Mandy, Vanessa, Neddy and Katie join Karen Hanes, Administrative Assistant and Mary Peterson, Executive Director, to comprise our Headquarters team.
Organizational changes and growth have led the National Board and Mary to allocate more resources to a dedicated professional staff to better serve the growing needs of our membership.
Excitement and pride fill our organization as we consider how far Sigma Lambda Gamma has come in just a short period of time. As we will soon enter the sisterhood’s 20th year of existence we can be proud to know that our hard work and achievements continue to pave the way for Sigma Lambda Gamma sisters for years to come.
Contact information and short bios on our newest staff members follow. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming each of them to their new roles in Sigma Lambda Gamma!
Amanda (Mandy) Berenguel Smolka, Assistant Executive Director
Mandy @ SigmaLambdaGamma.com
Greetings Sisters! I am very excited to introduce myself to you as your new Assistant Executive Director! My experiences in Sigma Lambda Gamma have unintentionally prepared me for this amazing position! I truly feel humbled to have been chosen to serve you all and overjoyed to utilize my passion, talents and abilities toward improving our great organization! I look forward to listening to the needs and wants of our sisterhood and doing what is possible to make the necessary enhancements.
Our organization continues to grow and empower women across the nation because you all have cared enough to share your excitement about what Sigma Lambda Gamma has done for you! I thank you all for your hard work and dedication toward being the premier organization because without you, we would not have a Board of Directors or a headquarters staff.
Here is a very short summary of my experience as a sister: As an associate member, I assisted in the restart of Gamma Chapter at Iowa State University. The Phoenix line had already established colony status and with my line (the first line) we were able to help the colony achieve chapter status in the fall of 2001.
As a neophyte in 2002 I attended my first National Convention in Washington D.C. and also became Chapter President which led to me holding every position (other than New Member Educator) in the chapter prior to graduation.
In 2005 I graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Science in Child, Adult and Family Services, then in 2007 I received my Master of Social Work degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I was Delta Chapter’s advisor.
From 2006 – 2008 I served as volunteer through SLG’s transition from Districts to Regions as a District Governor/Regional Director for the Plains District, North Central Region and Midwest Regions. Sisterhood Retreat 2009 I was honored to be selected to serve as a small group facilitator.
As time passes you will get to know more about me but what I am looking forward to is getting to know more about all of you! This is such an exciting time for our sisterhood with having all new staff so we truly appreciate your understanding as we transition into our new positions!
Vanessa Jimenez, Director of Chapter Services
Vanessa @ SigmaLambdaGamma.com
Sister Vanessa "Fortaleza" Jimenez has been a member of the Phi Chapter at Western Michigan University since April 22, 2004. During her undergraduate career, Vanessa was an active member, serving in several positions including President for two years. Vanessa graduated in August 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and a minor in Creative Writing. She served as Chapter Advisor upon her graduation and has continued to be active in the Central Region. Recently returning to the States after living in Mexico City, Mexico for several months, Vanessa is eager to embark on a new journey within sisterhood. She is looking forward to working with our members on a national level and continuing the mission of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority.
Nereyda (Neddy) Llorente, Director of Expansion
Nereyda @ SigmaLambdaGamma.com
Hola Hermanas!
My name is Nereyda "Feliz" Llorente, and I am very happy to share that I have been selected as your Director of Expansion. I am very proud to have such an important role in the wonderful sisterhood of Sigma Lambda Gamma and to be able to represent our organization in such a magnitude. I know first hand how much this sisterhood can enrich and empower a young lady’s life to help them become a better woman. We are one of the fastest growing fraternal organizations and I plan to ensure Sigma Lambda Gamma will continue to focus on quality and not just quantity. I became a sister in December of 2002 at the Glorious Gamma Chapter. As an undergraduate, I held the position of VP of Recruitment. I loved this position because my main duty was to spread the word about how great Sigma Lambda Gamma is! When we love something so much, sharing about it just comes naturally. My excitement and passion when sharing about SLG really helped me with that position, and those are two important characteristics I will make sure to apply in aiding chapters in recruitment and retention.
I am here to serve our sisterhood, so please continue representing Sigma Lambda Gamma so that I may help others join us as women of distinction.
Katie Schneider joined West Bank in 2005 as a Personal Banker. She was named Personal Banking Officer/Manager of West Bank’s Coralville branch in 2006 and was promoted to Second Vice President in December of 2007. She has nine years experience in the banking industry, having held various positions as a personal banker and teller.
Katie attended the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. She serves on the board of directors for Systems Unlimited Incorporated of Iowa. She is also a Volunteer Coordinator for projects with the Coralville Family Resource Center, including the Coralville Free Lunch Program and Coralville Elementary Homework Help Program. Katie enjoys spending her free time with her husband Allen and their two sons Jackson and Jacob.
Katie will be serving as a part-time, shared employee bookkeeper as well as filling in for Karen Hanes as she moves to a four-day a week schedule. We are excited to have Katie’s expertise as a part of the Headquarters team.
Now that Undergraduate Sisterhood Retreat has come and gone our focus is on our alumnae and the great weekend planned in San Antonio August 14-16. Join other alumnae sisters and the alumni of Sigma Lambda Beta for a relaxing, refreshing and affordable weekend right on the River Walk.
The registration cost is just $75.00 per person. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation. A hotel room block has been reserved at a very low rate – just $95.00 per night, plus applicable taxes, for up to four individuals in a room. You can’t plan a cheaper get away with as nice accommodations as are being offered.
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. has announced an opening for an Assistant Executive Director to serve on the Headquarters Staff. We are seeking an energetic, self-motivated individual to serve in this full-time position. The Headquarters Office is located in North Liberty, IA. Start date is as soon as possible. All information regarding the position may be found in the position announcement, description and application procedures which may be viewed below.
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Position Title: Assistant Executive Director
Location: North Liberty, IA
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. is seeking an energetic, self-motivated individual to serve as Assistant Executive Director.
Basic Functions and Responsibilities Serve as the full-time, day-to-day manager of the organization’s Headquarters Staff; assist the Executive Director in setting and managing priorities derived from strategic plan; administer fiscal activity; work closely with regional volunteers and Board members as assigned; manage organizational policy; and represent organization to outside publics when designated.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Managing Staff
Regular staff/one-on-one meetings to discuss priorities and assess needs
Aid in the development of staff priorities
Evaluate and improve member services rendered/needed
Update Executive Director on staff progress and projects bi monthly
Fiscal
Review statements monthly and send to Executive Director
Prepare quarterly reports
Work with accounting firm for all IRS reporting
Work with Executive Director to prepare budget draft for VP of Finance
Manage payroll and legal reporting requirements
Technology
Works with outside entities on technology solutions
Assess daily technology needs and report to Executive Director
Reporting and Administrative Tasks
Manage consistent reporting structure to key stakeholders
Supervise administrative reporting required by other staff members
Coordinates communication tools with respective staff/volunteers
Regional Directors/ Volunteers
On-site planning and program development for volunteer training/education
Facilitate meetings and conference calls when appropriate
Work directly with VP Collegiate Ops
Board Support
Respond to requests as submitted
Attend board meetings
Ensure meeting minutes are documented and reported out
Prepare and submit quarterly staff report
Work on projects as assigned by Executive Director
Facilitate travel arrangements for volunteers
National Meetings
Develop curriculum for National retreat
Responsible for onsite logistics for retreat and convention
Prepare all necessary documents for national meetings
National Committees
Work in conjunction with Constitution Committee
Work on projects with other committees as assigned
University Officials/Outside Publics
Respond to requests from college campuses
Work with upper-level officials in disciplinary cases
Policy and Governance
Assure all policies are up to date and current to all entities
Document and communicate all policy violations to all appropriate entities
Educational Foundation
Prepare reports requested
Attend meetings in absence of Executive Director
Keep documents on file at HQ
Pay bills and send checks as requested
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university
Ability and willingness to follow and enforce organizational policies
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in appropriate academic discipline (e.g. College Student Personnel, Association Management, or related field) or Certified Association Executive or the equivalent combination of education and related experience
Leadership experience in non-profit or education setting
Experience in student leadership development and educational programming
Alumna member in good standing
Proficient in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks
Supervision Received
Report directly to the Executive Director.
Supervision Exercised
Supervise Directors of Chapter Services and Expansion, Administrative Assistant and other staff as needed.
Compensation Notes
Salary commensurate with experience
Health care fully paid
3% SIMPLE IRA match available
Anticipated Start Date
July 27, 2009
Application Procedure Please submit a cover letter, resume, list of three references with contact information and responses to the questions below to AEDSearch@SigmaLambdaGamma.com by July 10, 2009. Direct all inquiries to Mary Peterson, Executive Director, at that address.
Application Questions:
Why do you want to work for the Headquarters Staff?
Describe the style you use to manage others and how you like to be managed by your supervisor.
What is your strongest leadership skill and how will it assist you in this position?
Explain a time when you had to enforce a policy you did not agree with.
What type of people do you find most difficult to deal with? Why?
Describe and include examples of educational programs you have created or managed.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Alumnae Association of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. along with the Megafighters PKTD would like to invite you to attend a two hour seminar on basic women’s self-defense. This workshop will focus on how to use basic body weapons to stop or escape from an attacker. This will be a hands-on class with practice time for all techniques.
The seminar will be taught by Sensei: Raul Soriano, Frank Soriano and Amber Soriano with the support of other certified PTKD Black Belts. The Instructors have more than 50 Years combined experience in the martial arts.
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Marcus Recreation Center 3003 Northaven Road Dallas, TX 75229
COST: $5 – All money collected will be donated to the Sabrina Tolentino-Pina Memorial Fund Topics to be covered: ▪ STANCE AND POSTURE ▪ BODY MECHANICS ▪ SELF-DEFENSE PRINCIPLES ▪ BASIC BODY WEAPONS AND HOW TO USE THEM ▪ ESCAPES FROM GRABS ▪ ESCAPES FROM BEAR HUGS ▪ GROUND DEFENSE ▪ UNPREDICTED ATTACKS ▪ A WINNING MINDSET ▪ AWARENES TIPS ***PLEASE WEAR WORKOUT CLOTHING***
RESTRICTIONS – PLEASE NOTE * FEMALES ONLY * 13 years of age or older * Under 18 years old – parents must sign liability waiver
If you would like to know about the instructors and the programs they have to offer, visit their website at: www.megafighters.cmasdirect.com
For additional event information email Cindy Russo, President of the DFW AA at president@slgdfwaa.org
Staff e-mail was down from Wednesday evening, May 27, through Thursday evening, May 28. If you sent a message directly to any of the staff e-mail addresses it was not received. Even if you did not receive an error message, please resend the message to ensure proper delivery. Thanks!
Jade Silva, current Director of Chapter Services, informed us today that she has been offered and accepted a position in the University of Iowa Admissions Office. We are very sad to see her leave the staff but are happy that she has found an opportunity that will allow her to grow in a personal and professional direction she is seeking.
As such, we now have two full-time Director positions open at the Headquarters Office. Information regarding the Director of Chapter Services position may be found here and has been uploaded to the BG Connexion File Center. The Director of Expansion position information is also here and available in BG Connexion.
Please contact Jim Paponetti, Associate Executive Director, with any questions and please forward this announcement and description to any interested and qualified candidates.
Please make sure you have your two members registered by the deadline tomorrow – May 20! Payment can be made through PayPal or mailed to the Sorority Headquarters.
Registration must be made through BG Connexion. Each individual attending must register themselves.
Annually, the Irresistible Iota Alpha chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., host a 5K Breast Cancer Walk/Run entitled G.A.M.M.A.S (Greek Angles Making Miracles Amongst Society). The walk this year was held on March 22, 2009, on the campus of Florida State University and was held in memory of our President’s Mother, Jacqueline Torres, who passed away from breast cancer this past November. Our earnings from the walk this year exceeded $2000 in sponsorships, donations, and participants and all of the funds were donated to Breast Treatment Task Force (B.T.T.F.) a group that helps women who are financially indigent. Our success was captured by news stations in Florida and can be viewed at http://www.wtxl.tv/global/story.asp?s=10054321.
Also, the Irresistible Iota Alpha chapter won Most Improved Chapter at our campus Greek Awards night and our very own alum Stephanie “Dimensions” Christian was inducted into the newly created Greek Hall of Fame, highlighting her achievements as an undergraduate and alumna.
© Copyright 2010 Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority | All Rights Reserved
900 West Penn Street
North Liberty, IA 52317
Office: (319) 626-7679
Fax: (319) 626-7688