(The balance of the Fellowship Committee Report will be posted December 16, 2000.)

V.                 Omega Trends 

David Grady reported that two issues of Omega Trends was published in the fall. Two additional issues will be published in the spring with the first one being the scholarship/fellowship issue. Most of the work of layout and distribution of the newsletter has shifted to the national office staff. Kent noted that the cost of printing has decreased since the shift. It has required the hiring of temporary staff to stuff envelops and get the mailing out. 

David reminded Board members to send speeches and articles for publication in Omega Trends. 

During the Summer Board meeting, it was decided to create a new logo for Order of Omega. Heather Grimm, the first student board member, is designing the new logo. David shared the most recent drafts with those in attendance and solicited their feedback. Final drafts will be sent to board members in early spring. 

Heather has been working with the tagline on the logo of “Honoring Greek Leaders and Scholars.” Kent suggested that we eliminate the reference to scholarship since it is just one of the components and leadership is the main focus of Order of Omega. It was decided that the tagline be “Honoring Greek Leaders.” 

VI.              Province Coordinator Report 

Mardie Sorensen reported she has replaced three province advisors and four others have changed jobs. There are three province advisor positions still open: Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. Mardie would appreciate any recommendations of individuals in these areas to consider for province advisor. 

Mardie was given discretion to select two Province Advisors to attend the Summer Board Meeting. Direction was given to her to select advisors that would help the Board the most in their discussions and to look at demographic balance. 

VII.           Order of Omega Awards 

Mardie announced that three applications have received for the Outstanding Chapter Award. There may be more since the deadline is November 27. She will announce the recipient when it is determined. 

Mardie had four nominations for the Outstanding Province Advisor—David Hotz, Wes Schaub, Reatha Cox, and Darald Stubbs. The criteria for the recipient are communication with chapters and the national office, follow-through, consistency, and length of service. Darald Stubbs was approved as the 2000 Outstanding Province Advisor. He will receive $250 and $250 will be given in his name to his campus’ scholarship fund. 

VIII.        Student Board Member Selection 

Barbie Tootle will be working with Jose Diaz on the selection of the student board member from the Midwest. Barbie attended regional meetings at AFA to encourage advisors to recommend students apply. Board members attending MGCA will make special contact with campus Greek advisors and students. Information will also be made available on the Order of Omega web site. 

IX.              Summer Board Meeting 2000 

The Summer 2000 board meeting will be held July 12-15. Kent will make a recommendation to the Executive Committee in late February. 

X.                 Case Study 

Nine teams participated in the graduate student case study competition at AFA. There was good participation by AFA in the judging of the case studies. Angie Carr, from the University of Kansas, was the AFA Case Study Liaison. It was noted that she had done an outstanding job and hope she would continue. The winners were announced at the AFA Business Meeting and the Order of Omega Reception. They were: 

Third Place ($150) 

Chandra Daffer               Emporia State University

Karen E. Katz                Western Illinois University 

Second Place ($250) 

Allison Williams                       University of Georgia

Katherine Whitfield                      University of Georgia 

First Place ($350)

Lori D. Patton                          Indiana University—Bloomington

Shaun R. Harper             Indiana University—Bloomington 

It was suggested that at the Summer Board Meeting we look at whether we should adjust the prize money. 

XI.              Review Regional Conference Schedule 

SEIFC—February 15-18 (Mardie or Jose)
MGCA—February 5-18 (Ed)
NGLA—February 22-25 (Kent)
SEPC—March 29-April 1 (Michael)
WRGC—March 29-April (Kent and Mardie)

XII.           Financial Report 

Kent Gardner distributed the 1999-2000 Financial Report. It is as follows: 

Budget Summary 1999-2000

Beginning Balance $162,863.08
Income 352,495.25
Expenses 472,692.05
Ending Balance 42,666.28 

Expenses 1999-2000

Deposit to Certificate of Deposit $231,161.53
Scholarships/Fellowships 33,800.00
Summer Board Meeting 27,335.29
Office Staff 19,033.06
Pins 18,407.25
Kent Gardner, Executive Director 18,000.00
Postage 15,573.06
Taxes 10,573.54
Certificates 10,026.55
Rent 9,000.00
Regional Conferences 8,883.08
Cords & Stoles 7,708.95
Fellowships 7,498.50
Printing 6,852.44
Winter Board Meeting 6,494.64
Office Supplies 5,057.10
Telephone 4,955.87
Chapter Development 3,879.66
Insurance 3,300.34
Refunds 3,168.00
Newsletter 3,036.60
Greek Summit 2,875.87
Tee Shirts 2,630.00
Bad Checks 2,224.00
Accounting 2,080.77
Banners 1,833.39
Web Master 1,735.68
Ex. Meetings 1,650.68
Computer 1,278.79
Miscellaneous 1,137.41
Case Study 750.00
Province Advisor Award 750.00

Total $472,692.05 

Kent warned not to be concerned that expenses seem to exceed revenues during FY00. He reported that he had transferred $231,161.50 to a Certificate of Deposit in order to generate more interest income. Kent will seek proposals for other investment opportunities and make recommendation at the Summer Board Meeting. 

Kent is also sending all board members copies of the most recent Form 990. 

In the last couple of years, we have been buying pins from two suppliers (4,000 from each source). Kent reported that we will probably go with one company, Master of Design, because of price and customer service. 

XIII.        University of Oregon Proposal 

   Kent received the following e-mail from Christopher B. Juhl, the Greek Advisor at the University of Oregon: 

I have a question regarding the eligibility of students that we select for membership on our campus. In an effort to get students involved as early as possible and to eliminate students who join just to put it us their resume, this is what we would like to do at U of Oregon. Since we take applications for membership in January, select them in February, and initiate them in April, we would like to make Sophomores, who will be Juniors by fall, eligible and not allow Senior who are graduating in June, of that year, to apply. We seem to have a handful of students who just want to put us on their resume and not attend any events and give back to the group, and we do not want to have that be the perception of Order of Omega here. We would also like to make those Sophomores, who will be Juniors in the fall, eligible for initiation because they will have two years left to help Order of Omega grow. Whereas if we only select students who are already Juniors we will only get one year of service from them. Also, this only allows those students who will be fifth years to hold an officer position because we do elections at the end of December/early January. 

After some discussion, Kent was to encourage them to take a fall and spring initiation class. This would address some of the issues that were described. The Board will also review membership requirements at the Summer Board Meeting. 

XIV.        Discussion about Organizational Structure of Executive Committee and Board of Directors 

Michael addressed the dynamics of the structure of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. We have not replaced Carol Thompson’s position of Secretary-Treasurer. Kent stated there is no legal requirement of Order of Omega’s incorporation to have a Secretary-Treasurer. There is not really a treasurer’s role since most the financial accounting and disbursement is done by the Executive Director. The secretary’s role is to take minutes. Concern was expressed that the scribe should be external to the board so as to not divert the attention of the Board member. 

Further, Michael suggested we examine the office staffing pattern with the possibility of expanding the staff to do day-to-day activities. He stated that the role of volunteers has changed over the years. With volunteers having more calls on their time, it is difficult for them to give the necessary time to Order of Omega. Questions were raised on the size of the board, the role of the board, and the duties of the Executive Director and office staff. 

It was suggested that we bring a consultant to the Summer Board Meeting to aid us in our look at the national organization structure and office. Kent was charged with identifying a consultant. Board members with suggestions of consultants should e-mail him before the holidays. Also include issues and related suggestions. 

XV.           Review of Action from Summer Board Meeting 2000 

A.     Make sure Speakers’ Bureau is part of the Order of Omega Web Site—Kent reported that when the participant list is updated the Speakers’ Bureau would be added to the web site.

B.     Continue discussion on Ritual concerning Delta-Divinity—The Executive Committee approved the following change to the Ritual pending an e-mail vote by the Board of Directors: “Delta–Devotion, a commitment to spiritual growth emphasizes the values, ethics and principals of good citizenship and social responsibility.” This is the statement recommended by the Task Group at the Summer 2000 Board Meeting. If the Board approves this change, it will be reflected in the Spring 2001 chapter mail-out along with other approved changes.

C.     Discussion of National Philanthropic Event—David Grady will initiate an e-mail discussion with the Marketing & Image Task Group and bring a recommendation to the Summer Board meeting. 

XVI.        Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned to prepare for the Order of Omega Awards Reception.