2009–10 Annual Report

Annual2010Report

Our Mission

Sigma Sigma Sigma exists to provide a lifelong sorority experience for women through ensuring a perpetual bond of friendship, developing a strong womanly character, and promoting high standards of ethical conduct.

What an exciting year Tri Sigma has had!

Much has been achieved, thanks to the commitment of truly excellent volunteer leaders, a professional staff focused on providing the best sorority experience, and members who are willing to become directly engaged in programs and services for the common good.

Our collegiate and alumnae membership is at an all time high, our chapter scholarship is improving, we are fiscally sound, our programming is providing outstanding leadership experiences, and our efforts with expansion are resulting in new chapters.

Indeed, we have many things to be thankful for: our sound governance structure, an active and dedicated membership, a committed professional staff, totally dedicated to serving and enhancing the welfare of our sorority; and Tri Sigma's Executive Council, peopled with leaders who carefully consider what affect their actions will have on all members.

This report highlights some of the ways Tri Sigma is achieving excellence and earning national recognition as we continue to move Ever Forward. I invite you to read and see for yourself what makes Tri Sigma a truly remarkable sorority.

– KAYE SCHENDEL, ΓΦ National President

In 2008, Executive Council, with the help of national volunteers and staff, developed and launched the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan: Leadership, Service, Communication and Growth. The focus of each is: • Leadership: To establish opportunities for personal leadership development and enhance the overall advancement of Tri Sigma.

• Service: Foster a commitment to service.

• Communication: To create organizational visibility through ongoing awareness and education of Tri Sigma’s mission and purpose.

• Growth: Propel growth in all areas of Tri Sigma in order to provide for the long-term health and stability of the Organization.

“As we look at our women and determine who we are, we need to give them the mission, vision and values, and make sure they are in line with who we are as Tri Sigma members and who we are collectively.”

– EMILY EURE ELLIS Gamma Beta and National Vice President

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Membership - Collegiate

Total Collegiate Membership # of Chapters Average Chapter Size

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

5711 106 54

5386 105 51

5146 104 49

5258 106 50

5117 106 48

Collegiate Notes: • The membership goal in the Strategic Plan is to be at 6,500 collegiate members by the end of the 2012/2013 academic year. Two full years into the plan, we have achieved approximately 88% of the goal.

• The number of new initiates in 2009/2010 was 2,309.

• New Member retention is steady at 92% for 2009/2010.

Membership - Alumnae

Total Alumnae Chapter Membership # of Chapters Average Chapter Size

2010

2009

2008

2007

2257 90 25.1

2184 92 23.7

1982 98 20.2

2090 106 19.7

Alumnae Notes: • The strategic goal of adding two alumnae chapters per year has been met.

It is expected that in 2011 at least three alumnae chapters will be chartered.

They are Philadelphia, Minot, and Delaware.

• As of January 2011, there are 17 locations where alumnae members have expressed interest in starting an alumnae chapter.

• Since 2008, there has been a 67% increase in the number of Sigma alumnae volunteers filling CAB positions • In 2010, Tri Sigma saw an 87% increase in alumnae dues income over 2009.

• In 2010, there was a 20% increase in the number of alumnae who joined an alumnae chapter and since 2008 the size of an average alumnae chapter increased 30%.

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Academic Excellence

Average GPA

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

3.0315

3.0295

3.002

2.993

2.932

The top ten chapters for the last two recorded semesters are: 1. Alpha

6. Eta

2. Eta

7. Eta

Xi Phi 8. Eta Lambda 9. Eta Beta 10. Epsilon Chi

Pi Theta 3. Zeta Psi 4. Delta Chi 5. Epsilon Delta

“I think the goal is ultimately to make Tri Sigma relevant to women of all ages. This is not an organization for collegiate women only. Council has been very intentional about developing a plan to create an organization that will truly engage and empower women at all stages of their lives.”

– ALLISON SWICK-DUTTINE Psi and National Vice President

Accrediation

Accredited with Honors Accredited Non-Accredited

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

46 24 36

55 5 44

55 2 48

52 11 42

19 1 91

• It is our goal that each Sigma Sigma Sigma collegiate chapter establishes a foundation for a quality lifetime experience for its members. This sorority experience is intended to enrich the lives of its members through friendships, pride in being a Sigma Sigma Sigma, and commitment to the Sorority’s ideals.

These opportunities can best be preserved for future generations of college women by the continued prosperity of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Our Chapter Accreditation Program was developed to provide a standard set of collegiate chapter performance guidelines. It is based on our mission and vision in an effort to align chapter programming and activities with the values of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

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Currently 66% of our chapters are either Accredited or Accredited with Honors

“It was so helpful to be able to have a monthly check point so we’d know if we were on track. The conversations helped us better explain the things we were doing so we would know how to document them correctly and ultimately get credit for our efforts. I was on the officer team last year and w didn’t get credit for some items because we didn’t fully explain them in our written report. This year, we were able to clarify with our RC and we were Accredited with Honors.”

– CHAPTER OFFICER

Fiscal Responsibility

2009/2010 Income

2009/2010 Expenses

Investments/Grants/Other

Professional/ Investment/Other Technology

Badges

11%

5%

9%

Conference Royalties/Chapter Supplies

6%

62%

6% 6%

Alumnae Support

Member Support/ Programs

6% 45%

Collegiate Support

Management/ General

42%

2%

Walton House Audited by BIK & Co, LLP

• Tri Sigma made advances and loans to chapters of approximately $280,000.

• Tri Sigma’s financial position increased by 29% over 2008/2009.

“As a membership-driven organization, our strength lies in the lifetime commitment made by our members through volunteering, financial contributions, and continued activity. This restructuring proposal only adds value to the entire Sigma experience by ensuring that our volunteers have a balanced volunteer experience focused on areas of personal interest."

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Housing Initiatives Through the Loyalty Fund, Tri Sigma is able to assist chapters and House Corporations with some of their major housing projects.

Alpha Beta (Kent State): Issued a loan which enabled them to build a new chapter house with over 9,500 square feet and room to house 16 women.

“I want to live in the sorority house so I have a chance to really experience the bonds of friendship.” – LIZ VOLK

Eta Chi (University of Missouri-Columbia): Tri Sigma has purchased land and is in the planning stages of building a 20,000 square foot chapter house including underground parking. Sixty women will live in suite-style rooms.

Collegiate Highlights In 2009, Tri Sigma hit a milestone – initiating its 100,000th member. The lucky member was Chantel DeSloover, Beta Tau (University of Detroit-Mercy). “… I’d have to say my favorite memory so far is Inspiration Week; learning about our core values….”

– CHANTEL DESLOOVER

Collegiate membership is at an all-time high with more of our chapters at campus total, meeting their recruitment goals, and conducting year-round recruitment.

Research initiatives were started to examine collegiate chapter member and Chapter Advisory Board retention. We hope the research will enable us to make recommendations on how to improve the collegiate and advisor experience and, therefore, improve retention.

The National Organization has 98% of collegiate chapters at or above the required 2.5 GPA goal for Accreditation. We encourage our collegiate chapters to work toward continued academic improvement and to strive to be at or above the all-women’s average on their campus.

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Restructure of National Organization In 2010, Executive Council moved from an operational governance structure to a policy governance structure. Under this new structure, all Executive Council members participate in the long-term planning and goal setting for the organization and work together to determine the desired outcomes for all areas of Tri Sigma. Our Executive Council spends significant time and energy on keeping us on track so we stay focused on our organizational mission, purpose and vision while preserving and promoting the core values of Tri Sigma.

Term limits for Executive Council were revised at the 2010 National Convention.

Executive Council service is now limited to four (4) cumulative terms.

So, what is Executive Council’s role now?

1. Determine the organization mission, purpose and vision.

2. Serve as the supreme governing body between Conventions.

3. Select the Executive Director.

4. Support the Executive Director and review his/her performance.

5. Ensure effective organizational planning.

6. Provide sound financial management.

7. Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services.

8. Enhance the organization's public standing.

9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.

10. Recruit and orient new Council members and assess Council performance

Extension of our Sisterhood (since 2007) Collegiate Chapters Eta Upsilon – Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA Alpha Omicron (rechartered) – University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR Eta Phi – Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY Eta Chi – University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Eta Psi – St. John’s University, Staten Island, NY Theta Alpha – High Point University, High Point, NC Theta Beta - University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI

Alumnae Chapters New York City Metropolitan Area, NY Northwest Arkansas, AR Mid-Missouri, MO Greater Savannah Area, SC Madison Area, WI South Jersey Regional, NJ Springfield Area, MO Central North Carolina, NC Central Michigan, MI Philadelphia Area, PA

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“The High Point Colony was officially installed as the Theta Alpha Chapter. As the upcoming school year approaches, Theta Alpha Chapter will work together to create a stronger Sisterhood, and become known by the community for its service, by the campus as an accepting group of diverse women, and by all as women who live by the ritual of Sigma Sigma Sigma.”

“We look forward to the rewards and challenges that lie ahead in the never ending journey we have embarked on together as Sisters, said a newly initiated member of Eta Psi, the former St. John’s University-Staten Island colony.”

Alumna Initiate Program Tri Sigma’s Alumna Initiate Program has been around since 1912. To date, we have initiated 675 women using this program. At the 2004 National Convention Iota Alpha Chapter (Initiated as an Alumna) was established as a chapter designation for alumna initiates.

The Alumna Initiate Program allows Tri Sigma members to invite women who meet our membership criteria to join our national sisterhood. They are expected to uphold the values and core beliefs of Sigma Sigma Sigma.

An invitation to join our sisterhood extends well beyond the traditional environment of the college campus and offers the opportunity for membership to women of various ages and situations. The friendship, sisterhood, and support of Sigma Sigma Sigma are truly a lifetime experience, no matter when you join the bonds of sisterhood. A woman who is initiated as an alumna has all of the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a member who is initiated as a collegian.

“As I studied and read to complete my task as a Consultant for Tri Sigma, I fell in love with Sigma Sigma Sigma, the Declarations of Principles and the concept of friendship, character and conduct. When I was extended a bid to join Sigma Sigma Sigma, it was a huge honor and privilege to say yes and join this Sisterhood.”

– CHRIS SMITHHISLER lota Alpha

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Programming Highlights In the fall of 2009, Tri Sigma became the first National Fraternal organization to assess their members using the Fraternity/Sorority Experience Survey. We had a high completion rate with 99 chapters participating and 2,138 surveys completed. The information gathered from the responses is being used to drive our programming and enhance our expansion efforts.

In the fall of 2009, the Arc Sequence (New Member Education Program) was moved to our website as online e-learning modules.

The inherent value of each new member across the country receiving and learning the same information is invaluable. It has also allowed the chapters to spend more time getting to know their new members instead of spending time teaching them about Tri Sigma when they can now learn at their own pace using the on-line modules.

The use of E-Learning and our Sigma Connect training platform has increased greatly over the past couple of years. The Officer and Chairman Training Program, which can be reviewed and completed on-line, offers new officers and chairmen information specific to their roles. The Advisor Training Program functions in much the same way offering our advisors training specific to their role within the organization. The Triangle and Circle Sequences have also been added to our online library.

"WE WHO RECEIVE MUCH, MUST GIVE MUCH"

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National Leadership Program Tri Sigma made a commitment to offer innovative, relevant leadership development opportunities and programming designed with a lifelong learning experience in mind. But most of all, we are committed to developing character-driven leaders using our core values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love.

The Officer Academy was introduced in January, 2009.

This regional event provides newly elected collegiate chapter officers leadership skills, tools, and resources.

The CAB & Volunteer Summit was introduced to over 150 national volunteers in conjunction with the 2010 National Convention. This event focuses on cutting edge skill development to continually prepare our volunteers to lead and guide Tri Sigma.

The Dunham Women of Character Institute will focus on our younger members who aspire to be leaders not only in their chapter but also in their community, school, church or, one day, in their profession. This event will be introduced in May, 2011.

The Labyrinth Leadership Experience, which will be launched in the summer of 2012, is designed to be a five-day intense leadership journey and is open to collegiate and alumnae members though an application and selection process.

The Tri Sigma Brand The Tri Sigma brand was revisited in early 2009, and new brand elements include a refreshed contemporary website for Tri Sigma. A larger strategy includes a members only training portal, a branded Facebook profile page, Twitter account, YouTube, Flickr, and blog. All of these online properties were launched throughout 2010 and into early 2011.

The Tri Sigma brand commits to a brand that is mission driven and approachable.

Success, to us, meant more women would take advantage of an opportunity to connect with Tri Sigma. We wanted all of our members to take their relationship with Tri Sigma to the next level – and discover new opportunities to serve Tri Sigma as a collegian or alumna.

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Our Leaders EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NATIONAL PRESIDENT Kaye Schutte Schendel, ΓΦ NATIONAL TREASURER Bonnie Rainey, AΣ NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Bethany A. Deines, BK NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Emily Eure Ellis, ΓB NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Elizabeth Wakeman Hoffert, BΞ NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Allison Swick-Duttine, Ψ

ADMINISTRATION FINANCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR Cara Whitney Luyster, AB HOUSING COORDINATOR Barbara Stichler Bonapfel, P HOUSING ASSISTANT Stacy Corbin McCoy, EΦ RISK MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR Brenda Sue Christie-Lichtenegger, AI Walton House Board Chairman Inez N. Fridley, ΓΒ Walton House Board Pamela Hall Hathaway, ΓΒ Jeanne Johnson, AI Deborah Jeter Riggan, AΥ

CHAPTER SERVICES REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM Jessica Dowches, ΖΛ Katherine Madison Finazzo, ΑΥ Holly Trembczynski Jankovic, ΑΨ Jocelyn Harper, ΑΒ Katherine Wolper, ΖΑ Haley Yanello, ΕΝ Gina Maurone Nabours, ΑΥ Michele Ramirez, ΒΑ Michelle Tantillo, ΕΟ Jacqueline Wise, AX Monica Cusick, ΕΛ Sherry Sutton Curtiss, ΕΝ Lori Anne Pettyjohn, ΕΝ Nicole Cecelia Steele, ΕΝ Laura Michelle Sweet, ΔΠ Sarah Lively Turner, ΑΑ Elise Bailey, Μ Dana Brown, ΕΧ Amber C. Cochran, ΑΟ Amanda Allee Koback, ΗΠ Desiree Paulhamus, ΑΟ

ALUMNAE AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES

RITUAL COORDINATOR Su-Lin Hammond Banks, ΓΨ

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT COORDINATORS Angela David, ΑΧ Cynthia Harms, ΑΕ Lori Travis Schaefer, ΒΠ Amanda Katharine Swartzbaugh, ΔΒ Evelyn Wever Wolff, ΑΟ

MEETING PLANNER Courtney Munro Stone, ΑΨ Meeting Planner Assistant Michelle Terry Keller, ΑΜ

ALUMNAE CHAPTER COORDINATORS Megan Brandt Gonzalez, ΑΞ Brenda Osterman Ray, ΑΨ Katie Lauer Wadington, ΕΞ Alumnae Initiate Program Assistant Kirsten Bilteau Nicholas, ΕΑ Golden Violet Coordinator Carolyn White Wallisch, Ι

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS ARCHIVIST Carol Gregory Swango, ΑΨ EXTENSION COORDINATOR Kara Suzanne Miller, ΕΔ ASSISTANT EXTENSION COORDINATOR Mandy Herbeck McGuire, ΒΞ

PANHELLENIC NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE DELEGATE Laura Ward Sweet, ΑΣ ALUMNAE PANHELLENIC COORDINATOR Linda Manley-Kuitu, ΕΡ ALTERNATE DELEGATE Natalie Moore Averette, ΓΒ COLLEGIATE PANHELLENIC COORDINATOR Linda Ann Henderson, ΔΨ COLLEGE PANHELLENIC ASSISTANTS Rebecca Nanzer Calkins, ΕΟ Wendy Kirkpatrick, Α Krystal Beaulieu Lloyd, ΕΧ Linda Henderson, ΔΨ

SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA FOUNDATION BOARD

EXTENSION TEAM Sherry Sutton Curtiss, ΕΝ Celinda Exsenea Miranda, ΖΕ Anna Maria Todaro, ΕΦ Amy Johnston Ward, ΕΝ

CHAIRMAN Jan Stroker Horner, ΒΞ

WEBMASTER Kellie Deis Parker, ΑΒ

SECRETARY Leslie Mehard Brady, ΔΠ

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Hillary Diane Ashton, ΖΒ

TREASURER Heather Mergler Mitchell, EΞ

ALUMNAE EDITOR Mandy Meehan Chocheles, ΓΗ

MEMBERS AT LARGE Maryellen Drasler Baxter, ΒΚ Linda J. Clayton, Ο Stephanie Acton Corona, Ο Tracey Horton Daniels, ΑΘ Cj Havlik Donovan, BΛ Stephanie Everett, ΕΘ Angela Gose Feldman, ΒΓ Suzanne Blanchard McGlone, ΓΜ Beth Caldwell Moore, AX Ann DeCecco Rutkowski, ΕΔ Katherine Henke Scherping, ΒΑ

COLLEGIATE EDITOR Sherri Varsek Ballard, ΑΝ FEATURES EDITOR Emmy Margaret Smith, ΕΠ Copy Writer Jocelyn C. Harper, ΑΒ Katie Lauer Wadington, ΕΞ

VICE CHAIRMAN Stephanie Sabol Strom, ΒΙ

PROGRAMMING PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH COORDINATOR Kathleen Reagan Gillan, ΑΖ AWARDS COORDINATOR Suzan Rome Bosarge, ΓΜ

Sigma Sigma Sigma National Headquarters Mabel Lee Walton House 225 North Muhlenberg Street Woodstock, VA 22664 email: sigma@trisigma.org www.sigmasigmasigma.org This information contained herein is as of December 31, 2010

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