Minnesota

A Letter From the Association President

How are you supporting the continuity of Minnesota FarmHouse?

In the spring newsletter I shared some thoughts about taking some time to connect with the chapter and your brothers. Were you able to make time for the spring picnic and annual meeting, the 1960’s Gathering, the Mark Eihdahl Golf Tournament or the Gophers Tailgate in September? Were you able to recent reconnect in smaller or informal ways?

Taking time to connect with your bothers or the next generation of Chapter members is a great way to relive the common experiences many of us share in common and reenergize for the challenges ahead of us. How many young men in your life should consider attending the University of Minnesota and could benefit from the Minnesota FarmHouse experience? YOU own the first and most critical role to play in connecting those young people to your fraternity!

For fall 2024 I am including the second installment of three sets of priorities of the Minnesota FarmHouse organization focused on ensuring the continuity of the brotherhood: 

Priority #4 – A communications coordinator will manage a multifaceted program to interconnect the alumni and chapter membership.

Priority #5 – Benefiting from perspective, the alumni body will perpetuate and work with the chapter to maintain a “playbook” (strategy and program) for recruitment of new members.

Priority #6 – Alumni will leverage relationships to both influence the future vision of the St. Paul campus and to promote Minnesota FarmHouse as a potential HOME at a respected University of Minnesota. How are we focused on these priorities? We are in discussion and planning on how to build a long-term answer to adding someone focused on Alumni communications and engagement. In the meantime, THANK YOU to Master Builder Frank Bezdicek (Minnesota 67) for his willingness restart a monthly email newsletter. Are you receiving this regular update? If not, reach out to me and we will add your email address to the list.

Second, board member Kyle O’Toole (Minnesota 11) is leading a newly formed “continuity committee” to work with the chapter in their recruitment efforts. Over the past year we have benefited from an energized group of young alumni hosting a recruitment event each semester with the chapter. This event not only helps encourages prospective new members to make the commitment to join FarmHouse but connects different generations.

Finally, we started a cooperative effort with the other four St. Paul fraternities and sororities to raise awareness about common concerns we have on St. Paul campus. This includes the condition of Bailey Hall, recruitment to CFANS (and eventually other St. Paul campus focused majors), and communicating about the positive change and future of CFANS. Engaging our alumni is a critical first step in recruitment, leading to the continuity of St. Paul experience and FarmHouse Fraternity.

Joel Reiman (MN 96)
President – Minnesota FarmHouse Association
507-226-6289 | jdreiman55@gmail.com