October 2023: Ritual Season!
Includes Offical Alumni Events for Fall 2023!
Inside this Issue:
Mills Music Mission
Sinfonian Sausages
T-Shirt Contest
The Psi-Phi Halloween Party
A New Outreach Flyer
Official Alumni Events Fall 2023
Greetings Alumni Brothers!
Recently, the Alumni Affairs Committee of Phi Mu Alpha held a training to inspire and educate new Alumni Relations Officers on resources and tactics available to them. I attended this training and was inspired to start potentially planning an Epsilon Alpha Alumni meet-up. The first and main idea that came to my head was to get a section of a brewery in Toledo reserved and inviting all Alumni and their significant others to join us for reminiscing and drinks. This is a concept but would be a great idea to get many of us Alumni together for some good times. If you would be interested in an event like this, please let us know with the comment button below!
I can still remember the Fall of 2018, my first year at the University of Toledo. It was the semester I joined the RMB, the semester I started my journey as a chemical engineer, and of course when I joined Phi Mu Alpha. The events of that Fall built a foundation and shaped the entire course of my college career.
My first MMM was that Fall at the Toledo Ronald McDonald House. We sang to a total of 2 kids and a few staff staff members, but we all had a great time. Around the same time, my first Psi-Phi was also my first college party, which was a very interesting and fun way to get introduced to more people around the CPA. Finally, I vividly remember my Initiation Ritual and how awestruck I was at the majesty of it. Now, there are new members of the EA chapter going through the same thing I was, join us as we follow them below.
Onward we Journey!
Jack Schmidt, EA 2018
Mills Music Mission
On October 29th, the Brothers and PMs of the EA chapter ventured out to Tradition at West Park Place to perform a MMM for the residents of the facility. The group began by singing tunes out of the Red Book but grew to sing “For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel. After singing, the Brothers and PMs joined the audience in playing some classic Bingo for over an hour! Overall, the members of the facility greatly enjoyed the concert and loved playing Bingo with the Chapter.
Sinfonian Sausages
Do you remember selling hotdogs in the CPA at around lunch time? I remember unpacking someone's car that had all the supplies and equipment right before we opened, rushing to get the tabletop grill heated up, and being given a pile of cash and coins in transactions.
This is not how things are anymore! The chapter has a cabinet in the CPA that they are able to store most of the equipment in. Plus the fridge, they don't really have to worry about which brother is holding onto everything they need to sell hotdogs.
The chapter also doesn’t have a tabletop grill anymore, they use a propane grill outside. With it they can cook up many hot dogs. It is in pretty poor shape, so they may look to replace it soon.
The biggest advancement they made in the past few years was being able to accept electronic payments like credit cards and Venmo! Before, many people would say they'd be interested in buying but didn't have any cash. The chapter has its own tablet and a card reader so people can pay however is convenient!
“I have yet to be disappointed with the, chip and drink selection, and of course the hot dogs themselves.” - Jillian Micua, frequent customer
The last major difference is they are a real staple in the music building. Every Thursday, people know hot dogs are on the menu and are ready to line up at lunch. EA has grown a consistent and loyal customer base that provide a fun service to the students and faculty at the CPA.
T-Shirt Contest
Because of this loyal fan base from Sinfonian Sausages, the chapter has been organizing t-shirt contests and selling them as a fundraising opportunity. Here was the winner from last year, the first year they started this tradition.
After many submissions and judging, below was the winner for 2023. This design was created by Jillian Micua, a second year baritone player in the RMB, and a frequent and consistent customer of Sinfonian Sausages. If you wish to buy one of these shirts, fill out the form from the QR code BEFORE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH!
The Psi-Phi Halloween Party
Psi-Phi has been a longstanding tradition where the music organizations in the CPA put together a Halloween party. It started with cooperation between Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha, but these days has expanded to include Sigma Alpha Iota and OCMEA. This year, Psi-Phi was scheduled on Saturday Night October 27. Many of the same staples were there with fun events like pumpkin carving (before throwing them into the Ottawa) and a costume contest. This party is a great way for all the music orgs to work together and build better relationships for other endeavors.
A New Outreach Flyer
One thing we wanted to talk about was how focused the chapter is on sustainable recruitment into the brotherhood. Just this Fall alone, they have 10 probationary members. The best part is that is not an outlier with 4 in the Spring and 7 last Fall. Brother DJ Loyer was sitting in the CPA about to do homework (let’s ignore the procrastination together) when he noticed the bulletin board in the lobby did not include anything about the EA chapter. He designed this flyer to help get the name of Phi Mu Alpha out there and to feel more official. What do you think of this flyer?
Official Alumni Events Fall 2023
If you would like to attend any of the following events please let us know so we can inform the chapter and they can be expecting you!
11/4 Black Night @7pm
Mystery Walk starts at 7pm with Black Night Ceremony following
Meet at the CPA to join for the Ceremony around 8pm
11/11 Gold Night @7pm
Gold Night Ceremony will start around 7pm after the Chapter Gavel Pass
Meet at the CPA to join the Ceremony around 7pm
11/19 Initiation Ritual @4pm
Combined Ritual with IO in Bowling Green
Knock at 4pm with Music Rehearsal at 3pm
Held in Wood County Masonic Lodge
159 N Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402