Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Friday, Nov. 10 - Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000

Attending: 
Dana Carroll, Chapter Advisor

Nicole Voss, Chapter President

Mat Hermann, Chapter Vice-President

Sarah Weitzel, Chapter Secretary

Kassie Manor, Senior Advisor

I. First Business Session

a. Grand President B.J. Alexander presided

b. Roll Call of Chapters—fun introductions!

c. Remarks made by Jack Sabagiel—convention details

d. Report of Grand President—B.J. Alexander

e. Report of Forum Editor—Jack Sabagiel

f. Report of Grand Historian—Kyle Sessions

g. Appointment of Convention Committees

II. Committee Meetings—Nicole and Mat took part in the Publications and Promotional Committee

III. Ice Breaker—traded fun items with other schools

I. Second Business Session

a. Convention Details

b. Report of Grand Vice President

c. Report of Grand Treasurer

II. Convention Workshops

a. Membership Selection, Induction, Campus Activities, and Fundraising—Nicole and Mat (see report)

b. Chapter Web Page Development and Uses—Dana (see report)

c. Community Service Options—Kassie and Sarah (see report)

III. Committee Mettings

IV. Convention Fellowship Luncheon

a. Presentation of Endowed Scholarship Certificates

b. Presentation of Distinguished Service Awards—Dana received one!!!

V. Nottoway Plantation Tour—Convention Photograph

VI. Cajun Dinner and Dance—You should see Mat dance!

VII. More Committee Meetings!

I. Final Business Session

a. Election of:

i. Grand Vice President

ii. Grand Secretary Treasurer

iii. Executive Committee (Two Chapter Advisers, Three Student Reps)

b. Committee Reports

i. Finance, Constitution and Scholarship—passed unanimously

ii. Nomination—passed unanimously

iii. Future Directions—passed unanimously

iv. Publications and Promotional—passed unanimously

c. Convention Evaluation

II. Adjournment

Community Service Options Workshop

Attended by Sarah and Kassie

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness."

Kassie and I attended this workshop which was presented by Jack Casey and Joan Nelson. We received many beneficial ideas for community service projects which are listed below. We also participated in a brainstorming of ideas for a nationwide Phi Eta Sigma weeklong service project. The details of this event are still being worked out.

Possible Events:

Rake & Run—During the fall members rake the yards of the elderly (quickly!) and then run away before the receivers have a chance to offer to pay.

Fabulous Faculty/dinner—Each officer elects a faculty member to honor and recognize at a dinner sponsored by the chapter.

Book drive/sale—profits are donated to a cause dealing with literacy.

Reading—at libraries, nursing homes, etc.

Animal Walk—Visit shelters, etc.

Publication and Promotions Committee

Attended by Nicole and Mat

The Publications and Promotions Committee decided to make the following suggestions to the National Organization of Phi Eta Sigma:

1. To remove information from THE FORUM (our national magazine), such as the budget analysis, as they may not interest members. Rather than removing this information permanently, it was agreed upon by the committee to place it on the national Web Site.

2. To promote the use of a more frequent newsletter including chapter activities and a Chapter Spotlight. Doing so will enable chapters all across the nation to get ideas faster, as well as to promote outstanding chapters and their achievements. There would be two newsletters sent to each school, one for the advisor and one for the chapter president.

3. To reformat the national web site to include many links including those that lead to information on the national scholarships. This would include downloadable application forms and requirements for each scholarship. Additionally, the site would include an opportunity for alumni to revise personal information (address changes, name changes, etc.) and to encourage business linking and networking. Doing this would provide current student members the opportunity to create business contacts for future careers. Aside from these two, there were many other suggestions dealing with the web site, all of which will appear in the convention proceedings.

4. To create an email list from convention attendees. This will enable student leaders to promote contact among chapters and the national office. Such a list had been started by the end of the convention.