News Archive
The Donnard's Visit JJ
July 30, 2011
Rene Donnard and his wife, Peggy, visited with JJ
and Denise at Steamboat Springs. The picture was taken from the top of
Mt. Werner.
2010 Denver Meeting
June 30, 2010
While on a visit to Denver, Warren met up with JJ; who was on his way to the Theta Chi Convention in Orlando; Denise Roach (JJ's companion), Bob Wolper, and Tim Schroeder. They all met at the Moonlight Diner on Tower Road to reminisce about what has been happening during the past 40 years. Warren even got Tim to buy his dinner in exchange for the Reunion DVD. We all missed Todd because everyone forgot to bring a camera.
2010 California Meeting
April 28, 2010
Brothers from the late 1960's and early 1970's held
an impromptu get together in San Francisco, CA.
From left to right: Greg Turpie, Chris Reade, Todd Shortlidge, Jim
Moylan, Alan Moll, and Bob Palmer.
Above (left to right) Todd Shortlidge, T. Allan
Shortlidge, Catherine Bertulli (Todd's friend), Greg Turpie (GT), Gale
Levensaler McKee (who was a sorority sister with Leah Moll), Chris
Reade, Al "Catman" Moll, Denise Roach (JJ's regular companion), Jim "JJ"
Moylan, and Bob Palmer.
Jill and Bob Held
June 14, 2009
Sunday Telegraph, Sydney, Australia
Support: Amy Gee with her son Oliver and
grandparents, Jill and
Bob Held.
It Can Be Quite Distressing for Parents'
A grand new way to bring up baby
By LISA MAYOH
THERE was a time when a new parent's only guidance came from carping
grandmothers, who would claim that only they knew the way to bring up
baby. Now a Sydney hospital is teaching nannas modern child rearing
techniques and how to support their own children in the tricky
transition to parenthood.
First-time parents Amy and Gideon Gee welcomed baby Oliver into the
world five weeks ago, and were thrilled when Amy's parents decided to do
the Becoming a Grandparent class at North Shore Private Hospital.
“It was a nice way to get support that wasn't supervisory, and at the
same time respecting my wishes about how we wanted to raise our child,”
the Cammeray mum said.
“I was definitely nervous in dealing with a newborn because you don't
know what to expect. My first port of call has always been my mum, so we
wanted to engage our parents and ask for help but also make our own
decisions and draw our own conclusions.”
Amy's parents, Bob and Jill Held, thought the class would be a valuable
way to become the best grandparents they could be.
"It was just fantastic.” Mrs. Held said. “Its been thirty-two years
since we've had a baby and things have changed --- we wanted to do this
to go forward and enjoy our grandson.”
Mrs. Held said it could be difficult for young mothers, with so much new
information to absorb. “The first couple of days everyone starts to make
comments about what’s happening and it can be quite distressing for the
parents,” she said. “I thought if I don't say anything, then that's one
less opinion.”
“I've raised my children; my time has passed when it comes to that. Now
it's Amy and Gideon’s turn.”
Hospital midwife and parenting co-coordinator Carol Himmelhoch said the
course taught new techniques in breastfeeding, safe sleeping methods and
childproofing homes.“The clients we get here are very interested
grandparents who want to participate.”
Ms. Himmelhoch said, "This course lets them ask questions and talk to
each other, and it just stops the friction between the child and
grandparent, particularly daughter-in-laws."
She said the role of fathers in child raising had become more involved,
and grandparents were taught to take a step back and “let daddy do it".
"We talk to them about practical support, so bringing meals around or
helping clean the house in the first few weeks, and if the father takes
a week's paternity leave, they should not be there in that time.”
"It’s almost like a second lease for them, it’s really lovely."
Obituaries
Older Archive Articles
JJ’s Letter about Gamma Lambda Chapter at DU
May 5, 2008
Brothers,
Sorry I did not get back to you last week with a report on the visit to the Gamma Lambda Chapter at the University of Denver on Wednesday 4/23/08, as I had hoped I would.
"The best laid plans of mice and men..."
In any event, the undergraduate members of the Chapter assembled on Wednesday in one of the classroom buildings at the appointed time. Unfortunately, I was running late from my prior meeting that day and notified the Chapter President, Tim Brecton, via cell phone that I would be running a little late. Happily, Bob Wolper and Tim Schroeder were there on time. By the time I got there, they were assembled on the lawn, as their time for the use of the classroom had expired.
Bob and Tim had them engaged as I walked up to join the meeting. There was a good dialogue going on, and I was content to observe. Eventually, I began to participate as well.
Bob and Tim had them engaged as I walked up to join the meeting. There was a good dialogue going on, and I was content to observe. Eventually, I began to participate as well.
Let me say first, this is a good bunch of young men. They understand they are the stewards of Theta Chi Fraternity on the DU campus and hold it in a sacred trust for those who have preceded them, (viz. us) and those who will follow. They have a cumulative 3.5 GPA and each of them is involved in at least one other campus activity or organization, often in a leadership role. You would be proud to call them Brothers.
The problem, as Bob, Tim and I later analyzed it over beer and pizza, is that they do not know what to do or how to do it, vis-à-vis rush/recruitment, and just being a fraternity. They keep on saying that they are not a "traditional fraternity." I pointed out that they are, if you look at fraternity on the 4 legged stool model: Leadership, Academics, Community Service and Lifelong Friendships. They do that in spades. I think when they say that, what they are saying is that they are not a large chapter with a house and throwing big parties. I pointed out that after we came back on the DU campus in 1996-1997, we did have a large Chapter, a house and there was social activity. (By the way, it was the parties and the party types who later joined the Chapter that eventually lead to its demise, because that is all they wanted to do and not work for the Chapter.)
I think that they want to be back the way the Chapter was in the early 2000's, over 50 members, a Chapter house, leaders on campus, involved in the campus and community, a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a social calendar. But the excuses are that they all study hard, are involved with other campus organizations, prioritizing time for fraternity is difficult, etc. The long and short response to those laments is that Theta Chi has to be the priority, next to studies. I think some of them got it, but not all, or perhaps their other activities are to remain their priorities.
Nevertheless, we spent a lot of time talking about Rush/Recruitment and that they make it seem like "rocket-science" when it is so simple. All of them said they know someone from a class or another campus organization who would be a great Theta Chi. The just did not know the basics about getting the guy to come over to a meeting, event or activity. "Hey! You invite him." "What if he says 'No'?" Find out why, maybe he has another engagement, ask him again, keep asking until he tells you that absolutely under no circumstances would he ever join a fraternity, let alone Theta Chi. Then smile and ask him to come to an event the following week.
We talked about what they have to sell. Correct, it is a small Chapter, no house, restricted in what they can do financially, etc. But, what an opportunity to give young men leadership opportunities in this small Chapter and you want to recruit men who want the challenge of leadership opportunities. We also talked about lots of Brotherhood things they could do that do not cost much, if any, money. You want guys to join the Chapter for the guys that are in the Chapter or thinking of joining. You do not want the guys who only are interested in going to the parties. I think that was an eye-opening statement for some of them.
I could go on, but I think you are getting the picture.
We just need to work with the under grads to get them focused on Theta Chi as a priority, the leadership opportunities present, the pride and Brotherhood they will experience in building the Chapter together, making lifelong friendships.
I am committed to getting involved with them in the fall and I am sure Bob and Tim will put in time as well. Jim Murphy was out of town, but we know he was the architect of the Rush program that took us from 7 initiated Brothers in the fall of 1965 to 85 brothers in June of 1969.
Bottom line - These are good young men. They are worthy of our support: be it mentoring, participating or extending the financial Helping Hand. I will be encouraging the Chapter officers and the Gamma Lambda Alumni Corporation Alumni Brothers to work on a plan over the summer for Rush/Recruitment, getting a budget put together, etc. I hope you will support this effort in any way you can. And again, these young men are worth it - period.
On another note, I do not know if you have all seen the current edition of The Rattle, (Spring 2008), but Gamma Lambda Chapter shined in terms of our financial commitment to the National Fraternity:
Chapters by Percentage of Participation
1st -
9.73%
Chapters by Number of Contributors
2nd - 50
Chapters by Amount of Contributions
10th - $5,020
Thank you, Brothers!
Fraternally,
Jim