Perspectives 51.2 (Winter 2005)

PERSPECTIVES The Official Publication of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Volume 51, Issue 2

Winter 2005

2004 Fall Conference Review

by Alison Kaufmann, Program Director The last two district conferences of the biennium were held this fall in Districts I and VI.

District I: Des Moines, Iowa Members came from all over District One on November 6, 2004. Four collegiate chapters made the long drive to Des Moines: Alpha Psi, Alpha Iota, Alpha Pi, and Beta Delta. A large group from Twin Cities Alumni Chapter as well as an Alumni At Large was also able to be there.

The day began with a leadership workshop and a few games. They also received resume help and shared ideas about fundraising. Finally, attendees enjoyed using their creativity to make cards for the troops overseas.

District VI Conference Service Project

Thanks to all of the attendees, presenters and speakers that helped make this biennium’s conference season a success.

District VI: Greensboro, North Carolina Zeta Epsilon just loves to road trip. We were happy they were able to make the drive to Greensboro, NC. They joined an impressive group of Delta Chi chapter members for the District Six conference on November 13, 2004. It was a day filled with leadership training, games, and idea sharing. Delta Chi sponsored the service project which all of the attendees enjoyed.

We left looking forward to seeing each other at the upcoming National Convention.

Some of the District I Conference Attendees

In This Issue 2004 Fall Conference Review Service Project Idea For Members Meet Our Newest NBD Members Lynne’s Lines Award Nomination Information Collegiate Chapter/Member News District VII Spirit Day Information Hazing Comes In Many Forms District V Spirit Day Information Alumni Chapter/Member News 2005 Convention Information Expansion Update Feedback on Awards Program Parliamentary Pointers National Jeweler NBD/Staff Contacts/Website Info Upcoming Events

Page 1 Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 Pages 4-5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Pages 7 Pages 8-11 Page 12 Pages 12-13 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16

Service Project - Expired Coupons Help Military Families For military families who relocate overseas, the financial transition can be difficult. Enlisted soldiers and their families may find stretching their dollars a real challenge, even more so than those who are based in this country. One way that we can help is by saving expired or unused coupons and sending them to select co-op operations around the country. There are several military family support centers overseas who offer coupon exchanges. The military commissaries overseas accept manufacturer's cents-off coupons for up to six months past their printed expiration dates. What a treasure it is to know that our expired coupons can mean a real difference to the families who have dedicated and sacrificed a part of their lives for the sake of our country.

If you are interested in participating in the collection of expired coupons to help these families, here is a small list of ideas that can help get you started. *Post announcements at school or work and place a box for the coupons to be kept. *If you are a teacher, use this as a project for your classes challenging your students to collect as many as possible. Offer a plaque of achievement to the class that collects the most. *Solicit your fellow Church or Synagogue members to join in your cause!

What Do We Have to Do? You can only imagine the huge tasks that these organizations have as they go about sorting and bundling the coupons that are sent in. Since it is everyone's goal to be of help and not a hindrance, there are guidelines that are suggested for groups or individuals that are participating in this program. *Cut/trim sides of the coupons. This is helpful to the receiving centers and why pay postage on dead weight. *Separate the coupons into two major categories - Food (for humans) and Non-Food (pet food would be nonfood). Place them in large sealed freezer bags, label and attach a dollar total of the coupons onto the bag.

For a complete list of where to send your collected coupons contact the Perspectives Editor at perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org or via contact information on page 11 of this issue.

Meet Our Newest National Board of Directors Members We are pleased to introduce these new board members who volunteered to serve on the board for the remainder of the biennium when the elected officers resigned. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the 26th NBD!

Deb Folsom, National Treasurer Collegiate Chapter: Alpha Pi Pledged: 1989

Patty Dahl, Service Director Collegiate Chapter: Zeta Pledged: 1994

Deb is also serving as our Perspectives Editor. Deb lives with her husband, Jeff and their son, Michael, who is two. In her free time she enjoys scrapbooking and watching NASCAR. Deb’s favorite service project in college was when they would do their bloodmobiles on campus each semester.

Deb’s job on the NBD is to collect and distribute funds and to maintain the permanent financial records.

Patty has a boyfriend, Mark and two Jack Russell Terriers, Jack and Nutmeg. She joined Gamma Sig because of our ideals and that the group can come together and make a difference, while bonding and making new friends.

Her favorite service project in college was making disaster relief kits for the American Red Cross. Patty’s job on the NBD is to plan, direct and evaluate the sorority’s service program.

Jo Charest, Marketing Director Collegiate Chapter: Epsilon Phi Pledged: 1977

Tracy Carr, District III Director Collegiate Chapter: Delta Chi Year Pledged: 1999

Jo is also serving as our webmaster. She joined Gamma Sig because of its unconditional acceptance of all with a focus on community service. In her free time she makes fabric and painted crafts to benefit animal rescue, produces live music, websites, cross stitch, reading and herbology. Jo’s job on the NBD is to develop, update and coordinate all publications and public relations activities for the sorority.

Tracy is engaged (David) and has a cat named Hera. Her favorite hobby is reading and recently moved back to the Greenville, NC area. Her favorite project while at ECU was her nightly visits to an assisted living home. She remembers one man who sang to her every time she stopped by. Tracy’s job on the NBD is to visit her chapters and represent them at national affairs.

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Lynne’s Lines - A Note From Our National President Our service efforts can be viewed much like snowflakes falling in winter. Individually we have a limited impact, just like a single snowflake. But when we work together collectively we can have a tremendous impact. If you have experienced a snowstorm, you know what I mean! Millions of snowflakes all falling together can really make people stand up and take notice. . . and shovel a lot too! Many GSS members working together also get people to stand up and take notice.

As a group, we have the opportunity to accomplish much. We can do great things to help our communities. During the last biennium (2001 – 2003) Gamma Sig members provided 162,153 hours of community service to communities throughout our country. That is something to be very proud of.

But is there anything else we do as a group? We all know that service is our purpose and passion, how else can we work together to have an impact?

Our national convention in July gives us the opportunity to work together and impact our sorority’s future. You will be getting mailings filled with information about convention and what will be happening there. By carefully reviewing it in your chapter meetings and sharing your ideas about it, you will be helping prepare your chapter delegates to make decisions with other chapter delegates about our sorority. That is working together.

By talking about attending convention, encouraging members to consider attending convention, keeping your chapter in good standing so that you receive your convention travel pool, and holding fundraisers to help cover costs, you help us make this convention successful. That is working together.

Your commitment to attend and participate in convention shows that you want to work with other members to chart the course of Gamma Sig’s future. Together at our convention we will determine changes to our bylaws and policies, select project I.M.P.A.C.T. areas, recognize individual and chapter achievements and elect our new leaders. We will decide the future course for Gamma Sig and review our accomplishments, we will reminisce about things we have done and make memories that we will share in years to come. That is working together.

And after convention we can still work together on communicating with each other to strengthen the bonds of membership that we share. Keeping in touch with the members that you meet at convention and with our new leaders makes us a stronger organization. That is working together.

So let’s start thinking of ourselves as a very important part of a greater whole, just like the snowflakes we watch during this winter season. We each work as a single link in the Gamma Sig chain. Our sorority chain can take us anywhere we want to go as long as we keep our link strong and stay attached to the links around us.

Thanks for being a link in my GSS chain!

Award Nomination Information Award nominations are still being accepted until April 1, 2005 for the following: POWELL AWARD - NATIONAL OUTSTANDING ALUMNA AWARD - The sorority grants lifetime membership and presents a Certificate of Recognition and a maroon service key with the sorority coat of arms to recipients of the Rosalie Powell Award ("Powell Award"). This award recognizes an alumna member for outstanding contributions to the national organization, continuing achievement and accomplishment in chapter activities, as well as, promoting leadership.

NATIONAL OUTSTANDING COLLEGIATE AWARD - The sorority presents a black service key with the sorority coat of arms to recipients of the National Outstanding Collegiate Award, the highest award conferred on individual members. Certificates of Recognition are presented to the recipients and their respective chapters. This award recognizes a member for outstanding contribution to the national organization as well as continuing achievement and accomplishment in chapter activities.

SERVICE MERIT AWARDS - Service Merit Awards are certificates presented to up to five chapters or colonies in recognition of specific service projects conducted on their campuses or in their communities. Chapters and colonies must nominate themselves for this award on forms provided by the National Service Director. Nominations must be submitted by April 1st of the National Convention year. Recipients of this award are selected by majority vote of the National Board of Directors.

Application forms can be requested from Char Scott, Administrative Assistant at administrative.assistant@gammasigmasigma.org or 800-585-7509.

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Collegiate Chapter & Member News Chapters - Get your service projects, pledge classes or other events in Perspectives.

Other chapters & alumni want to know what you are doing. To submit information, mail pictures and/or story to Perspectives Editor (see page 11) or send to perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org (If emailing pictures - they must be originally taken or scanned at a high resolution - 300 DPI)

Gamma Sig Continues To Grow!

District IV Conference Attendees

Members from Francis Marion University Colony in Florence, SC working a Gamma Sigma Sigma interest booth on their campus.

Beta Theta Chapter Texas Wesleyan University during their chapter visit

Gamma Theta Chapter Stephen F Austin University during their Rock-A-Thon Canned Food Drive & chapter visit

Delta Chi - East Carolina University Greenville, NC. - Spent their last semester doing various different service projects. Every week they spent an hour a day at the Sterling House rest home visiting the residents and passing out snacks to them, three hours a day at Operation Sunshine, an after school care for under privileged female children, three hours a day at the Boys and Girls club, and two hours, two to three times a week cooking at Ronald McDonald House. Also, at various times throughout the week they spent time reading to children at the library. In midSeptember ten member got together and painted the inside of a house for Habitat for Humanity.

For their big service project of last semester, they had their 14th annual male auction, Pick-A-Pirate.

In this they auctioned off 20 ECU students. They raised close to $1,400 dollars and donated all of the proceeds to The Massey Cancer Center in Richmond VA in memory of Patricia Moore, the mother of one of their members who recently died of breast cancer.

Delta Chi is also proud to announce that they had 25 new members join this fall. Everything ran very smoothly, and the pledges did a good job of going out of their way to meet all of the actives. For their service project, they put on a Halloween Carnival at Operation Sunshine.

They spent three hours painting faces, playing games and passing out halloween snacks to the children. Delta Chi is looking forward to having another great semester this spring.

The Beta Epsilon Chapter at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is looking to re-establish contacts with their Alumni. Any Alumni interested in contacting the members can send an e-mail to betaepsilon@gammasigmasigma.org or a letter to Jessie Rawlings, 13041 Rt. 99 Apt 3, Edinboro, PA 16412.

The chapter looks forward to hearing from all of their Alums!

Members attending the Alumni and Inactive dinner in December by Beta Epsilon Chapter

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Collegiate Chapter & Member News

Gamma Phi Chapter St Francis College during their chapter visit

District II Spirit Day Attendees

(cont.)

Beta Epsilon Chapter Edinboro University during their chapter visit

Alpha Iota Chapter University Of MN - Duluth during their chapter visit

District VI Spirit Day Attendees

Beta Delta Chapter University Of WI - LaCrosse during their annual TeeterTotter-athon for a local AIDS clinic

Tau Chapter Penn State University during their chapter visit

District VII Spirit Day Information IN THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE - DISTRICT VII SPIRIT DAY February 19, 2005 at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA Deadline to Register January 26, 2005 • You can also register by email at district7@gammasigmasigma.org. Payment must be mailed separately. • NO REFUNDS. Substitutions are permitted.

Name:____________________________

Chapter or AAL:______________________

Address:_______________________________ City:________________ State:_____ Zip:__________ Phone:_________________________

Email Address:_______________________________

Registration Information: Includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Conference Materials for $20, Day Only Special physical or dietary accommodations needed:_________________________________________ Make money orders or checks for $20 each payable to: Gamma Sigma Sigma Send your payment (and completed registration form if applicable) to: DaQuana Carter, District VII Director - 8 Jeffery Road, Aldan, PA 19018 After your registration information is received you will be sent a confirmation email/letter with the agenda and driving directions. Questions? Contact Dee Carter at district7@gammasigmasigma.org or (610) 394-0502.

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Hazing Comes In Many Forms

by Lelar Corbett, District IV Director

In order for an event to be a mandatory event, a chapter as a whole must first vote to have the event mandatory. Events that might be considered mandatory are events that support the sorority’s mission, provide leadership training, develop and improve membership bonds and improve chapter operations.

A member’s education, health and livelihood come before the sorority’s needs. If a member has a situation and cannot make it to a mandatory event, then there needs to be things put in place to excuse the member. Failure to excuse members with valid circumstances could be viewed as hazing by the chapter.

The article below show how easily a mandatory event can turned into a hazing event.

Sorority women told to lie to give blood - National office issues apology COLUMBIA, Missouri (AP) -- The national office of a sorority whose members were urged to lie about their health to boost turnout in a competitive campus blood drive apologized. In a statement from its national office in Colorado, Gamma Phi Beta said it “regrets the e-mail sent regarding mandatory participation in a campus-wide blood drive and apologizes to the community, the Red Cross and campus.”

The American Red Cross tells those who are sick or have recently received tattoos or piercings not to donate blood, both to protect the health of donors and to lessen the risk of transmitting diseases to recipients.

But sorority members at the University of Missouri-Columbia -- a school that once set a world record for blood collection -- were urged by a fellow member to lie about their health.

In an e-mail sent to about 170 members of Gamma Phi Beta, the chapter's blood donation coordinator, wrote: “We’re not messing around. Punishment for not giving blood is going to be quite severe. I don’t care if you got a tattoo last week LIE. I don’t care if you have a cold. Suck it up. We all do. LIE. Recent piercings? LIE.” She added: “Even if you are going to use the Do Not Use My Blood sticker, GIVE ANYWAY.” (Donors who have second thoughts at the donation site can discreetly attach a sticker to a health questionnaire indicating their blood should not be used.)

District V Spirit Day Information District 5 Spirit Day—February 5, 2005 Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA Deadline to Register January 25, 2005 Name:______________________________________

Chapter or AAL:______________________

Address:_____________________________ City:__________________ State:____ Zip:________ Phone:____________________________ Email Address:___________________________________ Special physical accommodations needed:_______________________________________________ Special Dietary accommodations needed:________________________________________________ Send registrations forms to: GSS D5 Spirit Day c/o Ranita Williams, Georgia State University Department of Biology, P.O. Box 4010, Atlanta, GA 30302-4010 This event is free of charge! Time: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

After your registration information is received you will be sent a confirmation email/letter with the agenda, hotel information and driving directions. Questions? Email Liashelle at district5@gammasigmasigma.org 6

Alumni Chapter & Member News Want to keep up with other alumni? Want your friends from college to know what you are up to? Then this is is the place for you! Send in your personal updates: marriages, births, promotions, retirements; anything that other alumni would like to find out about you. Send to Perspectives Editor (see page 11) or to perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org.

(If emailing pictures - they must be originally taken or scanned at a high resolution - 300 DPI)

Congratulations to our newest alumni group Omicron Alumni Colony Tallahassee, FL

Miriam D. Dufer, Zeta Zeta Chapter, Alumni-atlarge, and her unit are back from Iraq. They re-deployed in December and wish to thank all the members for their overwhelming support.

Now that they are home, please make sure no additional packages are sent to her attention.

Nutmeg Alumni Chapter CT Collected and sent Halloween goodies and decorations to the soldiers in Iraq.

Houston Bayou and Yellow Rose Alumni Chapters participating in Relay for Life

Greater Baltimore Alumni Chapter - GBAC kept a busy service schedule last year. They collected gently used men’s clothing and donated them to TuTTie’s Place, which provides safe and stabilizing residential services for adolescent boys. In addition, mentoring sessions and materials were provided to Lombard Middle School children. The students learned of the importance of veterans to our country, and crafted handmade Valentine cards for them. These cards were delivered to the Baltimore Veterans‚ Administration Medical Center, in time to be given to the patients during the annual Salute to Hospitalized Veterans week. At the District VII Conference, they introduced a service idea for making Chemo Caps to benefit cancer or burn victims. Printed instructions for knitting or crocheting several different models of hats were distributed.

GBAC gathered and gave two bags of counseling and child psychology books to the counseling center library of an inner-city public school. This was in line with their decision to devote several projects in the year to the umbrella theme of “Learning, Literacy and/or Education.” Manning the registration and refreshment stations was done for two March of Dimes Walkathons and they helped staff the Central Maryland Red Cross blood drive.

They helped to update the requirements listings of the Campbell’s product labels, and the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program, and the grocery store affiliation plastic cards, all of which benefit the Board of Child Care. July brought the conclusion of a science and computer book collection project that resulted in 125 books for underprivileged students. They also donated cancer educational materials to the Patient Resource Center of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Also, they gave nursery and pre-school books to Ryce, Inc. for its day care center, stacks of magazines were given to the Greenebaum Cancer Center, for use in the waiting room. GBAC is currently planning projects for 2005 in the beautiful Chesapeake Bay area.

ALUMNI AT LARGE!!!

Nutmeg Alumni Chapter - CT, Bell Ringing at Stop Shop in December.

Pictured with Salvation Army Captain Gonzalez.

New for you - an Alumni-at-large service hours report so that your hours can count too! AAL Service Reports can be submitted at any time. To get a copy of this report, you can either download it from our website at www.gammasigmasigma.org - Members Only section - National Publications/Reports or by calling Patty Dahl, Service Director at 772-343-7526.

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Twin Cities Alumni - MN Worked the registration table at the Wetterling Foundation Fundraiser to raise money to help locate missing children.

2005 National Convention Information CONVENTION 2005 IS COMING SOON!

by Mary Strife, Convention Chair 2005 is finally here. I am still recovering from holidays, time with the family and annual evaluations. However, our national convention is not far away.

It seems like we have been planning forever. But I think you will find that all our planning was worth the results.

Many of you already have this on your calendar. But, I believe in repetition, especially since it reminds us that we still have time to make arrangements to attend. The 2005 Convention theme is Service Rocks, and we will be "jamming" in the city of Cleveland, OH from July 6-10 at the Embassy SuitesRockside. The members of the NBD enjoyed their stay there in August, and I have no doubt that this positive experience will be shared by all of you coming in July. The Embassy Suites is very easy to get to by car or plane. The staff has been really wonderful accommodating our needs. I think the variety of food will keep most people happy. The hotel’s claim to fame is a made-to-order breakfast (eggs, meats, cereal, yogurt, fruit, etc). Believe me when I tell you how wonderful that is.

We are working with a new format for the actual meetings; there will be time for tours and more time to network with other members. Possible tours include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, other museums along the lake, and a Trolley Tour. We are hoping to encourage you to meet new people and to give an opportunity for Gamma Sigma Sigma spirit sharing. Have I piqued your interest?

No matter how much fun we have, we need to focus on the reason for convention. This is the time that members of Gamma Sigma Sigma come together to conduct business: discuss and approve new/restructured bylaws, elect new officers and generally share service from around the country. It is your right and responsibility to make sure that your chapter is represented and your voice is heard.

Those who show up get to make the decisions. I know that many of you have strong opinions---this is your opportunity to get your issues heard. Do not be left out.

There will be time to talk to old and new friends, learn about what works for service and membership in other chapters, and generally bask in the glow of the joy of Gamma Sigma Sigma. Many of you will be fortunate enough to meet a friend who will be with you for rest of your life.

Encourage your friends and other members to come. This is an opportunity that you will not want to miss. Keep checking the national website, www.gammasigmasigma.org for up-to-date information and email me if you have any questions - 2005chair@gammasigmasigma.org. I look forward to seeing you in Cleveland!

Tentative Convention Agenda Wednesday – July 6th (1 p.m.–11 p.m)

Meals on Your Own. Registration, Sightseeing tours, 50’s Sock Hop

Thursday – July 7th (7 a.m.–11 p.m.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Registration, Bylaws Forum, Project I.M.P.A.C.T. Forum, General session, District meetings, Awards, Service activity

Friday – July 8th (7 a.m.–9 p.m.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner General Session, Woman of the Year Presentation, Workshops, National Officer Candidates Forum, Tours and Hospitality room.

Saturday – July 9th (7 a.m.–9 p.m.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner General Session, Elections, Workshops, Meet the New NBD, Spirit Competition and Service Project

Sunday – July 10th (9 a.m.–12 p.m.)

Breakfast and Pastry Display Officer Installation, Awards, Closing Program,Check-out and Adjournment

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2005 National Convention Registration Form Please Print - Send to address on other side of form Name _________________________________________________________________________________ o Collegiate Member o Alumni Member o Under 21 as of 7/6/05 o Over 21 as of 7/6/05 Collegiate Chapter _____________________

Alum-at-Large ____

Alum Chapter ______________

School ________________________________

Current NBD/Staff Position _______________________

School Address _________________________

Past NBD/Staff Position _________________________

_________________________________________________________ Home Address ____________________________________________________________________________ Phone (school) _________________________ Phone (when not in school) ______________________ Home Phone ____________________________________ Email _____________________________ Email (after 6/2005) if different_________________________ CONVENTION FEES: Registration includes 4 nights lodging (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday); 3 meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; breakfast and pastries on Sunday; convention materials and favors.

Note: Up to two registrations (Quad rate) per chapter will be paid by the national organization if all national requirements have been met by the chapter.

By 4/15/05 o Quad $360 o Triple $405 o Double $495 o Single $725 o Daytime-LD Only $240 (Lunch and Dinner only) o Daytime-BLD Only $265 (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner) o Single Day Only $100 (No meals)

By 6/6/05

Registration Deadline: June 6, 2005 * No refunds or cancellations after 6/6/05 * Substitutions are permitted * No on-site registration * Returned Check Fee $20

$385 $430 $520 $750 $265

• Contact Barb Horter for additional nights if you plan to come early or stay late to get same room rate.

$290 $125

Convention T-Shirt (MAROON) – Sorority letters on front, Convention logo (guitar) on back.

Short sleeve o Small o Medium o Large o XL o XXL o XXXL

$10 $10 $10 $10 $11 $12

Long Sleeve o Small $14 o Medium $14 o Large $14 o XL $14 o XXL $15 (not available in XXXL) 9

OVER

2005 National Convention Registration Form Sightseeing Tours (Optional) - At this time we do not know the final costs for these. Plans are being made for a bus to leave the hotel on Wednesday afternoon to go to 9th Street in downtown Cleveland. Sights that can be seen there are the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Great Lakes Science Center. On Friday we hope to set up a tour of Cleveland on Lolly the Trolley. This will take us on a sightseeing tour of different areas of Cleveland. More information will be provided on this in later mailings. If you are interested please mark this section on the registration form. We will contact you with further information. These tours will not be run if we do not have enough interested members.

TOUR INTEREST o I am interested in the tours on Wednesday to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or Great Lakes Science Center. o I am interested in the tours on Lolly the Trolley on Friday.

Summary of Charges

Make checks payable to: Gamma Sigma Sigma

__________ Registration Fee

Send your completed Registration Form and payment to: Barbara Horter, Convention Registration Coordinator, 1313 Laurel Avenue, Wanamassa Ocean, NJ 07712

__________ T-Shirt

__________ TOTAL Questions?? Contact Barb at 732 774-3728 (EST) or at BCHorter@aol.com

Itinerary Date of Arrival ____________________ Date of Departure ____________________ o Car Arrival Time __________ Departure Time __________ o Plane Arrival: Airline _______________ Time __________ Flight # __________ Departure Airline ________________ Time __________ o Bus Arrival: Busline _______________ Time __________ Bus # ___________ Departure: Busline _______________ Time __________ o Train Arrival: Trainline ______________ Time __________ Train # __________ Departure Trainline ______________ Time __________ Travel Pool monies will be sent to one member of each chapter or colony upon receipt of registration.

Please specify who should receive your chapter’s check: Name ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________ Email ______________________________________ Roommate Preference o None o Yes (list name/chapter): _____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Smoking Preference: o Non-Smoking o Smoking Special physical accommodations needed: __________________________________________________ Dietary accommodations needed: o Vegetarian o Allergies(explain) _______________________ o Kosher o Other (explain) _________________________________________________ OVER 10

2005 National Convention Information

Service Rocks!

Convention Hotel Embassy Suites Hotel Cleveland – Rockside 5800 Rockside Woods Boulevard Independence, Ohio 44131 216-617-2118 www.embassysuitesrockside.com

Hotel Information Embassy Suites Hotel Cleveland-Rockside is centrally located near all of Cleveland’s major attractions. It is a stone’s throw from Downtown, the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Geauga Lake, and Museums. Embassy Suites Hotel Cleveland-Rockside is near I-77 & I-480 off Rockside Road in Independence, Ohio. Parking is free. Rooms are 2 room guest suites featuring a living room, dining area and separate bedroom. The rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, ironing board/iron, and high-speed Internet connection. The hotel has an indoor pool, whirlpool, outdoor sundeck and fitness room. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is included for every hotel guest.

Transportation from Airport The shuttle is free if you have notified us ahead of time with your arrival time and date, airline, departure time and date and airline on the Convention Registration form.

Amtrak – 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland (No shuttle is available from the Amtrak station to the hotel.)

What to Wear Temperatures vary from 62 degrees at night to 80 degrees by day.

Light sweater/jacket (meeting rooms are sometimes cool) Dressy clothes (dress, pantsuit, suit, skirt) for Woman of the Year luncheon and the Sunday Closing/Installment ceremony.

Casual skirts, slacks, dresses for workshops and general sessions.

Be Sure to Bring Comfortable shoes for walking Swimsuit Camera/film Chapter scrapbook Money for Gamma Sigma Sigma merchandise and shopping

Points of Interest • Cleveland Tourism Information – (www.travelcleveland.com) • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum – (www.rockhall.com) • Great Lakes Science Center – (www.GreatScience.com) • Cleveland Metropark Zoo – (www.clemetzoo.com) • Sightseeing Tours on Lolly the Trolley – (www.lollytrolley.com) 11

Expansion Update

by Sharon Brice, Membership Director In almost two years, Gamma Sigma Sigma has expanded at a record pace. I am excited that since the last convention, the organization has chartered five chapters which include: Beta Zeta (Tuskegee University), Zeta Chi (Grambling State University), Zeta Psi (Mississippi Valley State University), Zeta Omega (Clark Atlanta University) and Epsilon Psi (Tennessee State University). Currently, Gamma Sigma Sigma has eight collegiate colonies/ reactivating chapters and five alumni colonies/reactivating chapters.

There are several collegiate and alumni interest groups throughout the country. These interest groups include: (alumni interest groups are in italic.)

District I University of Las Vegas Illinois Wesleyan University

District II Indiana University Purdue-University-IUPU

District III Suffolk University

District V University of Central Florida University of South Florida Kennesaw State University Alabama State University The Broward County Alumni Interest group

District IV Xavier University Arkansas State University University of Texas-San Antonio The University Of Texas-Arlington Mississippi State University Austin, Texas Alumni interest group

District VII West Chester University Georgian Court University

District VI Nashville, TN Alumni Interest group Memphis, TN Alumni Interest group If there are any Alumni-at-large members in these areas that would like to consider joining one of these alumni interest groups, please send an email to membership@gammasigmasigma.org so I can forward your information to the contact persons within the interest groups.

I want to thank all the members of Gamma Sigma Sigma that have assisted me with the growth of this wonderful sorority. This has been an exciting time for the sorority and I am excited about the future of Gamma Sig.

Feedback Needed on Revising the National Award Program The National Awards Committee is currently in the process of reviewing our National Awards Program and needs your input! The sorority maintains a number of national awards designed to recognize outstanding or special performance and accomplishments in sorority work. Through the awards program, both chapter/colony and individual contributions to the sorority, during each biennium between conventions, are recognized.

More detailed information concerning award criteria and eligibility as well as descriptions of each award and its criteria can be found on the National Website and the Awards Section of The Staff.

The National Awards Committee is currently reviewing our Awards Program to make sure it is still meeting the needs of our sorority and to suggest changes on how to improve it. All members and colonies are encouraged to take the time to review our awards program and provide feedback by completing the Feedback Form on page 13 and emailing it by April 1, 2005 to Susan Lee-Martin, National Secretary at secretary@gammasigmasigma.org (or postal mail to her at 1933 N. Birchwood Park Dr., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003).

(See next page) 12

Parliamentary Pointers

by Sharon Tompkins, National Parliamentarian

This is my favorite time as the National Parliamentarian. We are gathering proposals to make changes to our national bylaws. There is only one time each biennium that we can amend them. It is at our National Convention. The membership will gather in Cleveland this summer. It will be the voting delegates that will make the decisions and cast the votes. It is the time for us all to map out the future of our sorority.

When was the last time that you read the National Bylaws? Have you encountered any difficulties in your local chapter due to mandates that are in the National Bylaws? This would be your opportunity to offer a proposal to make changes.

There will be some bylaws proposals that will be presented by the National Board of Directors, the SET committee and from members. The National Bylaws are the guide by which all of our chapters are run. They tell us what we will do. All proposals must be submitted to me no later than February 15th, 2005. If you need assistance with wording you can contact me. The list of proposals will be distributed in a convention mailing that will go out after March 15th, 2005. I would suggest that each chapter review the materials in the mailing, select your chapter’s delegates and inform them how you want them to vote on each of the issues. At the National Convention there may be changes in wording. With the information that your delegates have from discussing the proposals in your chapter will aid them in making good decisions at convention.

I encourage you to take an active role in designing the future of Gamma Sigma Sigma as we move forward into the next biennium. Review the National Bylaws. Think outside of the box and look for ways to improve our sorority. Submit a proposal if you design one. Then review all the proposals to decide how your delegates should vote.

Parliamentary Deadlines…

The National Bylaws state that each chapter, collegiate and alumni, must be in good standing to receive monies to assist with the registration and travel expenses to attend the National Convention and have delegates that are eligible to vote. How is your chapter defined? Did you submit your National Fees? Have all the reports been submitted? How about the chapter bylaws, standing rules and pledging policies? Each of these requirements have a deadline. Ensure your chapter’s good standing. Make sure that all the required documents are filed on time. Contact your District Director if there is any question to your chapter’s eligibility.

National Awards Feedback Form 1. Do you think any of our current awards should be revised? If yes, which ones and how would you suggest revising them?

2. Do you think any of the awards criteria/points for a specific award should be revised? If yes, which ones and how would you alter the criteria?

3. Do you think we have too many awards?

4. Do you think we have too few awards?

5. What types of new awards do you think Gamma Sig could have at conventions?

6. What new criteria or activities do you think awards should be given for?

7. What do you think about the awards presentation format? (They are usually presented during meals each day of the convention.) Any other suggestions?

8. What does your chapter do with the awards they have won after returning from convention?

9. Do you have any other ideas or suggestions for revising our awards program?

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GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA OFFICIAL JEWELRY

RINGS 5

2

1

3

4

6

11

12

Item BP101 BP106 BJ102 BJ103 BJ105 CG061 CG062 CG081 CG082

10

9

15

13

Closed

Open 14 Front

16

Side

ACCESSORIES

BADGES

CG062 BP101

BP106

CG082

BJ103

BJ102

BJ105 JEWELED

PLAIN

Item Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

8

7

Vertical Monogram Lavaliere Circle Monogram Lavaliere Heart w/ Pearls & Garnets Rose Lavaliere Badge Charm Enameled Monogram Ring size:______ Hand Clasp Ring size:______ Crested Ring size:______ Men's Onyx Crest size:______ Onyx Crested Ring size:______ Badge Pendant (badge separately) Plain Crest Rec. Pin Rose Pin Crest Earrings Diagonal Monogram Pin Crested Black Matte Finish Pen

Description Enameled Badge Chapter Honorary Member 13 Pearl 10 Pearl with 3 Garnet points 13 Garnets Plain 1 letter Chapter Guard Plain 2 letter Chapter Guard Whole Pearl 1 letter Guard Whole Pearl 2 letter Guard

Gold Plate

Sterling Silver

10K Gold

$14.00 $16.00

$17.00 $20.00

$16.00 $30.00 na na na na na na $20.00 $16.00 $54.00 $14.00 $60.00

$18.00 $36.00 $55.00 $55.00 $65.00 $100.00 $65.00 $60.00 na na $50.00 $17.00

$25.00 $36.00 $132.00 $33.00 $84.00 $160.00 $150.00 $180.00 $292.00 $180.00 $130.00 $30.00 $35.00 $70.00 $25.00

Gold Kase

Gold Filled

10K Gold

$9.00 na na na na $15.00 $16.00 na na

$33.00 na na na na Chapter ___________ Chapter ___________ Chapter ___________ Chapter ___________

$51.00 $35.00 $109.00 $109.00 $109.00 $24.50 $31.50 $52.00 $75.50

GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA OFFICIAL JEWELRY

LAVALIERS

Total

Total

Merchandise Total Sales Tax (CA=8.0%, GA, IL, OH=7.0%) Shipping and Handling (6% of order total/minimum $6.00)

ORDER TOTAL

Name ________________________________________ Shipping Address__________________________

City ______________________

ENCLOSED IS : ■ CHECK MADE OUT TO AWARD CONCEPTS INC. __________ - _________ - __________ - _________

Phone (

OR

■

) ________ - ___________ State _______

Zip___________

PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD

EXPIRATION ______/________ SIGNATURE:______________________________

(M C / V I S A / A E )

Send order to: Award Concepts Inc. • P.O. Box 4305 • 110 South 11th Ave • St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 1-800-659-7801 • Fax: 630-513-7809 • Website: www.awardconcepts.net

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National Board & Staff Contact Information President • Lynne Mowers • 405 Winchester Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057 • 315-463-0196 EST • president@gammasigmasigma.org Vice President • D’Ann Brosnahan • 4380 Brookside Crt. #204, Edina MN 55436 • 952-920-0546 CST • vicepresident@gammasigmasigma.org Secretary • Susan Lee-Martin • 1933 N Birchwood Park Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 • 856-489-0179 EST • secretary@gammasigmasigma.org Treasurer • Deb Folsom • 2450 121st Avenue, Clear Lake, MN 55319 • treasurer@gammasigmasigma.org Service Director • Patty Dahl • 2556 SW Fairgreen Road, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987 • 772-343-7526 EST • service@gammasigmasigma.org Membership Director • Sharon Brice • 5401 Rampart #596 • Houston, TX 77081 • 713-771-3193 CST • membership@gammasigmasigma.org Program Director • Alison Kaufmann • PO Box 7904, Philadelphia, PA 19101 • 267-252-5146 EST • program@gammasigmasigma.org Marketing Director • Jo Charest • 321 Old New Ipswich Road, Rindge, NH 03461 • 603-899-3065 EST • marketing @gammasigmasigma.org District I Director • Karen Erickson • 27979 Lakelawn Drive, Lindstrom, MN 55045 • 651-257-4017 CST • district1@gammasigmasigma.org District II Director • Karen Kerr • PO Box 1364, Ashburn, VA 20146-1051• 703-994-1137 EST • district2@gammasigmasigma.org District III Director • Tracy Carr • 704 Patton Circle, Apt. 16, Winterville, NC 28590 • 301-643-1726 EST • district3@gammasigmasigma.org District IV Director • Lelar Corbett • 9948 Dryden Lane, Plano, TX 75025 • 972-668-0881 CST • district4@gammasigmasigma.org District V Director • Liashelle Scott • 2801 Rolido Drive Apt. #73, Houston, TX 77063 • 713-954-9535 CST • district5@gammasigmasigma.org District VI Director • Keli Connor • PO Box 25538, St Louis, MO 63125 • 336-375-6228 EST • district6@gammasigmasigma.org District VII Director • Dee Carter • 8 Jeffrey Road, Aldan, PA 19018 • 610-394-0502 EST • district7@gammasigmasigma.org Parliamentarian • Sharon Tompkins • 164 Landon Avenue, Catskill, NY 12414 • 518-943-3229 EST • parliamentarian@gammasigmasigma.org Administrative Assistant • Char Scott • PO Box 25538, St Louis, MO 63125 • 800-585-7509 CST • administrative.assistant@gammasigmasigma.org Perspectives Editor • Deb Folsom • 2450 121st Avenue, Clear Lake, MN 55319 • perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org Webmaster • Jo Charest • 321 Old New Ipswich Road, Rindge, NH 03461 • 603-899-3065 EST • webmaster@gammasigmasigma.org National Archivist • Bea Segal • 611 Malcolm Crescent, Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-979-6271 EST • archivist@gammasigmasigma.org Alumni Assistant • Celeste McNeil • 3600 Rosewood Apt. 311, Houston, TX 77004 • 832-453-4039 CST • alumassistant@gammasigmasigma.org Database Coordinator • Karen Kerr • PO Box 1364, Ashburn, VA 20146-1051 • 703-994-1137 EST • gssmailinglist@yahoo.com Nominating Comm Chair • Tracy Polovick • 4636 S. Clearview Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011 • 717-737-9889 EST • nominating@gammasigmasigma.org

Perspectives Submission Deadline

Get In On The National Online Chat

Spring 2005 Issue- Feb.19, 2005

The first Monday of every month 9pm E.S.T. Log on from the national website www.gammasigmasigma.org

Send all submissions to Perspectives Editor (postal & email forms accepted)

Want to share your service ideas with others? Looking for a way to communicate with members from other chapters?

Then join the GSS National Online Bulletin Board! Visit the National website today!

Have you checked out the new www.gammasigmasigma.org?

Advertise In Perspectives!

Do you have an item that you think other Gamma Sig’s would want to buy? If so, why not advertise it here!

Advertising Rates: 1/8 page - $25/issue 1/4 page - $50/issue

Log in to the member section and find a wealth of information on everything Gamma Sig! Form downloads, Convention information and lots more! Join the Bulletin Board and Chat Rooms today!

The ad must be approved by the National President and be in compliance with Gamma Sigma Sigma bylaws and policies. The ad must be sent by disc in either Quark, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop (at least 300 DPI) or pdf format. (.jpg files are not accepted) Please contact the Perspectives Editor regarding issue deadlines or to send in your ad with payment.

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Upcoming Events Calendar January 31, 2005 January 31, 2005

Fall 2004 reports need to be received by Administrative Assistant Chapter Bylaws, Standing Rules and pledge policies need to be received by Compliance Committee/National Parliamentarian

February 5 February 7 February 19

District V Spirit Day - see page 6 National Online Chat - 9pm EST - www.gammasigmasigma.org District VII Spirit Day - see page 5

March 7

National Online Chat - 9pm EST - www.gammasigmasigma.org

April 4 April 15

National Online Chat - 9pm EST - www.gammasigmasigma.org Register For National Convention by to receive reduced price - see pages 8-11

May 2

National Online Chat - 9pm EST - www.gammasigmasigma.org

June 6 June 30, 2005

Final Day To Register For National Convention - see pages 8-11 Spring 2005 reports need to be received by Administrative Assistant

July 6-10, 2005

2005 National Convention - Cleveland, Ohio

Check out www.gammasigmasigma.org for updates, links to chapter websites, members forum and other national organization information!

Did you move or have a name change?

If so, please contact: gssmailinglist@yahoo.com

Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Database Coordinator P.O. Box 1364 Ashburn, VA 20146-1364

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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