Tri Sigma Foundation

The Delta Zeta Chapter at Bloomsburg University hosted its annual Take My Hand project where chapter members handed out socks, blankets and snacks to the homeless in New York City at the end of the fall semester. 

“Around the holidays, I think it’s very easy to forget the true meaning behind it with all of the shopping and presents,” said Toni Rubino, president of Delta Zeta. “We often forget to be thankful for the things we may take for granted like a roof over our heads, food, water and personal hygiene. Having the opportunity to help others in need — and possibly provide them with some of these things — really helps us remember to be grateful for everything we have this holiday season.”

Alumnae also participated by creating and donating care packages. Click hereto read more about the chapter’s project.  

Risk Managers and Honor Council Chairmen had the opportunity to attend the Prevention Institute in January in St. Louis, Missouri. SAFE Team and Honor Council specialists facilitated curriculum covering topics ranging from women and hazing to motivational interviewing in Honor Council meetings to learning more about how to create chapter Prevention Plans using GreekLifeEdu (GLE) data. 

The Prevention Institute, funded in part by the Tri Sigma Foundation, gave chapter leaders the opportunity to attend a National program and develop the skills and partnerships necessary to be successful chapter leaders. Chapters were awarded for the first time to honor their commitment to complete and follow-through with the Prevention Plans they created during the 2018 Prevention Institute. Chapter representatives at the program have time dedicated to creating a Prevention Plan after reviewing their chapter’s GLE data and provide updates on how the plan progressed throughout the year. 

Read below to hear what chapter leaders learned at the Prevention Institute and how the institute benefits chapter’s prevention efforts. 

Emma Cormack, Epsilon Sigma (Virginia Commonwealth University): “Yasmin Rowe and I had the privilege to attend the Prevention Institute in St. Louis, Missouri the beginning of this year. The Institute was such a rewarding experience to meet sisters from across the country and hear about their chapters and experiences! I left the Institute feeling much more confident in my leadership skills and how to conduct myself in my new position.”

Delta Pi (Winthrop University): “Recently, our chapter’s Honor Council Chairman, Hannah Hundley, attended Prevention Institute. While at PI, she gained a new perspective in helping the chapter strive for safety. Hannah looks forward to working alongside other chapter officers to diminish possibilities for struggles within the chapter and bringing accountability to the forefront of the chapter.”

Jeanna Cooper, Epsilon Phi (University of North Carolina-Wilmington): PI was such a great weekend for me! I got to learn how to effectively run an Honor Council meeting, create goals to benefit the member, and even important risk management information like how to have safe socials and practice safe drinking habits for the entire chapter. My favorite part of the weekend was getting to meet and collaborate with NHQ staff and other HC Chairmen from other chapters to learn about new ideas and practices I could bring back to my chapter.”

Allison Sweeney, Alpha Chi (Murray State University): “I enjoyed learning how to best approach tough situations and be the best possible Risk Manager through preventative actions and empowering my sisters. I plan to bring back effective and fun programs to help our RM in this position. My favorite part of the weekend was getting to know so many other sisters from different chapters.”

Ellie Weber, Alpha Chi (Murray State University): “I learned how to properly run an Honor Council meeting and how to interview girls without being super confrontational. I learned how to make effective goals. I took new/better interviewing skills back to the HC Chairman and Goals Coordinator. Favorite part of the weekend was the breakout sessions where we could ask questions.”

Gianna Arredia, Beta Epsilon (Western Illinois University): “Prevention Institute was one of the best experiences ever! Meeting women from chapters all over the United States was probably one of my favorite parts. I learned so much about how to better my chapter and create bonds with sisters. I think that the most helpful thing we did was go over the risk reduction plan together with our breakout groups. From this, I learned that things haven’t necessarily always been done in the most efficient manner and I am going to change that. I am wanting to bring several things back to my chapter like change our sober sister policies. I am the risk manager for my chapter and cannot wait to implement the things I learned at PI.”

Monica Ellis, Eta Rho (Georgia Southern University-Armstrong): “While attending PI I learned the proper way that an honor council should function. Being new to the position I somewhat didn’t know how to direct things. But after attending PI I have delegated my HC and led us to being a fully-functional HC.”

Stephanie Wheeler, Alpha Epsilon (Northwest Missouri State University): “PI helped me strengthen my communication skills and prepare me for difficult conversations! My favorite thing I learned was ‘ask why 5 times.’ This taught me how to get to the root of a problem and I can’t wait to bring this back to my chapter’s honor council team!”

One highlight of Convention is the initiation of our Honor Initiates, a true honor bestowed on a worthy Tri Sigma member. This Convention, Executive Council will select two collegiate Honor Initiates; one new member was selected in the fall and one new member will be selected in the spring. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding candidate for membership – and quite possibly be a big part of Tri Sigma history!

All chapters can nominate a spring 2019 new member who has not yet been initiated. The woman chosen for this recognition should exemplify outstanding qualities in scholarship, community activities and service, moral and ethical character, and attitude. She should also demonstrate a steadfast commitment to Tri Sigma.

In addition, a nominee’s summer schedule must allow her to attend Convention in its entirety. The National Treasury will provide funds for her lodging (4 nights) and planned meals (4 meals). The collegiate chapter and/or Honor Initiate will be responsible for the Convention registration fee, transportation, meals not provided in the Convention package and all incidentals.

If a new member meets these criteria, the candidate sponsor should complete the nomination form no later than March 1, 2019. A nominee will no longer be eligible to be a candidate if she is initiated after the nomination form is submitted. All new members not selected should be initiated immediately upon notification. If the woman is selected to be the 2019 Collegiate Honor Initiate at Convention, she will have the privilege of being initiated by Tri Sigma’s Executive Council in a special Triangle Degree ceremony with the entire Convention body June 2019. Please email Senior Director of Chapter Services Tiffany Curtis with any questions at tcurtis@trisigma.org. 

Every semester, the Eta Nu Chapter at Ramapo College of New Jersey hosts a comprehensive safe sex education sisterhood. Chapter President Jennifer McGrath said the event was hosted by Sisterhood Chair Deanna Venezio as well as the Vice President of New Member Education Berly Rivera. Berly works as the Office Manager in the college’s Women’s Center. Deanna created a PowerPoint about the topics of consent (its definition and its importance).

Berly hosted a “Healthy Love Party” which begins with an icebreaker. The chapter began with the group splitting into three teams and each team made a list of all the different names reproductive organs and “sex” (one word per team). Then Berly went over myths about condoms and available resources for STI testing on campus.

Jennifer said the key to hosting an educational event like this is to utilize non-gendered language.

“It allows for a welcoming environment for all, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. It also encourages the people participating to do the same,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer also recommends that if a chapter wants to host this type of education, it is wise to utilize a campus Women’s Center or another expert on the subject matter. She also advises that chapters should know that while the subject matter might elicit laughter from members, it’s important to talk about.

“Chapters hosting their own ‘Healthy Love Party’ should be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” Jennifer said. “These types of topics and conversations can make people laugh or feel unsure, but this is important information to learn and if they push past the giggles members can learn a lot.”

Alpha Phi, Central Michigan University: The Alpha Phi Chapter had a tabling event, End the Stigma with Tri Sigma, at Central Michigan’s library to raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness Day.  We had green ribbons to pass out to students and on-campus resources available for students who were interested. We had individuals write inspirational messages on sticky notes as they walked by and these were hung around campus later that week.

Epsilon Gamma, Grand Valley State University: Our Health and Wellness Committee hosted a speaker on November 12 to discuss how to manage stress and anxiety. Specifically, the speaker focused on managing the stress of being a collegiate sorority woman. We invited our entire Panhellenic community to join us! We are so excited to have learned some great tools to manage our stress and focus on our mental health.

Theta Alpha, High Point University: We have implemented a new Health and Wellness chair that encourages sisters to practice self-care. We plan meditation sessions, yoga sessions, and the use of essential oils. We also provide these practices to help sisters deal with the stresses of life and school. Additionally, we are having a joint yoga event with a fraternity on campus to encourage more people to practice self-care on campus.

Beta Tau, University of Detroit-Mercy: Member Makayla Childress started a wellness committee in the chapter and has hosted biweekly/monthly events for sisters to relieve some stress. At each event and meeting, she tries to give short “inspirations” on how members can manage their stress and help keep their mental health up. Makayla said, “as someone who suffers with mental illness myself, I want to be able to support anyone in the chapter who might be struggling alone, inform the other sisters what it’s like to live with a mental illness and how they can support sisters who need it.”

Theta Kappa, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Our chapter does something that we call “Love Jar.” During chapter we pass around a jar and have each person write a note to the chapter or a note that is a personal shout out to a member. This is an opportunity for everyone to feel rewarded, helps relieve stress and ends chapter on a positive note.

Theta Kappa also focuses on recognizing sisters who focus on academics. The education director accepts submissions of grades that the chapter women get that are in the A, A/B, or B range called “Geek of the Week”, and for every submission they receive the ability to have their name drawn at a chapter meeting for “Geek of the Month” from the previous month’s submissions. So far, the prizes have been $10 gift cards.

Eta Rho, Georgia Southern University-Armstrong: Each week, we award a sister of the week! We pass forward Bunches of Violets, or BOVs, during chapter to express positive things our sisters did throughout the week to support other sisters. The sister who gets the most BOVs is our sister of the week. This sister gets to take home the support bra. The support bra is a sparkly purple bra that each sister of the week writes positive and inspirational quotes on that is passed to the next sister of the week.

Beta Tau, University of Detroit-Mercy: Each week, we do supportive sister award nominations as well as sunshine award. Nominations are sent in each week for supportive sister and sunshine award. A sister that has been super supportive to another sister will be chosen and receives a certificate and the supportive sister bear. A sister that may have had a rough week and needs some extra love will also be chosen to receive flowers and be recognized at our chapter meeting. This is a great way to recognize sisters and it keeps the support and love through the chapter alive and enjoyable.

Theta Alpha, High Point University: Every chapter we do a “Nerd of the Week” award to recognize sisters who are working hard on their academics. Additionally, we hold study sessions twice a month and provide food. Sisters attend and study together, as well as receive extra points for attending.

By Jamie Barishman

I am a proud member of Sigma Sigma Sigma at the Beta Theta Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh. Before October, I could tell you a lot about my memorable Jewish experiences, for example, my first time seeing the Kotel (Western Wall in Jerusalem), or my first time stepping foot in Jerusalem and the sense of purpose and belonging I felt there. I could also have told you about my passion for this organization, our chapter, and our sisterhood. But after the events at the end of October, a bit has changed.

As you probably already know, there was a horrible act of anti-Semitism that took place October 27 extremely close to our campus at the Tree of Life congregation. Eleven innocent lives were taken during Shabbat while they were attending synagogue. Right when I found out what happened, I rushed to the Chabad House (an organization that provides support to Jewish students on campus) to make sure my friends, fellow Jews, and Rabbi/Rebbetzin and their families were okay. When I showed up, it was about time for the usual Shabbat Lunch, and I have never seen so many people gathered there during Shabbat day. Even our university’s Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students showed up with grief counselors to care for anyone who needed it. It was an amazing sense of unity and support. This day felt amazing, as we all cared for each other while grieving for the lives lost. It was a horrible violent act, that heightened the sense of Jewish pride in many of my classmates, but this still wasn’t my most memorable Jewish experience.

My most memorable Jewish experience were the days that followed. My amazing Chabad house did everything they could to be of support to each and every single Jewish student on campus. They hosted a havadallah and vigil the same night. They opened their doors during all hours for any student who needed them or a place to be. They offered meals, bagel brunches, relaxing girls-only events, tabled with several mitzvahs that any Jewish student could take on (such as getting a mezuzah, giving tzedakah, etc.) and so much more.

I don’t believe I have ever received so many texts, calls, or messages following this horrible tragedy. Even in the few days after, my sisters and classmates all reached out to not only me, but also to each other via group chats, group messages, Facebook, texts and much more. Everyone just wanted to see if everyone was still doing okay. Not an hour went by that I didn’t receive a text or call from a sister to check on me.

We had the Chabad Rabbi come to speak with our chapter the day after the shooting at the Tree of Life. He said something that really struck a chord with everyone. These deaths cannot be reversed, no matter how badly we wish that they could, so now we just have to look forward and be there for each other, support each other and continue to bring light into each other’s lives in the wakes of tragedy. This really resonated with what our sisterhood is about: being there to love, care for and support each other.

The Rabbi gave us a bunch of Shabbat candles. We brought some into our buildings to light together before Shabbat, and I taught many of my sisters the meaning of these Shabbat candles. We call lighting Shabbat candles a “mitzvah” in Hebrew (“good deed” in English) before Shabbat takes place. According to Jewish law, women are the only ones who are supposed to light the Shabbat candles. The point of Shabbat candles is to bring light into the home.  It symbolizes peace, positivity and girl power, yet another thing our sisterhood stands for.

This horrible, horrible event only made us all stronger and prouder. This amazing week ended in a gigantic Friday night Shabbat Dinner. When I looked around and saw familiar and unfamiliar faces during that day, I had never been so proud to be a Jew. All of my sisters who attended the dinner were there to support me and the 10% of our chapter that is Jewish, and that is exactly what sisterhood is about. In the days that have followed, I have become even prouder to be a Jewish sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Alpha Mu Chapter at University of Louisiana-Lafayette hosts its annual Chili Cook Off each fall. November 3, 2018 marked its sixth event.

Foundation Chair Miranda Himel said the idea sparked from the search for a big fall fundraiser. The chapter had always done a dodgeball tournament in the spring and was looking for something that would be of equal or greater success. In Louisiana, cook-offs are very popular. Since the event is held in November when it is a little cooler, chili was a good option. After its great success the first year, it became an annual event.

The success of this event depends on chapter and community engagement. Miranda said steps the chapter took this year to engage a larger portion of the Lafayette area include: appearances on local media platforms, creating exclusive sponsorship packages, and having each member sell 5 pre-sale tickets.

“The chapter must be excited and motivated with a realistic, yet challenging goal,” Miranda said. “We were able to invigorate our chapter by focusing on the cause of this event and our membership, Sigma Serves Children. Once it is refocused from a fundraiser to a duty as a Sigma woman, the chapter becomes humbled by the experience and works even harder to make the event successful.”

Hosting an event to the scale of Alpha Mu’s Chili Cook-Off requires community networking. Miranda said whether you are calling around for sponsors or teams, or being featured on a local news station, getting outsiders involved is what creates the experience and brings in the most money! Miranda also recommended having a high level of organization with clear goals and deadlines in order to host a successful event on this scale. She said this allows the chapter to plan and understand their goals.

Alpha Mu has raised over $35,000 from its sixth Annual Chili Cook-Off, with more donations still coming in from last-minute donors. The proceeds benefit the Tri Sigma Foundation, including March of Dimes and Robbie Page Memorial Fund, and the chapter’s local philanthropy, D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana.

Tri Sigma sisters (and mothers!) are going to Italy!

Tri Sigma and Select Study Abroad are thrilled to announce exclusive summer Study Abroad Sessions and Mother & Daughter trips for sisters and alumnae from chapters all over the country.

This is what dreams are made of. Literally.

You and your sisters will travel to Florence, Italy, where you will explore side by side, learn on-site, earn college credit, visit fabulous cities (Venice, Rome, Cinque Terre and more), participate in incredible activities, volunteer abroad, and bond together in your new Italian home the Italian way (with lots of gelato).

Also, join your fellow sisters and loved ones for our special Mother & Daughter Trips to the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Italian Riviera. Each day is better than the last with tastings and demonstrations, mouth-watering meals, educational activities, guided tours, and a hands-on cooking class. These trips are designed for current members and alumnae, mothers and daughters, their aunts, grandmothers, fairy godmothers, and other loved ones!

Ready to find your sister squad abroad?

APPLY NOW and reserve your spot!

2019 Study Abroad Sessions:

• Session I: May 30^th– June 29^th
• Session II: July 4^th– August 2^nd

2019 Mother & Daughter Trips:

• Florence & Tuscany June 9^th– June 16^th
• Amalfi Coast & Naples June 30^th– July 6^th
• Florence & the Italian Riviera July 14^th– July 21^st

Select Study Abroad directors are waiting to hear from you and would love to tell you more about these extraordinary Tri Sigma opportunities. Contact them directly by calling 310-818-3246 or emailing director Carrie Mugridge at carrie@selectstudyabroad.com.

Our National Convention will be held June 28-July 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, NV.  It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new Sigma Sisters, greet familiar Sigma Sisters, attend motivating workshops and participate in the decision-making of the Sorority

Bylaws and National Policies
The business of the Sorority is conducted through the presentation of reports and the consideration of resolutions submitted by the Resolutions Committee.  The Bylaws of Sigma Sigma Sigma, Article XIV, Section 3 states:

“Resolutions relating to changes in the Bylaws or National Policies which are to be presented to the Convention body shall be submitted in writing to Executive Council by the winter Executive Council meeting preceding Convention and shall be provided electronically to the Convention delegates at least 60 days prior to the opening of Convention.  Executive Council shall use its best judgment to determine which resolutions will be presented to the Convention delegates.”

If you have any resolutions which you wish to have considered, they must be submitted here in the format provided, to the Executive Director by December 1, 2018.  They will then be submitted to the Resolutions Committee for review and the Committee will submit proposed resolutions for discussion at the winter Executive Council meeting.  Proposed resolutions will be provided to the delegates sixty days prior to the opening of Convention for review and consideration.

Executive Council Nominations
One of the most important and exciting items of business conducted at Convention is the election of the Executive Council.  As a Tri Sigma, you have the opportunity to continue moving our organization “Ever Forward” by being a part of the nomination process.  If you know of a Tri Sigma Sister who meets the following criteria, complete a Nomination Form here or print and email it to ECNominations@trisigma.org by January 1, 2019.

• Membership and knowledge of Sigma Sigma Sigma
• Working knowledge of Sigma Sigma Sigma policies and procedures
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills
• Ability to think strategically
• Willingness to listen and learn
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge and support of the Tri Sigma Foundation
• Ability and willingness to work as a team player

Click here to obtain a copy of the position description.  If you have any other questions, please refer them to the Nominating Committee Chairman, Emily Ellis at ECNominations@trisigma.org.

Thank you for participating in these important processes and we look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas in June.  If you have questions, please contact me.

Marcia Cutter

Executive Director