2009 F
ONE HUNDRED AND TEN YEARS AGO THIS NOVEMBER 4TH , eight incredible young women and their advisers founded Alpha Sigma Tau: a Sisterhood that has changed the lives and filled the hearts of over 45,000 women ac ross th e world. They wanted to create a perpetual bond with the highest standards for membership, and eventua lly national operations. But we've always been a progressive group of women leaders. Throughout our histo ry,Aipha Sigma Tau has embraced many changes to serve our members, advance our purpose and share our vision . Over the last century, we have: Grownrown from a handful of collegiate and alumnae chapters to 86 collegiate chapters and colon ies and 45 alumnae associations.We consistently average 3-5 new colonies each year and have implemented innovat ive ways to connect alumnae .This year we will publish the 3rd edition of the Alpha Sigma Tau Alumnae Directory to connect ou r members. Expanded the publication of THE ANCHOR from a card stock vers ion to a semi-annual, full-colo r, 44-page magazine; added the print and then on-line versions ofTHE CREST for alumnae; established a firm presence on the Inte rnet with the Alpha Sigma Tau National Homepage, Facebook Fan and Alumnae Pages and community connections on Lin kedIn, Twitter, Delicious etc ... ; developed on-line publications and resources in our members-only section of our webs ite with more innovations planned to advance our Sisterhood . Developed and expanded our values-based programming inclusive of ethics, etiquette and cultu ral t ra ining.W e have grown our member education programs to include a variety of topics over the years from cit izensh ip and wome n's suffrage to member safety, values-based recruitment and cutting-edge, on-line hazing prevention training. Led the NPC community by being the first sorority/women 's fraternity to raise its academic requ irement fo r membership from the standard 2.0 cumulative GPA to what is now an Alpha Sigma Tau 2.5 standard, producing a member average GPA of over a 3.0. Joined the Association of Education Sororities in 1926 and then in 1954 became proud members of the Natio nal Panhellenic Conference, holding the Chairmanship of the Conference from 1983-1985.Today, the Sorority is prepared, both financially and with seasoned alumnae leaders, to take this role on again in the near future .We hold leadersh ip roles in NPC and actively participate in the Capital Fraternal Caucus. Ou r collegians actively participate in their college Panhellenics, and we have established processes to grow our leadership in alumnae Panhellenics. Supported Penland School of Handicrafts, Piney Woods School , and Programs for Emotionally Disturbed Ch ildren as service projects throughout the years. In 1945 we selected Pine Mountain Settlement School as ou r National Philanthropy, and in 2004 we chose Habitat for Humanity International as our National Service Project. We have pro vided millions of volunteer service hours and millions of dollars in donations to our communities, ou r nation, our wo rld.
4 • THE ANCHOR of A lp ha Sigma Tau
Fall/Winter 2009
www.alphasigmatau.org