Order of Omega Winter Board Meeting
Minutes
December 2, 2006
New Orleans, LA 

The Winter Board Meeting was called to order by Dr. Ed Whipple at the Marriott Hotel, New Orleans in conjunction with the Association of Fraternity Advisors Meeting.  Those in attendance were Dr. Ed Whipple, Dr. Kent Gardner, Mrs. Mardie Sorensen, Dr. David Grady, Dr. Larry Lunsford, Mr. Wes Schaub, and Mr. David Hotz.

o        The first item of business was a review of the 2006 Summer Board Meeting minutes.  They were approved by the Executive Committee. 

o        There was discussion about several “to do” items from the Summer Board Meeting. The Executive Director, Kent Gardner will send out reminders to the various work members on some of the items in question. 

o        Discussed next was the staffing at the National Office - the next step in the filling out of the office staff was approved: that would be to move Jessica more into a chapter development role and hire a student worker to cover the telephone, general correspondence, etc… to free up more of Jessica’s time for chapter contact. 

o        David Grady gave the Fellowship/Scholarship Report.  The Executive Committee approved 1 Doctoral Fellowship for $1,000 and 15 Graduate Fellowships at $500 each totaling $8,500 for the 2006 Fellowship Program.  That brings the total number of dollars for fellowships since 1988 to $108,250.00.  David Grady reported that we had 198 applicants for the Scholarship Program, a 26% increase from last year’s 157 applicants.  The committee will be making their rankings and decisions for recipients by the end of December.  Award letters and checks will be mailed the first week in January. 

o        Next Kent made the annual financial report for 2005-2006.  One of the highlights was that the income for 05-06 was $405,871.36; which was the first time the income level has reached $400,000.  An itemized report was given concerning income and expenses.  Without the last expense category for the new building and related items such as furniture, new computers, etc… the year 2005/2006 would have had approximately $20,000 income in excess of expenses. 

o        The next item of business was the 2007 Summer Board Meeting.  A reminder of the summer board meeting dates was given: July 19, 2007 – July 22, 2007.  There was discussion of a new location for the meeting.  The three areas/locations discussed the most were: The John Ascaga’s Nugget, The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, and The Charleston Place Hotel.  The final decision was left to the Executive Director and Mardie Sorensen who will make the final negotiations with the chosen hotel, and send the Board and RCD’s a letter of confirmation with additional information about the Summer Board Meeting.

o        The next item brought to discussion was adding a 7^th Regional Chapter Director in the Northeast territory, which would take some states/chapters out of Wes Schaub’s region and in turn give more balance to the number of chapters in each region.  This was approved by the Executive Committee and the Asst. Executive Director was asked to create the boundaries and division of schools, and to select a new RCD for the region. This selection of the new RCD should be made before the Summer Board Meeting 2007. 

o        The Exec. Committee then discussed the upcoming reception to be held later that evening.  We will re-introduce and congratulate the Case Study Competition winners as well as announce the Fellowship Award winners and present them with their check and gift.  Of the 16 students selected, 13 will be in attendance. 

o        Kent Pawlak recently accepted a position in Arizona and will be relocating by the first of the year.  Kent P. will be continuing on in his capacity.  Seth Ressl will assist with the on site tech projects.