2005-2006 Year in Review Leadership, Scholarship, Achievement Sigma Nu is about improving our communities; fostering the development of each man's mind, heart and character; and

working together to ensure the Fraternity will be able to offer this unique, uplifting experience for generations to come.

It is this calling, derived directly from the timeless Ritual written by our Founders more than 135 years ago, that we still live by today. Take note of the following highlights that demonstrate the many ways we, as the Fraternity and Foundation, fulfilled our mission in the past year.

Advancing Scholarship at 178 Sigma Nu Chapters and Colonies. . .

32% maintain a chapter GPA of at least 3.00

64% exceed the All Fraternity Average on their campus

Over 60 Chapter Scholarship Accounts have been established resulting in $329,000 in scholarships awarded since 2002.

Leading the Way in Effective Guidance and Education. . .

Sigma Nu remains committed to building men of strong character guided by ethical tenets of leadership. To this end, Sigma Nu has customized its LEAD program, a multi-year approach to leadership building that teaches values-based decision making. This contemporary, practical program tailors each year’s presentation to coincide with student members’ specific needs.

In 2005-2006 Sigma Nu Fraternity held 20 LEAD Institutes. There were 328 participants representing 110 chapters in attendance. In the spring 2007 semester, there will be 14 LEAD Institutes held on campuses across the United States. For more information please visit our website.

Alumni Continue to Endorse Foundation Mission. . .

During 2005-2006, alumni brothers supported Sigma Nu’s leadership, education, scholarship, and service programs. Among them. . .

180 1869 Founders Club members at the $1,000 annual level and above

558 brothers making their first-ever gift to the Foundation

2,390 total donors to the Foundation

Since 2002, what this has meant for Sigma Nu is. . .

$315,000 in grants for educational and leadership programming $1,229,000 in grants for chapter house improvements

Planning for the future. . . If you do not know where you are going, how will you know when or if you ever get there?

The Fraternity and Foundation developed comprehensive strategic plans in 2000 and 2001, respectively. These plans serve as road-maps to guide the two organizations well into the future in pursuit of their missions. Each year, the plans are reviewed and adjusted to maximize the effectiveness of both organizations.

The Fraternity’s High Council (board of directors) and staff met recently and held their annual Strategic Planning Session. The Fraternity’s Strategic Plan deals with numerous issues including improving educational and leadership programs; increased communications; growth in new member recruitment and expansion; and, improving chapter homes.

Regent Jay Pitts (South Carolina) said, "I am very proud of the work done by the new High Council and staff to lay out new, bold goals for Sigma Nu. The Fraternity must have such visionary leadership if we are to continue to achieve our mission in the future."

Also recently, the Foundation’s Executive Committee and development staff met to discuss how the Foundation can best serve the Fraternity. Since 2001, the Foundation has made great strides. The donor-base has been broadened and, most importantly, the Foundation has significantly increased its funding to the Fraternity in support of educational programs.

Increased communications via the online newsletters, the Foundation News Briefs and The Rock, have allowed our key constituents to become better educated on the needs of Sigma Nu and to learn just how their involvement and financial support is helping to prepare today’s students to become leaders

As an alumnus, you can be proud that the leadership of the Fraternity and Foundation are setting lofty goals in an effort to continuously improve Sigma Nu. Also, the standards set by the Legion of Honor continue to "raise the bar" for the entire Greek community. Our improvement benefits the entire Greek system.

New Tax-Saving Opportunity for Older Donors

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 encourages financial support of charitable organizations for donors who are 70½ or older. Under the law, you can make a gift using funds from your individual retirement account (IRA) without the undesirable tax effects. In the simplest term, this law allows donors to contribute up to $100,000 annually from their IRA or Roll-over IRA in years 2006 and 2007.

How The New Law Works

Pat, aged 80, has $450,000 in an IRA and has pledged to give Sigma Nu Educational Foundation $75,000 this year. If Pat transfers $75,000 to Sigma Nu from the IRA, he will avoid paying income tax on that amount. He cannot, however, claim a charitable deduction-it is a pure "wash." Pat has found an easy way to benefit Sigma Nu without tax complications. If his spouse has an IRA and is 70½ or older, she can also give up to $100,000 each year.

For more information on determining which gift may be right for you, please call Brad Hastings at 540-463-1869 or e-mail brad.hastings@sigmanu.org.