Minutes 12/2/12

Minutes 11/18/12

Jennifer Higdon interview

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104464863

Here's a very interesting NPR interview with Jennifer Higdon and Marin Alsop, the conductor of the Baltimore Symphony and the first-ever female conductor of a major American orchestra. They talk about working together and touch on the issue of gender in classical music.

A Night of New Music

Last Thursday, October 18th, the Eta-Iota chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota held a concert of new music in the Baur Room at CCM. Sisters in the chapter performed pieces by Danny Clay, Scott Sheppard, André Previn, Trevor Alan Gomes, and James Allen.

During the first set of the evening, Elliana sang Danny Clay's piece "Children's Songs, Book 2" with text based on kindergarten-age poetry. Ty Niemeyer and Lauren Fink also played mallet percussion during the set, which was written for soprano, two percussionists, and recording. The next piece of the evening was Elliana and Hannah Peterson premiering Scott Sheppard's "Amor" for soprano and flute.

Next was a flute solo played by Hannah titled "Solitude," also written by Scott Sheppard. Soprano Emma Siegel and pianist Rachel Zapata performed next with André Previn's "Three Dickinson Songs"with text from Dickinson poems. During the next set, Elliana sang with the composer Trevor Alan Gomes on piano for his "Songs on Shel Silverstein Poems." The last performance of the night was "Broken Lights," a song composed by James Allen for soprano, baritone, violin, cello, two guitars, and piano.

Admission for the event was free and the sisters of Eta-Iota and the Cincinnati Alumnae chapter provided heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Coffee and raspberry lemonade was also available during the buffet-style pre-concert time.  

Performers during Allen's "Broken Lights."

The Evening of New Music was a wonderfully successful concert put on by the Eta-Iota chapter, and it couldn't have run so smoothly without the hard work of Elliana and the committee.

Minutes for October 14th

Minutes for October 7th

Minutes for 9/30

Minutes for 9/23

Eta-Iota Bylaws

BYLAWS of ETA-IOTA CHAPTER

Adopted: May 21, 2001

Revised: May 23, 2004, April 2008, January 2010, April 2012

Amended: October 2011, April 1, 2012, September 23, 2012

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this chapter shall be the Eta-Iota Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, located at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.

ARTICLE II - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.             General Policies and Procedures. Any Fraternity procedures or obligations, either chapter or individual, which are not specifically defined in these Bylaws, shall be handled in accordance with established procedures as prescribed in appropriate Fraternity publications.

Section 2.             Acronyms. The following acronyms shall be used as appropriate throughout these bylaws:

CPM – Chapter Procedures Manual

SAI – Sigma Alpha Iota

MIT – Member-in-Training

GPA – Grade Point Average

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.             Eligibility Requirements for Student Membership.

            A.            Membership is open to any woman student who has completed at least one semester of             study at the University of Cincinnati.

      B.       A Prospective Member-in-Training must have a sincere interest in music and be willing to uphold the ideals of Sigma Alpha Iota.

      C.      A Prospective Member-in-Training must have completed or be currently enrolled in one or more courses in music.

            D.            The minimum, overall cumulative grade point average required for membership is 2.5.

Section 2.             Title IX Status and Statement Against Discrimination. Sigma Alpha Iota is a Title IX exempt organization. Sigma Alpha Iota does not discriminate against women students on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, political belief, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Section 3.             Exception to Active Membership.

      A.      A member may become locally inactive by written request to the Chapter. This request must be made before the date set for paying local and national dues. A member may apply for inactive status under three conditions: prolonged, serious illness; serious financial difficulty; or change of academic major.

      B.      The chapter may grant a temporary leave of absence for a member who is student teaching, interning, or studying abroad. The member shall still be responsible for full-year national dues.

Section 4.             Financial Obligations of Membership.

      A.      All members must pay annual dues in a timely manner in order to be in good financial standing.

      B.      Members who have not met their financial obligations in full by the end of the year will be considered a member not-in-good-standing and will be reported to National Headquarters as delinquent.

Section 5.             Voting Privileges of Membership.

            A.            Only members in good standing are privileged to vote on chapter business.

            B.            To be in good standing, a member must:

                        1.            Pay all dues and fees in full by the set due date.

                        2.            Attend all chapter meetings and events, unless excused.

                        3.             Maintain a minimum, overall cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Section 6.             Alumnae Member Status. Members are granted alumnae status upon graduation or termination of studies and are encouraged to affiliate with a local alumnae chapter and join the Sigma Alpha Iota Alumnae Association.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBER-IN-TRAINING

Section 1.             Invitations to Membership. After all membership eligibility criteria are met, invitations to membership, known as “bids,” are issued upon a two-thirds affirmative vote of the chapter in accordance with the CPM.

Section 2.             Sponsors. Each Member in Training will be assigned a sponsor.

            A.            Service as a sponsor shall be voluntary.

      B.      Sponsors shall be assigned/chosen as follows: Preference will be given to those members who have not yet been sponsors, followed by those whose MITs have graduated or left the chapter. Sponsors shall select their MITs by general consensus at a closed chapter meeting, under the supervision of the VP, Membership.

      C.      Sponsors are responsible for assisting and advising the Members-in-Training, ensuring that they fulfill the requirements for initiation into the Fraternity and preparing them to meet the responsibilities and expectations of membership.

Section 3.             Requirements for Initiation. In order to be initiated into the Fraternity, a Member-in-Training must:

            A.            Pay all fees in full by the set due date.

      B.      Demonstrate her musical ability by participating in a membership musicale. This participation requirement may be fulfilled by a performance as a soloist, as a member of an ensemble, or, if not a musical performer, by a demonstration of her interest in and knowledge of music.

            C.             Pass the National Membership Examination.

            D.            Fulfill the requirements of the Member-in-Training program.

Section 4.             Fees.

      A.      The Member in Training fee must be paid in full at the time of the Pledging Ceremony. This fee is not refundable.

      B.      The initiation fee, which includes the life leasehold of an official member Badge, must be paid in full at the time of the National Membership Examination.

Section 5.             Statement Against Hazing. Sigma Alpha Iota condemns the hazing of prospective initiates, and Eta-Iota Chapter will neither conduct nor participate in hazing activities of any kind.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

Section 1.             Elected Officers. The elected officers of Chapter shall be: President; Vice President, Membership; Vice President, Ritual; Corresponding Secretary; Recording Secretary; Treasurer; Sergeant-at-Arms; and Editor.

Section 2.             Duties of Officers. Duties of officers are as listed in the CPM.

      A.      Vice President, Membership – Ensures that all MITs meet the requirements for membership

            B.            Vice President, Ritual

            1.      Takes the password and handclasp from members prior to the start of all formal business meetings and ritual ceremonies

                        2.             Reviews the password, handclasp, and pledge at one chapter meeting annually

            C.            Editor – Maintains the chapter history

            D.            Sergeant-at-Arms – Supervises the presenting of roses to members at their recitals

Section 3.            Term Length of Offices. The term of office begins with the installation of officers in March but no later than April 15 and ends when the new officers are installed in March or no later than April 15 of the next year in accordance with the CPM.

Section 4.            Vacancies in Office. Vacancies in office will be filled in accordance with the procedures outlined in the CPM.

ARTICLE VI - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.            Qualifications for Election. To be elected to office a member must:

            A.            Be in good standing as defined in Article III, Section 4B.

      B.      To be elected to the positions of Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Editor, Treasurer, or Sergeant-at-Arms, it is recommended that a candidate shall have been an active member for at least one full academic quarter prior to the start of the new term of office.

      C.      To be elected to the position of President, Vice President, Ritual, or Vice President, Membership, it is recommended that a candidate shall have been an active member for at least one full academic year prior to the start of the new term of office.

Section 2.             Nominating Committee. A nominating committee of 3 members shall be elected by the chapter in accordance with the CPM.

Section 3.             Nominations. Nominations will be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the CPM.

Section 4.             Elections. Elections will be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the CPM.

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.             Membership. The executive board shall be composed of all elected chapter officers.

Section 2.             Responsibilities. Duties of the executive board are as outlined in the CPM.

Section 3.             Meetings. The executive board shall meet before each Formal Business Meeting and is to meet five times each year with the advisory committee in accordance with the CPM.

Section 4.             Quorum. Quorum shall be designated as a simple majority of the chapter’s executive board membership.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1.             Chapter Meetings. Chapter meetings are business meetings that are held at regular times.

      A.       Formal business meetings shall take place at least once each month and shall include ritual. Appropriate business attire is required.

            B.            Informal chapter meetings shall take place on weeks when there is no formal business             meeting.

            C.            Quorum shall be designated as two-thirds of the chapter’s active membership.

Section 2.            Special Meetings. Special meetings are meetings of the entire chapter held for emergency purposes, for business that could not be planned for in advance but must be transacted before the next scheduled meeting.

            A.            The President or any member of the advisory committee may call a special meeting.

      B.      A special meeting may be called when the chapter will be adversely affected by waiting until the next regular meeting to hear or vote on an issue.

            C.            No less than 48 (forty-eight) hours’ notice can be given for a special meeting.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

Section 1.            Standing Committees. Standing committees are ongoing committees which have continuing responsibilities throughout the year.

      A.      Standing committees of the chapter shall include, but not be limited to: Fraternity Education, Social, Community Service, and Fundraising.

      B.      At the end of each academic year, each member shall inform the incoming President of her choice of committees for the next year. The President then forms committees, honoring member requests as much as possible.

      C.      The President appoints committee chairs for the following academic year shortly after officer elections. Chapter officers should not be committee chairs unless chapter size makes this necessary.

      D.      Each active member must serve on one standing committee. Each committee should have at least three people as chapter size permits.

      E.      Duties of the committees are as listed in the CPM. Duties of committees not in the CPM are:

            1.       Community Service – plans and organizes community outreach events for the chapter

                        2.            Fundraising – plans and organizes events to create revenue for the chapter

      F.      The term of office for committee chairmen begins when appointed in the spring and ends when the new committee chairmen are appointed in the spring of the next year.

Section 2.            Special Committees. Special committees may be created by the chapter as needed to function until completion of a specified assignment. These committees include, but are not limited to, Bylaws, Nominating, and Honors Committees.

Section 3.            Ex-Officio Committee Membership. The President shall serve as an ex-officio member on all committees except for the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE X – CHAPTER ADVISORS/ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Section 1.            Composition. An advisory committee of three members shall be formed in accordance with the CPM.

Section 2.            Meetings. The advisory committee shall meet at least once each semester by itself and with the executive board bi-monthly beginning with the first month of the academic year in accordance with the CPM.

Section 3.            Responsibilities. Responsibilities and duties of advisors are as outlined in the CPM.

ARTICLE XI - HONORS AND AWARDS

Section 1.            Honors Committee. The chapter will form an Honors Committee of three members in January in accordance with the CPM. Duties of the Honors Committee shall be as outlined in the CPM.

Section 2.            National Honors and Awards. The Chapter may present National Honors and Awards in accordance with the National Bylaws and the CPM.

Section 3.            Local Honors and Awards. The Eta-Iota Chapter may make local awards with the approval of the province officer and as long as they do not resemble national awards in name and form, in accordance with the CPM.

ARTICLE XII-PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all

cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of

order the chapter may adopt.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed in writing at any regular meeting and voted upon at the next regular

meeting. A two-thirds vote is required.

When are Dues due??

Hey ladies!
Just a friendly reminder that I have pushed the Dues due date up to Sunday, October 7th. Once again that is a Sunday so there should be no reason for y'all not to have your dues for me that day!

If you want to pay for one semester it is $52.50 and if you want to pay for the entire school year it is $105.00. I will be accepting cash or checks made out to Sigma Alpha Iota.

If you feel like you will have problems paying these dues COME SEE ME RIGHT NOW...or ASAP! We don't want any issues and we can figure out a payment plan or something for your dues.

So once again October 7th Dues are due...but the sooner the better!

Thank you ladies!
Love & Roses,
Emma

PS- I was a dollar off for the total amount of money from the bakesale. We actually made $104.70 not $103.70....go us! :)

Minutes 9/16/12

See below for minutes!

Minutes 9/9/12

Minutes 9/2/12

See below for minutes. Important upcoming dates in bold!

Fundraising Updates

Hello, ladies! Hope you all are having a wonderful first couple days of classes.

I just wanted to post and let you all know of some details that I have been able to finalize for some of the fundraising events.

First off, the date of the Yogurt Vi fundraiser is set for Monday, September 10th from 4:00pm-8:00pm. The nice people at Yogurt Vi will design a flyer for us that incorporates our logo (I sent in the design for the buttons because it was the best one I had available). We will be responsible for making copies and distributing them prior to the event. When we hand them out, we must remember to tell everyone to BRING THE FLYERS WITH THEM TO THE STORE!

I also want to send out another reminder about baking. It is super important this year, more than ever, that we really come through on baked goods. Café Momus is pure profit for us, so every one of us needs to contribute. PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDARS! In addition, please be prepared to bake for BAKE SALES the first Monday of every month (except September, because we are planning on doing it the 10th). We must be well-stocked so that we can sell, sell, sell!

I am in contact with CCM Prep about flower sales and should have details by the first meeting.

Love and roses,
Jen

Minutes for August 24th, 2012

Click for the minutes of Friday's busy planning meeting!

Hi again, Eta-Iotas!

I hope you've all had a wonderful summer and are excited to return to Cincinnati!!

I know that my email inbox gets overwhelmingly crowded sometimes, so I thought it would be a good idea to create one designated space for all of our SAI info. Not only will I post the meeting minutes here, but you are all free to post schedules, reminders, inspiring articles, or anything that strikes your fancy, to keep us more connected as sisters!

Hope to see you at the planning meeting on August 24th :)

- Jalen