New Feature: Alumni Q&A!
Many of you have told the National Council that you would like to reach out more to your alumni.  Many alumni have told us that they would like to reconnect with their chapters.  Since we cannot conjure up a solution out of thin air, we offer this new feature to the Red Carnation, the Alumni Q&A!  In this section, we encourage both actives to ask questions for real-world problems, and for alumni to volunteer any advice, anecdotes, or fond memories for all to read.  To submit either piece of information, please click to e-mail Art Taylor or Justin Wetterer. 

This inaugural edition of the news item features John Koehler, Zeta alumnus, and current National Webmaster for ADG. 

How has ADG helped to shape your skills?
"Holding several officer positions was a priceless experience. I learned how to be a leader and follow the 5 S's in my life and career."

Click here to read the complete article!

Not Just Whistlin' Dixie!
Have you reserved your room for Convention yet?  Spots are filling up fast and rooms around the city are being booked quickly, so be sure to make your reservation soon!  Though the theme of this year's conclave is "Bringing the Alumni Home," we have many events for active and alumnus alike, including for the first time in recent memory, an ADG Job Fair!  Be sure to bring your resumes!  For more information, be sure to check out the Convention page on the National Website, or contact our Convention Steward, Michael Blackstock.  You should also check out the Atlanta Convention website!

Spring Reports Due May 15!
The semester sure does fly by, doesn't it?  While we are definitely aware of the strains and pressures of final exams, please be sure to turn in your Spring Semester Chapter Reports by no later than May 15!  If you would like any assistance at all in completing this document, please contact your Chapter Governor, or the National Council, and we will be happy to assist you!  (The reports help us to determine our insurance premiums, and also makes your chapter eligible for awards at Convention!)

ADG Solutions: Your Fraternity
We hope you have had a chance to review those documents on the ADG Solutions that were presented at last year's Convention.  This summer is shaping up to be a grand affair in Atlanta, but there is work to be done in the Jewel of the South.  Please be sure to go over those initiatives found in the Solutions documents, as we need to move forward on several of these items.  For more information on this initiative, or if you would like additional copies of the documents, please contact the National Council as soon as possible.

Brothers,

Many times you have heard your Executive Vice President, Art Taylor, espouse the importance of effective communication on the chapter level.  This is also true on the national.  I wanted to briefly remind every chapter officer and governor of their responsibilities as we draw to the end of another semester.

The first and easiest key to success is Convention registration and booking your hotel.  Booking a hotel room for your chapter takes five minutes and more importantly, goes hand in hand with what every chapter must do: attend convention.

Secondly, new member information (chapter officers and governors).  New member information is now easier than ever to fill out thanks to advances in web technology.  All new members should fill out the new member forms online as they complete their candidacy in Alpha Delta Gamma.  This is critical both for the record keeping of our chapters and for the raw data, which we can use to chart the growth of our fraternity as a whole.

Last but certainly not least is the timely manner in which your spring reports are completed.  Each chapter president is required to hand in a fall and spring report.  This does not have to be a laborious chore.  Rather, by planning ahead, your report will be turned in on time and your chapter recognized for their efforts.  Chapter reports are the basis for the awards that are given annually at Convention to recognize chapters' achievements.  When a chapter does not hand in a report, or it is not filled out correctly, chapter members do not get the credit they deserve.  Most importantly, the chapter report is a tool the National Organization can use to better assist a chapter.  By analyzing chapter strengths and weakness, we can a) gear conference/convention programming to fit specific needs and b) we can also help specific chapters personally if they so choose.

Again, one of the keys to success of a chapter is successful communication.  We are all in this together brothers, actives, alumni, national officers.  Let's learn from each other and work for one thing, not personal glory, but for the strength and continued vitality of this national organization.

Fraternally,
Jim

James M. Smith
National President
Alpha Delta Gamma
Kappa Spring ‘99