Direct Your Attention to the Directory

Sigma Alpha Epsilon has partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc., to produce a new commemorative alumni directory. The Fraternity last published a directory in 2005, and the current project should be released in the second half of 2009 with up-to-date information on our more than 185,000 living alumni.

You may receive a postcard or may be contacted by Publishing Concepts, or PCI, to update your personal information for this project. Rest assured, this outreach to our alumni, though contracted through a third party, is official communication from Sigma Alpha Epsilon. PCI is a legitimate company working with Sigma Alpha Epsilon on this project. And in order for us to maintain the most accurate records at the Fraternity Service Center, we ask for your support for this data-collection process.

According to PCI, the directory will be published once we have received all the data from our alumni, which normally takes about 12 months. This new commemorative alumni directory will offer additional features, such as notations about brothers who’ve passed to Chapter Eternal and useful sections that contain information and breakdowns by state, profession and chapter designation.

If you have specific questions about the directory, you can contact the project liaison at the Fraternity Service Center, Brandon Weghorst, at (847) 424-3038 or at bweghorst@sae.net.

Tasking those Taxes

Beginning in 2008, tax-exempt organizations with gross receipts of $25,000 a year or less will be required to remind the IRS of their tax-exempt status by filing a Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations not required to File Form 990 or 990- EZ. The change will affect most Sigma Alpha Epsilon undergraduate chapters, alumni associations and house corporations. These organizations will be required to submit electronically a Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard, to the IRS annually.

The new filing requirement will take effect for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, and the due date is the 15th of the 5th month following the end of your fiscal year. Organizations that are required to file a Form 990-PF and those required to file a standard Form 990 or 990-EZ tax return are exempt from this requirement.

The PPA requires the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to meet all filing requirements for three consecutive years. This means that any organization that fails to comply with the new filing requirements as specified above will lose its tax-exempt status on the filing date of the third year. The organization will then be required to reapply for tax-exempt status and comply with the new filing regulations.

For more information, you are encouraged to visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov or call the IRS at (877) 829-5500.

Please note, each chapter, house corporation and alumni association will file an electronic Form 990-N under its own Federal Tax ID number using Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s group ruling number. The group ruling number for chapters and alumni associations is 0228. The group ruling number for house corporations is 5312.

Student Financial Woes? Apply for a Scholarship

Applications for 2009 scholarships through the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation are now available. Next year, more than $76,000 will be awarded to brothers who achieve academic excellence, leadership and community service among other noteworthy traits. The application can be found online at www.thetgi.net. Simply go to the “Scholarship” Core Area for the form, which contains more detailed information on the various awards that are available. All applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2009.

Lifting the Interfraternal Spirit

The Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, commonly known as UIFI, is a five-day retreat that helps college men and women define themselves as leaders, both within their Greek communities and on their campuses. A few Sigma Alpha Epsilon members from campuses around the country met in Bloomington, Indiana, from May 10-14, 2008, in order to learn from fraternity and sorority members at different schools to take those skills back to their chapters. Pictured are (from left) Matthew King (Worcester Polytechnic), Robby Smith (Louisville), Kevin Lee (Eastern Illinois), Jordan Cross (Missouri-Kansas City), Garrett Mohr (Missouri-Kansas City), Joshua Kary (North Dakota State) and Eric Donahue (Worcester Polytechnic). Sigma Alpha Epsilon endorses the UIFI program each year. For more information, visit www.nicindy.org/programs/UIFI.

Lead by Example

Do you possess leadership that should be shared with our undergraduate members? If so, the 74th John O. Moseley Leadership School needs you. Applications are now available for both faculty members and for ambassadors. Faculty help to deliver the curriculum of the school via chapter meetings and seminars, and ambassadors serve as role models for delegates. To fill out an application, visit the Leadership School subsection under the “Events” menu at www.sae.net or the “Continuing Education” Core Area at www.thetgi.net. Both applications’ deadlines are in January.

National Volunteer Passes to Chapter Eternal

Longtime volunteer and Province Archon Phil Gair (San Diego State ’77) passed into the Chapter Eternal in late March. He served the Fraternity as chapter adviser for more than 25 years and as Province Chi Archon and Deputy Archon. Gair was a faculty member for the John O. Moseley Leadership School and served on the faculty of 34 local, province, regional and national leadership schools. Gair was also a Merit Key recipient. A stockbroker for 27 years, he most recently worked as an independent financial planner. His ashes were spread at the Levere Memorial Temple, and the chapter at San Diego State University hosted a memorial service for him. Gifts in memory of Phil Gair can be made to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation, 1856 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201-3837.

Purple and Gold Are Chic

Among all the official merchandise we offer, one item remains the most popular, whether you’re buying it for yourself or giving it as a gift. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon tie, created exclusively for the Fraternity by Brooks Brothers, is woven in purple silk and lined with diagonal golden stripes. It’s the perfect accent for that formal Fraternity event or outing. In addition, Sigma Alpha Epsilon offers the same item as a bow tie. To order your official tie or to see any of our merchandise, visit www.greekmarketplace.net/sae.