What Do I Get For My Money?

The Offices of the Grand Chapter have a complete range of services available to all chapters. All of the programming of TKE is designed to help ensure that each chapter will be successful.

Though a complete listing of everything available from TKE would take up more space than we have available, contained within this brochure is a brief synopses of many of the services and programs we offer. We are constantly trying to improve and expand services to members and chapters, so please feel free to share your suggestions on how TKE could more effectively help your chapter ensure its continued success.

Services To Chapters and Members

Membership Badge-- Provide, without additional charge, to all undergraduate members of the Fraternity.

Membership Card and Certificate--An embossed membership certificate and a membership card also are provided to all undergraduate and honorary members of the Fraternity. These materials, along with the membership badge, are distributed to newly initiated members from the Offices of the Grand Chapter as soon as the individual is registered and the appropriate membership fee paid.

Teke Guide-- Provided to all registered candidates for membership. The Teke Guide is the Fraternity's membership manual containing the history, organization, ideals, and a detailed explanation of programs and traditions of our Fraternity.

Welcome to TKE: A Guide for New Members-- Provided to all registered candidates for membership. It is an introduction to the ideals of the Fraternity and a suggested New Member Education program.

Group Insurance Programs-- Insurance programs are made available to members at a reduced rate. Applications and additional information on group insurance programs are available through the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

Consultation Visits-- Visits from members of TKE's professional staff, as well as volunteer District Officers, are regularly scheduled to assist in chapter development. These individuals are available to assist chapters in all areas of chapter operations, organization and motivation, and leadership development.

Awards-- In recognition of outstanding chapter accomplishments, the Fraternity's awards programs offers recognition for Top TKE Chapter, Most Improved Chapter, Top Teke Frater, Chapter Scholarship, Chapter Management, Membership Recruitment, and many other areas of chapter operations. In addition, award certificates are available for individual chapter use for Chapter Top Teke, Outstanding Athlete, Outstanding Scholarship, Top Chapter Alumnus, Outstanding Chapter Advisor, and others.

Financial Guidance-- A suggested program for chapter finances is available in the Crysophylos Manual. Also, necessary accounting forms for chapter operations are available. Instructions for filing Federal tax reports are sent to all chapters.

Federal Income Tax Exemption-- In addition, each chapter is granted an exemption from paying federal tax through the Fraternity. Various accounting systems, forms, and instructions are available to chapters without housing, with housing, and for chapters with both housing and food service.

Crysophylos Educational Program-- An educational program also is offered for the chapter Crysophylos. Successful completion designates the individual as a Certified Chapter Crysophylos.

Alumni Associations-- The Alumni Associations Manual outlines effective ways for organizing and continuing an effective and functioning alumni group. A specific program of support and assistance is available to Chartered Alumni Associations. This includes specific advice and assistance with such areas of operations as newsletters, reunions, fund raising, membership directories, and suggested operational guidelines. The Alumni Association Manual is provided to all chartered associations. Chartered Alumni Associations are voting members of the Grand Chapter and are represented by an accredited delegate at the biennial Conclave.

Financial Assistance-- Direct financial assistance may be available to chapters through the TKE House Fund. Details are available upon request.

Constitution and Bylaws-- Suggested model bylaws for each chapter are available at the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

Membership Records-- A complete membership list for each chapter is made available for the chapter upon request each year. Address information may be obtained on pressure-sensitive gummed labels for mailings and in specially formatted printouts that can be used for the production of chapter alumni directories. Geographical listings of all members in a particular are also are available.

Board of Advisors-- Effective organization and use of an Alumni Board of Advisors is outlined in the Board of Advisors Manual. This publication includes helpful tips as well as answers to potential problems. Additionally, sample Articles of Incorporation are available at the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

Supplies-- Chapter supplies such as rush materials, stationary, envelopes, TKE buttons, posters, flags, name tags, brochures, ritual equipment, and many other items are available from the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

Jewelry-- Undergraduate badges, alumni badges, and chapter designation guards are available as well as officer dangles and many other items of TKE jewelry.

Leadership Development-- The "College of Leadership and Chapter Management" assists in programming development for chapters. Regional Leadership Conferences are sponsored to assist chapters in rush, new member education, and finances as part of the Leadership Development Program. District Conferences also are conducted.

Leadership Academy-- This program is designed for selected outstanding leaders and potential leaders in our undergraduate chapters.

Publicity-- Free publicity is available for chapters through THE TEKE Magazine and Grand Chapter Report, as well as specialized mailings. Publicity is available for interchapter events and area alumni functions.

New Member Kit-- Sent to each registered new member. A welcome letter from the Grand Prytanis, as well as a membership card and other materials explaining the benefits and services of our Fraternity are included.

Tuition Assistance Program-- Three types of loans are available under the TKE Educational Foundation's Student Loan Program through USA Funds: Stafford Loans- Low-interest, collateral-free loans to undergraduate and graduate students for educational expense; SLS Loans (or Supplemental Loans for Students) assist the independent student borrower in gaining access to funds beyond the Stafford Loan; PLUS Loans assist parents of dependent undergraduate or graduate/professional students in supplementing other grants/loans. The Founders Fund Loan Fund provides low-interest loans up to $500 for undergraduate/graduate students. Also, The Foundation offers scholarships through the Chapter Designated Scholarship Program and Member/Memorial Scholarship Awards. The Ronald Reagan Leadership Fund annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to an outstanding undergraduate member of TKE.

TKE Visa-- A special TKE Visa card is available to qualified applicants through the TKE Educational Foundation.

REAG--The Real Estate Advisory Group works with local chapter Boards of Advisors to assist chapters in maintaining, purchasing, or improving chapter housing and property.

Liability Insurance-- The Fraternity has a $1 million comprehensive general liability insurance plan that covers all registered undergraduate members and the chapter volunteers, i.e., Chapter Advisors and Board of Advisors.

Philanthropy-- TKE has designated Special Olympics as its official philanthropy. In addition, all chapters are encouraged to participate in local community service projects.

Services To Alumni

The Chapter Alumni Associations Manual outlines programs for successful alumni organizations.

Publicity of chapter or area alumni events is available through THE TEKE Magazine, the Grand Chapter Report or the Spotlight.

The TKE Insurance Programs are designed specifically for alumni members.

A special TKE Visa card is available to qualified applicants through the TKE Educational Foundation.

The Spotlight is a monthly newsletter for all TKE volunteers.

Publications

Black Book-- The Constitution and Bylaws of the General Fraternity.

Rush Chairman's Manual-- The philosophy, ideals, and "how to do it" for rush.

Summer Rush Manual-- Out lines specific "how to's" and the philosophy of an effective summer rush program.

TKE Triangle Achievement Award Manual-- A scholarship achievement recognition program that may be used as a tool in identifying potential candidates for membership.

The Crysophylos Manual-- A complete educational handbook for the chapter Crysophylos covering all aspects of chapter financial management, including a complete supply of accounting forms for one year.

Board of Advisors Manual-- Suggestions for successful operations of chapter Board of Advisors and the relationship between the chapter ant the Board.

Officer Kits-- Helpful suggestions and general outline of duties and responsibilities of chapter officers and committee heads.

VIP-- How to reach your very important publics (a manual on public relations).

Retreat Kit-- A complete guide covering the step-by-step procedure for scheduling, planning, and effective programming for both chapter and officer retreats. Also included are suggested topic areas and sample goal sheets for use by the Retreat Chairman.

Membership Development Program-- An in-depth publication that covers all aspects of the Program. A portion of the publication is devoted to educational programs for use at member education meetings. Suggested recruitment and member standards also are covered in this publication.

Hegemon's Manual-- Defines the role of the Hegemon as chapter educator. Discusses educational programming of chapter and fraternal levels of achievement.

Membership Quality Board (MQB) Manual-- Defines the role of the MQB.

Chapter Quality Program Manual-- A program designed to assist officers and committee chairmen in improving chapter operations by providing the Chapter Quality Standards and Keys to Quality that are suggestions on "how to improve" areas of weakness.

Chapter Advisor's Manual-- An Overview of the responsibilities and duties that each Chapter Advisor will need to ensure successful chapter operation. Included is a checklist of information that a Chapter Advisor shouldn't be without.

THE TEKE Magazine-- A continuing record of what's happening, including the Fraternity's Annual Report.

Grand Chapter Report-- A monthly newsletter for chapters from the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

The Key-- A newsletter published especially for the Crysophylos.

Alumni Association Handbook-- A handbook for effective alumni relations programming.

The SOAR Manual-- A guide to improving chapter scholarship. This idea-filled book is offered at no charge to chapters upon request.

Destination of Your TKE Dollar*

7¢ Publications-- Includes a subscription to all issues of THE TEKE Magazine for seven years and one-half years from the date of initiation. Plus, each chapter officer, Grand Advisor, and Board of Advisors Chairman receives a subscription to the Grand Chapter Report.

9¢ Badge, Certificate, Membership Card, and Teke Guide.

7¢, Supplies to Chapters-- Chapter awards, certificates, promotional materials, and other supplies.

26¢ General Fraternity Administration--(For 4 years)-- Operating expenses for Offices of the Grand Chapter, office staff, and planned modernization program.

51¢ Other Services to Chapters-- Includes funding for Regional Presidents, expenses for District Officers and Grand Officers, as well as travel expenses for your chapter's delegate to Conclaves.

Each dollar of your initiation fee and annual membership fee is used in the above proportions to provide the services of your Fraternity that are determined by representatives of each chapter every two years at Conclave. Assuming a frater remains a student for three and one-half years after becoming initiated, the cost per day as an undergraduate is less than 32 cents. Your initiation fee provides lifetime membership in Tau Kappa Epsilon. In another perspective, the cost of membership per year following initiation is less than $8.72, assuming a frater would live to age 65