The Annual Meeting of the National Council was held at the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut, on February 27, 2016. The meeting boasted a near records attendance with 100% of our undergraduate chapters in attendance, over 80% of our alumni entities, 100% of our districts were represented and only one out of our 14 national officers was absent. Additionally, every one of our colonies were present as observers. There were 126 voting members of the Council present, out of a possible 140; meaning attendance was 90%.
Some happy issues and some tough issues were tackled this year; here are the highlights:
CHARTERING. The Council approved charters for four (4) new chapters. The most new chapters chartered at one time, in nearly a quarter of a century. To wit,
Epsilon Eta Chapter
Composed of students from the State University of New York at Albany
It was placed in the Upstate New York District
One of it's founders, Christopher Mazzei received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Anthony Galli received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Theta Chapter
Composed of students from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania
It was placed in the Central Pennsylvania District
One of it's founders, Luigi Tirro received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager David Kozak received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Iota Chapter
Composed of students from Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey
It was placed in the North Jersey District
One of it's founders, Keith Bassford received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Christopher Mancusi received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Kappa Chapter
Composed of students from Dowling College, Oakdale, New York
It was placed in the Upstate New York District
One of it's founders, Bryan Nee received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Nicholas Marter received an Expansion for his efforts
NIC EXIT. The Fraternity voted to remove itself from membership in the North American Inter-fraternity Conference following that organizations near-quadrupling of fees, its stripping smaller fraternities from having voting privileges, its inability to assist us in any area over the years, and its moving to regulate areas of membership, administration and Ritual, which rightly belong to member fraternity. By a lopsided vote, it withdrawal from NIC membership was approved.
BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR. Our Budget was approved for the 2016-17, and it marks the fifth year without any increase in fees.
AMENDMENTS. The following amendments were passed by the National Council, all take effect immediately:
The Governance Amendment. This amendment provided governance structures for off-campus chapters that can be put in place by the District Governor; it also affirms the rights of chapters to exist and members to associate under the auspices of the First Amendment of the United State Constitution; and it makes the National President a defender of our Chapters.
The Fraternal Days of Observance Amendment. This amendment establish special days that our brother should observe in some way (for example, by wearing a white carnation or in some other appropriate way). The days of observance are:
Faciamus Pin. The Establishment of the Faciamus Pin to reward undergraduate members for activity in the Fraternity by attending the National Council meeting, the National Convention and visiting an entity more than 100 miles away from their chapter.
Alumni Association Award. The Establishment of an Outstanding Alumni Association Award. This brings to eight, the number of National Awards.
Elections. Elections were held: sitting National President, Jim Miller of Psi was elected National President for 2016-17; sitting New York City South Governor Todd Cusato of Beta Sigma was elected as National President. Matteo Vitale of Delta Theta was elected Chairman of Undergraduate Coordinating Committee and Jeffrey Breen of Gamma Sigma was re-elected as Chairman of the Alumni Coordinating Committee.
Some happy issues and some tough issues were tackled this year; here are the highlights:
CHARTERING. The Council approved charters for four (4) new chapters. The most new chapters chartered at one time, in nearly a quarter of a century. To wit,
Epsilon Eta Chapter
Composed of students from the State University of New York at Albany
It was placed in the Upstate New York District
One of it's founders, Christopher Mazzei received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Anthony Galli received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Theta Chapter
Composed of students from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania
It was placed in the Central Pennsylvania District
One of it's founders, Luigi Tirro received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager David Kozak received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Iota Chapter
Composed of students from Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey
It was placed in the North Jersey District
One of it's founders, Keith Bassford received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Christopher Mancusi received an Expansion for his efforts
Epsilon Kappa Chapter
Composed of students from Dowling College, Oakdale, New York
It was placed in the Upstate New York District
One of it's founders, Bryan Nee received the Pioneer Award for his efforts
It's project manager Nicholas Marter received an Expansion for his efforts
NIC EXIT. The Fraternity voted to remove itself from membership in the North American Inter-fraternity Conference following that organizations near-quadrupling of fees, its stripping smaller fraternities from having voting privileges, its inability to assist us in any area over the years, and its moving to regulate areas of membership, administration and Ritual, which rightly belong to member fraternity. By a lopsided vote, it withdrawal from NIC membership was approved.
BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR. Our Budget was approved for the 2016-17, and it marks the fifth year without any increase in fees.
AMENDMENTS. The following amendments were passed by the National Council, all take effect immediately:
The Governance Amendment. This amendment provided governance structures for off-campus chapters that can be put in place by the District Governor; it also affirms the rights of chapters to exist and members to associate under the auspices of the First Amendment of the United State Constitution; and it makes the National President a defender of our Chapters.
The Fraternal Days of Observance Amendment. This amendment establish special days that our brother should observe in some way (for example, by wearing a white carnation or in some other appropriate way). The days of observance are:
- November 5, Founders Day;
- August 12, Deceased Brother Remembrance Day (date of Joseph Cangiamila’s death as our first deceased brother);
- February 19, Past National Presidents Day (date of Salvatore LaCorte’s Birthday, our first national leader);
- September 2, Open Door Policy Anniversary;
- The anniversary day of a chartering of a member’s chapter;
- October 12 or the second Monday in October, Columbus Day; and
- December 12, Brother Frank Sinatra’s Birthday.
Faciamus Pin. The Establishment of the Faciamus Pin to reward undergraduate members for activity in the Fraternity by attending the National Council meeting, the National Convention and visiting an entity more than 100 miles away from their chapter.
Alumni Association Award. The Establishment of an Outstanding Alumni Association Award. This brings to eight, the number of National Awards.
Elections. Elections were held: sitting National President, Jim Miller of Psi was elected National President for 2016-17; sitting New York City South Governor Todd Cusato of Beta Sigma was elected as National President. Matteo Vitale of Delta Theta was elected Chairman of Undergraduate Coordinating Committee and Jeffrey Breen of Gamma Sigma was re-elected as Chairman of the Alumni Coordinating Committee.
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