Perspectives Vol. 69 Issue 3

VOLUME 69 ISSUE 3

PERSPECTIVES Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Incorporated

Quarterly Service Magazine

A Mother of all Service Projects with Partner

March of Dimes

e h t r o f e m o C SERVICE

SERVICE

stay for the

SISTERHOOD

#teamgammasig

: e c i v r e S t e e w S e m Ho lanta

t l A r e t a e Gr o r t e M h t i w p u s team e c r o F k s a T a t n a Atl

PERSPECTIVES: SUMMER ISSUE

CONTENTS SERVICE + FRIENDSHIP + EQUALITY

01 NOTE FROM MADAME PRESIDENT New goals, Further journeys

02 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Get to know Deonna O'Neal

03 FINANCIAL PROGRESS Get updates on this quarter's budget

COME FOR THE SERVICE

#teamgammasig

04 KELI'S SERVICE CORNER

An update on this quarter's service efforts + what's to come

06 "A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT" With Service Partner, March of Dimes

07 SUNSHINE STATE ALUMNI

INAUGURAL PURPLE MARCH

Innovative service benefitting our Service Partner, March of Dimes

08 CALLING ALL MEMBERS Apply to join a committee or NBD Staff position!

09 ETA DELTA SHAKES IT UP Gamma Sigs join MadiTHON

10 HOME SWEET SERVICE

Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter teams up with Metro Atlanta Task Force

11

TEAMING UP AGAINST HUNGER Southern Pearls Alumni Chapter gives back on Texans Care Day

12

SPIRIT OF SERVICE DAY

Check in on the fun District VI and VII had for their Spirit of Service Days

14 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT Catch up with the lady that keeps us in Gamma Sig gear, Soror Latika Jones!

16 CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES See how you can stay involved as an alumni member

Note from Madame President

s g n i t e e Gr Sorors ! s r e b m + Me I hope everyone is doing well and is having a great start to the 2022-2023 sorority year. We are excited about the new things that will take place this sorority year, including our 2022 conferences. Conference season kicks off on September 23-25, in Hershey, PA, and concludes with the second conference on October 14-16, in Atlanta, GA. Registration is now open.

On October 12, 2022, Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. will celebrate our 70th Founder's Day. The NBD is working on some fantastic things to showcase our Platinum anniversary, including a virtual event to bring members together in the spirit of service, friendship, and equality.

Platinum represents the strength of our bonds, and this celebration will be as rare as the gem itself. Stay tuned for more information.

In year one of this biennium, our theme was "Come for the Service, Stay for the Sisterhood". Building on this and shifting gears for year two, I am happy to announce our theme for year two will be: "The Strongest Bonds are Built on Service and Sisterhood'. In the 2022-2023 sorority year, we want to continue to grow our organization by adding new members, retaining the ones we have, and reclaiming the sorors who have not been active with us. In October, there will be a push to bring all sorors/members home to Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. We will share innovative ways to recruit and retain membership throughout all phases of life.

I am excited about everything we have achieved in year one of the biennium and cannot wait to share the exciting things planned for year two. Please check your emails, follow us on social media, and check the national website for updates.

In Service, Lynne Williams

2021-2023 NATIONAL PRESIDENT Note from the President 01

it or

Ed

Hey ! s r e t Sigs

s P er e v s p e c ti

Deonna O'Neal Spring 2012 Zeta Theta - Jacksonville State University Current - AAL

It has been a journey getting to know each of you and your chapters/colonies through photos + amazing stories about service projects that you have shared with me over the past couple of months! Putting Perspectives together has been a dream that I never knew I had, and such an inspiration. I genuinely enjoy being gifted the opportunity to showcase our sorority in this way. A huge thank you to everyone who allowed me to hop into your Instagram + Facebook messages, groups, and posts for more information. I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Next Up: The 70th Anniversary Issue I can't express enough how excited I am to work with you in the coming months to create another, even better special issue of our national magazine. I can't wait to showcase your work over the years! Continue to send lots of photos, send tons of stories + let's show the WORLD our strongest of bonds!

In Service Always, DEONNA O'NEAL

@THEDAISEYOFALLTRADES | PERSPECTIVES@GAMMASIGMASIGMA.ORG

02

Letter from the Editor

Financial Progress

SORORITY BUDGET FOR THE 2021 - 2022 YEAR Actual

Budget

$250,000 $235,289

$247,050

$200,000

$201,025

$164,500

$150,000 $125,449

$100,000 $93,100

$50,000

$0

Membership Income

Total Revenue

Total Expenses

This year our alumni membership is trending 10% above budget.

However, our collegiate membership is trending 20% below budget.

Overall, we had a great financial year with a net gain of $50,000.

Financial Progress

03

Keli's Service Corner

“WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET, BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE.” It was a dream come true when I was elected as the National Service Director. I moved purposefully to increase participation with our service partners and ensure our Project IMPACT areas received the love and attention they deserved. I am proud to announce that we accomplished this goal in year one of the biennium! For the first time in GSS history, we completed two National Summer Service Projects creating interchapter service opportunities for all of our members and benefitting March of Dimes and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. We increased awareness through our monthly service webinars that spotlighted our Service Partners and Project IMPACT areas. We have been recognized nationally on Alex's Lemonade Stand's website and established a better relationship with the American Cancer Society. We will have recognition for our service on their website soon.

I am proud of the way our members worked with the March of Dimes' March for Babies Campaign.

This year, we tripled the amount of participation and donations leading to national recognition for our 55+ years of partnership with March of Dimes. Nationally, we made multiple impacts. We hosted a March of Dimes Community Baby Shower, which provided 51 new moms with diaper bags and other essential baby care items. In addition, we tripled our donations to the March for Babies campaign and learned more about premature babies from leaders within the March of Dimes organization. Resources and ideas for working with the March of Dimes are continuously updated on the National Website under the March of Dimes section.

04

Keli's Service Corner

ORR O T T C C E E IIRR

e u K e li Q

en

A special announcement: It is my pleasure to represent Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. at the March of Dimes Leadership Event in July, and at an American Cancer Society national event in September.

SERVICE D

As stated in the "Making an IMPACT" webinar, working on projects together leads to national recognition. We are making a difference in the communities we serve. I want to congratulate all of our members for the IMPACT we, Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Incorporated, have made in the first year of this biennium and encourage everyone to continue to work together to make giant waves in our nation. I look forward to seeing the creative and innovative service projects planned for this second year.

Keli's Service Corner Summer is finally here! With this new season we are excited to announce a new partnership with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)!

The NCADV is happy to collaborate with Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. to provide information and learning opportunities about domestic violence to our members.

What are some unique ways that you + your chapter/colony did service during the pandemic?

Hosted virtual open forums to spotlight awareness of various issues Made calls or video calls to local nursing homes to spread a little extra joy once a week Sent cards + care packages to veterans Donated to a restaurant or grocery store to sponsor fundraisers for specific causes/organizations Recorded videos and created social media posts to bring awareness Became a digital/ virtual volunteer for various organizations

Celebrate 70 years with impactful service!

Have ideas on new innovative service projects?

Contact Keli + let's serve!

SERVICE@GAMMASIGMASIGMA.ORG Keli's Service Corner

05

Congratulations ARE IN ORDER

ETA ALPHA

TOP COLLEGIATE CHAPTER

fundraiser

SUNSHINE STATE ALUMNI TOP ALUMNI CHAPTER

fundraiser

06 A Mother of a Movement

WE BEAT OUR You fundraised! GOAL OF $5,000!

In May, the sorority made its most significant statement to date with our efforts to help serve one of our National Service Partners – March of Dimes. Through the "March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement" program, Gamma Sig chapters from across the country teamed up to make an impact. Chapters raised over $5,000 for March of Dimes.

Through these donations and awareness campaigns on social media (i.e the TikTok walk videos), mothers and babies benefited, and we impacted communities across the nation.

YOU SERVED!

Deonna O'Neal, Prespectives Editor

$5,000

$3,000

$1,000

Sunshine State Inaugural Purple March Doreece Hines, District VII Director

The Sunshine State Alumni Chapter (SSAC) hosted its inaugural Purple March on March 30, 2022, to promote awareness and raise money for our National Service Partner, March of Dimes.

Attendees showed up in purple and completed a mile-long walk in honor of the March of Dimes organization. In addition to the walk, SSAC learned more about the March of Dimes’ impact on the community from the Howard Family. They shared their experiences as a mother and big sister to twins who were born prematurely at 2lbs and spent 58 days in the NICU.

kers, l a w ad ers, We h d i r e k rs, bi e t all! o t o i c s d a we h , s r e c dan

To raise money, SSAC also sold purple sweets and treats such as grapes, slushies, cupcakes, cookies, and candy. They raised a total of $645 in donations for the March of Babies campaign.

Sunshine State Alumni 07

CALLING ALL MEMBERS

Ready to make an impact?

Find out more at www.gammasigmasigma.org

We are looking for Committee Members!

Consider joining a committee to provide additional support as we head into our conference season.

Apply for the any committee at: www.tinyurl.com/GSSCommittee

Send nominations to: Service@gammasigmasigma.org

08

Calling All Members

Eta Delta Shakes It Up GAMMA SIGS JOIN MADITHON Olivia Neddermeyer, Eta Delta, Corresponding Secretary

The Eta Delta Chapter joined other organizations on the campus of James Madison University for MadiTHON to raise money for UVA Children’s Hospital!

In a day themed with decades, our members participated in a 12-hour long dance marathon and fundraiser where they raised $951 out of the $67,877.24 raised across the entire university.

Our members got to do crafts, participate in games, and meet some of the children the proceeds benefitted, all while dancing throughout the day.

For their commitment to service, Eta Delta was featured on @jmuMadiTHON Instagram!!

Follow Eta Delta @JMU_GammaSig

Eta Delta Shakes It Up

09

Teaming Up Against Hunger Southern Pearls give back on texans care day Shameka Washington, Southern Pearls Alumni Chapter

The Southern Pearls Alumni Chapter teamed up with the Houston Food Bank and the Houston Texans to fight hunger as part of Texans Care Day. This summer was a busy one as non-perishable foods were collected, sorted, and distributed to over 18 counties in southeast Texas. The chapter helped separate and pack up thousands of food products that will be given to families in need.

Around 1 million people in the 18 southeast Texas counties who are served by the Houston Food Bank are considered food insecure; meaning they lack consistent access to enough nutritious food to fuel a healthy life. In order to address this issue, the Houston Food Bank distributes food and other essentials to those in need through a network of more than 1,600 community partners.

In addition, they also provide programs and services aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability through programs that include: nutrition education, job training, and health management. They even help in securing state-funded assistance. Some of the programs the Houston Food Bank provides are Food For Change, a Community Kitchen, and a Kids Cafe.

This was a great way to spend our Service Saturday!

We enjoyed spending time with our sorors and working for a great cause.

10

Teaming Up

Home Sweet Service Greater Atlanta teams up with Metro Atlanta task force

 he mission of the Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless is to advocate for and to T represent the dignity and the rights of all people in our community.

Have you ever missed a meal during the work day and felt faint or low on energy? If you have, please take that feeling and magnify it, and you'll know why the work done by GAAC and the Task Force is crucial within the homeless community.

The staff locates unsheltered individuals wherever they may be and works to build relationships to link them with desperately-needed resources (i.e.: shelter, medical care, food, and clothing). The program provides services to homeless individuals and families with free year-round transportation between emergency shelters, overflow facilities and other vital resources and service agencies.

The Day Services Center, operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, offers a wide variety of resources and assistance for men, women, and children in the Metro Atlanta area.

The Center assists individuals in obtaining permanent affordable housing and livablewage employment. They also provide workshops, job training, employment referrals, vision screenings, addiction recovery placement, assistance with social security or securing IDs, HIV testing, referrals for medical and psychiatric care, or simply respite from the elements.

Counselors work with clients with various needs, such as those with disabilities, those who need substance abuse treatment, and those who may be facing eviction.

The GAAC recognizes the importance of the services and aid the Task Force provides to Atlanta and the entire state of Georgia. With this in mind, these hard-working sorors reached out to make a difference within a demographic that is often ignored or blamed for their predicament.

@gammasigmasigma_Gaac

The Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter (GAAC) has kicked service into high gear by supporting the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless. This organization serves as a beacon of hope for those in need.

Greater Atlanta Alumni

LaMonica Scott, Alumni At Large

Home Sweet Service

11

it D

ay

y l i Fam r i d FeDuistrict 6 Sp

Savannah Chastain, District VI Director

On April 2nd, chapters from all over the district came together in Dahlonega, GA to celebrate being a Gamma Sig. Members met our special guest speaker, University of North Georgia’s President, Dr. Bonita Jacobs, who is a Gamma Sigma Sigma alumna.

It was a great day of fun, sisterhood, and service. In the spirit of service, chapters collected goods that were taken to a local food bank and bonded through a rather intense game of Family Feud.

Thank you to all who participated.

12

District VI Spirit Day

District VII

'90s Spirit Day Doreece Hines, District VII Director

District VII's Spirit Day was held April 23, at BethuneCookman University in Daytona Beach, FL. The theme was "Back to the '90s" and our members showed up and showed out! The members of District 7 kicked off their Spirit Day with "Blind Dates" featuring our favorite '90s TV show couples.

We then moved on to a Sing-A-Long, creating songs about GSS to the tune of some '90s hits. We continued with participating in a World Book Day service project, where we left messages of affirmations inside of books that were donated to a local book box.

We closed out with a Stroll Off to some more popular '90s songs. It was an amazing day of sisterhood and service.

13

District VII Spirit Day

Vendor Spotlight:

et r e M siokaroJones t La t

ceo/ founder

The Glitterati Company

Soror Jones became a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. in 2000 at the Zeta Upsilon chapter on the campus of The Ohio State University.

In addition to being the CEO and Founder of The Glitterati Company, she is a 3rd-term President of the Sanguine and Pearls Virtual Alumni Chapter. Her love for Gamma Sigma Sigma comes across in each one of her custom designs.

14

Vendor Spotlight

"My favorite piece created is my 'A Different Sorority' design. It was inspired by one of my favorite TV shows but more importantly, it was created because it represents our "different" sorority! We have a very unique founding history. We're just...different".

Q+A with i t a r e t t i l G The Company Q: I know our sorors love your unique designs. What would you say are the most popular pieces?

A: The most popular pieces are a tie between the Different Sorority collection, Sorority Definition t-shirt, and teddy bears.

Q: We appreciate Glitterati bringing the sorority nontraditional paraphernalia! Is there anything that you are currently working on and can share with us?

A: I am currently working on a box that should be ready for Founder's Day, as well as new designs for the summer.

www.theglitteraticompany.com

ut o k c e a ch m m a g ful i t i" t u a a e r e b t glit lia " n i s Sig na r e h p a par

Looking for service in all the right places!

Check out our gamma sig Sorors serving at home + beyond!

Send your service, soror photos + stories to perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org

SUBMISSIONS All chapters, alumni, and colonies are encouraged to submit their Service and Friendship every month.

Send your photos + summaries to: perspectives@gammasigmasigma.org

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WWW.GAMMASIGMASIGMA.ORG GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA NATIONAL SERVICE SORORITY INC. PO BOX 248 RINDGE, NH 03461 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA