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Margaret Fields

To: National Headquarters

Volume 7 - Issue 11 May, 2011

Table Of Contents

News:

Theta Gamma Chapter Installed

UIFI Scholarship Winners

Collegiate and Alumnae Award Winners!

2011-2012 Regional Consultants Announced

Support:

5th Year Senior and Inactive Status Fans From the desk of Eve Riley, NPC Chairman

Member Development: Triangle Sequence - Evaluation Time Character Counts and Tri Sigma

Foundation:

Gold Program Welcomes Our Graduating Seniors Foundation Visits Vineyard Vines Tote Bags

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News

McKendree University - Theta Gamma Chapter Installed

In fall 2008, a group of twenty women came together and decided they wanted to bring a National sorority to their campus. They formed the McKendree Extension Committee and together they worked for almost two years to find the perfect sorority to match their values and commitment to building better women. When Tri Sigma came to campus to present in spring 2010, the McKendree Extension Committee women knew that they had found the perfect fit as they were blown away by what Tri Sigma could offer them. Additionally, the Tri Sigma representatives were also impressed by the sisterhood and dedication to values that these women demonstrated. In spring 2010, it was officially announced that Tri Sigma would be joining the McKendree University Greek Community! In fall 2010, Tri Sigma officially colonized at McKendree University. After years of hard work, dedication and overcoming obstacles, the initial dream of bringing a National sorority to campus was realized when the Theta Gamma chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma was installed on Saturday, April 9, 2011.

UIFI Scholarship Winners

The National Organization is pleased to announce the following collegians have been selected to receive a UIFI Scholarship from the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation: * Lauren Brewer, Eta Chi * Courtney Forkum, Chi * Jordan Mitchell, Zeta Rho * Ashlee Pentony, Zeta Lambda * Jolissa Yonker, Epsilon Rho * Jayme Womack, Gamma Mu

Congratulations to our Collegiate and Alumnae Award Winners!

Your name and/or your chapter could be on this list! Both Individual

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and Chapter Award applications for the 2011 year are due on November 1, 2011. Start thinking and planning now for submitting your awards. For additional information, go to the Awards link in to Collegiate Resource Center.

Margaret Freeman Everett Outstanding Senior Award

The Margaret Freeman Everett award is named for a member of the Sigma chapter at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. Dubbed "Dixie" by Mabel Lee Walton, Margaret was small in stature but a giant in spirit. She was the 1939 Honor Initiate at the Colorado Springs National Convention. She was known to work hard as a collegian, holding a number of chapter offices, including President. Her experience as a collegian prepared her for her volunteer work as a Tri Sigma alumna. Margaret began her national officer service as the Exchange Editor in 1946. She was elected our fifth National President in 1956. During her tenure, she expanded the Robbie Page Memorial and helped to secure our National Headquarters. Margaret felt that time was precious to college women and was concerned that young women eliminate non-essential activities from chapter schedules. She stressed that the gift of friendship should be a primary concern. The candidate for this award must be a senior class member with acceptable academic achievement and have exhibited outstanding contributions and service to Tri Sigma. She should be devoted to Tri Sigma and to the joy of friendship. The Margaret Freeman Everett Outstanding Senior Award winner for 2010-2011 is Kimberlee Rogers, Delta Chi, University of Virginia. Kimberlee is earning a double major in History and Biology. Kimberlee embodies Dixie's spirit as she has worked hard to strengthen the chapter's relationship with the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life and has opened up lines of communication with advisors as well as worked tirelessly to get a full functioning CAB. She lives the values of Tri Sigma in everything she does. She is mature and responsible, and gives back to her community through her volunteerism with the Rescue Squad, Tri Sigma fundraisers and service projects, and her church community. She shows compassion and love through her hard work for Global Water Brigades, an organization that helps provide safe drinking water in Honduras.

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Congratulations, Kimberlee, and thank you. We are proud to call you our sister. You can send congratulations to Kimberlee at the following address.

Kimberlee Rogers 1310 Wertland St.

Charlottesville, VA 22903

Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award

Mabel Lee Walton demonstrated a lifelong interest and encouragement to collegiate members. This leadership award was named in her honor as a lasting memory of this gifted Sigma leader. The Executive Council recognized the award as an opportunity to encourage collegiate members, who display outstanding leadership. Mabel Lee was presented a silver loving cup in 1917 as an appreciation of her leadership. The Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award was first presented in 1945. All award recipients are expected to help carry onward the increasingly challenging tasks that a progressive organization requires. The collegian should have exhibited multi-faceted leadership capabilities in her chapter, on campus and in her community. This recipient will serve on the Alumnae/Collegiate Advisory Committee. The 2010-2011 Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award winner is Alexandra Simon, Alpha Chi, Murray State University. Those that nominated and endorsed Alexandra had this to say, "Change begins with the courage and conviction of one. Our sister has brought a seismic change to our chapter quietly, lovingly and decisively. Because of her devotion to the service of others and her intrinsic desire to make contributions to her community she has inspired our chapter to become women who volunteer for community service at a level that is unprecedented in Greek organizations on our campus." The nominators went on to say, "She is a person that thinks outside of the box and is very open to new ideas and is constantly seeking new acquaintances and experiences. Most importantly she is a person of good character and moral conviction!" Congratulations, Alexandra, and thank you. We are proud to call you our sister. You can send congratulations to Alexandra at the following

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address.

Alexandra Simon 1605 Miller

Murray, KY 42071

COLLEGIATE AWARDS * Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award - Alexandra Lynn Simon, Alpha Chi * Margaret Freeman Everett Outstanding Senior - Kimberlee Lynn Rogers, Delta Chi * Outstanding Member of the Region:

* Region 1: Chelsea Hallett Henderson, Epsilon Chi * Region 2: Breana Leigh Boyer, Alpha Phi * Region 3: Ruth Corinne Owens, Delta Pi * Region 4: Kyleigh Danielle Lindberg, Epsilon Iota * Outstanding Senior of the Region:

* Region 1: Christina Lea Henderson, Zeta Rho * Region 2: Melanie Ann Nichter, Alpha Chi * Region 3: Angela Marie MacDonald, Eta Beta * Region 4: Jackie Bhattarai, Nu * Outstanding Advisor of the Region:

* Region 2: Courtney M. Stone, Alpha Psi * Region 3: Tara Bresley Purcell, Zeta Tau * Region 4: Amber Krause Van Roekel, Eta Kappa * Chapter of the Year - Alpha Chi * Jane E. Kinderman Standards of Efficiency - Gamma Pi * Commitment to Excellence - Alpha Kappa * Member Development & Educational Programming - Epsilon Iota * Creative Educational Program - Gamma Pi * Panhellenic with 5 or fewer groups - Gamma Pi, Epsilon Rho

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* Panhellenic with 6 or more groups - Alpha Phi * Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year - Meg Shamburger, University of Virginia * Ritual and Values Programming - Beta Tau * Website of the Year _ Beta Pi * Collegiate Advisory Board of the Year - Epsilon Theta Accredited - Mu, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Theta, Alpha Mu, Alpha Xi, Beta Delta, Beta Upsilon, Gamma Mu, Delta Theta, Delta Omicron, Epsilon Sigma, Epsilon Upsilon, Epsilon Psi, Zeta Alpha, Zeta Delta, Zeta Gamma, Zeta Tau, Zeta Psi, Eta Beta, Eta Theta, Eta Kappa, Eta Xi, Eta Omicron, Eta Tau Accredited with Honors - Nu, Pi, Chi, Alpha, Alpha Beta, Alpha Zeta, Alpha Iota, Alpha Upsilon, Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi, Alpha Psi, Beta Alpha, Beta Pi, Beta Tau, Gamma Zeta, Gamma Lambda, Gamma Xi, Gamma Pi, Delta Beta, Delta Delta, Delta Pi, Delta Chi, Delta Upsilon, Delta Psi, Epsilon Delta, Epsilon Epsilon, Epsilon Zeta, Epsilon Iota, Epsilon Kappa, Epsilon Nu, Epsilon Rho, Epsilon Tau, Epsilon Chi, Eta Nu, Eta Phi, Zeta Theta, Zeta Kappa, Zeta Omicron, Zeta Pi, Zeta Rho, Zeta Upsilon, Eta Iota, Eta Pi, Eta Rho, Eta Chi, Eta Psi, Theta Alpha

ALUMNAE AWARDS * Steadfast Alumna Citation - Marilyn McGraw Beiter, Beta Xi, Greater St. Louis * Emily Gates Alumna Achievement - Margot Estelle Hammond, Gamma Mu, New Orleans * Outstanding Alumna of the Region: * Region 1 - Elaine Rashmawy Turner, Alpha Nu, Nashville * Region 2 - Rhonda Regouffre Hodo, Alpha Zeta, New Orleans * Region 3 - Jane Walsh Seiboldt, Beta Mu, Dallas * Alumna Recognition: * Virginia Holdren Andrews, Pi, Columbia * Linda Baron, Beta Gamma, Long Beach * Tarah Catherine Bjorklund, Epsilon Rho, Twin Cities * Barbara Lee Buckley, Rho, Columbia * Judith Lynn Peisel Burkholder, Kappa, Denver

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* Laura Hilton Culler, Epsilon Pi, Columbia * Joan Pollock Gibbs, Beta Upsilon, Columbia * Allison Moormann Hanson, Epsilon Rho, Twin Cities * Jennifer Elaine Holtsclaw, Delta Pi, Columbia * Virginia Allen McCuen, Gamma Xi, Columbia * Sarah Ward Miller, Alpha Chi, Columbia * Kirsten Bilteau Nicholas, Epsilon Alpha, Triangle Area * Abby Morse Snowberger, Alpha Beta, Northeast Ohio * Winnie Wilson Warner, Alpha Beta, Northeast Ohio * Alumnae Chapter of the Year - Western Wayne-Washtenaw * Member Recruitment - Baton Rouge * Excellence in Overall Programming - Nashville * Outstanding Single Program - Nashville * Sisterhood Award for Alumnae Chapter in a College Town - Piedmont Triad * Sisterhood Award for Alumnae Chapter not in a College Town - Dallas * Website of the Year - Greater Savannah Area

2011-2012 Regional Consultants Announced

As the academic year comes to a close, we'd like to say thank you to the 2010 - 2011 Regional Consultants. Corrinne Borsmen - Eta Tau, Nikki Cowart - Gamma Mu, and Caitlin Dobson _ Alpha Xi (pictured below left to right) will be completing their service in the Regional Consultant position as of June 1, 2011. We are extremely grateful for all of the time, talents, and love they have given to Tri Sigma as a Regional Consultant! Help us say thank you and wish them the best!

We are excited to welcome back Brittany Parrott, Epsilon Phi, and Anne Strawbridge, Delta Pi, for a second year of travel and contributions in

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the Regional Consultant position. When asked about their experiences and why they wanted to return...

Anne says, "When I started this job one thing that I looked forward to the most was sharing my knowledge and love of the national organization. Looking back at this past year, what I cherish the most are the things that I have learned from the chapters that I have visited and worked with. I am excited for the

upcoming year to see what new things I can learn about Tri Sigma, my chapters and myself." Brittany says, "I always felt like I was a fairly independent person. Over the past year, I have discovered how much I do enjoy the adventure and challenge of being a consultant as well as how important family and those you love are to support you. Being a consultant not only allows you to sail out into different situations but also to encourage the women you have the opportunity to work with... to challenge themselves and their chapters to become what they never

knew they could be." We are excited to welcome back Anne and Brittany for the 2011-2012 academic year! We'd also like to announce and say welcome to the newest Regional Consultant team members who will start July 1, 2011.

Veronica Atkins, Eta Omicron - "You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust

your sails" - Anonymous. Very Tri Sigma isn't it? Growing up in Coast Guard family we are always near water and our own family always joked, "Home is where the Coast Guard sends you." Life is always an adventure so my quote represents rolling with the punches! Jodi Matheny, Alpha Psi - "Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway"- Eleanor Roosevelt I live by this motto because I think it is important for people to do what they believe and feel in their own hearts. No matter what a person does someone is there to criticize so you might as well do what you want instead of living with regret for never doing it. You'll get criticized if you do and if you don't you have to live with regret. Justine Stein, Epsilon Rho - "Be the change you want to see", because people forget that one person can create big change, and often people will complain about a problem without creating a solution or taking action.

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Support

5th Year Senior and Inactive Status Fans

* Who is eligible for 5th Year Senior Status? o A member who has enough academic credits to be considered a 5th Year Senior o A loyal member who is in good standing o A member who has paid all local and National dues/obligations o A member who has been fully participating in the chapter * Who is eligible for Inactive Status? o A loyal member who is in good standing o A member who has paid all local and National dues/obligations o A member who has been fully participating in the chapter * What is Inactive Status? o A special status that would allow a member to be removed from the chapter roster for one year. Your Asst. Director of Chapter Services must approve this status for each individual. * What is 5th Year Senior Status? o It is Inactive Status essentially. The difference is that 5th Years, upon applying, are automatically granted this special status. While it does need to be submitted to NHQ, there is no approval process by your ADCS. This is a special status reserved for 5th Year Seniors to allow them to be removed from the chapter's roster. * What events can I attend on a special status? o You may not participate in any recruitment functions of the chapter and you are not eligible to participate in any chapter activities including socials (other than those specifically including all alumnae such as Founders Day and Homecoming) * When can I apply for a special status? o Requests must be made between April 1st and August 15th _ requests received after August 15th will not be granted. * When do I find out if my request was approved? o Requests are reviewed as they are received. It normally takes 2-3 weeks for the review process to occur. * Where do I find the request forms? o You can find the forms for 5th Year Senior Status and Inactive Status forms on Sigma Connect in the Officer Resource Center container, in the Collegiate Monthly Reports link in the August section. * Why would my request be denied? o A request can be denied if it is not approved by your region's Assistant Director of Chapter Services because of failure to pay dues, sign the RM1, be in general good standing, or if Special Consideration through Honor Council would better address the needs of the member. There is a processing fee associated with these status changes.

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From the desk of Eve Riley, NPC Chairman

The National Panhellenic Conference continues to receive queries, complaints and, more recently, requests for endorsements and participation in online ranking systems for sororities and fraternities. Please share widely with your audiences that this is not an acceptable practice. We discourage participation and do not engage in these kinds of rankings. If you are unclear about the NPC position, please refer to our own history. 1919: Passage of the first standards of ethical conduct which states "it is beneath the standards of fraternity women: a) to speak disparagingly of any fraternity or any college woman." 1998: After committee review of history and intent of the Unanimous Agreements, the following language was adopted: "The National Panhellenic Conference denounces the arbitrary priority rating of women's fraternities." University communities have long been struggling with the negative fallout and sometimes cyber bullying that appears in these sites. Many sites eventually expire and fall of their own weight for the hurt they cause. Others lose advertising from major sponsors once advertisers receive negative press and complaints. In no way do we feel these sites generate positives. A renewed call to avoid participation was issued by NPC in the January Chairman's Message from Eve Riley, which was distributed to all member groups and posted online. We repeat an excerpt from the column: As women across the country engage in online chats, forums, and networks, we hope they apply the appropriate engagement of conduct online as they would in person. Be civil. Be appropriate. Be aware of the consequences of your words. Let's each of us also remember the NPC Creed as important words to live by: "We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live." Thank you, Eve Riley

Member Development

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Triangle Sequence - Evaluation Time

Please take a few minutes to complete the Triangle Sequence evaluation by clicking the link below. We will use this information to improve the sequence! Thank you in advance for your time and honest feedback. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PCGKCBW

Character Counts and Tri Sigma

Congratulations to the following Tri Sigmas who were selected to be a part of the Character Counts Advocate Team: * Breana Boyer * Callie Darling * Kristen Gay * Katherine Granger * Christina Miller * Kara Miller * Shelly Musser * Michele Pagonotti * Jenny Pollock * Michelle Tantillo * Lisa White * Stacey White These women have committed to attend a CC! Training seminar in May and then will develop the action plan for our partnership with Character Counts.

Foundation

Gold Program Welcomes Our Graduating Seniors

Congratulations to the Spring 2011 graduating seniors! A great way to give back to Tri Sigma is through the GOLD program (Graduates of the Last Decade or so), the Foundation's alumnae giving club. The GOLD program gives alumnae an opportunity to make a difference and stay

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connected to Tri Sigma beyond college. It is a three year pledge program with monthly, quarterly, or annual giving, and payment options include electronic fund transfer, credit card, check or cash. Your gift over three years helps the Foundation provide educational and leadership programming, undergraduate and graduate scholarships, and RPM grants to help seriously ill children. Contact Cindy Harms at charms@trisigma.org to join!

Foundation Visits

I had the honor of attending and speaking at the Houston, TX Founders Day luncheon on April 9 at the beautiful Kingwood Country club. Over 100 Houston alumnae and Eta Omicron chapter members attended this special event to celebrate our Sisterhood. I also visited the Eta Omicron chapter house at Sam Houston State University, and was grateful to meet chapter President, Sydney DuVall, Recruitment Director, Kristen Wenzel and other members. Thank you sisters for your wonderful hospitality. In May I will be visiting San Diego, CA and Orange County, CA on May 10-12, Chicago, IL (for the Dunham Women of Character Institute/CAB & Volunteer Summit) on May 21, Orlando, FL and Tampa, FL on June 5-8, and San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA on June 20-23. I would love to visit you, so please contact me at charms@trisigma.org.

ETA OMICRON CHAPTER HOUSE AT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Vineyard Vines Tote Bags

There is a limited edition of Tri Sigma Vineyard tote bags that would make an excellent graduation gift, school or vacation bag. E-mail nbenedic@trisigma.org for more info.

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