We started with the Creed, which was a part of the power point presentation for those who might not have remembered back twenty or thirty years to the last time they recited it.

Then President Durden gave the opening speech, which set the tone as OXPI is welcome back. It will take some serious work and dedication and by more than just one or two individuals.  He reminded us that if it were true that Dickinson wanted fraternities gone from campus…well, they would not be around anymore; and they certainly would not have allowed KE back on campus just one year ago.  Not to mention KE had one of the largest classes in recent memory, numbering at over 50 young men, which proves that if the alumni support is there then a new structure and new success can be achieved.  He worked into the presentation several complements for Robert Bowen and the work that he has done, especially over the last two years, and for his continued efforts.

He also addressed the issue that the social aspect is no longer a draw, as people have a multitude of options socially.  The service aspect is more a norm to get into college and therefore is also not a large draw or unique.  When you couple those with traditional illegal hazing it isn't a wonder that greek life participation is at an all time low.  The ideas that the Alumni Corporation and the Office of Student Life have in regard to developing programs to build leadership skills and professional skills and providing networking opportunities for the actives are the right ideas to attract new young men.

After he spoke Scott Lewis discussed accomplishments, duration and innovations of the Alumni Corporation, most of which is captured on one of the slides in the power point presentation.  From an impromptu survey, it was also determined that no one there had ever heard of an alumni corporation being formed for our chapter prior to the one formed twelve years ago.

Robert Bowen opened up with the valid point that what we are trying to build already exists today.  As he has observed from his interaction with multiple generations, there are multiple pockets of Pi Chapter alumni that span a four to six year period and number twenty to fifty men that are already doing some of the things we are going to try and accomplish.  They are already linked through social networks, email distribution, contact database listings, etc.  They already help each other out financially, professionally and personally, even when they don't know that exact guy in the group all that well or at all.  We are just trying to link those pockets or merge them into a more cohesive and effective tool for all of us.

Getting us all on the same tools and building a complete and tangible alumni network is the first step to a sustainable and successful effort at recolonization.  He then expanded on the strategy for recolonization (constituencies, beginning years, and recolonization).  He illustrated, using a Visio diagram, the direction of the new organizational structure of the Alumni Corporation, which opened itself up for vast participation at varying levels of dedication and time commitment.  There will be multiple committees focused on different aspects like our relationship with National, one focused on Dickinson, Alumni Networking, one on fund raising, and a Chapter Advisory Board (to focus on establishing the new rules, programs and support model for the active chapter)  He discussed how we are trying to leverage technological tools, i.e. oxpi.com, googlewiki, social networking sites, Skype, etc.  He presented some goals, responsibilities and the need for volunteers.

Scott then spoke on the proposed budget for recolonization, which was a very rough ball park, but started to give an understanding that we are not talking about a one or two thousand dollar effort, but will end up more in the range of 30-50K over the course of five years.

Robert then spoke about how the end goal is not just the five years and recolonization.  If we get our chapter back on campus and walk away, then we have failed.  What we are working to put in place is something that needs to be sustainable on an ongoing basis and act as the foundation for our chapter.

Tim Poirier, part of Dickinson Residential Life, spoke about the direction of the college in relation to Greek life.  He spoke about the changing landscape of higher education in relation to the entire student body.  Tim also touched on the college's aspirations for Greek organizations.  His materials, which covers these topics in more detail, can also be found on the wiki. (need to expand on this in a little more detail)

The first step, again, is getting everyone on the same networks and part of the same groups within those networks (i.e., Facebook and LinkedIn), and then participating in networking events, both social and professional. Please be sure to review the associated power point presentation and Visio diagram.

General Observations

Alumni participation ranged from 1954 to 2004; about 25 people attended the event). There were several cohorts from the sixties and eighties. Most were intrigued with the effort (many questions focused on understanding the current events, culture of the campus, and the details of the expulsion), challenged the value of the effort, and some offered to provide their assistance in bringing the message to those they are in contact with (both regionally and generationally).

It was clear that the Yahoo group is not the only active alumni cohort. The fifties/sixties and eighties all stay in contact. Also, from various conversations, it appears that having multiple forms of notification is important. Some learned of the event through the post card, others through the sign in the HUB, and others through social network sites. It is important to keep the communications coming to sustain the effort.

We need to ensure that we are hooked into the LinkedIn and Facebook OXPI sites. Some of the travel-related costs for recolonization might not be as high as estimated as there are many local alumni who may be willing to let folks bunk with them when visiting DC.

We may want to design some surveys (hosted on OXPI) to gather/focus interest in volunteer activities. It would help us stay engaged with the alumni and understand what they want to do for and see from the alumni corp.