[Sigtaudelt] Sigma Tau Delta Elections

[David Sweeten]

Just a reminder that at this Monday's meeting, at 2:00 in the English 
Faculty Lounge, we will be having elections for next years Sigma Tau Delta 
officers. Several of our officers are graduating, and this a great chance to 
help further shape the course of events that our chapter will take over the 
next year, gain leadership experience, and have a heck of a lot of fun. In 
case you need the list of officer positions again, I have provided it once 
more at the end of this email. We're looking forward to continuing all of 
the progress we've made this year, and I look forward to everything we'll be 
able to accomplish with your help.

David Sweeten
Your Friendly Neighborhood Sigma Tau Delta President

Officer Positions:

President – The president is truly the key to a successful chapter. An 
effective president presents a model of leadership for the chapter and the 
campus. The president will work closely with the chapter sponsors.

Upon election the president has the following duties:

-Familiarize him/herself with the chapter handbook.  This handbook has a 
wealth of ideas in the sections on chapter activities, fundraising, service, 
and chapter development.
-Plan an orientation for new officers as soon after the election as 
possible.  (The election and the orientation should take place in the spring 
before the outgoing officers leave.) Organize this activity with the 
outgoing president and the sponsors.
-Assess the interests and needs of the chapter and plan the agenda for the 
coming year, achieving a balance among programs, socials, fundraisers, and 
service projects.
-Fill appointed offices and set up committees, with consultation from the 
sponsors.
-Be a liaison (or appoint a member to be a liaison) to other organizations 
on campus, to the Student Government Association, and to the faculty.
-Collaborate with the sponsors and the other officers on completing the 
annual report for the Central Office
-Learn about the international conventions and regional conferences in order 
to encourage members to submit papers and attend.
-Write and distribute the monthly agendas for both the officers and general 
membership meetings (in consultation with sponsors).
-Work in conjunction with the Vice President to ensure that the semester’s 
agenda is followed, with respect to university deadlines, policies, 
facilities forms, etc.

Vice President – As second in command, the main duty of the vice president 
is to assist and support the president in presiding over the chapter.  The 
vice president shall assume the responsibilities of the president if the 
president is unable to serve.

Upon election, the vice president has the following duties:

-Familiarize him/herself with the chapter handbook.  This handbook has a 
wealth of ideas in the sections on chapter activities, fundraising, service, 
and chapter development.
-Work in conjunction with the President to ensure that the semester’s agenda 
is followed, with response from various university deadline, policies, 
facilities, forms, etc.
-Plan, organize, and execute at least one service activity each semester.
-Organize, oversee, staff, and maintain the Sigma Tau Delta office in Evans 
204.
-Work with President on running the election and the assignment of various 
offices.

Treasurer –The treasurer is also vital to the smooth functioning of a 
chapter and should attend all events where money is collected or disbursed. 
(The sponsors will be co-signers on the checking account).

The treasurer has the following duties:

-Obtain bank statements and the treasurer’s notebook from the outgoing 
treasurer.
-Balance the checkbook as well as the ledger for expenses each week in 
conjunction with the sponsors and have a treasurer’s report ready for each 
meeting.
-Collect receipts for expenditures and submit requests for reimbursement 
checks from the sponsors.
-Keep track of the Income Tax ID number
-Be familiar with the financial regulations of the Society and Sam Houston 
State University
-Collect and deposit promptly any chapter dues or special fees.
-Serve as fundraising chair, overseeing the planning and execution of 
fundraisers.

Secretary –The secretary is vital to the organizational integrity of the 
chapter. This officer should work closely with the other officers, become 
aware of local and international deadlines, and maintain open communication 
through the timely dissemination of information to other chapter members.

The secretary has the following duties:

-Attend all meetings and keep accurate minutes
-Post minutes for the general meeting on the chapter’s website within one 
week
-Provide hard copies of the minutes for the officers’ meetings to all 
officers and sponsors within one week.
-Prepare and send out mailings (via snail mail or e-mail) to members.
-Notify and remind members (via telephone or e-mail) of general meetings and 
upcoming events.
-Prepare, in collaboration with the sponsors, the list of new members to 
send to the University registrar and the Central Office.
-Update and maintain a list of current members, including the listserv.
-Be responsible for all chapter correspondence, including notes of thanks.
-Work with officers and sponsors to produce a monthly chapter update.
-Keep an activity log of membership participation
-Assist the sponsors in completing all chapter reports, including the 
Central Office annual report.

Public Relations Director –The public relations director is the Society’s 
link to the        University and community. The way in which the Society is 
perceived is, to a large extent, the responsibility of this officer.

The public relations director has the following duties:

-Publicize meetings, programs, and fundraisers on campus well in advance of 
the anticipated dates.  -Meeting notices should be posted in Evans before 
general meetings
-Update the display case monthly.
-Locate the campus media services office and find out the policy for sending 
news items and photos to the local paper, the University website, and other 
media services.
-Work with the campus newspaper to print Society news.
-Work with the Historian to take photos that may be used in the scrapbook.
-Arrange for a group photograph of the chapter members for the Alcalde.

Historian –The historian is the keeper of the chapter’s memories. This 
officer must have access to audio-visual equipment and take photographs and 
videos of the various activities of the chapter.

The historian has the following duties:

-Maintain all records, such as the scrapbook, the written history of the 
chapter, videos, cassettes, photographs, souvenir programs, sample t-shirts, 
newsletters, newspaper clippings, and convention materials.
-Display these materials appropriately at Society functions.
-Caption and date all photographs and label all other materials.
-Present the updated yearbook at the spring induction ceremony.

Webmaster – The webmaster is responsible for maintaining the website so that 
it is a vital communication link between members and the society.

The webmaster has the following duties:

-Maintain the website and list serve.
-Assist the secretary in maintaining the membership list.