Advantage undergoes assessment and revision BY CHRISTY ADAMS,  Advantage Project Team Member In 2005 the  Advantage Assessment Team began gathering information from members about the membership initiative. Surveys were sent to collegiate vice presidents of membership education, alumnae chapter presidents, education coaching team members and other select members. Team members then held focus groups, asking questions based on the survey results to get more in-depth feedback about the initiative. Additionally, the assessment team reviewed the on-line Advantage completion evaluations and collegiate fall and spring packet reports. Based on this feedback, the team found a number of areas that required revision in order for the initiative to remain relevant to members. This information was given to the  Advantage Project Team, which started work on a revised version of the  Advantage Initiative in February 2006. After two years of research and work, the newly revised version of the  Advantage Initiative was released this fall. We are pleased to say that the Initiative is even more relevant and user-friendly. Here are some of the noticeable changes: New annual involvement hours— We know our members are involved in many ways within their chapter, campus, family and community. In an effort to be more balanced, each member must now complete 50 hours of total annual involvement, 25 hours of community service and 25 hours of activities based on the four aims.

Elimination of Advantage teams— Our members are committed to a variety of relationships that encourage personal development. To be more consistent with our current practices, Advantage teams have been eliminated and members will use their current Big/Little Sister and Ruby/Pearl Sister relationships for support.

Elimination of required activities— In order to provide even more flexibility for our members, required activities within the Initiate and Senior modules have been eliminated. Now members may choose from the list of suggested activities to complete their involvement hours.

Expansion of activities— Our members enjoy variety. Many of the favorite activities have remained in the  Advantage Initiative, but new and updated activities have been added to keep it current. Expansion of capstones— Our members are creative women. In order to promote that creativity, the New Member and Initiate capstone projects have been revised to include more flexibility. Instead of writing a paper, members may now create an individual project to express their achievements. Ideas are provided, but members may be as creative as they would like! Rearranged New Member Module— Our newest members choose  because of the benefits of membership in our organization. We have rearranged some of the New Member weeks and activities to be more consistent with the natural progression of our new members’ development.

PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

Revamp of Alumnae Module— Since  is membership for a lifetime and our core value of learning does not end when we graduate, the Alumnae Module has been revised to be more than a capstone project. As a matter of fact, the capstone has been eliminated. The new Alumnae Module gives several learning and personal development options for alumnae to continue their growth. Alumnae are encouraged to choose activities from the lists provided and continue to develop intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually annually. New jewelry— While many members liked the Advantage bar pin, many members wanted to showcase their achievements in a more New Member traditional way. Instead of earning a star for the bar pin, members who complete a module may purchase a star dangle to display with their Alumna membership badge, on a charm bracelet or as a necklace!

Initiate

Senior

Alpha Sigma Alpha profile— Many members missed the written history and heritage section that was eliminated in Advantage. An  profile is now included in the member manual. The CD-ROM has been eliminated.

FALL 2007

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