PERSPECTIVES The Official Publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
Volume 55, Issue 3
www.gammasigmasigma.org
SPRING 2009
Congratulations to the Woman of the Year, Ann McGee! By Keli Connor, National Vice President
It is my pleasure to announce that Ann McGee has been nominated and selected as Gamma Sigma Sigma’s 2009 Woman of the Year. Mrs. McGee was nominated by the Empire Alumni Chapter for her work with Miracle Flights for Kids. She is not only the current National President for the organization, but also the founder. She is a generous person who believes that “a healthy life is the birth right for every child.” When having a conversation with Mrs. McGee, asking her to accept the nomination, she was focused on the children. She was humbled by the award nomination and was gracious to bring attention to the children. She said, “It’s all about the kids.” So, what is Miracle Flights for Kids? According to www.miracleflights.org, “Miracle Flights for Kids is the nation's leading nonprofit charitable flight organization. Since 1985, Miracle Flights has fulfilled its mission of helping families overcome financial obstacles by flying their seriously ill children to receive proper medical care and to get second opinions.” More than 20 years ago, Mrs. McGee recognized the need for the coordination of aviation services that could provide no cost transportation for blood, donor organs, and sick children to medical facilities around the country. Upon this realization, Mrs. McGee founded a grass roots program called Mircale Flights for Kids to provide families with free flights to hospitals and treatment centers they could otherwise not
reach because of financial hardship. Mrs. McGee has spent her life improving the quality of life for sick children and their families. Once a teacher for children with disabilities, Ann has spent the latter part of her life dedicated to improving access to healthcare for kids who suffer from debilitating illnesses such as cancer, heart and lung diseases, leukemia, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and other illnesses, many that most people have never heard of. MiracleFlights helps babies, some only days old, but their stories are the same; they need proper, urgent medical attention to give them a chance at life. Take a minute to go onto the organization’s Web site and read some of the testimonials about how families and children have been impacted by receiving flights to medical care that are desperately needed, a hardship that is lifted in the growing cost of healthcare. Look at how Mrs. McGee has impacted the life of children all over the nation. If you look at the map on the Web site you will notice that children in nearly all 50 states have been helped by Mrs. McGee and her organization, Miracle Flights for Kids. Please help me to congratulate Ann McGee as our 2009 Woman of the Year. We look forward to rewarding her work and hearing from her at our Convention in Fort Lauderdale, FL this summer!
In This Issue Collegiate Chapter News Alumni/Collegiate Chapter News 2009 Nominating Committee Report 2009 Convention Flyer 2009 Convention Registration Exposure Pledging Through the Decades Service News/“Quilt of Hope” Update Upcoming Events/Other Info
Congratulations!
• To Zeta Theta, a reactivating chapter, in District 7 at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. They have 20 members. • To Delta Theta a reactivating chapter, at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA in District 6. They have 13 members 1
Page 2-3 Page 3-4 Page 5 Page 6 Pages 7-8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12
Collegiate News Chapters/Colonies - Get your service projects, pledge classes or other events in Perspectives. To submit information, mail pictures and/or story to the Perspectives Editor or send to perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org (If emailing pictures they must be originally taken/scanned at high res. 300 DPI)
University of Texas at Dallas Colony Submitted by: Elina Salimova
2009 is the year that 24 bright, beautifully different faces await their hard-earned chapter status. Here is the story of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Colony of Gamma Sigma Sigma. UTD is in the middle of a multi-million dollar Campus Enhancement, meaning the already less than 50 year-old-university is undergoing even more rapid transformations. These architects and constructionists are not the only ones in Richardson, Texas with big ideas grounded in realistic strategy. Only one short year ago, 11 diverse girls pledged a commitment to an ideal greater than one for the sake of service to humanity. They came as individuals, quickly bonding to something that could only take on a form with time. These soon-to-be sorors faced many obstacles, transforming from MITs to a full-fledged executive board. It was not always easy with two people trying to run a car wash, two more flyering for fundraisers that at first did not return profits, and one or more blooming service projects that had to be put on hold due to lack of foresight, knowledge or even the realization that they could be put it into action. Not once did the UTD girls give up; they were fortified by the strongest of bonds. Work with the World Craniofacial Foundation, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Richardson Regional Medical Center Gala, Richardson Independent School District, LOUD Youth, Day Spring Assisted Living Facility, Refuge House, an Earth Day booth, March of Dimes, United Methodist Breadbasket (UTD’s Big Event), Trunk or Treat and Service Saturdays and many more are the building block in the foundation to serving the Dallas Metroplex community. These girls began by attending local events and sometimes driving at the crack of dawn (even getting lost at times) to volunteer. They expanded to coordinate with other service organizations on campus, developing networking skills that would take them to new heights. They began planning their own service projects, raising money, awareness, cures, and solutions for grand causes like Project I.M.P.A.C.T. The start of 2009 brought one more hurdle to jump, an MIT process for the Beta class. These women have spread their range of races and creeds to unprecedented levels, even more representative of such a diverse school as UTD. The 15 MITs will be part of a sisterhood that surpasses any obstacles, so when they reach to clasp their hands of friendship around the Membership pins at the end of this month, they will forever be service sisters at heart, no matter where life takes them. Look out Florida; the newest Texan GSS girls are brainstorming just how to finance the trip to the National Convention to meet you!
Houston Bayou Alumni Chapter hosts Education Fair Alpha Psi Chapter at Southeast Missouri University Submitted by: Katie Shea
In February, the Alpha Psi Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma went to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Since they’ve given donations and raised money for St. Jude in the past, a large group of the girls went to get a tour and meet a patient and their family. It was a fun and great experience for the Gamma Sig girls from Southeast Missouri State University.
Submitted by: Whitney Casey The Houston-Bayou City Alumni Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority hosted an Education Fair on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Sterling High School. Students of all grade levels came out that early morning to learn more about preparing for college. There was a great turnout of different grade levels of students who wanted vast information about college access and college life. Soror Labertha Simien, PVAMU Testing Coordinator, enlightened the students about college entrance exams. Also Texas Guaranteed Loans spoke on financial aid, while an Admissions Advisor from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) spoke on college admissions. Houston AmeriCorps VISTA members of the College for All Texans Foundation spoke on the college planning process. The Zeta Iota Chapter at PVAMU also participated in the event. Kentucky Fried Chicken donated delicious boxed lunches. The Education Fair was a great success and we thank all who made it possible!
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Collegiate News Chi Chapter at the University of Georgia Submitted by: Devin Zimmerman Seven sisters from the Chi Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma spent six days in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, helping with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Ashley Grove, Devin Zimmerman, Annalise Walker, Erin Riser, Carmen Tarbush, Ulyana Stetsenko and Natalie Bush volunteered over Thanksgiving break through lowernine.org, a nonprofit organization that takes on individual project builds, and a local community center that serves the Lower Ninth Ward residents. The group of women split into smaller groups when they worked on house builds. One team worked mostly on removing an unstable floor from a house with a salvageable foundation. The other team removed spackle from floors and window frames of a house nearing completion before joining the first team on the floor removal project. On Thanksgiving Day, the seven sisters volunteered at a local community center with a group of Gamma Sigma Sigma sisters from James Madison University. They prepared food for those in need and delivered meals to the townspeople. Together, they explored their similar passion for serving others and the uniting bonds of their national sisterhood. “This was one of the best experiences of my life,” Zimmerman said. “I’ll never forget talking to a homeowner about this hardship with the storm. It’s important that people don’t forget the devastation that still dominates the Lower Ninth Ward. They still need help down there.”
Alumni News Tarheel State Alumni Colony Submitted by: Jennifer Gentry, Vice President and Karen Kerr, President We, the Tarheel State Alumni Colony, received colony status on January 15, 2009. Since then we have held two of our meetings and have welcomed four auxiliary members to bring our membership up to 15. We are a state-wide alumni group in North Carolina and our members live as far west as Hickory, NC and as far east as Jacksonville, NC. We have five different collegiate chapters represented within our membership. We recently had four members attend the District 5 Spirit Day on February 28th at CarsonNewman College, and they had a great time interacting with collegiates and other alumni in the district. We also have two members that will represent our colony at the National Convention this summer. On May 2, 2009, we will have a team in the Susan G Komen Foundation Race for the Cure in Winston-Salem, NC. If you would like to help and make a donation log onto race.komennctriad.org/goto/gssncalum, and you can make a donation to our team online! If you are an alumni in NC or a collegiate member nearby that would like to join us for the day, please email us! We are also collecting Boxtops for Education and coupons for unused or expired coupons for the military. We will be holding a service project/recruitment event at our next meeting on Sunday, May 3rd in Raleigh, NC. Check out our website http://www.gssncalum.webs.com or email us at tarheelalums@gammasigmasigma.org if you'd like to help in any of our upcoming projects, if you’d like to join our colony or if you'd like to join us on May 3rd.
Mid-Jersey Shore Alumni Colony Submitted by: Barb Horter, President
The Mid-Jersey Shore Alumni held a Valentine’s Party at the Methodist Home in Ocean Grove. They made table favors, played bingo, provided gifts, and gave the residents dessert.
Nutmeg Alumni Colony Submitted by: Donna Fazzino
This is Renee Janes and Mary Lou Edwards making toiletry bags for the Center for Women and Families in Bridgeport, CT at the Nutmeg meeting Feb 15 ,2009. 3
Alumni News Submitted by: Judi Mecsics, National Alumni Director, alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org
As I write this article, I noticed on the calendar that it is National Humble Day. How appropriate to be writing about the unselfish and kind acts our members on this day. The service projects that our Alumni plan and participate in, are so far reaching and touch so many people in communities across our country – and yet we are modest to talk about that. The majority of minutes I read from the colonies and chapters mention within their project reports how much fun THEY had. Our members get a sense of joy and fulfillment from their service projects. Often, an alumni colony/chapter returns to the same nursing home, or school, or community agency year after year because of the satisfying experience they had earlier. Mid-Jersey Shore, for example has been hosting a Valentine’s Day party for the residents of the Methodist Home for 39 years! The chapter makes table favors, provides gift bags for the residents as well as party food (homemade cheesecake is the residents’ favorite.) Then the group runs Bingo and provides the prizes for that, too. This event is as highly anticipated by the Gamma Sig members as much as the party goers. I know MidJersey Shore, as well as a number of other alumni chapters, never miss an opportunity to volunteer for the March of Dimes walk-a-thons. No matter the weather, the members arrive, man their posts and spend their day. Often this may appear to be a thankless job – behind the scenes, not appearing in the publicity shots or mentioned in the newspaper. No matter to our Gamma Sigma Sigma volunteers. They are there, because they care. And at the end of the long day, they smile and say “thanks for letting us help.” That is a humble person. Not expecting glory, or praise, or payment – they do what they do for the good of the whole. Alright Alumni – what are your favorite projects? What is a “traditional” event that your chapter participates in year after year? Why? I encourage you to email me and tell me about it. And I will bet you that one of the reasons you go year after year is because of the way you feel at the end of the day. Content. Just a final note. Summer is approaching and some agencies find it harder to get volunteers when the weather is pleasant and people would rather fill their days at the beach or pool than anything else. Please remember to carry your projects through the summer months. Everything you do will be appreciated such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or food bank, making cards for those in the hospitals or nursing homes or reading to a child in a shelter. I started this article by mentioning that today is Humble Day. While being humble is a virtue, looking at oneself and recognizing the great things you do, is absolutely appropriate. We are Gamma Sigma Sigmas and we are united in service to our community. Thank you all - for all you do. Sisterly, Judi
Pledging in the 1970s
Bluegrass Alumni
Submitted by: Karen Kerr, Ntl’ Membership Dir.
Submitted by: Aurelia Spaulding, Bluegrass Treasurer
Bluegrass Alumni Chapter is gearing up for March of Dimes March for Babies. The chapter is teaming up with Beta Sigma again for the walk on April 25th. Our team goal this year is $1,000. Any member, chapter, and colony interested in donating to our fundraising, please contact bluegrassalums@gammasigmasigma.org. Any chapters in the area are also welcome to walk with us that day. The walk begins at 9:00am. We appreciate any donations as we fundraise for our National Service Partners!
Tanya Allen was a founding member of the Epsilon Psi chapter at Tennessee State University. This is a picture of Tanya (back row, white hat), other GSS members and some brothers from APO. As you can see, they had a very strong brother-sister relationship. 4
2009 Committee Report The 2009 Nominating Committee met the weekend of February 27th, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The members of the Nominating Committee are: Crystal Grobe (Chair), Twin Cities Alumni Chapter; Mary Ann Carr, Twin Cities Alumni Chapter; Lauren Reich, Delta Nu; Patrice Reed, Zeta Iota; and Daphne Smith, Delta Xi A total of 21 applications were received by the January 31st, 2009 deadline. We encourage anyone interested in a position to run for office from the floor of convention. Any member who is an alumni member at the time of the 2009 National Convention is eligible to run from the floor. In order to run for office, a complete application (including 3 references) must be received by the Nominating Committee Chair, by June 1st, 2009. All candidates also must declare their intention to run from the floor by June 1st, 2009. Applications are available online or can be obtained by emailing the Nominating Committee Chair at nominating@gammasigmasigma.org.
The following is the slate of nominees for the 2009-2011 biennium: NBD Position President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Service Director Membership Director Program Director Marketing Director Alumni Director District 1 Director District 2 Director District 3 Director District 4 Director District 5 Director District 6 Director District 7 Director District 8 Director
Nominated Candidate Kelean (Keli) Connor Karen Kerr Jo Charest Karen Erickson Emily Marshall Ranita Williams Joyce Brooks Aurelia Spaulding Judi Mecsics Heather Bachmann Alyshia Inks Position Open Terri White Jennifer Gentry Patrice Reed Ginger Hamilton Tanisha Cousby
Roundtables for all candidates will be held at Convention during Candidates’ Forum. During this forum, candidates will have the opportunity to speak about their goals and specific plans for the offices they seek and to address questions from the membership. Candidates’ flyers will be included in a mass mailing to chapters and in the Convention packet distributed to all Convention participants.
National Board & Staff Contact Information President • Dee Carter • 8 Jeffrey Road, Aldan, PA 19018 • 610-394-0502 EST • president@gammasigmasigma.org Vice President • Keli Connor • 2205 New Garden Road, Apt 3506, Greensboro, NC, 27410 • 336-207-1036 EST • vicepresident@gammasigmasigma.org Secretary • Joyce Brooks • 8100 Stone, Apt. 1903, Houston, TX 77061 • 713-591-0358 CST • secretary@gammasigmasigma.org Treasurer • Karen Erickson • PO Box 247, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 • 902-421-2749 CST • treasurer@gammasigmasigma.org Service Director • Deb Folsom • 2450 121st Avenue, Clear Lake, MN 55319 • 320-743-6036 CST • servicedirector@gammasigmasigma.org Membership Director • Karen Kerr • 5683 Gold Creek Bay, Hickory, NC 28601 • 703-994-1137 EST• membership@gammasigmasigma.org Alumni Director • Judi Mecsics • 4004 Torrey Pines Lane, Winter Haven, FL 33884 • 863-875-4554 EST • alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org Program Director • Sharon Brice • 3622 Truesdale Drive • Missouri City, TX 77459 • 281-438-8420 CST • program@gammasigmasigma.org Marketing Director • Aurelia Spaulding • 1948 Sandra St. Apt. C. • Bowling Green, KY 42101 • 270-779-9509 CST • marketing@gammasigmasigma.org District I Director • Athena Westin • 328 N. 53rd Ave. W. #6 • Duluth MN 55807 • 612-990-0785 CST • district1@gammasigmasigma.org District II Director • Alyshia Inks • 2234 Vermont Avenue • West Mifflin, PA 15122 • 412-983-8121 EST • district2@gammasigmasigma.org District III Director • Pat Saul • 19 Kevadus Circle, Chester, VT 05143 • 802-875-6651 EST • district3@gammasigmasigma.org District IV Director • Mariza Shavelle • 1597 Shady Glen Road, Downington, PA 19335 • 610-772-1214 EST • district4@gammasigmasigma.org District V Director • Abbey Dyer • 627 Whispering Hills Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 • 615-423-1697 CST • district5@gammasigmasigma.org District VI Director • Ranita Williams • 57 Forsyth Street, Condo 5H, Atlanta, GA 30303 • 404-803-5043 EST • district6@gammasigmasigma.org District VII Director • Celeste McNeil • 3545 Blodgett, #2105, Houston, TX 77004 • 832-453-4039 CST • district7@gammasigmasigma.org District VIII Director • Meika Sherrer • 8565 Wilcrest, Houston TX 77099 • 281-933-1176 CST • district8@gammasigmasigma.org Parliamentarian • Lynne Mowers • 405 Winchester Road, E Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-463-0196 EST • parliamentarian@gammasigmasigma.org Administrative Assistant • Jo Charest • PO Box 248, Rindge, NH 03461-0248 • 800-585-7509 EST • Fax 216-803-3065 • aa@gammasigmasigma.org Perspectives Editor • Ashley Pile • 245 Clearbrook Ct., Cranberry Twp., PA 15237 • 412-874-5551 EST • perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org Webmaster • Aurelia Spaulding • 1948 Sandra St. Apt. C. • Bowling Green, KY 42101 • 270-779-9509 CST • webmaster@gammasigmasigma.org National Archivist • Bea Segal • 611 Malcolm Crescent, Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-979-6271 EST • archivist@gammasigmasigma.org Database Coordinator • Karen Kerr • 4683 Gold Creek Bay, Hickory, NC 28601 • 703-994-1137 EST • database@gammasigmasigma.org Convention Chair • Lelar Corbett • 9948 Dryden Lane, Plano, TX 75025 • 214-499-0512 CST • 2009convention@gammasigmasigma.org Nominating Chair • Crystal Grobe • 15947 Flotilla Trail, Apple Valley, MN • 952-215-5019 CST • nominating@gammasigmasigma.org
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GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA NATIONAL SERVICE SORORITY
NATIONAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTED ACTIVITIES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON Rummage Sale Dates: July 9-12th Bring your chapter’s t-shirts, key chains, and other Gamma Sigma Sigma items to donate to the Convention Rummage Sale. The Rummage Sale will take place Thursday—Saturday during convention during selected hours. Once the t-shirts and other items are donated all members at convention will have time to purchase the items. The items donated will go toward a project to fundraise for the Woman of the Year’s organization, Miracle Flights for Kids.
Service Idea Exchange: Dates: July 9-11th The National Service Committee is excited to introduce a Service Idea Exchange at the 2009 National Convention. We are asking that each collegiate and alumni chapter bring a favorite service idea to display. This might take the form of a flyer explaining your chapter’s service to an organization. For example, if your chapter sponsored a Dance-AThon raising money for a cause, your display could include photographs and information on what you did and how you were able to do it.
Spirit Night Date: July 9th One event we will be holding during convention will be a Gamma Sigma Sigma Spirit Night. This will be a fun opportunity for you or your chapter
Your presentation could also include instructions and an example of something your chapter has made to donate. Welcoming Party Date: July 8th Arrive at Convention early, and take part in the Welcoming Party on Wednesday night. This event is sure to be a blast. Members will divide up into districts for an extreme icebreaker event. Everyone is asked to bring one bottled water when attending the event. So, be sure to arrive early on Wednesday, and take part in the Welcoming Party which will start 8:00pm on July 8th.
to show how much spirit you have. A CD player will be available, but you should bring any special music or props you will need. Example spirit activities include: singing songs, doing cheers or chants, line dancing or party strolls, and steps. Carnival: Date: July 11th Another event we will be holding during convention will be a carnival. This carnival will be held to raise money for the Woman of the Year’s charity of choice. It will be a fun event featuring games and food. We will be selling tickets to the event, so be sure to bring your money. Remember, you are
Trolly Trolley Tour Fort Lauderdale Date: July 10th During a 2 hour narrated Trolley Tour of Fort Lauderdale see the cruise ship port, luxury yachts, marinas homes of the rich and famous, beautiful waterways, Fort Lauderdale Beaches, Las Olas Boulevard, Science and Art District, historic sites, Riverwalk and much more...
having fun for a good cause! Tickets will be $1 per game, and bagged snacks will be $0.50 each. Also, we are asking chapters to help out with the carnival by creating their own game and running it during the carnival. Any chapters that would like to help should contact Suzanne Bellezza at chipjonz01@ yahoo.com. Scrapbooks: We invite you to also bring along scrapbooks and prepare a display to feature your chapter at service events, chapter meetings and/ or social functions. Tables will be available to show off your chapter’s service exchange idea as well as your chapter display.
Complimentary Trolley Hat, Bottled Water, Re-boarding Pass to visit Restaurants, Shops, Sites and return on a later tour. This tour is highly recommended by the South Florida Tourism Council.
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GSS National Convention Registration Form PART I. GENERAL INFORMATION First Name:
Last Name:
(as it should appear on your name tag)
District:
Graduation Year:
Collegiate Member Alumni Member Alumni at large (no longer in a chapter) Name of Chapter/Colony: Office in Chapter/Colony (If applicable): Past National Board/Staff Position(s) held:
PART II. CONTACT INFORMATION Home Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Email Address when not at school: Cell Phone Number (if applicable): COLLEGIATE CONTACT INFORMATION AT SCHOOL School Address:
(use this address until this date):
School City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
School Email Address: What is the best way to reach you?
PART III. ACCOMODATIONS Roommate Preference: ____ None _____ Yes List Name(s) & chapter below: If you don’t have a roommate listed for quad, triple, or double room, a roommate will be assigned to you Roommate #1:
Chapter:
Roommate #2:
Chapter:
Roommate #3:
Chapter:
Smoking Preference: ____ Non Smoking Room ____ Smoking Room Physical Accommodations Needed: Dietary Accommodations Needed:
29th National Convention 7
Pres letter
GSS Convention Registration Form PART IV. TRAVEL INFORMATION Date of Arrival: Traveling by ____ Car ____ Plane ____ Bus ___ Train NOTE: The cost of transportation to and from the hotel is the responsibility of the member and is NOT covered in your registration fee.
PART V. TOUR INFORMATION There will be an optional trolley tour tentatively scheduled for Friday at 5:30pm. The tour will be a 2 hour guided historical tour of Fort Lauderdale on a San Francisco style trolley. The cost is $25 per person, and the cost includes a trolley hat and a bottle of water. Each trolley holds 25 people.
PART VI. PAYMENT CONVENTION 2009 REGISTRATION FEES Please note: Registration Fees include Lodging for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; 3 meals on Thursday, ONLY Breakfast and Lunch on Friday, 3 meals on Saturday, and Brunch on Sunday; convention materials; and favors. Registration Fees By 4/1/09 ___ Quad $386 ___ Triple $419 ___ Double $485 ___ Single $683 ___ Day Only $290
Calculate your total payment: By 6/1/09 $411 $444 $510 $708 $315
Registration Fee $_______ T shirt Fee $_______ Size _______ Trolley Tour $_______ Subtotal $_______
Subtract Travel Pool if applicable: $________
GRAND TOTAL: ______________
T Shirt
Quantity Short Sleeve Long Sleeve ____ Small XL $10 $12 ____ 2XL $11 $13 ____ 3XL $12 Not Available ____ 4XL $13 Not Available ____ 5XL $14 Not Available Total Cost: ______
Payment Options: ___ Please use travel pool to cover the cost of registration. (You will still mail fees for t shirt and excursion!) ___ Enclosed is my check for the full amount. ___ Please mail travel pool check to:___________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
Registration Deadline is June 1, 2009. No refunds or cancellations will be honored after 6/1/2009. Substitutions are permitted. No on site registration available. Return check fee is $20. Please contact Alison for additional nights if you need to come early or stay late for the convention room rate.
Send your completed 2 page registration form and check payable to GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA to: Alison Dobbins, Convention Registration Coordinator 3425 Verner Street Drexel Hill, PA 19026 Questions: Contact Alison at 610 622 0140 or registration@gammasigmasigma.org
29th National Convention 8
Volume 3, Issue 3
An official marketing publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Spring 2009
Get Connected with Gamma Sigma Sigma S
G S
Beginning April 1st, the sorority expanded email communications in an effort to keep more members involved with what is going on within the sorority.
All chapters, colonies, and alumni-at-large will have access to receive the quarterly Gamma Sigma Sigma Sig News message. Emails will be sent to the chapter/ colony address included on president’s report. Alumniat-large email addresses will be used from the updated information provided to the database coordinator. Individual members will be able to subscribe, and any member can unsubscribe at anytime. Emails will only be sent out the entire listing on the first Monday of February, April, September, November, and for special national event announcments.
GET YOUR SITE REDIRECTED! Get your chapter website forwarded from the national website. Send an email to webmaster@ gammasigmasigma.org. If your chapter has met the national website guidelines, you can have your site address redirected from www.gammasigmasigma. org/yourchapter.html.
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT! If your chapter/colony has a member who has done something outstanding or been awarded for efforts outside of Gamma Sigma Sigma, let the webmaster know! Individual members as well as chapters/ colonies can send a photograph along with a short paragraph about a recent accomplishment from yourself or another members. The member spotlight will be featured on the Alumni and Collegiate News sections of the National Website. Just email webmaster@gammasigmasigma.org
Spirit of Service Video Contest You are invited to create a short video illustration of Gamma Sigma Sigma’s Spirit of Service. We are calling for a creative video which depicts the true spirit of service in our chapters and nationally. Each chapter and colony will have creative leeway to depict Gamma Sigma Sigma’s spirit of service in their own way. w The primary goal of the video contest is promote the national sorority and individual chapters and colonies. The guidelines and rules for submission are listed online at www.gammasigmasigma.org. The Contest will begin receiving submissions on March 1, 2009, w 12:01am USA EST and end at midnight USA EST on May 1, 2009.
Epsilon Nu Chapter at Bethune Cookman College
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Membership These are diaries from pleding throughout the decades. By: Karen Kerr, National Membership Director When I asked for someone who pledged in the 1980s, I was pleased to get the help from one of our past National Presidents! Michele Slay is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and she began Parallel, Inc. in 1999, after serving as the Major Gifts Director of the United Way of Central Alabama for five years. Like Tanya Allen, Michele has a different perspective in joining GSS as you can read in her own words:
Michele Slay– 1980s
“I did not have a "regular" pledge period. I went to Samford University (Delta Sigma chapter) from 1985-1989. A new friend I met in my dorm asked me to be a pledge in a service sorority called Gamma Sigma Phi. It seems that quite a few years before I got there some girls tried to reactivate the Delta Sigma chapter, but they were not successful. I was told that by the time they connected with someone at the national organization, they had already decided on a new name, ordered jerseys, selected colors, etc. However, it was still a service sorority, just a local one. I loved being in the local sorority, but I had friends in national sororities and saw what good they received from being part of a larger group. I took it upon myself to try to locate someone in the national organization, and I was directed to a local member (Ginger Rice) who told me a little about the organization. It was the spring before the 1987 National Convention at the University of Delaware. I was working with Mary Ann Carr (National President 1987-1989) by this time and she encouraged me to come to the convention. I was excited to get an invitation, and my local sorority voted to pay for me to go. I had a great time at the Convention!!! I met so many girls and connected with alums that really encouraged me to help reactivate my chapter. Well, long story short, when I started back to school in the fall of 1987, I gave a progress report to my sisters, and we voted to reactivate the chapter. After making the decision, my real Gamma Sigma Sigma pledgeship began. I have a lot of memories, many of them of Ginger and her little son Terry running around during our meetings! So, even though we had a lot of traditions and fun activities, like retreats, big-little sisters and semi-formals, it was not really done in my Gamma Sigma Sigma pledge process--my pledging was really just meetings with my sisters, Ginger and other representatives of the national organization. I was a pledge a fairly short period of time, as we had our first official pledge class in 1988. During that spring, I was contacted by Mary Ann Carr and asked if I would want to serve on the 1989 Convention Committee for the upcoming convention in Birmingham. I went to the NBD meeting the year before (1988) in Birmingham and met with the committee for the first time. By the time the convention rolled around, I had been talked into running for District Director (then Coordinator). So, I was elected to the board and had only been a member for one year. By the time I was elected National President, I had been a sister for 5 years! (Michele was the National President from 1993-1995). I loved being a member of our newly formed chapter, and I was so surprised when I was given the Outstanding Undergraduate Sister Award at the Convention. We did a lot of neat service projects and we had a chapter song and poem we sang and said at the conclusion of each meeting. We also participated in intramural activities while we were Gamma Sig pledges--flag football, volleyball, prep bowl, etc. We also had white rose ceremonies when sisters got engaged and lots of fun retreats and pledge parties.”
Patty Schroll – 1970s Patty pledged the Delta Mu chapter the fall of 1972 at Central Michigan University. She has been living in England for the past 24 years with her children. Although she no longer works, she is a member of the Pennsylvania-based Steel City Alumni Colony and is in the process of getting the Quilt of Hope ready to be taken around the UK for the MS Society as a way to raise money for them. She is one of the two alumni that are sharing their memories from pledging GSS in the 70s. “When I was at CMU, I really did not have an interest in joining a sorority as I did not like the way the Greeks acted on campus. It was a dorm mate that introduced me to GSS. I liked the idea of while having Greek letters, we were non-Greek. I also liked the idea of doing service in order to belong. I was allowed to go to a meeting to see what went on and I was sold. During my pledge time, I had a big sister who made me a "pledge book". This held the words to the sorority's song, all the bylaws and chapter laws. I had to carry this around with me at all times but nine out of ten times I would have left it in my dorm room. I had to do 15 hours of service and that turned out to be fun. Our chapter ran a Brownie troop and it was great fun to work with the girls in the troop. Every so often we would met up with our big sisters and they would test us on what we had learned during the pledge weeks. The whole group would meet up at least once a month in one of the university's meeting rooms. I do remember singing the National song at the start of the meetings and that was so nice. When I went from pledge to active, it was nice to walk into the room with only candles lit on the table. The members of the pledge class would walk in and stand around the table as the chapter President would read out what the sorority meant and what the goals were. Then I think we were asked in turn if we would honor and respect the laws and goals of GSS. Of course we answered yes. Then a candle was lit by each one of us and we were then pinned. We were also given a white rose and once this was done all the sisters would sing the national song. I think there were 7 in my pledge class. After I was made active, I was elected chapter Historian. We did make a trip to Ball State to meet up with other GSS there for a weekend. We almost did not get there as we ran out of gas just outside of Muncie, IN. The state trooper was so good looking but oh so married! While at Ball State University, we did have a show there - I only remember that I had to wear my pajamas for one of the skits and a curler cap! Looking back on my pledge time, I had a ball. It was great to try and find the hours needed to get done with that part of our book. Everyone that we did service for had to sign and date our books. I really do miss those times. Sadly I do not really have any pictures from this great time in my life....I was the one taking the photos!!! Would I do it again? You bet!” 10
Service News 2009 Convention Service Projects and Service Workshops
By: Deb Folsom, National Service Director
Make sure you come prepared to help out on our ongoing service projects and to join in our Service Workshops while attending the 2009 National Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida July 9-12. One of the ways members will be able to perform service is by stopping by our Service Project Room and take part in one of our ongoing service projects. If your chapter has a project they would like to share with other members, please feel free to bring the supplies and directions and we will help get it set up in the Service Project Room.
Project #1: SuperSibs! Their goal is to serve the brothers and sisters of over 12,600 children in the U.S. and Canada who are diagnosed with cancer each year. Through their work, these siblings will feel valued, validated, heard, supported and delighted as recipients of SuperSibs! direct services and online support. We, as an organization will be making handmade cards for SuperSibs to send to the siblings and also be accepting donations to purchase stamps for the cards we make. Find out more about SuperSibs at www.supersibs.org. MEMBERS: We would love your help with this project by bringing fun children’s stickers to help make cards with. You can find some at your local dollar stores.
Project #2: CD Fish This project will involve making fish to hang in hospital or outpatient rooms at various facilities including Hope Lodge which is like a Ronald McDonald House, except it caters to adults. We are also looking at donating some to a Florida children’s hospital depending on how many members are able to make at Convention. All supplies will be provided, but if you have some used CD’s you were planning on throwing out, bring them with and help make a fish!
Project #3: Felt Books For Kids This project will involve cutting out felt pieces to help make a felt storyboard to go along with children’s books. We will have some books there to make the felt forms for, but we encourage members to bring a new or gently used book that they remember from their childhood to make a felt story to go along with. These will be donated to an elementary school in Duluth, MN.
Service Workshops Our other big service related item is the Service Workshops that will be held on the Friday afternoon of Convention. Three Service Workshop speakers will be discussing their organizations and what Gamma Sigma Sigma members can do for them. These speakers include The March Of Dimes, MADD and Sustainable Horizons. We hope you or your chapter members that are able to attend Convention to represent you are able to join in on these workshops and learn about these great organizations!
Update on “The Quilt of Hope” Patty Schroll has donated the quilt to the MS Society in the UK. Patty is now getting things ready for a trip around the UK with the quilt ending with the raffle. She still does not know how much money the quilt will raise, but it is hoped that it will be raise about 20,000 pounds, just from the raffle alone. While she retains the copyrights for the quilt, she will not make anything from this project. 11
UPCOMING EVENTS MAY
JULY
National Arthritis Month - www.arthritis.org National Stroke Awareness Month - www.stroke.org National Cancer Research Month - www.cancer.org
Eye Injury Prevention Month - www.aao.org 5-11 Alzheimer's Awareness Week - www.alzheimers.org 8-12 Gamma Sigma Sigma National Convention www.gammasigmasigma.org
6
World Asthma Day - www.ginasthma.com
8
World Red Cross Day - www.redcross.org
10
World Lupus Day - www.worldlupusday.org
19
World Hepatitis Day - www.aminumber12.org
National Immunization Awareness Month
31
World No Tobacco Day - www.who.int/tobacco/en
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month www.fsma.org
AUGUST
JUNE
1
Vision Research Month - www.preventblindness.org Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month – www. myasthenia.org
2-8 National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week
7
National Minority Donor Awareness Day www.nationalmottep.org
National Cancer Survivors Day - www.ncsdf.org
14
World Blood Donor Day - www.ifrc.org
27
National HIV Testing Day - www.napwa.org
New Alumni!
The deadline for the Fall 2009 issue of Perspectives is August 24, 2009!
Is this your first issue of Perspectives since becoming an alumni member? If you would like to continue to get Perspectives via postal mail, please e-mail: database@gammasigmasigma.org
Have you moved or changed your name? If so, please contact: database@gammasigmasigma.org
Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority C/O Karen Kerr, Database Coordinator 5683 Gold Creek Bay Hickory, NC 28601
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