Veterans Day Observance 2018

by Michael Van Poots
RPI, ‘95

Brother Van Poots on the flying bridge of the Fast Attack Nuclear Submarine USS Montpelier SSN-765

Folks—a moment of your time to reflect upon the upcoming Veterans day observance.

First a bit of history, World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.

Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington Cemetery, (Fort Myer, VA) Washington D.C..

It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans.

Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. Tomb of the Unknowns—Official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day center around the Tomb of the Unknowns.

To honor these unknown Veterans, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps."

There are approximately 18.8 million military veterans living in the United States. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

4 Million served in peacetime.

Wartime:

• The American Revolution

• War of 1812

• Mexican War

• Civil War

• Spanish American War

• World War I

• World War II – 930,000 military veterans living

• Korean War – 1.8 Million military veterans living

• Vietnam War – 6.8 Million military veterans living

• The Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq – 5.6 Million military veterans living.

Please take a moment to reflect upon all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and others whose service ensured our Nation's safety.

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Brother Van Poots and his wife, Holly, at the Navy Ball.

Thanks for taking a few moments out of your day to reflect upon those who are serving or have served in defense of our country.

My service as a veteran in the US Navy and my membership in Phi Kappa Theta started in college 27 years ago & continues to this day. Phi Kappa Theta fosters human development through community service and social interaction.

We are socially engaged, recognizing our responsibility to affect positive change in ourselves and others.

Phi Kappa Theta’s values are demonstrated through the actions of our members, who better their communities as citizens in a global society.

Main image: Reed & Ryan Van Poots, sons of Brother Van Poots, saying goodby to him next to his sea bag on Mobilization day.

Dealing With "Post Charter Syndrome"

by Nicholas Reid
University of Iowa, ‘21

Brother Nicholas Reid (University of Iowa, ‘21) speaking at the Chapters re-chartering on September 28th.

Initiation.

It is the time that every fraternity brother will remember for the rest of their life.

Eighteen of our Iowa Delta brothers were available to experience it for the first time at the Iowa Delta Chartering this past September.

Members were excited, nervous, anxious and overall cold. It was a cold day.

The initiation was an incredible experience, followed by a resound “PHI” Phi Kappa Theta chant.

After the weekend, the greatest question from brothers was, “Where do we go next?”.

Usually, this can cause an infamous “Post Charter Syndrome” where members become relaxed and aren’t as motivated as they used to be. Thankfully, that is not the problem for Iowa Delta. Brothers immediately after the ceremony were asking what they could do to work harder and help better the fraternity.

One of our brothers, Sam Sharp (University of Iowa, ’21), came up to me directly and said, “I want to be more involved and help this Fraternity in any way I can.”

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Nicholas Reid (center) with members of the Iowa Delta Chapter, picking up trash in support of CMN.

Members like that, that will do anything for their brothers, are the reason fraternities will never die away. No other organization is able to create a closeness that arises because of Greek life.

As Iowa Delta advances, we hope to not only advance the Fraternity but the University of Iowa. By becoming the ideal gentlemen we are meant to be, we can create a lasting impact on the people around us, hopefully changing their lives for the better.

We are excited to continue this journey, and we hope that all of you continue to keep updated with us on this blog.

As always, PROUD TO BE A PHI KAP!

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About Nicholas:

Brother Reid is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus in Business Management. He is the current Vice President of Fraternal, Recharter Head and Social Media Chair for Phi Kappa Theta Iowa Delta. Nicholas grew up in Peoria, Illinois, attending St. Vincent de Paul grade school and Peoria Notre Dame High School. He was involved and active in many things, including scholastic bowl, numerous sports with his primary being soccer, key club and French Club. Nic also received the Presidental Award, National Honors Society, Old Gold Scholarship and an Illinois State Scholar. He is the first person of his family to move out for college, attend a big 10 school and join Greek life. Knowing nothing of what Greek life is about graduating, Nic has since taken a strong passion towards Phi Kappa Theta and bettering himself, along with his brothers. Nic is also involved in Dance Marathon and Intramural Sports, along with numerous service projects through the Fraternity. In his freetime, he loves to workout, play sports, hunt, fish, play video games and hang out with friends.

Phi Kappa Theta Celebrates #GivingTuesday

INDIANAPOLIS, IN | Wednesday, November 7th, 2017 – This #GivingTuesday, Phi Kappa Theta will celebrate giving by asking our members to donate to the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation directly, or using smile.amazon.com to contribute a portion of their holiday purchases to the Foundation.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on November 27th and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.

Phi Kappa Theta has been partnerning with #GivingTuesday for several years now, and each year we are encouraged with the generosity of our members in giving back to their Fraternity.

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in.

Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

“We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community has embraced this concept for a worldwide movement,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and Executive Director of 92Y. “As we prepare for November 27, we’re energized and encouraged by the community’s generosity. The levels of creativity, effort and the quality of the new ideas people have contributed and shared are phenomenal.”

Those who are interested in joining Phi Kappa Theta’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit the #GivingTuesday website, Facebook page or follow @GivingTues and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.

About Phi Kappa Theta:

Founded in 1889, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity currently has 40 collegiate chapters across the United States. Phi Kappa Theta actively develops men to be effective leaders who passionately serve society, Fraternity and God.

About #GivingTuesday:

Founded by the team in the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at 92nd Street Y, #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesday falls on November 27. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners
 to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

• Website: www.givingtuesday.org

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday

• Twitter: twitter.com/GivingTues
  

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GIVE BACK BELOW

Brother Charles "Mike" Callais Elected to Greater Lafourche Port Commission

Ad for the Mike Callais campaign.

by Mike Callais
Louisiana State University, ’84

When my family sold all of our offshore supply vessels in 2013, I was fortunate to be able to go into semi-retirement. I was able to have more flexibility in my daily schedule for other pursuits. I was able to spend more time with my wife, Blanche, my children, grandchildren and mother. I also had more time to devote to work in the service organizations to which I belong, as well as to church and to my community.

A friend who I went to high school with and who happens to be a Phi Kappa Theta brother from Nicholls State University by the name of John Melancon, serves as an elected Commissioner of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission. Last May, he told me that one of the Commissioners had passed away, and he knew that with my background I could possibly be appointed to serve in the interim until a special election to fill the remainder of the term could be held. I agreed and was appointed to that position, but I never thought that I might want to seek an elected position on the board myself.

I enjoyed my time of service on the Port Commission board until the newly elected replacement Commissioner took his seat on the board. I felt that I was able to contribute to the administration of Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Airport. Although I had never planned to seek elected office, I started to consider running for a Seat of my own when all of the seats came up for a vote this year.

I decided in February of 2018 that I would run for Seat H on the Port Commission after I found out that the man who was holding that seat would not seek reelection. I started campaigning for the position. I put out signs on the highway, did newspaper advertising and started a campaign Facebook page. I was hoping that no one would qualify to run against me.

When qualifying for the November 6th election came up on July 25th, I was the first in line at the Clerk of Court’s office to qualify. No one else qualified for that seat for the remainder of that day. I was hopeful that no one else would qualify to run for that Seat. Mid-morning on the second day of qualifying, a gentleman qualified to run against me. I had never met my opponent previously, in fact I had never even heard of him. I was disappointed that someone had qualified to run against me, but I took consolation in the fact that I had only one opponent in the race so it would be decided in the primary election.

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Brother Mike Callais (Louisiana State University, ‘84) with wife, Blanche.

Up until that point my wife and I had been handling all of the promotion of my campaign. I contracted out for a telephone poll to be conducted in my race two months before the election. The poll results indicated that I had only a 4% lead against my opponent. In addition to that, some of the people I know told me they thought it would be a close race. I believed that I was better qualified than my opponent so I decided that I needed the help of a consultant to help me get my name and message out.

I had two obstacles I had to overcome. First, I had decided to use my legal first name on the ballot so it would read Charles “Mike” Callais rather than simply as Mike Callais as most people knew me. Secondly, I had decided to qualify on the ballot as “No Party” rather than as a member of a party.

I put more signs out, started doing more newspaper advertising, did radio advertising, fair and festival sponsorships, auction item donations, increased my Facebook promotions with a video done for me and appeared at public events to talk to people and introduce myself. I finished out the campaign with a direct mail piece. I truly felt that the momentum of my campaign was building and that my opponent wasn’t working as hard as I was, but I wasn’t certain that I would be successful.

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On election night I didn’t want to have a big victory party, so I invited only my immediate family to watch the election results with me. When the results came in I ended up with a 16% lead over my opponent. I was able to relax and thank my family for supporting me in this effort. I am now going around thanking my supporters and telling everyone that I am looking forward to serving them in this position and offering my help if it is needed.

View my campaign Facebook page at facebook.com/MikeCallaisPortCommission and my personal Facebook page at facebook.com/mike.callais.

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About Mike:

Charles “Mike” Callais (Louisiana State University, ’84) is a member of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Board of Trustees, serving a term from 2017 to 2020. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1984, earing a bachelor of science degree in business management. He is Chief Executive Officer of Abdon Callais Offshore, LLC in Cut Off, Louisiana. Mike is active in the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club of Golden Meadow. He also serves on several boards, including United Community Bank, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Lady of the Sea General Hospital and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Mr. Callais is married to Blanche Bouvier Callais, with four children and four grandchildren. He resides in Cut Off, LA. His hobbies include fishing and hunting, volunteering and helping out at his church parish and in his community.