Well known financier, Brother T. Boone Pickens, Oklahoma Mu 1951, recently spoke to the San Diego Rotary Club about his "Pickens Plan" for getting the United States off of its dependence on foreign oil. He is shown here with Brother Dick Troncone, California Theta 1967, incoming president of the San Diego Rotary. With over 550 members, it is the third largest Rotary Club in the world.

Brother Pickens has a home in San Diego. Dick hopes to schedule him to speak to our association at a future luncheon.

Jonathan Davis, 29

Portland, Ore.
Laid off from: First Franklin Financial Corporation, May, 2008
New venture: GreenPosting.org

After less than a year selling subprime mortgages at First Franklin, Jonathan Davis knew the troubled lender was tanking. Before he was laid off, he decided to start an online venture "that made me feel good about myself—where I was helping others." The result is GreenPosting.org, a community site that targets consumers in the Portland area devoted to "green living." The site, which went live in October 2008, makes money selling ads to local businesses that want to trumpet their sustainability efforts. David says the venture is still gaining traction but hopes to make a living from it by the end of 2009.

The 2009 Founder's Day Dinner was held, as it normally is, at The Catmaran Hotel in Mission Beach on Friday, March 6th. Much like last year the turnout was outstanding, with 155 brothers in attendance, about half of them undergraduate members from CA-TH, at San Diego State and CA-AG, at Cal State San Marcos.

Brother Mark McMillin, CA-TH '79 was recognized as the Richard A. Troncone, Brother of the Year. Mark was well supported by his chapter cronies from the late 70's. Clearly they were in good voice and enjoying themselves, along with some adult beverages. We hope his posse and more of those from that decade will join the Association and become active participants in our events/programs. In his comments Mark reflected upon the need to give back to his community that was bred in him by his parents, from a young age. His most recent philanthropy was to donate $500,000 to the new SDSU Alumni Center, to have the library named after the former Dean of the College of Business, Allan R. Bailey, who has recently passed away. Mark expressed interest in "Helping to grow the Association membership to 300 or 400 members, from the normal 200."

One of the highlights of the evening was the Opportunity Drawing developed by board members Cliff Bee, Frank Arrington and Bill Vogt. The tickets for the drawing were sold by three SDSU Pi Beta Phi members Sammy, Nikki and Shannon. As evidenced in the photos (visit the "Images" page, where 60 photos from the event are published) they were all very attractive and quite popular with the brothers, who purchased approximately $1300 worth of tickets, raised to support the association and our programs.

NOTE: One of the raffle prizes went unclaimed. If the person with ticket # 5444999 will contact me (e-mail from the contact page), you have won the SLAM autographed basketball and Aztec t-shirts.

The evening's program was, as always, hosted by the mercurial Don Harrington. Brothers Alex Hand, EA of CA-AG and Ryan Thorsen, EA of CA-TH both gave very positive reports on their strong and growing chapters. Dick Troncone spoke after them explaining that all SAEs should be very proud of the vibrant chapters we have in our area and the quality and academic strength of the men in those chapters.

CA-TH recognized Brother Mark Mays with the Eddie Basko Alumni Service Award, for his ongoing committment to the rushing and pledging activities of the chapter. This award was especially notable as the chapter has not given this recognition for many years.

The fraternity's Emminent Supreme Recorder and Executive Director Steve Priepke was included at the head table and he gave an encouraging talk about the vitality of the Fraternity, in spite of the economic challenges they are facing. He stated that, like almost all organizations who are sustained by donations, our donations are down significantly and they are having to make accomodations for these losses.

I spoke briefly about this newly redesigned website and how much more dynamic it should prove to be in communicating with our members and other interested persons. I also asked for any SAEs who would like to be placed on our SAESDAA Listserv to e-mail me, via the "Contact" page on this site, with their request. Membership in the Association, while preferred, is not a requirement for being on the listserv. Both alums and undergraduates are welcome.

As is our custom, the program was concluded with Brother Bob Battenfield leading the band of brothers in singing Violets, Friends and Come Sing to Sig.

Thanks to all who attended! A reminder that dues are due at the beginning of each year. If you didn't heed Dick's request to send in your 2009 dues in the Founder's Day envelope, please save him the effort of sending reminders by visiting the "Join" page on the website, printing up the .pdf membership application, and mailing in your dues, now. It will be GREATLY Appreciated!

In the Bonds, John McMullen

SAE Undergraduate Internship Program

The introduction of the SAE Undergraduate Internship Program is a major step of bridging the gap between the Alumni Association and the active members of the Cal Theta chapter. The key to the success of this program is to actively participate as an undergraduate and to continue this participation into your alumni years. The program offers internship opportunities, resume writing workshops, and advice from alumni in your field of studies. The purpose of SAEUIP is to take advantage of an established alumni network and develop lasting bonds between our undergraduates and alumni in a mutually beneficial manner. The SAE San Diego Area Alumni Association has proven how a strong network can influence the San Diego community, and the lives of its members. SAEUIP intends to add strength to that network by preparing our undergraduates to take their place among that community.

The SAEUIP can help you in many different ways and it is important that you e-mail us back with a concise paragraph describing your educational/ professional experience thus far, anticipated internship time frame, and a copy of your resume.

In the bonds,

Stefano Brunetto

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Chapter Alumnus Spotlight: San Diego Alumni Association

Membership in Sigma Alpha Epsilon has never been intended just for the four or five years you spend in college. And for thousands of members, the collegiate experience transitions into an even more rewarding experience as a member of an active alumni association. In the coming issues of The Record, we will feature a spotlight on noteworthy alumni associations that accomplish more than a periodic meeting. They are true leaders in their own regions, allowing our alumni the continued benefits of membership.

This month we focus on an award-winning group in San Diego .

The charter hanging on the office wall of Dick Troncone (San Diego State '65) was issued in January 1932 and includes some high-profile names like Alfred Nippert. This official Sigma Alpha Epsilon charter, however, has nothing to do with a chapter, but its function is equally as important.  While most members may perceive their fraternal experience as something limited to college, more than 75 associations affiliated with the Fraternity know better. They are the alumni associations and they fully embrace the concept that membership is for life.
The San Diego Alumni Association has been operating continuously for decades in order to serve the needs of alumni in southern California.  Now, at 203 members strong, the group continues to grow and enjoy success.