The 2022-24 International Council (IC) convened for our winter meeting from January 26-27, 2024, in the vibrant city of Long Beach, California. Two days of productive leadership discussions were complemented by a special occasion as the kick-off of our 150th Celebration Coast-to-Coast events on Saturday, January 26.
Amidst the festivities, we cherished the opportunity to reconnect with our sisters in Long Beach, fostering a sense of sisterhood and shared history. Laughter echoed as we gathered to hear the inspiring insights of our distinguished keynote speaker, Alex Flanagan (Arizona), who generously shared the secrets to her successful career.
During the meeting, our esteemed sister, Kim Idio (Irvine), presented a mentor's report, adding a valuable perspective to our discussions. We also held a meaningful and productive conversation with our regional team leaders regarding what is working well and what needs improvement. A heartfelt thank you goes to Alicia O'Connell (Nebraska-Kearney), Rachel Kuhlen (San Diego), Ellen Malito-Green (Indiana State), Karlee Nuttelman (Nebraska-Kearney), Jessica Proffitt (Christopher Newport), Brandi Vess (Texas A&M-Commerce) and Elena Wagner (McGill) for joining us.
Our gratitude also extends to all the sisters who celebrated with us in Long Beach, California. As we commemorate 150 years of Gamma Phi Beta, we eagerly anticipate the chance to reunite with even more sisters throughout the year. Here's to continued celebrations and the enduring sisterhood of Gamma Phi Beta!
Below is a summary of our meeting.
Strategic Financial Update The Finance division is currently undergoing a significant software conversion to Sage Intacct, aimed at enhancing overall efficiencies. While Sage promises benefits, the transition has presented challenges. International Council's primary focus is to ensure timely access to the latest financial statements, enabling informed decision-making for the organization. Discussion took place on the implementation timeline and expectations of communication in the interim.
Set-Aside Funds Following approval of the reinvestment of current set-aside funds at the recommendation of Bernstein and the Audit and Finance Committee, IC engaged in a comprehensive discussion regarding the timelines for spending these set-asides. An important aspect addressed was the identification and assessment of potential implications associated with these funds with the IRS. Emphasis was placed on utilizing these funds strategically to foster in-person educational opportunities and exploring an endowment with the Foundation.
2024 Bylaw Amendments We recommended Bylaws that will be presented to the Convention body in Chicago. The 2024 Bylaws Package is complete and will be available on the website on February 23. The Bylaws package includes 18 proposed changes; all proposals submitted to IC were advanced in the Bylaws review process for the Convention body’s consideration in June. This April, we will host virtual education sessions on the recommended Bylaws and parliamentary procedure. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon.
Proposed Dues and Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 We discussed and approved recommendations for member dues and fees for FY 2025 (August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025). Pursuant to the Bylaws, information for FY25 fees will be available to all members beginning March 1.
Governance Review Recommendations One year ago, IC initiated a governance review project with SortSol Group. This high-level review intends to evolve the Sorority’s governance structures to better align with nonprofit best practices, improve the orderly transition of leadership to maintain a healthy board and expand the way it conducts business to advance with the times and serve the organization well as it grows. International Council reviewed and voted to accept an executive summary presented by Sort Sol of their findings and recommendations. Financial Priorities for FY25 We held a preliminary discussion surrounding IC’s financial priorities for the upcoming FY, beginning August 1, 2024. Our workforce will begin the annual budget outlining process this Spring, undertaking a thorough and meticulous review by IC, with final approval happening during the summer. This budgeting approach ensures transparency and careful consideration in aligning our financial strategies with the best interests of our members and the organization.
150th Celebration Our upcoming 150th Celebration was a topic discussed throughout the meeting. We received updates from the committee regarding all planned activities and Coast-to-Coast events. Thank you to the generous sisters and friends who have donated to ensuring the success of the celebration!
Communication Guardrails We took a thoughtful journey into defining the guiding principles for our organizational communication strategies. We explored what messages we would share and Gamma Phi Beta’s place in relation to local, national and global issues, establishing boundaries that resonate with our values. Our collective goal is to become more thoughtful and efficient in addressing external events and ensuring meaningful support for our members beyond public statements. It is the unique responsibility of IC to interpret the mission and vision of Gamma Phi Beta; this exercise was an exploration of values alignment and membership expectations.
Administrative Recurring Business At every IC meeting, we focus on topics that allow us to keep work moving forward and give us time and space to evaluate workforce trends or issues. During the meeting, IC reviewed and discussed the following topics:
Board-level committee reports
Updates from the Facilities Management Company Board of Managers and the Foundation Board of Trustees
Divisional and staffing updates from International Headquarters’ Executive team