The national organization has several parts, each performing separate functions, but working with and dependent on all the others. Each part has both elected and appointed officers who serve the members and respond to their needs.
National Council is the executive and policy-making body of Alpha Xi Delta, and supervises the Fraternity between National Conventions. Seven elected officers make up the Council, including a National President and six National Vice Presidents. The National Council as a whole as the following duties:
1. Grant charters to establish new chapters.
2. Discipline chapters and new and initiated members.
3. Appoint the National Executive Director and other special officers, committees, and professional advisors as needed to conduct the Fraternity’s business.
4. Adopt and amend the National Bylaws.
5. Adopt the national budget and supervise the national treasury.
6. Represent and act for the Fraternity in all matters between National Conventions.
National Chapter is the legislative body of the Fraternity vested with the supreme power and jurisdiction by the National Constitution. It is made up of National Council, Past National Presidents, and one voting delegate from each college chapter and alumnae association in good standing. The National Chapter amends the Constitution and elects the National Council.
Meetings of the National Chapter occur at National Convention, which is usually held every two years. Each chapter has an opportunity to take an active part in the governing of Alpha Xi Delta by sending a delegate to Convention. At the 2001 National Convention, the National Chapter voted to adopt a new volunteer structure for Alpha Xi Delta. (Volunteers are alumnae members who assist college chapters and alumnae associations.) The new structure gives a larger number of members the opportunity to support and guide chapters and alumnae associations. National Council appoints Area Facilitators, National Director and Territory Directors.
These women provide consistent leadership and support to three to four college chapters within her geographic area. Part of the Area Facilitator’s role is to interpret and, when necessary, grant exception to policy. Think of her as the person to contact for answers to financial, programming or chapter management issues.
These women provide additional support to colonies and chapters. The National Director’s Network enhances the assistance offered to chapters and advisors by the New Chapter Development Specialist or Area Facilitator. National Directors oversee the areas of academics, alumnae, extension, finance, member development, new member, Panhellenic, philanthropy, recruitment and ritual.
Each National Director has four territory directors in her specific area of focus who serve as additional resources for chapters and alumnae. Territory Directors are responsible for initiating contact with chapter advisors, chapter officers and alumnae associations. Area Facilitators are apprised of these communications, as appropriate.
This central office is the business and communication center of Alpha Xi Delta and is under the supervision of the National Executive Director, who is appointed by the Fraternity’s National Council. In addition to the National Executive Director, department directors and other full and part-time staff members assist with the successful functioning of Fraternity Headquarters.
The staff members fulfill responsibilities that are based on the Fraternity’s vision and mission statements and goals, by working in teams that comprise several departments: Executive, Member Services, Finance and Operations, Communications and Marketing and Housing. Along with initiating and supervising activities that lead to the Fraternity’s and members’ goals, the National Executive Director represents Alpha Xi Delta in various national organizations, including FIPG and the Fraternity Executives Association.
| National Council | Foundation Board of Directors | National Housing Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| National Council is the executive and policy-making body of Alpha Xi Delta. Seven elected officers make up the Council, including a National President and six National Vice Presidents. | Eleven Trustees are responsible for creating and sustaining the Foundation's mission, approving long range plans and ensuring financial solvency, managing resources, ensuring adequate resources and monitoring programs and services for consistency with the Foundation’s vision and goals. Trustees establish prudent investment philosophies, policies and practices; approve and monitor the budget; and identify, cultivate and steward donors. | The National Housing Corporation board consists of alumnae members who determine best practices for Alpha Xi Delta's housing interests. |
| PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1902-1903 Cora Bollinger Block, Alpha | 1944-1947 Winnafred Corwin Robinson, Theta | 1988-1993 Jayne Wade Anderson, Rho |
| 1903-1904 Edna Epperson Brinkman, Alpha | 1947-1953 Hannah Wollaston Schellenbach, Delta | 1993-1997 Linda Belles Dinus, Nu |
| 1904-1909 Ella Boston Leib, Alpha | 1953-1957 Elizabeth G. Van Buskirk, Eta | 1997-2001 Kimberly Starr, Xi |
| 1909-1911 Mary Emily Kay, Gamma | 1957-1962 Mary Burt Brooks Nash, Alpha Theta | 2001-2005 Jane Hooper Sutton, Epsilon Gamma |
| 1911-1918 Lena Grandin Baldwin, Eta | 1962-1968 Ethel Garnier Thompson, Alpha Gamma | 2005-2007 Deborah Fenwick Maas, Gamma Beta |
| 1918-1920 Polly Fenton, Theta | 1968-1971 Ruth Fowler Brown, Pi | 2007-2011 Deanna Wollam Detchemendy, Delta Rho |
| 1920-1922 Anna Miller Knote, Zeta | 1971-1974 Lois Kopper Stump, Alpha Kappa | 2011-2015 Sandi Edwards, Xi |
| 1922-1926 Olive Johnson Thompson, Omicron | 1974-1976 Ernistine Brown Marks, Alpha Eta | 2015-2017 Michele Herbst Evink, Epsilon Eta |
| 1926-1932 Ann O’Connor Briggs, Alpha Theta | 1976-1978 Betty French Unkel, Psi | 2017- 2021 Micaela A. Isler, Beta Alpha |
| 1932-1927 Dorothy Bryan Dengler, Eta | 1978-1982 Kathleen Drumm Boscardin, Gamma Zeta | 2021-2023 Becky Perrett, Rho |
| 1927-1939 Grace Cogger Carlson, Psi | 1982-1986 Maxine Evans Blackburn, Zeta | 2023-2025 Megan Crouch, Delta Rho |
| 1939-1941 Olive Torgeson Wagner, Sigma | 1982-1986 Maxine Evans Blackburn, Zeta | |
| 1941-1944 Frances Trewyn Kuechenmeister, Theta | 1986-1988 Dorothy Clarkson Dodd, Alpha Epsilon | |
Established in 1956, the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation, the fundraising entity for the Fraternity, supports Fraternity educational and leadership development programming; provides and continues to expand scholarships, grants, and member support funds; and encourages philanthropy. The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation only receives contributions from members, chapters, friends and investment income. Founded by our Sisters who knew that the development and growth of our members was key to the future success of both them and the Fraternity, the Foundation helps to fund educational and leadership development programs that are not fully funded by member dues and fees. To read more about the Foundation, click here.
The Foundation supports the following Alpha Xi Delta priority programs including CliftonStrengths assessment – a program that allows our members to develop skills and goals by focusing on maximizing their strengths.
The Leadership Coach Program provides one-on-one coaching to help undergraduate Sisters develop leadership skills and enhance their personal growth. A Leadership Coach fosters member development through facilitating programs including CliftonStrengths™, Inspire programs, and programming created specifically to help address a chapter’s needs! They host one-on-one meetings to help Sisters better understand their personal leadership style and set plans to achieve their goals.
The Founders’ Academy (TFA) is Alpha Xi Delta’s premiere summer educational opportunity held in off-Convention years for Chapter Presidents and emerging chapter leaders.
Through these programs, the Foundation helps develop women who are leaders and responsible citizens of their communities. Foundation giving is an expectation of membership in Alpha Xi Delta. Every gift, whatever the amount, is important. As a collegiate member, you can honor your chapter or academic advisor, professor, parents or a special occasion with a gift to the Foundation.
Collegiate members are encouraged to participate in the Undergraduate Giving Challenge, which takes place each fall. Members who donate at least $18.93 will be members of the Heart Sunshine Circle, an annual giving circle, and will receive a dangle to wear with their Quill badge.
With the ever increasing costs of going to college, financial assistance for deserving Sisters is a priority of the Foundation and our Sisters and friends who have endowed scholarships. The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation issues over $100,000 in scholarships annually to Sisters who need assistance with furthering their educational and professional learning.
General scholarships are available for collegiate members regardless of chapter or field of study, and alumnae members in a graduate program, regardless of chapter or field of study. Some scholarships do have restrictions or preferences as requested by donors. Scholarship applications are due each year by March 15.
