What is a Greek Organization??
A Greek organization is a group of individuals of similar interests bonded together by common goals and aspirations.
These bonds are created through rituals in which all members participate.
Rituals are based on common principles such as honor, friendship, truth and knowledge, to name a few.
Each group works to instill these ideals in their members through their everyday activities.
The New Member Experience
Since the founding of the first sorority in 1851, these organizations have thrived and multiplied into hundreds of international organizations while making a positive and tremendous impact on the service and social structure of higher education systems. Sororities form a proven support network to help young women with the daunting transition from high school to university. The lifelong friendships your daughter will make through her sorority will last into post-graduation years.
As a family member, you will have many questions concerning your daughter's involvement in Tri Sigma. Be supportive and learn as much as you can by asking questions of your daughter throughout the recruitment process. Once a member, there are many opportunities for you to share in this aspect of her college life. Almost all of the chapters on campus host events such as family weekend or special mother/father functions. Chapters recognize that when your student comes to college, you, as a parent, also become a part of the university family! Ask questions and get involved!
Tri Sigma strives to be a sorority dedicated to friendship, character, and conduct. In our Mission Statement, there are three basic tenets for our existence as a Sisterhood. They influence every facet of our lives. One of the tenets is, "Promotes a perpetual bond of friendship."
Overview
The Essential Sigma program is cutting edge in the fraternal world and we hope that you enjoy the experience. The purpose of the Essential Sigma program is to provide membership education throughout your collegiate experience. In the past, we have focused primarily on the new member program and providing education before members were initiated. However, the needs and wants of our collegiate members change. In an effort to provide timely educational programming and help you become the best women possible, we have crafted a program that changes as your membership changes. The Essential Sigma program will take your from bid day to Circle Degree on and graduation!
Academic Support
Encouraging and assisting Sisters in achieving their fullest potential is vital to our future. Tri Sigma expects all colonies and chapters to achieve academic excellence.
GPA Requirements
The minimum grade point average to join Tri Sigma and be a member in good standing is a 2.5 on 4.0 scale. Chapters and colonies are also expected to exceed the campus all-women’s GPA. Based on the academic environment of the college/university, chapters are urged to raise the minimum scholastic standard within their local bylaws. Individual Scholarship Plans and local chapter incentives should be in place to help students on a local level.
Scholarships
The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation offers a number of competitive academic scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students. Information on specific scholarships can be found with our Foundation information.
Academic Incentives
The National Sorority recognizes colonies and chapters for their academic achievement through the annual and triennial awards program. Individual sisters who achieve a 4.0 for two consecutive semesters are rewarded with a sterling silver Coat of Arms Scholarship Ring. Other scholarship incentives are available at the local collegiate level.
Benefits
There are many ways a woman can contribute to Tri Sigma.
Tri Sigma looks for members to be good chapter leaders, as well as good chapter members. We offer seven chapter officer positions, eight National chairman positions, numerous local chairman positions and committees to work on.
Members and new members will have an opportunity to serve on a committee and help the colony meet their goals. Some committee options may be Service, Education, Programming, Finance, Honor Council and Member Accountability, Leadership and Training, Panhellenic, PR and Advertising, Scholarship, Awards and Recognition, Intramurals, Fraternity/Sorority Relations, Greek Week, Mom’s Day and Dad’s Day, Historian, Music, and Communication.
Officer elections (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Recruitment, Education Director, and Panhellenic Delegate) occur in November and these women would serve from January – December.
- Leadership – opportunities for immediate leadership roles through committees and Honor Council. Membership also opens up opportunities for Leadership in Panhellenic and Fraternity/Sorority Community. Tri Sigma also provides leadership opportunities through National programming and conferences as well as offers scholarships to attend such programs as UIFI (Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute – leadership and Fraternity/Sorority development program).
- Skills training – communication skills, leadership programming and development, conflict resolution, resume writing and interviewing skills, event planning, project management, goal setting, action planning, assessment and evaluation, teaching and developing educational programming.
- Sisterhood – What does that mean? It is a little different to each woman but most would say it is a special bond created through a sharing of meaningful experiences. Meaningful experiences may be helping a sister through a touch time, supporting and cheering them on in the successes, listening, working together on a project, and laughing about past moments.
- Accountability – Honor Council provides a system of accountability for members and the standard by which Tri Sigmas live. Holding someone accountable and to a higher standard can be challenging. As a values-based organization, it is an expectation that all members hold one another accountable.
- Service Learning Opportunities – serving in your local community and on a National level are important aspects of membership in Tri Sigma. It’s important to have volunteer and philanthropic experiences to develop a commitment to serving others and learning how to make an impact in the communities in which we reside.
- Civic Involvement – each year Tri Sigma participates in congressional lobbying in Washington, DC and sponsors several collegiate members’ attendance. Additionally, we actively encourage members to engage in civic activities at the local level and exercise the right to vote.
- Foundation & Scholarships – opportunities to receive a UIFI (Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute – leadership and Fraternity/Sorority development program) Scholarship, undergraduate and graduate scholarships, and receive Grants to benefit a local hospital in your area.
- Lifetime Involvement – this is a long-term commitment to bettering and empowering women. No matter where you go, you can always be involved in Tri Sigma and gain/contribute to the benefits of Tri Sigma. You can be a National Volunteer, assist our Foundation in providing more scholarships and grants, serve as a mentor and advisor, working to form an alumnae chapter, work on National Projects (programming, committees, Convention), or get involved with Panhellenic on a National level.
- Networking – with local alumnae, at Conventions and National Programming, and opportunities to participate in Tri Sigma’s social network community (like Facebook but for Tri Sigma’s only).
- Job Opportunities – opportunities exist from not only the larger networking force but also with National Headquarters as a Leadership Consultant, Residential Consultant, Regional Director, etc.
- Contributions to Panhellenic and Campus Community – one of the first things we do is define how the Tri Sigma colony will be relevant to the campus community. If we don’t, it is just another club. Decisions are made as a group so there is a unified campus effort and experiences that all members will want to actively support.
- National Opportunities – there are a number of opportunities to meet your sisters across the country such as collegiate leadership programming, participating in the members only social network, attending Convention (next one in Minneapolis Summer 2010).
Policies
Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority is resolved that hazing and alcohol abuse among its membership have no part in chapter programming. Adherence to these policies is not only mandatory, but is the personal responsibility of every member and chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma. The Sorority will hold its chapters and individual members accountable to all policies and procedures established by the Executive Council.
Hazing, underage and/or binge drinking and other drug use in Tri Sigma chapters have significant consequences for all of us. Insurance rates increase, our Sorority reputation is devastated, parents are afraid for their daughters and legal actions implicate the local chapter, university and National Organization. When a member or chapter decides to commit an unlawful act, it affects us all.
Hazing has no place in Tri Sigma and the abuse of others is a direct contradiction to the vows we commit to during every Ritual. For chapters that disregard the national alcohol or hazing policies, they will receive a Policy Violation fee which is used to risk reduction and educational program to change behaviors. In addition, chapters found in violation of national policies will face disciplinary sanctions. The status of those chapters with repeated violations will be reviewed regularly by the Executive Council. If it is determined that progress is not being made or that members fail to uphold our standards, the chapter charter will be suspended.
Tri Sigma has a strong policy against hazing. As an organization, we are proud to be a Premier Level sponsor of HazingPrevention.org, which sponsors National Hazing Prevention Week. The purpose of National Hazing Prevention Week is to promote local campus and community awareness of the dangers of hazing.
Be in the know
- Excited about going to chapter meetings
- Communicating positive messages instead of those indicating being scared, intimidated, or stressed
- Feeling that the chapter communicates a message that academics come first
- Being held accountable for actions and appropriate behavior
- Learning new things about herself through her Tri Sigma experiences
- Developing leadership and personal development skills
- Serving her local and campus community
- Supported by the members and new members in her chapter
How to get involved…
Attend Family weekend
- Pay your daughter’s lifetime dues as graduation gift
- Consider looking at the merchandise page or contributing to the Foundation in honor of your daughter’s initiation
- See if the chapter or House Corporation has a Parents Club (or consider starting one)
- Attend their Founder’s Day events
- Make a contribution to their Philanthropic events
- Ask questions about recruitment, big sister, weekly meetings, and upcoming events
- Learn about other opportunities by getting in touch with the President, Chapter Advisor, or the House Corporation. New members should receive this information in the form of a contact list. There may also be a parents newsletter you can request to receive.
Ask more questions when you hear about…
- Not having enough time to study
- Does feel included or supported by the chapter
- Tri Sigma programming every night of the week and it is going past 10pm/11pm
- Grades are slipping a lot
- Acting strange or secretive about chapter programming
- Cannot be reached easily as a new member (especially close to initiation)
- Having to drink excessive amounts or run errands for members
People you should know…
- Chapter Advisor
- House Corporation President (if the chapter has a house)
- Campus Fraternity/Sorority Advisor
- Chapter President
- Your daughter’s Big Sister
Professional Opportunities
Not only will Tri Sigma compliment your daughter’s collegiate experience with critical skill development such as leadership, time management, conflict resolution, or event planning but also open doors in life after college and an alumnae.
Tri Sigma also has number employment opportunities for recent graduates, including:
Leadership Consultants
Leadership Consultants travel to our collegiate chapters as directed by their Supervisor, the Director of Chapter Services, and work to…Support our chapters, Strengthen the National Organization, Develop personal and professional skills, and make an impact in Tri Sigma! Women serving in this one-year position receive insurance benefits, 4-weeks of training (including topics like conflict resolution, consultant, program development, assessment and evaluation, consultation and analysis skills, accounting and budgeting), and can expect to gain:
- Professional experience
- Independence
- Ability to adapt to difficult situations
- Management and organizational skills
- Lifelong friendships
Residential Leadership Consultant
Often a second year staff member, would live onsite of newly established colony/chapter for duration of employment and serve as a lead facilitator of colony programming and development.
Regional Director
Regional Director is a full-time long-term position, and is critical in the overall health and development of the collegiate chapter/colony. She serves as the primary contact for assigned chapters/colonies and oversees the general operation of designated chapters/colonies. This position works from home and collaborates with a team of volunteers (Regional Support Teams) to provide guidance and support to chapters in all areas – Panhellenic, recruitment, financial, Accreditation and chapter operations, and AAB development.
In addition to the positions outlined here, our National Headquarters staff is continuing to expand and offer additional opportunities. Sigma Sigma Sigma is volunteer-driven organization, and as such, is dependent on the commitment of alumnae members to share their time and talents. Each volunteer commits time, loyalty, flexibility, creativity and organization, communication skills and love for Tri Sigma. Volunteers are appointed by Executive Council for the triennium, and as needed during this three-year period. Appointments are based on position availability, ability to fulfill responsibilities, and individual talents and interests matched to position descriptions.