discuss our Phi Tau, Gamma Psi chapter returning to a recognized “on-campus” status, recognized by the University and IFC. The meeting was a complete success, and CEO Arnold is working with the Texas State administration and IFC to finalize the plan to reinstate Gamma Psi.  

      I also met with brothers from chapters which are struggling to survive for several reasons. As examples, I and others have met in person and via zoom with undergraduate brothers from two chapters and discussed plans going forward.    

      As I said in July 2023, I am committed to helping brothers to re-invigorate chapters which are close to closing or have closed. I encourage alumni to help in this effort. If you have the inclination and time, please reach out to me to help.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, FINANCIAL UPDATE, & NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE:

      Our Executive Office is now fully staffed. The following is an up-to-date listing of our Chapter Services and Growth/Expansion teams:

      Chapter Services:

                  Drake Berlin                Director of Chapter Services

                  Craig Krygowski           Asst. Dir. of Chapter Services

                  Ethan Bunn                  Chapter Services Consultant

                  Ali Merchant               Chapter Services Consultant

                  Josh Hehman              Chapter Services Consultant

      Growth/Expansion:

                  Hunter Pemberton      Director of Organizational Growth

                  Ryan Callahan             Membership Growth Manager

                  Danny Baldwin            Senior Growth Consultant

                  Noah Shipley               Growth Consultant

                  Zak Belbina                 Growth Consultant

      I am excited to confirm formally that our Executive Office consultants will once again travel to chapters throughout the year to help with recruitment, membership orientation, and other issues. This already began in Fall 2023, where Growth Consultants traveled to 29% of our chapters to help chapters focus on their growth initiatives, along with scores of other chapters actively consulted via phone. In the coming year, all consultants will be on the road!          

      One item I have discussed with CEO Arnold is the responsiveness by the Executive Office staff to member outreach. CEO Arnold has worked hard in restructuring our fraternity’s consultant model in the last months and in that process, Matt has implemented an improved internal performance tracking system. This should improve responsiveness. Additionally, we are considering different software solutions that will better track responsiveness - - basically making our fraternity more “customer friendly.” I’m confident that in Matt and our executive staff’s desire to be responsive and their work toward that end.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

      This Spring, chapters will see a credit on their invoices for the educational assessment. This credit is a direct result of the Foundation’s grant which was approved in October 2023, discussed in more detail below.

      As you know, an educational assessment fees credit was applied to all Fall Chapter bills. Please allow me to make a comment regarding the Fall credit and the dues increase the Council approved last Fall:  Several brothers continue to express to me and others a continuing frustration and negative perspective of the Fall increase. I did my best in a letter I sent the membership last Fall to explain why all this was done in the way it was done. I’m not going to reiterate again what I said in that letter, except to encourage you to go and re-read that letter. In it I describe the good faith analysis the Council and CEO engaged in to determine that our chapter dues were too low and had not been adjusted in several years to address increased costs. The decision to implement a Fall increase had zero - - absolutely zero - - to do with the “rebate” that was approved at the Convention. If members choose to continue to believe otherwise, I’m not sure what else to say but please see that monies are being spent wisely, the increase was necessary and long overdue given economic conditions, and we are now seeing a good return on the investment.  

      On another note, the National Council and CEO are excited that the Fraternity audit conducted by Kirsch CPA Group was completed by year-end 2023; this is a huge accomplishment - - while the Fraternity completes an independent audit each year, this one is the fastest completed audit for Phi Tau in many years!  It demonstrates a commitment to good financial management. The promptness of this audit is due to the dedicated commitment of our CEO, V.P. Lummus, and National Councilors French and Bailey. A huge thanks goes out to these men!!

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING:

      If you have visited and toured our headquarters building in the past year, you will have noticed that not only is it largely empty due to staff and others working offsite, but also in need of significant repair. For these and other reasons, a Task Force was formed for the purpose of analyzing all issues relevant to repairing, modifying, leasing, and/or selling part or all of the building.

      To put this issue in context, it should be noted that the building and lot is owned by the Foundation (81%) and the Fraternity (19%). The Fraternity continues to occupy the building as our national headquarters and is repaying a loan made long ago by the Foundation related to the property. The Task Force is comprised of members of the Foundation (Brothers John Sayers, Jack Alvenus, and Charlie Ball), National Councilor Scott Brown, and CEO Arnold. The Task Force is considering all priorities and issues relative to this issue, including current and future office space needs, financial responsibility, the honoring of donors and legacy, proximity, and other important factors.

      No decisions have been made. Presentations of information gathered to date by the Task Force, including cost analysis and information provided by VSWC Architects, an architectural firm retained by the Foundation, were made at the in-person meeting of the Foundation Board of Trustees in October 2023 and the in-person meeting of the Fraternity National Council in November 2023. Members of each entity posed questions to the Task Force members and a need for additional information. The issue will again be addressed in detail at the joint in-person meeting of the NC and Board of Trustees in April 2024.

      I invite all comments on this complex financial and historical issue. I can assure all brothers that every person is taking this issue at the highest level of importance.

PHI KAPPA TAU FOUNDATION:

      Anyone attending the 2023 Convention can attest that a concern existed among some regarding the operation of the Foundation. Resolutions passed at the Convention called for a detailed review of the financial transactions involving the funding of Kappa chapter’s house as well as a review of all transactions conducted by the Foundation in the past year.  Here is a report of the Foundation, from my perspective as National President of the Fraternity, based on what I have seen and what I know.

      For several reasons, including what occurred at the Convention, approximately one month into my term as President I drafted and sent a letter to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees expressing my concerns and conveying certain requests. I requested a meeting with the Foundation Chairman to discuss these issues. Not long after, I was pleased to receive communication from the Foundation Chairman, Brother Jeff Hilperts, who suggested an in-person meeting with me to discuss all issues relative to the Fraternity and Foundation. We met not long after that, and since then have followed through on our agreement to communicate weekly by phone or Zoom. I also attended the in-person meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in October 2023.

      I must share that I am very optimistic about the Fraternity and Foundation’s relationship going forward. Several unprecedented steps have been taken by the Foundation which shows a new direction in completely fulfilling its mission in supporting and serving the “educational undertakings of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.” From what I have seen, the Foundation is now being operated as a professionally operated 501(c)(3) foundation with its own Executive Director to guide it into the future. Having spoken many times to Brother Hilperts and other Trustees and witnessing the Foundation Board’s actions in the last several months, I believe wholeheartedly that the Trustees are dedicated brothers who earnestly want to support the Fraternity and fulfill their mission in an honorable way.

 

      To that end, I share the following significant developments that have occurred:

1.      Transparency: These last couple of months, the Board of Trustees have made significant strides in ensuring its commitment to openness and accountability. It is initiating an unprecedented procedure of transparency:

 

a.      Audits and Forms 990: The Foundation’s IRS Forms 990 (some refer to these as the Foundation’s “tax returns”) are now readily available for review in Guidestar.org. GuideStar is the leading source for aggregated information on nonprofits in the U.S. This platform allows members to review and understand the Foundation’s financial disclosures, providing insights into the Foundation’s financial health. It should be noted that the Foundation has been given a gold star rating.

b.      Other Documents in our Phi Tau Online Portal: The Foundation will be providing ready access to many documents that members have been wanting to see:

            i.      Donor and chapter information: Access to this information will (i) give members access to their own personal giving information, (ii) provide insight into the financial status and use of donor funds, and (iii) for constituents with funds within the Foundation, such as chapter educational grant funds (CEGs), the portal enables members to view available balances and conveniently request funds directly through the website.

             ii.      Audits: The Foundation’s annual independent audits will be available on this portal.

             iii.      Foundation Annual Meeting Minutes: The Foundation is now committed to publishing the meeting minutes of the twice-annual, in-person meetings. They will be available for review upon their approval in the subsequent board meeting.

             iv.      Kappa Chapter Task Force Report: This report, finalized during the summer of 2023 and presented during the 2023 National Convention, is now accessible.

A video tutorial will be provided by the Foundation to assist members in navigating this new system. Please note that these documents are coming down the pipeline and will be made available soon.

This level of transparency by the Foundation and access to information is unprecedented. Nevertheless, if you have concerns going forward, please let me know so that I can communicate these concerns and seek to get them resolved, or, if you choose, seek out a Foundation Board member.

 

2.      Joint Coordinating Committee:

      One item I requested in my letter to the Foundation was the continued operation of the JCC, albeit with a different focus. The Foundation agreed with this proposal. Specifically, we will proceed with a JCC that will discuss, analyze, coordinate, and make recommendations as to issues that relate to both the Fraternity and Foundation. Preliminary drafts of a revised charge for the JCC’s operation going forward have been drafted and revised and will be circulated for approval by both entities and disclosed to the Fraternity membership as soon as it is approved.

      As an example of the new working environment between the Fraternity and Foundation, the JCC met recently and agreed to conduct monthly meetings hereafter unless circumstances dictate a different cadence. Importantly, the representatives of each entity agreed on several important points: (1) the need for complete transparency as to all transactions; (2) the need for better alignment of vision and strategy, and (3) the need for review by the National Council and the Board of Trustees regarding any significant transaction, and elimination of the past practice of decisions being made by an alarmingly small number of persons. 

      Through transparency, teamwork, vigilance, and adherence to our fraternal values, our membership can attain greater confidence in our Foundation, which will necessarily make our Fraternity stronger for decades to come.   

3.      Grant Request: The Foundation unanimously approved a grant to the Fraternity of over $310,000 for the current fiscal year. Also, the Foundation’s Board communicated to me, VP Lummus, and CEO Arnold the Board’s desire to make similar donations in coming years if the Foundation’s funds allow. Concomitant with that, the Foundation has launched an aggressive “Boles 1,000” fundraising campaign to raise a minimum of $1,000,000/annum.

4.      Kappa Housing-Related Review: At the National Convention, a report was delivered to the governing boards of the Fraternity and Foundation as well as to attending members. This report was prepared by the “Kappa Task Force,” a group comprised of representatives of both the Fraternity and Foundation. It is my understanding that the Task Force reviewed transaction-level materials relating to the funding of the Kappa house construction project.

      Nevertheless, pursuant to the resolution passed at the 2023 National Convention, I requested that the Foundation permit the Fraternity to conduct an additional detailed review of every single transaction relating to Kappa. I conveyed this request in my August letter to the Foundation, my subsequent meeting with Chairman Hilperts, as well as in person later at the Foundation’s Fall meeting. The Trustees approved cooperating with the Fraternity regarding this review. To this end, I personally will be involved in the review together with other members of the National Council and commit to the Fraternity that it will be done. Coordination between the Foundation and I to begin the review has been ongoing, and we are scheduled to commence the review in the coming week. I will report the findings of this review as soon as possible.

5.      Full Financial Review: The Trustees also approved the requested opportunity to conduct a full financial review by a third-party accounting firm - - this is above and beyond the independent audit that the Foundation already produces annually - - provided that all expenses arising from the retention of this additional accounting firm and the time taken by Trustees to assist in the audit are fully funded. I think it’s important to remember that the Foundation is a distinct corporate entity from the Fraternity, and therefore the Fraternity has no legal or policy authority to instruct the Foundation to comply with this request, nor is the Foundation obligated to volunteer opening its books for review in this manner. Nevertheless, the Board made clear to me, Fraternity VP Lummus, and CEO Arnold at the Foundation’s in-person meeting that it was agreeing to do this to demonstrate (1) its complete willingness to cooperate with the Fraternity and address its concerns, and (2) it has nothing to hide.

6.      Headquarters Building Task Force: A Task Force has been formed among representatives of the Fraternity and Foundation to explore issues related to our headquarters. I discuss this in further detail above in the section titled Executive Office, Financial Update, and National Headquarters.

7.      Continuing Communication: As I mentioned, Foundation Chairman Hilperts and I have committed to continue weekly discussions to stay on top of all then-current issues and discuss plans going forward.   

  Given the concerns between the Fraternity and Foundation that I know have been expressed by brothers before, at, and after the 2023 Convention, I truly believe that we have accomplished a great deal relative to Fraternity and Foundation’s relationship. Will some brothers still want responses to their questions more quickly, or continue to distrust the Foundation, or otherwise have doubts or complaints? Based on what I’ve seen and heard, yes, that’s probably the case. But I truly believe that we are working now on a great trajectory to the right place, and I commit to continue that progress.

      Make no mistake about my consistent position:  the Foundation was created to serve the educational interests of the Fraternity, within the confines of applicable law and through its fulfillment of its legal duty to its donors, and it is obligated to continue to do so in the future. I’ve made that very clear to Chairman Hilperts and the Foundation Board. Yet, particularly because the remarkable progress we have made in the last five months and are continuing to make, I encourage every brother to try to be positive with each other and about each other in the spirit of brotherhood, to refrain from encouraging negative comments that are rooted in past frustrations, and continue working together, all of us as brothers, toward what Ewing Boles and others had in mind when creating the Foundation.  I believe we have made gigantic strides in the last several months toward that goal and that we will continue on that path. 

      Brothers, I hope all this information is helpful in sharing with you what’s going on. I will try to continue to provide this type of information regularly. If you have a question or comment about any of the items mentioned above and/or anything else, please reach out to me or any other member of the National Council. We can easily be reached by hitting the link that is below each of our photographs on the website, which takes you to our email address. Mine is mmccrum@phikappatau.org

      By the way, I think it’s appropriate that I share some information about Facebook. I’m fully aware that a small percentage of our brothers participate in Facebook posting. I’ve had discussions with Brother Logan Lukacs about the metrics he has found regarding the number of brothers who get information through email, Facebook, Sidelights, and otherwise. While I find a need to get on Facebook every now and then, it is extremely rare. So, if you want me to know how you feel about something, please send me an email or call/text to 210.854.8585. I'm happy to discuss anything with you. I want to hear from you. I encourage you to register for my next Town Hall Discussion. Please sign in and join the conversation!

      With much love for my brothers and our Fraternity,

 


Michael “Mike” McCrum

National President

Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity

Zenith Officer Institute 2024: Phi Kappa Tau Reaches New Heights in Chicago

If you follow many of our chapters on social media, it has been hard not to notice the surge of activity from men expressing excitement to take their campus by storm this coming year.

Participants from the 2024 Zenith Officer Institute

“We had a great time learning about ways to improve our chapter and set goals for the upcoming semester! We can’t wait to go back and share what we learned with the rest of our chapter,” said Epsilon Chapter in an Instagram post. “[We] learned helpful skills to take back for the betterment of the chapter and met brothers from all over the county. We thank all of the brothers and CEO who made this all possible,” said Beta Epsilon at Southern Miss.

These posts are, of course, in reference to Zenith Officer Institute.

In its second year, the Zenith Officer Institute stood as a resounding success that built on the momentum from last year’s inaugural launch. Zenith has become a hallmark educational event for Phi Kappa Tau. This historic gathering, held at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare from January 4-7, brought together over 200 brothers together from 60 chapters for an immersive educational experience. The magnitude of the event was not only a testament to the dedication of the Phi Kappa Tau community but also a reflection of the significant contributions from the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation. The generous grant provided by the Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing this program to life.

Fraternity CEO Matt Arnold & Foundation CEO Craig Rogers

The event marked the first large-scale educational program for CEO Matt Arnold since his assumption of the role in April of 2023, who addressed men in the opening session to give exciting updates on Phi Kappa Tau as the fraternity heads into 2024. Notably this was also the first event overseen by Director of Learning and Talent Development, Brittany Ankeny. The event's structure featured four distinct tracks catering to Presidents, Treasurers, Membership Orientation Officers, and Recruitment Chairmen, offering tailored sessions to hone skills relevant to their roles. The program also had participants meet as "institute chapters," strategically pairing similar chapters for enhanced collaboration and idea exchange.

Honor & Credit Badges proved to be a fashionable accessory.

Over $2,000 was raised during the event due to the novel giving opportunity known as "Honor & Credit Badges." This initiative allowed alumni and undergraduates to make donations in support of Zenith participants, in the form of small stickers affixed to name tags. The badges symbolized a collective commitment to the growth and development of future Phi Kappa Tau leaders. A special mention goes to National Councilor Ricky Bailey, who not only renewed his Boles Society membership, but went above and beyond by purchasing badges for every single Zenith participant. His generosity exemplifies the spirit of fraternity and community that defines Phi Kappa Tau. Foundation CEO Craig Rogers addressed the gathering, emphasizing the crucial role of philanthropy in sustaining such impactful educational initiatives. His insights underscored the importance of giving back and supporting the fraternity's commitment to excellence.

Participants had the chance to ask questions and have their voice heard.

Throughout the three days, participants had the privilege of hearing from the Undergraduate Advisory Board during their concurrent retreat, focusing on ambitious goals for the upcoming school year. National Councilors Scott Brown, Andy Fruth, Ray Carlos, and Michael French were present to provide guidance throughout the weekend. And of course, National President Mike McCrum, delivered passionate speeches that bookended the weekend and prompted chapters to reflect on the profound question, "Who Are You?"

Special sessions by Jonah Mudse from Phired Up Productions added a dynamic dimension to the event. The in-house growth team and chapter services team further enriched the program with insightful presentations on their areas of expertise.

Volunteers Terek (left) and Lukins (right) reviewing materials prior to their sessions.

Acknowledgments are in order for facilitators Chad Warrick, Michael Lukins, Nick Terek, Mike Bichimer, and Clayton Baughn, whose dedication enriched the learning experience. The event could also not have taken place without the Phi Kappa Tau staff members who lent their talents to both group sessions and institute chapters.

Zenith Officer Institute 2024 was not just an event; it was a transformative experience that exemplified Phi Kappa Tau's unwavering commitment to developing men of character into men of distinction.