NATIONAL NEWSLETTER OF GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA NATIONAL SERVICE SORORITY
PERSPECTIVES Volume 56, Issue 1
www.gammasigmasigma.org
FALL 2009
29TH NATIONAL CONVENTION? SUCCESS! By: Karen Kerr, 2011 National Convention Committee Chair We held our 29th National Convention in July in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with members from various collegiate and alumni chapters and colonies in attendance. Awards were given, national officers were elected and bylaws were amended. Being at Convention gives you a feeling of excitement and of validation for the hard work that all of our members do in the name of our sorority each day. The service projects done in the service room were very popular, and members have requested that we continue this tradition to future Conventions. Sharon (Fleisher) Mastoon pledged the fall of 1962 at the Omicron Chapter at University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, and although she’s been to Conventions before, this was her first one since 1975. “It was a fantastic experience for me. After 19 years of not being in a chapter, I'm looking forward to being an active Gamma Sig Alumni.” Sharon is currently working to start an alumni colony in southeast Florida. Iesha Ison pledged the fall of 2008 at the Delta Phi Chapter at Dillard University in Louisiana, and this was her first Convention. “My experience at convention greatly exceeded my expectations. Being the only one from my chapter and not really knowing anyone else attending, I thought I would just ‘go,’ represent my chapter, and leave. Once I arrived at Convention I found that it was impossible to just keep to myself—everyone I met was nice! Coming from an isolated chapter (the closest chapter is about five hours away), Convention made me realize even more that Gamma Sigma Sigma extended far beyond the gates of Dillard University.” Each member takes something away from Convention, great memories, new friends, or as Iesha stated, “Being at Convention made me realize that I was a part of something much greater than myself, I left Convention knowing that I contributed to the overall functioning of the organization.” As the 2011 National Convention Committee Chair, I would like to invite all members to join us as we celebrate our 30th National Convention. You can be a part of our history and help shape the future of our sorority. We look forward to seeing you in 2011!
PERSPECTIVES
WE
ARE
ALL
IN
THIS
Page 2
TOGETHER
By: Keli Connor, National President As president of the 29th National Board of Directors (NBD) I would like to tell you how honored we are to be serving you for the next two years. At our Training/Planning meeting in August, we worked diligently on your behalf to create goals for our sorority that, although lofty, are very much obtainable if we all work together. I am constantly watching movies with my nine-year-old niece, and the other day we were watching High School Musical. At the end of the first movie is the song “We’re All in This Together.” I take this statement and I say “Yes, we are all in this together!” Together as a team we all have to work to obtain the goals that have been set for Gamma Sig for the next two years. There are two important ways that you can help the NBD: 1. Contact your district director and open the lines of communications. This is the best way to get to know the rest of your district and hear about other events in your district. 2. Turn your reports in on time. This is how the NBD gathers information about awards and statistics that we can give back to the national membership about the impact that we make on our communities. Since it is still early in the biennium, now is the time to start communication. This way we can all work together for the next two years to increase participation at national events, increase inter-chapter service projects, and create a lasting difference in the our nation. Remember that “We Are All In This Together!” Together we can achieve and exceed all of the expectations the 29th National Board of Directors have set forth on your behalf.
UPCOMING
LEADERSHIP
CONFERENCES
The 29th NBD looks forward to the upcoming Leadership Conferences scheduled for 2010! Visit the national website to register today! February 20, 2010 March 13, 2010 March 20, 2010 March 27, 2010 April 10, 2010 April 17, 2010 UPCOMING
Tallahassee, FL Atlanta, GA Knoxville, TN Lacross, WI Pittsburgh, PA Richardson, TX
EVENTS
Have you heard that Gamma Sig has a National Event Calendar? You can find out what is going on with Gamma Sig chapters and colonies across the colony by visiting the Events page on our national website at http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/nationalevents.html. Chapters and colonies are encouraged to email project and event information to marketing@gammasigmasigma.org to be added to the calendar.
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IN
YOUR
FALL
2009
PERSPECTIVE
Members wanting to send a question for this section of Perspectives can send it to info@gammasigmasigma.org. One question will be selected to respond to in each edition. Dear National Board of Directors, Are there education requirements for auxiliary members? If not and if members in the chapter agree, can chapters require the auxiliary members to possess a certain level of education before electing them as an auxiliary member? Sincerely, Tanja Bibbs, Bluegrass Alums Dear Tanja, Great question! While there are no “formal” education requirements for auxiliary members, there is an expectation that someone seeking auxiliary membership in Gamma Sigma Sigma would be “service-minded” and eager to learn about our organization. We haven’t created a “pledge” process for auxiliary members because of the differences in how alumni and collegiate chapters function. Unlike for collegiate members, there is no member-in-training program for auxiliary members, so we encourage our alumni chapters to share their knowledge freely. Since alums meet less frequently than collegiate, we need to educate our auxiliary members differently. Alumni chapters can set expectations for auxiliary members and ask them to learn about Gamma Sig. Some ideas to help auxiliary members learn about our sorority include having them attend a spirit day or leadership conference; sharing the alumni chapter history and scrapbooks, telling stories of what Gamma Sig was like during the members’ collegiate days, etc. You could incorporate some history during meetings, which serves as a great reminder for all of the members! Additionally, there are no college level education requirements for auxiliary members, meaning that we do not require members to have attended college at all if they want to become an auxiliary member. The only “requirement” we have is that an auxiliary member must be at least 19 years of age. The reason for that is to ensure that college students don’t try to skip the collegiate experience to become a sorority member. We have a rich history and wonderful traditions, which we like for our members to be familiar with. But in the long run, when it comes to welcoming an auxiliary member into an alumni chapter, the most important thing for them to possess is a willingness and desire to serve their community. The NBD is here to help and be a resource for our members. We’re glad you thought to ask us your question! Lynne Mowers, National Parliamentarian
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PERSPECTIVES
FINANCIAL
POLICY
CHANGES
Due to recent policy changes, all payments, dues, and rosters will now go to the National Treasurer. This also includes ordering MIT Kits using the Membership Materials Order Form. All checks and money orders should be accompanied by the correct roster or a memorandum should be included. The correct address to send all monies is: Karen Erickson P.O. Box 247 Ellison Bay, WI 54210
2009-2011 INDIVIDUALS
PROJECT MAKING
I.M.P.A.C.T.
PROGRESS
ACROSS
COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER
The attendees of the 2009 National Convention have chosen two new areas of I.M.P.A.C.T. to be our focus for the new biennium of 2009-2011. Four fantastic areas were nominated and presented at the convention (the National Kidney Foundation, Support our Troops, SuperSibs, and Educating “At-Risk” Youth), but unfortunately we could only choose two. The two I.M.P.A.C.T. areas that were chosen by the convention were the National Kidney Foundation and Educating “At-Risk” Youth. You can help the National Kidney Foundation by donating your time or your money. Donations to the Kidney Foundation fund research, patient service activities, and public and professional education programs. You can help organize a Kidney Walk, or join a Kidney Walk that already exists, to raise awareness as a community about the importance of early detection of kidney disease. You also can help organize an NKF Golf Tournament or participate in a tournament yourself. There are tournaments in almost every state, so search for a tournament near you! Visit their website at http://www.kidney.org/support/ to learn about more volunteer opportunities with the National Kidney Foundation, or come up with your own projects such as a chili cook-off using Kidney Beans as an essential ingredient! Educating “At-Risk” Youth can take the form of many different projects and volunteer opportunities, and this I.M.P.A.C.T. area will give you the opportunity to serve in many different capacities and with a variety of organizations. The possibilities for educating “at-risk” youth are endless. You can serve youth this biennium by becoming a mentor, volunteering at an after school program, volunteering with Head Start, organizing a backpack and school supply drive, becoming a tutor, assisting a teacher and become a volunteer in the classroom focusing on children who have special needs, teaching a cooking project to the children who eat at a soup kitchen, or assisting YMCAs or Boys and Girls Clubs in hosting free events such as Health Fairs for all community members. If you are wondering if a project you would like to try will qualify under either of these I.M.P.A.C.T. areas, please email me. If you need more ideas, feel free to ask me, talk to your local schools, or refer to the Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Manual. Thank you for making an IMPACT!
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FALL
2009
MADD needs your help to keep our kids and communities safe The mission of MADD is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking.
We encourage you to support MADD's mission by participating in their programs or awareness campaigns, or by contacting elected officials and voicing support for life-saving anti-drunk driving and underage-drinking legislation. A donation also can help make a difference in the lives of others. To learn more about how you can get involved, or to make a secure credit card donation, visit MADD’s Volunteer and Donate sections on their website: www.madd.org. Volunteers are the heart and soul of MADD. It is their compassion and determination that drives the organization and their tireless efforts that have accomplished so much. Listed below are some of the ways you can make a difference in your community. Lend a Shoulder Become a trained victim advocate and provide emotional support to drunk driving victims/survivors and guide them through the criminal justice system. Speak Out Join the Speaker’s Bureau program and speak at schools, civic groups, clubs and other organizations. Tie One On For Safety Distribute MADD red ribbons to encourage people not to drink and drive. Tie a MADD red ribbon on your vehicle to show your commitment to driving safe and sober. MADD’s red ribbons and decals are free at your local MADD affiliate. Help a Victim be Heard Coordinate a victim impact panel by assigning victim speakers and registering drunk driving offenders. Raise Funds Get involved with Walk Like MADD, our fun and family-friendly 5K in your community to help raise awareness and funds for MADD. Visit our website for walks scheduled for Spring 2010. Several cities have upcoming walks scheduled this fall.
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PERSPECTIVES
FINDING
OUT
FIRST
ONLINE
The national website is one of the main resources in disseminating information to our members. Members can look to the national website for all forms, current news and events, collegiate and alumni news. Additional pages have been added recently for the mass mailing, recruitment, and a special section called “In Good Standing” where the Parliamentary will provide important information, including policies and bylaws, related to keeping your chapter in good standing. While Gamma Sig supports outlets for the members to communicate and let out their voice such as facebook, MySpace, and blogs, please note that the official online source for information is the national website or emailed messages from National Board members. Some board members choose to send you messages on Facebook because it’s a great way to communicate informally with our members and many of you are members of numerous Gamma Sig related groups such as our Global group, various district groups, membership and colony groups, and our fan page. When it comes to reminders about turning in reports, announcing new charters, paying dues, and sharing National events, Facebook has proven to be very effective in reaching a large group of members at once, as well as being great marketing tool on the National or local level. It’s important to remember that you will only get informal messages from Facebook. Please note that National officers do most of their formal communication via email or telephone to directly communicate with members so that they keep a record of them, should they ever have to make references back to the communication. It should also be noted that while Facebook, MySpace, and other online forums are public outlets for communication, we as members should be mindful that we represent Gamma Sigma Sigma where ever we may be. Be respectful of our members and of our organization.
Connect with other members of Gamma Sig at
http://www.gammasigmasigma.org http://www.facebook.com/gammasigmasigma http://www.myspace.com/gammasigmasigma1952 http://www.twitter.com/gammasigmasigma http://www.youtube.com/gammasigmasigma http://gammasigmasigma1952.blogspot.com
The deadline for submissions for the Spring 2010 issue of Perspectives is January 8, 2010. Send all submissions to perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org. You can find the submission form on the website!
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FALL
2009
Joyce Brooks, National Program Director
TOP 10 REASONS CONFERENCES
WHY
ALUMNI
SHOULD
ATTEND
LEADERSHIP
1) Take advantage of networking opportunities. 2) Strengthen the bonds between alumni and collegiate members. 3) Reunite with members from your past. 4) Develop ideas to strengthen and grow alumni chapters and colonies. 5) Learn about continuing opportunities with the sorority both on a local and national level. 6) Look for possibilities to create more alumni colonies and chapters! 7) Lend a hand in the development of future leaders in our organization. 8) Share service ideas and participate in service projects. 9) Enjoy tons of laughter and fun with exciting team building and multicultural activities. 10) Gain a better understanding of how we can work together across diversity!
FUNDRAISING
IDEAS
Still concerned with how to raise money to attend conferences? Here are a couple of ideas: Hold a raffle. Have vendors from your community donate items to raffle off. Sell the raffle tickets for $1—$2 each. Stores like Wal-mart, Target, and Kmart are good places to ask for donations. Scratch off Cards. www.abcfundraising.com is a good source for fundraisers that cost no money down and yield a profit of 90% or more. Their top fundraisers are the scratch off and spinner cards!
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PERSPECTIVES
ESTABLISHING
A
COLLEGIATE
COLONY
ACTIVE COLLEGIATE COLONIES Anyone, including Gamma Sig alumni, interested in • Epsilon Lambda Reactivating Chapter beginning a new colony or reactivating a chapter should • Delta Theta Reactivating Chapter contact the Membership Director at • Zeta Theta Reactivating Chapter membership@gammasigmasigma.org to contact the interested • Madonna University Colony party and send our Collegiate Interest Kit for their review. Note • Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Colony that all potential groups must be formally recognized • Buffalo State College Colony by their respective college or university and must have a minimum of 10 students interested that are duly enrolled at their respective college or university. The group may then request a formal petition from the Membership Director. Most petitions take two to four weeks to approve after the Membership Director has received the petition. The group is then approved as an official colony or reactivating chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma. COLLEGIATE • • • • • • • • •
INTEREST
GROUPS
University of Baltimore University of San Francisco Rutgers University Brooklyn College (Beta) Xavier University (Alpha Tau) University of Arkansas-Fayetteville (Delta Gamma) Elizabeth City State University Jackson State University University of Michigan-Flint
The colony or reactivating chapter shares the same requirements as all of our chapters as far as national dues, travel pool, service hours, and reports due. Members of colonies and reactivating chapters are encouraged to attend all national events including Spirit Days, Conferences, and Convention. After a minimum of one year (maximum of two years), the NBD can vote to grant a charter to the group. The Membership Director serves as an advisor to all colonies and reactivating chapters and guides them throughout the
colonization process. ESTABLISHING
AN
ALUMNI
COLONY
ACTIVE • • • • • •
ALUMNI
COLONIES
Arrowhead Reactivating Alumni Chapter (Duluth, MN) Central Florida Alumni Colony (Orlando, FL) Magnolia Alumni Colony (Mississippi) Omicron Alumni Colony (Tallahassee, FL) Serenity Rose Alumni Colony (Cypress, TX) Tarheel Alumni Colony (North Carolina)
Any alumni who wish to join a chapter should contact the Alumni Director at alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org to locate the colony or chapter closest to the member, share information about the colony or chapter, and help the alumni make contact. If there currently is not an established group in the area, the Alumni Director will check the database to see if there are other members nearby. If so, they will be contacted to see if they would like to help establish a group. Becoming an alumni colony requires a minimum of eight members; up to half of which may be Auxiliary Members. The group elects officers, establishes a service calendar, sets dues, selects a name for the colony, etc.
A L U M N I I N T E R E S T After completing their bylaws, standing rules, petition and other required documents, GROUPS the packet is submitted to the Alumni Director for approval. When approved, the • • • • • • • • •
Tampa, FL Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, FL Chicago, IL NYC area, NY Kansas Washington, D.C. Maryland Delaware
Daytona, FL
colony is welcomed and will be put on the national address list to receive mass mailings and other correspondence, and shares the same requirements as a chapter as far as national dues, travel pool, service hours, and reports due. Members of colonies are encouraged to attend Spirit Days, district events, Leadership and Alumni Conferences and the National Convention. After a minimum of one year, the NBD can vote to grant a charter to the group upon the recommendation of the Alumni Director. The Alumni Director provides assistance, guidance and answers to any questions that may arise throughout the colonization process.
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OMICRON
FALL
ALUMNI
2009
COLONY
The Omicron Alumni Colony celebrated 57 years of service with a semi-formal Founder’s Day Dinner on October 12, 2009. They also are very excited to be hosting one of the National Leadership Conferences on February 20, 2010 in Tallahassee, FL. They also are sponsoring Tallahassee’s first KEEP Screening on March 20, 2010. KEEP (Kidney Early Evaluation Program), a free health-screening program, identifies individuals at a high risk for kidney disease and encourages these individuals to seek further evaluation and follow up from a physician. If you are ever in the Tallahassee area, Omicron Alums would like to invite you to partner with them in their projects and would be happy to show you around. TARHEEL
STATE
ALUMNI
COLONY
The Tarheel State Alumni Colony was represented at the District Five Spirit Day in the spring and at their National Convention this summer. They have sent over $2,000 worth of coupons to military families and participated in the Race for the Cure. On October 24th, they will participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte. Tarheel would love to have any alumni that live in North Carolina join their alumni colony and would like to invite any collegiate members in or around North Carolina to join us in any of their projects. Since Tarheel Alums are spread across the state of North Carolina, they have begun to plan events all over the state to get more alum interested in being active. They plan on doing events in Raleigh, Winston-Salem and Greenville. You can check out their website for more information at http://www.gssncalum.webs.com, or email them at tarheelalums@gammasigmasigma.org. CENTRAL
FLORIDA
ALUMNI
COLONY
The Central Florida Alumni Colony has been busy participating in service projects all over the Central Florida area. In June, the alumni members volunteered with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), an organization which strives to improve the lives of its members by offering scholarship assistance, referral services, public education, leadership and legislative training, and helping businesses hire blind people. The members of the Central Florida Alumni colony had the opportunity to volunteer at the ACB’s 2009 Annual National Convention, recently held in Orlando, Florida. The colony got to meet and assist attendees as they enjoyed various sessions and social events and did such a wonderful job that they got invited to participate and volunteer at future events with the ACB.
PERSPECTIVES
EPSILON
Page 10
UPSILON
The Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at the University of Florida is ready for a year full of service, bonding, and fun. With a recent growth in their chapter, from five members to 13 members, they are ready to take on double the service projects events, look forward to recruiting members, and contributing to their campus and community. Last semester they averaged over 20 service hours per member and per member-in-training by volunteering at over 20 projects, including Field Day for children with and without disabilities and the Retirement Home for Horses to prepare retired horses for public viewing. They attended the District Seven Spirit Day, hosted by Gamma Alpha, and are excited about the Leadership Conference this spring! Two of their members attended convention this past summer and are looking forward sharing their experiences and ideas to better their chapter in service, friendship, and equality. BETA
GAMMA
ETA
THETA
The Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Delaware finished the spring semester with a well-earned feeling of accomplishment. They proudly inducted 47 new members, completed over 5,400 hours of service, and raised close to $9,500 for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. A highlight of the semester was their weekend at Fort Delaware where twenty-nine members took part in a weekend of cleaning up the fort and helping the staff prepare for its summer season. Additionally, Beta Gamma’s clothing sale also raised over $2,000.
The Eta Theta Chapter at the University of Central Florida looks forward their first Member Seminar of the year this fall. Their seminars occur twice per semester and will serve as a bonding experience that focuses on service, friendship, and equality among the members. The first seminar, SIGstory, will focus on the history of Gamma Sig and have presentations by the directors of March of Dimes and the American Red Cross. The second seminar, SIGphistication, will focus on being a proactive member in Gamma Sig.
At Convention, they accepted third place for the Margaret M. Linton Award, third place for Outstanding Collegiate Marketing, third place in District IV, and the Project I.M.P.A.C.T. Area Service Award.
The chapter will host their first To-Write-Love-on-HerArms Banquet in October to educate individuals about the nonprofit organization’s focus on presenting hope to those struggling with depression and what they can do to help. They hope this event will be successful. The event is schedule for October 24, 2009 at 7:00pm in Orlando, FL at the University of Central Florida.
They look forward to the upcoming semester full of service projects focusing on new Project I.M.P.A.C.T. areas. The fall will be a unity semester for the Beta Gamma chapter, where they will focus on their projects and their current members; they will not take a new pledge class.
Eta Theta will be initiating new members and continuing current projects. They look forward to working with the Kidney Foundation as well as local schools in effort to support Project I.M.P.A.C.T.
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EPSILON
FALL
2009
ETA The Epsilon Eta Chapter at Florida Memorial University participated in Relay for Life on April 18-19, 2009. Relay for Life, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, raises funds and honors cancer survivors through a 12-hour community event. Each organization had to pick a country to represent their theme throughout the event, and they chose the continent Antarctica and decorated the area with snow and penguins to set the theme. The chapter was awarded the trophy for Most Creative fundraiser!
TAU
EPSILON
The Tau Chapter at Penn State has been very active in the past year in recruitment and service. Their chapter has grown immensely in the past year with almost 50 new members in both the fall and spring pledge classes as they now have 151 members and cannot wait to meet new potential members!
The Epsilon Psi Chapter at Tennessee State University is currently celebrating their 34th anniversary and is proud to have received an award for this honor at Convention. This will be a very busy year for the chapter as they have planned events involving the education of youth. The Epsilon Psi chapter held their week on October 4th-10th. The theme for the week is “The Maroon Odyssey: Journey of an Untold Voyage.� There will be many activities and service projects planned for their week, including an Alex Lemonade Stand.
They volunteer locally at the food bank, a woman's resource center, the Red Cross. They also have their annual philanthropy coming up in October: a benefit concert for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year this was a great success and they hope for it to be even better this year! The chapter also raises money for Penn State's Dance Marathon (THON) which benefits the families of children with cancer. ZETA
IOTA
The Zeta Iota Chapter at Prairie View A&M University recently participated with the Red Cross Round-Up fundraiser, which supported the Southeast Branch of American Red Cross with emergency and rebuilding efforts. The Elmo Delasbour Humanitarian Award, the highlight of the fundraiser, serves as a reminder of the devotion firefighters to the community and honors people in the community who work hard and commit themselves to helping others.
PSI
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PERSPECTIVES
ALUMNI
SUCCESSES
CONTINUE
TO
GROW
THIS
YEAR
By: Judi Mecsics, National Alumni Director
There already is a lot going on with our alumni this biennium. We had a successful roundtable session at Convention during which a number of topics were discussed including communication, service, conferences, transition to alumni, retention, and networking. It was a great way to measure where the program is now and to exchange views on goals for the future. Some suggestions were made that are being incorporated immediately. One suggestion was to try something innovative in the way of a conference/retreat, specifically, to hold it on a cruise. You can find more information in this issue of Perspectives, on the National website, and in the mass mailing. Please read the information and check your calendars as this will be a terrific opportunity for us all to network, have fun, and do some service while vacationing. The feedback on the focus of an alumni service project was great! The choice is Support Our Troops, Veterans, and their Families. This is a terrific opportunity to honor ALL who serve or have served our country. I will be putting some project ideas and points of contact on the website for you to look at. Also, please be sure to share all of your activities with me (and send articles and pictures to the webmaster and Perspectives). I recently received a letter of thanks from the Chaplain at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Chaplain Meyners, whose office facilitates the distribution of the socks contributed by Gamma Sig, expressed the appreciation for our support. He said that our “generosity makes it possible for us to assist these wounded warriors and their families” and that “your gifts enhance the holistic healthcare we provide for all those who proudly perform their sacred duty.”
ATTENTION:
ALUMNI-AT-LARGE
By: Judi Mecsics, Alumni Director
As you know, the National website is a terrific resource for all members to get the latest alumni information, including service ideas, photos, news about colonies that are forming, and much more. There are some AAL who do not have access to a computer, however, and we certainly don’t want that information to be unavailable. If you do not have Internet capability, please let me know by sending a letter to: Gamma Sigma Sigma P.O. Box 248 Rindge, NH 03461-0248
MASS
MAILINGS
Alumni-at-Large members choosing to financially assist the sorority may pay a non-refundable fee of at least $5.00. This fee can be applied to a sustaining fee, travel pool, or to receive the national mass mailings. Mass mailings are available for free download from the national website under the Resources heading. Alumni-at-Large who wish to receive national mass mailings by mail may pay $5.00 per year for CD form or $10.00 per year for paper copies. Contact Karen Erickson, National Treasurer at treasurer@gammasigmsigma.org, for details, or use the new Alumni-at-Large Membership report.
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2009
Gamma Sigma Sigma Alumni Conference Cruise
Itinerary Day 1: Depart Port Canaveral, FL Day 2: Coco Cay, Bahamas Day 3: Nassau, Bahamas Day 4: Day at Sea (Conference) Day 5: Arrival Port Canaveral, FL
Date: Cruise Line/Ship: Prices:
July 5-9, 2010 (four nights, Monday through Friday) Royal Caribbean, Monarch of the Sea (based on double occupancy; plus $58.34 pp tax) Junior Suites - $849.00 pp Ocean view - $449.00 pp Interior- $409.00 pp
Travel protection: Onboard credit: Deposit: Balance of Deposit: Final Payment Due:
$59.00 pp for suites; $29.00 pp for ocean view and interior $50.00 per Stateroom (Based on eight staterooms booked) $50.00 at time of booking $150.00 due March 1, 2010 April 15, 2010
Important Information • Cruise line reserves the right to charge $9.00/day if price of crude oil goes above $70.00/barrel prior to cruise. • Single occupancy rate is that 200% of the stateroom cost selected. • Availability and prices subject to change until the group is finalized. • A Question and Answer Booklet is available for first time cruisers.
For reservation information, contact Judi Mecsics alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org
Page 14
PERSPECTIVES
WELCOME
FROM
THE
29TH
NATIONAL
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
The 29th National Board of Directors welcome you to a new biennium in Gamma Sigma Sigma. We are excited about working with you in the sorority over the next two years. We set a number of goals at our Training/Planning meeting this year and we are on our way to accomplishing these goals to better serve you. Please take the time to visit the national website and read the full bios of our National Board of Directors and Staff to learn more about us. Top Row (L-R): Tanisha Cousby Aurelia Spaulding, Jennifer Gentry, DaQuana Carter, Alyshia Inks, and Patrice Reed, Heather Bachman. Bottom Row (L-R): Joyce Brooks, Judi Mecsics, Ranita Williams, Keli Connor, Marize Shavelle, Emily Marshall, and Karen Erickson. (L-R): Ashley Jennings, Lynne Mowers, Lauren Reich, and Demetria Curry.
CONTACTING
THE
29TH
NATIONAL
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
President • Keli Connor • 1717 Margarita Ln Sanford, NC 27332 • 336-207-1936 Vice President • Mariza Shavelle • 1597 Shady Glen Rd Downingtown, PA 19335 • 610-772-1214 Treasurer • Karen Erickson • PO Box 247 Ellison Bay, WI 54210 • 9200-421-2749 Service Director • Emily Marshall • 1207 Dakota Ave Duluth, MN 55803 • 218-391-1567 Membership Director • Ranita Williams • 1631 Aquarena Springs Dr, Apt 112 San Marcos, TX 78666 • 404-803-5043 Alumni Director • Judi Mecsics • 4004 Torrey Pines Ln Winter Haven, FL 33884 • 863-875-455 Program Director • Joyce Brooks • 8100 Stone, Apt 1903 Houston, TX 77061 • 713-591-0358 Marketing Director • Aurelia Spaulding • 1948 Sandra St, Apt C Bowling Green, KY 42101 • 270-779-9509 Webmaster • Aurelia Spaulding • 1948 Sandra St, Apt C Bowling Green, KY 42101 • 270-779-9509 District 1 Director • Heather Bachmann • 3601 Phillips Pkwy, Apt 409 St. Louis Park, MN 55426 • 952-261-9182 District 2 Director • Alyshia Inks • 2234 Vermont Ave West Mifflin, PA 15122 • 412-938-8121 District 3 Director • Lauren Reich • 366 Forest St Hamden, CT 06518 • 203-640-7564 District 4 Director • Jennifer Gentry • 5628 David Christian Pl Greensboro, NC 27410 • 336-402-6170 District 5 Director • Demetria Curry • 469 Ponder PL, Apt 107 Nashville, TN 37228 • 260-341-4381 District 6 Director • Patrice Reed • 30115 Canyon Branch Ct Spring, TX 77386 • 832-492-4293 District 7 Director • Ashley Jennings • 1700 Woodbury Rd, Apt 503 Orlando, FL 32828 • 321-948-1755 District 8 Director • Tanisha Cousby • 401 South Bonnor St Rouston, LA 71270 • 832-286-3111 Immediate Past President • Dee Carter • 8 Jeffrey Rd Aldan, PA 19018 Parliamentarian • Lynne Mowers • 405 Winchester Rd E. Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-463-0196 Perspectives Editor • Jen Jones • 3625 Duval Rd, Apt 1633 Austin, TX 78759 • 305-519-1968 2011 Convention Chair • Karen Kerr • 5683 Gold Creek Bay Hickory, NC 28601 • 703-994-1137 2011 Registration Chair • Deb Folsom • 2450 121 Ave Clear Lake, MN 55319 • 320-761-1289 Nominating Committee Chair National Archivist • Bea Segal • 611 Malcom Crescent Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-996-1264 Administrative Assistant • Jo Charest • 321 Old New Ipswich Rd Rindge, NH 03461 • 603-899-3065 Gamma Sigma Sigma • PO Box 248 • Rindge, NH 03461-0248 • 800-585-7508 • 216-803-3065 (FAX)
Page 15
FALL
HOUSTON
2009
BAYOU
CITY
ALUMNI
The Houston Bayou City Alumni Chapter would like to welcome their four new members: Janet Diaz, Phyllis Gilmore, Katrina Ogbonna, and Brittany Washington. The new members were inducted into the organization on Sunday, August 2, 2009 and are very excited about helping plan and participate in events to make their chapter grow. GEMINI
ALUMNI
The Gemini Alumni Chapter calls all alumni in the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey area! They would love to have you as a part of the Gemini Alumni Chapter. Their meetings are held bi-monthly (six times a year) at the homes of various members. They are entering their 11th year as a chapter this fall and would love to have you come to one of their meetings, projects, or socials. If you would like more information on how to become a member, you can visit their yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GeminiGSS/ or contact Mariza Shavelle, Membership Vice President, at shavelle@misty.com. WHITE
ROSE
ALUMNI
The White Rose Alumni Chapter in Nashville, TN will host its first annual ball, “A Night under the Stars,” in November. Their ball will allow them to spotlight an organization annually that has been an outstanding service provider within the Nashville area and present them with a plaque. This year, they have selected Safe Haven as the spotlight organization. For more information on the ball and ticket information, please email the chapter at whiterosealumni@hotmail.com. They look forward to seeing as many members as possible as they have a night under the stars.
BLUEGRASS
ALUMNI
The Bluegrass Alumni Chapter continues to strive for service. They began the fall out by participating in the Back to School Bash and collecting backpacks for under privileged youth. They continue to stay excited about serving with many upcoming fall 2009 projects, including Walk for Lupus in Louisville Kentucky, Soles for Souls shoe drive, Angel Food Ministries, Harbor House of Louisville, Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald House Family Room, Center for Women and Families Spa Day, and Home of the Innocent BBQ.
GAMMA
SIG
CLASSIFIEDS
LOOKING FOR…. new Gamma Sig apparel? key chains, stickers, mugs, and tote bags? any and all Gamma Sig memorabilia? Well, look for this section of the next edition! We are looking for national vendors to promote merchandise to you! You also can use this space to submit your ads for fundraisers and send special membership announcements and recognitions! SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO: AURELIA SPAULDING MARKETING@GAMMASIGMASIGMA.ORG ALSO VISIT: WWW.GAMMASIGMASIGMA.ORG/MERCHANDISE.HTML
Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority C/O Karen Kerr, Database Coordinator 5683 Gold Creek Bay Hickory, NC 28601
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED