PERSPECTIVES The Official Publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
Volume 55, Issue 2
www.gammasigmasigma.org
WINTER 2009
In Loving Memory of Barbara VanSciver Ferraro Boy Scouts, Federated Garden Club, Federated Women’s Club, being a Sunday School teacher for her church and helping with school organizations for her children including the PTO, swim club, soccer, and Band Parent Organization.
By Lynne Mowers, National Parlimentarian
This article is in loving memory of Barbara VanSciver Ferraro, founding member and first National President of Gamma Sigma Sigma, who passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 The daughter of Samuel and Frances VanSciver, Barbara Ferraro never imagined herself as a woman of prominence. Little did she know how important she would become or how many people she would impact. Even at the end of her life, Barbara did not realize the magnitude of her effect on others or the place she held in so many hearts.
Barbara is survived by her husband Charley, three children, 5 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and thousands of Gamma Sigma Sigma members. As we grieve our loss, let us remember that we will always be connected to Barbara by the “strongest of bonds.”
Barbara attended Drexel University, graduating in 1952. It was there that she helped found Gamma Sigma Sigma, with Marvyn Glover and Peg Zimmerman. It was the efforts of these three women, combined with others around the country that made Gamma Sigma Sigma a reality. During our early years it was Barbara and Marvyn who created the foundations we are built upon and use today – our ceremonies, our bylaws and our policies.
This was written by Lynne Mowers, with Barbara’s guidance and approval.
Barbara served as our first national president for 3 years. In addition to serving as national president, Barbara served the national organization as Vice President in Charge of Regional Directors (which evolved into the current position of National Vice President); National Alumnae Secretary; National Advisor to Chapter Advisors; Gamma Gossip Editor (now known as Perspectives) and District Director.
In This Issue Collegiate Chapter News Alumni/Collegiate Chapter News Convention 2009 Info 2009 Convention Registration Forms Service News “Quilt of Hope” Exposure Membership Upcoming Events/Misc. Info
Barbara was a founding member of Philadelphia Alumni Chapter (PAC) and remained active in the chapter until her death. In addition to her devotion to Gamma Sigma Sigma, Barbara was also active in community organizations including Girls Scouts, YOU COULD WIN $100! Log on to gammasigmasigma.org and visit the “Convention Information” section to see how you could win $100 to go to the 2009 Convention in Fort Lauderdale, FL!
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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)
Eta Delta Chapter at James Madison University Submitted by: Isabella Fuentes
The Eta Delta Chapter at James Madison University proudly inducted 12 new members as the Zeta class. For their service project, the pledges were able to fundraise by inviting everyone to install the buySAFE Shopping Advisor, which enables completely safe and secure online buying. Rush week events included “getting to know you” activities, outdoor games, inline skating at Funky’s, a study session, and a scavenger hunt. This semester was full of fundraisers. Members sold Madison T-shirts during Founders Week, were sponsored by Mary Kay makeup and by Coldstone ice cream, but had the most fun at Dance for the Cure. Dance for the Cure raised money for The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation by selling $3 tickets at the entrance and enjoying an incredible dance party inside. Members also participated in a number of service events including serving dinner at Mercy House, knitting lapghans for disabled persons bound to wheelchairs, helping out with Freshman move-in, volunteering at the Harrisonburg community’s International Festival, and hosting the “Hunger Ends With You” food drive. Our chapter celebrated Breast Cancer Month in joining Alpha Kappa Delta Phi for a charity dinner called “Real Dukes Wear Pink” as well as walking or running in the 6th Annual Breast Cancer Race. Along with AKDPhi, we invited everyone to listen to a breast cancer survivor tell us her story. We ended the year with a Secret Santa social event and donated gifts to Angel Tree, which consists of children who would not be able to receive gifts this holiday season.
Beta Gamma at the University of Deleware Submitted by: Carolyn Fafara
The Beta Gamma chapter at the University of Delaware has had another eventful and exciting semester. We kicked off our year and fundraising efforts for our philanthropy, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, by working at the Blue Rocks game. We worked the concession stands at this local minor-league baseball game and had a percentage of the proceeds donated to our philanthropy. We also had enormous success at our second go-around with a clothing sale, bringing in over $5,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. In late September about 40 sisters took a weekend trip to Cape Henlopen, a new tradition with our chapter. We were able to help clean and maintain the state park as well as enjoy the autumn weather shopping, visiting the boardwalk, and of course more bonding. Beta Gamma was fortunate enough to host a Leadership Conference in November. We were able to interact with other chapters and National Board Members. There we discussed our successes and challenges within each chapter and also completed a service project for Caitlin Smiles all in one day! Forty new sisters were just recently activated. The Beta Beta pledge class has been very enthusiastic and dedicated- true embodiments of our purposes and ideals. As a whole, our sisterhood completed over 2,500 hours of service for our local, weekly projects, an accomplishment for which we should all be extremely proud.
Madonna University Colony The Madonna University Colony of Gamma Sigma Sigma turned one! On December 12th, 2008 the members of the Gamma Sigma Sigma colony celebrated their 1st anniversary in the Illustrious organization. “The past year has been both rewarding and challenging,” said MUC president Danyale Brown. “We look foraward to a great school year new members, new service projects, new social events, and more bonding time.” The Madonna Colony has spent the last year upholding the values of Unity, Friendship, and Equality that has been in existence since 1952 and the Madonna Colony will work hard to uphold, and teach those values for another fifty six years. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Madonna colony in the past year, and look forward to your continued support in the upcoming years.
Middle State Tennessee University Congratulations to our 18 new members! Our Gamma Sigma Sigma week is going to be April 6th -11th, 2009. There will be community service, project impact activities and so much more. Please contact us by email at mtsugsscolony@yahoo.com if you would like to attend. All of our events will be posted on our Web site (http://www.geocities.com/mtsugsscolony/).
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Collegiate News Alpha Psi
Submitted by: Jennifer Sutterer This past semester has been an eventful one to say the least. We inducted 47 new pledges at the beginning of the semester. We participated in projects such as Student Santas, Ronald McDonald, Humane Society, volunteering at the Auburn Creek Nursing Home, and Up Till Dawn to raise money for St. Jude's Research Hospital. We also took part in the Liver Walk and the Alzheimer’s Walk. When we weren’t doing service, we were improving our sisterhood during events such as Homecoming, our traditional hayride, Gamma Sig 101, fraternity philanthropies, and intramural sports. We have donated to several organizations and completed over 1400 service hours this semester. We are excited to see what the upcoming semester brings! Best wishes to everyone!
Gamma Kappa at the Univerity of TennesseeKnoxville
Submitted by: Courtney Holder The Gamma Kappa chapter held a very successful Fall Rush on September 9th-11th. Sisters hosted two casual information sessions for interested students and a formal acceptance night for all new members-intraining. This year's Rush had a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme complete with heart nametags, classy t-shirts, and breakfast snacks. The Gamma Kappa chapter was pleased to welcome 109 ladies who participated in Rush Week activities. Rush Week ended with a Pledge Day celebration for those who decided to pursue membership in Gamma Sigma Sigma. Sisters and members-in-training took part in a fun campus-wide scavenger hunt, pizza dinner and the first pledge meeting. Members-in-training will continue to learn more about the ideals, foundations, and symbols of Gamma Sigma Sigma during the pledge period. Approximately 100 new members were initiated as sisters during an Initiation Ceremony on October 19th.
Alumni News Twin Cities Alumni
Houston Bayou Alumni Chapter
Submitted by: Deb Folsom Here is a picture of Twin Cities Alumni Chapter members who decorated three Christmas trees at a local assisted living facility on December 6th. Pictured are from top left: Darlene Solberg, Kay Reiners, Mary Ann Carr, Pat Wesolek. Bottom: Linda Smith, Heather Bachmann, Crystal Radabaugh-Grobe. Not pictured: Deb Folsom.
On September 1, members of the Houston Bayou Alumni Chapter participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Jerry’s Kid’s Telethon. It ws a rewarding experience for all members and Houston raised over $130,000!
Gemini Alumni Chapter Submitted by: Jessica Sitkoff
The sisters of Gemini alumni chapter celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a luncheon at Cavanaugh's Restaurant in Philadelphia PA. Each attending sister received a small pot with seeds that stated, "Thank you for celebrating our 10th Anniversary with us as we continue to blossom through service."
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Alumni News Submitted by: Judi Mecsics, National Alumni Director, alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org Happy 2009 to everyone! The recent holidays found our Gamma Sigma Sigma alumni making the season bright for a lot of individuals by giving unselfishly of their time. Some of them were ringing the bells at Salvation Army kettles, wrapping gifts to be distributed to the needy, sending socks and holiday cards to our military members or singing carols in hospitals and nursing homes. Other projects included delivering food baskets and collecting toys, clothes and other items for families in crisis. Crafts and candy brightened the faces of some children in a battered women’s shelter and one chapter participated in Operation Christmas Child. All of these activities brought smiles and comfort to many people. We are growing again, too. In November, the Arrowhead Reactivating Alumni Chapter had its petition approved. They are an enthusiastic group in Duluth and it is terrific to see Arrowhead being brought back to the rolls. Congratulations Arrowhead! Alumni in North Carolina, Texas, Florida and D.C. are organized and submitting petitions soon, as well. The spirit of service is bringing Gamma Sigma Sigma alumni together all over the country. Some emails I get are from alums that have not been active in the sorority for many years and just want to know what is new. I refer them to the website and encourage them to read about what GSS is doing currently. Often, these members ask about chapters in their area, or they ask about starting one. One large part of the Alumni Director’s job is to guide the process of petitioning to become a colony and then be there to advise the group through to their chartering as a chapter. It is an honor for me to do this. Additionally, we have a number of very active Alumni at Large who are not affiliated with a colony/chapter. These members contribute an enormous number of service hours to their communities. I hear from a few of you, but would love to hear from more. Just email me any time. Let me know what you are doing . I am getting excited about Convention this summer and sure hope to see many, many of you there. Meanwhile, keep sending those emails. Let me know what I can help you with, any thoughts on the alumni program in general, what you’d like to see at convention, etc. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sisterly, Judi
Twin Cities Alums Host Traditional District Service Day 100 Hours of Service + 100 Pounds of Food Submitted by: Mary Ann Carr, Service VP
Members of Twin Cities Alumni Chapter continue their tradition of hosting a Service Day twice a year. Their third Service Day was held November 1, 2008 in Roseville, Minnesota. Eleven collegiate members representing Alpha Iota, Alpha Pi and Zeta Beta chapters joined the 14 alums to work in small groups on seven different projects for a total of 100 hours of service! Ten of these hours were in the Project I.M.P.A.C.T. area of chronic disease. Chapter members also donated 100 lbs of food and care products to a local community food shelf. We started the day working at Bridging, an organization that provides household items to families in transition, where we assembled 10 dressers and sorted boxes of silverware into place settings. After lunch and a chance to visit with each other, we learned about the Click Project, a free and easy way to earn hours and help those in need by going to www.thenonprofits.com and clicking on the sites listed – to help provide such things as mammograms, books, meals, funds for environmental cleanup etc. These items are provided by the sponsors of each site; what they donate is determined by the number of clicks on each site. In small groups we worked to make two dozen Sheet Music Centerpieces – six pages of sheet music rolled and stacked together with glue, topped with Christmas pick decorations which will be donated to Bridging where their clients can select a limited number of holiday decorations. Some wrapped 24 holiday pins and filled holiday tins with hard candy to be used as gifts for the women at the YWCA Transitional Housing Project in St. Paul. Others wrapped boxes to be used for display at the silent auction at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation annual fundraiser November 15. Another group made bookmarks for children from scrapbooking paper and stamped designs, finished off with ribbon and beads. These will be donated to families at the YWCA Transitional Housing Project in St. Paul and to SACA, (South Anoka County Assistance), a county resource for families in need. Also, Alpha Pi brought materials to make candy cane ornaments with crocheted doilies to be donated to an assisted living facility in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Alpha Iota chapter shared a project creating felt cutouts of characters in childrens’ books that can be use on felt boards. We ended the day with photos around a display of samples of all the items we made during the day and finished with the national song. This tradition of a full day of service is an easy way to provide lots of service to many different organizations, a time to share service ideas and a great time for the alums and collegiate members to get to know each other better. Both collegiates and alums look forward to the next one.
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National Convention 2009 Submitted by: Lelar Corbett, 2009 Convention Chair Hopefully everyone had a safe holiday and you are now ready to join the national organization at the 29th National Convention, July 9-12, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Each biennium, Gamma Sigs from across the nation come together to elect national officers; recognize outstanding chapters and members; honor community leaders and plan the future of Gamma Sigma Sigma. Also there is time set aside to perform service projects, share ideas and network with members. The 2009 National Convention will be held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North. Early registration costs are as follows: Quad: $386 Triple: $419 Double: $485 Single: $683 There is an option for day only participants. Registration forms can be found in the mass mailing, in Perspectives and may be downloaded from the national Web site. Please send registration form to Alison Dobbins by April 1 to receive the rates listed above. Rate will increase on registrations received after April 1. The deadline for all registrations is June 1. Each chapter in good standing will be eligible for up to two quad registrations (paid for out of the national travel pool). To check your chapter standing, or to find out what you need to do to get your chapter in good standing, contact your district director. Collegiate colonies should contact the membership director and alumni colonies should contact the alumni director to get colony status and to verify the number of quad registrations they can receive. Please check the national Web site, www.gammasigmasigma.org, for the most up-to-date convention information. If you have any comments/questions, or if you are interested in volunteering at the 2009 National Convention, please contact Lelar Corbett, 2009 Convention Chair, at 2009Convention@gammasigmasigma.org.
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 • 27970 Lakelawn Drive, Lindstrom, MN 55045 • 651-274-5352 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 • 43706 Hamilton Chapel Terrace, Ashburn, VA 20148 • 703-858-0626 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 • 3251 May Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 • 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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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 6
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
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Service News Help To Support Our 2009 Woman of the Year!
www.miracleflights.org By Deb Folsom, National Service Director
Our 2009 Woman of the Year, Ann McGee is the founder and national president of Miracle Flights for Kids. She 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 rare diseases, many that most people have never heard of. Many are babies, some only days old, but their stories are the same; they need proper urgent medical attention to give them a chance at life. Through her hard work and dedication she grew the program from only a handful of flights for local kids to a nation-wide effort that flies boys and girls from all corners of the country. To date, her program has coordinated more than 55,000 flights and provided over 29 million miles of free access to healthcare for America’s families. Through these miracle missions, Mrs. McGee has stood true in her belief that money should never stand in the way of children getting to the best possible medical treatment – no matter how far away it might be. Find out more about Miracle Flights For Kids and how you can help by visiting www.miracleflights.org. Think about how you and/or your chapter can help raise funds to donate to MFFK at our 2009 Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where Ann McGee will be a keynote speaker! The service area of www.gammasigmasigma.org has service projects and downloads of the new Service Manual and Service Ideas spreadsheet that includes projects from all of our chapters. Check these great new resources to help refresh your service options!
Spring Break Trips To Central America!
Check out what Sustainable Horizon’s has for options for great trips to Central America while at the same time helping to do service! Chapters and individual members (alumni too) wanted. What a great way to spend part of your winter, spring break or summer! Go to www.sustainablehorizon.com to find out more!
www.thenonprofits.com
Donate for free! Just click to donate from the links on this site. Each site you click on, sponsors pay money to them. Examples: The Hunger Site and The Breast Cancer Site – when you click on their "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button, you have helped to donate a cup of food or part of a mammogram paid for by the websites sponsors. EASY!
“Quilt of Hope” Submitted by: Patty Schroll. Patty is currently living in England, is an alum of Delta Mu and a member of the Steel City Alumni Colony. Last Dec., 2007 a friend had asked me for some ideas to help with fundraising for the MS THERAPY CENTER in Canterbury, Kent, England. As with a lot of people, I stopped to think about what I could do that might bring in a little bit of money. Well what was the one thing that I was good at....I make quilts!!! Now that I am retired and due to disabilities, I was very limited to what I could do. I found a pattern book (always a good idea) and got the idea that a signature quilt would be great. Ah yes....but who was to sign! Well, (and here is where the real madness starts) I could ask 200 (yes 200) celebs to A square from the quilt sign! So far so good. Well, almost. I still had to talk to the Center to see how they felt about this "great" idea. They loved it and the best of all....THEY WOULD SEND OUT THE REQUESTS FOR ME! YES! We were on a roll. That is until I found out that I would be making 224 four inch squares. I am now insane!!!!! We have well over 130 signatures (as of this writing) with more to come. So, why did I do this? I do not get a penny from this, I will have no Christmas this year as I will be working very hard on putting the 'QUILT OF HOPE' together. It has taken a year of my time so far, with another 4 months to go. So again why? I AM A GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA!!!!! This is what we do. We think of others, we help where and when and how we can. While my name will be on the quilt, I will be in the papers, in quilting mags (I hope) and maybe on English TV, this is not about me. One of my best friends over here had just found out that she has MS and I have a family member in the US that also has MS. You see I live in England and even though I am alone here, I still live up to the ideas of GSS. I have been a member of GSS since 1972 and have taken the ideas and princables of our sisterhood with me where ever I go - active duty with the US Navy, what ever state I lived in or now country. My children have been unknowingly living with our ideas to help others. The 'QUILT OF HOPE' will be raffled off sometime next fall (2009) and it is my hope that it will make lots of money for the Center. (By the way Harry Potter and Prof. Snape have been kind enough to sign! Just thought I would throw that out there!) Update: Patti has just put the quilt on the quilting frame; she can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
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Volume 3, Issue 2
An official marketing publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Winter 2009
Strongest of Bonds Video Contest You are invited to create a short video illustration of the singing of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Song, Strongest of Bonds. We are calling for a creative video which depicts the correct singing of the national song including your creativity to make the video interesting to the national membership. The primary goal of the video contest is promote the national sorority and to educate each other on the singing of the national song. Below are the guidelines and rules for submission. The contest will begin receiving submissions on January 1, 2009, 12:01am EST and end at midnight EST on March 1, 2009. Check the national website for more details!
Link Up Your Chapter/Colony Website the national website guidelines, feel free to upload them from the national website on the Forms & Pubs page. Be sure to review the list of things a chapter may and may not include, and don’t forget to add a disclaimer to your website.
As the internet continues to experience significant growth, and more web sites join its vast network, The National Board of Directors (NBD) of Gamma Sigma Sigma considers it appropriate to establish guidelines for the creation and maintenance of Gamma Sigma Sigma related web sites and pages. Members of the sorority are encouraged to expand their PR program by creating a web presence that reflects the purpose and professionalism of Gamma Sigma Sigma, while showcasing local, district and national sorority activities. The internet is an interactive and dynamic communications medium that can assist our organization in educating our membership, and the public, about us and our activities in the community. In order to link your chapter/colony website to the national website for public viewing, the national website guidelines must be met. To review a copy of
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Membership “Flashback to the 50s and 60s” By Karen Kerr, National Membership Director In the last issue, I told you to be on the lookout for a couple of our alums to share their experiences of going through their MIT/pledge process during the 1950s-1970s. In this issue, we have memories being shared with us by two alumni. I’d like to thank them both for their time, effort and friendship in sharing their memories with us. Mary Cay (Walsh) Sengstock pledged at the Iota Chapter during the 1955-1956 school year. She is a sociology professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Jan Scarbrough pledged at the Beta Sigma Chapter in 1969 at Western Kentucky University. She is a published author and lives in Louisville, KY. You can check out some of her work at her website: www.janscarbrough.com. Jan’s memories are in her own words and can be found within this issue. Mary Cay’s memories are in the interview below.
Karen Kerr
KK: Aside from the history of your respective chapter and the history of the national organization, what else did you learn during the pledge/MIT process? MCS: I remember learning the importance of service and the importance of sisterhood. We also learned about places in the community where our service was needed. And of course, getting to know the sisters and each other. KK: When, how often and at what types of locations did you meet; was there an attendance quota? MCS: I believe we met once a week. The school had a women's lounge and that's where Mary Cay Sengstock we usually met. We were expected to attend all the meetings, and most of us did. So I don't remember there being an issue of how many we attended. I do remember a couple of years after that we had a pledge who was constantly missing a lot of meetings and service projects. The members had a number of serious discussions about whether or not she should be admitted. We finally decided it would be discriminatory not to admit her. However, here again, it became a moot point, since she failed to attend the final initiation meeting also. KK: What types of activities did you engage in to learn about your respective chapter and the national organization? MCS: We had to make it a point of meeting the sisters on campus -- had to go around and find them and get them to sign our books. They could also "test" us on aspects of sorority history and structure. We also had to carry around a box of items that members could ask us for (candy, tissues, pencils, cigarettes -- remember, it was before anyone knew about smoking being bad for us). I was never sure if it was acceptable for us to do this, but we did. It did provide an opportunity to get to know the members. KK: What types of service projects did you participate in? How many service hours did you have to complete? MCS: I frankly do not remember how many hours we had to put in. We participated in the main projects of the sorority. One was running a used book exchange with Alpha Phi Omega. We had a card party and a rummage sale, and gave the proceeds to charity, and helped out at a children's home. KK: Did you have any special traditions such as a pledge class song, dance or step? MCS: I do not recall having any traditions like that. We did have to wear our badges, and I think we wore a "beanie" with GSS on it. We also had to wear sorority colors during the last week of pledging. KK: How many people were in your pledge class? Did you have a pledge class name? MCS: I don't recall the numbers either -- I think there were 10 or 12 of us that year. We had no special class name. KK: Any other memorable moments from your time as an MIT? MCS: I particularly remember feeling that the service and equality part of the pledging was very nice -- better than the extreme status consciousness of the social groups. In the next article, I hope to catch you up on memories from the 1980s-2000s. If you’d like to participate in the next article, please email me at membership@gammasigmasigma.org. 10
Membership “Diary from 1969” By: Jan Scarbrough
I pledged the Beta Sigma Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority at Western Kentucky University in the spring of 1969. As I write this, it’s almost forty years ago. FORTY YEARS? When the National Membership Director e-mailed to ask if I would answer a few questions about my pledge period, I agreed, knowing all along that my memory of that time has faded and that over the years I have touch with the sorority and my fellow Gamma Sigs. When the questions arrived I did the only thing I could do—search for something to jog my memory. I didn’t find my GSS paddle or my black pledge book, but I found another good source of information—my diary from 1969! I arrived at college in the fall of 1968—a turbulent year in our country’s history—naïve, idealistic and scared to death. I had never been away from home, but as an only child, I was eager to try my wings. I would never have known about Gamma Sigma Sigma if I hadn’t met and fallen head over heels in love with a fall Alpha Phi Omega pledge named Mike. (As an aside, we later married and then divorced ten years and two beautiful children later.) Pledging a sorority did not appeal to me, but the idea of service and belonging to an all-inclusive organization did. So I signed up for the spring pledge class. At the time, I didn’t realize how new Gamma Sigma Sigma was on campus, maybe because everything was new to me. Pledging was exciting because of its very newness. On Monday, February 24, 1969, my friends from the dorm went to a Coke party sponsored by the local Gamma Sigma chapter. I don’t remember where it was held, probably at the student center, where I think we held our meetings. I recorded “It was a lot of fun. I wore my new blue suit, and everyone thought I looked pretty good.” A word about 1969: We still wore blouses and skirts to class. (Mini skirts were just gaining popularity). I remember buying my first pair of blue jeans sometime during my freshman year. We had no computers. I typed my papers on a portable electric typewriter and used correction tape to make corrections. There were no refrigerators in the dorms, and no cell phones, iPods, e-mail, text messaging, Internet, MySpace, Facebook or websites. We communicated by the phone on the dorm room wall and by writing real letters. My first pledge meeting was Wednesday after the Coke party. “We have a lot to do! Collecting signatures, conferences, working. We got our pledge ribbons and everything. I hope I can do everything and study too.” We had to collect signatures from all the actives and we had to schedule conferences with each one to get to know them. That information we put in our “pledge book.” AND we had to call the actives “Miss.” My big sister was Miss Breeden. She was later a bride’s maid in my wedding and I in hers. I looked at the Gamma Sigma Sigma website and discovered my big sister, now Nancy Crane, was the sorority’s 1997-1998 president. On Sunday March 9, 1969, we made our first visit to a local nursing home. To this day, those visits are my most vivid memory of pledging. We sang songs to the elderly in their common area. Gamma Sigs volunteered to work at the college election tables. I believe we were involved with one of the first Special Olympics held at WKU. At another volunteer event, we served punch after a lecture by professional football player Rosey Grier, who had helped disarm Sirhan Sirhan, the man who shot Robert Kennedy. I recorded other events in my diary. My big sister gave me a white rose and a piggy bank. I don’t remember what we did with the money we saved. We learned the Greek alphabet and had to recite it. On March 18, three pledges called me and asked for my nickname. An “active” put them up to it only to embarrass me, I guess. On Saturday, March 22, we held a mixer with the guys from Alpha Phi Omega. I often spent Saturday afternoons with other Gamma Sigs, actives and pledges—in short, the sorority provided my social experiences on campus. On Thursday, April 24, 1969, I recorded “we had a pledge meeting tonight and test. I think I did all right. I ordered my pin and sweatshirt.” I didn’t record any pledge initiation ceremony, but I guess there was one. Seems to me it was held in a local campus ministry chapel. My diary is strangely empty for much of May. I guess I was studying for finals. By June 5, I was all packed for my trip home for the summer. I marvel about that time in my life. How could I cram so much into a semester—pledging, school work, church, social life, love life—and still make a 3.5 grade point average? How? I was eighteen years old! Oh, for a little of that energy back today!
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Congratulations!
Upcoming Events
• To Madonna University College for celebrating their one year anniversary as a colony of Gamma Sigma Sigma!
FEBRUARY American Heart Month www.americanheart.org
• To our new colony, Epsilon Lambda Reactivating Chapter, at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. They have 15 members.
6 National Wear Read Day (www.nhibi.nih.gov) 14 National Donor Day (www.organdonor.gov) 24-3/1 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (www.nationaleatingdisorders.org)
New Alumni! 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
MARCH Red Cross Month - www.redcross.org National MS Education and Awareness Month - www.msfocus.org National Nutrition Month- www.eatright.org Women’s History Month
For Your Information Calling all GSS alums in North Carolina! If you are interested in joining the newly formed Tarheel State Alums, a state-wide group, please contact Julie (Serine) Martinez at JRSerine21@yahoo.com
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American Diabetes Alert Day (www.diabetes.org)
The deadline for the Spring 2009 issue of Perspectives is February 28, 2008!
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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