Dear Brothers,

Tim Oaster, High Kappa during my assocation from the Spring of 1992 (!) once told me "Norm, if you don't leave the fraternity better than you fount it, then you didn't do your job." I'd be lying if I said that had a huge impact on me when I was a freshman. I pretty much just kept acting like a freshman, usually spending Friday night passed out on the dirty mattress in the Burd Street basement.

It really didn't start making sense to me until the middle of my sophomore year, when a lot of the "older guys" that I relied on for the upkeep of the fraternity were suddenly gone and/or leaving.

Oddly enough, I started feeling responsible for the fraternity. I rushed a hell of a lot of guys. I took an office. I worked hard for the fraternity. I was proud of my affiliation. And yeah, I still passed out on a dirty mattress sometimes, but at least it was my own dirty mattress, in my own bedroom.

When I graduated, I felt like I had done my part to make the fraternity better. I recruited some quality guys. I had the privilege of serving as the Tau and Kappa. I'd like to think I made a difference. I figured I did Time Oaster proud.

My point? I was a better person for what I gave the fraternity. My time, my talents and my opinions.

Where am I going with this? We need help. Plain and simple. I am proud of our Alumni and Housing activities. We do a lot. A whole lot. But the thing is, it's such a small group of Alumni that are supporting the entire structure. I understand that many of you don't have an excessive amount of spare time. Who does? But we need some new blood. With such a small group of Alumni "behind the scenes" it's only a matter of time before people start to burn out. I'd hate to see that happen.

If you are willing to give some of your time and talents to the Alumni Assocation or Housing Corporation, please contact me at 814-XXX-XXXX or via e-mail at normanb@XXXXXX.XXX. We can talk about your interests and availability and hopefully find a "spot" for you. Coming to our Annual Meeting on April 28th would be a great start. Hope you can make it.

Norman Benford