The Board consists of five alumnus members of the Fraternity, appointed to office by the Grand Chapter with the advice and consent of the National Convention. The term of office is five years, and members can be reappointed for a second consecutive five year term. Members of the National Board of Trustees are volunteers.

The five officers of the National Board of Trustees are the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and counselor.

The National Endowment Fund is supported through a portion of each initiation fee, alumnus endowment contributions, life subscriptions to The Rattle, gifts, bequests (gifts of personal property through a will), devises (gifts of land or real property through a will), and any other monies transferred to it.

Loan applications and assistance are available through the International Headquarters.

NATIONAL INTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCE:
An association of men's national fraternities. Founded in 1909, the NIC maintains a headquarters in Indianapolis and serves to promote and further the interests of member fraternities. A yearly meeting is held in December in conjunction with the Association of Fraternity Advisors.

The legislative body of the National Interfraternity Conference is the House of Delegates, although the Conference has no actual legislative control over its members. Theta Chi Fraternity has been a member of the National Interfraternity Conference since 1912 and has consistently supported the goals and objectives of the NIC through membership and leadership.

NECKTIE:
The official necktie of Theta Chi Fraternity is a club tie with tri-color coat of arms. Ties are available from the International Headquarters.

NORWICH UNIVERSITY:
The institution at which Theta Chi Fraternity was founded. Originally located in Norwich, Vermont, the university moved to its current location in Northfield, Vermont, in 1866. The move to Northfield was made after a fire destroyed all university buildings, including the Old South Barracks, in 1866.

In 1960, Norwich University abolished all fraternities and our Alpha chapter was closed. The university displays some of our historical items in the library on campus, and the role of Theta Chi Fraternity in the development of the university is included in orientation courses.

OBJECTIVES OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY:
The twenty two objectives of our Fraternity were adopted by the Grand Chapter in 1935. The Objectives were developed as a means of clearly establishing our goals and relationships with others as a national fraternity. Theta Chi was one of the first national fraternities to adopt and publicize our objectives. The Objectives can be divided into four categories:
Personal, Social, Cultural and Financial.

OFFICIAL FAMILY:
A term used to describe present and past members of the Grand Chapter and National Board of Trustees, current members of the Regional Staff, and the International Headquarters staff.

OLD SOUTH BARRACKS:
The site of the founding of Theta Chi Fraternity on April 10, 1856. Located on the campus of Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, the Old South Barracks was completely destroyed by fire, along with other university buildings in 1866.

PETITION:
A document submitted by a colony to the Grand Chapter. The petition is the final step in the approval process required for a colony to be installed or reinstalled as a chapter in Theta Chi Fraternity. If approval is granted by the Grand Chapter, and two of the three nearest chapters also recommend that the colony be granted chapter status, copies of the petition are sent to all active chapters. A three-fourths vote of the chapters responding to the petition is required for approval.

If a colony is established on a campus at which a Theta Chi chapter once existed, the petition need only be approved by the Grand Chapter for the colony to be reinstalled as a chapter.

PHELPS, EGBERT:
Although he was never an undergraduate member of Theta Chi Fraternity, Egbert Phelps is considered to be our "assistant founder" for lending his help and advice to Brothers Freeman and Chase before and after our founding. Phelps attended Norwich University from 1852 to 1854, and was a member of the class of 1856. He is credited with developing the name of our fraternity and the design for our badge.

Phelps transferred to Union College in Schnectady, New York in 1854 and became a member of Chi Psi Fraternity. Union College is often referred to as the "mother of fraternities" with six national fraternities founded on the campus, including Chi Psi in 1841. It is thought that this influenced Phelps to continue his interest in Theta Chi even after he transferred from Norwich.

Egbert Phelps was born on December 8, 1835, and died on July 26, 1916. He is buried in Joliet, Illinois. He was posthumously made an honorary member of Theta Chi Fraternity at the 83rd Anniversary Convention on April 22, 1939, in Champaign, Illinois.

PLEDGE:
In Theta Chi, a male student who has pledged himself or agreed to join the Fraternity. Several fraternities now use the term "Associate Member" for new members. Five men's national fraternities have eliminated pledgeship in favor of initiation soon after rush is completed, with a member development program following initiation which involves the entire chapter.

PLEDGE BUTTON:
An insignia worn by men who have pledged Theta Chi Fraternity. Our pledge button is a small metal oval, red in color, with a white edge, and crossed diagonally with white stripes forming an "X".

It should always be worn over the heart, and not on a belt, pantleg, shoe or sock. The pledge button was adopted to be worn, symbolizing membership in Theta Chi. Unlike our badge, the pledge button may be worn on the lapel of a suitcoat or blazer.

It was not adopted to be burdensome, or to become part of a rigid requirement that it be worn at all times. Our button should be worn with respect for and an understanding of the Fraternity which it represents.

PUBLICATIONS:
Theta Chi Fraternity has a number of publications for undergraduates and alumni.

The Rattle:
The magazine of Theta Chi Fraternity, published by Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc., two times each year.

Men Since '56:
The Chapter Leadership Newsletter of Theta Chi. Published nine times each school year.

The Colonist:
A newsletter for colonies of Theta Chi, published five times during the school year.

The Crossed Swords:
The risk management newsletter of Theta Chi, published five times during the school year.

HC:
The House and Alumni Corporation Newsletter: published six times each year for presidents and secretarys of our house and alumni corporations.

Other publications include Chapter Operations Manuals for chapter and colony officers, the Colony Manual, the Marshals manual, the workbook for use with the Manual of Theta Chi, and the Songs of Theta Chi. The International Headquarters also maintains a supply of the Constitution, By-Laws and Legislation of Theta Chi, our Ritual books, and roster books.

THE RATTLE OF THETA CHI:
The magazine of our Fraternity, published by our public foundation, Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc., twice each year.

RECOGNITION BUTTON:
A small button which is worn on a coat lapel. The recognition button comes in three forms. The official recognition button is a small reproduction of the official badge. A second version is a miniature coat of arms, while a third version utilizes the fraternity letters.

REGION:
A geographical division of North America developed to enhance the operation of the Regional Plan. In 1990, modifications were made to the existing regions to allow for seventeen regions. The regions are identified by Roman Numerals. Each region contains a number of chapters and is administered by one or more volunteer Regional Counselors.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE:
An annual meeting of members and pledges from all chapters and colonies in a given region. Our conferences are designed to be one day, drive in and drive out events with chapter operations leadership sessions, general sessions and meetings with members of the Official Family and individual chapters and colonies. Many conferences offer the Man Mile Award to chapters bringing the largest number of men the longest distance, as well as other recognition awards.

The Regional Conference is the most important event for a region. Host chapters are expected to put forth a great deal of time and effort into organizing and publicizing the conference. The conference provides most of our members with the only opportunity they will have to interact with members and pledges of all other chapters and colonies in their region, and to meet members of the Grand Chapter, the National Board of Trustees, and other representatives of the Official Family.

REGIONAL COUNSELOR:
An alumnus volunteer, appointed by the Grand Chapter on a yearly basis, who is charged with the responsibility to work with and assist chapters and colonies in his region. Our Regional Counselors are an integral part of the Regional Plan, and spend many hours each year visiting, helping and counseling our undergraduates, organizing and attending regional conferences, and participating in national events such as the Convention and the Chapter Leadership Conference.

Members interested in serving on the Regional Staff should contact the International Headquarters for an application form and information. Theta Chi Fraternity is always in need of alumnus volunteers for these important positions. Many of our Regional Counselors are recent graduates who have relocated with their new jobs and want to make a contribution to Theta Chi through involvement.

REINSTALLATION:
The installation ceremony for a chapter which was inactive and recolonized. The same ceremony is used for installation of a new chapter and reinstallation of an inactive chapter. The colony of an inactive chapter submits a petition to the Grand Chapter for reinstallation, and the petition does not require approval from other undergraduate chapters once the Grand Chapter has approved the petition.

REORGANIZATION:
The reorganization of a chapter takes place as a result of problems within the chapter which cannot be resolved through probation, alumni involvement or other sanctions or procedures. A reorganization is a very serious action, and is normally taken as a last and final effort to resolve problems before the charter of the chapter is suspended.

A chapter is reorganized through several procedures. A membership review is often conducted, officers are sometimes removed from office, and new policies, procedures and guidelines are imposed to make certain that changes are made and improvement can be documented. A reorganization is based upon the concept that the problems in the chapter cannot be resolved without these steps. A membership review takes place with individual interviews of all members and all pledges, conducted by representatives of the Regional Staff, the International Headquarters staff, and the alumni corporation. In some situations, all members are suspended prior to the interviews. They are then interviewed if they want to be included in the new group. Members are always interviewed to determine if they will support and uphold new standards in the chapter.

Without exception, a chapter which has been reorganized is placed on probation, and requirements and procedures are developed with the members to assist the chapter in changing and improving. In some cases, the officers step down and new officers are elected or appointed by the Alumni Probationary Committee.

A reorganization is an extremely difficult process, and the decision to reorganize a chapter is reached only after exhausting all other alternatives.

Reorganizations have been conducted because of problems with hazing, drug usage, risk management concerns, critically low membership, consistently poor chapter operations, or a combination of some or all of these factors.

RITUAL:
A confidential publication of Theta Chi Fraternity, containing the initiation and other ceremonies. Each chapter, when installed or reinstalled, receives a new set of Ritual books for use in meetings, initiation, and other formal events.

ROSTER BOOK:
The record book, provided to each chapter at installation or reinstallation, which is the permanent record of all initiated members of the chapter. The chapter secretary is charged with the responsibility to maintain the Roster Book and promptly and correctly enter information regarding each initiate within 24 hours of initiation.

The roster number is a number assigned to each new initiate. Numbers are assigned in ascending order and equal the total number of men initiated into the chapter since installation.

Under a new program which will be put into practice in 1992, roster numbers will be assigned at the International Headquarters. This will eliminate numerous errors, problems and confusion when roster numbers are skipped, or the same number is assigned to two different members. However, the chapter will continue to determine the order of assignment. That information will be provided to the International Headquarters, and roster numbers will be assigned on that basis.

Many chapters have developed a seniority system using roster numbers, based upon the grade point average of the initiates or other factors. This, in turn, becomes useful in a variety of situations. For example, room requests in a chapter house may be filled by seniority, or the opportunity to move out of the house if there are a sufficient number of members to fill the house. The assignment of roster numbers by the International Headquarters will not affect this practice, in any way.

SCHOLARSHIP CERTIFICATE:
A silver certificate presented by the Grand Chapter to all chapters which have a grade point average above the All Men's Average on their respective campuses for the preceding academic year. Data is collected for this competition by the International Headquarters, as many colleges and universities maintain these records and send the information to each headquarters.

Scholarship is a primary objective of Theta Chi Fraternity. Scholarship programming in a chapter may range from a formal tutor system involving all members and pledges to quiet hours, guest speakers, the establishment or development of a good resource library, study areas with desks and chairs, and a minimum grade point average to be initiated into our Fraternity to competition among members and scholarships, recognition plaques and special dinners.

SCHOOL OF FRATERNITY PRACTICES:
Held as part of our Convention since 1939, the School of Fraternity Practices will celebrate its 26th anniversary at the 136th Anniversary Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in August of 1992.

The School of Fraternity Practices is a three day program of workshops, general sessions, small group meetings and presentations covering all aspects of chapter operations and issues facing Theta Chi and all men's fraternities today.

SILVER LEGION OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY:
Composed of alumni of our Fraternity who have been members of Theta Chi for at least twenty five years. This includes members of local fraternities which were installed as Theta Chi chapters, and who have met the 25 year requirement. Membership is honorary and granted without application.

SILVER LEGION CERTIFICATE:
A certificate engraved on silver paper which can be awarded to members of the Silver Legion. The certificates are available from the International Headquarters.

SILVER LEGION RECOGNITION BUTTON:
The official recognition button of Theta Chi Fraternity. The button is silver in color and surrounded by an oval laurel wreath, and is to be worn by members of the Silver Legion.

STANFORD SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY:
A large plaque presented to the chapter which records the highest grade point average in the fraternity each school year. The plaque was given to the Grand Chapter by our Alpha Epsilon/Stanford University chapter, and is named in honor of that chapter. The name of the chapter receiving the award is engraved on the plaque. A formula is utilized to properly gauge academic performance for each chapter, regardless of the grading system used on campus. Regrettably, our Alpha Epsilon chapter was declared inactive in 1988.

SWEETHEART PIN:
A smaller reproduction of the official badge which members are permitted to give to mothers, wives, sisters and fiancees.

THETA CHI FOR LIFE AWARD:
This award was authorized and established by the Grand Chapter in 1976, and is the second highest award of Theta Chi Fraternity. It is named in honor of Past National President Earl D. "Dusty" Rhodes, who is known as Mr. Theta Chi. Brother Rhodes, who is an alumnus of our Delta/RPI chapter, was the first recipient of this award in 1976. The award recognizes those who devote a lifetime of outstanding service to Theta Chi Fraternity.

THETA CHI FUNDS FOR LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION, INC.:
Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc., is our public foundation and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana in 1986. It accepts gifts and bequests (gifts through wills) and an annual fund raising drive is conducted by mail, telemarketing, and other means. Voluntary contributions have now risen to over $200,000 each year.

In 1989, a special fund was established within Theta Chi Funds to provide scholarships to undergraduate members of our fraternity. The fund was named in honor of our immediate past Executive Director Dale A. Slivinske, Gamma Sigma/Duke '68. Brother Slivinske joined the Chapter Eternal on August 28, 1989, and left a substantial amount of his estate to begin the fund. Other contributions from members and many interfraternal friends of Brother Slivinske have brought the fund to almost $100,000, and scholarships are now awarded on an annual basis from the fund.

The income from Theta Chi Funds is used for a variety of educational programs and projects in our Fraternity, including sponsorship of the School of Fraternity Practices, the Chapter Leadership Conference, our Regional Conferences, educational facets of visits by our Leadership & Education Consultants, scholarships and internships.

THETA CHI MONUMENT:
This monument was dedicated at the 75th Anniversary Convention in 1931, held at Norwich, Vermont. Made of Vermont granite, it displays a bronze tablet with the following inscription:
"On a site 200 feet northeast of this monument in the Old South Barracks of Norwich University, Frederick Norton Freeman, '57, and Arthur Chase, '56, founded Theta Chi Fraternity at 9 p.m., April 10, 1856".

The monument is located on ground adjacent to the local Episcopal Church and deeded to the Episcopal diocese of Vermont. Our fraternity makes annual donations to the church to provide for perpetual care of the site.