The triennial convention held in San Antonio Aug 2-5, 2001 was fun and hot. The Fraternity and the San Antonio club did an outstanding job in organizing the event, held at Trinity University, with excursions to a carillon concert and the Riverwalk. 

Dallasites were prominent in this year’s convention. International President, Wynona Lipsett, demonstrated her ability and poise throughout the convention, here with Nancy Laine, formerly of Dallas, and Conference Liaison and Alumni Chapter President of San Antonio.

Patty Crenshaw (right) presented her comedy show to an appreciative audience. Claudia Jameson was a soloist in the choir concert that performed Katie Freiberger’s Short Settings from the Rubiayat of Omar Khayyam. Our business delegate, Sylvia Lerch, is a member of the Finance Committee, one of four standing committees. Sandra McMillan is District Director for this district. 

Also attending from Dallas were Cynthia Wadley, Kay Newman and Mary Williams. Cynthia, Kay and Sylvia were honored at a luncheon for 50+ year members.

Former Dallas members attending were Nancy Laine and Barbara Harris Polomé of Austin (whose three daughters played), and Karolyn Hays who now lives in Clovis, NM.

The Harris family

Just the Facts

264 people registered

101 delegates

This board, elected three years ago, will serve two more years – until the Centennial Celebration in 2003

There are 136 chartered collegiate chapters

There are 87 active chapters

There are 42,241 members, including 1402 collegiate members

There are 63 active alumni chapters

45% of members are on e-mail

Some of the Awards

International Competition winner – violinist Jorge Avila (He will be performing across the nation for the next two years, hosted by Mu Phi chapters.)

2001 Elizabeth Mathias Award: Katherine Freiberger (Dallas), Bettye Krolick (Denver), and Ann Davis (Washington, D.C.)

Alumni Chapter of the Year: Denver

Best newsletter: Sacramento

Best yearbook: Denver

Best website: Dallas

Service/Volunteer hours: Dallas was among several chapters that received an award. We averaged 16.8 hours of service per member. (Other chapters average as much as 100 hours per member.) Start now keeping track of your service/volunteer hours to report in May. We may very well not have reported everything that our members do. More guidelines in the next issue.

Convention Issues

The Fraternity is experiencing lower income for operations and conventions that will make it difficult to fund the convention in 2003. This is due to:

·        Fewer collegiates becoming members

·        Fewer alumni and aging of the alumni chapters with few collegiates affiliating with alumni chapters; fewer chapters and fewer members

·        260 Emeritus members (over 80 years old) who do not pay dues

·        Rising costs for printing and mailing of The Triangle

·        Decrease in value of investments due to poor stock market

·        The next convention in two years rather than in three years, reducing the time available to raise money for convention expenses (Note: all delegate fees are now paid by Mu Phi)

·        Life subscriptions to The Triangle; members who purchased life subscriptions long ago have gotten their money’s worth from the subscription and presently receive their magazines free

Resolutions and Decisions

Amendments to the International By-laws were proposed that would raise dues and lower expenses paid to delegates for conventions. The full text of the changes will appear in the next Triangle. The delegates passed resolutions calling for a $2 increase in collegiate dues (from $23 to $25) and an increase of alumni dues $7 (from $35 to $42 for regular members; from $25 to $32 for life subscription members. Please add $7 to the dues notice you received.

They also passed an amendment that reduces expenses paid for collegiates from all lunches and dinners to “certain” lunches and dinners. Other delegates will receive travel expenses, but will be responsible for their own registration, housing and meals. Both resolutions contained the phrase, “This is not to prohibit the fraternity from paying some of these expenses at its discretion.” The intent is for the Fraternity to pay as much of the delegates’ expenses as it is able without binding it to an untenable position.

An additional resolution was sent to the Standing Rules Committee for further consideration that would establish an Annual Giving Campaign for contributions by chapters and individuals to the general fund.

A misunderstanding by many chapters about Emeritus status was clarified. The original change to the by-laws states that Emeritus member MAY ELECT not to pay dues. This was put in place so that older members who could not afford to remain members would do so. Many chapters began sending notices to Emeritus members that their balance was $0, so these members have not been paying. The original intent was to lessen hardship. So if you are over 80, you are not required to pay dues. But if you are able to do so, be advised that Mu Phi Epsilon needs your dues.

Centennial Project

Postal address

935 Nature Drive, Duncanville TX 75116

Electronic mail

President/ General Information - Mary Ann Taylor:  mataylor7@juno.com

Mary Williams: txtravel@flash.net