Volume 18 - Issue 3 November, 2011

Preserving our Legacy - Alumnae Program Updates

Featuring our Legacy - Recognizing Jewels of Tri Sigma

Refining Our Legacy - CAB & Volunteer Summit and Dunham Women of Character Institute

Continuing Our Legacy - Drexel Colonization Updates

Supporting Our Legacy - Volunteer Opportunities

Celebrating Our Legacy - Sisters Getaway Save the Date!

Foundation Updates

Final Thoughts

Preserving Our Legacy - Alumnae Program Updates

Big things are happening with alumnae programming! We are designing a program to assist in the transition for seniors from their last year throughout the first year after college. The purpose is to prepare seniors for life after college, share opportunities for alumnae engagement, maintain current contact information and provide emotional support as they find their way. Additionally, important and essential collegiate and alumnae updates are not reaching as many of our members as it could due to outdated contact information. The last alumnae directory was published in 2005 so the time has come to republish. Over the next couple of months, Publishing Concepts, Inc. ("PCI") will be contacting alumnae via mail, phone, and e-mail to request that you update your information. When you are contacted by PCI, we hope you will help us with our mission to update our database with correct contact information. Be on the lookout for more information regarding this project. Effective programing is not possible without the support of our alumnae members. Please continue to consider giving back through your time,

talent and treasure. Listed below are volunteer opportunities. Also, don't forget alumnae dues can be paid at any time. Visit Tri Sigma's website (http://www.trisigma.org), Alumnae Connect to pay your $45 for 2011.

Featuring Our Legacy - Recognizing Jewels of Tri Sigma

We'd like to recognize Karin O'Connor as a Jewel of Tri Sigma. Karin is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Gamma Alpha Chapter. She is currently the President of the Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter. She is recognized for exemplifying the highest attributes of sisterhood. Her submitter writes, "She is constantly encouraging and remains positive despite the situation. I've faced many discouraging situations in life recently and Karin has always been the first person to cheer me up." Karin puts her whole self into Sigma work and yet balances her work and family. She is an essential alumna and role model for all who know her. Karin, thank you for continuing to live the ritual of Tri Sigma. We are all better for your contributions. Is there a Sigma you'd like to recognize? Take a few minutes to complete this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/jewelsoftrisigma.

Refining Our Legacy - CAB & Volunteer Summit and Dunham Women of Character Institute

The 2012 CAB & Volunteer Summit will be held May 11 - 13, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare. We are asking that each CAB send at least one member to the Summit in May. The registration fee is $75 and includes lodging, food and conference materials. Travel is not covered. Highlights for this year:

The event starts with dinner on Friday, May 11 and concludes on Saturday, May 12 at 10 pm CST. You should plan on arriving by 5:00 pm CST with dinner and the kick off beginning at 6 pm CST.

Dr. Mari Ann Callais will provide our opening keynote and a special session for our national volunteers on "Thinking Outside the Box."

Brad Karsh will provide a keynote on Saturday entitled: "Dude, What's My Job? Working Effectively Among the Generations."

We will have three separate educational tracks running throughout the 2 days. One for the new advisor, one for the seasoned advisor and one for national officers and resource personnel.

Mark your calendar now to attend this great event. Look for more information soon.

Continuing Our Legacy - Drexel Colonization Updates

Sunday October 30, 110 bids were extended to the women of Drexel Colony in Philadelphia, PA! The 39 freshmen, 37 sophomores, 32 juniors and 3 seniors boast an approximate average GPA of a 3.45. The colony includes Drexel ambassadors, club athletes, a Dragon Cheerleader, a black belt in Karate, a former VIP tour guide for the Philadelphia Eagles, a Flight medic with the Air Force,

the former Drexel Dragon mascot, artists, dancers of all kinds, engineers, community servants, world travelers and more. We are also now the second largest women's organization on campus!

Supporting Our Legacy - Volunteer Opportunities

Find yourself wondering how to give back to Sigma? Currently, 3% of alumnae are engaged through various opportunities. We are determined to increase this number. Currently, our greatest volunteer need is through chapter advisors and housing corporations. Listed below are the top priorities. You have a role in helping to fill these positions.

Are there Sigmas you feel would be a great fit? Any sisters you know living in the area who might either be interested in volunteering or have connections to other area alumnae? Are you interested in learning more about the opportunity to volunteer? If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Get Involved section on Sigma Sigma Sigma's National website or click here. All volunteers must be current on their alumnae dues and have a Volunteer Service Application on file. Available volunteer opportunities are as follows:

CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD - various positions open.

Chi, Pittsburg State University (KS) - Chapter Advisor Mu, Truman State University (MO) - Chapter and Honor Council

advisors Omicron, Eastern Michigan University - Financial Advisor Alpha Epsilon, Northwest Missouri State University - Chapter

and Financial advisors Alpha Kappa, Fairmont State University (WV) - Chapter and

Recruitment advisors Alpha Pi, Clarion University (PA) - Financial and Essential

Sigma advisors Beta Delta, Sheperd University (WV) - Chapter, Honor Council

and Essential Sigma advisors Beta Epsilon, Western Illinois University - Financial Advisor Beta Theta, Pittsburgh State University (PA) - Chapter Advisor Epsilon Upsilon, Marist College (NY) - Chapter Advisor Eta Alpha, Stephens College (MO) - Financial and Honor Council

advisors

Eta Chi, University of Missouri (Mizzou) Eta Psi, St. John's University (NY) - Chapter and Recruitment

advisors Gamma Beta, East Carolina University (NC) - Financial Advisor Theta Alpha, High Point University (NC) - Honor Council

Advisor

HOUSING CORPORATION MEMBERS - contact Housing Coordinator, Shannon Thomas, trisigmahousing1@rcn.com, with further interest.

Delta Delta, UNC at Greensboro (NC) Eta Chi, University of Missouri (Mizzou)

Celebrating Our Legacy - Sisters Getaway Save the Date!

Mark your calendar for November 9-12, 2012 as Sigmas paint the town purple in Charleston, South Carolina! More information to follow.

Foundation Updates

Foundation e-mail campaign: Women still earn only 77 cents for every $1.00 earned by men, and only 15% of America's top jobs are held by women?! And that's not all. The Foundation has put together a quick video to tell you more about it. You can watch it here, and learn how you can help more women from your Tri Sigma chapter take their place at the table (and get a nice gift, too!) Fall oak tree postcard mailing: Fall has arrived and you can feel the brisk air and see the beautiful colored leaves on the trees. Please watch for the Foundation's oak tree postcard in your mailbox soon. Imagine the mighty goals the Foundation could accomplish if every alumna who receives this postcard donates $25.00! With the fear surrounding the economy, the Foundation needs your support more than ever before to keep our growing membership

supplied with more scholarships, first-rate leadership programming, and play therapy for hospitalized children. Calling all alumnae chapter presidents: The Foundation Chapters Committee is reaching out to all Alumnae Chapter Presidents, and wanting to personally speak with her. The committee would like to hear what alumnae chapters are doing regarding fundraising for the Foundation, then sharing these fundraising ideas with all alumnae chapters. The committee will ask how it can help the chapter, and bring the chapter up to date on the Foundation. The committee is looking forward to speaking with Alumnae Chapter Presidents and building a great rapport! Suggestions for foundation convention committee: The Foundation's Convention Committee is currently reviewing ideas, past events, and suggestions to determine what events, ideas, and programs to bring to the 2013 National Convention in Orlando, FL. The committee would love to hear your suggestions on what you want to do or see, and how it can help make this a memorable event for you! Please send the committee your suggestions via e-mail at Foundation@trisigma.org, or post your comments on the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation Facebook page. November foundation travel dates: Cindy Harms will visit sisters in Kansas City, MO on November 8-10, then Indianapolis, IN on November 29-December 1. Cindy would like to visit you during her trips. Contact her at charms@trisigma.org to let her know you would like to see her.

Final Thoughts

I had the unique opportunity to assist in the colonization at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a return of the Alpha Delta Chapter. Not only did I assist in interviewing potential new members, but I also had the chance to connect with Alpha Delta alumnae. During my conversations with alumnae I heard momentous stories about reaching historically high membership numbers, unwavering support for prominent Sigma sisters, and pride for their campus and local community that continued long after graduation. While interviewing potential members, I witnessed the same energy - clear examples of upholding values during tough situations, giving back to their community at a young age through volunteer work, dedication to sophisticated degree programs, and contagious excitement for their journey of life.

Alumnae of the Alpha Delta Chapter and women of the Drexel Colony share common values, drive and significance in their community. The spirit of Sigma is alive on Drexel's campus and it is clear our colony will make the same powerful impact as those before them.

Aimee Jensen Boland, Eta Iota Office: 213.290.2327 Email: ajensen@trisigma.org