NOTES FROM THE ASUAA PRESIDENT
It was great to see so many of you at the Spring Leadership Conference and I hope it gave those of you new to the network the opportunity to  make some connections with other volunteer leaders and to gain from their experience.  We are in countdown to Commencement and are now expecting 71,000 plus. Including more than 200 media, so hopefully you will receive some snapshots in your own media outlets.  If not, I am sure we will be sharing some of the major highlights on our own websites.  One of the exciting points will be the entrance of our own 50 year Golden Circle class as they enter the stadium in their gold robes which are offset by all the maroon robes of the current graduating class.  I expect there could even be a roar from the crowd.  And thanks in advance for all of you who are sponsoring ASU Send-Offs.  They are fun events and are much appreciated by all who attend.   

All the best as always,

NOTES FROM THE ASUAA ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND CONSTITUENT RELATIONS
A huge thank you to the Chapter leaders who attended the Spring Leadership Conference last week!  The results from the survey and the emails I have received indicate that our Chapter leaders left the conference with new ideas and energy to spread the Sun Devil pride throughout the country.  It was a pleasure to meet new faces and connect with familiar ones.  We had 40 people from Chapters, Clubs and Connections join us. 

We also had a very successful Grad Blast with more than 500 seniors participating.  We had a trapeze, sumo wrestling, jousting, a caricature artist and tons of fun as we celebrated the culmination of the Senior Year Experience.  And for the seniors leaving Arizona,  it was great to have some of our chapter leaders present to represent ASU  across the country.  Even Sparky enjoyed himself on the trapeze (click here to view the video).

In this edition of Chapter Chat, we have included valuable information from the conference as well as reminders for some very important deadlines.   And as graduation is just around the corner, let's be prepared to welcome the new graduates and give them the alumni support as they enter the next phase of life!

Go Devils!

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND MEETINGS

• End of Year Reports for FY09 – DUE FRIDAY, MAY 15th! Please complete the appropriate form for your CHAPTER or CLUB and submit via e-mail ONLY to your Chapter Liaison by May 15th.
• Annual Plans for FY10 – DUE MONDAY, JUNE 1st! Please complete the appropriate form for your CHAPTER or CLUB and submit via e-mail ONLY to your Chapter Liaison by June 1st. All members of your board should participate in the preparation of your Annual Plan. Please consider the Chapter Programming Model for Program Diversity as you plan for the coming year. If you have any questions about the form, please contact your Chapter Liaison.
• Remaining Allocated Funds for FY09: All requests to utilize Basic Operating or Signature Program Funding Allocations from this current fiscal year’s allocation for your chapter must be submitted to your chapter liaison by June 15, 2009. All requests must be submitted using a Check/Reimbursement Request form and accompanied by an itemized invoice or receipt and a completed Program Report.

If you wish to share ideas or investigate possible synergies, please contact chapter leaders at the following link:  http://www.asu.edu/alumni/chapters/findchapter.shtml.  Also, please let us know if you would like your group’s special programs listed in the next edition by e-mailing Nicole Almond Tucker at Nicole.AlmondTucker@asu.edu.

SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR GEO, ACADEMIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST CHATPERS - APRIL 24 & 25
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Spring Leadership Conference on April 24 & 25.

30 Alumni Chapters, Clubs & Connections were represented and great programming ideas and suggestions were shared during several group discussions.  The PowerPoint presentation from the Conference is available in the Online Toolkit. There is also a summary of notes posted in the Online Toolkit. Additionally, we have received several requests for the ASUFoundation video that was shown at the Conference.  Please feel free to check it out online and share with your alumni!  If you have any questions about the information that was presented during the Conference, please contact your Chapter Liaison.

And THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Grad Blast for Seniors on Thursday, April 23rd. We had more than 500 students on Old Main Lawn who were excited about Graduation and now they are excited about staying connected to ASU through their ASU Alumni Association. We enjoyed seeing a few alumni leaders and even Sparky swing from the TRAPEZE too!  Click here to view the video.

JUNE 2009 CAC CALL
The June CAC Call will take place on Monday, June 8th from 5:15pm – 6:15pm PST. The Committee for Alumni Constituencies meets 3 times per year via teleconference to discuss updates from ASUAA, upcoming events and programming planning tips. This is a great opportunity to share information with fellow alumni leaders. An agenda and conference call-in number will be provided the week prior to the call. Each Chapter, Club and Connection should have at least one board member participate on the call.  A full review of items discussed during the January CAC Call is available in the Online Toolkit.

SPARKY'S MEMBERSHIP MANIA
Congratulations to the following Chapters who won their division and an extra $50 for the Sparky’s Membership Mania competition that ran from the end of Homecoming 2007 through Homecoming 2008:

“A” Mountaineers – COLORADO – 109 points
Lantern Walkers – CHICAGO – 323.5 points
Founders’ Day Foursome – PHILADELPHIA – 49.5 points
Gold Rushers – NATIVE AMERICAN ALUMNI – 138 points
Wild, Wild West Devils – RECREATION & TOURISM – 82.5 points
Palm Walkers – MASTERS OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT – 30 points
Carillon Crusaders – COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTHCARE INNVOATION – 161 points
Old Main Trailblazers – SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING – 25.5 points

And the TOP DEVIL award with an additional $500 for the Chapter goes to…..CHICAGO!

Thank you to all the chapters who participated and recruited new members – we welcomed 160 new and renewed members to the ASU Alumni Association through our Chapter, Club & Connection Network this past year – THANK YOU!

SUN DEVIL GENERATIONS CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Make ASU a family affair...sign up the children in your life for Sun Devil Generations!  Sun Devil Generations creates a lifelong ASU connection by involving children in various ASU traditions and programs catering specifically to youngsters.  Any Alumni Association member may sponsor a child in the program.  Sign up your future Sun Devil today and continue the ASU tradition in your family!  Click here to sign up your child for Sun Devil Generations.

Sun Devil Generations Arts and Crafts Day
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Location:  Old Main, ASU Tempe Campus (SE corner of College Ave. and University Dr.)
Time:  10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join us for our annual Arts and Crafts Day, Sun Devil style!!  Let your creative energy flow as you and your kids make Sparky masks, paint, color and construct!!  An event not to be missed!  Light treats and beverages will be available.
Please RSVP your attendance here.

ASU WOMEN IN BUSINESS PRESENTS AN EVENING OF WINE AND NETWORKING
Join fellow ASU Alumni for an evening of networking, fine wine, and fabulous food at one of downtown Tempe's hottest spots: La Bocca!

MAROON & GOLD PROFESSIONALS MIXER, IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES WHEN SUN DEVILS CONNECT...
An exciting business collaboration, a potential new client, a job opportunity or simply, making a new friend...many good things can come your way when you go out and meet new people, especially when they're also Sun Devils! The ASU Alumni Association's new Maroon & Gold Professionals is a network for ASU graduates in the working world, providing opportunities for Sun Devils to connect with Sun Devils! This is a great opportunity to meet other alums and expand your network. Bring plenty of business cards and be prepared for an evening of great food, fun and networking.

GOLDEN REUNION - CLASS OF 1959
The class of 1959 will celebrate their 50th Golden Reunion on May 13 and 14.  As of today (May 1) we have nearly 70 graduates registered!  This is nearly double what normally registers.  We are excited to host them, hear their stories, and honor them. This is the first class that had “University” on their diploma (as opposed to “Arizona State College”).   


SPARKY’S TOUCHDOWN TAILGATE AT GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
The ASU Alumni Association will be offering game and tailgate tickets to the Georgia football game in September.  Gold and Life members will be able to order the ticket package starting early May and annual members will be able to order tickets in June (while supplies last).  Game tickets to the general public won’t go on sale until late August (both from the ASU athletic ticket office and the ASUAA).  Go to www.asu.edu/alumni/georgia, complete the form, and you will be the first to be notified once the web page is live.  There will also be information about ground packages offered through the Sun Devil Club.  ASU has a host hotel in Atlanta, and the ground package will include hotel, game ticket, tailgate ticket, and bus transportation to Athens. 

Commemorative Wine Celebrating 2009 Commencement Just in time for Commencement!  Remember this momentous occasion with a bottle of our special edition collectors series of ASU Wine, complete with a  custom designed President Obama label.  This will make the perfect graduation gift.  Click for more details below on the ASU Personal Collection of Wine.

JOIN THE WEB 2.0 GENERATION WITH US!
The ASU Alumni Association has set up groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for graduates of ASU! Sign up today and see who you know from ASU, and who THEY know!

Join ASU's LinkedIn Group                          
Join ASU's Facebook Group                        
Tweet on ASU’s Twitter

#4 Baseball Win Over San Diego In 11 Innings
Matt Newman emerged the hero on Tuesday, getting the game-winning hit and earning the victory on the mound as the No. 4 Arizona State University baseball team rallied to defeat San Diego 8-7 in 11 innings in front of a crowd of 2,923 at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. The Sun Devils improve to 34-11 on the season with the win.  Newman pitched the 10th and 11th innings, allowing one hit and no runs, after spending the first nine innings playing right field. He then ended the game with a single in the bottom of the 11th to give ASU its first walk-off win since Game One of the 2007 Tempe Super Regional against Mississippi. Click here for complete story.

ASU establishes President Barack Obama Scholars Program
In response to President Barack Obama’s challenge for the United States to once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the year 2020, Arizona State University is increasing its student accessibility by expanding its financial aid program to more Arizona families.  As a commitment to the national challenge to enhance college accessibility, ASU is expanding its most important financial aid program and renaming it the President Barack Obama Scholars Program. The program will provide funding for direct costs to all academically qualified Arizona freshmen from families that earn less than $60,000. Covered costs – minus expected family contribution – include tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Obama Scholars also will have a work-study campus job requirement as part of the total aid package.
 
The Obama Scholars Program more than doubles qualifying family income from $25,000 to $60,000 and more than triples the number of scholars from 500 freshmen this year to more than 1,600 freshmen entering ASU in fall 2009.  ASU will honor President Obama with the naming of the scholarship program at its commencement ceremony May 13, where he is the commencement speaker. Some of the new Barack Obama Scholars will be introduced at graduation.  Click here for complete story.