Issue 6, Fall 2021
Impact of Emerging Philanthropist Joey Koenig’s Tri Sigma story began with a button stuck in the cupholder of her car. As the Sorority started the process of chartering on her campus, Joey took a button from them in passing, but the idea of joining a sorority was hardly on her mind. The button got stuck in the cupholder of her car, and people began asking if she was a member of Tri Sigma. She repeatedly said no, but this constant reminder in her car piqued her interest enough to get her to attend an information night. At this information night, the focus was philanthropy and the Foundations connection to Sigma Serves Children; Joey was immediately invested. Her father had polio when he was younger, so she felt connected to the mission of “Sigma Serves Children” and especially to the Robbie Page Memorial Fund. As fate would have it, this connection would lead to her becoming a charter member of the Theta Delta Chapter at Lindenwood University. While she had an immediate connection with our philanthropy, Joey had no idea how it would impact her life throughout her collegiate and alumnae years. As a collegian, she served as the Foundation Chair and benefited from attending leadership programs. As an alumna, Joey witnessed the unveiling of the partnership between Tri Sigma and March of Dimes. She said that this partnership brought her full circle, as she was already passionate about March of Dimes and had connections to the organization. Joey says “the triangle” of the Foundation,
which includes leadership programs, scholarship support, and Sigma Serves Children, have all impacted her life. She has seen the mission genuinely come to life. Today, even as a young alumna, Joey impacts the Foundation by giving back. Whether it be through donations or volunteering, she focuses on helping our philanthropy move forward and thrive. She helped start the Foundation’s Collegiate Ambassador Program with the goal of getting collegians more involved and engaged with our philanthropy. Joey says she never had a second thought about getting involved with the Foundation because she knows she has benefited personally from the generosity of her sisters. She believes that it is never too early to start giving back. Joey reminds all collegiate sisters as well as alumnae, “to receive much; you must give much.” She wants you to take a step back and think about how much you have received from your experience as a Tri Sigma. Have you attended a leadership program? Have you grown as a person? Additionally, is there a child in your life whom you love? How can you help serve children? How can you keep the benefits of our philanthropy alive for other women? Upon reflection, there are numerous reasons for you to support our philanthropy. It can be as simple as recognizing a sister you miss by sending them a Violet Tribute - all that matters is your support. No matter who you are, or how much you have to give, you can impact the Foundation and the lives of others.
From The Foundation Chair Dear Sisters,
As the Fall 2021 Semester closes, our collegiate sisters are welcoming their newly initiated members of our sisterhood. It is inspiring to watch our young sisters demonstrate Tri Sigma’s values in new and creative ways. As the philanthropic partner of Tri Sigma Sorority, the Tri Sigma Foundation’s Board and staff are particularly proud of how collegians incorporate generosity throughout recruitment. They educate potential new members about the impact of the Tri Sigma Foundation and service to the community, and share their passion for Sigma Serves Children: advancing the lives of women and children through research, outreach, and education. The Tri Sigma Foundation focuses on three vital programs: scholarship, leadership, and Sigma Serves Children. Helping children has held special significance to Tri Sigmas since 1954. Our innovative therapeutic play programs, funded via the Robbie Page Memorial Fund, have served over 600 local communities and have granted over 1 million dollars. In 2016 we added March of Dimes as a national philanthropic partner, expanding the impact of Sigma Serves Children and joining the fight for the health of all moms and babies as premature birth rates in the U.S. continue to rise. And, thanks to you, we are advancing women’s lives every day. This past year, 34 women received scholarships, but we had 156 apply for financial assistance. Over 700 women attended the Virtual Leadership Symposium, but we have thousands of sisters who could benefit from this education. We granted over $61,000 through child life therapy grants, but what if we could give $100,000? Think of the impact we could make together. The Tri Sigma Foundation Board of Directors and the Tri Sigma Sorority Executive Council are challenging you to join us today in making a gift that is significant and meaningful to you. We’re working together to double the impact of your gift by matching up to $43,000 of your generous donations made by December 31, 2021. By working together, we can double the impact of your gift today. Visit trisigma.org/donate to learn more. We hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and happiness. As we count our blessings from 2021, know you will be among them. Empowered by your generosity,
JeanMarie Komyathy Gamma Kappa Chapter Chair, Foundation Board of Directors
MAKE A GIFT VIA YOUR IRA TODAY!
Make a gift via your IRA today! Making a gift through your IRA is a simple process that allows you to do more with your charitable dollars. If you’ve not considered it before, see below to learn more about this opportunity to support Tri Sigma.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE AND HOW MUCH CAN THEY GIVE?
In December 2015, Congress passed the IRA Charitable Rollover, allowing those over age 70½ to transfer up to $100,000 per year from their IRA accounts to charities like the Tri Sigma Foundation without first having to recognize the distribution as income.
HOW DO I MAKE MY CONTRIBUTION? Visit trisigma.org/foundation/give/iracharitable-rollover/ to download our simple template to initiate a qualified charitable distribution via your plan’s custodian. Because gifts must be processed by December 31 to count for this tax year, I encourage you not to wait to learn more about the benefits of this opportunity!
For more information on how these acts may affect you, please see our Frequently Asked Questions at trisigma.org/foundation/give/iracharitable-rollover/ or visit www.irs.gov.
Alumnae 62% Alumnae & Collegiate Chapters 22% Friends of Sigma 14% Collegians 2%
Program 47% Admin 30% Fundraising 23%
Steadfast Giving Club
Pillars of Sigma
Heritage Society
203 members
116 members
75 members
“Being a Steadfast Giving Club donor is meaningful to me because I know it gives steady income to the Sorority, providing for the empowerment of all Tri Sigmas and it’s easy.” JoAnn Burke Conley Beta Mu
“From my very first days as a Tri Sigma, supporting the Foundation has been one way of giving back to an organization that has given so much to me. I am honored to join other steadfast Sigma sisters as a Pillar of Sigma. I genuinely believe that whenever we join together, we can achieve remarkable things.” Brenda Ray, Alpha Psi
“By including Tri Sigma Foundation in my will/estate planning, I feel like I am contributing to the future of Tri Sigma by helping to ensure our wonderful programs continue, such as leadership and empowering our members to lead and change the world.” Marie Beck, Beta Upsilon
In the last year 700 sisters received virtual growth opportunities to become stronger leaders, creating networks of support that foster strength and courage. Three of these opportunities were virtual Leadership Symposiums that focused on topics to enhance and inspire all sisters to learn new skills and challenge their thinking in today’s global society. Here are what some of the participants had to say:
Erica Hagood, Theta Beta
Suzanne Mizgata, Alpha Psi
“My biggest takeaway from the January 2021 Leadership Symposium was what I learned about the Growth Mindset presented by Trish Layton, Gamma Psi. Not only did I learn how to change my mindset but also how to take this information back to my chapter. As a leader, if I can change my mindset, this will help me become a better leader and help my chapter become a better chapter.”
“The Leadership Symposium is an example of Tri Sigma’s commitment to provide programs to educate and support our collegiate and alumnae members. The topics covered (goal planning and achievement, resiliency, and diversity and inclusion) can be applied personally and professionally, are current and relevant, and are similar or the same to those being offered in the workplace. I’m looking forward to additional programming.”
January 2021 Leadership Symposium
January 2021 Leadership Symposium
Plans are underway for a January 2022 Academy to be held virtually. Each collegiate chapter will send two officers to the Academy to learn to lead during uncertain times.
New Lifetime Society Members in 2020-2021 First Name
Last Name
Chapter
MICHIE SOCIETY
Bonnie
Rainey
Alpha Sigma
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Stephani
Hoch
Beta Chi
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Melinda
Major
Beta Gamma
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Tracey
Daniels
Alpha Theta
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Joann
Davis
Beta Gamma
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Marie
Rees
Delta Xi
FEATHERSTON SOCIETY
Carol
Frost
Kappa
DAVIS SOCIETY
Camille
Chasteen
Zeta Rho
DAVIS SOCIETY
Rebecca
Calkins
Epsilon Omicron
DAVIS SOCIETY
Elna
Rogers
Beta Rho
DAVIS SOCIETY
Linda
Manley-Kuitu
Epsilon Rho
DAVIS SOCIETY
Michelle
Tantillo
Epsilon Omicron
DAVIS SOCIETY
Nancy
McGowan
Kappa
DAVIS SOCIETY
Kay
Hunsaker
Sigma
DAVIS SOCIETY
Yvette
Pue
Chi
DAVIS SOCIETY
Kathleen
Hedden
Alpha Pi
DAVIS SOCIETY
Mandy
Chocheles
Gamma Eta
DAVIS SOCIETY
Charlotte
Suhler
Alpha Nu
DAVIS SOCIETY
Lois
Hansen-Hjelle
Alpha Phi
BATTEN SOCIETY
Veronica
Seymour
Eta Omicron
BATTEN SOCIETY
Jill
Zager
Alpha Nu
BATTEN SOCIETY
Nancy Jo
Candy
Alpha Iota
BATTEN SOCIETY
Karrie
Benjamin
Gamma Alpha
BATTEN SOCIETY
Kathryn
Jackson
Gamma Alpha
BATTEN SOCIETY
Christine
LaBarge
Beta Kappa
BATTEN SOCIETY
Bobbi
Smith
Alpha Epsilon
BATTEN SOCIETY
Kristen
Story
Zeta Theta
BATTEN SOCIETY
Renee
Kries
Iota Alpha
BATTEN SOCIETY
Diane
Hemker
Gamma Nu
BATTEN SOCIETY
Lori
Rassati
Gamma Psi
BATTEN SOCIETY
Vicki
Bird
Nu
BATTEN SOCIETY
Jacqulyn
King
Alpha Phi
BATTEN SOCIETY
Nancy
May
Alpha Upsilon
BATTEN SOCIETY
Angela
Stockstill
Alpha Mu
BATTEN SOCIETY
Kara
Rees
Beta Gamma
Scholarships
With more than 200 scholarship applicants each year, it is crucial that we continue to empower academic achievement. Foundation scholarships provide relief to the rising cost of college tuition and the resources students require to succeed in the pursuit of their degrees. Thanks to generous Sigmas, the Foundation awarded 34 merit and need-based scholarships for 2020-2021. Thanks to the generosity of sisters like you, four new scholarships were endowed in 2020-2021. NEWLY ENDOWED: • CHI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP • STEPHANI HOCH SCHOLARSHIP • THE CARL J. & SHIRLEY L. URSPRUNG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP • CAROLYN WHITE WALLISCH SCHOLARSHIP To learn more about these scholarships please visit trisigma.org/scholarship “I am absolutely honored to have received the Mimi Brandt Hiner Scholarship. My plan is to attend medical school and become a doctor. I want to go back to my rural community that is very underserved and make an impact in healthcare. Being a Tri Sigma has taught me so much about giving and how I can make a difference with my talents and potential. I am so thankful for our sisterhood and all it continues to give me.” Kelli Morgan, Alpha Iota
Dallas Alumnae Run for Robbie Virtual 5K More people can participate, and due to the decreased event costs, more money can go towards impacting our sisterhood.
While the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the nation, many chapters, unfortunately, had to cancel their philanthropic events during the spring semester. The Greater Dallas Alumnae Chapter did no such thing. Sierra Lykins, Chapter President, was sad about the cancellation of their in-person Founders Day event and talked about how she would like to raise “5K” in honor of Founders Day. Other chapter members misunderstood the original idea and thought Sierra was talking about hosting a 5K. Miscommunication or not, the “Run for Robbie Virtual 5K” event was born. Sierra stated that the event cost so little that only three registered participants covered the cost of the prize. There was little to no planning involved, simply publicizing the event with graphics and a Facebook page. The women of the chapter reached out to sisters and friends of Sigma alike, asking them to participate in the event for $10. While a 5K was very convenient during the pandemic, Sierra shared that this event could be successful at any time and is much simpler and more convenient than arranging an in-person 5K.
The Dallas Alumnae Chapter saw all the work that the Tri Sigma Foundation was doing and knew they wanted to do something to help. As a chapter advisor, Sierra gets to see firsthand the Foundation’s impact on collegiate sisters. She said, “When I joined Tri Sigma in 2013, I made a commitment to support the future of Tri Sigma. When we support the Foundation, that’s exactly what we are doing.” With the entire chapter on board, Sierra shared that the community could not help but take notice. The event made a difference for not only the Foundation, but also the bonds of friendship within the chapter. Whether it be a 5K or any other fundraising event, all Tri Sigma sisters have the power to make a difference.
Veronica Seymour
Jan Illenberger
A Magical Experience for Children Sigma Serves Children is Tri Sigma’s philanthropic initiative to benefit children’s health. Whether Sigmas provide play therapy grants to children’s hospitals or light their campus purple for Prematurity Awareness Month, we believe we can impact lives. Annually the Foundation awards local grants to programs nominated by individual Tri Sigmas or alumnae/collegiate chapters. Grants in the amount of up to $5,000 may be awarded.
“As a child life specialist, I recognize that an experience for a child can change drastically just by incorporating distraction,” said Sharon Wesberry, Child Life Manager for Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. “Our hospital is a very colorful place, and we utilized the art we have throughout the Children’s Hospital to inspire the images in this space by creating wraps to disguise the equipment. The art wraps help patients focus on the images and colors and not the procedure they are having.” Creating an inviting atmosphere can reduce anxiety and fear for the children and make a big difference in their overall experience. Our grant process impacts children and allows our members to fulfill their philanthropic passions and give back to causes that are near to them. Nikki Colletti, Gamma Mu advisor, said “The RPM Grant is important to me because I get to see a direct impact in my own
Radiology Department before
In 2020-2021 $62,000 was awarded in Robbie Page Memorial Fund grants benefitting therapeutic play programs in 15 communities. The next round of grant applications will open in May 2022. This past year the Gamma Mu chapter partnered with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital to transform the patient experience. Katelyn Magri, Radiology Department after, with new art wall Gamma Mu, says, “Tri Sigma may not be Disney, community of Baton Rouge. As an elementary but we have the same opportunity to impact a teacher, children hold a very special place in child’s experience and make it magical.” my heart. This grant helps to give back to the The Radiology Department at Our Lady of the most precious in our community by providing a Lake Children’s Hospital underwent a colorful comfortable experience on what may be one of transformation to provide patients a calming the scariest times of their lives.” experience while having a scan completed.