Give to the annual fundraising drive:

This annual drive continues to be an important component of building a strong Tau Sigma Chapter, supporting undergraduate scholarships for both leadership and academics, and providing the necessary funding for $100,000 in renovations scheduled for summer 2009. Giving opportunities are:

• Contribute to the Alumni Association Centennial Fund. These gifts are not tax-deductible, and can be used for chapter house renovations and operating costs. This is our most critical fund for the chapter.
  
  Online: Click here for credit card payment.
   
• Contribute to the Iowa State Chapter Fund within the Beta Theta Pi Foundation. These gifts are 100% tax-deductible, and can be used for up to 47% of the chapter house renovations or for academic and leadership development scholarships for collegiate members. Many corporations also offer matching gifts.
  
  Online: Click here and put Iowa State Chapter Fund under “Comments” in section 2.
   
• Contribute to the Beta Theta Pi Scholarship Fund within the Iowa State University Foundation. These gifts are tax-deductible and likely to be available for corporate matches; however, they are restricted solely to academic scholarships for collegiate members.
  
  Online: Click here and put Beta Theta Pi Scholarship Fund under “Click here to designate your gift to another area on campus . . .”
   

Tau Sigma continues to reestablish itself on the Iowa State campus. As we strive to reach the next level, it will take strong alumni support and continued focus from the active chapter. This is the beginning of the third year of the five year plan we created when we set out to rebuild Beta at Iowa State. Last year we experienced success that exceeded our expectations in some areas, but there is still much to do.

Looking back at 2008…

Where we shined like the three stars:

• First place in Varieties 2008 (with nine additional “best of” awards)
• First place in Greek Week 2008
• Matt Martin, president of the Engineering Student Council, was one of eight students recognized with the VEISHEA Outstanding Student Leadership Award.
• Spring 2008 saw Beta climb back above the all-university average with a 3.04 GPA, partially thanks to the spring pledge class, which led all pledge classes with a 3.41 GPA.
• The undergraduates won awards in community service, leadership development, and risk management at the 169th General Convention.
• 30 alumni and undergraduates attended the TS Open golf outing in Minnesota in June
  

Where we need to polish the diamond:

• The second phase of renovations to the chapter house, an update to the front and side entryways and other public spaces, was postponed due to limited funds. Funding went to assist the undergraduate chapter with annual operating costs, send members to leadership opportunities, grant academic scholarships, and assist with recruitment.
• Fall 2008 recruitment brought in a class of 12 men, below our goal of 20. However, there are now 43 Beta men on campus, putting us above the average chapter size of 41.
• We are in need of more alumni volunteers, especially at the Chapter Advisory Team level, but also in the Tau Sigma Alumni Association and Tau Sigma Housing Corporation (please email us at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  if you are interested in learning more).

Future Plans…

Our goals as we continue building a foundation for Tau Sigma in 2008-09 are:

• Complete the second phase of renovations to the chapter house, $100,000 to update the front and side entryways and other public spaces. (The $300,000 renovation to the new addition in 2007 has been called some of the “nicest fraternity housing on campus”.) This goal is achievable—let’s make it happen!
• Assist the undergraduates in fulfilling the requirements to restore the charter of the Tau Sigma Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the annual Convention in August 2009. This will require volunteering time as advisors, assisting with recruitment, and funding for leadership development scholarships.