| 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 in October 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, 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 friendship among students of all races and creeds".
Contents |
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]
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, 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]
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.
| Number | Location | Host | Theme | Dates | Woman of the Year | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beekman Tower, New York City | Organization and Constitutional | October 10, 1952 – October 12, 1952 | [7] | |||
| 1st | Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois | June 1953 | [7] | |||
| 2nd | New York City, New York | June 24, 1955 – June 26, 1955 | [7] | |||
| 3rd | Detroit, Michigan | Iota chapter | June 21, 1957– June 23, 1957 | [7] | ||
| 4th | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Zeta chapter and Philadelphia Alumni Chapter | June 19, 1959– June 21, 1959 | [7] | ||
| 5th | Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts | Epsilon chapter | June 16, 1961– June 18, 1961 | [7][8][9] | ||
| 6th | University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland | Xi chapter | – June 15, 1963 – | [7] | ||
| 7th | St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota | Alpha Beta | June 18, 1965– June 20, 1965 | [7] | ||
| 8th | Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri | Alpha Gamma | "Pioneers in Service" | June 15, 1967– June 18, 1967 | [7] | |
| 9th | Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida | Alpha Kappa | "Giving Sunshine" | June 20, 1969– June 22, 1969 | [7] | |
| 10th | University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut | Nu | "Season with Service" | June 17, 1971– June 20, 1971 | [7] | |
| 11th | University of Houston, Houston, Texas | Alpha and Houston Alumni Chapter | "Our Hearts in Service" | June 14, 1973– June 17, 1973 | Esther Brenner | [7] |
| 12th | Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana | Gamma Omicron and Indianapolis Alumni Colony | "Crossroads to Service" | June 20, 1975– June 22, 1975 | Dolly Melville | [7] |
| 13th | University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts | Alpha Theta | "Unity ... Spirit ... Service" | June 17, 1977– June 19, 1977 | Margaret Kuster | [7] |
| 14th | University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia | Chi and Atlanta Alumni Chapter | "Service with a Smile Southern Style" | June 15, 1979– June 17, 1979 | Dr. Ethel Allen | [7] |
| 15th | University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota | Alpha Iota and Northern Lakes Region | "Seeways to Service" | June 19, 1981– June 21, 1981 | Margaret E. Kuhn | [7] |
| 16th | Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky | Beta Sigma and Bluegrass Alumni Chapter | "Run for the Roses" | June 17, 1983– June 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" | June 20, 1985– June 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" | June 11, 1987– June 14, 1987 | Barbara Bush* | [7] |
| 19th | Rime Garden Inn, Birmingham, Alabama | Delta Sigma and District IV | "Celebrate Service" | August 10, 1989– August 19, 1989 | Mae Jemison* | [7] |
| 20th | Sheraton AirportCharlotte, North Carolina | District II | "Magic of Service" | August 8, 1991– June 11, 1991 | P. Buckley Moss | [7] |
| 21st | Grand Milwaukee Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin | District I | "Servicefest '93" | August 12, 1993– August 15, 1993 | Pat Mitchell* aka "Auntie Litter" | [7] |
| 22nd | Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland | District III | "Star Spangled Service" | July 6, 1995– July 9, 1995 | Ellen Q. Ahlgren* | [7] |
| 23rd | Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel, Houston Texas | District IV | "Discover the Spirit" | July 3, 1997– July 6, 1997 | Patty Wetterling* | [7][8] |
| 24th | Crown Plaza Hotel-Powers Ferry, Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta Alumni Chapter | "Service on My Mind" | July 9, 1999– July 11, 1999 | Karolyn Nunnallee* | [7][8] |
| 25th | Greenville Hilton, Greenville, North Carolina | Delta Chi | "Guiding Service through the New Millennium" | July 19, 2001– July 21, 2001 | Beatrice Gaddy | [7] |
| 26th | Headquarters Plaza Hotel, Morristown, New Jersey | "Pride in our Past, Faith in our Future" | July 10, 2003– July 13, 2003 | Amy Callahan | [7] | |
| 27th | Embassy Suites Hotes Cleveland-Rockside, Cleveland, Ohio | "Service Rocks" | July 6, 2005– July 10, 2005 | Barbara Irvine[10] | [11] | |
| 28th | Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, Illinois | "Spotlight on Service"[12] | July 11, 2007– July 15, 2007 | Liz Scott (Mother of Alex Scott (Alex's Lemonade Stand)[12] | [13] | |
| 29th | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | "Destination: Service" | July 9, 2009– July 11, 2009 | Ann McGee (Miracle Flights for Kids)[14] | [15] | |
| 30th | Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area | 2011(planned) |
A list of the inactive chapters of Gamma Sigma Sigma is available at the Sorority Website.
National Honorary Members
| Gamma Sigma
Sigma National Presidents |
|
| Barbara Ferraro, 1952-1955 | Margaret Zimmerman, 1955-1957 | Norma Jean McKenty, 1957-1959 | Annell Hargraves, 1959-1961 | Denise Fecketter, 1961-1963 | Barbara Stabler 1963-1965 | Mary Lou Bartley, 1965-1967 | Charlotte Mendoza, 1967-1969 | Barbara Macarillo, 1969-1971 | Mary Scout 1971-1975 | Rosalie Powell, 1975-1977 | Christina Tomczak, 1977-1981 | Maryjane Cass Burdge 1981-1985 | Sue Majeski, 1985-1987 | Mary Ann Carr, 1987-1989 | Patricia Saul, 1989-1991 | Sharon Tompkins, 1991-1993 | A. Michele Slay, 1993-1995 | Kathyjo Kuenzle, 1995-1997 | Nancy Crane, 1997-1998 | Diane Janvier, 1998-2001 | Lynne Mowers, 2001-2005 | D’Ann Brosnahan, 2005-2007 | DaQuana Carter 2007-2009 | |
   | Rime Garden Inn - The Rime Garden Inn and Suites |
| | Sheraton Airport - Sheraton Charlotte Hotels: Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel - Hotel Rooms at Sheraton.com |
| | Note from GSS Archivist that the school is in Florida - GreekChat.com Forums |
| | National History - History of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Inc. |
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Search
