Prior to the commitment to establish a new Boule, Archons Theodore Pryor and David Thompson from Alpha Psi held informational seminars throughout the area. Dr. John Norman, a participant, chaired the meetings.
After several meetings it was decided that a decision had to be made. “Are you in or are you out” was the question asked of the participants. Those who made the commitment came from Waterbury, Cheshire, New London, Vernon, Manchester, Bloomfield, West Hartford, and New Britain.
On February 21, 1981 at the Lord Cromwell Inn in Cromwell, Connecticut, fifteen men were united in Brotherhood. Grand Sire Archon Theodore A. Jones and Grand Grammateus Butler T. Henderson conducted the most moving ceremony of dignity, refinement and togetherness.
The host Boule Alpha Psi and invited guests heard each initiate introduce his wife, show togetherness, show concern for people and commitment to family. A special thank you was extended to Archons Theodore Pryor and David Thompson of Alpha Psi, who faithfully supported the formation of the new Boule.
Archons were installed as chartered officers led by Sire Archon Elbert Powell. As a newly chartered Boule this was going to be a challenge. This talented and eager group of men decided the following: meetings to be held on the first Thursday of the month hosted by an Archon with time set aside for a Sigma Pi Phi history lesson, a special calendar of events for the Archousai.
(Fall Activity, Christmas, Spring Activity and other activities), a strict budget and a special outreach program sponsored and developed by Beta Iota. This task was given to Archons Errol Alexander and Lewis Randall.
In conclusion, Beta Iota Boule in its early days had a big impact on the public’s understanding of Sigma Pi Phi in Connecticut. Beta Iota was founded on February 21, 1981 and held its first Christmas Dinner/Dance for the Archousai on December 5, 1981. Beta Iota was invited to the informational seminars in New Haven, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts, and performed a Belles Lettres program which received two pages of publicity in the Hartford Courant on Sunday June 12, 1983.
Respectfully Submitted,
Past Sire Archon Lewis E. Randall
Beta Iota Boulé