Grand Council meets in person three times a year, and by conference call each month they are not together.  Quite often, Grand Council deliberations, and subsequent actions, aren’t appropriate for immediate publication.  As well, an announcement is often more appropriate shared by a subject matter expert.  For example, Director of Extension Lindsay Sell is a far better messenger about extension opportunities than I am.  So, I typically have very little share at the close of a board meeting.  Grand Council is thoughtfully contemplating a great deal these days, but you may not, for good reason, learn of decisions for weeks or months.  

This past weekend, Grand Council met in Indianapolis.  Here are some highlights of the meeting:

CMO Julianne Butler and CAO Mindy Marshall provided an update on plans for the sesquicentennial celebration, including the 2020 Grand Convention.   Pre-sales of the commemorative coffee table book begin later this fall.  The book is going to be A-MAZING!

The general college program was reviewed including, but not limited to, the change in voluntary membership inactivity, chapters of concern, and high priority chapters.  

More specifically, Assistant Director of Collegiate Services Emma Silvers and Risk Prevention Committee Chairman Stephanie Sciarani provided an update on college chapter alcohol policies with Grand Council granting exceptions to Alpha Chi Chapter and Beta Phi Chapter permitting them to co-sponsor events with alcohol at local men’s fraternity facilities.

Recruitment Committee Chairman Kara Van Duzee provided a comprehensive member recruitment report. The sophisticated analysis of recruitment data by the recruitment committee is impressive and offers RPDDs the ability to develop strategies unique to each college chapter.

Director of Extension Lindsay Sell reported on the current college chapter extension landscape, as well as the status of current membership growth plans.

FHC Executive Director Teresa Smith, CFO Jeff Risser, and MJ Insurance Senior Vice President Cindy Stellhorn joined the meeting for a robust housing discussion regarding the challenges faced by local facility corporation board officers related to property, financial, and employee management risks.

The request of Chi/Syracuse to join the Fraternity Housing Corporation was approved.

Marketing Coordinator Jordan Qaddourah provided fascinating research on Generation Z.

Director of Education & Leadership Melissa Shaub facilitated discussion of the data collected through our third year of undergraduate assessment.  New programs, and adjustments to current programs, based on assessment data will be introduced in the coming year.

COO Jenni Schmaltz reviewed the current draft of the 2020 Plan of Aspirations & Goals.  The Workforce leadership gathers next weekend in Indianapolis to develop Plan objectives.

Foundation President Vicki McCluggage shared plans for Theta Forever Fund through the sesquicentennial Pansy Patch and Giving Tuesday.

Thank you for all YOU do for Kappa Alpha Theta.  Stay tuned to Igloo for more Theta news, and please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns.

Loyally,

Betsy