Sigma Phi Lambda
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Sigma Phi Lambda (ΣΦΛ) Sorority is the largest women's fraternal organization for Christian women, or Christian sorority in the United States with 22 active chapters, and the third of its kind, behind Alpha Delta Chi, founded in 1925, and Sigma Alpha Omega, officially founded in 1988. The sorority's headquarters is located in Texas and the sorority is governed by a national board.
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[edit] History
Sigma Phi Lambda was founded in 1988 at the University of Texas at Austin by Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maegen, Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow.
Phi Lamb was part of a broader movement to establish Christian sororities during the mid-1980s, as Evangelical Christian movement was on the rise in the United States.
Phi Lamb itself was also a part of the same movement as it affected men's fraternities. The founding of Sigma Phi Lambda can be linked to the founders' experiences and interactions with their male counterparts, who had, three years earlier, founded the Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi at Texas.
Sigma Phi Lambda has also spread the idea of Christian Greek Organizations. After the establishment of the Texas Tech University chapter, a group of men founded Kappa Upsilon Chi to serve as a counterpart.
Since the founding, the number of chapters has grown rapidly. The chapters on the campuses of the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Florida have well over 100 sisters, and the sorority continues to actively develop new chapters around the country.
Many local sororities arose during same period as Phi Lamb's founding across the country, but only a handful were successful in national expansion. Phi Lamb's success was accomplished through incorporation, a national board of directors and a national director.
Sigma Phi Lambda was the third National Sorority for Christian women, independent of a Greek council for colleges and universities. Alpha Delta Chi was first in 1925 founded at UCLA. Sigma Alpha Omega was the first sorority to be founded in the 1980s resurrgance of Christian Greek Life, founded at East Carolina University in 1987. Phi Lamb seeks spiritual development through their sisterhood. Their tradtions develop these standards.
[edit] Structure and Traditions
Sigma Phi Lambda is not like most traditional sororities. While most traditional sororities and even some Christian sororities require potential new members to be initiated only into their sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda allows other initiates to be initiated into Phi Lamb and conversely the sorority allows members to hold multiple Greek affiliations.
Sigma Phi Lambda does not offer membership bids, the stance of the organization is that a woman is to choose Phi Lamb, Phi Lamb does not choose their members.
Sigma Phi Lambda has multiple social events each semester to promote external growth and outreach. These are sometimes done with other Christian organizations on various campuses.
Membership
Membership is open to any undergraduate or graduate student, another uniqueness considering most sororities close membership to the undergraduate level. Also, married women can become members of Sigma Phi Lambda. Members pledge for one semester where they are the "little sisters" before being initiated into the sorority.
Cable Groups
Small groups that operate within chapter meetings, used for discussion, prayer, and various activities.
[edit] Organization
National Board of Directors
Phi Lamb is governed by Board of Directors. Seven alumna help keep things running smoothly and guide the chapters assigned to them.
Executive Director
This is the person you work with if you'd like to start a chapter of Phi Lamb. The "ED" also helps keep things running by assisting the Board with daily tasks and she plans the All-Chapter Officer Retreat.
Alumni Councils
After a chapter has been established long enough to have alumni, an Alumni Council is formed. These three members can be former officers of that chapter. The Alumni Council provides guidance to the chapter and assistance to the Alumni Board representative.
Officers
Five officers are elected yearly in each chapter. The offices are President, Vice President, Chaplain, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers maintain the daily functions and lead the members of their chapter. Please view the Constitution for more information about officers positions and conduct standards
Actives
These members of Phi Lamb are considered the big sisters of their chapter. They hold voting rights and are may hold appointed officers positions that vary from chapter to chapter.
Pledges
New to Phi Lamb, these members are the little sisters. They are cherished by their big sisters and a vital part of Phi Lamb. Upon initiation into the sorority, they are able to vote and become Actives.
[edit] Sigma Phi Lambda Sorority Verse
Romans 15:5-6 ~ "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
[edit] Chapters
- Alpha- University of Texas at Austin
- Beta- Texas A&M University
- Gamma- Texas Tech University
- Delta- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Epsilon- Texas State University
- Zeta- Southwestern University
- Eta- Houston Baptist University
- Theta- Baylor University
- Iota- Angelo State University
- Kappa- Sam Houston State University
- Lambda- Oklahoma Baptist University
- Mu- University of Oklahoma
- Nu- University of Florida
- Omicron- Tarleton State University
- Pi- Lamar University
- Tau- University of Arkansas
- Upsilon- University of North Texas
- Phi-Oklahoma State University
- Chi - University of Missouri
- Psi- Mississippi State University
- Omega - University of Central Oklahoma
- Alpha Alpha - University of Mississippi
- Alpha Beta - University of Central Florida
