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April 1, 2008

	Epsilon Sigma Alpha Collegiate Alumni Chapters are forming NOW! If you are a spring graduate or former collegiate member, please contact Epsilon Sigma Alpha Headquarters immediately to add yourself to our alumni network. Exciting ideas for these new chapters came out of our recent collegiate leadership conference and we can't wait to get this network hopping! If you know former collegians who are not currently affiliated with ESA, please send us their contact information so we may invite them as well. To join the alumni network or recommend a friend for the network, contact TracySwanson@esaintl.com.

	Update your contact information on the web site. If you're moving or your address did not appear correctly on the chapter roster recently mailed to your treasurer, we need to hear from you! Please log on and get us your latest information to insure prompt delivery of your Jonquil and other Epsilon Sigma Alpha mail. To check your contact information on file go to www.esaintl.com > Member Center > Member Records. New and improved – Be sure to check out the new DESA and Élan chapter kits, the new traditional chapter kit, and the new recruiting packet. These documents can be found in the Forms and Resources sections within the Member Center at www.esaintl.com.

Executive Director, B.J. Clark, bjclark@esaintl.com - It's Epsilon Sigma Alpha's time of year! Jonquils are beginning to bloom. The time of renewal has begun. This month as you read through this news, you'll be able to review ways to participate in exciting projects, programs, and events. However, as you read, I'd like you to take some additional time to think about one more thing – how spring and the idea of renewal can apply to ESA.

Traditionally, Spring is the time for sowing the seeds that will be harvested later, and, at this Spring ESA especially needs to plant the seeds of friendship as our members meet and greet the public through their events for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Easter Seals, local charities, and even through state conventions.

We need to tell the ESA story and follow-up by inviting those whom we meet to share the gift of our friendship. As busy as we are meeting our personal and chapter goals within ESA, none of our efforts will have a lasting effect if we also do not take the time to replenish our membership.

For a good "ESA story," I suggest each of you go to the news section of the ESA website to read the Founder's Day article that Kathleen (Laurie) Walton wrote regarding the history and current place of ESA in a busy world. It certainly will give you a lift, but it also will provide good information to talk about when you approach other people about ESA. To view this article go to www.esaintl.com > News > Top News Stories > Founder's Day Message.

So begin to sow the seeds of ESA's future this month. Talk the ESA talk, then watch interest in our wonderful organization grow among those you meet through your good works and ESA sponsored events.

IC President, Rhea Weaver, rweaver@consolidated.net - Spring is in the air! Flowers are blooming, the trees have leaves, and the grass is turning green once again. I do love this time of year! What better way to burst into spring than to celebrate the year's accomplishments at your annual state conventions. The International Council Representatives will be traveling to Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Oregon this month. Best wishes to all for fabulous conventions!

I hope you have had time to check out all of the fantastic information on the IC web site for the 2008 IC Convention in Chattanooga, TN, on July 6-13. EVERTHING you need to know is at your fingertips > http://www.esaintl.com/iccouncil/convention.cfm

And, you just can't IMAGINE what nationally known entertainment is coming to IC Convention! You won't believe it and you don't want to miss it! Send in your registration and make your room reservations ASAP! To receive an early discount, do so before April 30. If you have any problem downloading the IC registration form or any of the information, please don't hesitate to contact a member of the IC Board for assistance. See you in three months!

	Sr. Membership Chairman, Deana Walters, dwaltesa@worldnet.att.net - Spring is almost here and we are all looking forward to finishing our Epsilon Sigma Alpha year strong. I just returned from the Collegiate ESA Conference at Illinois State University this weekend where members from five collegiate chapters came together to celebrate 20 years of collegiate ESA and chart their future. It was an amazing day, and they are all so committed to the future of ESA and their part in it. I hope the rest of us can catch their spirit and look to the future and all we can do together. Of course, our good ideas and good works need good people to make them go. Remember, it is not just the job of the membership director or officers in each chapter or state to help ESA grow, it is the responsibility of all of us. Continue to reach out to friends, family, and co-workers and share ESA with them. We need to reach out to the graduating seniors in our collegiate chapters, search out graduates from years past, and see if we can bring ESA back into their lives. The International Council Collegiate Team and ESA Headquarters are working closely with collegians this spring to form an effective alumni network and to implement the ideas of collegians about ESA and their future. You still have time before this year comes to an end to reach out and share ESA with a new member, help form a new chapter (sister chapter, workplace chapter, couple's chapter, the possibilities are really exciting!) and reach our goal of one new chapter with 10 new members in it for every state by May 31. We can make this happen. We'll continue to use our imaginations and creativity! Your ESA membership team would love to help and we're looking forward to hearing how we can! Random Acts of Friendship - Each month, we'll randomly draw and share the story of an Epsilon Sigma Alpha member who has sponsored a new member. Jane Raciti of Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Mattoon, IL, sponsored her friend and fellow Mary Kay Cosmetic independent beauty consultant, Crystal (Brandy) Miller. After finding out that Brandy was new to town, Jane asked her to attend a recruitment social, and Brandy joined! Jane describes Brandy as a "beautiful woman, a caring mom, and an enthusiastic member." Jane will receive a gift card from Target. Congratulations, Jane!


	IC Circle of Life - Jr. Coordinator, Jodi Lang, jodi@scc.com - In order to Walk the Line at this year's International Council Challenge on July 11, 2008, in Chattanooga, TN, make sure you raise at least $200! The deadline to have your money turned in is quickly approaching. The registration deadline for your donated dollars to count for the 2007-08 campaign year is May 31, 2008. Funds received after this date will go towards the 2008-09 campaign year. So keep working hard and raise that money!

	State Presidents Chairman, Verneene Forssberg, vernf66@sbcglobal.net - Effecting Personal Change and Leadership Growth In Steven Covey's "The 7 Habits of Effective People," the power of seeking out the elements of personal and group change is emphasized. All leaders have things that they'd like to do better and this requires that change must take shape and form in their lives. This is a very personal aspect of leadership development as we must assess our own skills or look to the specific needs of our group. According to Covey, we are a continuum of knowledge, desire, and skills. When these three components come together, our habits evolve. When we change our habits – it really means we make changes in our knowledge, desires, and/or skills. The paradigm of independence conveys the individual's self-reliance. If we consider the paradigm of interdependence, this is what the group can do with their combined talents to achieve something greater together. Each leader seeks to balance these two paradigms to achieve the greatest benefits. Where does this apply to your leadership skills? Covey's seven habits center on being proactive, learning to prioritize, openness, and empowerment. I highly recommend his book for anyone who seeks to lead.