SIGMA KAPPA ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT Sara Seely Chacon Gamma Alpha, University of Northern Colorado NEW Dear sisters, Sigma Kappa's focus on supporting and I cannot help but feel bittersweet about providing opportunities for alumnae writing this letter, as it will be my last as continued this year, with many new national president. Over the past year, Sigma initiatives, programs and incentives Kappa has made incredible progress toward introduced. The inaugural 35 Under 35 our goals of leading with bravery, strength awards showcased outstanding young and purpose; providing greater opportunities alumnae and collegians making a name for alumnae members to find value in their for themselves in their careers and membership; and enhancing the growth communities. The Legacy Link program and development of collegiate members continues to grow, providing a fun way for and chapters. I am pleased to present to members to introduce their legacies to you the 2018-2019 annual report, which will Sigma Kappa. Our newest virtual club, the highlight the many accomplishments of our Sigma Kappa Cooking Club, was formed as dedicated volunteers, hard-working staff, a place for members to share recipes, meal and loyal members, as well as our plans prep ideas, cooking tips, and even favorite for leading Sigma Kappa into the future. food-related memories. In addition, an Our strategic plan continues to guide us in alumnae chapter experience task force was moving the Sorority forward and ensuring formed to assess the operations of alumnae that it remains an organization that nurtures chapters and provide recommendations the social, intellectual and spiritual growth of on how to enhance the alumnae chapter its members. experience. National council and the boards of the Sigma The national organization remained Kappa Foundation and National Housing dedicated to the personal growth and Corporation continued to collaborate leadership development of our collegiate and work together for the benefit of the members. In winter 2019, Regional organization as a whole through regular Leadership Conferences (RLCs) were held in meetings, touchpoints and strategic six different locations across the country to discussions. National headquarters staff provide educational and personal growth continues to grow, with a new volunteer opportunities to nearly 1,750 collegiate support manager staff position added in 2019. officers, advisors and volunteers. A new system for judging Standards of In June 2019, more than 200 national Excellence was implemented, evaluating volunteers gathered in Dallas for Volunteer chapters on new criteria and giving them Summit, where they enjoyed facetime with more opportunities to share what makes fellow team members, staff and national them unique. The Live with Heart Facilitator council, personal growth and professional Team (LWHFT) made visits to 11 chapters in development programming. its first semester to lead programs focused on topics such as diversity and inclusion, To say that I am proud of our healthy relationships, mental health, and accomplishments over the past year personal development. One of the most would be an understatement. As my time historic events of the past year was the as national president winds down, I feel establishment of our Alpha Omega Chapter honored to have been allowed to lead this at the University of Alabama, the largest outstanding organization and hopeful about extension project in Sigma Kappa's history. where we are headed into the future. Thank Two-hundred sixty women were welcomed you for your dedication to Sigma Kappa and into Sigma Kappa's sisterhood at their for living with heart in all you do. Initiation ceremony in November 2018. Sigma Kappa continued to dedicate time and resources to the development Eugan of its volunteers, an essential part of the everyday operations of this organization. 2018-2019 TOP ROW BOTTOM ROW National VP for Extension National VP for Finance NATIONAL Meaghan Miller Thul Jennifer Rainey National VP for Alumnae COUNCIL National VP for Collegiate Chapters Ann Adams Malana Salyer National VP for Communication National President Pamela Mosher Sara Chacon National VP for Programming National VP for Membership Christian Gamm Kathleen Held MEMBERSHIP 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 Alumnae chapters 102 105 110 Average chapter size 11 11 11 Number of alumnae chapter members 3,656* 3,294* 2,389 *includes virtual alumnae chapter MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS COLLEGIATE STATS OF EXCELLENCE STATS 175,399 48% 5,586 undergraduates pledged to total sorority membership of chapters achieving as of May 31, 2019 minimum standards or Sigma Kappa in 2018-2019 above in 2018* 5,177 3.28 10 total women initiated into Sigma Kappa in 2018-2019 overall 2018-2019 GPA chapters receiving stars 94% *updated SOE requirements in 2018 initiation rate 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 Collegiate chapters 121 121 124 Number of collegiate chapter members 12,400 11,872 17,530 Chapters achieving 90% 80% 80% quota the same term 35 UNDER 35 In fall 2018, Sigma Kappa's inaugural 35 under 35 award opened for nominations. This award highlights sisters who embody the values of the organization. These sisters live with heart every day, creating impact in their careers or volunteer work. The 35 honorees under the age of 35 who were chosen were featured in the Sigma Kappa Triangle magazine and other platforms. Nominations came from members and non-members and included potential honorees from ages 18-35, from all regions of the country and one international nominee. We look forward to seeing what these remarkable women continue to do in their careers and communities! LEGACY LINK UPDATE Launched at convention 2018, Legacy Link continues to grow in its second year. Each fall legacies enrolled in the program receive a small gift from the organization. We were able to reach over 1,300 legacies in the inaugural 3 year! For the second year, staff worked to gather feedback from members, conducted a parent focus group, and even a children's focus group to ensure we are providing the education and fun that makes this program unique. SIGMA KAPPA COOKING CLUB In summer 2018, the Sigma Kappa Cooking Club made its debut in alliance with the Sigma Kappa Triangle's summer issue: Gather. The Cooking Club has brought sisters together through monthly themes, recipes, and love of food. Like our other virtual group, the Sigma Kappa Book Club, each month has a moderator that posts in alignment to the theme. ALUMNAE CHAPTER EXPERIENCE TASK FORCE Under the direction of the Sorority's strategic plan, national council charged a task force to assess the operation of the alumnae chapters and make recommendations on how to enhance the alumnae chapter experience. This task force was intentionally comprised of national volunteers, staff, alumnae chapter members and collegiate officers to share perspective, analyze data, and provide foresight on the direction that alumnae chapters should take. Staff and national volunteers are working to implement the recommendations. SIGMA KAPPA The University of Alabama Chck EXTENSION The 2018-2019 academic year had one with potential members to participating in major focus for growth - reestablishing our campus events. In September, Sigma Kappa Alpha Omega Chapter at the University staff and volunteers traveled to Tuscaloosa of Alabama. After almost two years of to host weekly recruitment events and strategic, intentional, challenging and conduct personal visits with potential new exciting work, fall 2018 marked the official members. The team met more than 500 beginning of the historic extension effort. women and were SO impressed with the excitement, commitment and interest each In August, our Alabama residential leadership one of them brought. consultants arrived in Tuscaloosa, assumed residency of a chapter house on Sorority On September 23, 2018, more than 250 bids Row and participated in Round 1 of primary were extended to our founding members of recruitment. More than 25 Sigma Kappa Alpha Omega. Throughout the fall semester, collegiate members from across the country the chapter had a non-stop calendar visited Tuscaloosa to host our Round 1 events. including a full-meal plan in the chapter house, social events, sisterhood events, a After primary recruitment, the LCs were date party, semi-formal, Homecoming, joined by numerous teammates and hosted electing officers and participating in the two non-stop weeks of marketing - from West Alabama Walk to End Alzheimer's. tabling all over campus to coffee hours The semester culminated with the Initiation As we wrapped up a historic year of and Installation of Alpha Omega on growth, the extension team also adjusted November 11, 2018. Sara Chacon, national to a change in leadership. Meaghan Miller president, presided over the ceremony, which Thul, national vice president for extension included a record-breaking 260 women. (NVPE), was appointed to move into the role of national vice president for collegiate After a historic fall semester, the extension chapters after Malana Salyer resigned team focused on future growth - where from her role. With a vacancy in the NVPE and how will we grow next? In the spring, position, national council appointed Jordan the extension team researched multiple Archer, Lambda, as the NVPE, effective extension opportunities, and ultimately August 1, 2019. submitted materials and presented at two Universities. From this process, Sigma Kappa It has been an exciting, challenging and was selected to establish a new chapter at remarkable year for our organization and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located we are excited to continue to grow Sigma in Daytona Beach, Florida, in fall 2019. We Kappa in the future. are excited to join this top-notch aerospace and engineering campus and welcome our founding members in October 2019. TRAVELING STAFF Four collegiate support specialists, and 16 leadership consultants comprised the 2018- 2019 traveling staff program. Traveling staff members were assigned chapters on the chapter advancement program (CAP), which entails working with a specific chapter (s) on an ongoing basis to provide additional support in all areas of collegiate management and recruitment. Six new chapters, five specialized chapters, thirteen focused chapters and three good-to-great chapters participated in CAP. 100% percent of our collegiate chapters received at least one visit from a traveling staff member. Traveling staff made 292 chapter visits during the academic year. PROGRAMMING LIVE WITH HEART FACILITATOR (LWHF) TEAM At convention 2018, the Sorority announced a new initiative to create and deploy a group of skilled alumnae members with expertise in engaging facilitation and communication with college-aged learners. These energetic and dynamic women were trained to facilitate workshops for our collegiate chapters to provide vibrant education and development opportunities for our members. These women are trained to facilitate programs on topics such as: Diversity and inclusion (Identity and Inclusion Series, similarities/differences, religious identity, etc.) Healthy relationships (sexual assault awareness, domestic violence awareness, etc.) Member safety and supportive sisterhoods (friendship and sisterhood, accountability, etc.) Mental health (positive body image, stress, eating disorder awareness, depression, self-care, etc.) Personal development (StrengthsFinder, personal brands, goal setting, etc.) Visits to chapters began in spring 2019. In that term, there were 11 chapters in four different disticts visited. The most requested topics were Mental Health, Healthy Relationships and Supportive Sisterhood. The LWHFs spend at least three hours with the chapter and work to meet with leaders of the chapter as well. All of the feedback we received from chapters was extremely positive and often specifically mentioned that having a new face spend time with the chapter was beneficial. For fall 2019, 16 visit requests have been made and SO far, eight of them have been scheduled and more are in process. CREATIVE TEAMS In fall 2018, Sigma Kappa implemented creative teams to focus on specific topics related to educational resources. These teams replaced the process by which we used to create new content/workshops. Each team is tasked with shorter-term assignments and managed by a creative team coordinator. We look to include a subject matter expert, at least one person who has experience writing content, and additional members based on the topic. REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES In January 2019, Sigma Kappa Sorority hosted the Regional LE Leadership Conferences (RLCs) for the sixth time. Almost ERSHIP 1,750 collegians, advisors, volunteers and facilitators were in CONFERENCE attendance across six locations over two different weekends. The RLCs provided personal development and training for all 11 collegiate executive council officers, as well as the advisory board supervisor and the social chairman. This year, leadership development programming focused on the connection between the values of Sigma Kappa and each individual members' personal values, the importance of self-confidence as a chapter leader, understanding the many facets of risk management and establishing a chapter culture that supports building confidence and courage among members and caring for one another. Attendees also explore their personal strengths through the StrengthsFinder assessment and spent time in track sessions focused on Nuts & Bolts training for their officer roles. NATIONAL CONVENTION In June 2018, Sigma Kappa held their 88th national convention in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Almost 800 attendees came together to recognize the organization's milestones and achievements and continue to celebrate one another. Educational sessions and keynote speakers were selected and designed to benefit collegians, alumnae and national officers personally and to help them build skills necessary for their various roles as we focused on individual leadership development topics. A Call for Programs process was used for the second time to identify breakout sessions that were relevant and beneficial KAPPA for all types of convention attendees. Breakout sessions were organized in five different theme areas focused on making a difference in your community, overcoming adversity, personal well-being, leading and motivating others and learning how to make your mark. Two keynote speakers were included in the convention schedule. Lindsay Boccardo, a nationally- recognized millennial expert, helped attendees consider how to identify people who will help them lead a bold and purposeful life, and Dr. Sarah Weddington, Zeta Nu, shared with attendees how her Sigma Kappa experience helped contribute to her personal and professional successes during the For a Lifetime Luncheon. Volunteer teams were given time to meet, a Connect Event was hosted by the glumnae team and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a service project during free time. FINANCE Royalty Review 2019 $265,745 $300,000 The Sorority's financial position was strong for the fiscal year 2017 ending May 31, 2019 with reported $250,000 $304,171 growth in revenues and investment balances year over year. Revenue $200,000 2018 growth is primarily attributable 2016 $245,224 to convention which is held every $244,736 other year. Investment account balances increased $1.1M as excess cash was invested, including $50K Net Merchandise Sales toward the 150th Anniversary fund. The Sigma Kappa Foundation 2019 generously increased the grants 2017 $239,522 $250,000 awarded to the Sorority to $216K $217,380 to assist with the funding of Convention, RLCs, Talkspace, LC $200,000 programs and other educational programming. Expenses increased 2016 2018 $1.4M over the prior year mainly $223,574 $228,402 due to convention, extension expenses at the University of Alabama, Talkspace, new staff Increase in Investments 2019 positions, offset by the national $3,824,527 volunteer development weekend $4,000,000 2017 in 2017-18 (held every other year). $2,971,115 The net loss for the year was $35K. The Sorority ended the year $3,000,000 2016 with net assets without donor $2,366,708 restrictions of $5M. $2,500,000 2018 $2,724,286 Signa Kappa Revenues & Expenses Revenues Dues, Membership $3,134,947 51.52% & Subscriptions Convention & RLC $1,715,048 28.18% Merchandise Sales $545,127 8.96% Royalty Income $265,745 4.37% Revenues Investment Return, Net Educational Grants $216,000 3.55% Closed Chapter Revenue Publications 3.05% Royalty Income Other $185,425 Closed Chapter Revenue $2,726 0.04% Investment Return, Net $1,320 0.02% Other $18,927 0.31% Total Revenue $6,085,265 100% Convention & RLC Dues, Membership & Subscriptions Expenses Collegiate $1,057,272 17.28% Merchandise Sales Convention $1,001,343 16.36% Publications Education Grant RLC $835,412 13.65% National $382,940 6.26% Organization Extension Expenses Finance $320,021 5.23% Merchandise $305,575 4.99% Management Purchases & General Programming $265,988 4.35% Communication $205,834 3.36% Collegiate RLC Membership $108,331 1.77% Alumnae $85,155 1.39% National President $71,297 1.16% Convention Extension Finance $64,592 1.06% Management National $1,416,344 23.14% Organization & General Programming Total Expenses $6,120,104 100% Membership National President Communication Merchandise Purchases Net Loss $34,839 Alumnae FOUNDATION $400,195 Awarded in Grants and Scholarships Sigma Kappa Foundation granted the Sorority $216,000 during 2018-2019. The end of the year grant provided support for Talkspace, RLCs, convention education programming and the leadership consultant program. The Foundation awarded $51,600 as grants to assist 15 members in need and $9,100 to fund five chapter philanthropic projects. The Foundation assisted 10 members with grants to attend leadership conferences totaling $6,040 and awarded $107,455 in 75 academic scholarships to 73 members for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, they granted $10,000 to the Maine Seacoast Mission's Housing Repair Program. Shared Hearts. New Heights. $1,442,094 for the Walk A Campaign for Sigma Kappa. to End Alzheimer's The excitement and momentum continue as SO many Every year, Sigma Kappas sisters share their hearts as a part of our first-ever capital across the country participate campaign. This five-year, $5 million campaign is designed to in the Walk to End Alzheimer's. build our endowment to support upcoming initiatives and As a platinum national team secure a stronger future for Sigma Kappa and its members. for 2018-2019, Sigma Kappa As of October, we have reached $4.87 million, with only committed to raise $500,000 $133,000 left to raise by December 31, 2019. for the Alzheimer's Association through the Walk. For the Our $1 million lead gift, to the Alzheimer's Association third consecutive year Sigma Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative, in conjunction Kappa surpassed $1 million in with gifts from other philanthropists, has resulted in grants fundraising on a national level. totaling nearly $3 million to 14 scientists. Their research In addition to participating in focuses on how sex and gender contribute to Alzheimer's the Walk itself, many of our and other dementias. sisters serve on their local Walk committees and volunteer to In the area of Scholarship, we have achieved our goal to help execute the Walk each year have more scholarships that average at least $1,000. This to provide additional service and year we awarded 75 with an average award of $1,433, an support to their local Alzheimer's 88% increase from before the campaign began in 2012. Association chapters. Thank you to all who supported Sigma Kappa Foundation in 2018-2019 Foundation Net Assets In 2018-2019, 109 collegiate chapters, 64 glumnge chapters and nearly 4,000 individual donors 2018 contributed more than $1,750,000 to the Foundation. $8,000,000 $7,071,804 This important work being done is made possible by our loyal donors. We thank you for partnering with us 2019 as we support our members, communities and the $7,000,000 $7,745,046 2017 world around us. $5,916,368 $6,000,000 2018-19 Key Accomplishments The NHC opened new housing for the Alpha Omega and Theta Phi chapters. We launched a collaborative initiative to provide funding for safe spaces in houses. More than a dozen housing projects including redesigns, new construction, renovations, and furnishings updates were managed by a team of staff and volunteers with respective expertise. Hosted the 4th bi-annual National Housing Conference for housing volunteers and house directors. Presented 34 (out of 44 eligible) Keys to Housing Excellence awards to local housing corporations meeting and exceeding the benchmarks for excellence in housing operations. NHC 34 Members of the Paid to vendors Total current NHC team including for housing- $13.2M NHC loans to 10 employees, seven related expenses local house Revenue processed members of the on behalf of corporations for housing fees from board of directors, participating collegiate members and 17 coordinators corporations and chapters $9.2M of participating corporations and chapters Participating chapters that are in university housing or that do not currently have housing and are saving for that possibility 36 Participating local house corporations