Aoo_RESS CoAAECriON Rl!QI1ESfEI>: Alpha Sigma Alpha, 1201 ÂŁ Sprmgfield, Mo. 65802. Use form 3579.
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ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PArD AT ST. LOU IS, Ml SOU R!
SUMMER 1970
VOLUME 55,
1
UMBER 4
on BY MARY GoEKE BACKSMAN
The 1970 Alpha Sigma Alpha National Convention has now become just another part of our history. The anticipation of Convention preparations, the excitement of arrival, the fun of greeting old friends and making new, the thrill of seeing Alpha Sigma Alpha in action in the business sessions, the sati~faction of learning together in the workshops, the inspiration of the Initiation Ritual, the suspense of the Awards Banquet, and all of the other memorable moments of Convention are now just memories. It is time now to set our sights on the Seventies, and our newly elected National Council, of which we can all be proud, has already begun to make plans and formulate policies which will carry Alpha Sigma Alpha to even greater heights in this decade. As we have all become aware, Greek organizations face a crucial test in the coming years. ' 1\Te must realize that times are forever changing; our campuses are naturally different than they were when many of us were in school. Our collegiate members are not the same young women who founded Alpha Sigma Alpha in 1901; nor are they the flappers of the 1920s, the depression conscious students of the 1930s, the bobby-soxers of the 1940s, the jitterbugs of the 1950s, or the hippies of the 1960s. They are the young women of the 1970s, with opportunities, advantages and challenges unknown and even undreamed of during the college days of most of us. Just as the members of Alpha Sigma Alpha in decades gone by adapted their programs to best achieve the
goals of their sorority consistent with the changing scenes on their ca mpuses, so mu st we today gear our sorority programs to pro ide the guidance necessary to accomplish our traditional role on the college campuses. Today's critics of the fraternity sy tern seem to be many in number; at least they are extremely vocal and have found man y forms for their attacks. Our individual freed oms are being challenged, those which we have traditionally fought for and held dear. The fraternity system, because of its very exemplification of American freedom, is a prime target, and our sorority programs today must concentrate on teaching our members to cope with and overcome these forces that are challenging the Greek organizations. We must stress growth through our ideals, and teach our members to become women of poise and purposes who are noted for their character and charm consistent with the ex isting ca mpu and world conditions. Finally, Alpha Sigma Alpha, na ti onally and on the local level, must take steps to become a more vital force on the campus and in the campus community. The recognition of each individu al's worth, and the respect for law and authority that h as always been stressed, ca n be combined with the search for relev ancy in a sta bili zing element that can prove to be the alva tion of the educational system in America. Alpha Sigma Alpha must and will set her goals high and hold her ideal firm as each member, individually and in a joint endeavor, sets her sights on the Seventies.
THE PHOENIX OF ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA is published in the fall, winter, spring and summer of each year at Eden Publishing House, 1724 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63103, official publishers for the sorority. The subscription price $!.SO a year. Send change of address and business correspondence to Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters, 1201 East Walnut Street, Springfield, Mo . 65802. Address all correspondence of an editorial nature to the editor, Mrs. Stewart Koenemann, 1230 Hoyt, St. Louis, Mo. 63137 Second-class postage paid at St. Louis, Missouri. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to National Headquarters, 1201 Ea st Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri 65802 .