Alumni Association Annual Meeting Saturday July 13, 2013
Barrington Student Union SUNY Potsdam 10 a.m.
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Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association Annual Meeting Agenda July
13, 2013 Call to Order by the President Moment of Silence for
Departed Sisters. Attendance sign in. Distribution of Minutes by
Secretary Officer Reports President/GAC VP Treasurer Website
Newsletter Fundraising Historian Alumni Advisor Committee Reports
Constitution Reunion Old Business New Business Announcements
Adjourn
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Secretarys Report Maggie Saunders Minutes from Annual Meeting
July 2012. a. Review/discussion b. Motion to accept/vote
Slide 4
Officer Reports
Slide 5
Presidents Report/GAC Donnalyn Eaton Shuster Through work with
our Executive Board Members the following items were accomplished
from the Action Plan including: 1.Develop a working budget with
line items based on activity the last two years. 2.Continue to
refine and strengthen the working relationship with SUNY Potsdam as
an active alumni affinity group. * 3.Increase presence and activity
with the Greek Alumni Council at SUNY Potsdam as a means of
supporting Greek Alumni and our work with the All Greek Council.*
4.Establishment of a formal Alumni Reunion/Social Committee charged
with the tasks of planning reunion events and supporting regional
groups of alumni. 5. Define our relationship with the active
membership and our role. 6.Continue to use data from the reunion
survey to serve the needs of our alumni. 7.Work to shorten the list
of missing alumni through Facebook, networking, and college
resources. 8.Maintain communication with our alumni via electronic
means ( Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) plus our website and explore new
services/aspects of the site ( ex. Omega Store)with assistance of
our Website Coordinator. 9.Supporting the active membership with
attendance at events ( Order of Omega), and the GTF
visitation.
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GAC 1.First Greek Alumni Survey administered to all Greek
alumni registered with the college and through respective alumni
association list serves. 2.700 respondents yielding data destined
to be used to further serve needs of our Greek alumni 3.Key Points:
1.78% interested in Greek specific events during Reunion Weekend.
2.59.9% interested in Regional Greek events. 3.140 alumni willing
to volunteer as workshop presenters for undergrads 4.14 willing to
serve on a scholarship committee. 5.86% indicated they want more
Greek News on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.
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9. Largest decades of survey participation: 1980s 22.6% 1970s
21.9% 1990s 16.9% 10.Largest affinity group responses: 1.Omega and
Prometheus ( 104 each) 2. Zeta 3.AGO 11. 41% are very to somewhat
involved with their respective GLO alumni group.
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6. Leading Areas for GAC to pursue include: Career Networking
Education of Campus to Greek Life Philanthropy Increased visibility
Recruitment Housing Hazing 7. Most participants indicated they
decided to enter Greek Life during their first year of college
(68.8%) 8. Top reasons for joining: (# of responses) 1.Making New
Friends - 545 2.Existing Friend Joined -399 3.Greek sponsored
Social Events - 346 4.Finding a place at SUNY Potsdam - 300 9.
Largest decades of survey participation: 1980s 22.6% 1970s 21.9%
1990s 16.9% 10.Largest affinity group responses: 1.Omega and
Prometheus ( 104 each) 2. Zeta 3.AGO
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GAC GAC met twice this past year. Fall meeting centered around
reviewing survey results and identifying key areas. Spring meeting
was combined with a roundtable discussion with the Greek Life Task
force and Matt Francis from the College Archives Key points:
College is looking to archive Greek items. GTF background, mission,
clarification of expectations, participation and timelines.
Slide 10
Timeline of Events In light of recent alleged hazing incidents
by a few Greek houses, SUNY Potsdam is evaluating whether or not
there is a place for Greek Life on the Potsdam campus. In January
2013, SUNY Potsdam presented a New Member Education Program to all
recognized houses for the Spring 2013 pledge period. Each house was
given the opportunity to agree to the terms of the program or lose
recognition. This new member program restricts the length of
'pledging' and all activities must take place in a public place.
The Omega Delta Phi actives agreed to this program.
Slide 11
In February of 2013, SUNY Potsdam announced the formation of a
Greek Life Task Force. This task force, made up of Greeks,
non-Greeks,alumni, faculty and students, were charged with
gathering information from all affected parties and make a
recommendation to the President's Council on whether or not there
is a place for Geek Life on campus. Public forums were held,
questionnaires were released and visits to the active houses took
place. On May 16, 2013, the Greek Life Task Force submitted their
recommendation to the President's Council that there is in fact a
place for Greek Life on the SUNY Potsdam campus. On May 17, 2013,
President Schwaller released a statement that the Council accepted
the recommendation. The Task Force is now charged with the question
of how the campus can help strengthen the Greek community while
keeping the students safe..
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Next Steps.. The Greek Life Task Force will spend the summer
and the Fall 2013 semester studying how Greek organizations can
best clarify and adhere to a role that is consistent with the core
values of both SUNY Potsdam and the Greek community, and how the
College and alumni can best support chapters in their service to
students and the community. Input from students, alumni, faculty,
staff, and community members will be essential to finding solutions
that can work for Potsdam. The Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association
will continue to be instrumental during this entire process,
working alongside other Greek Alumni Associations, our actives, the
Greek Alumni Council and the All Greek Council. Check the website
http://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/greeklife/taskforce/index.cfm
The Association will continue to provide news as we receive
information and ask that all of our alumni keep themselves updated
as the process moves along.
Slide 13
Vice Presidents Report Lois Little Took over for Paula Allen
Braunschweig who resigned this past fall. Transitioning data from
the Constitution Committee that she chaired completed in Dec. 2012.
Due to intensity of work on Masters Thesis Margaret Saunders took
over committee chairmanship. GAC Meetings as rep attended meetings
in Oct and April dealing with current Greek Life situation, emails,
conference calls as we explore changes necessary to create a strong
and vibrant Greek community. Service to alumni opportunity to
purchase our traditional Omega mugs and additional sportswear.
Researching viability of replacing not only our Omega blazers, but
for other houses as well. Serving a second year as Reunion
Chairperson planning events communicating to our alumni.
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Treasurers Report Cathi Schmid Usiatynski
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Slide 16
Treasurers Report
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Web Mistress Robyn Rebeor-Harper Reunion 2013 information
brochure, shirt ordering and online registration seemed to work
well and be well received. Open to suggestions for improvement for
future events. Greek Life Task Force Update page was added and is
updated as information becomes available. Used our site to
administer Greek Life Task Force Alumni Survey. In progress:
password protected area is being set-up where approved (usually at
the meeting after) ODPAA Eboard meeting and financial summaries
will be posted. All alumni will have access. Entries for the member
directory located in the password-protected paid member area are
still being accepted. We were able to remove several names from the
missing sisters list. Helped the Actives by creating a page for
counter top donations.
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Newsletter Manager Cindy Dylis Wilson During the past year, the
Newsletter chair sent 20 e blasts out to 428 contacts in our
address book. She received 66 responses. The address book was
updated with more than 20 email address changes. One 25 page Key
Connection was written and sent to the membership.
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Donations/Fundraising Director Ruth Ford My approach to
increasing these numbers is two-fold - first, provide consistent
reminders regarding annual dues and second, make paying dues easy.
I think the make it easy part has already been solved, thanks to
the website and the inclusion of PayPal as a payment option. The
first "Just Due It" email was sent via Constant Contact on May 16th
to 399 contacts. The email had an "open" rate of 38.9%, which is
actually REALLY good by email marketing standards. A link in the
email drove folks to the website; 37 alumni clicked on the link,
for a "click through" percentage of 25.3% - also really good
compared to current email marketing metrics. Here is a quick
overview of our email campaign vs. the average metrics of a
non-profit membership organization: Business Type Open Rate
"Bounce" Rate Click Through Rate Opt Out Rate Non-profit membership
organization 24.57% 15.37% 10.51% 0.13% ODPAA 38.90% 6% 25.30%
0.50% I used non-profit membership organization for my comparison
as that is the closest category to what we do. Another "Just Due
It" themed email blast/reminder will go out in the weeks following
summer reunion., My Constant Contact subscription costs $20/month,
which I am donating at this time for use by the ODPAA. The campaign
netted ___ new memberships as of July 1,2013
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Historian Terry Miklitsch Kinstrey Family Trees Omegas family
trees are now on Facebook. Thank you to Suzanne Feener- Johnston
and all who helped with this task. Archive Box and Flash Drive I
bought a new plastic box (with my money) and have transferred the
contents of the old moldy cardboard box. Now I am scanning pieces
of Omegas history and adding them to a new flash drive (bought with
my money) and I have made a backup on my computer. Scans include
old Newsletters, and minutes from the 70s and 80s. I will be adding
the original constitution and mission statement, house history and
pictures. I also hope to make a copy of the Family Trees on the
flash drive. Omega Songbook The next big project will be to write
down Omegas songs. I will write the words I know and then send it
out to others to scrutinize and fix as needed. The culmination of
this project will be to get together with some Omega ladies and
make a recording of the songs.
Slide 21
Alumni Advisor Carole Lauzon Raymonda Installed slats in the
porch lattice, painted the lattice and bought a new piece of
lattice which I painted and installed. Made and installed missing
railing pieces in the front porch railing. Oversaw reinstallation
of electrical box after last Julys microburst. Painted the entry
way and half of the porch ceiling. Helped with the basement
cleaning out. Got the house inspected.( Village Codes Enforcement)
Fixed the safety issues - railing, steps, electrical panel. Donated
a faucet to the president bathroom Husband Jim and friend donated
time to fix the plumbing in the hideaway bathroom & President
bathroom. Mowed the lawn and kept the house looking nice outside
from end of April until October last year. Oversaw windows
installation project. Assisted with fixing the president bathroom
with Nikki. Removed the hanging paint chips in the room between the
kitchen and living room and spackled the corner seams. Met with the
alarm company. Got new insurance policy for the house. Always there
when they needed advice.
House Report Melissa Bannon ODP President Fall 2012 we gained
seven new members Spring 2013 - one new member Fall 2012 50% of
chapter participated in the Ragnar Alumni Race. 5 hours 100% of
chapter held a hot dog fundraiser where they raised $400 for
Childrens Miracle Network. 4 hours 100% of chapter participated in
Dodging for Dreams where they raised $60 for Childrens Miracle
Network. 2 hours 100% of chapter held a French toast fundraiser
where they raised $100 for Childrens Miracle Network. 4 hours
Raised $110 for Dance-A-Thon
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Spring Events Spring 2013 100% of chapter raised $84.89 through
AGCs jar wars. 100% of chapter raised $721.39 for Relay for Life.
12 hours - Donated $100 for Purple Stride Walk in Washington, DC
for pancreatic cancer - Attended the annual Town Clean Up We won
Greek Week this year. New Order of Omega Members (Fall 2012 &
Spring 2013) Marielle Araujo, Taylor Fiella, Amber Perkins, Megan
Fritz, Jana Prager, Raychel Rieder, Gabbie Gapczynski, Marianne
Schumacher Taylor Faiella is newly elected president of Order of
Omega. Gabbie is newly elected secretary of Order of Omega. Taylor
received the Morale Zagorski Greek Life Internship for this
upcoming year. Gabbie Gapczynski is the newly elected President of
ISC. Melissa Bannon is the newly elected Vice President of AGC.
Total hours towards community service/philanthropy: 27 hours Total
amount raised for philanthropy: $1491.39
Slide 25
Order of Omega National Honor Society for Greek Leaders
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Projects House Projects: Fixed the foundation Installed a new
shower with vent in president's bathroom Installed six new windows
Replaced rug in the hallway leading to the laundry room Installed
new gutters Regrouted Updated alarm and fire systems Raised our
steps on the front porch Painted the nook in between the kitchen
and dinning room Our current house project that we are striving
towards is replacing the countertops in the kitchen.
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Goals for 2013 - 14 We are focused on partaking in more
fundraising and philanthropy events for the upcoming year. We also
are hoping to receive 5 star accreditation by next spring. We also
are brainstorming workshops and a possible sister retreat to
promote sisterhood.
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Committee Reports
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Reunion Committee Report Reunion Report 2012 23 attendees Fifty
one at 51 theme Annual Association Meeting had conference call
ability for 1 st time Philanthropy: recyclable can drive raised
$200 for Hospice Camp for Grieving Kids Banquet at Lobster House
Omega Fair: sign up for Omega bling, mugs, flip flops, etc.
Complete recap in Key Connection Reunion Report 2013: 26 Registered
Celebrating ODPAA 30 th Anniversary Greek Luncheon/Forum on Greek
Life with Task Force and GAC Philanthropy: Canned
food/non-perishable food drive for local food shelf More complete
details in next years report!
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Constitution Committee Report None submitted as of this
time.
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Old Business Golden Gift Plaque Requested information on
progress from Kristen Kincade, report not available at this
time.
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New Business 1. 2. 3.
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For The Good Of the Order 1. 2. 3. Motion To Adjourn: