RI Beta Phi Kappa Psi

Mar 04 2010

AHC Board elected for the 2010-2011 Year.

Rhode Island Beta Chapter Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity The Alumni members of the 2010 - 2011 AHC board are: Chris Conti – President Tom Linhares – Vice president Joe Hart – Treasurer Jim Grueb - Secretary John Spagnolo – Member at large Ray Marshall - Member at large Bruce Tavares - Member at large Mike Chmura - Member at large Andy Marcoux - Member at large Walter Augustyn - Member at large Patrick Rossoni - Member at large Lee Arnold – founding member for the chapter and construction of the house in 1969

Jan 13 2010

Navy Capt. Jim Cunha - New Command

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Navy has named a new commanding officer for the > U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in > Newport, R.I. > > Navy Capt. Jim Cunha of Rumford, R.I., is stepping in for Capt. Anthony > Barnes. > > Barnes temporarily held the job after Capt. Leland Hart Sebring was relieved > of duty in August. > > The preparatory school is responsible for strengthening academic skills of > about 300 potential candidates each year for the Naval Academy. A year at > the school can improve a candidate's chances of receiving an appointment to > the academy in Annapolis and succeeding there.

Dec 27 2009

Congrat's to Br. Ray Marshall for Narr. Bay Comm. Overflow Award

If you missed the announcement lets all congratulate Br. Ray Marshall for his overflow tunnel project at the Narr. Bay Commission has been voted Best Civil/Public Works project for 2009 by New York Construction magazine the top award for this industry publication. Ray all the best for the new year and phase 2 of the project.

Dec 20 2009

AHC President's Year End Report

Dear brothers and friends: As this year comes to an end for the current AHC Board at our next Founder’s Day dinner on Saturday, February 6, 2010, I want to take this opportunity to summarize the events of this past year and allow you to measure our accomplishments and review the tasks that remain for Rhode Island Beta. Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – Leasing committee chairperson Mike Chmura #118 – Furniture committee chairperson Steve Macchioni #271 – Social committee co-chairperson Carl Disanto #300 – Social committee co-chairperson John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large Andy Marcoux 134 – Member at large Lee Arnold #28 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large Our #1 priority continues to be to retain and preserve the chapter house: • ZTA sorority took possession of the house on July 1. ZTA has a 3 year lease with options for two 1 year renewals. The lease term matches the expiration of our National suspension and expected time to re-charter our chapter. The sorority painted and moved in new furnishing including a grand piano with thanks to Joe Hart for coordinating the move in. The place looks great. • Installed the bricks from phase 1 in our front walk. If you have already bought a brick thank you but please consider buying another one if you haven’t bought a brick don’t miss phase 2 and buy a brick today. • I am happy to report that in light of the inherited operating deficit from the fall 2008 semester of $69,000 we ended on August 31 our fiscal year end with only a slightly higher deficit of $82,000. The turn-around was due to: o A board philosophy adhering to strict cost controls. o Although we had fewer occupant and had to accept a lower room and board reimbursement rate from the University boarders the key was having occupants for the spring 2009 semester that cared for the house by not causing excessive damage. o The board’s demand for timely monthly financial reporting. o Joe Hart’s tireless efforts as treasurer. • We have completed the first year of our new mortgage and in light of the operating deficit we missed a key cash flow covenant with the bank. The board worked throughout the year to reestablish our credibility with the bank and our loan remains under credit review. • We started September 2009 the new fiscal year with an operating budget that meets the bank loan requirement for cash flow. To date we continue to work at meeting our cash flow projections. Other agenda items: • As usual the annual basketball game held in February 2009 was also a great success thanks to Br. Guglietta. This has become an important social event for alumni of R.I. Beta since the demise of homecoming events. Thanks Bill looking forward to the next one maybe URI will win this time. • Our social committee headed by Steve “Big Mac” Macchioni and Carl “Meat” Disanto held a new event a beer tasting event in June and our annual pop-top golf event in September. Traditionally funds raised at the social events go to our national scholarship fund, this year funds were applied to the repair costs to the house. Great year for R.I. Beta’s social calendar and thanks to the hard work by Steve and Carl. Stay tuned for both of these events in the new year. • Under the direction of Bruce Tavares, Br.s Andy Marcoux and Mike Chmura have created the Chapter Advisor’s Council. The council will act independently from the AHC but provide a committee report to the AHC. o The primary purpose of this council is to provide the undergraduate members with the support needed to be a successful chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. A secondary benefit is that the undergraduate chapter will no longer be directly supervised by the AHC. This will allow the AHC to concentrate on its primary responsibilities to preserve the financial security of the corporation and retain and preserve the chapter house. This council has much work to do: o Plan and prepare for the re-charter of our chapter. and plan and prepare for the re-charter of our chapter. o Attend national education programs. o Coordinate the National response team for re-colonization. o Promote the ideals of our National Fraternity to the undergraduate chapter. o Promote the adherence to the University guidelines for a fraternity. o Maintain the guidelines for the R.I. Beta national scholarship fund. o Provide support and guidance for the new rush program. o Provide support and guidance for the successful operation of an undergraduate chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. o Recruit new members to the advisor’s council. • We have utilized the ribeta.com website to regularly post updates and items of interest. If you have not visited the site please make it a habit so you can stay up to date with the chapter. We still have much to do in the remaining time left for the term of this board and beyond. • Restore the sinking fund budget of funds necessary for the future needs to physical structure of the building. • Continue to meet our bank obligations and prepare for the refinancing of the mortgage. • Replace the lost or stolen historical artifacts. • Replace furnishings in each room that date back to 1969. • Resolve final legal issues related to the general contractor for the renovations and prior building committee agreements. • We must continue to be a gracious and supportive landlord to our new tenant. ZTA is a new national chapter at URI and with our help to foster a great relationship they will prosper and become a life long partner to RI Beta. ZTA can become an important partner for our rush needs when we re-colonize. • Foster continued interest in our social events to strengthen the bonds we share as alumni and hope to recruit more volunteer support. • Assist the University to complete the expansion and improvement plan for Fraternity Circle though our continued participation in the Inter-fraternity Alumni Council. • Improve the communication of alumni and chapter reports to the Shield and URI Quadrangles magazines. • As another rush tool we need to increase participation in contributing to the RI Beta Chapter scholarship fund with National. • Energize the Chapter Advisor Council to prepare the steps necessary with National and the University for the re-colonizing of our undergraduate chapter 4 years from now. Point of information: As we all reach that time in life to begin estate planning please keep in mind “where there’s a will there’s a way” Please remember the R.I. Beta Scholarship fund held by our National Endowment Fund and the Alumni House Corporation as a great legacy with R.I. Beta. Please log on to the new ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you to all the AHC members for their tireless efforts during this difficult year and to all the alumni for your continued support. Happy holidays and a very happy new year to all. Fraternally, CC #400…

Jun 26 2009

Beer Tasting

Brothers: With all the experience we have with those 100 keg parties back in the day no suprise our 1st annual beer tasting went off without a hitch. Many thanks to the hard work and dedication of Steve "Big Mac" Macchioni and Carl "Meat" Disanto. Not only was there plenty beer but the lovely beer pourers were a nice touch. Narragansett's Boch Beer definitely had the longest line. Must bring a smile to Vinny Prattico that after all these year we Phi psi's still drink 'Gansett... Hat's off to Mike "Dougie" Douglas and John "Goodie" Goodwin. They definetly take the prize for making it from one end of the room to the other and tried every one of the selections...of course "Disco" Joe Natale was in mourning for MJ's passing but didn't leave the event empty handed. To all who attended it was great to see you all at this social event and to those who could not attend hope to see you at our next event. Stayed tuned for coming events. Fraternally CC #400

May 13 2009

AHC President's 100 Day Report 5.16.09

Dear brothers and friends: I am honored to write this letter on behalf of the new board of directors of our house corporation. The following were elected February 7, 2009 at our Founder’s Dinner and the selection of officers held at our first meeting on February 16; Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – Leasing committee chairperson Mike Chmura #118 – Furniture committee chairperson Steve Macchioni #271 – Social committee co-chairperson Carl Disanto #300 – Social committee co-chairperson John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large Andy Marcoux 134 – Member at large Lee Arnold #28 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large For those of you that have not been keeping up with the events from 4 Fraternity Circle here is a brief summary: • Fall 2007 received $900,000 bank loan and renovations began to exterior siding and windows of the house. • February 2008 new board elected to the house corporation. • Sept 2008 $1.2 million renovation completed to the house and undergraduate members move in. First damage reported within 24 hours of undergraduates moving in. • December 2008 undergraduate member arrested on drug charges. • January 2009 Chapter suspended by URI and National Phi Kappa Psi with total damage to house at $32,000 and a fiscal operating deficit of $69,000. • February 2009 new board elected to house corporation. The agenda for our new board this year has been ambitious: • #1 retain and preserve our house for our alumni and the eventual return of the chapter: o We have repaired all damage done to the house. o Installation of a laundry room removed from the original plan during the renovation at approx. cost of $10,000 is being directed by Tom Linhares. o Secured a lease with ZTA Sorority that will insure our financial ability to meet our bank loan obligations and utilize the house until we have completed re-colonizing our Chapter. o Completed our first capital campaign with the installation of 73 bricks in our new front walk planned for the end of May. Proceeds used to pay for laundry room. Thank you to all who participated. o Sourced approximately 50 bed frames to replace many of ours that date back to 1969. o Recognition must be singled out for Joe Hart who has worked to hold the line on the inherited operating deficit while managing the everyday responsibilities that are required to run house. • Rebuild our relationship and credibility with the University, FMA, National and the bank: o We have initiated a letter campaign and conversations with all of our partners to begin rebuilding their confidence in our management. We have seen and incredible response of support from all of these partners with all their assistance in our accomplishments to date. o As a partner with ZTA, the University and FMA to strengthen the Greek community on campus we have pledged our support in any way we can for the success of the new ZTA chapter at URI. • Prepare for the bank review of our mortgage: o As a result of the operating decisions of last year we will miss a financial cash flow covenant on our bank loan this fiscal year. We face a credit review for a waiver of this covenant and a refinancing of the loan within 48 months. • Reorganize the Alumni Association: o We have met National’s guidelines to re-charter the Rhode Island Alumni Association after the recent suspension by National. The need for an alumni association is to have voting rights at the GAC meetings. Thanks to Bruce “The Beast” Tavares with his National position has worked through the red tape with National and has filed the application necessary for recognition. This was only possible with the additional support for the Alumni Association board of Robert Ferri #301, David Gorgone #283 and Nick Capezza #278. Thank you all for your help for us to once again be a recognized participant at National. o Addition of new social events to restore alumni support of the chapter. “Big Mac” Steve Macchioni and Carl “the Meat” Disanto have created our social committee and have some great events in the works including our old favorite the pop-top. Billy Guglietta #399 has also continued to support this mission with keeping the tradition of the annual URI basketball game held with a brunch at the house each February. • Update the RI beta website ribeta.com: o Thanks to Frank Lee #343 who continues to volunteer a significant amount of his time has rebuilt the site with new features and more functionality. Thanks to Joe Hart and David Leaver #273 for their valued input with this project. The goal is to provide consistent updating of the site as a constant communication link for the house corporation and chapter. This letter has been posted to the site as our start to accomplish this task. In addition we will broadcast correspondence from the email addresses that register on our website. We have completed 14 weeks of our term as a new house corporation board and you can see from above our accomplishments in our first 100 days. More importantly I trust you can see the renewed energy every one of our board members has brought to our mission along with all the alumni and partners that have stepped up to make these accomplishments happen. To our new committees to our ongoing projects every member has taken on a role in our success. As I am, you too should be very proud of this board and all those working with us. We still have much to do in the remaining time left on the term of this board. • First and foremost is to meet our obligations to the bank and our responsibilities of our mortgage agreement. • Restore the sinking fund budget of funds necessary for the future needs to physical structure of the building. • Replace the lost or stolen historical artifacts. • Initiate phase 2 of our on going capital campaign to sell bricks to complete the front walk. • Replace furnishings in each room that date back to 1969. • Resolve final legal issues related to the general contractor for the renovations and prior building committee agreements. • We must be a gracious and supportive landlord to our new tenant. ZTA is a new national chapter at URI and with our help to foster a great relationship they will prosper and become a life long partner to RI Beta. • Foster renewed interest in our social events to strengthen the bonds we share as alumni and hope to recruit more volunteer support. • Assist the University to complete the expansion and improvement plan for Fraternity Circle though our continued participation in the Inter-fraternity Alumni Council. • Increase participation in contributing to the RI Beta Chapter scholarship fund with National as a rush tool. • Create a Chapter Advisor Council. • Prepare the steps necessary with National and the University for the re-colonizing of our undergraduate chapter 4 years from now. Please log on to the new ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you for your continued support. Fraternally, CC #400…

Apr 20 2009

The Brick Campaign IS BACK!!!!

Below & to date are the requests that we have received so far! I know there is still one more name that was lost in transition, so if you don’t see your name, please let me know ASAP. I haven spoken to the brick company and would like to place an order before the year is out. The more we order, the bigger the discount; not to mention that prices will probably rise in 2009! So far we have only received 34 orders; this represents only 25 brothers or .02% of the entire Phi Kappa Psi Brothers (1966 to 2008)! I personally would like to put a challenge out there! Let’s get to 100 bricks by Thanksgiving and 200 by Christmas!!! I am also personally challenging all AHC Board Members past & present and all bothers who lived in the house during my years of 1978 to 1984. We have risen to so many occasions over the years and most recently – The Carl Ruggieri Family Fund. So let’s make this happen!!! Brick costs are $250 per brick and as you can see, multiple brothers have bought more than one!!! What a great idea it is to donate a brick to one of long lost brothers!!! What does this $250 actually include? Well, it includes 2 bricks with one being sent back to you for your memories (only if so desire) as well as installation of the brick. If you don’t desire a second brick, please let me know. We anticipate using this money to fund or partially fund the completion of the deck! The house is now complete and while we did not furnish all he room, we were able to purchase all new mattresses and new furniture for the formal Chapter Room. Lastly, I have received a few emails and recognize the times of our economy. If you would like to make other arrangements, please contact me personally. I hope this answers all the questions I received and please reach me at the following addresses and numbers and PLEASE – forward this to any brother you may have contact with!!! Amici, Joe Hart

Apr 20 2009

Terry Hermans

COL Mark Barbosa writes: “Greetings, apologize for taking so long to write, but events have kept us pretty busy lately. Just wanted to pass along that I had the pleasure of hosting a visit from COL Terry Hermans (a URI Grad) a couple of weeks ago here at Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, Iraq (see attached Photo). I now Command the 7th Sustainment Bde out of Ft. Eustis, Virginia which is responsible for all Logistics South of Baghdad and North of the Kuwait Border. Terry Hermans commands the 4th Sustainment Bde out of Ft. Hood, Texas which is responsible for the movement of all Theater Commodities and equipment out of Kuwait to every corner of Iraq - he and his folks are doing awesome work and we couldn't do what we do without him. COL Charlie Flynn (another URI Grad) was tied up when Terry stopped by is also here at COB Adder. Charlie Commands the 1/82nd Brigade Combat Team out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He and his Devil Team have the largest brigade area to control in Iraq, but they've done an incredible job and will be a tough act to follow when he's replaced. In short, URI has 3 Brigade commanders either here in Iraq or Kuwait commanding at the same time. Many have asked - who’s left in Rhode Island with you three here?! Please know, a positive difference is being made each and every day. We all miss and frequently reminisce about our college years at URI. Take are and Hooah! MARK J. BARBOSA COL, LG Commander, 7th Sustainment Brigade Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, Iraq DSN: 833-5093 (Unclass)

Apr 20 2009

Bowers’ legacy at URI

Journal Sports Writer SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Many colleges and universities have an institutional face, that man or woman whom students, alumni and community leaders instantly identify with the school. Dave Zucconi was the face of Brown University for 50 years until his death, in 2003. Bill Bowers was the face of the University of Rhode Island for almost as long until his retirement this month. Bowers was assistant director of athletics for operations at the time of his departure, but he is best known for his years of work in the alumni office and for about a decade in marketing and promotions in the athletics department. Among his many responsibilities, he directed the halftime activities for football and basketball games, organized bus trips to away games, and was the contact for events ranging from the URI Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner to fundraising golf tournaments. Bowers attended URI in the 1960s and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He remained involved in fraternity activities and several years ago secured a grant for computers. In addition to Bowers and Lauren Anderson, senior associate director of athletics, other department employees who retired this month are Jeanne Helma, assistant to the athletics director, who worked at URI for 28 years, and Dave Bascom, a member of the grounds crew. Sue Bergen, associate director of athletics for finance, has assumed Anderson’s role as senior woman administrator, and Gina Sperry, an academic adviser, has been promoted to associate director of athletics and associate senior woman administrator

Apr 20 2009

Mr. Chace is probably every student's happy school memory

Gym teacher David Chace is retiring after 35 years By ELIZABETH ABBOTT, Valley Breeze & Observer, Correspondent GLOCESTER - David Chace knew something was up. Co-workers would stop talking when he entered a room. He saw his daughter collecting money from fellow teachers at West Glocester Elementary School. Little things like that. But no way did he expect to see 250 people gathered at Wright's Farm last Thursday night to celebrate his retirement after 35 years of teaching gym in Glocester's elementary schools. The turnout staggered him, embarrassed him, shocked him, he said, even though he suspected some sort of party was being planned. "I was humbled that so many people were there," Chace told The Valley Breeze & Observer last week. But for the people who attended the party in Chace's honor, it wasn't at all surprising to see such a large crowd. Not for a kind-hearted teacher who has left his imprint on thousands of schoolchildren over the years, a man who always made gym class an exercise in laughter and imagination and tried, always, to see things from a child's point of view. "He just had a way with children. He could relate to them whether they were in kindergarten or in 5th grade," said Deb Autiello, a secretary at West Glocester Elementary School, whose children had Chace for a teacher. "He treated everyone like they were special," recalled Amber Kelley, a former student. "Mr. Chace is probably every student's happy school memory," she said. A Warwick native, Chace began his teaching career as a substitute in the Glocester school system after he got out of the Army reserves in the early 1970s. He thought he wanted to teach at the middle and high school level but after spending time at the elementary school, "my heart was alive," he said, adding, "I fell in love with elementary school." So he stayed, teaching the Hustle during the disco years, square dancing at other times, volunteering to run the school's annual Field Day and bike hike, supervising games of dodge ball, all the while using "Mr. Chace's Rules" to keep his young charges in line. Kids like to pretend, so he often used imagination and acting in his classes, never exempting himself from the fun. "If I have to pretend I'm crying, I'll pretend I'm crying," he said. Chace found himself in the northern part of the state because he had married a Chepachet girl. "She's still my girl," he said of his wife Cindy. In time, they had four children. His two daughters, Lisa and Amy, followed him into teaching and now both work in the Glocester school system. His sons, Jesse and David, are serving in the military, stationed at Fort Meade and Fort Bragg, respectively. David was not able to make it to the party, but Jesse did. Jesse has been to Iraq twice since the war started. "My wife had to warn me that Jesse was coming because she knew I'd cry," Chace said. Chace was always more about laughter than tears, though. "He always told his students, 'I'm the prettiest gym teacher in the state,'' said Autiello. So he was funny, right? "Absolutely," she said. The crowd at Wright's Farm included current teachers and former teachers, current students and former students, family, friends and school administrators. Some people he hadn't seen in 20 years, Chace said. When he entered the room, they all blew their gym whistles and at the end of the party, to celebrate Chace's famous love of sports, they sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game ... Take Me Out to the Park...' The day after the party found Chace at home with a day off from work, thoughtfully arranged ahead of time by his family. In a manner at once modest and wry, he described his teaching philosophy as simply trying at all times to understand what his students are going through, to put himself in their shoes. "I remember the very first year I was teaching. I had a girl who broke her glasses. She was so sad,' Chace recalled. So he took her by the hand and talked to her about how she felt. He didn't dismiss her. "You have to have empathy for the kids," Chace said. In the beginning, when he started teaching, Glocester was "an old country town, where everyone knew everyone," Chace said. Judging by the turnout at Wright's Farm Thursday night, that small town feeling is still very much alive, at least when it comes to saying goodbye to a beloved teacher.