Founders Day Message from International President Tait Martin
Happy Founders Day, Brothers!
Men from across the world have taken the same oaths Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase took when they sequestered themselves in a room in Norwich University’s Old South Barracks at 9:00 p.m. on April 10, 1856.
Unlike years past, when many of us were planning to attend chapter events or hang out with brothers, we find ourselves restricted by government warnings and pandemic threats. Theta Chi was born in a space away from others. We can absolutely survive…no, THRIVE…in this situation.
Today, we find ourselves once again confined to a room…or a house…or a hospital, but unlike 164 years ago, our Brotherhood spans to hundreds of thousands of men who are finding ways to connect during these turbulent and unknown times.
I am continually amazed at how strong our Brotherhood is by the number of social media posts and virtual meetings that are happening to keep Theta Chi alive and well. Many of your chapters will be conducting virtual “happy hours” or “dinners” or “meetings” today. This is a great way to share stories from generation to generation or simply reconnect with brothers you haven’t seen since you left school. The key is to know your brothers are simply a phone call or Zoom meeting away.
I ask that you make the effort to reach out to one brother (or more if you can) through some face-to-face technology. In times like these - the most recent that can be compared in the Fraternity’s history was WWII - it’s important that we SEE each other. That smile, sarcastic glint, or belly laugh is exactly what is needed to fill our need for connection.
Speaking of connection, I do want to emphatically state that our 164th Anniversary Convention, Justify Theta Chi, will occur July 17-21, 2020. Whether it will be held in Lexington, KY, or online/virtually will be based on a number of factors that we simply don’t know yet. One thing we do know is that this year’s Convention will be different, but that’s OK. If the government says it’s cool to have large gatherings again, I’ll show up at an interstate rest area in a damn military red and white hazmat suit just to hang out with y’all. Our Brotherhood has survived worse. We can adapt.
In all honesty, I do feel sad this Founders Day. Sad that I don’t get to physically be with my brothers. As International President, I was going to surprise the alumni in Vermont and simply show up to Brother Dan Fleetham, Jr.’s Founders Day gathering at Norwich. This was one of my “bucket list” items during my term on the Grand Chapter. Screw you, COVID-19. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.
To provide some comfort in our current situation, I leave you with the prayer from Theta Chi’s public Memorial Ceremony. I thought it was a fitting take on seclusion and the power of our Brotherhood.
Almighty God, our divine Father, though with bolts and bars and secret signals we may seclude ourselves from others, we would not think with such inventions to seclude ourselves from You. Recognizing the greatness of Your works, we bid You welcome, and with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the richness of life we bow again in humility to ask Your continued blessing. Erring, we seek Your guidance. Weak, we come to You for strength. Ignorant, we would yet attain wisdom. Inspire our thoughts, govern our actions, and direct our deliberations, to the end that together we may walk in the footsteps of our Great Example until, guided by the light of Truth, we come into the fullness of a united brotherhood, where deceit withers before it is spoken, where the Helping Hand is extended before the needy shall suffer, and where a perfect love casts out fear. Amen.
Brothers, for Founders Day - and everyday - please join me in promoting the usefulness of our Fraternity by mentoring our collegiate brothers, giving a tax-deductible donation to the Theta Chi Foundation (thetachi.org/give), and living the ideals that we all promised during our initiation.
Take care of each other. Wash your hands. Stay Resolute.
Fraternally,
Tait J. Martin, Ph.D.
International President