Tri Sigma Foundation

Florida Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter

Tri Sigma’s Day of Service is the second Saturday of March, which is March 10, 2018.  This day of service brings collegians and alumnae together across the miles in service to actively demonstrate our commitment to citizenship and giving back to our communities to change the world.

Day of Service is about taking time out of our busy lives one day a year to purposefully spread compassion and good to our communities.  It’s the power of one multiplied by 100,000 (the number of living initiated members).  If you aren’t able to participate with your chapter, you can participate individually.  If you are unable to participate on the actual day, pick a day in March that works in your schedule.  No act of service is too small!  Just imagine the ripple effect if we all give just a little bit of time to help those in need.

Start thinking and planning today!  Participating in this day is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1 - Plan

Find a site that you and/or your chapter or a group of Tri Sigma sisters can volunteer on March 10.

2 - Promote

Click here to share your service site with other Tri Sigma sisters.  We will publish the list of sites on our website so we have access to potential volunteer opportunities and sites no matter where we are.

When you are ready, use some of our resources here to promote your event and get more Tri Sigma sisters involved.

3 - Share Your Service Story

Take pictures and share your story following the day of service.

Click here for resources to help you with your event. We look forward to serving with you on March 10.

The Twin Cities Alumna Chapter (TCAC) presented a Robbie Page Memorial Grant to North Memorial Health Hospital’s Child Life Program, Tuesday, October 4th, 2017.  The grant money donated will be used to purchase an interactive video screen with games and activities for children in the pediatric unit lounge at North Memorial Health Hospital.

According to Phylicia Petit, Beta Pi Chapter alumna and Certified Child Life Specialist, the Child Life Program at North Memorial is a budding program that started in August of 2016. In the grant application, Phylicia describes the one-person program, serving all pediatric patients and children of adult patients that are referred to her services. In the past 7 months, she has provided Child Life Services to around 200 patients and their families throughout the entire community hospital since starting the program. The Robbie Page Memorial Fund Grant will greatly impact the hospital stay of the children seen at North Memorial Medical Center.

“Children cope with life stressors by doing what they know best – playing,” said Phylicia Petit, child life specialist at North Memorial Health Hospital. “By promoting play we are ensuring that the child will return to his or her typical development following their illness or traumatic injury.”

The new video screen system is scheduled to be installed later this fall.

“As the Philanthropic Chair, I couldn’t be more pleased to apply and receive a grant for North Memorial Child Life Program.  It encompasses everything Tri Sigma is about.  In addition, this year, we specifically applied with a Sigma alumna working in a child life program.  This is worth celebrating.”  Camille Chasteen, RPM Officer, TCAC.

The TCAC will be revisiting North Memorial Hospital January 28, 2018 for a tour of the Child Life Program along with the pediatric floor, see the video screen system in action then help make valentines for patients and parents.

Pictured above: (left to right) Joseph Lofgren – Development Specialist of Foundation, Patty Reicks – Manager of Trauma Services, Cathy Anderson – Director of Patient Care, Cristina Wahl – Assistant Nurse Manager of Women & Children’s Services, Jen White – Nurse Manager of Women & Children’s Services, and Phylicia Petit – Certified Child Life Specialist of Women & Children’s Services, Camille Chasteen, Joy Horkey, Maggie Keating, Kristin Smith, Linda Manley-Kuitu, Mikki Gottwalt, Jenni Lundquist

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of others? Service and philanthropy is a big part of what Tri Sigma’s alumnae chapters are all about. Find a local chapter near you to check out their events.

Please join us October 24 for the It’s On Us Day of Action to take a stand and reframe the conversation around sexual assault. Kappa Kappa Gamma has developed an amazing video which they are sharing with all Greek letter organizations. Here is the challenge:

1. On Oct. 24, watch “Clarifying Consent.”Developed by Kappa Kappa Gamma to clarify consent and talk about healthy relationships. 
2. Sign the “It’s On Us” pledge.
3. Share the video on social media and tag a friend, sister, or someone in your community. Encourage him or her to watch the video and sign the pledge too. Be sure to use #TriSigmaDayofAction #KKGDayofAction and #ItsOnUs.

It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think and talk about sexual assault. It is a rallying cry, inviting everyone to step up and realize that the solution begins with us. The campaign seeks to reframe the conversation surrounding sexual assault in a way that empowers, educates, and engages college students and communities to do something, big or small, to prevent it. Tri Sigma is proud to be a partner of It’s On Us.

Trick or Treat? It’s a good time to review some measures you can take so your property is not subject to Halloween pranks and vandalism. Click here to read more.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Labyrinth Leadership Experience.  This amazing and often transformational experience is a journey experiencing values in action all while learning more about who you are and living the bonds of sisterhood.

Here are what some past participants had to say about the Labyrinth Leadership Experience.

“The Labyrinth Leadership Experience is a highlight in my Tri Sigma journey.  Not only did I have the opportunity to meet inspiring Tri Sigma women, I learned more about our values of Love, Hope, Wisdom, Power and Faith.  As an (alumna) leader within Tri Sigma, there’s no better investment, in both self and Sigma.  The Labyrinth Leadership Experience renews your commitment to Tri Sigma, energizes faith in our future, and provides you the tools to excite and empower yourself as well as others.”
– Camille Chasteen (Zeta Rho / TCAC / Labyrinth Class of 2017)

“Labyrinth was more than just a trip! It allowed for me to dive deeper into the meaning of our values, mission, and vision. It allowed me to grow not only as a member of Tri Sigma but as a person as well. This experience has affected my life outside of sorority life and has provided me with the experience to be a leader not only in my chapter but at school and work as well. I have not only grown as a member; I have grown into a better person.”

– Bailey Greenaberg (Epsilon Omicron/Labyrinth Class of 2017)

“The Labyrinth Leadership Experience is my most profound and fulfilling journey since taking my initial vows of sisterhood. It is a journey that began over five days in June, but it does not end there. The bonds I formed over those five days are with women I admire, women who continue to inspire me daily, and women without whom I could not imagine life. This experience challenged me to delve deeper into my leadership style and encouraged me to forge new ground upon my return to my alumnae chapter, workplace and community. A formidable responsibility now lies before me; one which challenges me to instill our values in those around me. A responsibility to embolden my alumnae chapter members to be climate changers in the Baltimore community. A responsibility to inspire the women who come after me to change the world around them. This is a duty I accept without fear and without reproach. Tri Sigma will provide exceptional experiences that allow women to change the world. I participated in an exceptional experience through Labyrinth, and I am ready to change the world.”

– Jessica Dowches-Wheeler (Zeta Lambda/Baltimore Suburban SW Alumnae Chapter/Labyrinth Class of 2015)

20 women will be selected to attend this experience paid for by the National Organization and Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation! Don’t hesitate. Apply today.

Something Greek recognizes the importance of a college education and knows the pressures that a higher education can put on a college student, especially someone heavily involved in Greek life. Something Greek, a licensed vendor of Tri Sigma, will award one $1,500 scholarship for education related expenses.

The scholarship eligibility requirements include:

• Be a U.S. citizen and an active sorority or fraternity member.
• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited US college or university.
• Be in excellent academic standing with a 3.0 grade point average or higher at the time of application.
• Be actively involved with philanthropy/volunteer activities with your organization

Deadline – All essays are to be submitted by December 15, 2017.

How to Apply:

• Write a 1,000- to 1,500-word essay on the following topic: What does it mean to be a part of Greek life in 2017?
• Submissions can be sent either by email in PDF or Word document or by mail.
• Email: scholarship@somethinggreek.com
• Mail: 180 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY 11552
• Include a statement of your current academic status, including evidence that you are currently attending a college as set forth under our eligibility requirements. You can submit your most current undergraduate or graduate transcript as evidence. By applying for this scholarship, you give us consent to confirm your admission and attendance by contacting the college or university.

The scholarship will go to any expenses for the 2018 spring semester.

Selection Process:

• Essays will be reviewed by Something Greek, its agents and/or representatives. Something Greek awards scholarships at its sole discretion. All decisions are final.
• Something Greek does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices on the basis of race color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, handicap, veteran status, or medical condition.

Eta Chi members, along with help from potential new members at the University of Missouri, created over 1,500 wooden teething rings during fall recruitment and donated these to the March of Dimes.

Chapter members said this was a great way to highlight Tri Sigma’s partnership with the March of Dimes during their philanthropy round of recruitment. The rings were packaged in a small mesh gift bag with a “created by” gift card before being donated. The chapter purchased the rings and mesh bags on Amazon, the ribbon from a local craft store and printed out the tags on business cards.

This activity would be great for a sisterhood, a recruitment event or a way to get others on your campus involved in our partnership with the March of Dimes. Click here for more information on how to complete this activity and donate the rings once they are complete!

Does your chapter have a great philanthropy craft idea? Send that information to dkloap@trisigma.org for a chance to be featured in an issue of the Sigma Standard.

We are excited to welcome our chapter leaders to the following National Programs:

• Presidents Academy: January 4-7 in Nashville, TN. This program is required for all Chapter Presidents.
• Prevention Institute: January 12-14 in Baltimore, MD. This program is required for all Honor Council Chairmen and Risk Managers.
• Education Summit: March 2-4 in Chicago, IL. This new program is required for Education Directors and Scholarship Advisors. The new triennial Education Summit is designed to provide practical skill training for our Education Directors and Scholarship Advisors so they can effectively implement scholarship and membership education in their chapter. Participants will be trained to develop detailed scholarship plans, outline chapter education sessions, and facilitate conversations. They will also explore learning styles, grit, social etiquette and other relevant topics so they have the knowledge and resources to confidently educate their chapter.

Newly-elected leaders find great benefit in attending these leadership programs.

Kaitlynn May, Gamma Psi’s Chapter President, had this to say about her experience at Presidents Academy in 2017:  “My favorite part of Presidents Academy was the focus on our strengths and the general acceptance from all the presidents! We all accept that we have different strengths, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all support each other and discuss what is going to help us achieve the most we can. The positive energy and flow of creativity always inspires me because I know hundreds of empowered women stand behind me. I am thankful to have a support system across the country to always help move us Ever Forward!”

Nadia Serna, Epsilon Iota’s Risk Manager, found Prevention Institute to be very beneficial in being successful as a leader in her chapter: “I really needed the training and I would have been completely lost this semester without going to PI,” Nadia said. “Now that I’ve seen what’s expected of me, it’s made me want to be more involved and take things more seriously, especially the topics we dealt with like hazing, transportation and events with alcohol.”

More information about these programs will be released soon!

The world needs more compassion now more than ever.  But it can be overwhelming to think about changing the world!  The Character Advocate Team has an idea.  Let’s focus on our corner of the world.  For the month of October, we will be focusing on what we can do to change our corner of the world for the better.  Submit your chapter photos of what you are doing to change your corner of the world using #YourCorneroftheWorld #CornerofCharacterandCompassion #TriSigma

Character Counts! Week is October 15-21. Has your chapter planned activities to highlight how important character education is to Tri Sigma? If not, it’s not too late to make plans. Click here for an idea a day to celebrate the week.

You can also celebrate character by joining in the COMPASSION IT Challenge. This 30-day challenge will use a step-by-step approach to cultivating compassion over the span of one month. There will be daily recommendations of actions that incorporate important steps to cultivating compassion. Click here to sign up for the challenge.

As a visual daily reminder to practice compassion, we have a limited number of Tri Sigma compassion it bands available to order.  They come in a pack of two so you wear one and share one.  Start the day on the white side and when you do a compassionate act, turn the band to the purple side. Find more information about the compassion bands and how to order them here.

Past National President, Kaye Schendel, is the recipient of the 2017 Jack L. Anson Award. Learn more about the award on AFA’s website by clicking here.