Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc .

International Corporate Headquarters

International Grand Basileus Joann Loveless / Executive Director Rachel Morris

To: All Graduate ChaptersFrom: International Grand Basileus Joann LovelessDate:Subject: 14th Annual Adolescent Youth Symposium

On March 12, 2011, the 2nd Saturday of March, which is commemoratively set within Sigma Week, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., alumnae chapters will once again unite under “one vision, one path and one sisterhood” to simultaneously host the “It’s in the Bag” youth symposiums across the nation with the theme of “H3: It’s all About Me – Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations.”

Sigma Gamma Rho is excited to announce that Ms. Camille Winbush will be the official celebrity spokesperson for the 14th Annual Nationwide Youth Symposium. Ms. Winbush, best known as Nessa from the Bernie Mac show, is a multi-talented actress and singer, and a three time recipient of the NAACP Image Award. While Ms. Winbush is not a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, she shares Sigma’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and she is looking forward to helping us to promote the Youth Symposium and Project Reassurance on a national level.

Our national agenda for the 2011 symposium provides for a forum through which our sorority and the community can work together to aid in reducing the chance of teen pregnancy, which is the focal point of Project Reassurance. The symposium will provide workshops that help our young people cope with challenges related to improving their self-esteem and to assist them in making positive choices and decisions on a daily basis. One of the main challenges facing young people today, one that has reached a crisis level, is childhood obesity. Obesity impacts children emotionally, psychologically, socially as well as physically. To address this pressing issue, Healthy Living will be the theme of the 2011 Youth Symposium with a primary focus on Childhood Obesity. As a secondary focus, under Healthy Choices, chapters should take the opportunity to encourage students to excel in or look at careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Nationally, we are partnering with the STEM program to promote math and the sciences, particularly among children of color.

During your activities, please take time to honor past Grand Basileus Dr. LaRona J. Morris, the originator of this nation-wide program.

In addition to the topics above, your chapter may also choose at least one topic from each of the theme areas – Healthy Choices, Healthy Living and Healthy Generations:

Healthy Choices Choosing Me: Teen pregnancy prevention and self esteem Choosing Wisely: National Highway Traffic Safety - Distracted Driving Prevention Choosing Wealth: Wee Savers Choosing Me: Coping with Abuse and Neglect

Healthy Living Exercise For Life : Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign, 50 Million Pound Challenge

Founded 1922

Positive Lifestyle - Eating for Life: 50 Million Pound Challenge, Hattie McDaniels Health Initiative

The Gift of Life: National Marrow Donor Program Saving a Life: CDC – Act Against Aids Campaign (HIV/AIDS)

Healthy Generations Me, Future Mom: Teenage pregnancy and prenatal care My Baby’s Future: Healthy baby services My Future Career: Operation BigBookBag – Education and Literacy My Future World: Environmental Awareness – “Going Green”

We recommend that the afternoon session of the 2011 symposium feature a panel that may include such resource individuals from the list of organizations attached. You may even wish to include a local youth panelist who is currently pregnant or has a child(ren) and is willing to offer her perspectives on why she became pregnant and how her life has changed as a result. At the conclusion of the program, we are asking each participant to recite the H3 Pledge. In an effort to secure the buy-in of youth in your local area, chapters may include a youth performance in the program. Participants can perform rap, spoken word, dance, step or any other type of artistic expression that is in keeping with the “Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations” theme.

Also enclosed for your guidance are: A general checklist for Youth Symposium Planning; The nationwide agenda for the Youth Symposium; A Project Reassurance Resource list to provide you with ideas for securing both local speakers

and materials for distribution; A sample proclamation to be completed and provided for your Mayor to proclaim March 12,

2011 to be Sigma Gamma Rho Youth Day in your respective city A marketing guideline to keep you on track (How to , When to, Where to) The Chapter Report Form for completion and submission following your event

A sample flyer and the Project Reassurance Booklet will be available for download at www.sgrho1922.org in the “Sorors Only” section starting October 15, 2010. Because the symposium is a spin-off from OPERATION BigBookBag, you may wish to give thought to some of the planning tips and ideas below:

Select a popular location with easy access e.g., civic/youth center, church hall, school, etc.

Partnership – When possible, invite local representatives from our national partners to host an informational table at the event to promote their youth related activities and services. If they are not able to attend, consider providing brochures or contact information to attendees for the following groups in support of their initiatives:

March of DimesCenters for Disease Control (CDC)National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned PregnancyNational Education Association – Priority Schools CampaignNational Urban League – I am Empowered Campaign NAACP - Membership Drive.

Marketing - Be sure to invite and include the participation of your Rhoers, Philos and undergraduates, as well as that of your fellow Greeks. Use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to promote the event. Also, contact your local schools, churches, and other organizations to invite the participation of their youth groups. Sorors, Philos, family members, and friends who work in the schools or with youth groups make excellent contact persons for assisting in encouraging the participation of their youth.

Branding - To expose the sorority even further, set up a display that will highlight some of the chapter’s community involvement. Especially try to focus the display on those programs, projects, and activities that involve our youth, e.g., the Rhoer Club; Project Reassurance;

Project Mwanamugimu; Project WeeSavers; Rejesta V. Perry Birthright Program; OPERATION BigBookBag; and of course, our local, regional, and national scholarship programs.

Sponsorship - To obtain potential funding for your refreshments and to secure possible attendance prizes, remember to seek support from local community entities, e.g., bank, utility companies, newspapers, major corporations, governmental agencies, civic organizations, social service agencies, department stores, chain restaurants, etc. Let them know that you will acknowledge their support during the symposium and through your culminating news coverage.

Don’t forget to make copies of the pre- and post-Symposium surveys available on the Sorority’s website in the “Sorors Only” section or by contacting the international headquarters office and have all youth attendees complete them. The data secured via the surveys is necessary to complete your chapter’s Youth Symposium Report Form.

We thank you and look forward to receiving your report on the success of your symposium. Submit your report via email to Programs@SGRho1922.org or via hard copy to international headquarters. If available, also include a copy of your Symposium Agenda and any other promotional items, press releases, photographs, etc. Contact your regional syntaktes or the Sigma Gamma Rho headquarters office if you have questions.cc: Rachel Morris

Enclosures: Planning ChecklistNationwide AgendaSample ProclamationMarketing guide timelineChapter Report FormProject Reassurance Resource List

PROCLAMATION“SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY YOUTH DAY”

March 12, 2011

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is a 90,000-member nonprofit collegiate sorority dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of high scholastic attainment, community service, and improvement in the quality of life through its chapters, members, and affiliates located throughout the United States, Korea, Bermuda, Africa, Bahamas, Germany and the Caribbean; and

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., through its mission seeks to address programs, projects, and concerns that impact society educationally, socially, politically, and economically; and

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is sponsoring its Fourteenth Annual Adolescent Youth Symposium simultaneously in local communities across the nation on Saturday, March 12, 2011; and

WHEREAS: the local members of ____________________________ Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., will hold their symposium on March 12, 2011 at _____________________________________________________(location); and

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., through this year’s nationwide symposium agenda, will seek to help youths come to grips with peer-pressuring challenges that may deal with making healthy choices, healthy living, healthy generation; and

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., has called upon the participation of a panel of community authorities to share facts regarding some of the consequences that may be faced by young people who have self esteem and peer pressure issues; and

WHEREAS: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is requesting all area junior/senior high schools, sororities/fraternities, social/civic organizations, and youth services agencies to support the intent of this symposium by promoting the attendance and participation of their students and youth groups:

NOW, THEREFORE, I _______________________________________, Mayor of the City of _______________, do hereby proclaim SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2011, to be SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY YOUTH DAY Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in the City of ______________________________.

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that our residents join with me in congratulating and recognizing the members of _________________________________________ chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., for their efforts to encourage and guide our youths. As such, we wish for the chapter and the sorority much success in all of their future endeavors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE SET AND CAUSED TO BE AFFIXED THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE CITY OF ___________________________, STATE OF ________________. DONE THIS _________DAY OF __________________, 2010, A.D.

_________________________MAYOR

NATIONWIDE AGENDANATIONWIDE AGENDAIT’S IN THE BAGIT’S IN THE BAG

A SYMPOSIUM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

H3: IT’S ALL ABOUT ME HEALTHY CHOICES, HEALTHY LIVING, HEALTHY GENERATIONS

Being Simultaneously Held Nationwide by Graduate Chapters ofSIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 201110:00 AM – 2:00 PM

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Pledge of AllegiancePrayer for Our Youth

Welcome / Purpose Reading of Proclamation

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Healthy Choices11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Healthy Living11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Healthy Generations

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM REFRESHMENTS and Youth ENTERTAINMENT12:45 PM – 1:30 PM Panel Discussion1:30 PM – 2:00 PM H3 Pledge, Certificates, Drawings, Surveys

This symposium emanates from

OPERATION BIGBOOKBAG - An International Service Project Sponsored BySigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC.2011 YOUTH SYMPOSIUM - MARKETING GUIDELINES

The Grand Epistoleus will distribute Public service announcements and press releases about the Youth Symposium in the coming months. To ensure that the event is presented and branded in a consistent manner, a general or “donut” press release will be sent to local chapters. The local and regional epistolei are encouraged to use the national template, and simply add their local contact and event information.

Press releases and PSAs will be available 6-8 weeks prior to the event and other collateral materials will be forthcoming as well. To stay abreast of all material and updates regarding national programs, epistolei should register at http://www.sgrhoepistoleus.org  for further information. 

General Planning ChecklistThis document outlines the high-level actions to be taken. Form committees to outline the more detailed steps.

_____ Confirm Youth Symposium location_____ Secure sponsors (financial and/or in-kind services) for refreshments, publicity, etc._____ Contact local radio/TV stations to create partnership_____ Confirm the Youth Symposium speakers and other participants. _____ Promote the Youth Symposium and cultural performances using all marketing

mediums available._____ Order co-branded material from National Partners; March of Dimes, CDC, etc…_____ Contact and send flyers to schools and all community service organizations that work

with teens ______ Send PSAs and announcements to local newspapers, television and radio stations_____ Arrange for refreshments (through sponsorship or in-kind services) for the Youth

Symposium, awards for contest participants and gifts for program participants_____ Complete as appropriate and send Proclamation to your local mayor’s office. Use

personal contact where available and be sure to follow up.____ Arrange for professional photography for the Youth Symposium_____ Conduct Youth Symposium_____ Survey youth attendees as they arrive and at the conclusion of the program. The

survey forms are available on the Sorority’s website or by contacting the international headquarters office.

_____ Send letters of thanks to all sponsors and partners

_____ Create and submit press release and photos to local newspapers and The AURORA. Please sure to include the names of all sponsors/partners

_____ Complete and submit the Youth Symposium Report Form to our international headquarters office

_____ Send copies of all publicity (newspaper articles, The AURORA) to your sponsors/partners

SSIGMAIGMA G GAMMAAMMA R RHOHO Y YOUTHOUTH S SYMPOSIUMYMPOSIUM C CHAPTERHAPTER R REPORTEPORT 20112011

Chapter Region

Location Reporter

Event Location & Address

Number of Attendees

Total Male Ages 11-13 Ages 14 -15 Ages 16-18 Ages 19+

Total Female Ages 11-13 Ages 14 -15 Ages 16-18 Ages 19+

Partnerships Organization # Participants Type of Participation

Did your chapter incorporate any other National Program(s) into the symposium?

Wee Savers Buckle Up Africare Donor Program

RV Perry Birthright Big Book Bag Hattie McDaniel Health Initiative

Did your chapter receive donations for this event?

Monetary Value In Kind ItemsCash or In Kind

List the Symposium Panelists and Speakers

Name Occupation Agency Topic/Workshop

Survey Results (Surveys are available on the National Website Soror Only Section)

# Pre Event Surveys Completed # Post Event Surveys Completed

Using the survey results, please note the number of youth participants who demonstrated or communicated at the conclusion of the Symposium an increased knowledge, understanding, judgment and ability to identify resources based on the following Youth Symposium program objectives:

How to prevent teen pregnancy

How to make healthy choices for themselves and future generations

How to prevent or report abuse

$

Available resources for themselves or others

Please answer the following questions. Use additional sheets if necessary

How did your symposium specifically address each of the objectives listed above?

What was successful about your symposium?

What opportunities exist for improvement?

Do you feel the National Youth Symposium is an effective communication and educational tool for youth? If yes, why? If not, what can we do to enhance the program?

If your chapter hosted a Hip Hop contest, who was the outcome and the name of the winner?

Was the theme clearly communicated in the participant’s submission?

Program Chair ______________________________ Date ___________________

Chapter Basileus ______________________________ Date ___________________

Please submit this report via email to Programs@SGRho1922.org, by fax to (919)678-9721 or by mail to national headquarters.If available, also include a copy of your Symposium Agenda and any other promotional items, news release, photographs, etc.

PPROJECTROJECT R REASSURANCEEASSURANCE R RESOURCEESOURCE L LISTISTThe March of Dimes

march ofdimes .com

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy  http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/

The Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/ obesity /

50 Million Pound Challengehttp://www.50millionpounds.com/

H3 - It’s All About ME Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations

The H3 PledgeI commit to being conscious that my choices must be a reflection of my desire to change the direction

of my life.

I vow to be more to be more socially and civically conscious of my health, both mentally and

physically, and of my ability to grow in these areas.

I commit to be the Master Motivator to inspire my generation, to be a perpetual learner that uses knowledge and wisdom to inspire those in my

present and future.

Childhood Obesitywww.ResponsibilityProject.com www.RightHealth.com www.fcc.gov/ obesity / www.helpcure childobesity .com/ www.shapingamericasyouth.org/www.healthyweightnetwork.com/

Planned Parenthoodhttp://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Teen Chat:  A Guide to Discussing Healthy Relationshipshttp://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/exhibithall/OPA%20-%20Teen%20Chat.pdf

National Youth Violence Prevention Dating Abuse Prevention (Respect)http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/news/docs/chooserespect.asp

The United States Surgeon General http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/obesityprevention/

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN1-800-656-HOPE 

National Sexual Assault Online Hotlinehttp://apps.rainn.org/ohlbridgeHealth Guide for America's Teenshttp://www.adolescenthealth.org/Health_Guide_for_Americas_Teens.pdf BAM Body and Mind Website for the Center of Disease Controlhttp://www.bam.gov/sub_physicalactivity/index.html Girls Incorporated Resource Site Linkhttp://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=3.5.5(Girls Inc also a good organization to consider partnering with)  KidsHealth (Mental Health page)http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/ Proctor and Gamble My Black is Beautiful Campaignhttp://myblackisbeautiful.com/MBIB_Discussion_Guide.pdf GirlsHealth from the US DHHShttp://www.4girls.gov/http://www.4girls.gov/freestuff/images/brochure.pdfhttp://www.4girls.gov/freestuff/teenguide/teen_survival_guide.pdf Adolescent Decision Making: Implications for Prevention Programshttp://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9468&page=1 FreeSpirit - Company that provides educational material for youthhttp://www.freespirit.com/foreign_rights/foreign_rights.cfm Excerpts from the Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Curriculum by our own Soror Emily Diane Gunterhttp://www.ritesofpassageonline.org/index.html Center for Young Women's Healthhttp://www.youngwomenshealth.org/

 Character Education (Respect)http://www.goodcharacter.com/ISOC/Respect.html Choose Respecthttp://www.chooserespect.org/scripts/index.asp