> Fundraising Committee
Mission:
Develop support for the preservation of the Anthemios Chapter House
Strategic Plan:
Preservation Goals and Fundraising Strategy
Charette / Conceptual Ideas (CC site):
Addressing historic preservation, system renovations and housing market competitiveness
Master Plan (CC site):
Initial Study of past reparations and investigation of future renovations
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An open letter to the Brothers of Alpha Rho Chi:
Save Your Anthemios Chapter House
A while back, I had been inspired by brother Kirkpatrick to become re-connected with APX after a long hiatus. At the time, I was more interested in renovating the kitchen than concerned with the structure that surrounded it. I have also been reminded that the house is more than just a building. It is a symbol of the brotherhood we all shared then and still share now. If you need a powerful reminder about how brotherhood is still very relevant today, read Brother Gregory S. Pelley's article on page 2 of the spring 2006 Alpha Rho Chi Letter.
With the understanding that we have more than just a building on the National Register of Historic Places, this endeavor has turned into a much larger scale capital improvement project instead of a fundraising campaign to provide better equipment. I am not complaining by any means for what is the point in focusing on one aspect of the house if the rest of it is falling apart? The one thing I fear most is that at our 100 year anniversary, alumni from all generations come together and ask why no one told them that we were in danger of losing our heritage at a time when something could have been done about it. My fear is not unsupported. For this very scenario has happened within our brotherhood before and we are now one of the very few chapters of Alpha Rho Chi that still have a physical home.
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> Donations and Sponsorships
Interested in making a donation?
We have established a separate account called the "Anthemios Preservation Fund". All contributions are tax deductible under IRS law. This account will be used only for pre-approved and pre-bid work per drawings prepared by our Historic Preservation Team. Draws will only be executed per a standard contractor application for payment (AIA -G702) accompanied with appropriate waivers of lien.
Checks can be made out to:
- Anthemios Preservation Fund
And sent to:
- APX c/o Blissard
238 E. Bailey, Unit L
Naperville, IL 60565
Online by Paypal:
Questions? contact:
Laureen Blissard
Fundraising Director
fundraising@anthemios.org
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I could tell you about the fact that if we don't have a sprinkler system installed by November of 2009 there will be no Anthemios Chapter house. I could also ask you what would be the point of doing all the work needed for the sprinkler system if we didn't address the structural, electrical, and mechanical issues at the same time. For too long we have been reactionary, but not because of lack of knowledge, we are after all primarily an architectural fraternity with members that cross the building industry and are allied to the cause. Our issue is that we have never had the resources to 'do it right' and we have value engineered ourselves into obsolescent housing that threatens the welfare and life-safety of its occupants.
This is not a shock tactic. We are charged with protecting the public, so how about our own? Our competition is fierce and we must add value for the future as well as preserve the past. We have a strategy and we have changed how Anthemios works. The Control Corp, Alumni Association, and the actives communicate regularly and are all on the same page. And, we all know that we have our responsibilities to rise to the occasion. Soon, the active and alumni members will be in a fight to survive that no one ever anticipated. It is not for you to decide if we will fight. That decision has been made and we are taking a stand. You can decide only one thing. Whether we win or lose.
- Now is the time when we can be proactive.
- Now is the time to save the house.
- Now is the time to preserve brotherhood.
Laureen Blissard, AIA - '89
Fundraising Director
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