AOII | The Piper | May 2015

The P iper ALPHA OMICRON PI | MAY 2015

Beta Upsilon/Bryant University 2015 graduates! Share your senior and grad photos with us at aoiionline@ alphaomicronpi.org.

Annual Panda Collection

Upcoming Philanthropic Events The Call to Convention

Save The Dates!

AOII Convention Town Hall meeting May 20

AOII International Convention June 24-28

Last day to order Rose Tributes online June 1 Letter from Krista Whipple | AOII Executive Board Vice President of Finance It is that exciting time of the year when the weather promises to stay nice, projects and assignments are wrapping up and there is a sign that Convention is just around the corner: The Call arrived in the mail! I know that The Call is posted on the ORL for early review, but there is something about cracking open that cellophane and flipping right to the first bylaw change to see what plans are on the horizon for the next biennium.

For first-time attendees to Convention, you may say what’s the big deal with The Call? The Call holds the proposed changes on how AOII operates and how Council wants to direct the strategic plan over the next two years. It is every member of Council’s responsibility to read The Call prior to leaving town and discuss the proposed changes with your chapter.

While at Convention, if there is something proposed that you do not understand, ask for clarification. Every Executive Board member has an open door policy, and we encourage all members to ask questions and be informed to ensure that the business session is positive and productive.

The Executive Board and Foundation Board candidate information is also highlighted in great detail in The Call. The candidates spent a considerable amount of time pulling together AOII and professional snapshots of their backgrounds. Take the time to read about your candidates, and try not to make assumptions based on a candidate’s current role. Be courageous. Ask questions. Get to know someone better. All of the candidates will be wearing buttons at Convention, so feel free to stop any one of them and ask about why they want to serve the Fraternity at the board level.

Remember, each delegate is representing their chapter with an independent vote at Convention.

AOII is a forward- thinking organization, and we follow a democratic process for Constitution and Bylaws changes, as well as presenting a ballot of choices for the election of our governing boards.

The business sessions are real, and everyone is expected to prepare like you would for any other class or business meeting. Be on time, be present and be engaged.

1

The Call also highlights the activities that create the memories that we carry with us from year to year. The Convention agenda is at the front of your Call. We start our sisterhood bonding with the Candle Lighting Service on Wednesday night, and we roll into one of my personal goose bump moments on Thursday morning - Opening Ritual for all initiated members. We celebrate our achievements at the AOII Awards Banquet and share our dedication to service at the Panhellenic Luncheon.

We close with the elegant Rose Banquet that will set the stage for a super-charged new biennium.

Don’t miss a moment of AOII Trending at the 2015 AOII International Convention. See you all in Los Angeles in a few short weeks.

Become an AOII Volunteer The Human Resources Committee is responsible for reviewing candidates for International Volunteer positions and accepts applications year-round. To speak to a member of the HRC team about which position is right for you, please e-mail hrc@alphaomicronpi.org. To complete a volunteer application, visit www.alphaomicronpi.org and click Alumnae > Volunteer Opportunities. The following positions are currently open!

New Chapter Development Network Specialist - Development Gettysburg College (fall colonization) Network Specialist - Development Illinois State University (fall colonization) Network Specialist - Development Tarleton State University (fall colonization)

Willis Fraternal Practice becomes Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice Willis of Nebraska, Alpha Omicron Pi’s long-time insurance provider, has recently been acquired by Holmes Murphy and Associates, LLC. Holmes Murphy is consistently ranked one of the top 30 independent insurance agencies in the United States, and has a history of excellence as a client-service focused organization.

As HMA, our partners will continue to serve the unique nature of fraternal-based and college student organizations and provide resources for a variety of our specific needs. More information can be found on this transition and the services/resources provided through this partnership at www.holmesmurphyfraternity. com. If you have any questions about this transition, please reach out to Director of Housing Initiatives Veronica Kentish at vkentish@alphaomicronpi.org.

AOII Career Opportunities Several positions are currently open at AOII Headquarters in Brentwood, TN! We are seeking candidates for the positions of: Assistant Director of New Chapter Development Communications and Stewardship Administrator Director of Properties Communications and Stewardship Graphic Designer To see full job descriptions and to apply, visit the AOII website.

2

<<

Forever Friends at Convention 2015 Show a special sister how much you appreciate all that she does through great friendship and dedication to the Fraternity. Honoring her through Forever Friends also contributes to Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity programming for collegiate and alumnae chapters and volunteers to provide support and ensure an exceptional AOII experience. A Forever Friends reception will be held at Convention 2015 to honor all sisters participating in Forever Friends this year, and a plaque will be framed and hung at AOII International Headquarters recognizing all sisters who have been honored and those who have honored them. The Forever Friends form is available online here.

AOIIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual >> Panda Collection

3

Every summer at Leadership Institute or Convention, AOII collects stuffed pandas to be distributed at the Juvenile Arthritis Conference. These bears provide comfort to children and families affected by arthritis and are a reminder that AOII is a partner in the quest for a cure! Over 700 kids will be at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JA Conference in Orlando, which means we need at least ONE panda from each AOII attending Convention. If you have any questions about the panda collection, please email Rachel Boison at rboison@alphaomicronpi.org.

Call to Convention Are YOU ready for Los Angeles?

AOII’s 2015 Convention in Los Angeles is NEXT MONTH! All members of Council should have received the Call to Convention with everything you need to be prepared for the business of our Fraternity. If you have not yet received yours or have a question about the Call, please contact Amanda Smith at asmith@alphaomicronpi.org. The Call can also be found on the ORL under the “Convention 2015” heading.

Convention Schedule

2015-2017 International Executive Board Candidate Forum

we prepare for the election of our GeneralAs2015-2017 Convention Information International Executive Board, members have been engaging with the

on the issues that are Notice candidates of Meeting ofimportant to our chapters. The Nominating Trustees (NTs) have facilitated a candidate forum where AOII members interact with XB candidates through a question and answer format.

Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, Inc. The candidate forum began April 15, and Rules Governing Convention answers to questions posed during the first and second rounds are available on Fulfilling

the Promise. Answers the final round of Introduction andfromProposed Amendments questions will be posted on May 29.

The ballot for the 2015-2017 International and Bylaws to the AOII Constitution Executive Board is also posted on the AOII website. In addition, each candidate’s Information Form can be found by logging on to Fulfilling the Promise, clicking “View ORL” then “Executive Board.” They are also included in the Call to Convention.

Proposed 2015-2017 Budgets 2015-2017 Executive Board Ballot Convention Town Hall Meeting - May 20 Executive Board Candidates The Convention Town Hall Meeting will take

place on May 20 at 8:00 PM EST/7:00 PM CST. In this one hour session, you will hear about general convention information, bylaw amendments, budgets for the Fraternity and AOII Properties, and the election process. Special guests include: International President Allison Allgier, Past International President and current International Parliamentarian Sally Wagaman, Executive Board International Vice President of Finance Krista Whipple, Constitution Interpretation and Revision Committee Chairman Janet Brown, and Fraternity Executive Director Troy LeForge. The final half hour of the Town Hall will be a Question & Answer session where we will answer questions about the content areas outlined above. You may also submit a question in advance by emailing conventionquestions@alphaomicronpi.org. Information on how to join the Town Hall meeting was sent to members of Council via email - if you did not receive this email, please contact Amanda Smith at asmith@alphaomicronpi.org.

Notice of Meeting of Foundation

2015-2017 Foundation Board Ballot Foundation Board Candidates

Budget Addendum Update In 2013, Council voted to amend the bylaws to consolidate the individual member fees into one Operating Fee by member classification. The Budget Addendum presented in The Call mistakenly used the old fee terminology and also included some incorrect dates. The corrected addendum has been updated to reflect the new fee terminology. In addition, the dates e _________________________________________________________________ #________ have been removed as those deadlines are specified in the Room Governing Documents. The total amount of the fees has not changed. Please print a copy of this Budget Addendum dated 5/5/2015 and replace the original addendum in The Call with al Capacity _______________________________________________________________________ this corrected addendum. This document is located in Fulfilling the Promise in the Convention category. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Krista Whipple kristawhipple@roadrunner.com or Sally Wagaman at sjwagaman@gmail.com.

PLEASE BRING TO CONVENTION

4

2015 Walk to Fight Arthritis The 2015 Walk to Fight Arthritis is happening in several locations across Canada on Sunday, June 7! On this day, thousands are joined together by walking for this important cause all at once. Click here to find the Walk to Fight Arthritis closest to you.

2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis The Arthritis Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis series is happening in locations across the U.S. this spring!

Last year, Team AOII (which includes the hundreds of AOII teams signed up for this event in all different locations) raised over $70,000 for the 2014 WTCA. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s raise even more this year! Click here to visit the interactive map pictured here and find the location nearest you.

5

AOII Foundation News 1897 Society Charter Membership The clock is winding down on the time left to become a Charter Member of our 1897 Society. This society was launched in 2013 to recognize a very prestigious group of Foundation donors. Sisters and friends who make a leadership gift of $1,897 or more to our Loyalty Fund each year are recognized as members of this Society. If your gift is complete before the end of our fiscal year (June 30, 2015), you will also be permanently recognized as a Charter Member of the 1897 Society.

Currently, we have 79 sisters who have committed to ensuring that future sisters have the same opportunities to live our values that we do. We’d love for you to be number 80!

Your $1,897 U.S. tax-deductible contribution to the Loyalty Fund supports the vital programs of the Foundation and our sisters at every age. Please consider making your gift to the AOII Foundation’s Loyalty Fund today! Contact Jana Adkins at jadkins@alphaomicronpi.org with any questions or to become a member.

Don’t forget to order Rose Tributes for Convention!

Rose Tributes are a special way to honor your sisters at Convention and help raise money for the Loyalty Fund, the fund that supports all Foundation programs. For each $5 contribution, you can send a sister a Rose Tribute—she will receive an acknowledgement card and an embroidered rose for her name badge. Rose Tributes can be purchased online for $5 each under Donate Now/Donate Online at www.aoiifoundation.org, by mail and throughout event registration. Please contact Michelle Ceylan at mceylan@alphaomicronpi.org with any questions about your order. The deadline to purchase Rose Tributes for them to be included in the on-site Convention registration packet is Monday, June 1.

Scholarships Awarded for 2015-16 We are thrilled to announce that 70 collegiate and alumnae members were awarded scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year totaling $194,500! This is a 10 percent increase in the total amount awarded over last year. Congratulations to all of the recipients!

AOII Foundation Annual Report The AOII Foundation Annual Report “Stepping Up for our Sisters” for 2013-2014 is now available!

Click here to view the online flip-book. To receive a hard copy of the 2013-2014 Annual Report, please contact Michelle Ceylan at mceylan@alphaomicronpi. org. Thank you for “Securing the Future” of Alpha Omicron Pi!

6

Strike Out arthritis!

2015 Fraternity Events

In 2010, Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity began planning fundraising events with professional baseball teams to further the reach of Strike Out Arthritis!

This is in addition to the hundreds of outstanding events that our collegiate and alumnae chapters hold each year. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to continue these events into 2015 and bring entire communities together for this important cause. Stay tuned to AOII online for additions and updates!

Reno Aces - April 21 Charlotte Knights - August 22 New York Yankees - Sept 5 Arizona Diamondbacks - Sept 12 Tampa Bay Rays - Sept 19 San Diego Padres - Sept 26 Boston Red Sox - Sept 26 Oakland Athletics - Sept 27 To Be Announced Los Angeles Dodgers Philadelphia Phillies Indianapolis Indians Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Indians Lexington Legends Nashville Sounds Birmingham Barons Memphis Redbirds Colorado Rockies Pittsburgh Pirates Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Texas Rangers Seattle Mariners Houston Astros

7

Delta Nu/U of Nevada, Reno, Reno-Tahoe Alumnae Chapter and the Reno community at Strike Out Arthritis! with the Reno Aces