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The Erck Memorial Scholarship Loan Fund was incorporated in the State of Nebraska on May 4, 1960. The organization was established to celebrate the life of the Reverend H. Erck, one of the founders of Delta Chapter and first National Pastoral Advisor, who died in 1959. The original incorporators and directors were:
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John Hingst
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Eldo Schornhorst
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Del Lienemann
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Donald M. Froelich
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Larry Edwards
On March 22, 1968, with Bill Bunte serving as President of the corporation, a resolution was adopted to change the name to the Erck Foundation. The name change was filed with the Secretary of State on April 30 of that year. In late 1981, National President Ralph Folkerts contacted fellow alumnus Lloyd Karmeier and asked that he attempt to pursue Internal Revenue Service charitable status for the foundation. Directors of the Erck Memorial Scholarship Loan Fund and Erck Foundation had previously attempted to gain charitable status, but without success. Internal Revenue Service regulations made changing the foundation's status very difficult, so difficult that it would be easier to start with a new foundation. So, in a letter dated January 29, 1982, Ralph announced that plans were to be made to create a new foundation, the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation. On March 1, 1982, Lloyd filed the necessary papers with the Illinois Secretary of State and the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation was officially created. The Erck Foundation funds were transferred as the first "donation" to the new foundation . The original directors of the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation were:
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Al Panhorst, Chairman
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Bob Hillard, Vice Chairman
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Kevin Christ, Secretary/Treasurer
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Bill Bunte
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Ralph Folkerts
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Lloyd Karmeier
The IRS acknowledged the filing of the application on October 18, 1982 and provided the directors with a list of requirements and requests for additional information on November 22, 1982. On April 5, 1983, Kevin Christ received a telephone call from the IRS indicating approval of the exemption application on a probationary basis, subject to final review of the actual operations of the foundation at the end of three years. The first fund raising activity was conducted in order to satisfy the IRS "test of public support" requirement, which is based on quantity of donors, not quantity of dollars donated. So, a campaign was launched, soliciting a $1 donation from each Beta Sigma Psi member. Over 1,100 alumni responded with a donation. By a letter dated April 25, 1985, the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation received its final tax exempt approval letter, becoming qualified as a non-profit charitable organization as defined by section 501(c)3 of IRS regulations. Therefore, contributions are tax deductible, to the extent allowed by law. The first of what would become annual Educational Foundation phonathon fund raisers was conducted in 1985. Keith Dierberg envisioned the phonathon as an opportunity for alumni members to support the on-going programs of Beta Sigma Psi. Generous alumni support has made the annual phonathon a huge success. To date, approximately $1,000,000 has been raised through the phonathon, of which over $300,000 is now (permanently) endowed. The Chairmen of the Educational Foundation have been:
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Al Panhorst, 1982-1984
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Keith Dierberg, 1984-1988
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Scott Gesell, 1988-1989
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David Johnson, 1989-1990
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Kevin Christ, 1990-1991
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Paul Mellring, 1992 (interim)
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Steve Panhorst, 1992-2002
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Keith Dierberg, 2002-2005
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Kirk Meyer, 2005-present
The Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation was founded to promote educational activities and programs that reflect the purposes of Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity. It is an instrument through which alumni can help younger members lead richer, fuller lives, and produce positive results for our society. The development of this Case Statement has helped to further define the role of the Educational Foundation and to communicate this intent to our members. The future of the Educational Foundation, and of Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity, will be determined by each of us, through our donations and our time commitment.
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