Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Back in Business...

June 20, 2011

Dear Tau Lambda Alumna,

On May 25, 2011, all Tau Lambda alumnae were notified of the Executive Board's decision to withdrawal the chapter charter and hold it in trust at International Headquarters. Over the past 12 weeks, the chapter has been through an extensive appeal process to regain their charter.

An appeal hearing for Tau Lambda's closure took place on April 28, 2011, which upheld the Executive Board's decision to remove Tau Lambda's Charter.

The chapter appealed the decisoin to the Constitution Interpretation & Revisions Committee (CIRC), pursuant to Title II, Article XIV, Secion 4 of the Bylaws of Alpha Omicron Pi. The CIRC review revealed inconsistencies in how probation terms were delivered and the timing of the delivery. As a redult, Tau Lambda has not been in a valid proabtionary status since Spring 2009.

Article XIV, Section 1 states: When a collegiate chapter fails to comply with the conditions stipulated by the Executive Board for termination of chapter probation, the collegiate chapter charter shall be surrendered to teh Fraternity to be held in trust at the International Headquarters until such time as restoration occurs.

As such, removal of Tau Lambda's charter is not valid at this time.

Losing a collegiate chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi sit one of the worst tragedies that can befall our Fraternity, and so this finding gives us all an opportunity to refocus efforts towards building a strong and positive fraternal experience for Tau Lambda members and also towards serving the Shippensburg and surrounding communities. The panel trusts that the alumnae of Tau Lambda Chapter and local alumnae of Alpha Omicron Pi will wort together with body, brain, spirit and substance to enure Tau Lambda chapter's success on the Shippensburg campus and in Alpha Omicron Pi.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Dear Daddy,

In all the things I try to do,
I want to do them just like you.

I’m watching every move you make
And trying to take each step you take.

Although right now I’m sort of small,
When I’m with you I feel ten feet tall.

Like you I want to be brave and smart,
‘Cause I love you Daddy, with all my heart.

When I grow older, I’ll be so glad
If I grow up to be
JUST
LIKE
DAD!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Summer Events With SHIP Alumni Assoc

SHIP 9 & Dine at Chambersburg County Club
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Golf: 5:00 PM; Dinner: 7:00 PM
Cost: Members $40 charge to account; Non-members $50

Join your alumni hosts Lou Minisci ’91-’96M and Tim Ebersole ’83-’00M, along with SU President Bill and Judy Ruud for golf and dinner. Dinner entrĂ©e choice includes chicken and shrimp over penne pasta, single crab cake or petite filet mignon. Salad and dessert are included. Please RSVP to alumni@ship.edu or 717-477-1218 by July 5.

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SHIP @ the Shore, Ocean City, MD
Date: Monday, July 25, 2011
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Fager’s Island Restaurant, 201 60th St., OC, MD
Cover Charge: $15.00/person

Take a break from the beach and join fellow alumni and friends for a late afternoon alumni party! Buffet style appetizers provided with a cash bar. Please RSVP to alumni@ship.edu or 717-477-1218 by July 18.

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QVC Studio Tour & After Party, West Chester
Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tour Begins @ 4:00 PM (Please allow approximately 1 hour)
Location: QVC Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Dr., West Chester
Cost: $6.00/person; RSVP to alumni@ship.edu

Enter the fantastic world of electronic retailing! Join us on a guided tour through this state of the art broadcasting facility. We'll get to see and experience how QVC products are sourced, tested, brought to life on air and delivered to millions of QVC customers. We'll have views into the studio including the spectacular views from the Observation Deck. Maybe we'll even catch a glimpse of a favorite host or guest.

After Party @ Stadium Grille, West Chester
Location: 104 Turner Lane, West Chester
Proprietor & Alumni Host: Bob Batley ‘85
Time: 5:30 PM

Stadium Grille is located just 3 miles from the QVC Studios. After the tour, join the SHIP group for a bite to eat or drink. The Stadium Grille is BYOB so bring your favorite or purchase from the beverage store right next door.
Not attending the QVC Tour? - No problem - Meet us at Stadium Grille for the After Tour Party at 5:30 PM. As always, friends and family are welcome!

Please RSVP to alumni@ship.edu or 717-477-1218 by August 8. Checks may be made payable to SUAA/SU Foundation or call for credit card payment.

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Alumni Hospitality Tent @ the Corn Festival, Shippensburg
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Location: Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce, 53 W. King St. (outside courtyard)
**The Chamber is located across the street from the Post Office.

Take a break from shopping and join fellow alumni for ice cold drinks and more while you stroll the streets and visit with all the vendors throughout the day. Stop in at the Chamber of Commerce and visit us in the shaded courtyard for a refreshing beverage. In case of inclement weather, we'll be inside the chamber.
While reservations are not necessary, they are appreciated by August 19 to help us prepare. RSVP to alumni@ship.edu or 717-477-1218

Monday, June 6, 2011

New News, GOOD News!!!

June 5, 2011

TO BE SHARED WITH ALL COLLEGIATE MEMBERS

Dear Tau Lambda Chapter Members,

The Constitution Interpretation and Revision Committee (CIRC) are in receipt of your petition dated May 11, 2011. Having met all of the requirements for appeal, CIRC undertook the review process as outlined in the Governing Documents of Alpha Omicron Pi. This involved reviewing the record and the opinion to determine the sufficiency of the procedures employed in reaching the determination and the correctness of the findings under AOII’s Constitution and Bylaws. This review is for procedure only and does not mean that CIRC agrees or disagrees with the panel’s decision.

During the review process, CIRC looked at your appeal point by point. While your points may have validity, CIRC determined that none of them had the merit to remand the panel’s decision under corrected procedures.

However, CIRC is remanding this back to the Panel for review and action. Part of the CIRC process is to review the record and the opinion to determine the sufficiency of the procedures. This includes the actions leading up to the closure and appeal. Part of that process is the notification of the chapter of their probation.
Under bylaws, Article XIII, Section 3. Notification. It states that the probation shall be delivered by hand or certified mail only when school is in regular session (not during summer school). The notice shall contain the reasons for probation, the terms and conditions of probation and notice of the chapter’s right of hearing and appeal. It appears that in April 2009 a notification of the probation and the probation terms were sent via e-mail, but a formal letter was never given to Tau Lambda in person or by certified mail.

Further under bylaws Article XIII, Section 6. Termination of Probation. Any change in status of probation shall be sent via certified mail. The first probation extension dated June 2010 was never formally done with a letter via certified mail (or otherwise), although new probation terms were presented during Leadership Institute 2010.

And finally, the second probation extension dated January 2011 was not delivered via certified mail even though it was in written format. As such, because the notifications were improper, the chapter is not on any probation with Alpha Omicron Pi at this time.

As a result of the above, the Constitution Interpretation and Revision Committee remand the opinion under corrected procedures back to the Panel. As Tau Lambda is not on any probation with Alpha Omicron Pi at this time, the panel should find that the chapter charter cannot be withdrawn and held in trust for failure to meet the terms of probation. The chapter may be placed on probation when classes start in the fall.

The status of the withdrawal of your charter is now back in the hands of the panel and you should expect another opinion from them I a timely manner.

If you have any questions regarding this decision or its consequences, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Sincerely,
On behalf of CIRC

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Letter Received

HQ has confirmed they received the below appeal letter. They have advised that we will receive a decision in about two weeks. At that time, we will decide how to proceed accordingly. Please continue to check back!!...