Beta Mu’s Alumni initiatives are being formally organized into a new ‘association’ entity. This fact sheet provides background on the concept and addresses questions. Your participation is invited!
What is a Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association?
As an extension of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, alumni associations are groups of alumni and friends connected to the International Fraternity and each other through leadership, programming, communication and membership. Beta Mu’s alumni organization plans an exciting mix of social, athletic, recreational and academic related activities. Our chapter-based alumni association is made up of alumni from Beta Mu chapter, regardless of geography
What is the purpose of an alumni association?
A Pi Kappa Alpha alumni association exists to promote the brotherhood by providing an outlet for casual alumni interaction. Our new organization will provide the opportunity for alumni to continue to benefit from their membership through fellowship, networking, social engagements, and a variety of other interactions including supporting the Beta Mu undergraduate men.
“Beta Mu is entering her second century and our new alumni association will serve as a formal vehicle to promote relationships and networking amongst Beta Mu alumni, and to ensure alumni remain involved with the chapter through events and communications to help advance and support the undergrad goals of the chapter for Beta Mu’s future. We invite you to join the association, enrich your alumni participation and sustain Beta Mu for the years ahead.”
— Russ Keene ’80
What are the financial obligations associated with an alumni association?
Dues associated with alumni associations are left to the discretion of each group. It is common for an association to operate on a modest dues structure. Formal incorporation and 501 © status are being sought. Funds will be used for newsletters, database management, gifts to freshmen upon initiation and senior send-off gifts from alumni, and organizing local alumni events throughout the year. The long-term intent is to provide academic performance and needs-based scholarships to Beta Mu undergrads, contributing to a long term, sustained Beta Mu presence on The Forty Acres.
Will we be officially recognized by the International Fraternity?
Yes, we have already applied and received conditional approval of an alumni association “charter.” The Fraternity’s Supreme Council’s policies require that a minimum of twelve (12) men in good membership standing petition the Supreme Council for a charter. Associations will submit an annual report to the Fraternity headquarters and all alumni members of the association. An initial, voluntary board of directors of Beta Mu alumni has agreed to serve representing classes/eras ranging from the 1960s to 2010s.
What are Beta Mu’s goals and objectives of an association?
- Formalize our longstanding alumni efforts
- Coordinate local alumni activities adding to and enriching the lifelong Pike experience
- Assist the chapter through scholarship opportunities and other means of support
- Provide career networking opportunities for both local alumni and undergrads
- Raise funds for chapter house debt reduction
- Annually manage the new Beta Mu Legends Alumni Awards program
“A dedicated group of volunteers worked tirelessly for more than four years to make the new Pike House dream a reality. And the generosity of 279 alumni donors was critical to the vision. As I’ve experienced, the world of the fraternity opens up when you become an active alumnus and it is incredibly rewarding. One of the best ways to start getting back in touch is by visiting the chapter house and joining our new alumni association. Let’s build on the 2020 centennial year and sustain Beta Mu for generations of future Pikes.”
— Doug Phelan ‘65
What is the dues structure, how will funds be used?
An extremely flat annual dues structure is proposed that allows the association to collect administrative funds. These funds can be used to produce communications, offset costs of planning events, provide chapter support and initiate a scholarship program. A budget and funds expended will be managed by a volunteer board of directors.
- First-second years out of college dues – free
- Three-four years out of college – $25
- Age 26+ Annual dues – $50
- Founder/Charter membership fee of $100 for 2022 is encouraged.
- A Lifetime dues donor level will be explored in the future.
Why must I join an association?
Membership is purely voluntary. The association is being founded to build on the success and excitement of the new chapter house opened in 2020, and to continue the solid momentum to sustain Beta Mu into her second century. Many Beta Mu alumni contributed modestly for years when asked to fund our alumni newsletters and programs. The new organization formalizes our effort and we hope a membership approach leads to more consistent, yet affordable, funding for alumni activities as well as for important chapter support, debt reduction, and eventual scholarship programs. The UT chapters of FIJI, Kappa Sig, Phi Psi and Sigma Chi all have scholarship funding that is attractive to prospective rushees and parents. Whether an alumnus chooses to join and pay dues or not, he will continue to be in good alumni standing with the International Fraternity as well as Beta Mu.
