Tuesday Tidings

from your Dazzling DF--Kat Wolfington

Officer Elections:
If you have had your officer elections, please forward this newsletter to the new President.  Also, shoot me a quick email to give me her contact information...at least her email so that I can get in touch and say howdy-do!
 
Reports:
Past Presidents--The only report you need to even be worried about right now (as the outgoing President) is the New Chapter Officer Directory.  Please remind your brand new Secretary to fill this out and get it to Headquarters as soon as possible.  This report will allow National Headquarters to update the directories that National Volunteers, Advisors, and other chapter members use to contact your chapter.  It is very important stuff!
 
New Presidents--Please remind your new VP of Membership Education that the Fall ASA Advantage Completion Report is due December 1st.  Also, remind your Philanthropic Chairperson that the Fall Service Report is due December 1st.  All reports can be found on the ASA website under "Collegians" in the menu at the top of the page.  Next, click on "Chapter Resources" in the menu bar.  Then look in the sidebar for "Forms".  This will open a page that lists all the reports each officer is responsible for throughout the year.
 
Internet Safety Policies:
This topic seems to be coming up everywhere...in the middle school where I teach, in sorority life, in the national legislature!  If your chapter doesn't already have a policy on this, I strongly encourage you to consider making that a priority for the spring semester.  I have a variety of examples that you could use to create one that fits your chapter.  Let me know if you're interested in seeing them!
 
Safe Holiday Travels:
Happy Thanksgiving and travel safely to your destinations next week!  I'm headed back to Lawrence, KS, to hang out with my parents, and then to St. Louis, MO, to see my aunt and uncle.  I'll be checking my email, but not on a regular basis.  As always, if something comes up, please don't hesitate to call me on my cell!  Big hugs!

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Wow, Tuesday Tidings on Monday!  Who knew?  I must be really really organized this week!  Actually, I have a four day weekend coming up and company coming into town.  I'm trying to be really organized so that I can get everything done and play this weekend!  I will still be checking my email, but not as often as I usually do.  If you need my immediate attention on a matter, do not hesitate to call me or send me a text telling me to check my email.  316-200-3506

 
District Day Darn-Good Idea!
A Phi Phi alumnae member, Sarah Zimmerschied, shared a great idea to help chapters finance sending every member to District Day in February 2009!  If each member pays or sets aside just $12 a month from October to February, they will be able to cover the cost of the District Day registration plus 1/4 of a hotel room with tax!  It sure seems like a managable expense when considering only $12 a month!  Talk with your Executive Board and see if this is something that you could introduce to your chapter members.
 
Finance Information
This message recently went out to our Finance Coaching Team Members, and they will be sharing it with your Chapter Treasurers.  Please check in with your Treasurer and make sure they got this message:
On bid night or at the Phoenix Degree, the chapter should have a laptop or computer available for  new members to register for Billhighway and sign a dues contract.  This way, the treasurer can track that they’ve signed up.  Once women have registered for Billhighway, the treasurer should create an invoice under “Other Fees” for the new member fee amount. Once this fee is created, it will appear on the member's account within the hour.  Members can then pay it by mail, phone, or online at any time.  They will not receive their statement until the next scheduled statement date, but they do not have to wait on that.  We advise that officers let new members know that they must login and make payment within 24 hours. 
 
Also, just an FYI to you, the Outstanding Fall Collegiate Dues will be billed this week in an email.    Hopefully your chapter won't get one, but check with your Treasurer just to be sure.

 
Shout Out's!!!
Philanthropy Phabulous-ness!
To raise money for SOS, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and CECE, the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter teamed up with Sigma Phi Epsilon for their annual Teeter-Totter-a-Thon!  They raised $3100!!!  Awesome! 
 
Alpha Sigma Alpha Bed and Breakfast
To get a little extra cash for home improvements, members of Epsilon Epsilon will open up their chapter house one weekend in November to alumnae members that would like to return to their collegiate home and sleep in their old room.  For a small fee, collegians will be providing rides around town as well as breakfast in the morning!  Groovy!
 
What does your chapter have to brag about?  Send me the goods on what amazing things your women are accomplishing!
 
 
Letters to Greek Advisors
Today I mailed an official, formal letter-of-introduction to your campus Greek and/or Pahellenic Advisors.  This was simply to introduce myself to them, since I'm new in this position, and to let them know my purpose as District Facilitator.  A copy of the letter is attached, in case you are curious about what I wrote.  I've also attached the names and addresses of the advisors I sent the letters to.  If you think I should send a letter to an additional or different person, please just let me know!
 
 
Fat Talk Free Week October 13-17, 2008
Last week was Fat Talk Free Week, and maybe you heard about it on your campus.  If you didn't, check out this powerful video about women and eating disorders.  Maybe this is something you should consider sharing with your chapter women during an upcoming meeting.  The statistics are sobering, sharing this video could save a life.
 
Advisors--Just to let you know, the Extranet is back up and in working condition!
 
Keep up the great work and let me know how I can help you!

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

New Recruitment Coaching Team Leader--Welcome!
We have added a new member to our District Leadership Team!  Katy Schwartz, Zeta Mu, lives in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she is a teacher.  She will be leading the Recruitment Coaching Team of volunteers as they work with your VP of PR & Recruitment.  Katy is already rockin' and rollin' in her new volunteer position.  You can reach her best through her email account recruitment_team_leader9@yahoo.com  Read her bio and see her picture at our district web site www.asad9.com
 
Shout Out's!!!
This shout out is going to the Eta Eta Chapter!  The ladies in Pittsburg, Kansas, are recruiting their hearts out this year!  They have made goals and they are reaching them!  Keep it up, Eta Eta ladies!
 
My second shout out goes to the Zeta Alpha Chapter.  When I met their Chapter President, Heather Loyd, at the National Convention in Albuquerque this summer, one of her main concerns was the lack of Advisors in her chapter.  Well guess what, they are boasting three new Advisors this fall!  Way to go, Heather!
 
Reports, Reports, Reports!
I know, I know, you wish that I would just quit writing about reports and give more shout outs, but here's the thing...one way I know when chapters are rockstars are through the reports they submit to National Headquarters.  When you and your chapter sisters submit reports, that data is analyzed and shared with volunteers.  We use it to help you celebrate, set new goals, or get you more information in areas where you might want to improve.  A list of still-needed reports is below.  This is according to Headquarters...if you think something is incorrect, please contact Christy Adams cadams@alphasigmaalpha.org with your questions.
 
Reports Still Due:
Beta Beta--Fall Packet & Fall Directory
Epsilon Epsilon--Fall Roll Report
Phi Phi--Fall Packet & Fall Directory
Gamma Pi--Fall Packet & Fall Directory
Zeta Eta--Fall Packet & Fall Directory
Zeta Mu--Fall Packet
Zeta Pi--Fall Roll Report
Rogers State Colony--Fall Packet
 
KEY: 
Fall Packet=Fall Chapter Information Packet to be submitted by Secretary by Sept. 20th
Fall Roll Report=Membership Roll & Fall Collegiate Dues Report to be submitted by Secretary/Treasurer by Sept. 15th
Fall Directory=Collegiate Chapter Directory to be submitted by Secretary by Sept. 15th
Next report due=Savings Account Report to be submitted by the Treasurer on Nov. 15th
 
Contact Your Volunteers!
Another way that I keep up on what's going on in your neck of the woods is through your chapter's assigned District Volunteers.  Your chapter has a volunteer assigned from each of the district teams; recruitment, finance, and education.  Attached you will find a breakdown of which volunteers are responsible for helping your specific chapter and officers, you can find their email addresses on the District 9 Website www.asad9.com .  Check with your Treasurer, VP of Membership, and VP of PR & Recruitment to make sure they are touching base with their volunteer each month.  We WANT to hear from you, help you, praise you, and be your cheerleaders!!!  A big thanks to District 9's Volunteer Recruitment & Placement Team (VRPT) Member, Erica Konieczny, for putting together the attachment.
 
Future Leadership Consultants WE WANT YOU!
If you, or any of the other fabulous leaders in your chapter or alumnae in your area, are interested in being a Leadership Consultant for the remainder of this school year, the deadline to apply is October 20th.  LC applications are always online at www.alphasigmaalpha.org/leadership-consultant-inf
 
On a Personal Note...An Analogy for You...A Warm Fuzzy...
When I was in college, ASA took me in and molded me into a leader, an organizer, and a young woman of poise and purpose.  After graduation I took a year off from ASA.  Luckily, one of my sisters remembered me and invited me to volunteer as an alumnae.  I've been a volunteer for seven years now.  Through that time I have met some amazing women, young and young-at-heart, from all over the country.  Everytime we get back together I realize that Agape love knows no bounds, no distance...  This video is a great example of Agape love, and I hope it warms your heart as much as it does mine.  Big hug!
 
Christian the Lion Reunion  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U

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September 23, 2008

Recruitment Reporting Rockstars!
The following fabulous chapters have submitted their New Member Fee Report as of 09/22/08:
Alpha Beta
Zeta Mu
Zeta Pi
Beta Beta
Gamma Gamma
Eta Eta
Phi Phi
Beta Gamma
Beta Sigma
Gammap Pi
Zeta Alpha
Zeta Eta
Rogers State Colony
 
If your chapter has not yet submitted these reports, please light a fire under the officers in charge of these reports:
Treasurer & VP of Membership Ed--New Member Fee Report with a check for new member fees (should be mailed to HQ within 3 days of the Phoenix Degree)
President  & Treasurer--Request for Permission to Initiate, the Jewelry Order Form and a check for initiation and jewelry fees to HQ (Headquarters). Due three weeks prior to initiation.

Other Reports Coming Up...

09/30  Standards Chairman--Special Status Request for the Fall

10/01  Secretary--Fall Graduating Seniors Report

10/01  Standards Chairman--Termination Requests for the Fall Semester
 

Philanthropy takes a Dip
This past Saturday the Zeta Mu Chapter in St. Joseph, MO, hosted a Float-a-thon in the main fountain on their campus!  Women in the chapter brought their suits and floaties and soaked in the fountain for 12 hours to raise money for Special Olympics.  What an original and fun philanthropic event!  Is there a chapter among us that can beat that story with a better philanthropic event?  Email me and I'll post your fabulous idea in the next Tuesday Tidings!
 
Advisor Placement Procedures
Found a new and wonderful advisor?  Here are the steps to follow to get them approved:
1.  Fill out the form Request for Advisor Placement (attached).
2.  Mail the form to Pat Crosby at National Headquarters.  All Requests for Advisor
Approvals from collegiate chapters must be sent to National Headquarters by
email, fax or snail mail.
3.  Once the approval is received at National Headquarters then the request is forwarded to Brenda Chappell, as well as being copied to me, the District Facilitator (DF), and Tara Horinek, the Advisory Board Liaison (ABL).
4.  When Advisors are approved your chapter will be contacted.
Just a reminder, the three advisors that are required for each chapter are Chapter Advisor, Finance Advisor, and Membership Advisor.
 
 
Help a Chapter Raise Money for the S. June Smith Center
The Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Millersville University (PA), is once again participating in the Homecoming Charity Queen Fundraiser  on November 1st to benefit our national philanthropy - The S. June Smith Center.  Last year, we were named runner-up at the Homecoming game.  We exceeded our expectations and raised $7,600 to benefit the S. June Smith Center.  Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 which would provide a phenomenal contribution to  the children and their families served by S. June Smith.  We are  fortunate to be able to work closely with the center which is located just minutes away from our campus. Since we are all working together to support the center, we would appreciate any financial contribution in an effort to reach our goal of $20,000.  Checks may be made payable to S. June Smith Center and sent to Alpha Sigma Alpha - EK Chapter, SMC Box 5, Millersville University, Millersville, PA 17551 by October 25, 2008. Thank you for your  consideration and support !!                                                      Love in ASA,  Epsilon Kappa Chapter
 
A Thankful Advisor...
Kathy Kelly, Standards Advisor for Zeta Mu, wrote to me because she wanted to share, "I wanted someone to know how our chapter has changed my life, and the life of my nephew that has autism. It's funny, I told each one of the girls that when they started working for Tanner, they would fall in love with him, and be a part of our family forever. Some of the ASA's that have worked with him have graduated, but they still call and come by to see him when they are in town. We have made life long friends."  If you would like to read more about how Alpha's changed this little boys life, check out the winter edition of The Phoenix.
 

Big hug!

Kathryn Wolfington, EE
Alpha Sigma Alpha
District 9 Facilitator