The Triangle • Spring 2009

The

Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma

Spring 2009

Accomplishment Eta Phi Installation

Phired Up!

Success Stories

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Pratt Institute

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Racing Toward

Spring 2009 | T h e T r i a n g l e

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from the president

Let’s Talk Success Calls for Aligning Values With Actions

The e-mail came long before the event. A reunion was being planned for my chapter; a chapter that has been closed for over 20 years. My lifelong sorority experience has been with Gamma Beta chapter members and alumnae, national volunteer Sisters, current alumnae and collegiate members whom I have met along the way, and National Panhellenic Conference friends.

Yet, the very basis of friendship, character, conduct and the Sorority woman I have become began in Panhellenic Hall with Alpha Sigma Chapter Sisters at the University of Southern Mississippi.

The reunion was fabulous! It was a time to reunite with my own chapter Sisters…reminisce about old times…catch up on careers, families and friends…and marvel about the changes we’ve experienced in our lives. Now you have the opportunity to do something similar, albeit it on a more virtual level. Be sure to cruise through our newly updated Web site and join “Sigma Connect,” our very own Tri Sigma social network of Sisters.

In early November, I participated in the installation of Eta Phi Chapter at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Our initiation is an inspiration each time we add a new member to our Sisterhood. But, the awe of an installation makes the event so special to those of us privileged to welcome these new Sisters. Thanks

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Laura Ward Sweet Alpha Sigma | National President

goes to the Pratt Institute staff, students and parents for making the weekend a once-in-a-lifetime event for our new Eta Phi Sisters.

debate is complex and is worth discussing in greater depth as our society seeks answers to curb binge drinking and misuse of alcohol.

This fall, I was also invited to attend the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Summit on Sorority and Fraternity Affairs. The Summit is a time to discuss selected issues in an open and safe environment. One of the topics was The Amethyst Initiative, a project initiated by chancellors and presidents of 134 colleges and universities around the United States. These higher education leaders have made a public statement that the 21-yearold drinking age is not working and has, in fact, caused a dangerous binge drinking culture on campuses.

The Initiative does not necessarily call for policy reform, but does call for elected representatives to begin the discussion about policies affecting the welfare and safety of students and others who choose to drink under the age of 21.

Tri Sigma maintains alcohol polices that limit the serving of alcohol at our social functions, and our Sigma chapter houses are alcohol free.

The social aspect of our Sorority has never been about events and activities with alcohol. It has been about lifelong friendships who provide daily support to make our college journey easier; it is about alumnae friends who provide support to make our life journey easier. We need to be sure to emphasize these experiences when talking about why women should join our Sorority.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Uniform Drinking Age Act which would reduce highway funds to any state that did not raise the legal drinking age to 21. Statistics indicate raising the drinking age has saved lives in highway accidents. Others argue that young people who can vote, fight in wars and be held accountable as adults in other ways should be allowed to drink responsibly. The

As always, Tri Sigma is vigilant in educating our members about risk management issues. We want to ensure that our Sisters at the collegiate and alumnae level are discussing the values of Tri Sigma membership. There is an inherent congruence issue when any aspect of Sisterhood involves alcohol. We, ourselves, should engage in the conversation about aligning our values and our actions. A chapter reunion, a chapter installation and a discussion about underage consumption and binge drinking are not congruent. What is the answer?

Let’s talk.

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The

Triangle V o lu m e 9 , N u m b e r 1

Features: 4 Founders Day 6 Got Values?

8 11 Habits of Highly Effective Collegiate Chapters 11 Jan Jones Wilson Scholarship Established

Mission St atement

12 Racing Toward Accomplishment

25

14 Empowered Women

To establish among its

18 Our Collegians

members a perpetual bond of

27 Our Alumnae

friendship, to develop in them

36 Our Foundation

strong womanly character,

39 Omega Chapter

and to impress upon them high standards of conduct.

Design & Editing Innova Ideas & Services

Executive Council 2007–2010

Alumnae Editor

National President Laura Ward Sweet, Alpha Sigma

Jenell Hironimus, Beta Xi

Collegiate Editor Jackie Wise, Alpha Chi Features Editor

Hillary Ashton, Zeta Beta

Copy Editors

Katie Wadington, Epsilon Xi Jocelyn Harper, Alpha Beta

Executive Director Marcia Cutter, Beta Gamma Sigma Sigma Sigma 225 North Muhlenberg Street Woodstock, VA 22664-1424 p 540.459.4212 | f 540.459.2361 E-mail: sigma@trisigma.org www.sigmasigmasigma.org

Departments:

National Treasurer Barbara Stoe Stone, Beta Tau Alumnae Vice President Mandy Meehan Chocheles, Gamma Eta Collegiate Vice President Emily Eure Ellis, Gamma Beta Membership Development Vice President Bethany A. Deines, Beta Kappa Publications Vice President Allison Swick-Duttine, Psi National Panhellenic Conference Delegate Reatha Cole Cox, Alpha Zeta

Changes of names and addresses and death notices should be sent to National Headquarters, 225 North Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, VA 22664-1424.

Postmaster: Please send notices of undeliverable copies on Form 3579 to Sigma Sigma Sigma, 225 North Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, VA 22664-1424.

The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma is published three times a year by Sigma Sigma Sigma, 225 North Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, VA 22664-1424.

Payment of membership dues includes $2 toward the cost of The Triangle subscription.

Articles are invited for publication in this magazine.

Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor for consideration.

Acceptances are on a contributing basis only and are subject to editorial review. All copies and photos become the property of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Member of National Panhellenic Conference and Fraternity Communications Association. Š 2009 Sigma Sigma Sigma

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Remembering our Purpose 2009 Founders Day Program

By Beth Fisher, Zeta Rho

Dear Sigma Sister,

Of all my memories from my collegiate Tri Sigma experience, my favorite has to be attending the Founders Day luncheon with my mother, grandmother and aunt. No matter how you choose to commemorate it, this annual celebration is a special tradition that allows us to honor the eight women whose vision and values have allowed Sigma Sigma Sigma to transcend time. It is also an opportunity to celebrate an organizational purpose that remains relevant more than 111 years after it was created.

The Founders Day theme “Remembering Our Purpose,” written by Beth Fisher, Zeta Rho, reminds us that, although Tri Sigma’s values may be interpreted in many ways, our Sisters must always resolve to use them in congruence with our purpose of friendship, character and conduct. These core values have allowed Tri Sigma to remain steadfast through historical turmoil, uncertain economic and political times, and popular fad and fashion. Our values are simply timeless.

Allison Swick-Duttine attends Psi Chapter’s Founders Day 1995 with her grandmother, Rosaline McIntyre and her mother, Judith Swick

Wisdom. Power. Faith. Hope. Love.

What do these values mean to you?

How have they applied to your development at each stage of your life?

How have they helped you become the woman you are today?

Have they been a beacon to you in difficult times?

How would your life be different if Tri Sigma and her values were not a part of them?

What will you do this year to ensure you exemplify Tri Sigma’s values in both word and deed?

On April 20, 2009, please join Tri Sigmas across the nation in “Remembering Our Purpose.” On behalf of the entire Executive Council, I wish you a Happy Founders Day! Ever Forward,

Allison Swick-Duttine, Psi Sigma Sigma Sigma Publications Vice President

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Purpose can be defined as the following: • To propose as an aim to oneself • Something set up as an object or end to be attained • A subject under discussion or an action in course of execution • Intention • Resolution • Determination On April 20, 1898, at Longwood College, eight friends formed a bond whose values grew into what we know today as Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Their friendship, their character and their conduct were so inspiring that generations of women have chosen to follow. It is this legacy that has become and continues to be Sigma Sigma Sigma. It is the legacy of our founders, the purpose they intended 111 years ago.

As members and new members of Tri Sigma, both collegiate and alumnae, we too have a purpose in continuing the legacy of our organization. In Tri Sigma, we strive to impact the lives of one another and the communities around us. Whether you were initiated in 1959 and are celebrating your milestone 50th year as a Golden Violet or you were just initiated a few days ago, we all have a purpose in Tri Sigma.

The foundation of our organization exists in our long-standing core values of:

Wisdom Power Faith Hope Love Our everyday ritual in living these core values of our organization is what our founders intended for us. This is why we exist, this is our purpose.

As members of Tri Sigma, we continually strive for these values in our everyday lives. As testament to this,

I will now share some personal insight into what these values mean to me in the purpose of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

I invite you to think about what your response would be.

Wisdom can be defined as: • Using good sense • Wise decision making • Accumulated learning • An opinion widely held To me, wisdom is…knowing the decisions being made by our leadership are ones based in experience and knowledge that I may not possess. I know our organization is guided by the decisions made before us, as National Officers, and we take into account the national fraternal perspective in moving Tri Sigma forward. As a collegiate member and a former chapter president, for me, wisdom is about making decisions in line with the principles of friendship, character and conduct that would continue the legacy of my chapter.

Wisdom is Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Power can be defined as: • Capacity to do something • Strength • Control and influence • Authority to act To me, power is...understanding that I have the ability to act upon my purpose in Tri Sigma. I can influence others around me but I must be aware of how I utilize my influence.

As an assembly of women, we must not be caught in the power of groupthink when it impacts the future legacy of Tri Sigma in today’s world.

As individuals, we have the capacity to make an impact in our chapters and in the lives of those around us.

Power is Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Faith can be defined as: • Belief or trust • Set of beliefs • Loyalty • Trust in a higher power

To me, faith is…loyally giving back to Tri Sigma as I have gained so much from being a part of this organization. I trust that I will continue to benefit from my experiences with Tri Sigma if I continue to give back with my time as a volunteer as well as financially. I believe in Tri Sigma and how this organization impacts the lives of many women.

Faith is Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Hope can be defined as: • • • •

Confident desire Likelihood of success Wish or desire Trust

To me, hope is…my wish for our organization to continue striving to be a leader among other national fraternities and sororities. As we take a stand in areas such as hazing prevention, it is my desire for us to continue on the path on which we are moving as an organization.

Hope is Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Love can be defined as: • Strong liking to one another • Affection for another • Show of kindness to another To me, love is…many things intertwined in the purpose of Tri Sigma. It is treating others as you would want to be treated. It is a reminder of showing appreciation for what others bring to your life.

It is, ultimately, understanding that respect is earned by giving it to others. It is truly believing in the principles of Tri Sigma.

Love is Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Together, we continue to strive through our everyday actions to live out the purpose of Tri Sigma.

As we celebrate this important event in our history, let us take a moment to reflect in Remembering Our Purpose today as Sigma Sigma Sigma.

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Got Values?

By Kara Miller, Epsilon Delta In 1898, an all-woman, values-based organization was born; founded on the core values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love. Sound familiar? Of course, I’m talking about Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

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Since the founders of Tri Sigma began to meet more than a century ago, Tri Sigma’s values have helped the Sorority thrive and, moreover, to empower amazing women.

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to best live our values. When we go through recruitment and when we live our sorority life day-to-day and week-to-week, how often do we mention our values? Or, even think about our values? Would the nonGreek students on our campuses easily identify us as values-based organizations? Would the people in our places of work know we have a set of core values we live by as Sisters?

Do we sometimes think our values are a secret? They are not a secret.

Our secrets are ceremonies in the Ritual of Sigma Sigma Sigma, not the values of our organization. In fact, they are posted on our Web site. It is appropriate to tell others

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about the values of Sigma Sigma Sigma because they are something of which to be proud and share with others.

There are many ways to infuse values into our current chapter cultures and daily lives. Following are a few questions you might ask yourself and your Sisters as well as some suggestions on how to begin a values-based conversation: • Instead of recognizing a chapter member for the funny thing she did over the weekend, why not recognize the Sister who lived our values that week?

There can even be a “Caught You Living Our Values” time at weekly meetings where Sisters recognize others who have shown their commitment to our core values. Or, the recognition can be a secret so Sisters don’t know which chapter member recognized them.

Recognition can also be given at alumnae chapter meetings, acknowledging Sisters who are living the values in your community.

• During Parents Weekend, many chapters may show a nice DVD or photos of our Greek Week lip sync competition. Next time, consider making a presentation about our core values and what they mean to our chapter.

• When we are making decisions at collegiate and alumnae chapter meetings, do Sisters remind us when we are making decisions that are not in line with our values? The Founders of Sigma Sigma Sigma gave us a road map when they created our great organization. When we consider veering off course, we always have our values to center us and put us back on the right path.

• During recruitment, when we have the time to showcase the very best of our sorority, how often do we mention values?

I challenge your chapter to spend at least one evening of recruitment explaining what Sigma Sigma Sigma’s values are and how your chapter demonstrates them throughout the year.

• When we describe our organization to others in publications like our recruitment guidebook or even our chapter Triangle reports, do we talk about our values? Perhaps it’s time to start.

• We live in a day and age when we love to fill up the blank spaces on our Facebook profile or our new Sigma Connect profile. Is there room for our values on these pages? What about the Essential 10? What a powerful way to showcase the strength of our Sorority. Another reality check: Are the things we post on these public forums in alignment with our values? If not, how can we correct that?

• When we work with a current or new faculty advisor, do we let them know we are a valuesbased organization? This is a great opportunity to educate those who may not be members of the fraternity and sorority community.

• Values are also a part of the conversation when we hold our members accountable. During Honor Council, when we are addressing the behavior of

our members, stating how the situation strays from our values is an excellent opportunity for both the member being held accountable and Honor Council members. The values-based conversation is ongoing; not one we turn on or off at certain times throughout the year.

ideas. Share these with each other and make sure you create specific measurable outcomes and a timeline to achieve them.

As values-based organizations, fraternities and sororities offer college students and alumnae a more worthwhile and enriching experience than other organizations

Sigma Sigma Sigma is a strong and progressive sorority that continues to work to elevate the sorority experience for our members and for the greater fraternal world.

• Publicly displaying goals is a great way to achieve them. The same can be said for values. We all love a photo album or quilt.

Why not include our values in them? It’s an easy task to commit to hanging a plaque or poster displaying our values in the chapter meeting room, house (if applicable) or suite.

You can also display them on your bulletin board at work.

Not only will this display be a daily reminder of our values, it may spark a conversation with a co-worker about what Tri Sigma values mean.

• At your next chapter meeting, take a few minutes to complete a values assessment. Write our five core values on a piece of paper and give each member a few moments to list how our chapter has shown those values so far this semester. Share a few of the results. Then, give Sisters a few more minutes to add new

on campus. Oftentimes, we do not take advantage of the great purpose of our Sorority. It is a new year with new chapter officers, and thus, an excellent time to begin infusing our own chapters with values. In fact, the term ”values” should be used more frequently in your chapter than the terms ”meeting,” ”recruitment,” “efficiency,” ”accreditation,” “agenda” or “badge.”

Sigma Sigma Sigma is a strong and progressive sorority that continues to work to elevate the sorority experience for our members and for the greater fraternal world. Your chapter plays an important role in this movement and can certainly enhance our national organization by committing to living a valuesbased experience.

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11 Habits of Highly Effective Collegiate Chapters

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By Kara Miller, Epsilon Delta Stephen Covey taught us the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in his best-selling book. He writes that effective people, no matter their status or place in life, share a practice of seven habits. Likewise, the most effective sororities often share a few commonalities. Here are 11 practices that will help our chapters be successful.

1. S trong Relationships with their Constituents A strong chapter has strong relationships with all its constituents. For a collegiate chapter, these constituents include Alumnae Advisory Board members; campus professionals like the Fraternity/Sorority Advisor; Panhellenic Council; National Headquarters staff members like your Regional Director and our Director of Chapter Services; and national volunteers like your Collegiate Coordinator. The best way to create and maintain a strong relationship is honesty and communication. Make sure each of these constituents is informed of all current chapter

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challenges and successes. Be sure to recognize these people as resources who are willing to help. And don’t forget an often overlooked constituency group – the parents of collegiate members. Whether they form a parents’ club, receive an electronic newsletter, come to your Founders Day celebration, support your fundraiser, or become Alumna Initiates, parents have a role to play.

2. Adherence to the Essential Sigma Program A strong chapter adheres to the Essential Sigma’s eight-week program for new members.

This includes matters like letting women have letters as soon

as they receive a bid, notifying women of the initiation date in advance, not including alcohol or hazing in the new member program, and following the model for Inspiration Week.

Likewise, Essential Sigma is a total membership development program that aims to educate all our members regardless of age or time in the Sorority. To become effective, we must use all three phases of this program with our members.

3. K nowledgeable Regarding Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Alcohol Policy The chapter officers participate in the Social Event Tutorial, but a chapter that is truly effective

both understands and practices Sigma Sigma Sigma’s national policies regarding the use of drugs and alcohol. In addition to understanding these rules, the chapter understands why the rules are in place – safety and protection against liability.

An effective chapter also takes the time to educate the newest members of the organization about these policies. After all, the best way to demonstrate an understanding of material is to teach it to others.

4. P hilanthropy, Community Service, Activism & Leadership Your chapter is a part of the campus community, and your goal as a chapter on that campus is to improve your local community. Your chapter should perform community service and philanthropy each semester, if not more often. The mission of Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Foundation is Supporting the Sisterhood and the Children.

How is your chapter living up to that mission? Are you actively donating to the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation? Do you perform community service events that involve children?

Do you talk about the Foundation during recruitment and the new member period?

Leadership on campus is also a notable practice of effective organizations in general. Chapters who have members involved in other organizations on campus generally have stronger chapters.

Similarly, effective chapters allow members an opportunity for leadership within their organization. This can include chair positions, committee work and opportunities to represent the

A chapter that has members involved in other campus organizations generally maintains a stronger chapter. sorority on external campus and community committees.

5. Recruit Past Formal Recruitment We’ve all heard the notion that recruitment is 365 days a year. Do we practice what we preach or do we spend all of our efforts on that one week of Panhellenic formal recruitment?

What you do the other 358 days of the year speaks louder than recruitment week. If we do not reach total on campus, are we continually seeking new Sisters? The best recruiters are always at work. As Phired Up teaches, “People join people.”

6. F ollow the Accreditation Plan The accreditation plan is in place to make our national organization better. If you are striving to be Accredited with Honors, you are on your way to success. An effective chapter sets its goals for the year in line with the requirements of the accreditation plan. The accreditation plan is also a great tool to build leaders within your chapter. Emerging leaders in the organization can take an active role by being responsible for one piece of accreditation, e.g. co-sponsoring an educational speaker on campus with another organization.

7. Attend National Organization Programs You joined an organization that has 105 other collegiate chapters across the nation.

That’s a big family. Make sure you take advantage of programs like the regional conferences to meet new Sisters. This is a great opportunity to realize how your Sisterhood transcends your particular campus and state, and really is lifelong.

8. Efficiency Timely reporting and financial payments are necessary to be your best. Do you have an efficiency chair who is reminding your chapter members when reports are due? With the new Sigma Web site and the wide array of online tools and text messaging, it should be easy to inform each other of deadlines.

You may also provide incentives for Sisters who are timely with their reports. The manner in which your chapter communicates is indicative of its effectiveness, and a chapter that has mastered sound and solid communication with each of its members and others is more effective.

9. S isterhood Shows You can tell when people are genuinely friends. That image is attractive to others.

When we treat each other with love, respect and care, it shows what a close bond we, as Sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma, possess.

Let your bond shine! We are a values-based organization, and if we are living sorority life as it was intended, others are able to tell.

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11 Habits, Continued 10. Academics You have heard the adage, “Your first job is to be a student.” This is true. If we didn’t have colleges and universities, we wouldn’t have fraternities and sororities. Let’s remember that, though we know we learn much outside of the classroom, we still have academic priorities. When we are participating in class, turning in quality assignments, sharing our learning experiences with others and tutoring our Sisters who need a little extra help, we are giving it our all.

10. H olding Each Other Accountable Honor Council is an opportunity for our chapters to showcase their self-governing abilities. We have policies, standards and expectations of our mem-

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Tips for Effective Alumnae Chapters

1. Make yourselves known to your nearby undergraduate chapter. If there is not a local undergraduate chapter, see if you can adopt a chapter without a local alumnae group.

2. C ommunicate expectations of membership.

Provide a calendar of meetings, events and locations, as well as the financial expectations, and the expectations of elected officers.

3. S tay knowledgeable about the changes and new programming initiatives in Sigma Sigma Sigma. Many members of alumnae chapters may not have experienced Chapter Accreditation, Honor Council or the Essential Sigma program. As our organization grows and enhances itself, the most effective alumnae chapter stays abreast of these changes. Likewise, communicate your activities to the national organization so the undergraduates know what opportunities await them in the future.

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bers, and when we fall short of meeting those criteria, the best way to be a Sister is to hold our members accountable for their actions through our Honor Council. Much like your parents or an older sibling would tell you if you were behaving in a way that was not in alignment with your family’s expectations, we too, as Sisters in Sigma Sigma Sigma, must challenge our members who behave in a way that is not in alignment with our organization’s values. We recognize that college is a time for our members to grow, explore and learn who they are and who they are trying to become.

Part of that process involves caring conversations about the times when our members may choose the wrong actions.

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4. P rovide value to your community. One of the best opportunities for an effective alumnae chapter is the opportunity to serve the local community. As you learned in college, “To receive much, you must give much.”

5. V olunteer to help Sigma Sigma Sigma.

In addition to membership in the alumnae chapter, there are many opportunities to serve as advisors to our organizations, among other roles. Time permitting, fill out a volunteer interest form on our Web site.

6. Engage new members. The new Web site is a great way to connect and reach out to those Sisters in the area who are not already members of an alumnae chapter.

7. P articipate. Alumnae are an integral part of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Be active in national opportunities like Convention and Founders Day celebrations.

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Jan Jones Wilson Sigma Sigma Sigma Scholarship Established

By Jennie Smith Rottinghaus, Alpha Chi Jan Jones Wilson, Alpha Chi and Omega, was truly the ideal Sigma woman. She not only believed in Sigma’s core values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love, but she lived by them on a daily basis. In fall 2008, Wilson’s dedication to Tri Sigma was honored with the establishment of a scholarship in her name at Murray State University, Murray, KY. The university is home to Wilson’s collegiate chapter, Alpha Chi, where she served as an active collegiate member and then as Chapter Advisor, from 1993 until her death in 2006, after being diagnosed with bilateral tumors in the brain.

The Jan Jones Wilson Sigma Sigma Sigma Scholarship was funded by Dr. Bill Wilson to honor his late wife’s dedication to the Sorority she served selflessly for so many years.

Because of this scholarship, future generations of Tri Sigmas, even the ones who weren’t lucky enough to know Jan personally, will know about her and the many contributions she made to this Sorority, both locally and nationally.

“I was recently asked to make a donation to my fraternity,” said Dr. Wilson, “so I thought it was only fair to make a gift to the Sigmas, too. I’ve actually been thinking about this for a while, and it just seemed like the right time to do it. I have a feeling Jan would be pleased. She loved these ladies and wanted to assist them in any way she could. I hope this scholarship will simply carry on that tradition.”

Recipients of the Jan Jones Wilson Sigma Sigma Sigma Scholarship must be members of Alpha Chi at Murray State who are juniors, seniors or graduate students pursing a degree in the field of their choice. Recipients will be chosen by the current Chapter

person who gives love to her Sisters receives so much more in return. I know Jan would be thrilled about this scholarship, because it will help the members of the Sorority, and helping others was what she loved doing most.”

She taught members the true meaning of being a Sorority Sister.

She stressed that a person who gives love to her Sisters receives so much more in return.

President, the Chapter Advisor and a member of the Wilson family. The first award will be made in the fall of 2009. As the endowment grows, more than one recipient will be considered when making the selection.

Meg Black, Alpha Chi, joined Tri Sigma in 2005 and says she knows Jan would approve of this scholarship. “Jan was the most active woman I’ve ever known,” said Black, “but when it came to Sigma, she would stop whatever she was doing to help a Sister in need. There was hardly a week that went by that she wasn’t planning a dinner for the chapter or a retreat for new members. Since the purpose of this new scholarship is to help the members of Sigma Sigma Sigma, I know Jan would be happy about it.”

“Jan was an outstanding advisor,” said Kathy Kopperud, Alpha Chi, who stepped into the role of Chapter Advisor after Jan’s death. “She taught members the true meaning of being a Sorority Sister. She stressed that a

In April 2008, the Alpha Chi Chapter was honored as the Sigma Sigma Sigma 2008 Chapter of the Year. Kopperud says that a lot of the credit goes to Jan and the collegiates she advised.

“The members who were the leaders and officers responsible for the achievements leading to this honor are the last group of Sigmas to know Jan personally,” said Kopperud. “I truly think their hard work and dedication to win this award was, in part, to honor Jan. This award, along with the new scholarship, will ensure that Jan Jones Wilson will never be forgotten.”

If you would like to make a contribution to the Jan Jones Wilson Sigma Sigma Sigma Scholarship, please address your donation to the MSU Office of Development, 106 Development Center, Murray, KY 42071. Make checks payable to the MSU Foundation and note “Jan Wilson Scholarship” in the memo section.

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My Year as a Sigma Sigma Sigma Sister –

RacingToward Accomplishment

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By Alison Wolf, Zeta Beta Without the support and love from my husband, family and Tri Sigma Sisters, I wouldn’t have found the confidence it took to believe in myself.

Twenty-three miles in running shoes, 6,000 yards in the water and 80 miles in the saddle; during most of 2008, this was a typical week for me. My friends and family thought I was crazy, but shortly before my 30th birthday, I decided I was going to finish a half iron-distance triathlon.

Only about one million people across the U.S. participate in this sport each year, and I wanted to be one of them. I was inspired after volunteering for a couple of years at a local charity race.

As I watched the athletes cross the finish line, I couldn’t help but be envious of their victory.

Their bodies had been abused for hours and many of them could barely speak or walk after

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the agony, but the bright smiles on their faces said it all.

The day of the event in 2007, I vowed to myself that I was going to finish the race next year. The event would consist of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a half marathon run (13.1 miles).

This was one of the most aggressive feats on which I had ever set my sights. Committing to it meant devoting a minimum of 20 hours a week to training.

I wasn’t completely new to the world of multisport, as I had participated in a few short-distance races in the past, but this was a whole new game. Traditionally, the majority of iron-distance competitors are in their 40s and 50s because of the level of maturity it takes to be disciplined at such a high level.

Knowing this statistic was intimidating, and my biggest challenge would be to keep my focus, which would be crucial for an event of this level.

To keep my drive, I committed to competing in at least one type of athletic race each weekend.

This is what I refer to as “forced training.” My theory is that once I sign up and pay for an event, I am not going to back out of it.

Lucky for me, the triathlon was at the end of the season. That meant a summer full of early mornings and large crowds.

In total, I finished more than 30 events in four months, including four duathlons (running and biking), six short-distance triathlons and six bike tours.

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After pushing my body and my mind for several weeks, the day of the triathlon finally arrived.

The weather was perfect; no wind, a few small clouds and a bright sun. After making sure all my gear was in order, I dressed in my wetsuit and waited for the gun to give us the signal.

The gun went off and into the water I went. There was no turning back. I emerged 50 minutes later, stripped off the wetsuit and hopped onto the bike for a three-and-a-half-hour ride. I finished the ride, dismounted, changed my shoes and headed out for the last leg, a half marathon.

A little over seven hours after my morning began, I crossed the finish line. Oddly, the only mile I really remember is the very last one. Before the race, a friend told me to think of it as my parade.

To think about all the time and energy I had put into this effort and take the time to celebrate my accomplishment. This was my parade, my time to shine and my moment to be proud.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe I was able to achieve this feat. When I first saw the athletes as a volunteer, I was amazed by their devotion. After achieving it for myself, I can truly say it is all about believing. I have never been the star athlete or one to hire a trainer to show me how to do it. I simply set my mind on a goal, work hard, and try my best.

Without the support and love from my husband, family and Tri Sigma Sisters, I wouldn’t have found the confidence it took to believe in myself.

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empowered women

From Chapter Officer to VP for Fannie Mae

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In today’s economy, the media focus on foreclosures and bankruptcies is intense. As the Vice President of Real Estate Owned for Fannie Mae, Gabrielle Bowser Harrison, Delta Chi, oversees the marketing of homes acquired through foreclosures. While her main objective is to dispose of the properties, she works closely with local Realtors to prepare homes. Fannie Mae believes in maintaining communities.

Even struggling with the increased volume of homes, the agency does its best to repair homes to maintain local real estate properties.

When Harrison started at Fannie Mae in 1995, she intended to continue her education in law school. However, her career has proved rewarding, and she continues to welcome each challenge it brings her, including relocating from Philadelphia to Dallas. Today, Harrison oversees a staff of more than 100 people. She travels twice a month to meet with local Realtors, speak at industry conferences or oversee satellite offices.

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As a chapter Vice President, she worked with a diverse group of women to create a Sisterhood.

Her involvement then influences her profession today as she strives to inspire her work team during difficult times. For instance, you might just find Harrison hosting a ’60s-themed lounge party to boost spirits in the office.

Harrison’s involvement as Chapter Vice President influences her profession today as she strives to inspire her work team during difficult times.

Harrison credits her time at the University of Virginia, as a member of the swim team and as chapter Vice President of Tri Sigma for helping her develop into the empowered woman she is today.

Through both experiences, she learned the value of working as a team as well as an individual.

Harrison also says being an athlete helped her develop the important ability to face failures as they arise. She says she learned lessons from both good coaches and bad coaches; but most importantly, her coaches taught her to seek advice from others when necessary. Consequently, today she attributes much of her success to the great people with whom she has worked.

Harrison admits that not everything in her career has been easy. But, by drawing on the lessons she learned as an athlete and through her involvement in Tri Sigma, she has found success.

Helping Others is Both a Profession and a Passion

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For Michele Owen, Kappa, helping others communicate is both a profession and a passion.

primarily with women as an adult tutor. “How can one navigate life or work, or communicate without being able to read?” she says.

Owen says she is proud to work for Odicom, a world leader in research into hearing aids. The company was the first to develop a digital hearing device. It has since developed Bluetooth devices to help students who need classroom amplification.

When asked to reflect on what her experiences as a Tri Sigma provided her, Owen answers, “My failures probably shaped me most.” As the President of Kappa during recolonization in 1991, she learned that being a leader was not about knowing it all. She realized that she should have asked for more support.

The company’s commitment to helping others strengthens Owen’s pride to work with Odicom. It sponsors a pediatric loaner bank, which provides children three and younger with hearing devices to use while they wait for state or insurance funding. Because Odicom is primarily owned by a charitable foundation, considerable portions of its funds go back to helping others. Since Owen has worked with Odicom, it has also supported Habitat for Humanity, and breast cancer research with the sale of pink devices.

However, she is passionate about selling something that positively impacts the quality of life for others.

As she explains, “Communication is already so hard. If you throw hearing loss into the mix, it makes relationships that much harder.”

As a traveling sales representative, Owen covers the Midwest region.

She serves hospitals, medical centers and private audiology clinics. She admits it can be challenging because she is not working a 9-to-5 job.

Even in her spare time as a volunteer, Owen is committed to helping others communicate.

She recently began volunteering for Indy Read, an adult literacy program. She hopes to work

As a member of the Indianapolis Suburban Chapter, she has had many opportunities to continue her lifetime of experiences and friendships. Last year, she ran the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure with the “Sassy Sigmas.” Chapter members have also hosted garage sales to benefit a local women’s shelter.

As the President of Kappa chapter during recolonization in 1991, Owen learned that being a leader was not about knowing it all.

In addition to physical fitness and reading, she says that making her friends feel special is a passion.

The process of recolonization was a big job, she points out, adding that Sisters often forgot to have fun with one another. In learning from that mistake, she now focuses on connecting with her friends.

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our collegians

Pratt Institute: Eta Phi Chapter Installed Sigmas from around the country recently gathered for the installation of the Eta Phi Chapter at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. During the past year, the colony met its installation goals and formed the foundation for a strong chapter.

November 15, 2008, marked the chapter’s official installation.

The installation weekend began Friday night with the traditional pre-initiation meeting. Twentyeight collegiate members and two alumnae members were initiated Friday night and Saturday, concluding with the initiation of Annie Ericsson, Honor Initiate. The chapter held its first Ceremonial Business Meeting, which included the election of chapter officers.

The afternoon concluded with the installation of the newly elected chapter officers and AAB.

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The celebration continued with a reception and banquet held in the Higgins Hall Art Gallery on the Pratt campus. As guests entered the gallery, they viewed a beautiful display of portraits of the new initiates and a slide show highlighting the various colony activities.

The evening culminated in a banquet attended by nearly 200 guests.

University guests included Greek Advisor, Cody Winchester; Emma Legge, Director of Student Activities and Orientation; and Sarah Waters, Theta Phi Alpha

President. Colony Director Brenda Osterman Ray, Alpha Psi, served as toastmistress for the evening, which included a roll call of Sigmas from 12 chapters around the country.

National President Laura Ward Sweet, Alpha Sigma, spoke on behalf of Executive Council and presented Colony and Chapter President Annie Ericsson with the charter. Ericsson was then pleased to present the Eta Phi doll, which will become a part of the archives at Walton House.

The doll is dressed in attire

reflective of the unique campus culture and carries everything an art school sorority woman would need.

Kate Gaston, Alpha Chi and Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation GOLD Development Officer, and Sherry Sutton Curtiss, Epsilon Nu and New Chapter Coordinator, read a selection of the many greetings from collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters and individuals. Special readings were also given by Linda Henderson, Delta Psi and College Panhellenic Director; Emily Scoffield, Past Colony President and Installation Co-Chairman; and Annie Ericsson.

Emma Legge brought greetings from Pratt Institute, highlighting the history of the colony as a local sorority and the colony’s many contributions to the campus community.

Gaston, on behalf of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation, presented Legge with a donation to the institute library in honor of the installation.

Other presentations included the traditional beautiful punch bowl set from the national organization, a donation to the Foundation, a beautiful crystal sailboat and a lovely gift from the Eta Lambda chapter.

The weekend concluded with a special ritual study and inspiration on Sunday morning led

by Sherry Curtiss and Linda Henderson.

The installation team included National President, Laura Ward Sweet; Colony Director, Brenda Ray; College Panhellenic Director, Linda Henderson; New Chapter Coordinator, Sherry Curtiss; Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation GOLD Development Officer, Kate Gaston; Leadership Consultant, Emily McDonough; Chapter Advisor and Zeta Rho, Melissa Benjamin; Membership Recruitment Advisor and Alpha Mu, Cristina Pumilia; Financial Advisor and Delta Delta, Julie Wald. Tri Sigma was also very fortunate to have Patti Eck, Marisa Gurnari, Kari Jackson, Mary Kate Kelly, and Mega Re from the Eta Lambda Chapter at Moravian University serve as members of the installation team. The team also included New York City Alumnae members Sara Aschenbrenner, Beta Pi; Megan Brown, Delta Omicron; and Kathleen Ketchum, Delta Omicron.

Sigma Sigma Sigmas Attend UIFI

By Kaye Schendel, Gamma Psi

Five Sigma Sigma Sigma undergraduates took a week out of their summer to attend the North American Interfraternity Conference Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute. Their goal: To strengthen their courage, character and their commitment to being chapter leaders.

The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation provided funding for the following collegiate women to attend UIFI: Elizabeth Armstrong, Delta Theta; Angela Amick, Eta Beta; Jennifer Florio, Zeta Psi; Sheska Ocasio, Zeta Epsilon; and Desiree Paulhamus, Alpha Omicron.

A majority of the 11 week-long sessions are hosted on the Indiana University campus. Participants live in a chapter house for the week and explore, define and enhance their leadership skills. UIFI is a program designed to help fraternity and sorority leaders transform their communities through values-based action. The program takes a principle-centered approach to creating change within a fraternity/ sorority community. It helps participants identify the timeless principles through which they can define themselves individually and organizationally. UIFI then helps participants recognize how they can act out these principles by honing important life skills in areas such as leadership, group dynamics, service, and organizational change and development.

UIFI offers individuals the opportunity to participate in an intensive, interactive and energizing leadership experience. A week at UIFI allows participants to facilitate change in their chapters and in their Greek systems, with considerable focus on the positive aspects of being Greek as well as discussion about issues that threaten our future.

“It is really hard to put into words just what I got out of UIFI,” said Elizabeth Armstrong, Delta Theta chapter and a 2008 UIFI Graduate.

“My UIFI experience has changed the way I look at accomplishing my goals. UIFI is important for any member who wants to involve others in making a better Greek community and a better chapter.”

Desiree Paulhamus, Alpha Omicron, agrees that UIFI was a positive experience. She stated that the exposure to other Greeks around the nation and the opportunity to exchange ideas was probably the most beneficial aspect of UIFI. “It inspired me to come back to my campus and improve and change not only my chapter, but the Greek community as well.” Desiree added that she enjoyed the experience so much, she is applying for one of the NIC’s internship positions for summer 2009.

Are you an undergraduate woman interested in UIFI? More information can be found at www.nicindy.org. Also, watch for Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation scholarship information this spring, or contact Kaye Schendel at schendel.kaye@uwlax.edu.

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Chapters See Success Through Phired Up Recruitment Training For this issue of The Triangle, we asked chapters to let us know how the Phired Up recruitment training has helped them improve the recruitment experience. Responses varied among our chapters; below are a few insights we felt stood out as examples of recruitment success. seven standards of Sigma. This effort showed who the women of Lambda truly are and changed the conversations from years past into something new and exciting. They purposely avoided flooding potential new members with information that is hard to understand and remember during a hectic recruitment week, and instead centered conversations on a personal level.

Lambda chapter celebrates a successful recruitment with their new members on Bid Day.

Lambda – Indiana University of Pennsylvania Lambda Chapter discovered that through the hard work and determination of only 10 outstanding women, dreams and goals can come true. During the recruitment process, Lambda focused on the unique Sisterhood bond all Sigmas have with the potential new members. In addition, chapter members focused more on personal conversations and implementing the

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This strategy paid off in a big way for Lambda. The chapter now has the largest new member class on campus, with 20 new Sigma Sigma Sigma Sisters. Members also found their Leadership Consultants and National Headquarters to be a huge help during the recruitment process, as they were behind the chapter every step of the way!

Alpha Xi – University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Alpha Xi found several new ways to maximize its recruitment skills this year, and it paid off as the chapter ended the week with a feeling of success. The kickoff was a fall recruitment retreat where members began discussing a new

approach to recruitment. As a chapter, they talked extensively about how to sell Sigma to potential new members. The conversation led to a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the chapter, which were then used as building blocks to find the recruitment techniques that would work best for them.

Their largest strengths were Sisterhood and diversity, which then became the focus for recruitment.

Alpha Xi found that by putting their Sisterhood at the forefront of recruitment and using the diversity of the women in their chapter they were able to appeal to a broader group of potential new members.

They recruited women by showing they have a strong bond of Sisterhood between them, and their effort was a success.

Gamma Psi – Morehead State University Gamma Psi decided to try a different technique this year by working in small groups. This method has proved to be both fun for the chapter and efficient in recruiting women. This strategy

has improved the chapter’s recruiting, as members have been able to hold several activities at once to be able to accommodate the interests and schedules of all of the potential new members.

Implementing this change has already proven successful as the list of new Sisters continues to grow.

The chapter is thrilled with the results, which have re-energized Gamma Psi. They plan to continue ever forward with this plan and continue to recruit quality women.

Delta Delta – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Having a successful recruitment is a goal for all Tri Sigma chapters, and the Sisters of Delta Delta are no different. Using the training program from Phired Up, the chapter concentrated on the idea that people don’t join organizations…people join people. Sisters wanted to sharpen their communication skills and to do so, they implemented workshops where they could work on conversation skills with unfamiliar people.

Other workshops to aid in communication skills included a featuresversus-benefits exercise. In this task, Sisters filled out lists of features verses benefits of their chapter and personal stories to complement them. This workshop was designed to keep the benefits of membership in Sigma Sigma Sigma top of mind.

Through this effort, Sisters found it easier to discuss the most important aspects of Tri Sigma to potential new members.

By working on just the conversation aspect of recruitment, Delta Delta was able to improve its ability to get to know potential new members, and also sell Tri Sigma by letting the potential new members become better acquainted with Sisters.

Delta Psi – St. Joseph’s University As soon as the school year began, so did Delta Psi’s preparation for recruitment. First and foremost, the chapter wanted to increase its recognition on campus so it could become more visible to potential new members. Sisters were encouraged to wear their Sigma letters to class, club meetings and other campus events. Inside the chapter, advisors and Executive Board members worked together to create workshops to help Sisters learn about and generate excitement for recruitment. They hosted their “Chapter Skills Series,” which enhanced each Sister’s understanding of the mission and values of Sigma Sigma Sigma and created pride among the chapter. These workshops and the outcome they created within the chapter helped Delta Psi kick off a successful recruitment.

a good time and meeting new people. Delta Pi Sisters felt they made new friends and also made connections with women they may not have met otherwise.

Epsilon Mu – Rowan University Increasing recognition on campus was one of the primary goals of the Epsilon Mu chapter for fall recruitment. Sisters participated in campus events and service, including “Alex’s Lemonade Stand.” Sisters donned their Tri Sigma letters and served lemonade on the student center patio throughout the day. Epsilon Mu also implemented dress attire for each day leading up to recruitment. Each day, Sisters are asked to wear a letter shirt, carry a Sigma bag or other letter item.

Delta Pi – Winthrop University The Panhellenic Council at Winthrop University changed to a deferred recruitment this year so freshmen could settle into college life before joining a sorority.

Delta Pi seized this opportunity by reaching out to the freshman class and getting to know the newest women on campus.

Sisters decided to host a “Welcome Back to School” barbecue at their house. Invitees were given packages of ramen noodles with attached notes inviting them to “Come to our Back-to-School Barbecue on August 31st at the Sigma House at 7:30 pm.” Freshmen through seniors were invited, and Delta Pi felt the event was successful.

The chapter made sure the barbecue was not a recruitment event and did not want the night to revolve around joining Tri Sigma. Instead, Sisters made sure people were having

To increase campus recognition, Epsilon Mu participates in service projects and creates numerous letter days.

The chapter also participated in the Inter Greek Council “Go Greek Fair” the week prior to recruitment.

Sisters staffed a table where potential new members were able to ask questions about the sorority. Sisters also used the fair for philanthropy, as potential new members and Sisters were able to create bracelets which were donated to the Pediatric Ward of Cooper’s Hospital in Camden, NJ. As their chapter recognition grew, Epsilon Mu also strengthened its recruitment skills. During its

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Chapters See Success, Continued summer retreat, Sisters held workshops where they decided on a theme together and held mock recruitment rounds. Officers played the role of potential new members and asked questions of Sisters to refresh everyone’s memory for upcoming recruitment.

Epsilon Tau – Saint Leo University Phired Up gave Epsilon Tau just the edge members were looking for and assisted them with generating big plans for recruitment. They started to see the campus as 70 percent “maybe joiners” and wanted to plan recruitment parties with a friendship-type atmosphere. They worked together to improve their ideas from years past and to comply with the changing times as well as the Phired Up initiative. Their public relations chair stepped up by planning events for the chapter with the goal of helping Sisters get out and get to know the women on campus.

In the past, Epsilon Tau’s recruitment parties were informational with some type of activity. Now, the chapter is planning more intimate parties where members can see potential new members as friends first. They want to offer women a chance to get to know Epsilon Tau Sisters without the uncomfortable feeling of walking into a room full of strangers who want to know everything about them. The chapter is planning smaller parties where it can offer activities that friends would normally do together, while spreading the name of Tri Sigma.

Hanna’s potential, the administrators of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington needed to make a decision. Hanna, although slow-moving at first, was increasing in speed and power. Taking all measures of precaution, the school announced a voluntary evacuation, just days before recruitment.

Excitement about recruitment disappeared as it would be postponed for three weeks because of the absence of potential new members. “It has been stressful to push dates back for everything planned this semester,” chapter President Anna Todaro said. “It was the earliest that Panhellenic was able to get enough reservations on campus to hold recruitment.”

Even with the stress and frustration the new schedule brought, Epsilon Phi never lost heart. Instead, the Sisters added extra practices to stay prepared and focused. “Because of Hanna we have had to reschedule almost our entire semester, but it has been a fairly smooth transition because of the cooperation from all members,” chapter Vice President Heidi Germain said.

“We have all served as a support group through this stressful time and expect to have a wonderful recruitment, and get a lot of great girls.”

With hopes of a bright and successful recruitment, Sisters of Epsilon Phi account for time lost by moving “ever forward.”

Epsilon Chi – Northeastern University

Epsilon Phi – University of North Carolina at Wilmington As Tropical Storm Hanna gathered herself around the city’s coastline, Epsilon Phi Sisters gathered around their computers, awaiting the worst. Informed of

Epsilon Chi uses an information night as a way to get to know potential new members.

After a successful spring 2008 recruitment, Epsilon Phi has its fall 2008 recruitment postponed because of Tropical Storm Hanna.

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The recruitment team for Epsilon Chi began work in January 2008 to prepare for the chapter’s formal recruitment. First, Epsilon Chi held monthly workshops with the Sisters to help with preparation.

Recruitment groups were encouraged to meet

throughout the summer to build cohesiveness and Sisterhood within each group. In addition, the chapter set up a “Recruiter of the Day” program, and sent e-mails to encourage Sisters to share their potential new member stories and experiences. With these creative ideas, Epsilon Chi held a successful recruitment and greeted new members who will surely be a positive addition to our national organization.

Zeta Epsilon – Florida International University Zeta Epsilon’s recruitment retreat focused on the training from Phired Up, and with the help from their recruitment advisor, members were able to begin planning and training.

New members from Zeta Epsilon celebrate on Bid Day.

The effort began with a lesson about features and benefits.

Sisters learned that some of the features of Tri Sigma included Sisterhood, philanthropy, campus involvement and education. They also learned the benefits are what sets them apart from other organizations. As most groups have similar features and benefits, it was important to them to communicate their own personal statements, to make Zeta Epsilon special and unique to potential new members. To empower Sisters to do this, individual members stood up and stated features and benefits of being a Sister of Tri Sigma, and presented a personal story on how that feature helped her.

rated the chapter in different areas, such as values, communication, participation and leadership. Afterward, chapter members discussed collectively how they can improve on those areas that were poorly rated and how they can maintain their standards for the new members.

Zeta Psi – The College of New Jersey Advisors from Zeta Psi were able to gain a glimpse into the life of a potential new member through the Phired Up training program. Their insight brought about a different way to look at recruitment and the ways in which a potential new member may feel overwhelmed during the recruitment process. Advisors were able to see examples of typical recruitment strategies and how many of them hinder the recruitment process. From this effort, Zeta Psi realized that first impressions count.

Phired Up also helped the chapter focus on first becoming friends with potential new members, rather than introducing the sorority right away. Developing a relationship first allows the potential new member to learn more about the sorority and, at the same time, allows the Sisters to recognize if the potential new member is right for Sigma Sigma Sigma. To aid in this approach, each Sister established a goal of making at least one friend and having her come to recruitment rounds to learn what Tri Sigma is all about.

With these new-found ideas, Zeta Psi realized success in recruitment. Their themes also received positive reviews, which featured “Sigma and the City” and “What About the Purple Ones,” which featured purple and white M&Ms. Its success in the fall semester already has the chapter excited about spring recruitment. Members have decided on themes, including a Monopoly day, “Take a Chance on Sigma” and a winter wonderland day.

Zeta Psi is following a similar plan it undertook in the fall, by making friends first, then finding Sisters.

Zeta Pi – Virginia Wesleyan College Zeta Pi is already a standout chapter on the Virginia Wesleyan campus, as it was recently named the Greek Chapter of the Year and received several other recognitions of Sisters as well. Even with its current success, it was still able to profit from the Phired Up training.

After learning the features and benefits of Tri Sigma, Zeta Epsilon Sisters are excited to start recruitment.

Zeta Epsilon’s President, Sheska Ocasio, also led an exercise with the chapter that she learned at the Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute (UIFI). Members

Using information from Phired Up, the chapter has been working to change the stereotypes of Greek life on campus. “The Top 10 Reasons Women Don’t Join Sororities” gave members inspiration for this mission as well as reaching out to women who would normally avoid joining a sorority. In addition, they have been Spring 2009 | T h e T r i a n g l e

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Chapters See Success, Continued working to improve their communication skills so they can improve their interaction with all women on campus.

The new ideas and training have given Zeta Pi a renewed excitement about recruitment and a greater anticipation for the newest members of Sigma Sigma Sigma. They are confident these new techniques will attract strong and committed women into their chapter.

Sister to get to know three to four women each night.

Ultimately, they wanted Sisters to have a deeper level of connection with potential new members.

During the week, Eta Beta ended each night trying to generate excitement and enthusiasm within the chapter with loud cheers and hugs. As the week ended, members’ efforts paid off and they welcomed 10 new Sisters, making them 35-strong.

Eta Xi – Ursinus College

After receiving many campus awards, Zeta Pi concentrates its recruitment efforts on changing stereotypes of Greek Life.

Eta Beta – Newberry College This year, Eta Beta decided to focus on quality over quantity. Being a Sisterhood of 25 members, they wanted to recruit women who would brighten the chapter’s assets and intensify their sense of community.

To accomplish this task, Sisters undertook intense recruitment training in the week before recruitment, focusing on their Sisterhood and group cooperation.

Using each Sister’s personal experiences, Eta Beta improves on the recruitment experience for potential new members.

Other ways Eta Beta ensured recruitment success was to look at past recruitments and each Sister’s individual experience. They spoke to each other on how they felt during their recruitment experience and what each would have changed about the experience. Through this process, they decided that communication with the potential new members was key and wanted each

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During recruitment, potential new members are introduced to the Sisterhood of many Greek organizations.

Eta Xi chapter decided the best way to recruit was to strengthen its Sisterhood. Aside from the normal recruitment workshops, Eta Xi also encouraged members to get to know each other more personally and find out why each joined Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Through this exercise, the Sisters were able to communicate their Sisterhood more effectively to potential new members and attract dynamic new Sigma Sisters. They have learned that the small things, like helping each other study for exams and supporting one another at sporting events, can help them grow their chapter. Not only did this technique help them double their chapter size last semester, but it also strengthened their chapter’s Sisterhood.

In addition to introducing Tri Sigma to new members, recruitment also brings the Sisters of Eta Xi much closer.

Web & Photo Submission Guidelines The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma is published three times per year.

Information from collegiate and alumnae chapters, as well as from individual members, is accepted for possible inclusion in the magazine.

To submit information, please send the following information to Triangle@sigmasigmasigma.org:

• Submit the file in Microsoft Word or another universal word processing program.

• Your Name, Phone Number and E-mail Address;

• When writing, follow the Sigma Sigma Sigma brand guidelines for copy tone and word usage posted in the Sigma Connect section of www.sigmasigmasigma.org.

• The Collegiate or Alumnae Chapter for which you are submitting information; • A publication-ready description of the news story that you would like to see printed in the magazine (including who, what, where, when, why and how); • Any applicable photos sent as jpeg files of 300 dpi or higher with identification of first, maiden, married name and collegiate and alumnae chapter of everyone in the photo. (See Photo Submission Guidelines for more information.)

Deadlines Summer Issue........................March 25 Fall Issue................................July 23 Spring Issue...........................October 15

Publication Guidelines To increase your chances of being published in the magazine, please follow these tips: • Collegiate and alumnae news should contain specific information relevant to the topic identified for each deadline. We are looking for newsworthy topics and events to highlight as feature and sidebar articles.

• Suggestions for “Significant Sigmas” and other feature articles will be accepted and forwarded to the Features Editor. If the individual or topic is selected, a writer will be assigned to the story.

• Spell check the document before submission.

• Name the file in a meaningful/identifiable way. For instance, do not simply title the file “July 09 Triangle Article” as several articles may be submitted using the same title; instead, make the title as intuitive as possible, i.e., “Alumnae News_Chapter Name.”

Please note: your submission will be reviewed by content editor(s) and may be changed to adhere to Tri Sigma brand/style; or to provide greater clarity/interest. By submitting an article, you agree to have it edited without your review.

All requested information must be included.

Photo Submission Guidelines • Digital photos should be shot at 300 dpi or higher and submitted as a High Quality JPEG file attachment.

• Photos of three to five Sisters are best. Five or less in a photo will need full identification (first, maiden, last names) and collegiate and alumnae chapter.

• Action photos are preferred to staged, group photos.

• Photos with “Sigma fingers” will not be printed.

• Submit photos that showcase an activity in which your chapter participates, not just a random group shot.

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In Their Own Words…

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A Phired Up Success Story!

Alumnae Advisor Perspective

By Ashley Taylor | Alpha Chi Membership Recruitment Advisor

After attending the Phired Up for Recruitment seminar held in Indianapolis, I was truly excited about recruitment and couldn’t wait to share the information and concepts with my chapter. The No. 1 point we stressed was to look outside the box. We emphasized that women who are joining a sorority do not know what recruitment, philanthropy, Sisterhood, Greek Week, big/little and other details are. So, instead of saying, “We love our philanthropy, it is great! Our Sisterhood is one of a kind,” we stressed describing and explaining the personal feelings, or what Phired Up calls the benefits of joining Tri Sigma.

We had the current members compile a list of what women get from joining Tri Sigma; to remind each of us why we joined Tri Sigma and what makes Tri Sigma different from the other 100+ student organizations on campus.

We heard words like character, love, honor, compassion, respect, friends, lifelong, admiration and generosity. Instead of merely saying “Sisterhood,” we compiled a whole new vocabulary to explain what Sisterhood actually looks and feels like. This exercise seemed to really open up conversations and new ideas for discussion for the

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women. They also looked to each of these words to help them choose potential new members who they would invite back to the next party. They found themselves looking for qualities in the women they were recruiting instead of selling Sigma to strangers.

We have also implemented 24/7 recruitment. We invite women we know on more group outings at this point. I have had several members tell me they include roommates and friends from other areas now that they know they should. The chapter as a whole has had several open Sisterhood events like Christmas caroling and ball games. I am beginning to see new faces of young women whom I hope to see go through recruitment in the fall.

The most successful Phired Up concept I used with the chapter is that people join people much more than they join a sorority. Our members realized they joined Tri Sigma because they connected with a current member and she made them feel at home. Once we began to see that people join people, our whole attitude about recruitment changed. One woman, a senior member, told me that it finally made sense, that it was so

basic but that she never put it into the perspective of the potential new member.

I believe we were successful because we used these Phired Up concepts in a way to show and remind the members of Alpha Chi why they joined Tri Sigma. Once they all realized they had joined for common reasons, most of which were a connection to someone, they realized it is not Tri Sigma they need to educate the women about but themselves and who they are. They realized that to make potential new members feel comfortable, they cannot make them feel awkward. I also feel this has been such a huge success in our chapter because our officers were willing to openly accept the change of ideas about recruitment.

They then encouraged and inspired the chapter to look at things positively and this made a successful smooth transition.

Note: For additional information on the Phired Up for Recruitment model, review the resources on the Web site by going to the Webinar Training and Tools link in the Sigma Connect Collegiate Resource Center.

There are two webinars about the concepts and how to implement them in your chapter.

A

Collegian Perspective

By Leigh Anne Buttrick | Alpha Chi Recruitment Director

Alpha Chi first heard about Phired Up and its 8 Steps to Limitless Possibility less than two weeks before fall formal recruitment.

Our Membership Recruitment Advisor, Ashley Taylor, attended the Phired Up for Recruitment seminar in Indianapolis the first weekend in August.

Over the summer, I had many discussions with Kathy Kopperud (our Chapter Advisor and also an Alpha Chi) and Ashley Taylor about recruitment, specifically that our decorations were not going to be the main focus of recruitment.

The conference reinforced that idea. Typically, Alpha Chi spent the entire work week for recruitment working on posters and decorations.

This year, we changed our concept of a “work week.” I instituted three days, that were not mandatory, working on decorations; then the mandatory part of work week focused on the more important part of recruitment.

So, what do I mean by the “more important part” of recruitment?

The secret to recruitment is being able to communicate what Tri Sigma offers to potential new

members. How did we do that?

We first explained that this year the work week was going to be different. We started with an activity that Ashley participated in at the Phired Up conference. You take three pieces of paper, and on the first sheet you write down all of the things your university provides to you as a college student. On the second sheet of paper, you write down all of the things that being Greek provides to you as a student; however, you can’t repeat any items you already used on your first sheet. On the third sheet of paper, you write down all the things that Tri Sigma provides to you as a student, again not using any of the words you have previously used. We used this activity as a model for the types of information we wanted to know about the potential new members and as a way to formulate questions and think about our conversations with potential new members. Putting the extra effort into the formulation of questions and having goals about the information we wanted to know about EVERY potential new member led to a much-needed change in our chapter. Our recruit-

ment rotation groups each had a list of specific qualities they wanted to know about each potential new member.

Overall, this recruitment felt like a dream. Every Tri Sigma had so much confidence in herself and what Tri Sigma stands for! It was such a good experience to have a successful recruitment and to realize that measures like having the “best looking poster” do not matter, but the quality of questions and actually trying to get to know the potential new members do.

After our amazingly successful fall recruitment, we are now the largest sorority on campus and do not have to participate in COR. So we have already begun focusing on next year’s recruitment by getting to know the women who decided not to go through recruitment their first semester. We recently had a Christmas Open House, where we decorated Christmas cookies and went caroling at some houses of alumnae who live in the area. Phired Up calls this some “normal friend activities.”

Try implementing some of these ideas in your chapter. It sure worked for us!

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Anniversaries Collegiate

Alumnae

80th – 1929 Alpha Theta, Radford University Alpha Iota, Northeastern State University

90th – 1919 Greater Cleveland, OH

70th – 1939 Alpha Upsilon, James Madison University 65th – 1944 Beta Alpha, Northern Illinois University 60th – 1949 Beta Theta, University of Pittsburgh 55th – 1954 Beta Upsilon, Penn State University 45th – 1964 Gamma Mu, Southeastern Louisiana University 40th – 1969 Gamma Phi, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Gamma Psi, Morehead State University 35th – 1974 Delta Theta, University of North Carolina at Pembroke 30th – 1979 Delta Omicron, Gettysburg College Delta Pi, Winthrop University 25th – 1984 Epsilon Alpha, California State University East Bay Epsilon Beta, University of Arkansas at Monticello 20th – 1989 Epsilon Nu, The University of North Carolina

at Greensboro Epsilon Omicron, Illinois State University 15th – 1994 Zeta Rho, Armstrong Atlantic State University 10th – 1999 Eta Iota, Defiance College

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75th – 1934 Lafayette, LA 70th – 1939 Colorado Springs, CO Topeka, KS Houston, TX 65th – 1944 San Diego, CA 60th – 1949 Long Beach, CA Indianapolis Suburban, IN Grand Rapids, MI Greater Cincinnati, OH San Antonio, TX 55th – 1954 Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE Northern Virginia Seattle, WA 50th – 1969 Tallahassee, FL Atlanta, GA 45th – 1964 Chicago NW Suburban, IL Chicago SW Suburban, IL 20th – 1989 Jersey Shore, NJ 15th – 1994 Anchorage, AK

B

our alumnae

Betty Price Honored

by Oklahoma City Metro Alumnae

By Linda Fields, President,Oklahoma City Metro Alumnae Chapter Betty Price, (AI ’50), who served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council from 1983 to 2007, was honored by Oklahoma City Metro Alumnae along with members of the Edmond Alumnae Chapter in September. Members joined together for a special dinner and program highlighting Betty’s impressive career—from collegiate life to her retirement from the Oklahoma Arts Council. Betty was presented with a proclamation of appreciation for her advancement of the arts within Oklahoma and for representing the ideals of Sigma Sigma Sigma. A Walton House Commemorative Brick was donated in her honor.

Betty began her career teaching high school music. She was asked to be a part of the Oklahoma Arts Council in 1974, and in 1983 became the Executive Director. Betty has been a guiding force in the commissioning and dedication of public art at the Oklahoma State Capitol. She has 20 murals, portraits and sculptures in the public areas of the Capitol and was an advisor for the Capitol dome.

Betty has served on the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, American Indian Cultural Center, Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, the National Board of Artrain USA, and Red Earth, an Oklahoma Native American Arts Festival. She previously served as a member of the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee, Friends of the Mansion, and Friends of the Oklahoma Capitol.

Betty is a member of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. She was also honored as the “2006 Red Earth Ambassador of the Year.”

In 2000, she received national recognition by being named the “State Arts Agency Director of the

1st row (sitting): Diana Sarber, Past National President, BM and member of both OKC Metro Alumnae Chapter and Edmond Alumnae Chapter, Betty Price, AI, Linda Wright, BM and Edmond Alumnae Chapter 2nd Row: Mikki Patten, ZB and OKC Metro Alumnae Chapter, Donna Handley Jackson, BM and OKC Metro Alumnae Chapter, Linda Foley Fields, BM and OKC Metro Alumnae Chapter, Ella Sprung, (sorry not sure of her collegiate chapter) and Edmond Alumnae Chapter and Sherry Irvin, BM and OKC Metro Alumnae Chapter.

Year” by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in Washington.

In addition, Betty has been named among the “Women of Influence”

by Oklahoma Today Magazine, and “Honored One” at the Oklahoma Indian Sovereignty Symposium in 1999. She also received the Chickasaw Nation’s “Governor’s Award” in 1999. Betty is the recipient of the 2004 Newsmaker Award from the Tulsa chapter of the Association of Women in Communications. She has received the Liddy Doenges Leadership in the Arts Award, which recognizes individuals who are visionary and have furnished leadership in the arts that benefit the entire state. Recently, Betty was honored by the Paseo Arts District with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Betty’s recognition by Sigma Sigma Sigma has included two distinguished awards. In 1971, she received the Emily Gates Achievement Award and in 1998,

she was again honored by Tri Sigma with the Centennial Woman of Distinction. On May 6, 2008, a special honor was bestowed on her by the Oklahoma Legislature. The Legislature voted to rename the art gallery that houses the Oklahoma State Art Collection in the State Capitol as the Betty Price Gallery.

But all of Betty’s life is not necessarily art. She and her husband, Norris, have a cabin near Taos, NM, which they enjoy. Betty and Norris have two adult children, Lisa Ann and George, and his wife Lisa Jan, and two grandchildren, Natalie and Matthew.

As the evening closed at her special recognition dinner, Betty expressed her thanks and stated, “Sigma Sisterhood has always been a treasure to me. A treasure I have always appreciated.” Her Sisters know she has been a treasure to our Sigma Sisterhood as well.

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Dear Sigma Alumnae Sister, With finances being a concern to every American these days, you may wonder why

Alumnae Dues Invoice

it is so important to continue supporting Tri Sigma by paying your Alumnae Dues. Our Sisterhood, which eight brave young women started almost 111 years ago, is stronger than

Alumnae Chapter members should pay national alumnae dues through their alumnae chapters. Thank you if you have already paid your alumnae dues for this year. We hope you will consider a special Walton House donation.

ever in its commitment to provided a steadfast Sisterhood for both collegiate and alumnae women. Your dues go to continuing the award-winning programming that Tri Sigma is

Annual Dues............................................................ $35.00 Triennial Dues....................................................... $100.00 Lifetime Dues**................................................. $1,050.00

know for both in the Greek world and in our own chapters. Anti-hazing initiatives, training for an ever-expanding system of Alumnae Advisory Boards, maintaining our new Web site with its long-awaited social network, supporting our staff both in Woodstock and in different locales across the nation: all these things are costly. But they are necessary to maintain our national organization.

Whether you are a recent graduate, or presently

** Lifetime dues may be paid in full or on a payment schedule, which consists of six payments of $175.00 with payments due May 1 and August 1. You can also choose to make more than two payments per year if you want to pay it off sooner. If the Lifetime Dues are not paid within the initial payment period, the amount collected will be credited to future annual dues.

Please consider a special donation to support Walton House: $1,000

$500

$250

$100

Other $_______

Contact me about donating goods and services for Walton House.

Contact me about specific items I can fund for Walton House.

involved in advising a collegiate chapter, active in a local alumnae chapter, or even feeling that your sorority involvement was long ago‌

Tri Sigma needs your support.

Paying this modest amount will benefit collegiate and alumnae women, as well as

METHOD OF PAYMENT: Check, payable to Sigma Sigma Sigma Charge (circle one): VISA Mastercard Card Number____________________ Expiration Date_______________ 3 Digit Security # on back of card________________________________

the volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to keep our sorority strong. Don’t you want to be part of maintaining what our Founders started in 1898? I know that I personally want a vital Tri Sigma ready and waiting to welcome my three granddaughters when they start college...in 2018, 2021 and 2025! You can pay quickly and securely online on our Web site, or through an alumnae chapter, or directly to our National Headquarters.

Thank you for your support, Mandy Meehan Chocheles Gamma Eta and New Orleans Alumnae Chapter

Signature_ ___________________________________________________ Name________________________________________________________ First Maiden Married

Address______________________________________________________ City_ ___________________________ State___________ Zip___________ Telephone________________ Collegiate Chapter____________________ Member ID Number_ __________________________________________ E-mail Address________________________________________________ Alumnae Chapter_ ____________________________________________

Alumnae Vice President You also can pay your dues online at www.sigmasigmasigma.org Note: National Alumnae Dues and Walton House donations are not tax deductible.

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our alumnae

Significant Sigma Sherry Sutton Curtiss Sherry Sutton Curtiss, Epsilon Nu and Sigma’s New Chapter Coordinator, has recently been honored by being elected President of the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Sherry will preside over meetings of the State Association’s Presidents as well as planning two conferences during her year-long term. She is a Speech Pathologist in acute care with NASH Health Care Systems. She is Board Recognized in swallowing evaluations and therapy primarily with stroke patients.

Sherry has served Sigma as a National Officer since 1994. She has also served as a National Collegiate Coordinator and Ritual Director. She is working with other Sigmas in her area to rebuild the Alumnae Chapter. Sherry is married to Philip, a high school counselor, and mom to Sigma legacies Eden, who is 6, and Gemma, 3.

USM Hosts Alpha Sigma Chapter’s 20th Reunion Tri Sigmas from around the U.S. returned to the University of Southern Missouri campus in October. Thirty-four Sisters, with initiation dates ranging from the late 1930s to the early 1980s, joined in the exciting celebration of Sisterhood. Attendees included three Golden Violets, who shared stories of campus life from 70 years ago.

The day began with a tour of the eighth-floor Panhellenic chapter room that Tri Sigma occupied for 20 years (from mid-1960 to mid1980). Tri Sigmas were “at the top” while the sorority was in the dormitory, which is now used to house freshmen. Barbara Ross, director of Union & Programs (and former dean of Greek life), gave the group an update on USM and sorority/ fraternity organizations on campus.

Following the tour of the old chapter room, the group met at Chesterfield’s restaurant. The highlight of this event was when National President Laura Ward Sweet spoke and shared the many great accomplishments of Tri Sigma. She also shared some funny stories that had all of us laughing like the college girls we used to be.

The reunion wrapped up with cake and coffee at a meeting room at Hampton Inn, which also included swapping “Do you remember when?” stories from a variety of eras.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter reunion was a great success. Spread the word and let’s make the next one even bigger and better!

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our alumnae

National Officers Combine the AFA Annual Meeting with Denver Alumnae Meeting

Denver Area Alumnae Chapter President, Carolyn White Wallisch, Iota, receiving the Alumnae Chapter of the Year Award from Tri Sigma National President, Laura Ward Sweet.

Sigma Sigma Sigma National Officers, including most of the Executive Council and National President Laura Ward Sweet, took a break from their December meetings at the Association of Fraternity Advisors Annual Meeting to join Denver Alumnae for “A Mile High Sigma Night.” After a group mixer and a delicious home-cooked Christmas potluck, Sweet and Council members Reatha Cox, Beth Deines, Emily Ellis and Allison Swick, and Director of Chapter Services Lorin Phillips shared updates on the general status of Tri Sigma, regionally and nationally. The presentation brought the tremendous work of our organization and these wonderful officers into a more meaningful context for all in attendance.

The evening was an exciting one for Denver Sigmas as we met one-on-one with our National Officers. The festivities ended when Laura presented the Denver Chapter with several national awards, including the award for Alumnae Chapter of the Year!

It just doesn’t get much better than that!

National officers attending Mile High Sigma Night in Denver, CO.

Denver Alumnae Appointed to Colorado Aeronautics Board Debra Wilcox, Iota and Denver Alumnae, was recently appointed to the Colorado Aeronautics Board. The board administers the distribution of the Colorado Aviation Fund through individual airport grants and statewide aviation system improvements. The seven Debra Wilcox, Iota board members, each appointed to a three-year term by the governor of Colorado, oversee 74 airports throughout the state.

Each board member represents a specific constituency within the state.

Debra, the only woman on the board, represents the area of general aviation.

Debra’s passion for aviation is fueled by ownership of a two-seater RV6 experimental plane, which her husband built in their garage. The couple has made numerous trips in their unique aircraft, including a trip from Denver to Lake Tahoe. The aircraft was the featured plane for March in the Vans Aircraft 2007 calendar, an impressive accomplishment among aircraft enthusiasts.

Boards and leadership positions are nothing new for Debra. She has served Sigma Sigma Sigma in various national positions over the years, most recently as the chairwoman of the Foundation Board.

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Metropolitan Washington Alumnae Chapter Marks 75th Anniversary Metropolitan Washington Alumnae Chapter celebrated its 75th anniversary in October 2008.

The fun-filled celebration began with an afternoon tea at the home of Ellie Thurber, Gamma Alpha. Mandy Chocheles, Alumnae Vice President, brought greetings from Executive Council and the National Organization and presented the chapter with an anniversary certificate and a donation to the Tri Sigma Foundation in its honor.

Approximately 30 women, representing many different collegiate chapters, attended the celebration. Special guest Catherine Thompson, Alpha Tau and a Golden Violet, has been a member of this alumnae chapter for over 50 years.

Congratulations to Metropolitan Washington Alumnae Chapter on reaching this historic milestone.

Photo of 20 years of service award.

From left, Kathlee McDermott Kraynick, Cara V. Tillotson, Teresa Barnhill Wilson.

Photos at the Epsilon Theta house. From left, Donna Adair Breault, Merri Griffis Gibson, Anne Marie Bowen Wilson, Amanda Griffin Riggle, Kathleen McDermott Kraynick.

Photo at Weltner Library. From left, Bruce Gibson, Jill James, Merri Griffis Gibson, Doreen Hart Hill, Joselyn Butler Baker, Bobby Baker.

Photo from the 20th reunion. From left, Christina Cates, Becky Marasia Corder, Sue Livingston, Chris Quackenbush, Merri Griffis Gibson, Barb Bonapfel, Brooke Bourdelat-Parks.

Epsilon Theta Celebrates 20 Years of Service In March 2007, Epsilon Theta was honored by Oglethorpe University for 20 years of distinguished service. Accepting the award was colony president, Kathleen McDermott Kraynick; the chapter’s first president, Teresa Barnhill Wilson; and current collegian, Cara V. Tillotson.

The weekend celebration continued with a 20-year reunion, including spouses and children, at the Epsilon Theta house, followed by a reception at the Weltner Library’s art museum and then a “Stomp the Lawn” band party in the Oglethorpe quadrangle. Epsilon Thetas were thrilled to have

former chapter advisors Sue Livingston and Barbara Bonapfel attend and share stories of the colonization process 20 years ago.

Thanks to the wonderful women of Epsilon Theta and Oglethorpe University for hosting the event. Special thanks for the 20 years of service and scholarship achieved by both collegians and alumnae of Epsilon Theta and for the wise guidance of our advisors during the chartering process and “ever forward.” May there be another 20 years of success!

Long-standing Alumnae Pauline Childers Passes Away Pauline Millington Childers, Sigma

Pauline Millington Childers, Sigma, passed away on July 25, 2008, at the age of 102. Pauline was initiated into Sigma Chapter, Western State College in Gunnison, CO, by Mabel Lee Walton, in February 1925.

Pauline joined the Denver Alumnae Chapter in 1929, and held many offices including chapter president. She was the Sigma Sigma Sigma National Convention Chair for many years including the 1956 Convention in Estes Park, CO. In 1974 she moved to Sun City, AZ, and joined that alumnae chapter.

A dedicated and loyal Tri Sigma, Pauline received a 2007 Woman of Distinction Award given at the Nashville Convention.

Always a gracious lady, she was a role model for many Sisters and will be remembered for her poise, stately presence, sense of humor and eager participation.

Eta Epsilon Hosts Sarasota/ Manatee Alumnae Chapter Eta Epsilon members hosted Sarasota/Manatee Alumnae Chapter members at a tea on November 1, 2008, on the college campus in Sarasota, FL. Kelsi Wilcox, leadership consultant representing National Headquarters, was visiting the chapter at the time.

Several alumnae members attended along with several collegiate Sigmas.

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our alumnae

Alumnae Chapter Updates ALASKA

Anchorage Alumnae Chapter: Sisters of the Anchorage Alumnae Chapter at the Palmer Reindeer Farm. From left: Tamara Rentz; Melissa Cahak Bruesch, Eta Zeta; Becky Bloomquist Oviatt, Eta Zeta; Brandi Van Etten; Amber Stout, Eta Zeta; and Jessee Torey-Terrell Boullion, Eta Zeta.

Anchorage Alumnae Chapter: Anchorage, AK, recently adopted the motto “Big Wild Life” and apparently this new motto is descriptive of the Anchorage Alumnae Chapter! In a recent survey of 11 members, the chapter found out just how well they represented Anchorage’s new motto with a total of 17 dogs, two birds, three cats, a horse, six goats, three geese, a flock of chickens and one hedgehog. However, none of the Sisters owned a reindeer. So, as a Sisterhood event, the women visited the Palmer Reindeer Farm to feed the animals and get an up-close look for themselves.

ARIZONA Phoenix Alumnae Chapter: During the summer, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter held several lunchbrunch events instead of chapter meetings. This format allowed the chapter to try different restaurants in the valley and provide great recruitment opportunities. In July, the chapter held Arc Degree and a luncheon at the home of Anne Ruiz. The chapter welcomed four new members who were initiated in November.

Northwest Arkansas Alumnae Chapter: Front, from left: Amy Alexis, Epsilon Zeta; Debbie Apple Fulmer, Alpha Omicron; Tammy Taylor Withers, Epsilon Beta; Jan Keirsey; Keri Cross, Alpha Omicron; and Monica Valazquez. Back, from left: Rachel Hall, Alpha Omicron; Darlene Chadwick Thibodeau, Beta Phi; Lindsey Gipson, Alpha Omicron; Sarah Dietle; Karen Hlavka Welch, Beta Alpha; and Suzanne See Krustsinger, Alpha Psi.

CALIFORNIA Inland Empire Alumnae Chapter: Inland Empire members love to travel! This year, Ruby Larby Simpson, Rho, traveled to Ireland for her granddaughter’s first communion. Gwen Hall Marino, Beta Kappa, headed to Alaska for a cruise. Betty Conrad Tiefenthaler, Beta Pi, traveled to Samara, Russia, to celebrate the marriage of her son, Bill, to Marina Pevcheva. Betty and her husband, Bill, spent three weeks touring the country and enjoying the delicious cuisine and hospitality of the people of Samara. Karen Lukas Silz, Kappa, sailed the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. She was especially touched with the haunting, faded beauty of the former Soviet ports of Varna, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; and Odessa, Ukraine.

ARKANSAS Northwest Arkansas Alumnae Chapter: Before receiving its charter, the Northwest Arkansas Alumnae Chapter gathered at Copeland’s Restaurant in Rogers, AR, to organized events for the upcoming months and enjoy an afternoon of Sisterhood.

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Inland Empire Alumnae Chapter: Karen Lukas Silz, Kappa, on Primorsky Boulevard, Odessa, Ukraine.

FLORIDA Northeast FL Alumnae Chapter: Karen Anderson Bernath, Beta Pi, owns three Curves fitness studios in Jacksonville, FL. She is approaching her seventh year in the fitness business and has found that her degree in home economics and minor in physical education have provided a great background for this career field. “My skills as a weight management consultant have increased and I am better able to individualize programs for my members,” says Bernath. “I have more ability to effectively change the lives of our members – one person at a time, which is what this is all about.”

Karen Anderson Bernath, Beta Pi, 1965.

Alpha Nu Chapter: Several of the Alpha Nu alumnae in attendance at a Chicago event in October. From left: Cheri Shinsky Rakowski, Stacey Burkemper Slaughter, Jennifer Zeiler Furmanek, Jeana Brown Pietrus, Jenni Mowrer Fisher and Christina Dietz Zalewski.

Alpha Nu Alumnae: In October, a group of Alpha Nu Alumnae descended upon Fiddlehead Café in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago for an informal gathering, coordinated by Jeana Brown Pietrus, Alpha Nu. In attendance were Laura Eckebrecht Albrecht, Michelle Ball, Heidi Hall Chorney, Laura Cibuls, Jenni Mowrer Fisher, Jennifer Zeiler Furmanek, Maria Gutierrez, Joyce Vaughn Ochab, Jeana Brown Pietrus, Cheri Shinsky Rakowski, Wendy Richards Sebek, Heather Phillips Sinense, Stacey Burkemper Slaughter and Christina Dietz Zalewski.

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

Alpha Psi Alumnae: Katherine “Katie” Roane, Alpha Psi, has been working for the past year to gather together as many Alpha Psi members from years 1964 through 1972. She was able to contact well over 70 women and more than 40 of them gathered in August at the home of Kathy Lundin Manofsky, Alpha Psi, in Oak Brook, IL. Women from as far away as California, Florida and Colorado as well as those from other areas around the U.S. gathered to renew their friendships. Even though it had been 40 years since the collegiate days at Eastern Illinois University, it was as if the Sisters had just left the house yesterday, and they picked up right where they left off.

Indianapolis Suburban Alumnae Chapter: Members of the Indianapolis Suburban Alumnae Chapter volunteered as tour guides during the 2008 showing of the Indianapolis Monthly Dream Home. The proceeds from the tour of the home show benefited the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. In July, six members were joined by a Chicago alumna to attend the musical “Wicked” at the Oriental Theater in Chicago.

Alpha Psi Alumnae Reunion.

Indianapolis Suburban Alumnae Chapter: From left, Margaret Coleman Lukes, Beta Pi; Avis Murrell Woods, Alpha Epsilon; Beth Richardson Rhodes, Beta Gamma; Candise Miller Decker, Beta Gamma; Lori Prato Keating, Kappa; Chris Myers Hammock, Beta Gamma; Joie Dickison, Beta Gamma; Amy Tompkins, Epsilon Xi; Megan Ulshafer Edson, Epsilon Nu; Kara Eaton, Beta Gamma; Misty Bultemeier Barrows, Epsilon Xi; Erin Blayney Newlin, Beta Gamma; Nancy Sauer Mann, Beta Gamma.

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our alumnae MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

Detroit Metro (formerly Oakland County) Alumnae Chapter: The Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter celebrated Sisterhood at the annual summer party where members planned their 2008-2009 calendar. It was also a time for the Sisters to catch up on their daily lives while enjoying the annual pontoon ride on White Lake. Current and prospective members were hosted at the home of Arlene Ball. Jennie Ball, Beta Tau and Detroit Metro Alumnae member, recently joined from Pennsylvania.

Greater Kansas City Alumnae Chapter: The Greater Kansas City Alumnae Chapter from University of Central Missouri met in July at the home of Robin Keene, a second generation Sigma, to view her prize-winning backyard pond garden.

MINNESOTA Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter: The Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter (TCAC) continued the tradition of community service by volunteering at the international charity, Feed My Starving Children, which provides food for children in Haiti, Tanzania, Indonesia, and dozens of other countries around the world. The TCAC Sisters gathered in late May, when they hand packed meals for severely malnourished children.

With the announcement of the 2010 Convention location, the TCAC met in August to kick off the year and to also prepare for the first of an anticipated series of meetings with National Officers beginning this October. The August meeting was full of energy and TCAC is thrilled to welcome all Sigma Sisters to the beautiful Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul!

Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter: Front: Carlene Blenkush (future legacy). Middle, from left: Ann Lundquist Bottolene, Rho; Tina Enzweiler Blenkush, Beta Pi; Kirsten Klock Deffner, Alpha Iota; Jane Smith (Kristin’s mom), Jan Weaver Zeipen, Gamma Phi; Diane Mahal Hemker, Gamma Nu. Back, from left: Mikki Ruhland Gottwalt, Beta Pi; Claudia Del Zoppo, Gamma Nu; Kristin Loomis Smith, Beta Pi; Gwen Brioch, Gamma Nu; Linda Manley-Kuitu, Epsilon Rho.

In other news, Brenda Wendt McCann, Beta Pi, traveled to Manila, Philippines, last March for business and discovered how the country was blended between intriguing Asia and Spanish heritages. The chapter also welcomed Heather Redeske, Iota Alpha and 2004 Convention Alumna Honor Initiate, into the chapter.

Heather moved to Minnesota from Indianapolis, where she was active with the Indianapolis Suburban Alumnae Chapter.

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Greater Kansas City Alumnae Chapter: Carol Crank Phillips, Nu; Karen Pratt, Nu; Louise Borchers Greenfield, Nu; Donna Jones Clark, Nu; Pat Selover Arey, Nu; Barbara Smith Thompson, Nu, with her grandchildren; Carolyn Shotwell Wolff, Nu; Berlene Curtis Herrick, Nu; Lorna Honley Anderson, Nu; and Brenda Riley Smith, Nu.

NEW JERSEY North Jersey Alumnae Chapter: The North Jersey Alumnae Chapter traveled to New York for a night on Broadway! With dinner at Bubba Gump’s and a night at the theatre to see the musical, “Rent,” it was a great night out for our Sigma Sisters. Other upcoming events include a March brunch for graduating seniors from local schools which would serve as a recruitment event for alumnae life, a spring Founders Day event and a summer barbecue.

North Jersey Alumnae Chapter: From left: Lori Napolitano, Zeta Psi; Michelle Maskaly, Eta Nu; Betsy Montanez, Zeta Kappa; Amy Skinner, Eta Nu; Jessica Siegel, Eta Nu; and Liz Ricketts, Zeta Psi.

PENNSYLVANIA Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter: The Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter has adopted the Clarion University Alpha Pi Chapter. After learning Alpha Pi was in need of support, in addition to words of encouragement, alumnae gathered to provide gifts of tablecloths, candles and

Welcome our alumnae

paper products for Founders Day. In the fall, the alumnae chapter purchased the chapter’s much needed ritual books.

In October, several Sisters took a trip to Clarion for the Autumn Leaf Festival. The Harrisburg Alumnae would like to send their congratulations to Kelsi Wilcox, Alpha Pi, on her recent appointment as a leadership consultant.

In August, the chapter hosted bingo for 35 residents of a local nursing home, a 10-year tradition that started after visiting one of our Golden Violets. This event is always welcomed; they love our prizes and friendly Sigma smiles.

TENNESSEE Nashville Alumnae Chapter: The Nashville Alumnae Chapter has been very active in the community this past year. Most recently, the chapter donated gifts to children living at the YWCA Domestic Abuse Shelter. Additionally, the chapter held a work day to help Nashville Alumnae and Golden Violet Helen Sharrett Shull, Beta Gamma, do chores around her home.

Newly Chartered Alumnae Chapters Northwest Arkansas Alumnae Chapter Congratulations to the Northwest Arkansas Alumnae Chapter, newly chartered in July 2008. Charter members of this alumnae chapter are: • Amy Whitehead Alexis, Epsilon Zeta • Keri Cross, Alpha Omicron • Deborah Apple Fulmer, Alpha Omicron • Lindsey Gipson, Alpha Omicron • Rachel Hall, Alpha Omicron • Karen Hlavka Welch, Eta Alpha • E. Suzanne Krutsinger, Alpha Psi • Darlene Chadwick Thibodeau, Beta Phi • Monica Velzquez, Alpha Omicron • Tammy Taylor Withers, Epsilon Beta

Carol Swango, Alumnae Coordinator, attended one of the chapter meetings and presented the Alumnae Chapter charter.

Congratulations and welcome aboard, Northwest Arkansas!

Mid-Missouri Alumnae Chapter Congratulations to the Mid-Missouri Alumnae Chapter, newly chartered in July 2008. Charter members of this Alumnae Chapter are: Nashville Alumnae Chapter: Several Sisters from the Nashville Alumnae Chapter with gifts for the children living at the YWCA Domestic Abuse Shelter. From left: Joyce Smith White, Alpha Epsilon; Peggy Sekora Cornman, Gamma Zeta; and Jessica Anderson, Beta Epsilon.

WISCONSIN Waukesha County Alumnae: Alumnae from Waukesha County celebrated their 50th birthdays with a weekend getaway in Napa, California, to visit the home of Sister Krysten Stepke, Alpha Xi.

Waukesha County Alumnae: Front, from left: Mia Stein Kodzik, Alpha Xi; and Debra Gorski Fujinaka, Alpha Xi. Back, from left, Georgia Marciniak Jahnke, Alpha Xi; Colleen Reardon Chapleau, Alpha Xi; Bette Ekes Yentz, Alpha Xi; Diane Chapp Schlosser, Alpha Xi; Krysten Stepke, Alpha Xi; Debbie Fields Nockerts, Alpha Xi; Kerri Dehn Haefner, Alpha Xi; Karen Nilsen Olson, Alpha Xi; and Ellyn Podjaski Dunne, Alpha Xi.

• Chelsie Marie Brandenburger, Eta Alpha • Juliana Renee Buzard, Mu • Kathleen Jo Ann Carew, Nu • Carly Coscia Dibben, Zeta Psi • Julia Wilson Edgar, Beta Xi • Bonnie Henderson Foster, Alpha Epsilon • Rhonda Basnett Hafner, Nu • Marisa Huck Hagler, Beta Xi • Jane Emily Hubbs, Mu • Angela Ball Hurt, Beta Beta • Laura Stageman Kitzi, Alpha Epsilon • Elizabeth Ann Maddox, Beta Beta • Barb Ingrum Melson, Mu • Gena Hayes Patton, Nu • Julee Kay Richey Sherman, Alpha Epsilon • Paulette Reistad Strader, Nu • Jessica Lynn Vargas, Eta Sigma • Stephanie Lynn Wade, Pi Many of these women are also on the colony advisory team for our Mizzou Colony. Laura Ward Sweet, National President, attended one of the chapter meetings and presented the alumnae chapter charter. Congratulations and welcome aboard, Mid-Missouri!

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our foundation

A Piece of Investment Advice

W

By Jan Stroker Horner, Beta Xi,Foundation Chair Wondering about the economy and how it affects the Foundation?

Foundation Chair Jan Horner addresses some of your concerns.

As I write this, I’m looking at my personal investment portfolio, holding a bag of ice on my head and sipping a cup of relaxing green tea. What a nerve-racking roller coaster ride for all of us this bear market has been!

We assure you that the Foundation intends to meet all s of outstanding growth and astute financial management, our institutional investments, too, have been hit hard.

Will there be programs we have to cut back in the future?

Perhaps. As good stewards of your gifts, we’ll make hard decisions about next year at our annual Foundation Board meeting. But for this year, we intend to follow through on our commitments. We’ve already given out scholarships and RPM awards for the year. We have our leadership grants and large hospital gifts scheduled into our cash flow.

What can you do?

Continue to make contributions, of course – particularly at Founders Day. Your support of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is one of the best investments you can make at this time. Your investment goes directly to raise and award funds for programs that advance leadership development, encourage academic excellence and help ailing children.

Although Wall Street may be having its ups and downs, your investment in the Foundation through your contribution this year allowed the Foundation to award $20,000 in scholarships, with a $5,000 award given for the first time.

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Your investment helped the Foundation grant $80,000 to the National Organization for an assessment of collegians for program direction, UIFI scholarships, the educational portions of leadership consultants’/ regional directors’ salaries, half the salary of the new Sigma Director of Programs, a workshop for consultants on how to conduct chapter retreats, and support for Leadership Academy.

Your investment paid off for eight local organizations, nominated by collegiate and alumnae chapters, who will receive $16,657.77 in RPM Local Grants to hospitals and organizations in Nashville; rural Pennsylvania; Denver; Houston; Grand Rapids, MI; San Francisco; and Evanston, IL. Grants supported the purchase of equipment ranging from toys and games to teaching aides, murals and renovation items to help hundreds of children in play therapy/child life programs.

Your investment made possible payments of $30,000 for fellowships to the UNC Chapel Hill and Dallas Children’s hospitals and funded a $5,400 grant to UNC Chapel Hill Children’s Hospital for the very popular Sigma Showcase, a program that allows first-run (child-appropriate) movies to be shown to children throughout their hospital stay.

The investment you make in the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is one that always pays off, no matter what the state of the economy.

Why? Because it’s an investment in women.

In the future of our Sisterhood. And in the children. So, you can’t lose!

Your investment in the Foundation makes possible stories like these…

A $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Lisa Emma Collins, an alumna of Chi Chapter, Pittsburg State University in Kansas, received this year’s top scholarship award of $5,000. An elementary teacher for 15 years and president of the Wichita Alumnae Chapter for two years, Lisa is completing her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL emphasis at Newman University in Wichita. She says that 87 percent of her present students qualify for free lunch and most live in poverty. To see the photos and names of all of this year’s scholarship winners, visit www.trisigma.org/foundation programs.

A BURN VICTIM HELPED Two-year-old A’zaria was playing dress-up in her highheeled princess shoes in the kitchen where her mother was frying pork chops in an electric skillet. Her foot became tangled in the extension cord hanging from the skillet, and it tipped, causing hot grease to spill onto her head, face, back, arms and leg. A’zaria, diagnosed in North Carolina Children’s Hospital with a 25% burn to her body, was frightened of the hospital, staff and medical equipment. But with the help of her recreational therapist using medical and therapeutic play, she learned that the hospital wasn’t a scary place after all. Today, she’s once again a happy, healed two-year-old.

To nominate a local program for a Foundation RPM Local Grant, go to www.trisigma.org , click on “Foundation” and then “Programs.”

The grant is there for alumnae and collegiate chapters to use to suggest a local program to the Foundation Board for funding.

Spring 2009 | T h e T r i a n g l e

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B.

B.

A.

Tri-Angle Necklace with CZs, 18”, #SL5051 SS.....$35

B.

Snake Chain, 18”, #snake 10K.....$95 SS.....$22 GF.....$25

C.

Ever Forward Sailboat Charm, #2543 10K, 10KW.....$65 SS.....$30

D.

Vertical Letter Lavaliere, #L2647 10K, 10KW.....$41 SS.....$24

E.

CZ Trillion Earrings, #STT443 SS.....$15

F.

Swirl Ring with amethysts*, #1000A 10K, 10KW.....$211 SS.....$113

G.

CZ Violet Earrings, #EPK232 SS......$15

H.

Aphrodite’s Heart Ring, #RP2231 (Whole sizes 5–8) SS.....$30

I.

Chapter President’s Ring, #0452P 10K, 10KW.....$287 SS.....$113

E. C.

(Chain sold separately.)

A.

D.

G.

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50 Year Stickpin with pearl accent, #50 10K.....$123 GP.....$33

K.

25 Year Pin with pearl accent, #25 10KW.....$130 SS.....$34

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10 Year Charm, #10 10KW.....$119 SS.....$30

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The new Chapter President’s Ring has an amethyst* cushion-cut stone, with a genuine pearl set in the gavel mounting.

I.

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F.

(Chain sold separately.)

J.

TO ORDER visit www.HJGreek.com or call 1.800.422.4348

T h e T r i a n g l e | Spring 2009

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10K–10 karat gold, 10KW–10 karat white gold, SS–sterling silver, GF–gold-filled, GP–gold-plated, CZ–cubic zirconia. *Colored jewels are synthetic.

omega chapter

Omega Chapter During the period from August 1 to November 30, 2008, the following Tri Sigmas were reported to have entered Omega Chapter. We offer our sympathy to their friends and families and honor them for their lifetime commitment to Tri Sigma.

Iota

Alpha Nu

Beta Lambda

Viola Oliver Laird

LeEtta Smith Beers Melissa Cherry Nadler

Cheri Darling Read Beta Rho

Kappa Clara Sakemiller Memmott

Alpha Xi

Patricia Johnson Dennis

Mu

Virginia Kenzler Barney Helen Stauffacher Mace Barbara Eichsteadt Nowatske

Beta Tau

Alpha Sigma

Beta Upsilon

Nu

Bettye Moffett Williamson

Barbara Voysey Duey

Virginia Carr Patton Gertrude Carr Sears

Alpha Upsilon

Gamma Zeta

Pi

Christine Yankov Smith

Gale Larson Tomshany

Rebecca Bennett Davidson –

Golden Violet Marion Walker Nickson

Sigma

Alpha Chi

Pauline Millington Childers –

Golden Violet Nellie DeVivier Mullins

Janie Goheen Cornwell Margaret Lucas Franklin

Chi

Mary Mann Bainbridge

Shirley Reed Browning Charlene Nolle Finders

Mildred Humphreys Scott Psi Kennylee Burgess Frost Jean Fisher Jackson Rebecca Burkhardt Shawver

Ardis McPike Larson-Cole Betty McGee McAllester

Delta Chi Priscilla Bradley Griffith

Ruth Youngren Leistikow Marion Highland Zurick Beta Gamma

Beta Epsilon Sue Coultas Killebrew

Alpha Epsilon

Martha Moore Bradley

Beta Alpha

Virginia Hutchens Rodich

Alpha Delta Betty Carson Blatchley

Delta Kappa

Alpha Psi

Alpha Alpha Dixie Farren Wall

Brenda Austin Enevoldsen

Beta Zeta Priscilla Miller Nichols Beta Kappa Margaret Ellingson Trimble Eileen Johnson Yewell

Member badges are the property of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. It is the responsibility of every initiated Sigma to see that the badge she wears is protected and never worn by or in the possession of a non-member. When a Tri Sigma enters Omega Chapter her badge may be buried with her or returned to the National Headquarters. A badge should never be sold by any means. The National Treasurer is the official custodian of Sigma Sigma Sigma badges.

Alpha Zeta Alleyne Ferguson Spring 2009 | T h e T r i a n g l e

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National Headquarters 225 N. Muhlenberg Street Woodstock, VA 22664 www.sigmasigmasigma.org

! e t a d e h t e v a S 0 1 0 2 , 2 July 9-1

NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Bolingbrook, IL Permit No. 492