Tri Sigma Foundation

Tri Sigma is searching for 15-20 new volunteers who are outstanding facilitators and presenters to join the SAFE Team in 2019! The volunteers can be members or friends of Tri Sigma (i.e. non-members). If you think your Greek Advisor is/was awesome, invite them. If you think some recent graduates or advisors were great presenters, share this with them! If you had an awesome facilitator at something like UIFI, tell them and ask them to consider this volunteer role. If you’re looking for an opportunity to reconnect with Tri Sigma, apply! This team serves as coaches at Prevention Institute, Triennial Visit facilitators, and some will work with chapters on Verisky and the social event registration process.

The full position description can be found here. The new volunteers will join us for Prevention Institute in St Louis Jan. 4-6, 2019.

Tri Sigma’s Recruitment Summit, February 22-24 in St. Louis, Missouri, is an opportunity for Membership Recruitment Directors from around the country to come together, share ideas, develop new skills and learn new strategies for successful membership recruitment.  During this three-day summit, participants will gather best practices from Tri Sigma staff and volunteers and leave feeling prepared to lead their chapter in recruitment efforts.

The chapter’s newly elected MRD must attend the summit, and should register via the Leadership Opportunities page on Sigma Connect or via this link: Recruitment Summit Registration.  Registration will close on December 3. Please visit the link for more information about required arrival and departure times to ensure you book your travel accordingly.

There is limited space for Recruitment Advisors to attend. Please visit the link for more information on cost. Recruitment Advisors and Chapter Advisors will receive information following the summit about the content covered and resources shared.

If you have questions about the event, please email Katelyn Whitty, Director of Growth Initiatives atkwhitty@trisigma.org.

By Alexis Gonzales

Alexis Gonzales

Voting once was a privilege. A privilege previously fought for by the generations of men and women before us. A freedom that at some point was not guaranteed to all men and all women of this nation, but is guaranteed to us now as a right. You are not required to vote, but I want to encourage you to do so as your moral duty.

Regardless of if you do or do not vote, someone is going to represent you. Your vote is your voice in the right to determine representation. Do not be silenced. Despite the outcome, it will be portrayed in the polls, which is an indication of how this nation feels as a whole. All votes are equal; one person equals one vote, but one person can make a huge difference in our local and state elections.

So, take the time to do some research and make your decision. You are an essential part of this process and this government. I can think of many reasons why you should vote. However, you only need one reason to cast that ballot, and I hope you have found that reason.

Alexis “Lexi” Gonzales, an alumna of the Eta Omicron Chapter (Sam Houston State University) is the Legislative Director for Texas State Representative Hubert Vo. She also serves as an advisor to the Epsilon Iota Chapter (Saint Mary’s University) and a part of the government relations committee for Tri Sigma.

The Eta Omicron chapter at Sam Houston State University is working to get all of its members to register to vote in the upcoming midterm elections in November.

Member Monica Earley has helped coordinate the effort because she feels it is important for women to vote let their voices be heard.  She has provided voter registration cards to each chapter member and provided a list of all candidates on the ballot nationally alongside the candidates’ different agendas to help educate members who may not know where to begin when it comes to voting.

“I believe it is important for women to vote because we as a group have only held this right for less than 100 years with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in the United States Constitution,” Monica said. “Women fought hard for us to have the right to vote and by not voting I feel that we relinquish our rights to use our voice to someone else who does vote.”

Monica said she feels passionate about undertaking this effort for her chapter because she believes voting allows everyone a chance to make a difference and serve their local communities.

“Eleanor Roosevelt says to be the change we wish to see in the world, and I believe that in today’s society that starts with voting,” Monica said.

Monica said that the Eta Omicron chapter does have a few members who are voting for their first time this November and recalled her first time voting in the 2016 presidential election.

“I remember feeling very excited because I finally felt that I had a say in who represented me and my community,” she said. “I still get this excited feeling now when I get the ability to vote because I get to exercise my rights that those before me fought so hard for.”

Monica recommends that any other chapter that wants to help their members get registered to vote start by educating members on how and why to vote. In Tri Sigma, this is easy to connect to the Character Counts! pillar of citizenship.

“By being aware of who represents you locally and on a national level, you can make a simple change and have your voice heard,” Monica said. “I encourage everyone to get out and register to vote so that when you find someone that has an agenda you find important, you can vote for them to have your ideas and voice heard.”

Click here to find more resources on how to register to vote!

Gamma Pi members, alumnae and Thibodaux, Louisiana, residents raised over $520 at Gamma Pi’s first Sweating 4 Sigma workout fundraiser.

On September 15, 2018, Gamma Pi Chapter (Nicholls State University) hosted their first ever “Sweating 4 Sigma” Workout Fundraiser. Gamma Pi alumna Heather Babin Benoit lead 30 minutes of a Dance2Fit class, and Chapter President Lauren Constant lead 30 minutes of a Strong by Zumba class. Both members are certified instructors.

The chapter raised over $520 for the March of Dimes. Lauren said the chapter wanted to find a way to better engage alumnae and decided a workout class would be a great way to accomplish that goal. They took it a step further by renting a building on their campus and opening the event up to the community in order to raise funds and highlight how the chapter focuses on the mission of Sigma Serves Children.

Lauren recommends any chapters wanting to host a fundraiser like this should first reach out to certified fitness instructors, especially those certified in dance instruction who teach classes that can be easily modified for any fitness level. She also recommends reaching out to community businesses and leaders for donations of water, cups and ice to serve it with during the event to help cut down on the chapter’s costs. She also expressed pride in the high attendance of chapter members who came to the event, which she attributes to the opportunity for members to have fun while raising money for a philanthropic cause.

The chapter hopes to continue to host these dance fitness fundraisers, with profits from each event designated for a different cause. The chapter works with Cornerstone, a shelter for children taken away from their homes due to unforeseen circumstances, and hopes to donate funds there after their next event.

IMAGINE:

• Your life without Tri Sigma
• Greek organizations cease to exist
• No more single-sex organizations (Title IX language); single-gender
• Enrollment numbers decrease and fewer women participate in recruitment

These are all possible scenarios in the changing climate of university life. Projections are that there will be fewer college students in years to come, with growth increases in enrollments concentrated in the Southeast and Western United States.

Events like the hazing death at Penn State and others have posed threats to entire Greek systems across the country. Availability of membership to young women in groups like the Boy Scouts has fostered an environment that questions single-sex membership (single-gender) in any organization. Harvard has instituted sanctions on students who belong to single-sex (single-gender) organizations, preventing them from earning scholarships and participating in leadership roles at the University.

We find ourselves in an environment where (to an even greater degree) we are all accountable for the actions of others in our Greek communities. Universities tend to punish the entire system when there are a few bad actors. We have come to acknowledge this fact and have always been a leader in the fraternal world in our attention to risk management. Tri Sigma has a no-tolerance posture related to hazing, and always has. This stance has served us well in the past, and will continue to do so in our future.

One of our Council charges is to ensure the future of our beloved organization. We stay up-to-date on campus issues on a regular basis by reading news articles, staying in touch with our National Panhellenic Conference friends and serving the Conference, working through the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee and through our Capitol Hill visits, and staying abreast of trends impacting us. We have members who lobby Congress along with other NPC women in order to push through legislation related to housing and tax-exempt status, single-gender status and other pressing issues as they arise.

Those of us who belong to Greek organizations treasure our memberships, but do we always put our best face forward to non-Greek members? How do we demonstrate the value of being a member in public? When Council members have conversations with people we meet at the airport or on the plane on our way to Sigma conferences, we are often met with surprised comments regarding our continued service to the organization. We’re obviously no longer in college—do we earn a salary for our time and efforts? Why would we spend so much time volunteering for an organization when we have been off campus for so many years?

We respond that we feel compelled to give back to Sigma because the organization has given us so many fabulous opportunities during the course of our memberships. We are the women we have become due to our membership and the personal growth opportunities we have been afforded. We have developed leadership skills due to our membership. We have found great value in our personal lives due to membership in Tri Sigma. We give time, devotion and financial support through Foundation donations. We have a network of sisters and friends across the United States whose friendships we treasure. We are passionate about our organization and its values. We have the opportunity to mentor young women as Council members.

How are you promoting your Tri Sigma membership personally? We are all ambassadors for our organization on a daily basis. Were you aware of the threats to our existence listed above? Have you seen these threats on your campus? Do you have thoughts to share regarding what we can do to be “What’s Next” in Greek life as a women’s organization? Share with us ideas you have for strengthening our sisterhood in light of societal threats, and let’s start a dialogue about steps we can take. Questions about actions we’re currently taking? Please share with us at cwc@trisigma.org.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Empowered,

Joyce O’Daniel

National Vice President

Join us in congratulating Linda Henderson, Delta Psi, on her appointment as the College Panhellenics Chairman!

“I am thrilled to have Linda Henderson leading our College Panhellenics Committee. She has proven herself as a capable leader when serving as an area advisor coordinator, area advisor and RFM Specialist. Linda is a team player who can help us elevate the role of area advisor by focusing on increased training and accountability measures for this important NPC position.” Frances Mitchelson, Panhellenics Chairman

Linda is a lifelong volunteer with Tri Sigma and will continue to serve our organization and larger Panhellenic community.

“It was a great point of pride to hear that our Linda Henderson would be appointed as the College Panhellenics Chairman! Linda has served the sorority in the Panhellenic arena for many years along with her service to the sorority as a Chapter Advisor and many Convention responsibilities and as well as any other request. Most of our collegiate chapters know Linda as the point person for RFM and the author of our Collegiate Panhellenic Manual. Linda is a leader in online and multi-media education and has supported our Panhellenic team with her expertise and knowledge.” Laura Sweet, National Panhellenic Conference Delegate

The 45th National Convention of Tri Sigma will be held June 28 – July 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Plans are well underway, and June of 2019 will prove to be an exciting and historic time for Tri Sigma. One of the most important items of business conducted at Convention is the election of Executive Council. As a Tri Sigma, you have the opportunity and privilege of sharing your voice in the future leadership of our organization.

What positions are available?

The Nominating Committee plans to slate for the following offices: National President, National Treasurer and four National Vice Presidents. Current Council members do not automatically continue in their office and must participate in the process just as other nominees do. They may also decide not to seek re-election because they have completed the current term limits or for personal reasons.

How do you make a nomination?

As a Tri Sigma, you have the privilege to recommend to the Nominating Committee any member in good standing who would serve well as an Executive Council member and who meets the requirements for service. Before you submit a nomination, you must ask that woman’s permission. Only one nomination for each candidate is needed. Campaigning by asking others to recommend the same woman is unnecessary and inappropriate. 

View the complete job description by clicking here. For questions, click here. 

An educational webinar for those interested in nomination is available in Sigma Connect under Sigmapedia. To recommend qualified women for Executive Council office, please submit an online form by January 1, 2019.

Tri Sigma’s 45th National Convention will be here before we know it, scheduled to be held June 28– July 1, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada!

One highlight of Convention is the initiation of our Collegiate Honor Initiate, a true honor bestowed on a collegiate new member of Sigma Sigma Sigma. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding new member of your chapter – and quite possibly be a big part of Tri Sigma history!

Executive Council will select a fall finalist and then will make final selections in February to be inclusive of our chapters pledging new members in the spring semester. To nominate a current new member of your chapter, complete this application. For further questions on the nomination process or this very special tradition please contact Tiffany Curtis, Senior Director of Chapter Services.

Character is not developed overnight nor is it something that remains fixed throughout our lives. Character development is an ongoing opportunity that is based on our everyday decisions and actions. Though our choices may seem insignificant in the moment, these moments of character expression impact our own lives and can ripple throughout our community. We have the choice to make this ripple effect something positive.

Part of our mission is “to develop in them strong womanly character.” Join us for the 2018 AlumnaeEngage: Leading with Character as sisters from across the country examine how we can daily live this piece of our mission.

You will explore the meaning of each pillar along with suggestions for every day application. You will have the opportunity for guided reflection and challenges that can be done individually, with fellow alumnae or in your other social circles. What’s even better is that this is again a self-paced learning opportunity you can complete on your own time or with a group of sisters.

All alumnae have been automatically enrolled in the 2018 program. Watch this brief tutorial then log in to Essential Sigma to begin. Each pillar will feature an interactive learning module, followed by a downloadable PDF that you can save for reference and share with friends. Any alumna who completes the program by August 15th will automatically be entered in a drawing to win a prize that enables her to share strong character in action. All alumnae who complete the program will earn a badge for their learning profile.

Let’s learn, live, and lead with character!