Perspectives 64.1 (Fall 2015)

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER FOR

GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA

NAT I O NA L S E RV I C E S O RO R I T Y

PERSPECTIVES FALL 2015 | VOLUME 64 ISSUE 1

“MUSIC TO MY EARS” COVENTION 2015 NASHVILLE, TN

PRESIDENT Jennifer Gentry president@gammasigmasigma.org

CONVENTION 2015 Convention was freshing !!

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onferences will start again in the spring of 2016. If you have not had a chance to meet National Board of Director members - you will not want to miss attending a conference. The workshops are presented by various National Board members, which provides a face-to-face experience that most organizations do not have.

By attending a conference you to learn more about the 32ND NBD individually, our organization’s leadership, and ways you can stay committed to service throughout your lifetime.

As the conference season continues, the sorority anticipates that you will enjoy the workshops and bonding experiences. Please locate the upcoming conferences in your area and be sure to register. Don’t forget travel pool was increased to $250, this biennium and it can be applied directly to your registration costs.

We look forward to meeting you all next year at the conferences. Visit our national website for additional information at www. gammasigmasigma.org.

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PHOTO CREDIT: GREEKYEARBOOK.COM

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he 2015 convention in Nashville, TN was one of the largest conventions attended to date. Project Impact was voted on, many awards were given to chapters and members both colligate and alumni. The 32nd NBD was elected. Bonds and friendships were formed for a lifetime. Attendes attended workshops and were given GSS swag. We held a beautiful GSS white formal dinner party with great music. We ventured downtown Nashville for dinner sightseeing ans shopping.

VICE PRESIDENT Katy Haynes Owens vicepresident@gammasigmasigma.org SERVICE DIRECTOR Auriela Spaulding service@gammasigmasigma.org TREASURER Jennifer Baker treasurer@gammasigmasigma.org

Table of Contents Front Cover- Music to My Ears 2) Convention News 3) Confereces 4) Banner Service/Article 5) Banner Service 6) Towel Adventures Coming Soon/Connect 7) 8 & 9) Service Corner 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) Back Cover/GSS Notices

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Ashley Jennings membership@gammasigmasigma.org ALUMNI DIRECTOR Tanisha Cousby alumnidirector@gammasigmasigma.org PROGRAM DIRECTOR Jenna Hershelman program@gammasigmasigma.org MARKETING DIRECTOR Patricia Bruhn marketing@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 1 DIRECTOR Ebony Thomas district1@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR Ashley Robinson district2@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 3 DIRECTOR Samantha Cubbage district3@gammasigmasigma.org

2016 Conference Schedule

DISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR Elise Deitrick district4@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 5 DIRECTOR Precious Cristwell district5@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 6 DIRECTOR Chiquita Harville district6@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 7 DIRECTOR Lynne Covington district7@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 8 DIRECTOR Whitney Casey district8@gammasigmasigma.org DISTRICT 9 DIRECTOR Renata Porterfield district9@gammasigmasigma.org

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#GSSservice

BANNER SERVICE

Banner Service is the sorority’s cam-

paign to encourage members to serve and promote their service efforts using Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter during the 32nd Biennium. Through the Banner Service social media campaign, members and chapters/colonies are rewarded for their active promotion of service using #GSSservice. They are rewarded with a banner (for chapters/colonies) or an individual car flag (for individual winners).

Members and chapters post photos and videos volunteering or at service events during the biennium, and they are entered into a drawing to win the banner or flag.

The number of photos are growing on

Instagram with the #GSSservice, the sorority’s label for service photos and video on social media. If you check out #GSSservice you will find photos from countless members and chapters including Delta Chi at East Carolina University, Zeta Nu at Slippery Rock University, River Region Garnets and Pearls Alums, and the spring 2015 Banner Service winner First Coast Alumni.

BANNER SERVICE: “Start posting now to take part in the competition this fall. For photos/ videos posted during the months of August - November, a winner is announced in December.

For the months of January -April, a winner is announced in May.” #GSSservice

Gamma Sigma Sigma’s National Service Program

is designed to guide our sorority in accomplishing national service goals. It is developed around two Project I.M.P.A.C.T. areas, national service efforts, and service assistance for our members to enhance service efforts. one of the main responsibilities of the National Service Director is to oversee the sorority’s national service program. This biennium, service committee members and the community engagement assistant (service) intern have contributed to the development to a document that describes Gamma Sigma Sigma’s National Service Program.

NUTMEG ALUMNI, CT

NATIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR

This document provides information on Project IMPACT areas and National Service Partners. It tells the Service Assistance Program and Service Trip Funding. The document shares project ideas and discuss a new project for 2016 titled Gamma Sigma Sigma Alternative Breaks. Much of the project ideas listed in the document are also listed on the national website in addition to many more ideas. Take a moment to read through the National Service Program, and use it as a resource to assist with your service planning for the biennium.

BY AURELIA SPAULDING

GSS NATIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR

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The GSS

Membership- Watch Us Grow

TOWEL ADVENTUTES continues ...

coming soon so get ready!

CHAPTERS • COLONIES • ALUMNI-AT-LARGE AT SERVICE PROJECTS • AT SOCIAL EVENTS

BY PATRICIA BRUHN DURING SPECIAL OCCASIONS National Marketing Director

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tart sharing your Gamma Sigma Sigma experiences this year with the adventures of the Maroon and White towel. In the upcoming months, each chapter/colony will receive a maroon and white towel in the mail, and alumni-in-large can pay for shipping to have one sent to you. Members are encouraged to take photos with their towel to display the GSS spirit in our members. Photos can be taken at service projects, social events, meetings, inter-chapter meetings, and more. Once you

take the photos, email them to marketing@ gammasigmasigma.org. We will include photos in the Perspectives and on the national website. If you choose to add your photos on social media, please use the hashtag #gammasigmasigma. The Adventures of the Maroon and White Towel is a great way to connect Gamma Sigma Sigma members and celebrate our spirit of service. Pull out your camera and start showing your spirit now!

These are photos from the Roanoke Colony! They are expecting another large recruitment in the Fall semester and this group is at the top of their game. For large service organizations, we know that growth in colonies/RACs can influence national membership trends and is super important.

And this one…. is outstanding in their recruitment efforts. GO ROANOKE COLONY!

CONNECTED with GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA

BY PATRICIA BRUHN

National Marketing Director

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Staying

ore than half of our Gamma Sigma Sigma chapters and colonies are on social media, Chapters and colonies are using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and more to share photos, stories, and other news about their activities. If your chapter or colony has a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram account, please let us know by emailing socialmedia@gammasigmasigma.org or adding your information to our directory online.

Help us find you online. According to the sorority’s social media guidelines and standards, chapters should start their Facebook page with Gamma Sigma Sigma. For example, the Omega Omega Chapter would have a page titled Gamma Sigma Sigma Omega Omega Chapter. For chapter’s with Twitter and Instagram, start your handle with gss.

“Follow” us on Instagram @gammasigmasigma

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For example, @gssusc or @gss_omegaomega. It is recommended to use the school letters on the Twitter and Instagram so that your handle is shorter. When you follow the GSS Social Media Standards, it helps all Gamma Sigma Sigma members find you easier online. The 32NBD will use social media for annoucements after it is posted on the wewbsite. We are now sending out an online monthly new letter to help keep you informed. Have a question or comment join the NBD in our monthly town halls.!

“Follow” us on Twitter @gammasigmasigma

Eta Delta

Eta delta chapter initiated 127 amazing girls into their MIT process, which doubles their size of 111 currently active sisters. They are working hard to make them have the best process and big little fun!!

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SE CO COCO LRV RRNNONICE EER Y

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Service Assistance Program

Funding Application are Due twice a year, check the website and social media for deadlines.

In the spring of 2015, Gamma Sigma Sigma awarded 11 chapters with financial assistance to support their service projects with Project I.M.P.A.C.T. through the Service Assistance Program (SAP). The Service Assistance Program provides financial assistance to chapters and colonies to support their service efforts in Project I.M.P.A.C.T. areas.

The Beta Chi Chapter at Lebanon Valley College organized the Out of Darkness Campus Walk to raise money and awareness for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Approximately 60 participated in the event. “It benefits a great cause and raises awareness for an important issue that impacts many people,” Beta Chi Event Chair Emily Franke said.

Nutmeg Alumni Chapter organized a Spring Fling for Children Affected by Domestic Abuse with their service assistance funding and outside donations. The group hosted an event at the Center for Family Justice and had 31 participants. Nutmeg Alum Mary Lou Edwards wrote, “It was a special afternoon for the kids, moms and us. They all had fun, and were able to just be kids and moms for a short time.” The goal was to provide a sense of normalcy for the families and Nutmeg accomplished their goal.

The projects funded for spring 2015 are included below.

• • • • • • • • • •

Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter’s Women Empowerment Expo (WEE) Bi-Coastal Alumni Chapter at Rock Your Marbles 5K Inflatable Obstacle Run/Walk Gamma Rho Chapter’s Domestic Violence Awareness Week Twin Cities Alumni Chapter’s Domestic Abuse Project Bluegrass Alumni’s Signature Soiree benefiting the Barren River Area Safe Space Alpha Psi’s Hunger Run Nutmeg Alumni Chapter’s Spring Fling for Children Affected by Domestic Violence Delta Nu’s Paint Spruce Run Shelter Beta Chi’s Out of Darkness Campus Walk Gamma Pi’s Get Fit Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Event

Chapters/colonies must complete an application that is available at gammasigmasigma.org.

Amounts are usually awarded from $50 - $250; however, there is no minimum or maximum request amount. Details for ways the assistance may be utilized is on the national website.

For more information, contact service@gammasigmasigma.org.

Bluegrass Alumni Chapter - “Service and Membership on the Rise” This fall Bluegrass Alumni Chapter will be volunteering in the LupusNow Walk in Louisville, KY in support of member JaNee’ Lamb. The chapter will be selling Lupus support bracelets at $2 dollars each as a fundraiser.

The Bluegrass Alumni Chapter had a successful Signature Soiree’ to fundraise for BRASS (Barren River Area Safe Space) for battered women and children. The chapter was able to donate 195 personal hygiene products items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and soap for Domestic Violence month.

The Bluegrass Alumni Chapter is at its all-time rise in membership. In the last month we have doubled our numbers in membership with a total of 16 members. If you would like to join the Bluegrass Alumni Chapter, please contact bluegrassalumni@gmail.com for further information.

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CHATTER

collegiate

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CHATTER

collegiate

“Like” us on facebook.com/ gammasigmasigma

CHATTER

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ALUMNI IN ACTION From the Alumni Director I would like to first thank each and everyone of you for affording me the opportunity to serve as the 2015-2017 National Alumni Director. I look forward to working with all Alumni, AAL, Auxiliary Members, and all graduating collegiate over the course of the next two years.

Our alumni program is stronger than ever with 27chapters, 2 colonies, and 3 interest groups, one of which is a virtual group. Over the course of the biennium I will be communicating with each chapter via phone, email, text, as well as our alumni facebook group.

Alumni- At Large members are encouraged to complete the Alumni-at-Large Membership Report, as well as submitting the Alumni-AtLarge Service Report, which are available for your convenience on the national website.

The planning stage is almost complete, and this biennium should be one for the record books. I'm sure by now you are asking "what's in the works?," well let me tell you:"Did U Know"- alumni expansion project, an alumni track at each conference during conference season, team GSS Alumni: service projects that all alumni can participate in right from their home, alumni alerts: up to the minute text or email notification on the latest GSS News, quarterly alumni presidential conference calls, and a alumni news letter.

To this end, I encourage you to watch the national website, chapter email, and both the gamma sigma sigma globe group, fan page, and alumni group on facebook, for the latest gss news. Should you need anything please know that I am a phone call, text, email, or private message away!

In Service, Friendship, & Equality, Tanisha Cousby 2015-2017 National Alumni Director

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Atlanta Metropolitan Alumni Chapter The year has been quite eventful with the Ladies in the Atlanta Metropolitan Alumni Chapter (AMAC).

We started off the year volunteering with members of the River Region Garnets & Pearls Alumni Chapter for the Hot Chocolate Run. We then took to our social media platforms to bring awareness to certain diseases and even to highlight our chapter members. Each Wednesday we highlighted a chapter member where they gave fun facts about themselves and their fondest GSS memories. Our chapter is blossoming as we have had two baby Sigs so far this year. AMAC loves babies and continued its Signature Bowling for Babies event. In April, our event at Midtown bowl produced a great turnout and lots of fun. Proceeds of the event were donated to the Georgia Chapter of March of Dimes.

There was no slowing down as the chapter had its annual Shoebox party. Shoeboxes are decorated and filled with toiletries and donated to the United Way for Mother’s Day. Looking to keep everyone cool, AMAC held an Alex Lemonade Stand. The support was unbelievable and we truly had a wonderful time. Next, we were off to convention! AMAC had three chapter members attend national convention this year. We had a great time learning and bringing back new ideas for the chapter.

We came back from Convention and went straight to work. AMAC collected donations and prepared a meal for several youth at the Covenant House. We also had members from River Region Garnet & Pearls as well. AMAC holds an annual weekend each August. The weekend is for the community to get to know us and learn more about us. Friday we had Mary Kay consultations, styling tips and discounts at the Limited Perimeter Mall. Saturday we held our Annual Kentucky Derby Style Brunch.

AMAC is not slowing down and has a Co-Ed Baby Shower planned September 19 to support the House of Dawn. We plan on closing this year out with a bang!

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GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA PO BOX 248 Rindge, NH 03461 Change Service Requested

First Coast Alumni Towel Adventures

G S S N OT I C E S lia Donate your sorority memorabi to the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Archives! ld love to

0s, we wou the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or even 200 Whether you are an alumni member from to view. If you rity’s history for future members to be able soro our erve pres help to s item nal have chapter and natio items you would like ter documents or other sorority related have any items, including photos, chap to donate, please send them to: Deborah Folsom, National Archivist 19 2450 121st Avenue • Clear Lake MN 553