Page 6 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2024 Final1

6 THE SOJOURNER

NATIONAL SECRETARY’S DESK

For the benefit of our new Secretaries and Chapters, I will regurgitate some of the
same reminders and information details that I wrote about in previous edition of The
Sojourner.

The 2024 Annual National Convention (ANC) is in the books, and I want to bring
your attention to a couple of key elements from that meeting. First – No
Resolutions were considered or voted on at the ANC. Second - The fee for a
Membership-In-Perpetuity (MIP) will remain for this Sojourner year at $700.00, and
the per Capita fees will remain at $35.00 for this year as well. I suspect increases will be proposed at the next
ANC in Omaha, Nebraska. I would encourage all Chapters to send delegates to each ANC to exercise your
right to express your opinions and make a difference. It is important for each Chapter to have a voice and
make positive influences regarding the future of National Sojourners. If money is an issue in sending
delegates, or your President and Secretary, consider doing a fundraiser during the year to offset the costs.
Coordinate with your Regional and Area Representatives and make it a fun trip for all concerned.

I am pleased the submissions for our magazine, The Sojourner, from the Secretaries and Adjutants have
increased over the past few years. Speaking of which, with the overwhelming volume of emails, phone calls,
and interruptions each day at the National Office, it is possible we will overlook your article submission on
occasion. Please accept our sincere apologies and contact us if we do miss your article so we can add it to the
next issue. We want to make sure your Chapter or Camp receives the recognition it deserves!
I am also pleased to report on other projects and improvements achieved over the past few years:

NSI-MMS (Our membership database) – With inputs and suggestions received from our leadership to our
Chapter Secretaries, we consistently make improvements and modifications to increase functionality and
productivity. This has become an incredible working tool for us and our Chapters and members to use.

NSI Website (www.nationalsojourners.org) – We appreciate constructive feedback and ideas as we make
the website as functional and easy to use as possible. I also appreciate the kudos Brother Hickey (webmaster)
and I have received the past two years. We continue to make major strides in providing more and more web
content and information for everyone. It does however, in a large part, boil down to committees and
chairpersons providing useful content and information, so we can upload it to the website for everyone to
reference. If you see something missing or lacking, send an email to webmaster@nationalsojourners.org
explaining in a clear and detailed message what you would like to see or have access to for Sojourner work or
research.

NSI eFileCabinets (files.nationalsojourners.org) – Online virtual file cabinets were created to store your
Chapter and Committee records! Good news—no more having to send your minutes, muster reports, and
chapter newsletters to HQ. All your records can now be easily stored and accessed 24x7 online from wherever
you are located. This eliminates paper and physical cabinets at your home or office, and it is a work/roll-out in
progress with features and functionality being added as needs and ideas arise; however, it is already available
for you to use RIGHT NOW. Contact HQ for information at 703.765.5000 or hq@nationalsojourners.org.

ONLINE RETAIL STORE (www.nationalsojourners.org/store) – I hope by the time you read this, the
store will be both viewable and functional so you can order and pay online for your Sojourner orders. We are
currently in the throes of adding the website modules for online payment and online shipment to complete this
project rollout. We want this to become an easy, automated, and pleasant experience when ordering NSI
goods. We hope to limit the glitches and hiccups on such a complicated rollout of a new project, so we do
appreciate your patience and feedback during this time.