Updates from HQ

The dates and locations have been set for the 2020 Alpha Gamma Rho and Sigma Alpha Leadership Seminars. Mark your calendars and plan to join us this February! • February 3 – 5: Nashville, TN • February 10 – 12: Kansas City, MO • February 17 – 19: Denver, CO • February 2022: Virtual Leadership Seminar

Start planning now for your chapter to attend one of this year’s Leadership Seminars. More details will be available soon at sigmaalpha.org.

Be part of an upcoming issue! Some examples of the content we’d love to include: • Celebrated a major life event like a new job, getting married or having a baby • Completed a great philanthropy, social event or activity as a chapter • Received a chapter or individual award at your college or university • Received an industry or company award

To spotlight personal and professional success, complete the Sister Highlight Form.

To highlight chapter updates, complete the Chapter Highlight Form in the forms section of the Officer Portal.

Looking to breath some new life to your chapter’s recruitment program! Join Teresa Brandenburg, Chapter Operations Manager for an in-depth look at key components to recruitment success. In this session Teresa strips recruitment down to the basics and illustrates the path to integrate the most important part of recruitment, the building of relationships, into your program. Register now for one of two sessions being held in November! • Monday, November 1, 2021—7:00 pm—9:00 pm (CDT) - Register in advance. • Tuesday, November 9, 2021—1:00 PM—3:00 PM (CDT) - Register in advance.

When Melea Licht learned she had received the Spirt of Ruth Award in 2018, four words came to mind right away: Surprised. Flattered. Grateful. Honored.

The Iowa State alumna knew how much this award meant in Sigma Alpha, and what it represented. “The Spirit of Ruth award embodies qualities I strive for: grit, gratitude, and grace,” explained Melea. “Ruth’s example inspires me to look around my community, workplace, and social circles and ask: What perspectives are missing? Who can I welcome in? Receiving this award inspired me to recommit myself to these values, to the values of service, scholarship, leadership, and fellowship, and to live them each day.” The Spirit of Ruth Award was created to recognize Sigma Alpha Alumnae who embody the spirit of Ruth through active involvement, leadership, and commitment to the field of agriculture. The award winners must be dues paid alumnae in good standing. Applications are now open, and must be completed by October 15. Award winners will be recognized at the 2022 Leadership Seminars.

“Celebrating the accomplishments of one another brings us closer together as sisters and raises the local and national profile of our wonderful organization,” reinforced Melea. “Receiving an award like the Spirit of Ruth Award may be just the boost your sister needs at a pivotal moment in her life. Who do you know who is making a difference for others? Use the Spirit of Ruth award to honor and celebrate her!” To nominate a sister for the Spirit of Ruth award, visit sigmaalpha.org and login to the Greenhouse, where you will be able to access the application.

Melea Licht receives the Spirit of Ruth Award from Kim Neumann.

Application Information

 Applications Open  Applications Close  Number of Awards September 1, 2021 October 31, 2021 One per Leadership Seminar

Eligibility: Dues paid alumnae In Good Standing

Applications for the 2022 IFYE Exchange program are being accepted beginning August 1, 2021. “We are very excited to open our application process early,” said Alan Lambert, IFYE National Program Director. “As countries begin to open later this year and early next, we will be well positioned to begin our 2022 program,” he added.

Founded in 1948 as the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE), transitioned to International 4-H Youth Exchange in the 1970s, and since the mid-1990s, IFYE is a 501c3 non-profit organization. IFYE has continued its founding promise by providing international cultural exchange programming that places young adults, age 19 and above with multiple, rural based host families for two- three- or six-month programs in countries around the world to become immersed in the country’s culture by living it on a daily basis.

Young adults interested in applying for the program should visit the IFYE website at https://ifyeusa.org/foreign-exchange-program/. When applications are received, interviews will be scheduled for the selection process. Once approved and placed, the selected participants will experience a four-month orientation process that will culminate in Washington, D.C. prior to departure to host countries.

The U.S. IFYE representatives experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to gain understanding of the culture and lifestyle from those they live with while in the program. IFYE exchanges are conducted in collaboration with international, U.S., state and local coordinators and are facilitated and supported by the IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. The IFYE motto of “Peace Through Understanding” continues to touch the lives of people around the world.

To learn more, visit ifyeusa.org.