SIGMA KAPPA sters, an three years ago, I embarked on what has been one of the most challenging and ng experiences of my life when I was elected national president of Sigma Kappa. In will pass the gavel on to my successor, and while I am extremely proud of all that Sigma as accomplished in the last three years, I cannot help but feel a sense of sadness that my president is beginning to wind down. Looking back on the past year, Sigma Kappa has in many ways: in number, in resources offered to members, and in our commitment to her. I am immensely pleased to share with you the 2014-2015 annual report to highlight at strides taken by our organization over the last year and our plans to continue this into the future. as a year of growth for Sigma Kappa, adding three new chapters to our sisterhood eparing to welcome four new chapters and three re-colonizations in 2015-2016. The mming team ensured that our members continue to have the highest standard of on with a revamped new member program, regional leadership conferences for all 11 ve council positions, and continued improvements to the initiated member and alumnae ences. Sigma Kappa's national volunteers sharpened their leadership skills at a first-of- d volunteer development weekend, and collegians rejoiced at the rollout of new online ing and recruitment management systems. Kappa's new national volunteer structure rolled out in January 2015. National council and staff and volunteers spent a great deal of time analyzing the needs of the collegiate and ae chapters to determine what type of structure would improve operations, communication neral functions. Though we are only a 10 months into the new structure, we are pleased he collaboration that is happening among the staff and volunteers as well as improved siveness to our membership. f the things we are most proud of this fall is the installation of Donna Crain King, n Rho, as Chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference. Sigma Kappa enters into this ship position only once every 52 years, SO Donna's installation is truly a once-in-a-lifetime We embrace the challenge of leading the premier advocacy and support organization for vancement of the sorority experience and hope to represent not only Sigma Kappa, but all 2014-2016 ty women throughout the world. u are aware, the entire Sigma Kappa organization continues to evolve and SO do the needs of embers, chapters, house corporations and donors. As part of the organization's evolution, added collegiate and alumnae chapters as well as services and programs to support our entire NATIONAL COUN ership. These additions, signify our commitment to living our values. w that the success of this organization will only continue into the future thanks to our ated volunteers. Without you, there would be no Sigma Kappa. Thank you for your tireless to ensure Sigma Kappa remains a premier organization dedicated to fostering personal National President National VP for Extension th, loyalty, friendship and service in all its members. This has been an exciting year for al Kappa, and the best is yet to come. Cheri De Jong Sara Chacon National VP for Alumnae National VP for Programming lly in Sigma Kappa, Janel Kasowski Courtney Panik in M Defory National VP for Collegiate Chapters National VP for Communication Carol Beth Ivory Aubrye Foote i Morrell De Jong, Epsilon Omega National VP for Membership National VP for Finance -2016 National President Mary Ellen Elkins Rebecca Patel COLLEGIATE 160,153 Total Sorority membership as of May 31, 2015 3.15 Overall 2014-2015 GPA 34% 5,937 Standards of Excellence: Number of undergraduates pledged to Sigma Kappa Percent of chapters achieving in 2014-2015 one star, two stars or three stars 5,860 40 Total women initiated into Sigma Kappa in 2014-2015 Total number of chapters receiving stars 99% Initiation rate BIDLILY 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 Sigma Kappa has partnered with Bidlily to develop the new Bidlily Chapters 116 113 113 Recruitment Management System (RMS) for all Sigma Number Kappa collegiate chapters. We of chapter 15,907 14,309 13,007 members piloted this new system in fall 2014 and spring 2015 and found Chapters great success amongst our reaching 89% 86% 93% chapters. Feedback from those quota within chapters' experiences was used the year* to make further advancements Chapters and updates to the system. achieving Bidlily RMS is a web-based, quota 80% 94% 90% mobile-optimized system meant the same LY! The system itself was remarkable semester* to simplify the recruitment friendly. It made my week so much easier, process and eliminate the use of Chapters : me more than the actual system was the paper rating cards by allowing at or above 87% 83% 87% tion from staff and volunteers." members to rate directly from total* enson, Theta Chi, past national council their mobile devices, tablets and/ or computers. *Based on paid new member and per capita fees. ALUMNAE 10% increase in national alumnae dues revenue due to additional touchpoints with members NEW & UPDATED RESOURCES For better understanding and an easier process, the alumnae chapter starter kit was revised by the alumnae team. Alumnae chapter officer online modules have been developed and are in their final stage. ALUMNAE INITIATE PROGRAM The fee structure was modified to better accommodate incoming members. An informational booklet is being developed to share the history, values and lifetime experience that Sigma Kappa can provide to its members. 2014-15 2012-13 The program has been further developed to increase communication amongst the collegiate 2013-14 chapter president, alumnae chapter president and alumna initiate. Alumnae 113 118 116 chapters ALUMNAE TEAM SUPPORT Average 16.4 15.4 17.42 chapter size The team was expanded to include support for alumnae chapters, collegiate vice president of alumnae relations and alumnae at large. Number of chapter 1,837 1,977 2,015 The alumnae and extension teams have partnered to host city events where Sigma Kappa plans to members colonize. These events create a space for connecting with fellow alumnae, as an opportunity to be informed on what's new with the organization, in particular the upcoming colonization. EXTENSION 2 9 10 ATLANTIC 7 OCEAN 1 Two collegiate services specialists 5 4 - and 12 leadership consultants United States comprised the 2014-2015 traveling staff program. Each traveling staff 3 member was assigned chapters on 6 the chapter advancement program (CAP), which entails working with Moure a specific chapter(s) on an ongoing basis to provide additional support in all areas of collegiate management The past year has been one of historic growth for Sigma Kappa. In the fall semester, our extension team and recruitment. Seven colonies/new focused on the planning and execution of three back-to-back colonizations and the spring semester was chapters, four specialized chapters, 11 spent submitting extension materials and delivering on-campus presentations at several universities. focused chapters and four good-to- great chapters participated in CAP. Throughout the fall 2014 semester, Sigma Kappa joined three outstanding universities: With three colonizations in 2014- 1. Coastal Carolina University 2015, 97.4 percent of our collegiate 2. Robert Morris University chapters received at least one visit 3. University of Houston from a traveling staff member. Traveling staff made 361 chapter Our Lambda Beta, Lambda Gamma and Lambda Delta chapters were installed in December 2014, and, visits during the academic year. between the three campuses, we welcomed more than 200 new members, including several alumnae and mother initiates into our Mystic Bond. After a very successful spring semester of extension presentations, Sigma Kappa has another record- breaking year of growth ahead. Throughout the next academic year, Sigma Kappa will start new TRAVELING chapters at the following campuses: FALL 2015 SPRING 2016 4. College of Charleston; Charleston, South Carolina 9. American University; Washington 5. University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, 10. Indiana University; Bloomington, STAFF Alabama Indiana 6. University of South Florida; Tampa, Florida 7. University of Memphis; Memphis, Tennessee PROGRAM 8. University of Oregon; Eugene, Oregon PROMISE REGIONAL LEADERSHIP Promise for New Members CONFERENCES Eighteen chapters and colonies were selected At the beginning of 2015, Sigma Kappa to pilot the updated Promise for New Members Sorority hosted the Regional Leadership program during the year. Conferences (RLCs) for the second time. Over The new Promise for New Members program 1,650 collegians, advisors, volunteers and successfully launched to all collegiate facilitators were in attendance at the seven chapters in August 2015. events hosted in January and February. Kappa Promise for Initiated Members This leadership development program was In the spring of 2015, a second workgroup expanded to provide personal development and Sigma was formed to review and update the Promise training for all 11 collegiate executive council for Initiated Members program. officers, as well as the advisory board supervisor. This workgroup, also guided by Growth It has become an annually hosted program, Guiders, LLC, will work to identify relevant taking place in the months of January and and engaging topics and delivery methods to February each year. This change in timing for use for initiated member education. the RLCs has effectively replaced the Collegiate PROGRAMMING The group anticipates beginning a pilot phase Officer's Academy (COA) moving forward. at convention 2016. SKILLab ONAL VOLUNTEER COLLEGIATE AWARDS An new suite of resources for collegiate officers was launched on Founders' Day 2014. This included ELOPMENT This year, awards were presented to collegiate a completely revised handbook, updated and new supplemental web-based resources for each officer, KEND chapters using video announcements. and newly created online modules, hosted in Sigma Kappas Interactive Learning Lab: SKILLab, n June 26-28 in Dallas, with 251 For a complete list of the award recipients, providing additional training for our collegiate executive council officers. al volunteers and advisory board please go to sigmakappa.org/collegiate_ visors in attendance, the national award_winners. eer development weekend was a success. Standards of Excellence recipients included four ns were themed around building chapters achieving a Three Star Award rating; ence, understanding servant leadership, 10 achieving a Two Star Award rating; and 25 "The new Promise Program is ping facilitation skills, excelling at achieving a One Star Award rating. excellent in that it provides new : and receiving feedback, and coaching In its fourth year, the Founders Award was members more chances to meet otivating a team. presented to Theta Phi, The University of older sisters and feel valued as Fischer, a member of Phi Mu and Tennessee at Chattanooga. members of our chapter. The new of The Leadership and Training ANGELA GUILLORY facilitation-based curriculum will , developed general sessions and served lead facilitator for the weekend. OUTSTANDING F/SA AWARD be much more accessible to new members, and will allow them teer teams were also given the Sigma Kappa also continued in the tradition of chances to voice their opinions, tunity to meet throughout the weekend, recognizing an outstanding fraternity/sorority concerns, and ideas with me." ling teams the opportunity to build professional. This year the award was given to - Beta Zeta vice president of onships in anticipation of the upcoming Dexter Bush-Scott, a member of Beta Theta new member education mic year. Pi and the associate director for the Center for Student Involvement at Northeastern University. FINANCE The Sorority's financial position remains strong. Our general fund net income totaled $359,134 for the fiscal year June 1, , 2014 to May 31, 2015. Revenue growth can primarily be attributed to increased dues, memberships and subscriptions related to the continued growth in new members. Increased income was also reported from royalties, jewelry sales and member services. Fiscal year 2015 was a convention year, which resulted in increased income reported from convention registration fees. The organization also received a generous grant from the Sigma Kappa Foundation of $200,000 and reported an increase in investment account balances of $327,528.55. REVENUES & EXPENSES Dues, Membership & Subscriptions Member Services $2,875,783 54.51% $324,266 6.15% The national organization has continued to be fiscally responsible, budgeting conservatively and Revenues making prudent decisions regarding spending. Our wise use of funds has enabled us to invest in new Dues, Membership & $2,875,783.00 54.51% technology, programming and extension in ways that will ensure Sigma Kappa's future growth. Subscriptions Educational Grant $200,000.00 3.79% Interest & Dividend Income $34,159.58 0.65% Realized Gain $39,564.79 0.75% Unrealized Gain ($39,048.37) -0.74% Jewelry Sales $432,028.00 8.19% Convention & RLC Convention $1,409,024.00 26.71% & RLC $1,409,024 26.71% Member Services $324,266.00 6.15% Education Grant Jewelry Sales Total Revenues $5,275,777.00 100% $200,000 3.79% $432,028-8.19% Unrealized Gain Interest & Dividends $34,159.58 .65% ($39,048.37)-(0.74%) Realized Gain Expenses $39,564.79 National Organization $619,926.00 12.61% Collegiate Management & General $908,788.66 18.48% $1,380,018 28.07% Collegiate $908,788.66 18.48% National Organization $619,926-12.61% NPC Jewelry Purchases $244,260.34 4.97% $22,326 .45% Extension $184,723.00 3.76% Alumnae $42,102.00 0.86% Sigma Kappa Triangle $89,138.00 1.81% Convention $763,401.00 15.53% RLC $661,960.00 13.46% NPC $22,326.00 0.45% NTAIN Management & General $1,380,018.00 28.07% Total Expenses $4,916,643.00 100% RLC $661,960 13.46% Net Income (Loss) $359,134.00 Jewelry Purchases $244,260.34 4.97% Convention $763,401 15.53% Extension Alumnae Triangle $184,723 3.76% $42,102 $89,138-1.81% "Chapter officer reporting has never been more efficient! With dozens of reports coming in every day, national volunteers have instant access to all the reports they evaluate at any given time - all in one convenient location!" NATIONAL - Jenna Martin Pendry, Delta Eta, director of collegiate services HEADQUARTERS A NEW NHQ! VOLUNTEER STRUCTURE STAFF GROWTH This income provides financial support The staff members of the Sorority, Foundation In January, under the guidance of national January marked the start of a new staff to educational programs including the and National Housing Corporation are settling council, we rolled out a new volunteer position, a director of marketing. This position, leadership consultant program and regional into our new space that we moved into in structure. Each council member now has which is shared 50/50 by the Sorority and leadership conferences. December. coordinators working with chapters in their Foundation, is assisting us in marketing our We are loving the new location with room area of supervision, and the district directors publications and programs to our membership COLLABORATION to grow and an opportunity to use the will lead discussions between the coordinators and external audiences. Sigma Kappa Sorority, the Sigma Kappa walking trails just out our back door. in their districts to provide a second level An extension specialist joined staff in June. In Foundation and the Sigma Kappa National Historical documents and archival of connection. National council feels these her role, she will assist with extension logistics Housing Corporation continue to partner information will be hung and displayed by changes have provided our chapters more as well as social media and public relations for to improve the overall experience for our the end of the year. We welcome anyone specialized help and offer our volunteers the colonies. membership. The staff and presidents of all who would like to visit. positions that are more easily transferable to three entities meet regularly to assist with the business world and more manageable in SHOP SIGMA KAPPA transparency and collaboration. TECHNOLOGY our busy lives. Currently has more than 475 vendors who A second Enterprise meeting of the We unveiled an enhanced profile system that provide Sigma Kappa paraphernalia and products Sorority, Foundation and NHC boards took will be active on the Live Sigma Kappa side of SMARTERSELECT that have been approved by Sigma Kappa. place April 24-26. the website in fall 2015, and we have updated This year, all collegiate chapters had the The royalty income from the purchase of these our membership database to allow better capability of completing their annual reports products increased $92,177 in 2014-2015. functionality. online.