Sigma Alpha Iota

Summer 2020 2 P A N P I P E S Dear Members of Sigma Alpha Iota, I hope that this communication finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. As the coronavirus situation continues to unfold, I know that we all hope that the sacrifices and changes we have made over the last several months will pay off and our lives can begin to return to some level of normalcy. Our hearts go out to those who continue to struggle with all that has happened during this unprecedented pandemic. As you know, the Fraternity has adjusted policies and procedures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on SAI life. Our staff at National Headquarters continue to practice social distancing by alternating their work schedules while continuing to meet our members' needs. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our volunteers on the National Executive Board, along with those serving as Regional and Province Officers, who have been tireless in their continued dedication to SAI by staying in regular contact with our members, coming up with creative solutions to assist our chapters in navigating these unchartered waters. What a wonderful example of sisterhood in a great time of need! In response to the Fraternity's statement concerning issues of racism and injustice in our nation, the NEB received many helpful suggestions focused on building a more diverse and inclusive organization. Change is necessary in all facets of our country to stand up against racial inequality and injustice, and Sigma Alpha Iota is no exception. There is much work to be done to ensure that our fraternity is a positive environment where all sisters feel included, respected, and celebrated. We are up to the challenge and are equally committed to developing leaders within our organization who will work as part of a team to motivate this movement of change. To guarantee a strong and all-inclusive organization, the NEB plans to take a multi-faceted approach to enhancing diversity and inclusivity. One of the common themes of your feedback was the creation of a Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. This concept was discussed by the NEB at prior board meetings where it was determined that a new Fraternity Director position would be established to oversee such a committee. The board also approved the hiring of a third-party consultant to assist SAI with this implementation. As your collegiate and alumnae chapter officers begin planning for the 2020-2021 fraternity year, you are also challenged to reflect on changes that can be made within your own chapters. We can build more inclusive bonds of SAI sisterhood by working together to improve all aspects of the Fraternity. It is our sincere hope that this process can mark the start of an open, honest, and constructive dialogue among our members and all levels of fraternity leadership. We acknowledge the need for transparency during this process so our membership can see the progress being made toward creating a welcoming, yet musical, environment for all of our members. And finally, after careful deliberation the National Executive Board has decided to postpone our National Convention from July 2021 to the summer of 2022. The location of our next convention will remain the Sheraton-Greensboro/ Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it will be held from July 28-August 1, 2022. This decision was reached by taking many factors into account, including: the results of the survey sent to NOC members, Alumnae, and Collegiate chapter presidents earlier this summer; financial implications for our members, chapters, and the Fraternity; and the current resurgence of COVID-19 across the country. Many of the key components of our National Convention would have to be heavily modified or possibly eliminated due to increased risk to our members and attendees – music performances, workshops, sisterhood activities, and banquets, to name a few. As you may be aware, there are several research studies currently underway that are studying how the coronavirus behaves in the context of musical performance. In fact, the Fraternity and SAI Philanthropies, Inc. are proud to announce that we have provided financial support to one of these studies that we believe will be beneficial to all. Many of us are currently unable to enjoy performing in live ensembles, at church, or for our communities and understand the need to be cautious at this time. These studies are trying to determine whether singers, wind instrumentalists, and actors are at a higher risk for spreading the virus and/or catching this disease. The outcome of this research will greatly impact how we as a music organization approach many aspects of fraternity life, including Convention. It is our sincere hope that the world and especially our chapters will return to some semblance of normalcy by the summer of 2022. We look forward to the results of the research studies and the development and approval of a vaccine in the future. We also hope that each of you remains safe and continues to embrace the power of music during these uncertain times. Take care and stay healthy! Leslie Odom Miller, National President A WORD FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT

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