National Council Quarterly Report
April 1, 2009-June 30, 2009

Finance

Converted to an accrual accounting method on June 1.

Identified additional financial accounts and consolidated the funds for maximum income and membership benefit. 

Began implementing BillHighway with collegiate chapters and introduced the program at the 2009 Officer Academy.

Sent National alumnae dues invoices to alumnae and reminders to National Officers, Staff, Assistants to the Staff and Advisers.

Worked with collegiate chapters on debt payment.

Received over 50 donations from alumnae and alumnae associations to the Legacy of 1899 Fund for educational speakers.

Negotiated with vendors, speakers, facilities, etc. to ensure that the cost of the 8 RLWs met the budgeted amount.

Programming

Partnered with CAMPUSPEAK for the 2009-2010 RLW Educational Series on safety training utilizing the LADDER of Risk program.

Renewed our partnership with The Human Equation for on-line hazing prevention training for all new members for 2009-2010.

Added on-line training programs to the The Learning Center which provides chapters and advisers with training and programming ideas.

Approved the National Adviser Appreciation Day Ceremony.

Fully funded a collegiate chapter scholarship at the 2009 Officer Academy through the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation. 

Developed curriculum for collegiate and adviser training for the 2009 Officer Academy June 19-21, 2009 at Duquesne University.

Organized a community service event that produced 1076 greeting cards for The Children's Institute in Pittsburgh. 

Trained the 322 attendees registered for the 2009 Officer Academy.  Of the registrants, 298 were collegians representing all but 4 chapters and 1 colony, 16 were National Staff and/or advisers, 3 were non-affiliated/speakers, and 2 National Council Members.  65 Chapters/Colonies attended at full delegation of 4 or more.

Facilitated 3 training calls for over 21 collegiate chapter officers, advisers and volunteer staff.

Developed the 2009-2010 training call schedules for collegiate chapter officers and advisers.

Identified programming and secured DVDs from the People's Burn Foundation for the educational consultant and the district president's visits.

Developed the AST 101: Academic Success program to launch in the Fall 2009 for members who are academic poor standing. Chapters will have the option to require their members to complete the program.

Developed an Outstanding Faculty Award.

Growth

Installed the Epsilon Eta (University of the Incarnate Word) and Epsilon Iota (New York Institute of Technology) Chapters.

Accepted invitations to colonize in the fall of 2009 at Indiana University- South Bend (Epsilon Lambda Colony) and the Kappa Phi Epsilon local sorority at the University of Buffalo-SUNY in Buffalo, New York (Epsilon Mu Colony).

Approved the application of five alumnae affiliate candidates and worked with candidates and chapters to complete the affiliation process.

Cultivated three new alumnae association expansion opportunities.

Membership Outreach and Services

National Council members visited 6 chapters and colonies and 3 alumnae associations. 

The National President conducted conference calls with the National Foundation President.

Continued our relationship with Harris Direct to produce the third edition of the Alpha Sigma Tau Alumnae Directory for 2010.

Approved procedures and forms for membership status changes, for the 75 age exemption for National dues, and for the disposition of a member's Alpha Sigma Tau Badge.

The Collegiate Educational Consultants made 34 chapter visits between April 1 and the end of the term of employment on May 15. 

Headquarters Staffing and Operations

The Executive Director Search Committee posted the approved position description on 10 non-profit career websites and sent it to the Alpha Sigma Tau e-mail domain and Greek community partners. The Committee implemented the TopGrading method of candidate evaluations and received 93 resumes; extended 26 invitations for a first interview; conducted 23 1st interviews; extended 12 invitations for second interviews; conducted 11 second interviews; extended 3 invitations for third interviews on-site; and conducted 3 third interviews on-site. The Committee submitted the candidate credentials and its recommendations to the National Council on June 9.

Employed temporary staff at Headquarters to assist in providing member services.

Completed Headquarters Staff training on Quickbooks.

Indianapolis, IN real estate agent presented over 42 buildings in the College Park area of Indianapolis, IN; current and former National Officers toured over 18 office spaces located on 10 properties and presented initial recommendations to the National Council on June 9 and 23.
 
Communications

Finalized the GIN System Facebook application, a new media initiative to communicate to membership to be launched in July 2009.

Produced the Spring 2009 edition of THE ANCHOR.

Distributed 3 issues of the Alpha Sig-Nal.

Produced the Spring 2009 edition of The Crest.

Utilized RegOnline to communicate with registrants for Officer Academy and to share handouts and information.

Panhellenic Community

Participated in the International/National Presidents and NPC Board of Director (Delegates) Meeting in Indianapolis, IN at the Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters on May 29 and 30.

Recognized by NPC peers for participation and promotion of hazing prevention with HazingPrevention.org.

One collegiate member and three alumnae members participated in the Capital Fraternal Caucus' "Greek Day on the Hill" representing inter/national fraternities and sororities to generate support for the

Collegiate Housing Infrastructure Act on March 20 and 21.

Responded to the NPC recruitment survey.

NPC Delegate participated in the spring NPC Board of Directors conference call. Delegation members fulfilled assignments as members of the College Panhellenics and Alumnae Panhellenics Committees and completed other committee assignments.

NPC 1st Alternate Delegate selected to be an "expert" for the NPC website for sorority parents.

Director of Fraternity Programs attended the 2009 AFA Virginia Drive-In, Drive-Out Conference.

Council Operations

Sought proposals from three strategic planners, reviewed two proposals, and selected Tom Jelke of t. jelke solutions as the Sorority's strategic planner on May 19; educated 2009 Officer Academy attendees on the purpose and method for strategic planning; conducted focus group interviews with members at the 2009 Officer Academy on June 20 and via phone.

Selected the first Executive Director for the Sorority, James Paponetti, who will establish Headquarters operations in Indianapolis, IN, oversee the Headquarters team and work with the Council to implement the Strategic Plan.

Director of Alumnae developed and presented a Joint Fundraising Proposal to the National Foundation.

The National Council held four conference calls including the regular monthly Council call and headquarters facility calls. On each call, the Council reviewed the 2008-2010 National Council Goals. Prepared and approved minutes for each call.

Secured three "AST" trademarks with the USPTO for jewelry, membership, and clothing. Submited applications for the "Badge" trademarks with the USPTO.

Developed and implemented procedures recommended by the Professional Registered Parliamentarian and legal counsel.

Established a Visual Identity Committee, Communications Plan Committee, and a Headquarters Transition Committee. Dissolved the Headquarters Location Evaluation Committee.

Development of Educational Consultant Training.

Volunteer Development

The Nominations Committee received 19 applications, conducted 15 interviews and processed 14 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