Gamma Sigma Sigma

Gamma Sigma Sigma
ΓΣΣ
Founded October 12, 1952
Beekman Tower, New York, NY
Type Service
Scope National
Motto Unity in Service
Colors Maroon      and White     
Symbol Shepherd's Crook, Omicron
Flower White Rose
Jewel Garnets and Pearls
Publication Perspectives
Chapters 53 active collegiate chapters, 18 active alumni chapters
Ideals Service, Friendship and Equality
Headquarters PO Box 248
Rindge, New Hampshire, USA
Homepage http://www.gammasigmasigma.org

Gamma Sigma Sigma (ΓΣΣ) is a national service sorority founded on October 12, 1952 at Beekman Tower in New York City by representatives of Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel Institute of Technology, Los Angeles City College, New York University, Queens College, University of Miami, and the University of Houston. Their intention was to form a nationally-based service organization. The purpose of Gamma Sigma Sigma is "to assemble college and university students in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendships among students of all races and creeds".

Historical background

On October 10–12, 1952, representatives from eight colleges and universities met at Beekman Tower in New York City.

Represented were groups from Boston University,Brooklyn College, Drexel University, Los Angeles City College, University of Miami, New York University, Queens College, and University of Houston. During the weekend, the representatives from these groups decided on the name Gamma Sigma Sigma, the colors of Maroon and White and charters were given to these groups. .[1][2] As the group from University of Miami did not commit to membership at the founding meeting, they are not counted as a founding group.

School Original Group Name Assigned Chapter Name
University of Houston Alpha Gamma Chi Alpha
Brooklyn College Booster Squad Beta
Los Angeles City College Alpha Gamma Chi Gamma
New York University Women's Service Organization Delta
Boston University Omega Service Sorority Epsilon
Drexel University Gamma Sigma Sigma Zeta
University of Miami Sigma Lambda Phi[3] Eta [a]
Queens College Phi Gamma Theta

a. ^ Sigma Lambda Phi from University of Miami did not attend the final day of convention. Eta Chapter was reserved for this group. They later joined as Upsilon Chapter in 1958.[4]

About Gamma Sigma Sigma

All chapters, collegiate and alumni, are required to perform a defined number of service hours during the year as set forth in national and chapter bylaws.

Projects range from nationally sponsored causes to individual dedications, and chapters/individuals may be awarded for their efforts. Each member of the organization brings individual talents, skills and ideas to the organization, uniting in the spirit of service.

Each individual University chapter is led by an executive board. The officers of the chapters hold the offices of President, Service Vice President, Membership Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Public Relations Coordinator, National Representative, and Alumni Liaison, all of whom, except the Parliamentarian, shall be elected by membership. The President shall appoint the Parliamentarian.

At each National Convention, two special project areas are chosen by the delegation for special emphasis during the following biennium. These areas, known as Project I.M.P.A.C.T. (Individuals Making Progress Across Communities Together), encourage participation by all members, and help to establish relations with other national charitable organizations.

In addition to Project I.M.P.A.C.T. area suggestions and individual chapter projects, Gamma Sigma Sigma, as an organization, partners with charitable organizations to provide a combined, concentrated level of service to the nation. These affiliations are many, though the longest standing partnership is with the national March of Dimes. The sorority's national service partners include: March of Dimes, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, and MADD.[5]

Chapters/Members participating in special emphasis projects are given recognition for their service through award competitions and certificate presentations.[6]

The governing body of Gamma Sigma Sigma is the National Convention, held biennially in odd-numbered years. The National Board of Directors, elected at each National Convention, coordinates sorority activities in accordance with organizational bylaws and policy. National staff members assist in administrative functions.[1]

Membership

Gamma Sigma Sigma is not selective. The sorority does not discriminate based on race, sex, or gender nor do they tolerate hazing in any form. Membership is determined by guidelines set by each chapter, within guidelines set by the national organization and academic institution. These tasks are in direct relationship to both chapter and national service programs. Members-in-training are not required to perform personal services for members, or any activity that can be construed as hazing. Gamma Sigma Sigma also accepts individuals who are members of other organizations, including social sororities, into its membership.

National Conventions

Number Location Host Theme Dates Woman of the Year Refs
Beekman Tower, New York City Organization and Constitutional Oct 10, 1952 – Oct 12, 1952 [7]
1st Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois Jun 1953 [7]
2nd New York City, New York Jun 24, 1955 – Jun 26, 1955 [7]
3rd Detroit, Michigan Iota chapter Jun 21, 1957–Jun 23, 1957 [7]
4th Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Zeta chapter and Philadelphia Alumni Chapter Jun 19, 1959–Jun 21, 1959 [7]
5th Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts Epsilon chapter Jun 16, 1961–Jun 18, 1961 [7][8][9]
6th University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland Xi chapter – Jun 15, 1963 – [7]
7th St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota Alpha Beta Jun 18, 1965–Jun 20, 1965 [7]
8th Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri Alpha Gamma "Pioneers in Service" Jun 15, 1967–Jun 18, 1967 [7]
9th Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida Alpha Kappa "Giving Sunshine" Jun 20, 1969–Jun 22, 1969 [7]
10th University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut Nu "Season with Service" Jun 17, 1971–Jun 20, 1971 [7]
11th University of Houston, Houston, Texas Alpha and Houston Alumni Chapter "Our Hearts in Service" Jun 14, 1973–Jun 17, 1973 Esther Brenner [7]
12th Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana Gamma Omicron and Indianapolis Alumni Colony "Crossroads to Service" Jun 20, 1975–Jun 22, 1975 Dolly Melville [7]
13th University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts Alpha Theta "Unity ... Spirit ... Service" Jun 17, 1977–Jun 19, 1977 Margaret Kuster [7]
14th University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia Chi and Atlanta Alumni Chapter "Service with a Smile Southern Style" Jun 15, 1979–Jun 17, 1979 Dr. Ethel Allen [7]
15th University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota Alpha Iota and Northern Lakes Region "Seeways to Service" Jun 19, 1981–Jun 21, 1981 Margaret E. Kuhn [7]
16th Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky Beta Sigma and Bluegrass Alumni Chapter "Run for the Roses" Jun 17, 1983–Jun 19, 1983 JoAnn Verner [7]
17th Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri Delta Xi, Gateway Alumni Chapter, and the Frontier Region "Service: The Finest Frontier" Jun 20, 1985–Jun 23, 1985 Sharon Wenz [7]
18th University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware Beta Gamma, Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, Mid-Jersey Shore Alumni Chapter, and District III "First in Service" Jun 11, 1987–Jun 14, 1987 Barbara Bush* [7]
19th Rime Garden Inn, Birmingham, Alabama Delta Sigma and District IV "Celebrate Service" Aug 10, 1989–Aug 19, 1989 Mae Jemison* [7]
20th Sheraton AirportCharlotte, North Carolina District II "Magic of Service" Aug 8, 1991–Jun 11, 1991 P. Buckley Moss [7]
21st Grand Milwaukee Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin District I "Servicefest '93" Aug 12, 1993–Aug 15, 1993 Pat Mitchell* aka "Auntie Litter" [7]
22nd Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland District III "Star Spangled Service" Jul 6, 1995–Jul 9, 1995 Ellen Q. Ahlgren* [7]
23rd Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel, Houston Texas District IV "Discover the Spirit" Jul 3, 1997–Jul 6, 1997 Patty Wetterling* [7][8]
24th Crown Plaza Hotel-Powers Ferry, Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Alumni Chapter "Service on My Mind" Jul 9, 1999–Jul 11, 1999 Karolyn Nunnallee* [7][8]
25th Greenville Hilton, Greenville, North Carolina Delta Chi "Guiding Service through the New Millennium" Jul 19, 2001–Jul 21, 2001 Beatrice Gaddy [7]
26th Headquarters Plaza Hotel, Morristown, New Jersey "Pride in our Past, Faith in our Future" Jul 10, 2003–Jul 13, 2003 Amy Callahan [7]
27th Embassy Suites Hotes Cleveland-Rockside, Cleveland, Ohio "Service Rocks" Jul 6, 2005–Jul 10, 2005 Barbara Irvine[10] [11]
28th Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, Illinois "Spotlight on Service"[12] Jul 11, 2007–Jul 15, 2007 Liz Scott, Mother of Alex Scott (Alex's Lemonade Stand)[12] [13]
29th Fort Lauderdale, Florida "Destination: Service" Jul 9, 2009–Jul 11, 2009 Ann McGee (Miracle Flights for Kids)[14]
30th Westin Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia "Capitalizing on Service" Jul 13, 2011–Jul 17, 2011 Enitan Doherty-Mason[14] [15][16]|
31st Crown Plaza Clayton, St. Louis, Missouri Jul 17, 2013–July 23, 2013 [15]

Active Chapters and Colonies

The currently Active Chapters and Colonies (both Collegiate and Alumni) as of March 12, 2014[17]

Current Active Collegiate Chapters and Colonies

Active Alumni Chapters and Colonies

Inactive Chapters

A list of the inactive chapters of Gamma Sigma Sigma is available at the Sorority Website.

Notable alumni

National Honorary Members

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gamma Sigma Sigma Mission-History
  2. ↑ History page for Gamma Sigma Sigma at Missouri State
  3. ↑ Eight Founding schools or seven? (Change on Wikipedia)
  4. ↑ University of Miami 1961 Ibis page 283
  5. ↑ 2008 Alumni Press Kit
  6. ↑ Gamma Sigma Sigma Service
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 "The Staff –– History (2003)". Archived from the original on March 3, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Passing of Marvyn Glover
  9. ↑ Alpha Eta chapter History
  10. ↑ Fall 2003 Perspectives
  11. ↑ Event Center
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Spring 2007 Perspectives
  13. ↑ Convention Landing
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Gamma Sigma Sigma Mission
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Convention page at National website
  16. ↑ 30th National Convention of Gamma Sigma Sigma
  17. ↑ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/Members/our_organization.htm