Silicon Valley Alumni Club Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2002

Meeting called to Order at 7:58pm by Fra Mike Barko, Prior.

Reading of previous Minutes were waived.

Present:  Tim Burke, Jeff Zell, Jeff Kuch, Mike Barko, Vince
Contreras and Siatuu (STU) Lavatai.

I. Old Business:

  1. 1st Annual SVACoSAM salmon fishing charter
    1. This event was a total success! Here's the highlights:
      1. All 12 advanced paid fisherman showed (five were alumni), a total 27 fishermen aboard.
      2. Murple (aka. Mr. Jackpot) catches the biggest fish, a (35lbs salmon) and he wins the fishing boat jackpot!
      3. All 27 fishermen caught their limits (2 salmon each) and we caught one fish for Captain Joey's boat crew at (Farralon Islands). A great time for everyone!
      4. Photos were taken of this event. John Paine will get CD from Fra Joel Oldelson (Gamma Nu) to download fishing pics onto SVACoSAM Yahoo website.
  2. Brotherhood/Social Events
    1. San Jose Giants Baseball
      1. San Jose Giants versus (1st place) Modesto A's.
      2. Come out and spend Friday (August 23rd) at 7pm, with your Bro's at Municipal Stadium, San Jose (Corner of Alma and Senter Streets).
      3. Meet the alumni in the right field bleechers.
      4. Prices: Tickets are ($6) and stadium parking ($3).
      5. Snack Bar serves drinks and food, (BBQ chicken, sausages,burgers, etc.) so don't forget your wallet.
  3. Alumni Swimming Pool/BBQ party
    1. Confirmed date to be announced.
  4. SAMMY Scramble Golf Tourney (Part II)
    1. The scheduled site for this golfing event is the Moffett Field Golf Course (Mountain View, CA) and is planned to be held on Saturday (09/28/2002).
    2. We need twenty-eight (28) golfers, in order to confirm this event. If you know of anyone who wants to play, please send your replies and inquiries to Prior, John Paine via his email: (japaine1@aol.com).
  5. Brotherhood/Quarterly Social.
    1. This event is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday (09/17/2002) at 7pm.
    2. Location: Crown Plaza Hotel, (Palo Alto, CA).
    3. More details about this event will be sent in a future email

II. Reports

  1. Recorder Report
    1. Still posting alumni emails to SAMMY directory.
    2. We currently have 137 members on the SVACoSAM Yahoo website. Here's the URL:
      (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/siliconvalleysammies). So, if you haven't officially registered on Yahoo, then what are you waiting for. Register for your own Yahoo account, now!
  2. Exchequer Report ( per Jeff Kuch)
    1. Bank Account Total: $4614.00
    2. We never paid ($1200) to Sigma Sigma for their NEW stove because they never asked for it.
  3. Vice Prior Report. (as per Fra Stu Lavatai)
    1. Fra Mark Sanchez is contacting Double Tree manager, so we can reserve their ballroom for our Beta Delta 40th Anniversary Reunion. (Details to be sent in a future email)
    2. Fra Tim Burke is looking into other sites where we can hold our 40th Reunion.
  4. Prior Report (as per Fra John Paine)
    1. Fra Jonas Vogelhut (Psi Chapter) represented SVACoSAM. Fra Mark Versel (Beta Delta)represented Beta Delta chapter at SAMMY convention (Pittsburgh, PA).
    2. All legislation issues passed. Fra Vince Contreras (Beta Delta) was reelected for the Octagon Consul position. Congrats Vince!
    3. Fra Ellis Harris donated ($50) to SVACoSAM. Thank you Fra Harris! We have a net profit of ($378) as of Tuesday (08/20/2002).
    4. Fra Ed Starr (Rho chapter) is working in Los Angeles for Harbinger Equity, LLC and he is seeking money for his Venture Capital fund.
      1. If there are any alumni who would like more information or would like to invest into the VC fund, then please contact Fra Starr, via his email: (estarr@harbingerequity.com) or you may call: (310-474-4419).
  5. Octagon Counsel (no report)
    1. The 2002 SAMMY Convention saw 120 undergrad delegates representing 62 chapters/colonies/interest groups.
    2. Congratulations to Larry Leib, David Rice and Dr. Vince Contreras (Beta Delta) for their reelection to Octagon Consul seats. Fra Joseph Gebbie (Delta Chi) was elected undergraduate consul.
    3. Here's the National Officers:
      1. Supreme Prior: Lee Manders, Vice Supreme Prior: Larry Leib, Supreme Exchequer: David Rice and Supreme Recorder: Lenny Dave.
      2. Secretary of the Endowment Fund is Fra Alvin Cohn.
    4. Beta Chapter (Cornell) awarded with The Founders Cup. This is Beta's third consecutive win, a feat accomplished only once before by Syracuse in 1923, 1924 and 1925.
    5. Other awards: Supreme Prior's Award goes to Florida International University (Delta Zeta chapter). Jimmy Hammerstein Award goes to one SAMMY chapter from each province: UNLV (Delta Upsilon) in the Pacific Province and University of Arizona (Beta Gamma) in the West Coast Province.
    6. The Sam.org web page has an updated look and will have updated information available soon.
    7. The National Headquarters has purchased a scanner and character recognition software. These items will be used to convert manuals and other documents to electronic format for updating, electronic distribution and posting on the Sam.org website.
    8. SAMMY National Rep is due to come out to San Jose State University during fall 2002 or spring 2003. More details will be provided once we receive a confirmed date when the Rep will be travelling to Beta Delta.

      If you have any questions about convention or the Octagon, please contact Dr. Vince Contreras via his email: (DrWho@att.net).

III. New Business:

  1. Beta Delta Re-Colonization (as per Fra Tim Burke)
    1. Fra Tim Burke is attempting to contact the San Jose State University (SJSU) Greek Life Coordinator: Angela Harper.  Unfortunately, Ms. Harper has NOT replied to Fra Burke's letter.
    2. A copy of Fra Burke's letter was presented to the SVACoSAM council at tonight's meeting. Tim will keep us updated when he receives a reply from Ms. Harper.
    3. Fra Burke informs the SVACoSAM council that the re-colonizing process is simple, by completing one background/contact worksheet. Beta Delta left the SJSU greek life system in good standing. Mandatory absence period for a fraternity, in the SJSU Greek Life system, is five years which expires fall 2002 or fall 2003. Fra Burke is confirming our return date.
  2. Annual Letter/Annual Appeal
    1. Fra Jeff Zell proposes to list all Brotherhood/Social events in the SVACoSAM Annual Letter/Annual Appeal.
    2. Fra Vince Contreras proposes that SVACoSAM council should prepare the annual alumni mailings in the fall to be distributed by January. SVACoSAM council has taken both proposals into consideration.

IV. Announcements:

The next alumni gathering is our Brotherhood/Quarterly Social which is scheduled on Tuesday,(09/17/2002) at 7pm at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Palo Alto. More details will be provided in a future email.

V. Good & Welfare.

VI. Meeting Adjourned


Alumni Club Meeting Minutes recorded by Lavatai