EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MINUTES
November 11, 1995

Kent Gardner (Executive Director), David Grady (Editor), Michael Shonrock (Vice President), Carol Thompson (Secretary/Treasurer), and Ed Whipple (President).

Members Absent:

None.

The Fall Executive Council Meeting of The National Order of Omega was called to order by Ed Whipple, President, on Saturday, November 11, 1995 in the conference room of the National Office, Arlington, Texas.

1. Fellowship Report:

Michael Shonrock reported to the Executive Council that he has received the applications for The National Order of Omega Fellowship Awards.

The Executive Council reviewed the thirteen (13) candidates for the Doctoral Fellowship Award including:

Name                              Institution
Al-Agba, Niran S.               University of Washington School of Medicine
Callais, Mari Ann               Southeastern Louisiana University
Campbell (Watral), Michele L.   The University of Akron
Hall, Teresa L.                 Indiana University
Hennessey, Nicholas J.          Bowling Green State University
Hart, Lori A.                   Georgia State University
Kimbrough, Walter M.            Georgia State University
Labedz-Poll, Marita C.          University of Rochester
Little, Susan E.                University of Delaware-Newark
Padulo, Mary Kimberly           University of San Diego
Pride, Charles L.               Western Kentucky University
Sullivan, Eileen G.             Bowling Green State University
Walker, James R.                University of Miami-Coral Gables

After further review and discussion, a motion was made by Carol Thompson and seconded by David Grady to select Marita Labedz-Poll of University of Rochcester and Walter Kimbrough of Georgia State University for the Doctoral Fellowship Award ($1,000 each). Motion passed.

The Executive Council reviewed the two (2) candidates for the Masters Fellowship Award including:

Name                       Institution
Davis, Tamara V.           Lamar University - Beaumont
Kurisky, Brian Patrick D.  Eastern New Mexico University

Name                     Institution
Allen, Tiffany L.        Winthrop University-Rock Hill, SC
Brillhart, Matt J.       Emporia State University
Burks, Terrance E.       Colorado School of Mines
Gorski, Dawn M.          The University of Akron
Hansen, Richard B.       Northwest Missouri State University
Huntington, Sarah H.     University of South Carolina
McCord, Holly L.         Bowling Green State University
Miller, Brandon A.       Texas Tech University
Mire, Stephanie L.       Southeastern Louisiana University
Schulz, Bernard D.       Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Smith, Susan A.          Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Staggs, Gena M.          University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
Vojir, Stacy A.          Bowling Green State University
Wallace, Jennifer L.     Ball State University
White, Sharon (Paige)    The University of Kansas

After further review and discussion, a motion was made by Carol Thompson and seconded by Ed Whipple to select Matt Brillhart of Emporia State University, Bernard Schulz of Presbyterian College, Stacy Vojir of Bowling Green State University and Paige White of University of Kansas for the Graduate Assistant Fellowship Award ($500 each). Motion passed.

Michael reported that the Fellowship recipients would be announced at the Order of Omega Reception Saturday, December 2, 1995. Michael also noted that he would mail follow-up congratulations letters to each of the Fellowship recipients and their respective supervisors.

2. Scholarship Report:

Michael Shonrock reported to the Executive Council that he has received 111 applications to date for the Order of Omega Scholarship. Michael reported that applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee composed of students, faculty and administrative staff at Texas Tech University including: Patrick Day - Assistant Dean of Students, Multicultural Services Center; Andrew Garza - Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Services, Dean of Students Office; Juretta Gonzales - Administrative Assistant, Dean of Students Office; Patricia Honacki - Assistant Dean of Students (Greek Life); Brandon Miller - Graduate Assistant (Greek Life), Dean of Students Office; Michael Shonrock - Chairperson (Ex-Officio), Dean of Students Office; Tom Shubert - Director, University Center; and Myrna Whitehead - Information Specialist, News & Publications.

After discussion, the Executive Council directed the committee to recommend to the Board a minimum forty (40) students for the scholarship. In addition, the Executive Council requested the committee to prepare a list in preferential order, of the next ten (10) to twenty (20) scholarship candidates who meet the criteria. The Board will review these candidates for consideration of additional scholarships.

3. NPHC Conference:

Kent Gardner reported that he and Daisy Woods attended the National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPHC) in San Diego, October 12-15, 1996. He added that Archie Arechederra was unable to attend. Kent reported that 28 national representatives of the different NPHC organizations were initiated at the conference. Kent noted that the Order of Omega presence was positively received by the delegates of the conference.

4. Province Advisor Coordinator:

Kent Gardner recommended that the Executive Council consider creating a Province Advisor Coordinator position to provide more attention to the Province Advisors program. He noted that this position could provide support and better communication to the Province Advisors. Kent also noted that this position could address those advisors who are not fulfilling their responsibilities and replace them as necessary. Kent recommended Mardie Trask-Sorenson for the position. After discussion, a motion was made by Ed Whipple and seconded by Michael Shonrock to develop the Province Advisor Coordinator position and ask Mardie Trask Sorenson to take on the responsibility. Motion passed.

5. Omega Trends:

David Grady circulated samples of several new mastheads for the Omega Trends newsletter. He asked the Executive Council to consider these samples and select one to be incorporated into the newsletter. David also reported that he will utilize other graphics and techniques to upgrade the look of the newsletter. The Executive Council reviewed all the sample mastheads and recommended one to David for incorporation. David reported that postage remains the largest expense item on the budget, particularly with the recent postal increases.

6. Winter Board of Directors Meeting:

Carol Thompson reviewed the plans for the Order of Omega events scheduled for the December 2, 1995 NIC/AFA Annual Meeting. Carol suggested asking Daisy Woods, Archie Arechederra and Anne Forcier to greet guests at the Order of Omega Recognition Reception. Kent suggested these Board members could assist in the identification of past recipients of the Fellowship Award who were in attendance to ensure their recognition at the reception. Ed Whipple suggested the following items to be placed on the agenda of the Winter Board of Directors Meeting:

Scholarship Report
Fellowship Report
Student Board Member Selection
Regional Greek Conference Updates
Order of Omega Pins
Omega Trends
World Wide Web Page
Province Advisors
Fiscal Report
NPHC Conference
Black Greek Leadership Conference
Case Study Competition
Speakers Bureau
Corporate Advisory Board
Strategic Plan Update
Chapter Reference Manual
Cords, Stoles, T-Shirts, Banner
Summer Board of Directors Meeting

7. Case Study Competition:

Michael Shonrock reported that the first Order of Omega Case Study Competition will take place on Thursday, November 30, 1995. Michael noted that interested graduate students will register for the Case Study Competition when they register for the conference. Michael asked the Executive Council to serve as judges. Ed Whipple suggested including a Province Advisor on the judging team. After discussion, the Executive Council agreed to provide three cash awards for the case study winners ($300.00 - First Prize, $200.00 - Second Prize, and $100.00 - Third Prize).

8. Preliminary Fiscal Report 1994-1995:

Kent Gardner reported to the Executive Council that the preliminary review of the National Order of Omega fiscal statement reflects increased expenses in several areas including; the Winter Board of Directors Meeting, the Omega Trends, and the National Office. In addition, he reported that more scholarships and fellowships have been awarded compared to the previous year. Kent reported that printing and postage expenses are expected to be higher due to higher paper costs and postal rate increases.

9. Chapter Reference Manual:

Kent Gardner asked Carol Thompson to remind the Board to review the Chapter Reference Manual and make recommendations for changes by the Summer Board Meeting. Ed Whipple suggested including the information contained in the Chapter Reference Manual on the Order of Omega World Wide Web page.

10. Regional Conferences:

Kent Gardner reviewed the following dates scheduled for the Greek Regional Leadership Conferences for 1996 and asked if anyone would be attending. Kent indicated that members of the Executive Council and Board of Directors will be needed to assist with the Order of Omega programs and initiations scheduled, since several of the regional conferences are scheduled on the same dates. Kent will check the schedule of the Board members at the Winter Board of Directors Meeting.

SEIFC         February 22-25   Atlanta
MIFCA/MAPCA   February 22-25   Chicago
NEIFC/NEPC    February 22-25   Virginia
SEPC          March 28-31      Atlanta
WRGC          March 28-31      San Francisco

11. Order of Omega Pins:

Kent Gardner reported that he has taken the membership pins currently made by the two companies Order of Omega has contracted with (Legacy and Pollack), to three independent jewelers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, for a quality assessment. The only difference between the two pins was the finish. The Legacy pin was machined buffed, while the Pollack pin was hand buffed. The Legacy and Pollack pins vary in price and are $3.25 and $1.85 per pin respectively. One of the independent jewelers provided Kent a quote of $1.62 for the membership pin.

12. World Wide Web Page:

David Grady reported that he hired a student at the University of Iowa to develop an Order of Omega World Wide Web page. David indicated that it took approximately 25 hours of time to put the page together. David also reported that the new computer equipment to be used to support the World Wide Web page had been purchased and set up at the National Office. He also noted that the page is interactive and there will be a record of how many times the page is looked at. David showed the Executive Council the Order of Omega World Wide Web page and asked for feedback. The Executive Council suggested providing a demonstration to the Board at the Winter Board of Directors Meeting, December 2, 1995.

13. Black Greek Leadership Conference:

Kent Gardner reported that the Black Greek Leadership Conference is scheduled for April 4-7, 1996 at Arizona State University. Michael Shonrock and Archie Arechederra will be in attendance to present two $250.00 scholarships to the recipients (one male and one female). Robert Page is the coordinator of the conference and now works at Arizona State University. Michael will set up the Order of Omega display at the conference and be available to answer questions of the students and participants.

14. Corporate Advisory Board:

Kent reported that he plans to mail information on the organization to the college recruiters of twenty to thirty Fortune 500 companies. It is his hope that this mailing will lead to further opportunities to discuss the Corporate Advisory Board.

15. Strategic Plan Update:

Ed Whipple requested that the Board review their Strategic Plan assignments and prepare a report for the Winter Board of Directors Meeting. He asked the Board to come prepared with a status report on their assignments of what has been accomplished.

16. Summer Board of Directors Meeting:

Ed Whipple reminded the Executive Council that the Summer Board of Directors Meeting will be held July 18-21, 1996. Kent will notify the Board of Directors and Executive Council of the selected location of the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol D. Thompson
Secretary/Treasurer

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