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National News

Beta Theta loses brother after battle with cancer

The following is a message written by Brad Hutston, former Noble Ruler at Beta Theta Chapter, about the recent loss of Chase McNelley. 

Alpha Gamma Rho lost a young man on Saturday Feb. 21, 2009, that exemplified to every degree what our organization is founded upon since day one. Brother Chase McNelley of the Beta Theta Chapter at Middle Tennessee State left this world peacefully to spend a wonderful eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a long hard battle with cancer.

Brother McNelley had a very close relationship with the Lord and told everyone that he was ready for the fight. He claims that the best part of his life was his time in the Fraternity. Chase made every brother smile and made all of us better men. He was exemplary in the classroom and loved the world of agriculture.

Please take a moment to keep Chase’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Through all of this, they have shown unbelievable strength and faith in their Lord and Savior. Though we lost a brother here on earth, we now have a brother who is living pain-free in heaven watching over his brothers across the country and ensuring that they too make themselves better men.

The Beta Theta Chapter is still continuing our Chase-ing Victory Campaign in honor of Chase because we believe that Chase was victorious. Thank you to all of those who have donated generous items to the cause. He is in a much better place, free of pain, watching over every brother. It is a short time of sorrow as we mourn, but it is an eternity of happiness knowing that Chase is so much better off and knowing that all of us were so deeply touched by him.

To help support McNelley please contact Beta Theta Noble Ruler, Paul Fendley

 
Florida alumnus recognized for long-term commitment to society

Morris, Myke

DENVER, Colo. -- Feb. 25, 2009 -- Florida alumnus Robert M. (Myke) Morris, ARA was recently recognized by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for 30 years of Membership within the Organization. Morris is an agricultural professional who provides services for clients which may include farm and ranch management, rural appraisal, and/or agricultural consulting.

Morris is a native of Hillsborough County, Fla., and has lived in eastern Hillsborough for more 25 years. He is a 1975 graduate of the University of Florida, where he was initiated by Alpha Gamma Chapter in 1974. In addition to serving as President of the Florida Chapter ASFMRA, he is a Charter Board Member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation and is currently its Secretary. He is also President of the Greater Hillsborough County Fair. He is a past President of the Florida 4-H Foundation.

Morris has been affiliated with ASFMRA, the largest and oldest professional association that provides opportunities for development through the highest quality educational and meeting offerings, and a strict standard of code of conduct and ethics to its members, for 30 years.

The ASFMRA represents nearly 2,500 agribusiness professionals across the U.S. and Canada, who provide farm or ranch management, rural appraisal and appraisal review or agricultural consulting services. Professional managers represent owners of over 25 million acres of U.S. farmland and provide the direct management of these operations. Professional rural appraisers provide valuation estimates on over 50 million acres of farm, ranch, and natural resource lands each year.

 
Montana State alumnus elected to State Senate

HUNTLEY, Mont. -- Feb. 23, 2009 -- In November 2008, Montana State alumnus Taylor Brown was elected as Montana State Senator. He represens Senate District 22 which stretches from Briarwood and Lockwood on the south side of Billings, all the way down the Yellowstone River to the edge of Miles City.

Since 1985, Brown and his wife, Shannon, have owned the Northern Broadcasting System, a regional radio and television network based in Billings, Mont. They have lived in this District since they bought their first home in Lockwood in 1985, later moving to the Huntley Project, where they have raised their three children.

During his term, Brown plans to push for environmentally responsible development of natural resources to grow energy and jobs as well as advocate for limited government and strong individual and Private Property rights among other issues.

Brown currently serves on the Senate’s Taxation, Education, and Agriculture committees. He was initiated by Alpha Delta in 1975.

To view more about Brown's issues, click here.

 
Western Illinois alum takes top honor at National Corn Yield Contest

Dempsey, Mark

MACOMB, Ill. -- Feb. 23, 2009 -- Western Illinois alumnus Mark Dempsey acknowledges his lifetime work in agriculture has not always been easy. But taking the top honor in the 2008 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) corn yield contest is one way he is reaping the reward for his years of effort.

Dempsey, who earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture science from Western Illinois University in 1987, grew up farming near Fowler, a small town close to Quincy in west central Illinois. "I came straight back to the family farm upon graduating," Dempsey said. "It can be a difficult way to earn a living, but it is a choice I don't regret. It's a great way to raise a family."

While attending Western in the late 1980s, Dempsey was intiated into Alpha Tau Chapter. He currently serves as the AGR Alumni Board President. As a student, he was also active in agriculture department activities and clubs, such as the livestock judging team and the Horn and Hoof club -- both of which still exist today at Western.

Dempsey credits WIU's ag department for providing him with meaningful ag-related experiences and an array of skills that helped him build a solid foundation for his successful career in today's competitive and evolving agriculture industry. "There is no doubt in my mind that my education at WIU was a great benefit to my farming career," Dempsey noted. "The marketing classes were some of the most interesting and most helpful."

Yielding a Winner

In addition to winning the NCGA corn yield contest (with his 348 bushels per acre) in the AA, non-irrigated category, Dempsey also won first place in the Illinois Corn Growers Association competition. Dempsey's 2008 honors are the culmination of years of work to develop his crop.

In an article about his yield in "Corn E-Digest," an electronic newsletter distributed by "Corn & Soybean Digest," Dempsey noted that he has been entering the NCGA contest for years. "The key to [the 2008] win was plentiful rainfall," Dempsey told "Corn E-Digest." "I placed second nationally in 2004 with a 320 bushel [per acre] yield. Then in 2005, 2006 and 2007, we had three drought years in a row. Basically, last year I had double the rainfall I'd had in 2005, 2006 and 2007, combined."

Though in the "Corn E-Digest" article Dempsey attributed rain as key to his 2008 success, he noted that individual innovation has been an important part of his production process as well. "The challenge of trying to produce a winning corn yield has helped me examine different ways corn can be grown. It's forced me to look at ideas that many farmers don't want to try. Some things work, some things don't. Nevertheless, to me, it's worth trying something new or different to see how it works. Ultimately, more bushels per acre add to my bottom line."

To read about Dempsey's winning corn yield in "Corn E-Digest," see "Corn Yield Winner Shares Top Tips For Success." Learn more about the NCGA 2008 corn yield contest winners at www.ncga.com/ncga-announces-corn-yield-contest-winners-12-19-08-0.

Information courtesy of Western Illinois University Relations.

 
Texas A&M undergrad wins academic quiz bowl
ATLANTA – Feb. 17 2009 – The Southern Agricultural Economics Association, a division of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists, held its annual convention where a Texas A&M AGR won the academic quiz bowl contest.

After competing six rounds, Matt Okeson and his teammates were declared the undefeated champions of the contest. The academic quiz bowl is a Jeopardy-style double elimination tournament where teams of three undergraduates compete against each other answering questions in areas such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Agribusiness and Finance, Management, Marketing, Quantitative Analysis and Resource Policy.

This year’s contest involved more 70 students from 10 universities spanning the southern region of the United States.

Okeson, a sophomore Agribusiness major at Texas A&M, was initiated in the fall of 2007 and is currently serving as Noble Ruler of the Beta Nu Chapter. He also serves as president of the TAMU Agricultural Economics Society and as Southern Region Vice President for the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association – Student Section.
 
AGR Ag teacher earns national education award

FULTON COUNTY, Ky. -- Feb. 17, 2009 -- When Fulton County High School teacher David Black was planning his landscaping business while a student at Murray State some 28 years ago, the furthest thing from his mind was being a teacher.

With the country in the midst of a recession, one of his professors smartly reminded him that it may not be the best time to start up such an endeavor and suggested he consider becoming a teacher — specifically, an “ag” teacher. The rest is history.

Long recognized for his passion for teaching, his students and his community, AGR alumnus Black was recently selected by the National Association of Agricultural Educators to receive the 2008 Outstanding Teacher Award in his region.

In recognition of his hard work and dedication to agricultural education, he was rewarded with a new 2008 Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

“David Black exemplifies the same strong, committed core values of hard work that define the Toyota Tundra,” said Keith Dahl, national manager of Engagement Marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “We are proud to know that the Tundra will play a part in helping David move forward in his quest to promote the future of the agriculture business to his students and throughout the community.”

The NAAE selected one agriculture teacher from each of its six regions across the U.S. to be named the area’s top educator. Each of the six educators received a new Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 pickup truck, equipped with Toyota’s 5.7L V8 engine. Six post-secondary educators selected by NAAE as the country’s top teachers in the collegiate ranks also received similarly equipped Tundra pickups. Toyota committed 12 trucks for the 2007 winners and another 12 for the 2008 winners. All will be given on a two-year lease.

“This honor is a big boost for our community,” Black said. “It isn’t just me that has earned this award and this accomplishment, but it is all the students I have taught over the last 27 years and their families.”

Since he began teaching at Fulton County High School in 1982, Black has stood by the philosophy that all students can learn and be successful. He encouraged them to set and reach their goals at their own level, both in and outside of the classroom. As part of his curriculum, he has developed and supervised an agricultural experience program that fit their interests while encouraging them to raise livestock, grow crops and work in local shops associated with agriculture.

“Some students have never thought of attending college and through some of these programs, realize that college may indeed be an option,” Black said. “I still love to see my students come in my class and have the light bulb go off when they realize that they could go on to bigger and better things. This award proves to the kids that an individual from a small, rural community can compete with anyone on a national level. After receiving the award and the truck, the kids now see firsthand that dreams are possible and they do come true.”

The Tundra truck giveaway is part of Toyota’s long-standing commitment to agricultural education in the U.S. The relationship with NAAE is part of a $1.4 million two-year commitment from the automotive manufacturer to the FFA Foundation. The sponsorship from Toyota, in its 30-year relationship with FFA, supports a broad spectrum of programs, including Can Hunger, a nationwide canned food drive challenge; Red, White and Forever Blue College Tour, a collegiate football tailgate road tour; the NAAE Tundra giveaway; and national chapter awards, National Day of Service, Million Hour Challenge and many FFA alumni outreach efforts.

Black plans on using the Tundra to continue to promote agricultural education throughout the community, region and state as well as at events on behalf of the NAAE and the national FFA.

Black was initiated by Alpha Omega in 1977.

information courtesy of NWTN Today.

 
Livestock Marketeers add two AGRs to its Hall of Fame

DENVER -- Feb. 3, 2009 -- The Livestock Marketeers, an informal fraternity of livestock fieldmen, auctioneers, sale managers and related livestock business leaders, inducted two AGRs into it's Hall of Fame.

Auctioneer C.K. “Sonny” Booth of Miami, Okla., and American Angus Association regional manager Chuck Grove of Forest, Va.,  were roasted by their friends and colleagues at the 44th Annual Banquet.

Booth attended Oklahoma State, where he was initiated by Pi Chapter. He was also a member of the livestock judging team and the Block and Bridle club. The OSU team won the National Western Stock Show competition in 1963 with Booth claiming high individual honors.

Booth's been an auctioneer for nearly 40 years, working with all breeds of cattle and horses. He has served as auctioneer for more than 4,000 livestock sales and travels 200 days a year selling purebred livestock. For the past several years, he’s also been affiliated with Williams & Williams Auction Co., Tulsa, Okla., specializing in premier farm and ranch properties.

He is a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the National Auctioneers Association and the North American Limousin Foundation. He is a past president of NALF and was honored in 1997 by the Oklahoma Limousin Breeders Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Grove, a Virginia Tech alumnus, has served the American Angus Association as a regional manager, representing the Angus breed in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee and previously Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Grove works closely with the Association and Angus Publications, Inc., publisher of the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin, to assist purebred and commercial breeders in selling and obtaining quality seedstock, advertising and promoting their programs. He also works as a liason promoting programs and services provided by the Association and its entities. Grove managed the National Western Angus Bull Sale, the only Association-sponsored sale, for 23 years.

His involvement in the Angus business goes back to his youth, as he was raised on his family’s registered Angus farm. As an active 4-H and FFA member, Grove represented Virginia on the 4-H livestock judging team and at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. He also served as a director of the Virginia Junior Angus Association. At Virginia Tech, he was an active member of the Beta Eta AGR Chapter and Block & Bridle club. He was employed as a student beef cattle herdsman for Virginia Tech’s beef farm and fit numerous champions for the University.

information courtesy of CattleNetwork.com.

 
Two AGRs win top awards at American Farm Bureau Convention

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Feb. 2, 2009 -- Tennessee young farmers and ranchers received top honors at the 90th American Farm Bureau Convention held in San Antonio, Texas. These young leaders competed against all 50 other states to be announced as the national winners in their respective competitions.

Maryland alumnus Donald Blankenship of Murfreesboro, Tenn., won the Achievement Award. He won a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, courtesy of Dodge and a $1,000 product voucher from Valvoline. He also received free registration to the 2009 American Farm Bureau Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9 in Sacramento, Calif.

The Blankenships operate 1500 acres of row crops and manage a 190 head Angus beef cow herd and 18 acres of specialty crops and a large hay operation. Blankenship was initiated by Beta Theta in 1994.

Tennessee-Martin alumnus Dan Strasser of Chapel Hill, Tenn., won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. He also received a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and free registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.

The Strassers and their family own of a 400-acre dairy farm and have recently started an agritourism operation, Memory Lane Farms. Strasser is employed full-time by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as director of Market Development. He was initiated by Alpha Upsilon in 1993.

 
Past Alpha Gamma Rho RVP dies after battle with cancer.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 25, 2009 – Former Alpha Gamma Rho Regional Vice President and Florida alumnus, Richard F. Kelly, died Jan. 24, 2009. He was 71 years old.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 31, at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Tallahassee. A reception will follow at the church. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m., Jan. 30, at the family’s home, 4449 Maylor Road, Tallahassee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alpha Gamma Rho Education Foundation, Richard “Coach” Kelly Scholarship Fund at 925 West Washington St., Monticello, FL 32344, or Haven Hospice, E.T. York Center, Gainesville, FL.

Kelly is survived by a large family including his wife, Nell; children, Lizette Kelly (Lance Peterson), Richard “Rick” Kelly, Jr. (Renee) and Bryce Kelly (Stacey); grandchildren, Leah Kelly, Bryce Kelly Jr. and Sarah Purcell (Michael); and great-granddaughter, Samantha Purcell. Survivors also include his father, Julian Kelly; and siblings, Pete Kelly (Delores), Don Kelly (Cheryl), Milton Kelly (Sara), Patricia Archer (Earl), Sylvia Thomas, Nancy Houle (John) and their families.

Born in Ocala, Fla., in 1937, Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Florida, where he was initiated by Alpha Gamma in 1958. He received a master’s degree in education in 1963.

Kelly made it his lifelong mission to honor the agricultural wisdom of the past while training the industry’s future leaders. He began his career as a high school agriculture teacher, went on to head the state FFA program and then served on the executive staff of the Florida Department of Agriculture. For almost 50 years, Kelly poured his free time and his own money into improving agriculture education and preserving Florida’s unique agricultural history.

He has been involved with Alpha Gamma Rho by directing the work of the Alumni Association and Educational Foundation at the Alpha Gamma Chapter. He spent 12 years as Regional Vice President of the Southeast Region, visiting chapters in eight states and making sure high academic standards were being met. He offered career counseling to Fraternity members and assisted in helping them find internships and summer employment. With every placement, he showed the satisfaction of a proud parent.

Kelly played a key role in establishing the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. For 20 years, he served as the Hall of Fame’s historian as well as the organizer of its annual banquet. On Feb. 10, Kelly will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

information courtesy of Tallahassee Democrat and Florida Department of Agriculture.
 
Organizers say The Villages were ideal for Winter Weekend Getaway

Winter Weekend Getaway group p

THE VILLAGES, Fla. -- Jan. 25, 2009 -- From professional conferences to high school throwbacks and military reconnections, The Villages has become a hot spot for hosting large events.

Ice-filled cocktails clinked and laughter echoed inside The Waterfront Inn’s Mangrove Room on Friday night. Near the doorway, Villager Zane Akins smiled as he welcomed 55 Alpha Gamma Rho members from across the country to a meet-and-greet.

The event was the first of several as part of the fraternity’s first “Winter Weekend Getaway”.

As a member of the organizing committee, Akins suggested The Villages as the site for the social conference. Co-committee member Doyle Jacklin said Akins didn’t have to do much convincing.

“I’m from Idaho, where it’s cold and there’s a wide range of facilities here,” Jacklin said.

Akins said most Alpha Gamma Rho visitors were “overwhelmed” by The Villages and all the community has to offer. “They just can’t believe there’s all this here.”

Convenience is another reason that organizers choose to host their large gatherings in The Villages. Villages organizers say the community’s visitor accessibility is another large-event plus.

courtesy of The Villages Daily Sun.

 
Beta Theta to raise funds for critically ill undergrad

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Jan. 23, 2009 -- Middle Tennessee undergraduate Chase McNelley is currently battling cancer after a recent relapse in May 2008. In honor of McNelley, Beta Theta Chapter has developed a fundraiser to assist the McNelley family with medical expenses.

McNelley was diagnosed with Non-Hodkins Lymphoma in June 2005. He then went through one year of intensive chemo and then one year of maintenance chemo. He was considered in remission in January 2006.

In May 2008, McNelley relapsed and his cancer returned. He was admitted to Vanderbilt hospital Sept. 26, where he is currently undergoing a stem cell transplant.

To help support McNelley please contact Beta Theta Noble Ruler, Paul Fendley. Click here to read his story.

"This is what fraternity is all about. We help our brothers as best we can in time of need.  I encourage all AGRs to offer their prayers, send cards of support and send whatever financial contribution they feel appropriate, " Grand President Larry Warren said. "The National Board of Directors join Beta Theta Chapter in wishing Chase a complete and speedy recovery.

McNelley was initiated by Beta Theta in 2007.

 
AGR welcomes new Fort Hays Chapter

FORT HAYS, Kan. -- Dec. 17, 2009 -- Fifteen years ago, local Fort Hays State alumni seeked interest in Alpha Gamma Rho. That interest developed into a colony, then into a charter and today, Alpha Gamma Rho’s newest chapter, Gamma Beta.

Gamma Beta began a new life as AGR’s 67th active chapter Dec. 6, during it’s installation. With 32 members strong, Gamma Beta has already established the tone, standards and traditions that reflect the professional, integrity-driven, world-class organization that is Alpha Gamma Rho.

Grand President Larry Warren spoke on behalf of the Fraternity as he welcomed each charter member to AGR. He encouraged members to remember key words to help them easily understand what A-G-R truly stands for.

“A” is for “alert”, “active” and “attached”. Recruitment is the life-line of every chapter. The chapter should stay alert for potential members and opportunities. Members must always be active and attached. AGR does not expire after graduation. The connection will last a lifetime, and the efforts members exert toward the Fraternity should live on past their four years at the University.

“G” is for “giving” and “getting”. The most important thing a member can give is his involvement. A member will only get what he gives to his chapter. The Fraternity, and in particular, the chapter, will always need a member’s expertise, talents, treasure, but most of all, they will need presence.

“R” is for “relationships” and “relativity”. It is crucial members maintain good relationships with the University, neighbors, other Greek houses on campus, other AGR Chapters and with the National Organization. Remember everything is relevant--the standards can vary depending on the situation, who is in charge and who is involved. To keep every aspect of the chapter relevant for the good of the Fraternity, utilize AGR’s new 10 Values for guidance.

“While it was hard getting there, it is even harder to stay there,” Warren said. “You are here, you have become Alpha Gamma Rho’s newest chapter, and for that, I congratulate you.”

 
AGR needs your help for developing new national directory

Alpha Gamma Rho is in the process of creating a new national directory and needs your cooperation. Harris Connect has started their phoning phase to gather the most accurate information on each AGR member. If you receive a phone call from Harris Connect, please answer their brief questions in efforts to keep all data in the directory current.

Below are some frequently asked questions you may refer to. If you have any other questions please call their toll-free number 1-800-767-6395:

When can I expect to hear from Harris Connect?
Monday through Friday, Harris Connect makes calls beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until about 9:00 p.m., in all time zones. They may try to contact you at work during the day, in the evening, or during the weekend at home. On Saturdays, they may call from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; on Sundays they call from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you are contacted at a time that is inconvenient for you, simply let the representative know. S/he will give you the Harris Connect toll-free number or will arrange to call you later.

Why did Harris Connect call me even though I completed my online questionnaire?
We've asked Harris Connect to contact everyone; primarily to make absolutely sure that the data we have is current. You'd be surprised how many people change jobs or move between the time they complete an online questionnaire and the time the directory is ready to print. Plus, we want to be sure that all information is correct so that our directory is accurate and useful.

If my name is listed in the directory, am I obligated to purchase a copy?
Although everyone will be given the opportunity to purchase his or her own copy of the directory, your name will be listed regardless of whether you decide to purchase a copy.

What if I don't want to be listed in the directory? What if I don't want certain pieces of information listed?
Harris Connect can still update your information for us, but will honor your specific request to exclude all or parts of your biographical data from the publication.

What happens if I don't order a directory now, but change my mind later?
We have arranged to print as many directories as are ordered before we go to press. So, if you do change your mind prior to publication, you can call [dedicated toll-free number—please refer to my e-mail].

What forms of payment will be accepted for the purchase of a directory?
The directory may be paid for by major credit card or check. Payment(s) may be made by credit card at the time of order or by check upon receipt of the invoice(s). We also offer installment payment plans, allowing you to pay a portion now and the rest later.

 
Greeks nationwide need your help

We are seeking your help with a Greek world effort to attach the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) to the economic stimulus package that the Congress will consider when it returns for a lame duck session later in November.

As you will recall, CHIA is a bill that would allow fraternities/sororities and other not-for-profit student housing entities to use tax-deductible charitable contributions to our affiliated educational foundations to make grants to house corporations that can be used to construct, modify, or otherwise improve the housing we own and operate nationwide. Current tax law prevents us from using funds in this way and that's a key reason our chapters often cannot raise the money needed to maintain and improve our housing.

Passing CHIA would allow the Greek world to significantly upgrade its housing in the future, improve the safety of that housing, and remain competitive in recruiting and retaining the best students on campus to join our organization.

We want you to make a phone call to one or two elected officials in your state, encouraging them to push for CHIA to be added to the pending economic stimulus bill.

Why It Matters Now

In September, we made significant progress in passing CHIA even though we ultimately fell short of getting it attached to the package of tax provisions that became law that month. Our progress in September included direct discussions about our bill and its merits with the top leadership in the House of Representatives and its Ways and Means Committee. Many of our biggest supporters in Congress made a special effort to push for our passage and they believe we have made real progress.

One of the things we could not do in September is explain the economic impact of passing CHIA. We have now collected data from most fraternities and sororities that addresses those questions and that material is now included in the talking points for the phone call campaign.

It is difficult to get attached to a major piece of legislation like the stimulus package that is moving quickly through Congress. One of the best ways to improve our chances of inclusion is to make sure that lawmakers hear about the importance of adding CHIA from as many constituents and friends as possible.

Please help us make our best effort in this short period of time to get CHIA considered for inclusion in the stimulus package.

About the Stimulus

We expect the stimulus bill to have a significant component of tax cuts aimed at spurring job creation and economic activity in both the short-term and long-term. Congressional discussions about what to include in the package are ongoing so the sooner we make significant contacts the better our chances of Representatives and Senators taking action to help us. Many of our talking points have an economic basis and it is important you hit these points in your conversations.

The economic stimulus bill is being drawn up in several Committees, including the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the Senate Appropriations Committee. In addition, top Congressional leaders are expected to be intimately involved in creating the final package. As a result, it is important that you ask the people you contact in Congress to be in touch with both top leadership in their respective chamber and with Committee leaders.

It is possible that Congress will work on a stimulus bill but that it won't become law this year but we want to make sure that we have taken our best shot at getting CHIA added to this bill if it does move through Congress.

Who Should You Speak With When You Call?

In cases where you have a personal relationship to the elected official, your goal is to reach the elected official directly. If you do not have a preexisting relationship with the elected official, please call his/her office and speak to a relevant staff member. The best staff members to speak with are: (1) the Chief of Staff; (2) the Legislative Director; or (3) the staff member who handles tax issues.

For more information, visit www.fraternalcaucus.org

 
Nominate Undergraduate Directors for 2009

Chapters may nominate one undergraduate brother from each chapter to serve as undergraduate director for 2009. Complete the candidate application form and send it to the Home Office at your earliest convenience.

The application from the nominated brother is due by Feb. 1, 2009. RVPs and others may submit nominating applications until March 1, 2009.

Undergraduate Director Position Description

Undergraduate Director Selection Process

Undergraduate Director Application

 
Alpha Gamma Rho
Beta Nu Chapter

P.O. Box 7718
College Station, Texas 77844-7718

nobleruler@tamuagr.com
Phone: 1-888-924-7946