Executive Council met in January in Phoenix for their bi-annual in-person meeting. While EC meets online each month, in-person meetings allow for greater collaboration and the opportunity to meet with Foundation representatives. Following their meetings, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter hosted a reception for the group.
Sigmas shared a lot of Founders Day love in April, including this Facebook post. It received more than 5,000 reactions/comments and 99 reposts. We also received 58 local chapter event notices to post on on 0 trisigma.org
THANKS TO ALUMNAE DUES PAYERS AND EVER FORWARD MEMBERS
As of June, 30, 1,140 members have paid annual alumnae dues for the 2024 calendar year. Additionally, 27 alumnae have paid or completed Lifetime Dues payments, marking our inaugural Ever Forward Members!
We are about $12K away from our goal of $110K. But—though the promotional portion of the campaign has ended— any dues payments made through November will apply toward this goal.
The Coat of Arms Alumna Sweatshirt remains a top seller at Purple & Pearls, Tri Sigma's official online boutique. Grab one or other alumnae gear at 0 purpleandpearls.com ALUMNAE ATTIRE
The Newsletter for Golden Violets, Ever Forward Members, & Alumnae Dues Payers of Sigma Sigma Sigma SUMMER 2024 | ISSUE 1
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Scoop, a brand new newsletter for alumnae dues payers and Ever Forward Members. While we know many members miss receiving an issue of The Triangle this time of year, we hope this will help fill the void until fall and help you feel more connected and informed.
Have you visited 0 trisigma.org lately? Because of the alumnae dues support we received last fiscal year, we were able to give our website a muchneeded makeover. We hope you're as proud of it as we are! Again, thank you for your continued support of Tri Sigma and our efforts to enrich the lives of our members at all stages of membership.
We have linked several resources, websites and email addresses within this issue. When viewing online, click purple links with 0 to access additional content or send an email. If you’re reading this in print, scan the QR code above with your smart phone camera to access linked content via the digital issue.
UPDATED PR EFFORT PILOTED AT AUBURN
In March, four NHQ staff members partnered with the Theta Iota Chapter at Auburn University to pilot a revamped Week of Kindness. The week involved community outreach, surprising students on campus with various treats, and increased social media engagement. Students particularly appreciated the Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and loved having Kona Ice with Auburn’s beloved mascot, Aubie the Tiger. In addition to the outpouring of positivity from students and staff, the chapter saw a sizable jump in social media followers during the week. This visit was part of a larger rollout plan to bring Week of Kindness to all Tri Sigma chapters. More information will be shared during Convention 2025.
NEW COLLEGIATE APP SET TO LAUNCH
Tri Sigma has partnered with OurHouse, a chapter management and communication app for fraternity and sorority chapters. Designed to serve as a central hub for chapter operations, it will empower Tri Sigma chapters to run more efficiently. Both collegiate and alumnae chapters will also have updated websites powered by OurHouse and provided by NHQ at no additional cost to chapters.
NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE LEADERS RENEW COMMITMENT TO MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
™CLICK TO LISTEN TO NPC'S STATE OF THE CONFERENCE
The Annual Membership Meeting of the National Panhellenic Conference was held in Carmel, Indiana, in March. NPC CEO Dani Weatherford and NPC President Kelly Beck delivered the State of the Conference Report which outlined work that has been done to support their strategic
framework objectives. Efforts were focused on growing year-over-year membership numbers across the conference, member retention, increased extension opportunities, eliminating obstacles for membership, and championing the sorority experience.
Part of this ongoing effort includes the continuation of campus-based digital marketing campaigns designed to increase primary recruitment numbers. In its third year, these efforts have contributed to an 11% increase across the 173 participating campuses.
This fall, NPC will provide coaching and grants to 130 campuses—21 of which are home to a Tri Sigma chapter. Day-to-day marketing campaign management will also move in-house as NPC has hired a new Director of Digital Marketing. Other campaign expansion includes better data tracking and toolkits for campuses not currently engaged in campaigns, adjusted
messaging, targeted education on the benefits of sorority life to high school counselors, and campus-specific virtual tours through 0 thesororitylife.com
NPC also introduced efforts to combine recruitment technologies into a national recruitment registration system. This would not help reduce PNM application fees, but also provide NPC with deeper data insights and opportunities for continued marketing through member initiation.
Another piece of the work includes a $25,000 donation by the NPC and NPC Foundation to the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence’s Amplifying Sorority research campaign. Tri Sigma and the Tri Sigma Foundation, along with nearly all of our NPC peers, have also made contributions to fund this important series of research projects which span through 2026.
Research collected during phase one of the campaign was recently presented to participating donor organizations. NHQ staff will use this research throughout the summer to identify opportunities to implement this data across each functional area to increase member retention and collegiate member growth.
The NPC Council of Delegates voted on policy legislation, approved an updated Council of Delegates manual, and elected a nominating committee to oversee the 2025-27 NPC Board of Directors election.
NHQ DEBUTS NEW VIDEOS
Two new videos were made available for collegiate chapters to show during philanthropy round of primary recruitment. The videos vary in length, but both highlight Sigma's longstanding commitment to serving health-based causes for children. The video also appears on our website at 0 trisigma.org/our-impact.
volunteer CORNER
The Chapter Advisory Board structure was recently updated to better support collegiate chapter leaders and provide each C.A.B. the autonomy to recruit advisors to serve on the board. With local advisory boards now empowered to recruit and select new members to their team, a recruitment toolkit was released to equip them with resources like social media graphics and captions, interview guides, email templates, an interest session PowerPoint, etc. The revised structure now requires an order in which advisor positions are filled. This ensures our collegiate chapters receive the support needed for top strategic priority areas of growth and operations.
In October 2023, volunteer titles were updated to create consistency across departments and more accurately reflect the scope of volunteer work. The new structure also aims to provide more effective communication across teams and staff liaisons and increased effectiveness in addressing specific sorority needs. We look forward to offering more specific training and development opportunities, as well as additional resources and targeted communications.
IMMEDIATE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER SUPPORT NEEDED
There are currently 11 collegiate chapters with the support of only one Chapter Advisory Board member. C.A.B. support is critical to a chapter’s overall vitality, and members from chapters with active C.A.B. report higher levels of resilience and preparedness for life after college and are much more likely to be engaged with Tri Sigma as an alumna.
For more information regarding national and collegiate chapter volunteer opportunities and responsibilities, visit 0 trisigma.org/volunteer
"SET SAIL INTO SERVICE" REACHES ITS PORT OF CALL
“Set Sail into Service” participants completed the first 8-month cohortstyle educational series designed to prepare alumnae for service on any nonprofit board. This professional development series was offered to those seeking to learn core governance and nonprofit board principles and position themselves as a competitive candidate for a leadership role in their community. Attendees also learned about the governance of Tri Sigma. Due to overwhelming member interest, a second cohort was added for current Executive Council and the Foundation Board of Directors to make room for more participants.
The program was led by Angela Costley Harris, an expert in the areas of nonprofit executive leadership and board coaching and board governance training. Her focus on women’s leadership, governance, and relationship dynamics in mission-based organizations provided valuable insight on building peer relationships within Tri Sigma.
NHQ will open applications for the next cohort in fall of 2025.
NEW TRI SIGMA TRAVEL PROGRAM TAKES OFF
Fifteen Sigmas recently toured Greece together as part of Tri Sigma's inaugural trip with EF Go Tours. This new series of fun and educational tours around the globe allows members to explore new destinations with Tri Sigmas by their side. Next stop? Italy in June of 2025. Learn more at 0 trisigma.org/italy-2025
CHANGES TO TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS PROCESS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED
As referenced in the most recent Path Forward email, the Elections Process Review Team has submitted its report and recommendations to Executive Council for updated processes surrounding Tri Sigma’s 2025 triennial Executive Council elections.
The EPR Team held its first meeting in April 2023 and spent a year reviewing all previous recommendations and documents, reviewing bylaws and the collegiate elections process, studying best practices, interviewing other NPC organization representatives, soliciting member feedback, and pouring through feedback from the 2022 Convention.
The goal of the EPR Team's work was to explore and recommend an option for a more streamlined and efficient elections process that allows for more delegates to participate, remove the financial barrier to voting by limiting it to delegates who can afford to attend Convention, better align with Tri Sigma’s board governance model, and allow for a greater transition period of leadership for the incoming Executive Council.
"The underpinning our work is the staunch belief that one of the most important responsibilities of membership is electing our future leadership," said ERP Team Chair Kaye Schutte Schendel.
As part of the team's recommendation and report, they created a timeline for the elections process, an application and recommendation form for EC service, an elections handbook, and
Tri Sigma's 2025 National Convention will be held June 26–28, 2025, at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis
Members interested in attending should budget $1,200-$1,500 per person for travel, hotel, and registration costs.
More information to come later this year!
a comprehensive Nominating Committee manual with interview questions and rubrics for scoring applicants.
The recommended plan uses Rank Choice Voting, a nonpartisan voting model in which voters rank candidates by preference. It allows for more representation and promotes greater diversity, equity and inclusion. RCV ensures majority cohesion in elections, allows for multiple qualified candidates on the ballot, and takes place prior to Convention to ensure a seamless transition of power.
Kaye served alongside Co-Chair Tara Benson, Liz Wakeman Hoffert, Susie Fink Kuhn, Cara Luyster, Jill Carlson Schmidt, and Laura Ward Sweet. National President Joyce O’Daniel and Executive Director Jenna Martin Pendry served as non-voting liaisons.
Stay up-to-date on all things related to triennial legislation and the 2025 Executive Council elections process at 0 trisigma.org/triennial-elections
Following EC's approval of the team's recommendation and bylaw changes, plans began to implement this process for the 2025 election. The amended bylaws will be on the business agenda to be ratified at Convention in St. Louis next summer.
"After 12 months of research and reviewing so many options—we truly believe this to be the fairest and most just elections process for our organization," said Kaye.
EXTENSION UPDATE
It is full steam ahead for the reestablishment of the Zeta Chi Chapter at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. Preparations to participate in the first round of primary recruitment are well underway.
NHQ HAS OFFICIALLY MOVED TO CHAPEL HILL it's
Director of Growth Initiatives Kailea Marshall (pictured above) oversees this effort, including the supervision of new Extension Coordinator, Kailey Klimkowski, Alpha Beta–Kent State University, who will live in Conway and work with the chapter this academic year. The Growth Initiatives Team and Chapter Services Team are now part of a newly revamped department led by Sr. Director of Collegiate Experience Ellen Elmore.
The Zeta Chi Chapter was originally founded at CCU in 1997 and closed in 2021 due to low morale and membership numbers. With enrollment and sorority registration numbers improving since the closure, campus leadership feels it is the ideal time to successfully reestablish.
“We are thrilled to bring Tri Sigma back to Coastal Carolina. Our return to Teal Nation will be focused on providing an outstanding member experience, a commitment to serving others, and abundant individual opportunities for lifelong personal and leadership growth,” said National President Joyce O’Daniel.
Coastal Carolina University is a public liberal arts institution with an enrollment of more than 10,000. Its six other National Panhellenic Conference sororities include Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa, and Phi Sigma Sigma.
Reestablishment questions may be sent to Kailea at 0 kmarshall@trisigma.org Alumnae interested in assisting with the reestablishment or serving on Zeta Chi’s Chapter Advisory Board are encouraged to apply at 0 trisigma.org/volunteer
Moving trucks have pulled into Chapel Hill, marking the next chapter in our national history. While we are still excited to move into the former Delta Delta Chapter property at 307 E. Franklin Street, we aren't there just yet. Executive Council has decided it is in the best financial interest of Tri Sigma to continue the current rental agreement of the fraternity that currently occupies the property. In the interim, we have secured a small office space in Chapel Hill to temporarily house our base of operations. Until further notice, our mailing address will be:
Tri Sigma National Headquarters 1506 E. Franklin Street, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27514
All phone numbers, including direct staff extensions, will remain the same. Correspondence to the Foundation may also be sent to this address; however, the Foundation now utilizes a lockbox at their banking headquarters in Charlotte to receive checks for expedited processing.
Donations made to the Foundation via check should be mailed to:
Tri Sigma Foundation PO Box 71310 Charlotte, NC 28272-1310
Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support in this matter. We are pleased to call The Old State home and look forward to taking the short drive down Franklin Street to our next home soon.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Executive Director Jenna Martin Pendry at 0 jpendry@trisigma.org
In early January, 220 collegiate members and volunteer coaches gathered in Pittsburgh for Prevention Institute. Vice Presidents of Harm Reduction and Honor Council Chairs were provided the opportunity to learn position-specific skills to equip and empower them to prevent high-risk behaviors within their chapter.
Communication was a recurring theme throughout the weekend. Collegians were provided a framework for having difficult conversations, as well as tools to better understand and navigate power dynamics.
“Harm reduction is often less about policies and more about creating a culture of care, and caring enough to confront another member if they demonstrate harmful behaviors.” said Associate Executive Director of Enablement Lorin Phillips.
Attendees learned how to identify partners critical for the successful
implementation of developed strategies and were challenged to look to each other for support. They also spent time reviewing chapter-specific data to inform their own local prevention plan.
Thanks to the Foundation for providing financial support.
Additional thanks go to our volunteers representing the SAFE Team, Risk Management Committee, Collegiate Honor Council and Prevention Managers, Executive Council and NHQ staff: Kristen Ash, Katelyn Causey, Lauren Cunkelman, Courtney Curtis, Ellen Elmore, Mariah Gareis, Gabbie Gordon, Jocelyn Harper, Alecia Harrison, Kim Katz, Kelly Kuzara, Sierra Lykins, Erin Magee, Kati Miller, Lauren Moran, Meredith Nahm, Michelle OsbornHallet, Caroline Phillips, Lorin Phillips, Jessica Poparad, Ivonne Ramirez-DeBlois, Stacy Rowan, Janelle Schmidt, Lesley Shamblin, Nicole Young, as well as Jim Gulbranson and Will Cangialosi.
In late January, 565 chapter officers virtually attended The Academy. With a new chapter leadership structure in place, much of the curriculum focused on understanding the responsibilities of the new manager roles, how to best support them, and prioritizing competing needs. Sessions also emphasized the importance of being able to define the Tri Sigma member experience and helping chapter leaders understand how the member experience affects growth, retention, and sisterhood. Learn more about our strategic focus on collegiate member development in the upcoming issue of The Triangle
SERVING CHILDREN THROUGH RPM GRANTS
The Foundation helps advance Tri Sigma's philanthropic initiative to serve children through the Robbie Page Memorial Fund. In 2023, they awarded more than $50,000 to assist the therapeutic play efforts of the following nine organizations:
AdventHealth Daytona Beach Foundation
Daytona Beach, Florida
Eta Tau–Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ.
Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation
Aurora, Colorado
Denver Alumnae Chapter
Cohen Children’s Medical Center
New Hyde Park, New York
NYC Alumnae Chapter
Connecticut Children’s Foundation Boston, Massachusetts
Zeta Pi–Virginia Wesleyan University
ECU Health Foundation
Greenville, North Carolina
Gamma Beta—East Carolina University
M Health Fairview Children’s Hospital
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter
Memorial Medical Center Foundation
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Alumnae Chapter
NorthShore University Health System Evanston, Illinois
Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter
St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital Boise, Idaho
Eta Tau–Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ.
5TH ANNUAL FOUNDERS DAY OF GIVING RECAP
A total of 949 generous donors (including 152 first-time donors!), challenge sponsors, and 54 ambassadors helped make our 5th annual Founders Day of Giving a success.
Nearly $175,000 were raised to support the Ever True Fund which funds scholarships, leadership programs, and other member development opportunities.
Initiates of Beta Gamma–Ball State University collectively contributed the most at $14,690, followed by Kappa, Alpha Upsilon, Gamma
Alpha, and Alpha Sigma. Northern Virginia led alumnae chapter giving at $13,762, then Chicago NW Suburban, Indianapolis Suburban, Dallas and Chicago North Shore.
Giving back in honor of our Founders is a longstanding tradition for many members, and ensures Tri Sigma continues to empower women for the next 126 years.
Dates for the next Day of Giving will be announced in the upcoming issue of The Triangle. We hope you'll join us in 2025!
NEW FOUNDATION STAFF
The Tri Sigma Foundation welcomed two new staff members last fall. Sydney Haven, Eta Alpha, joins as the Director of Operations and Ellen Herbig, Beta Beta, joins as the Director of Annual Giving.
As Director of Operations, Sydney oversees operations at the Foundation and leads Foundation scholarships, Robbie Page Memorial Grants, and fundraising resources for collegiate and alumnae chapters. She is a graduate of Stephens College, where she was initiated into the Eta Alpha Chapter. Sydney joins the Foundation with experience in both for-profit and non-profit operations, having previously worked as the Director of Operations for Tattered Cover Bookstore and the Business Operations Manager in the Office of Advancement at the University of Colorado. Sydney lives in Denver.
As Director of Annual Giving, Ellen oversees annual giving efforts for the Foundation including Founders Day of Giving, the Steadfast Giving Club, and other individual giving opportunities. Ellen is a graduate of Missouri State University, where she was a charter member of the Beta Beta Chapter. Ellen brings experience in nonprofit fundraising and communications, as well as experience in higher education. She volunteers as a chapter advisor for Beta Beta and lives in Springfield, Missouri.
They both look forward to meeting many of you at Convention next June.
Sydney Haven
Ellen Herbig
1506 E. Franklin Street, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27514
540-459-4212 | trisigma.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Travel alongside your Sigma sisters for the trip of a lifetime to Italy. This 8-day trip includes hotels, daily breakfast, dinner for 3 nights, a cooking class, sightseeing tours and entry to The Roman Colosseum, The Roman Forum, The Duomo of Florence, and more—plus private deluxe motor coach between Rome and Florence. An addtional 3-day excursion upgrade to Venice is also available.
Space is limited to 25 travelers, so reserve your spot by Dec. 15, 2024!
