PERSPECTIVES The Official Publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
Volume 55, Issue 1
www.gammasigmasigma.org
FALL 2008
OUR convention, yours as well as mine By Aurelia Spaulding, National Marketing Director
Since the Constitutional Convention in 1952, only one Gamma Sigma Sigma event has taken place in order to make the decisions on the governing rules of the national organization, elect new national board members, and allow GSS to meet other members from opposite sides of the country. This event, which only takes place every other year, is our National Convention. Notice the key word in that last sentence. The key word isn’t “national” or “convention.” The key and defining word is “OUR.” The Gamma Sigma Sigma National Convention is OUR convention. It is OUR time to discuss and learn, show our GSS spirit, fellowship together, and meet members you may only read about. The National Convention is OUR time to vote on bylaws and policies. OUR means ownership and we should care about those things that are our own. OUR founders, who attended the Constitutional Convention, came from different areas of the country. They communicated by letters instead of email and facebook. They traveled by train instead of plane or cars. They made their way to Beekman Towers for one reason and one reason only—to start a national service sorority. While we sometimes forget the foundation of OUR organization, I challenge you for the months leading up to the summer of 2009, and the years following to make your Destination: Service, as these ladies did to start OUR organization nearly 56 years ago. The theme of next year’s convention, “Destination: Service,” roots in the quote by Gamma Sigma Sigma First National President, Barbara Ferraro, on the founding of OUR sorority, “SERVICE was to be the worthwhile endeavor that would be the rock upon which FRIENDSHIP and EQUALITY was built.” I challenge you to continue building on that rock. I challenge you to put the National Convention on your calendar. Mark the date: July 9-12, 2009. Arrive on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and participate in the Newcomer’s Festivities. And, don’t let finances get in your way. Chapters, as long as you stay in good standing, you qualify for two free quad registrations. This means, you can send up to two members to the National Convention with the registration fee covered through the travel pool you’ve paid into each November. These two members serve as delegates representing your chapter at OUR
Members at the 2007 National Convention in Chicago
National Convention. Our current colonies in good standing receive one free quad registration. Our current alumni colonies in good standing receive one vote and one free quad registration. Alumni-at-large, start preparing everything you need for the trip to Fort Lauderdale. The activities of the convention are not set aside for only members of chapters and colonies. You will find a number of activities and workshops of interest to you as an alumni-at-large at the convention. Alums and Collegiates both have 10 months to set aside money for travel expenses and registration fees. Your registration includes your convention materials, four nights stay at the convention hotel, as well as meals. Take a look at the convention flyer on page 5 of this issue which outlines 10 things to do as you countdown the months to convention. I encourage you to attend OUR 29th National Convention. This is OUR event, yours as well as mine, and I look forward to seeing you there.
In This Issue Collegiate Chapter News Alumni/Service News Convention Flyer Leadership Conference Information Service News Communication Pointers Exposure National Jeweler Upcoming Events/Misc. Info
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
Want to know what the MIT process was like in the 50s, 60s, and 70s? Find out in the next issue! 1
Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page
2 3-4 5 6-7 8 8 9 10-11 12