National Council Quarterly Report: January 1, 2009-April 1, 2009

Finance

• Adopted a balanced 2009-2010 Budget.
• Approved Sorority investment plan and issued a Request for Proposals for selection of an accounting firm.  Announced of selection of Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC on March 27, 2009.
• Cultivated partnerships with vendors and service providers such as Stephens, GIN Systems, BillHighway, Patriot, Affinity Marketing Consultants, M. J. Insurance, and Harris Directory.
• Transitioned Headquarters financial management system to Quickbooks and trained staff.
• Pursued new revenue streams through affinity partnerships and implementation of debt collection strategy.

Programming

• Facilitated 9 training calls for over 90 collegiate chapter officers, advisers and volunteer staff.
• Coordinated attendance and programming at three Regional Leadership Workshops in January.
• Developed curriculum for collegiate and adviser training for the 2009 Officer Academy June 19-21, 2009 at Duquesne University.
• Launched The Learning Center online to provide chapters and advisers with training and programming ideas.
• Approved the revised Policy and Position Statements.
• Provided Adviser Appreciation Month celebration ideas to chapters and conducted a survey to collect data on chapter activities.
• Developed an Outstanding Faculty Award.

Growth

• Installed Epsilon Theta Chapter.
• Responded to 14 extension opportunities or inquiries, prepared ten extension proposals for campuses, conducted one formal extension presentation and made two exploratory/informal visits.
• The Extension Educational Consultant and the National Colony Educator conducted 15 on-site visits with colonies and the Director of Extension colonized Iota Colony.
• Cultivated six new alumnae association expansion opportunities.
• Approved the application of four alumnae affiliate candidates and worked with candidates and chapters to complete the affiliation process.

Membership Outreach and Services

• Educational Consultants made 26 visits to chapters and colonies.
• National Council members visited 8 chapters and colonies and 3 alumnae associations.
• National President conducted monthly conference calls with NF and BOT and attended the March 2009 NF meeting.
• Launched the online Chapter Excellence Program reporting process.  78 Chapters submitted reports online. 
• Implemented online reporting for the 2009 Alumnae Association Annual Report.
• Approved the Adviser Recognition Ceremony.

Headquarters Staffing and Operations

• Headquarters Location Evaluation Committee submitted its 250+ page report and executive summary to the National Council on February 17 outlining its recommendation for Sorority Headquarters facility.  Additional cost analysis was conducted and presented to the National Council on March 24.
• Representatives of the National Council, National Foundation and Headquarters Location Evaluation Committee participated in the first Headquarters Lease Agreement Committee conference call.
• The Executive Director Search Committee marketed the Executive Director position description, received applications and conducted phone interviews.
• Formed the Software/Hardware Analysis Committee to review technology needs.
• Reviewed 2008 Fraternity Executives Association Salary and Benefits Survey.

Communications

• Published the Winter 2009 edition of The Crest, the Spring 2009 edition of The Anchor and the January, February and March Alpha Sig-Nals.
• Upgraded and consolidated the Officer Resources page, provided access information to members, and established email distribution lists for chapter officers, volunteer staff and advisers.
• Launched new media initiatives to communicate to membership: Alpha Sigma Tau Facebook Network, Alpha Sigma Tau fan page on Facebook, Alpha Sigma Tau Alumnae Facebook group, Twitter, and linkedIn.

Panhellenic Community

• Participated in 2009 International Badge Day, sponsored by the National Panhellenic Conference, on March 2, 2009
• NPC Delegation attended regional Greek conferences (NGLA, SEPC, MGCA) and presented three workshops for conference attendees.
• Promoted NPC’s marketing initiative www.TheSororityLife.com to the membership.
• NPC Delegate participated in the winter BOD conference call, Delegation members fulfilled assignments as members of the College Panhellenics and Alumnae Panhellenics Committees and completed other committee assignments.
• Created Alumnae Panhellenics page on the website to market opportunities for alumnae to represent Alpha Sigma Tau at new or existing Alumnae Panhellenics.

Council Operations

• The National Council traveled to Birmingham, Alabama for the January 2009 National Council meeting at the National Headquarters.  Met with Gamma Gamma Chapter leaders and Birmingham-area alumnae.  Toured the 2010 Convention site location. Participated in training and goal setting exercise.
• The National Council held six conference calls including the regular monthly Council call, calls with potential vendors and budget calls.

Volunteer Development

• The Nominations Committee contacted approximately 300 candidates for staff and Council positions via email, postal mail, and by phone.  The Committee conducted 29 interviews and processed 26 appointments to open positions.  To date, there are four applications in process.

To view the National Council Biennium Goals for 2008-2010, please visit:
http://www.alphasigmatau.org/the-sisterhood/strategic-plan/biennium-goals