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Margaret Fields

From: Tri Sigma National Headquarters <sigma@trisigma.org>Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 4:05 PMTo: Margaret FieldsSubject: Tri Sigma November 2012 Alumnae Update

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Inside this Issue Volunteer Opportunities

Golden Violets

Honor Alumna Initiate

Expansion updates

Convention and State Days

Collegiate Services Update

Foundation Updates

Final Thoughts

As a Tri Sigma alumna, you will receive your 2013 alumnae dues invoice in January. Please support all our 2013 endeavors by pledging your support before February 1. Visit our easy online dues payment form here or read more about triennial and Lifetime dues here.

In 2012, Tri Sigma has made great strides towards meeting the Strategic Plan initiatives. We intend on moving "ever forward" into the new year. Tri Sigma counts on the involvement of alumnae and collegians

November 6, 2012

COME HOME TO TRI SIGMA is Tri Sigma’s latest transformational, educational and engaging initiative – only for alumnae. We know that life is so busy, and that it may have been a while since you were able to attend a Tri Sigma event. Well, we've scheduled a casual get-together just for alumnae to quickly and easily get "caught up" on what we've been up to!

Members of Executive Council and staff are waiting to welcome you for a casual event where you can ask questions and meet sisters from the area. You are invited to attend Come Home to Tri Sigma at any one of the four locations:

Sunday November 4, 2-4pm at the Mabel Lee Walton House, Woodstock, VA.

Sunday February 10, 2013 - Orlando, Florida (location TBA)

Sunday March 10, 2013 - St. Louis, Missouri (location TBA)

Sunday March 24, 2013 - Detroit, Michigan (location TBA)

We hope you'll save the date to attend one of our "Tri Sigma Roadshow" events in a city near you. Click here for more information.

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in order to sustain these accomplishments. Alumnae dues ensure the continued success and growth of our vibrant Sorority.

SUPPORT OUR LEGACY

Recommend an Alumna to Volunteer for Tri Sigma

As National Convention preparation kicks into high gear, so does the appointment process for National Officers and Resource volunteers. Help us recruit the biggest and brightest!

Do you know an alumna who has been looking to reconnect? Someone who has the skills, but never really considered using them to give back to Tri Sigma? A member who is passionate about the future of our Organization?

If you answered yes to any of these, recommend this alumna for volunteering by submitting a Volunteer Recommendation. Your recommendation acts very similarly to an alumnae recommendation for collegiate membership - you submit the form and a team of Volunteer Recruitment Coordinators will work to follow up, gently easing the alumna into the folds of information and matching her skills with the available volunteer opportunities.

Positions now open are:

National Officers and Resource

Alumnae Initiate Program Assistant Assistant Webmaster (x1) Housing Assistant

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Chapter Advisory Boards

Alpha Kappa, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV

Beta Theta, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Beta Upsilon, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Delta Chi, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Delta Psi, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA

Epsilon Upsilon, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY Gamma Beta, East Carolina University, Greenville,

NC Gamma Rho, Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA

Why Do You Volunteer?

We want to hear from you! Tell us why you became a volunteer for Tri Sigma by clicking here. You could be featured in the next Alumnae Update!

FOSTERING OUR LEGACY

Celebrating Golden Violets

Tri Sigma is proud to honor alumnae who have been steadfast members for 50+ years by awarding them their Golden Violet. A member is eligible to receive her Golden Violet when she has been in the sorority for more than 50 years and had been current on her dues for 20 years. There is no other requirement such as donations to the Foundation or involvement with the sorority and/or community. Golden Violets play a critical role to ensuring the legacy of our Sorority continues. Many of them tell wonderful stories about meeting Robbie Page or sitting at the feet of Mabel Lee Walton while she told fantastic tales. Our Golden Violets make up the steadfast membership to our alumnae chapters, represent traditions started, and demonstrate such love for all that Sigma stands for.

Twenty-seven Golden Violets attended the first Golden Violet Celebration Weekend Getaway held at the Mabel Lee Walton House in Woodstock, Virginia this past October 5-7, 2012. For many, this was a first time to visit the historic heart home of Tri Sigma. This was a wonderful opportunity for our Golden Violets to convene and celebrate with each other their steadfast membership as Tri Sigmas. Many came to be with fellow chapter Sisters with whom each had been initiated, but all walked away with new sister friendships. This weekend truly was an experience as our Golden Violets

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modeled Tri Sigma as a Perpetual Bond of Friendship for over 50+ years.

Click here to read the fall edition of the Golden Glimpses, a special newsletter for Golden Violets. Included in the newsletter is a list of eligible Golden Violets. Contact National Headquarters for information on how to nominate a Golden Violet.

CONTINUING OUR LEGACY

Honor Alumna Initiate Form

Participating in traditions are a wonderful part to being a member of Tri Sigma and we have several time-honored traditions that continue to take our sisterhood ever forward.

As you may know, Tri Sigma’s 43rd National Convention will be held June 21-24, 2013 in Orlando, Florida. One highlight of Convention is the initiation of our 31st Honor Alumna Initiate, a true honor bestowed on a Sigma Sigma Sigma member. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding candidate for alumnae membership – and quite possibly be a big part of Tri Sigma history!

All alumnae have the opportunity to nominate an alumna not affiliated with a National Panhellenic Conference sorority for this honor. The woman chosen for this recognition should exemplify outstanding qualities in scholarship, community activities and service, moral and ethical character, and attitude. She should also demonstrate a steadfast commitment to Sigma Sigma Sigma.

In addition, a nominee’s summer schedule must allow her to attend Convention in its entirety. The National Treasury will provide funds for her lodging (4 nights) and planned meals (4 meals). The chapter nominating the candidate and/or Honor Alumna Initiate will be responsible for the Convention registration fee, transportation, meals not provided in the Convention

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package and all incidentals.

If a woman meets these criteria, you must complete the nomination form by clicking here and return it to National Headquarters not later than March 1, 2013. If the woman is selected to be the 2013 Honor Alumna Initiate at Convention, she will have the privilege of being initiated by Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Executive Council in a special Triangle Degree ceremony with the entire Convention body June 2013. If your nominee is not selected, she must receive Triangle Degree immediately following the notification she was not selected.

EXPANDING OUR LEGACY - Expansion Updates On Monday, October 15, Tri Sigma staff and volunteers hosted a week-long recruitment at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. After meeting with over 100 students, Tri Sigma officially welcomed our newest colony members at UNLV! They will now begin their new member education and officially start their Tri Sigma journey!

CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY

2013 National Convention, Women of Distinction Award Nominations and Sigma Shop

Tri Sigma's National Convention will be held June 21-24, 2013 in sunny Orlando, Florida. The countdown has begun! Get more information, including pricing, the schedule of events, and fun facts by visiting the Convention website. We hope to see ya real soon!

You can nominate a Tri Sigma, living or deceased, who has distinguished herself as a Sigma or in her professional community activities to be recognized at Convention as a Woman of Distinction. Please click here to access the nomination form and submit to National Headquarters no later than January 1, 2013.

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The Convention Sigma Shop is a long standing tradition with proceeds supporting the Mabel Lee Walton House. Help fill the Shop with hand crafted items that will provide the perfect gift or souvenir for all Conventioneers to take home. Items may be decorated with our Greek letters, sailboats, violets, purple decor or other Sigma inspired themes. They may be simple or elegant, large or small. Get creative! Questions may be emailed to the 2013 Sigma Shop Chairman, Carol Swango, or at 918-333-4599.

South Carolina State Days

Save the date for the third annual South Carolina State Days being held Saturday February 23, 2013. It will be held in The Gamecock Room at The Luther Lee Building in Columbia, SC. Find out more information on Facebook or e-mail Emmy Smith.

Tri Sigma Reunions and Anniversaries

Don't forget to keep us informed of any Tri Sigma reunions or plans to celebrate a chapter anniversary. Click here! The next Alumnae Update will be published February 1, so keep that in mind when submitting events.

COLLEGIATE SERVICES UPDATES

Membership Termination and Reinstatement

Membership in Sigma Sigma Sigma is a gift and one that we do not take lightly when we vote to pledge new members, voice support of new members in Arc Degree, and welcome women to our bonds of sisterhood at Triangle Degree. BUT….it seems that there is an increase

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in the number of women who quickly dismiss their memberships through depleding or termination….without talking with an advisor, without talking with an officer, or without talking with their RC or Asst Director. The result is that a woman submits a termination form in haste then a short time later (days, weeks, month) requests membership reinstatement because she regrets her decision. As we have continued to ask some additional questions, we learned that some didn’t know their options and some didn’t care to exercise their options because they were mad or hurt. We cannot so quickly discard our memberships that we made a lifetime commitment to…we need to talk, problem-solve, and at least attempt to come to find a resolve. At a minimum, strive to not use termination as a first option but rather a last resort.

Therefore, there a couple of important changes we hope you’ll support:

1. To help women think through this decision, we have revised the membership termination form. We will be asking for an outline of other resolves or steps taken to address concerns before terminating.

2. We will no longer be so generous with reinstatement requests.

3. And we will be taking a tougher stance on badge collection before termination.

Please direct any questions or feedback to Lorin Phillips, Assistant Executive Director.

New Procedures for Risk-Related Chapter Closures

On August 24, Tri Sigma issued the following press release regarding new procedures for risk-related chapter closures:

Sigma Sigma Sigma is reinforcing our mission of Friendship, Character and Conduct and high standards of membership with a new policy impacting chapters with repeated risk management issues. As a worthy Sigma Sigma Sigma each member is expected to set an example which reflects favorably upon her college, her chapter, and her Sorority by conducting herself in all places and at all times in a manner above reproach. Further, Sigma Sigma Sigma's National Risk Management and Insurance Program is designed to provide broad protection throughout all levels of the Sorority.

A special committee was charged with reviewing our current practices and procedures related to collegiate

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chapter closures. From the BYLAWS of SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA :

Article VII Collegiate Chapters, I-Chapter Termination, Section 5 currently reads “In the case of a collegiate chapter charter removal, all collegiate members in good standing shall be granted alumnae status….”

From the committee work, it was clear that chapters and individuals who violate our risk management policies not only place individuals and the chapter at risk but also the National Organization. Therefore, the following Bylaw change has been approved by Executive Council and will be effective as of January 1, 2013:

APPROVED CHANGE AND RATIONALE: Addition to Article VII, I-Chapter Termination, Section 5

Whereas, there are circumstances which necessitate the relinquishment or removal of the charter of a collegiate chapter; and

Whereas, when a collegiate chapter charter is relinquished or removed, all collegiate members in good standing are granted alumnae status; and

Whereas, often times, the remaining members on campus continue to hold meetings, misuse our national symbols and portray Sigma Sigma Sigma in an unfavorable manner; and

Whereas, since the members have been granted alumnae status, Sigma Sigma Sigma has limited means to prevent the members from misrepresenting our sorority; and

Whereas, the Chapter Closure and Member Termination Committee recommends that all collegiate members of a chapter whose charter is relinquished or removed be terminated when relinquishment or removal is due to violation of any Sigma Sigma Sigma Policy or Position Statement or other risk management issues, now therefore be it

Resolved, That Article VII, I-Chapter Termination, Section 5 be amended to read: In the case of a collegiate chapter charter relinquishment or removal, the membership of all collegiate members shall be terminated if the charter is relinquished or removed due to violation of any Sigma Sigma Sigma Policy or Position Statement. New members shall be released in accordance with National Panhellenic Conference guidelines.

Member Termination Appeal Process

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If a collegiate member is terminated due to charter suspension (either charter removal or relinquishment), as outlined above, the member may choose to appeal using the following process:

A member may individually appeal the termination of her membership in writing to Executive Council. The appeal form must be submitted as part of the appeal.

The letter must be postmarked within 10 days of the receipt of the notice of charter suspension and member termination.

Appeals postmarked after 10 days will not be considered.

The decision of Executive Council is final.

Alumnae and Campus Partnership

Additionally, the National Organization commits to working with both Alumnae and Campus Officials to seek support and involvement to avoid closure including Chapter Supervision, a suspension of operations up to a year, and additional retreats and educational visits. Closure is a final option if all other efforts do not result in change. Upon chapter closure, the National Organization will work with local campus officials and notify chapter alumnae.

It is our hope that efforts such as Chapter Supervision, annual policy education, a robust partnership with HazingPrevention.Org, and our own ritual and values education will positively change behaviors before closure is a possibility. A chapter closure is never an ideal outcome nor is it a first course of action. However, if the actions of the chapter jeopardize member safety or the National Organization, the tough decision will be made and these new processes will be implemented.

FOUNDATION UPDATES New Foundation Website

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The Foundation is excited to announce its own website www.TriSigmaFoundation.org where you can learn about the Foundation’s mission of funding innovative leadership training for women, awarding scholarships, and investing in life-enhancing children’s therapy programs. Get philanthropy ideas, watch play therapy videos, and read personal stories about leadership programs, scholarship and play therapy. The website is up and running, so look for the official announcement on the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation Facebook page and Twitter feed.

If you are one of the first 250 donors to make a minimum gift of $33.00 to the Foundation through the new Foundation website, you will receive a complimentary Tri Sigma reusable bag. Click on the “Give Now” button on the home page, and get your stylish bag while making an impact to our sisterhood and to hospitalized children.

November Mailing

Would you like to honor that special Sigma sister in your life? Look for the Foundation’s November mailing for your opportunity to honor a sister. By making a minimum gift of $10.00 per honoree, the Foundation will send the honoree a special Thanksgiving tribute card plus a recipe for old-fashioned violet syrup!

Foundation supports Golden Violet Celebration

Golden Violets celebration weekend was held in October at Walton House and the GOLD donors who were in attendance were Marie Schrag Beck (Beta Upsilon), Angela Spadaccia Ciccone (Beta Theta), Sheryl White Dahm (Iota), and Helen Sharrett Shull (Beta Gamma). Nancy Benedict, Director of Philanthropic Services, and her husband served breakfast which was

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provided by the Foundation. Thank you for attending this special celebration, and for your steadfast loyalty to the Foundation and national organization.

Sigma Rhinestone Pin

The Tri Sigma rhinestone pin is back by popular demand. Get yours now for only $10.00 plus $2.00 for shipping. Place your order through Nancy Benedict at National Headquarters by calling her at 540-459-4212, writing to 225 N Muhlenberg St, Woodstock,VA 22664, or emailing her at nbenedic@trisigma.org.

November and December Foundation Travel Dates

Cindy Harms will visit sisters in Charlottesville & Richmond, VA on November 4-7, Charleston & Columbia, SC on November 27-30, and Seattle, WA on December 11-13. Cindy would like to visit you during her trips. Email her at charms@trisigma.org to let her know you would like to see her.

FINAL THOUGHTS Being a part of the Golden Violet Celebration Weekend at National Headquarters was truly a life-changing event.

As I sat among greatness, I felt almost guilty that I was one of few other alumnae experiencing the magic of this truly captivating audience. The women came from all walks of life, all ranges of sorority experience. They told beautiful stories; stories of those who had experienced the awe and wonder of Mabel Lee's story time and some who had met Robbie Page. These were women who had helped decorate National Headquarters and created the idea of donating $1 to the Foundation for every year of membership. These alumnae had grand stories of personal life, of children, daughters joining Tri Sigma, husbands passing and sisters supporting, sorority life giving them purpose and strength in an otherwise dark time in their life.

There I stood, making mental notes of the wonderful stories I will tell alumnae who come after me, "I remember visiting the Walton House with Rachel Kyle as she explained when the chandelier in the foyer came in

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hundreds of pieces with no directions and she would carefully take each glass piece into the kitchen to clean it." Realizing, if I can pass along but one fragment of the power those women have to make someone fall in love with Tri Sigma all over again, I would never have to convince someone to pay their alumnae dues or explain why alcohol and hazing doesn't play a part in our Sorority.

Golden Violets represent the backbone of our grand Sorority, the living legacy of living values of wisdom, power, faith, hope, and love. Their steadfast dedication to all Tri Sigma has given them - physically, emotionally - is tangible. To be a Golden Violet, to me, is the pinnacle of the Tri Sigma experience. I can only hope that as my Tri Sigma experience grows, I will retell similar stories; stories that not only capture memories of distinguished alumnae but continue to paint the true story of how Tri Sigma nurtures and loves each one of her daughters.

Ever Forward,

Aimee Jensen Boland, Eta Iota Director of Alumnae and Volunteer Services E-mail

SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Mabel Lee Walton House • 225 North Muhlenberg Street • Woodstock, VA 22664

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