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Gamma Sigma Sigma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Gamma Sigma Sigma (ΓΣΣ) is a national service sorority. The motto of Gamma Sigma Sigma is Unity in Service.
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In October of 1952, representatives from eight colleges and universities met at Beekman Towers in New York City to organize a nationally-based service organization.
Represented were Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel Institute of Technology,Los Angeles City College, New York University, Queens College, the University of Houston, and the University of Miami in Florida.
The group drafted a constitution, which later became the bylaws (which are reviewed and revised at each National Convention), elected the first National Board of Directors (NBD), and adopted a name for their organization. “Girl’s Service Sorority”, or GSS, translated to the Greek, Gamma Sigma Sigma.
More than fifty years later, the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority continues to make an enormous impact on campuses and communities nationwide, carrying on a tradition of Unity in Service. Each year, sorority members contribute thousands of hours to unlimited projects across the country, reporting millions of hours throughout its history.
Today, the organization is several thousand members strong with active collegiate and alumni chapters, colonies and interest groups in eight United States districts -- and growing. New pledge classes are held each semester on campuses everywhere, and new colonies and chapters appear annually.
After graduation, alumni members continue to serve in their communities as members-at-large, or as integrated in regional alumni chapters. Many alumni continue to serve the national organization as well, in roles on the National Board of Directors, National Staff, and as advisors to collegiate members.
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]
- The Purpose
The purpose of Gamma Sigma Sigma shall be to assemble college and university students in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendship among students of all races and creeds.
- The Motto
Unity in Service
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.[2]
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, Alumnae Liaison, Historian, Social Coordinator, and Parliamentarian, all of whom, except the Parliamentarian, shall be elected by membership. The President shall appoint the Parliamentarian. [3]
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 IMPACT (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 IMPACT 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.
Chapters/Members participating in special emphasis projects are given recognition for their service through award competitions and certificate presentations.[4]
Any individual who wishes to serve others may become a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma following a few guidelines,as set forth by the National Convention, chapter and academic institution.
These include, but are not limited to:
- To be a duly enrolled student in academic good standing
- To express a desire to serve and to become a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma
- To fulfill the requirements set by the organization and institution
Anyone can become a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, regardless of gender, race, or creed. Gamma Sigma Sigma does not discriminate or tolerate hazing in any form. Gamma Sigma Sigma accepts individuals who are members of other organizations, including social sororities, into its membership.
Membership in a collegiate colony or chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma is attained by pledging to serve. The requirements for membership are set by each chapter, within guidelines set by the national organization. These tasks are in direct relationship to both chapter and national service programs. Pledges are not required to perform personal services for members, or any activity that can be construed as hazing.
Collegiate Chapters [5]
- Zeta - Drexel University
- Tau - Pennsylvania State University
- Chi - University of Georgia
- Alpha Eta - Howard University
- Alpha Iota - University of Minnesota, Duluth
- Alpha Pi - University of Wisconsin, Stout
- Alpha Psi - Southeast Missouri State University
- Beta Gamma - University of Delaware
- Beta Delta - University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
- Beta Zeta - Tuskegee University
- Beta Theta - Texas Wesleyan University
- Beta Sigma - Western Kentucky University
- Beta Phi - Lynchburg College
- Beta Chi - Lebanon Valley College
- Beta Psi - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Gamma Alpha - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Gamma Delta - Duquesne University
- Gamma Eta - Utica College of Syracuse University
- Gamma Theta - Stephen F. Austin State University
- Gamma Kappa - University of Tennessee
- Gamma Pi - Carson Newman College
- Gamma Phi - St. Francis University
- Gamma Chi - Texas State University, San Marcos
- Delta Nu - University of Maine, Orono
- Delta Xi - Missouri State University
- Delta Sigma - Samford University
- Delta Upsilon - SUNY Potsdam
- Delta Phi - Dillard University
- Delta Chi - East Carolina University
- Delta Omega - La Salle University
- Eta Beta- Francis Marion University
- Epsilon Beta - Clemson University
- Epsilon Eta - Florida Memorial College
- Epsilon Nu - Bethune Cookman College
- Epsilon Xi - Moravian College
- Epsilon Upsilon - University of Florida
- Epsilon Psi - Tennessee State University
- Zeta Beta - University of St. Thomas
- Zeta Epsilon - Austin Peay State University
- Zeta Iota - Prairie View A&M University
- Zeta Lambda - Temple University
- Zeta Nu - Slippery Rock University
- Zeta Xi - North Georgia College and State University
- Zeta Omicron - Georgia College and State University
- Zeta Rho - Marquette University
- Zeta Sigma - McDaniel College
- Zeta Tau - Georgia State University
- Zeta Chi - Grambling State University
- Zeta Psi - Mississippi Valley State University
- Zeta Omega - Clark Atlanta University
- Eta Alpha - Georgia Southern University
- Eta Beta - Francis Marion University
- Eta Gamma - Murray State University
- Eta Delta - James Madison University
- Eta Epsilon - University of West Georgia
- Colony - Spelman College
- Colony - University of North Texas
- Colony - University of Central Florida
- Zeta Upsilon - Ohio State University
Alumni Chapters [6]
- Atlanta Metropolitan Alumni Chapter- Georgia
- Bluegrass Alumni Chapter - Kentucky
- Buckeye City Alumni Colony - Columbus, Ohio
- Central New England Alumni Chapter - Vermont/New Hampshire/Massachusetts
- Cherry Blossom Alumni Chapter - Washington, DC metro
- Cottonball Alumni Chapter - Missouri
- Dogwood Alumni Colony - Knoxville, TN
- Empire Alumni Chapter - New York
- Gateway Alumni Chapter - Missouri
- Gemini Alumni Chapter – Philadelphia/Tri State Area, Pennsylvania
- Gold Hills Alumni Chapter - Georgia
- Greater Baltimore Alumni Chapter - Maryland
- Houston- Bayou City Alumni Chapter - Texas
- Lone Star Alumni Chapter - Dallas, Texas
- Mid-Jersey Shore Alumni Chapter - New Jersey
- Nutmeg Alumni Chapter - Connecticut
- Omicron Alumni Colony - Tallahassee, Florida
- Philadelphia Alumni Chapter - Pennsylvania
- Pine Tree Alumni Chapter - Maine
- Southern White Rose Alumni Colony - Alabama
- Tri-Counties Alumni Colony - Florida
- Twin Cities Alumni Chapter - Minnesota
- Yellow Rose Alumni Chapter - Houston, Texas
- White Rose Alumni Chapter - Tennessee
- Barbara Bush - National Honorary Member (1987)[7] - first lady
- Mae Jemison M.D. - National Honorary Member - first African-American woman to travel to space
- Jessye Norman - Howard University - opera singer
- P. Buckley Moss - National Honorary Member (1991)[7] - Artist
- Pat Mitchell - National Honorary Member (1993)[7] - "Auntie Litter"
- Ellen Ahlgren - National Honorary Member (1995)[7] - Founder of ABC Quilts
- Patricia Wetterling - National Honorary Member (1997)[7] - Founder of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation
- Karolyn Nunnallee - President of MADD
- Beatrice Gaddy - Founder of Bea Gaddy's Family Center
- Amy Callahan - Founder and President of the Better Days Foundation
- Barbara Irvine - Founder of Alice Paul's Institute/Women's Rights
- Liz Scott - National Honorary Member (2007) Founder of Alex's Lemonade Stand
- Karen House - Howard University- Howard University Bison Express
- Dr. Janette Hoston Harris - Alpha Delta, Southern University - civil rights activist, DC Government Official
- ^ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/gss_mission-history.htm
- ^ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/gss_service.htm
- ^ National Bylaws
- ^ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/gss_service.htm
- ^ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/Members/our_organization.htm
- ^ http://www.gammasigmasigma.org/Members/our_organization.htm
- ^ a b c d e National History