2010 Recommendations - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
2010 Recommendations - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
2010 Recommendations - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
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<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
# Sponsoring<br />
Region<br />
Section to be<br />
amended<br />
Current language Proposed language Rationale Disposition Final<br />
Language<br />
1 Central Not applicable Not applicable The Central Region Executive There continues to be a prevalence of CARRIED N/A<br />
Board of Directors<br />
recommends the International<br />
Headquarters create, maintain,<br />
and periodically publish, a list<br />
of the names of individuals<br />
who have been banned from<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong> membership. The list<br />
should include the names of<br />
those who have renounced<br />
their membership in the<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong>. The list should be<br />
kept updated and made<br />
accessible to all Regions of the<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong>.<br />
individuals who fraudulently perpetrate<br />
membership in our <strong>Sorority</strong> and who<br />
participate in unsanctioned underground<br />
pledge activities. In order for all<br />
chapters of each region to avoid<br />
inadvertently granting membership or<br />
sorority privileges to these individuals,<br />
the International headquarters should<br />
maintain a list that is accessible to all<br />
chapters.<br />
2 Western Standard<br />
Operating<br />
Procedures,<br />
Article XIV,<br />
Section 9, 9.700-<br />
Officers’<br />
Honoraria. (Pg.<br />
9-2)-<br />
Editor-in-Chief of<br />
the Aurora, Grand<br />
Grammateus,<br />
Grand Anti-<br />
Grammateus,<br />
Grand<br />
Tamiochus, Legal<br />
Advisor<br />
Editor-in-Chief of the Aurora<br />
2nd Grand Anti-Basileus<br />
Grand Anti-Grammateus<br />
Grand Grammateus,<br />
Grand Tamiochus<br />
Legal Advisor<br />
Carried<br />
Article 14, Section 1401 f. reads<br />
"National Expenditures. <strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong><br />
<strong>Rho</strong> <strong>Sorority</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>. is responsible for the<br />
following expenditures (f) Honorariums<br />
of national officers as authorized and<br />
itemized in <strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong><br />
Policies." At the 2008 Boule, it was<br />
noted that the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus<br />
was not listed to receive an honorarium,<br />
the only elected National officer not to<br />
be included. A vote was passed to<br />
award the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus an<br />
honorarium based on Article 14 Section<br />
1401 due to the missing language in the<br />
SOP. As the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus,<br />
is the highest ranking undergraduate<br />
Recommend<br />
ation was<br />
accepted<br />
with the<br />
Second<br />
Grand to be<br />
included in<br />
the receipt of<br />
an<br />
honorarium<br />
to begin in<br />
the 2012-<br />
2013<br />
financial<br />
year.<br />
Page 1 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
member of the sorority and 3rd highest<br />
ranking Soror in the sorority, this office<br />
should be listed to receive an<br />
honorarium along with the other elected<br />
National Officers based on the service,<br />
responsibilities, and duties that this<br />
officer carries out throughout the year as<br />
the undergraduate representative.<br />
Current language Proposed language Rationale Disposition<br />
# Sponsoring<br />
Region<br />
Section to be<br />
amended<br />
3 Western None None <strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> include the<br />
SPEAR Foundation Events as<br />
part of the base registration<br />
option of the Boule package to<br />
endure payment and<br />
attendance by the bulk of the<br />
conference attendees rather<br />
than having it listed in the<br />
Boule package as an event for<br />
which an additional fee must<br />
be paid.<br />
At the 2006 Boule, this recommendation<br />
was voted on and passed; however, the<br />
SPEAR event was not included in the<br />
2008 Boule package as the Grand Body<br />
voted. In addition, the event will not be<br />
included as a part of the <strong>2010</strong> Boule<br />
package. It was found that there was a<br />
loophole in the original recommendation<br />
with the word "similar", thus this<br />
allowed the SPEAR event to be included<br />
as an option and not included as a part<br />
of the Boule package, as originally<br />
voted on. The recommendation, as<br />
submitted now, will provide for a<br />
solidified understanding going forward<br />
that all Boules will include the SPEAR<br />
event as a part of the Boule package.<br />
FINAL<br />
LANGUAGE<br />
CARRIED<br />
1) the per<br />
capita fee for<br />
both SPEAR<br />
and NEF will<br />
increase by<br />
$2.00 to $7.00<br />
3) All<br />
foundations<br />
must submit to<br />
National<br />
Headquarters<br />
by April 1st of<br />
each year, a<br />
full disclosure<br />
financial<br />
report<br />
reflecting the<br />
same<br />
information<br />
required by<br />
IRS.<br />
Headquarters<br />
will post these<br />
reports to the<br />
Page 2 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
sorority’s<br />
website. 4.<br />
Any<br />
Foundation<br />
that fails to<br />
submit to<br />
National<br />
Headquarters,<br />
by April 1 st of<br />
each year a full<br />
disclosure<br />
financial<br />
report, will<br />
forfeit its per<br />
capita<br />
assessment for<br />
the ensuing<br />
year.<br />
4 Northeast None None <strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> <strong>Sorority</strong>,<br />
<strong>Inc</strong>orporated, shall hire a<br />
professionally registered<br />
Parliamentarian for the<br />
purpose of getting national bylaws<br />
and other binding<br />
documents in full accordance<br />
with Roberts Rules of Order<br />
As currently written, the national bylaws,<br />
SOP, Policies and Procedures<br />
have a myriad of inconsistencies,<br />
repetitious language, etc. The hiring of<br />
a professional parliamentarian would<br />
ensure our governing documents are<br />
written and arranged in a manner in<br />
which the organization can operate more<br />
efficiently and effectively.<br />
DELETED<br />
Page 3 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
5 Northeast<br />
and Central<br />
None None <strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> <strong>Sorority</strong>,<br />
<strong>Inc</strong>orporated, shall hold a<br />
constitutional convention<br />
(inclusive of bylaws, SOPs,<br />
supplemental information,<br />
rituals, and all official manuals<br />
of the <strong>Sorority</strong>) in 2011.<br />
A review of the <strong>Sorority</strong>’s by-laws,<br />
SOPs, supplemental information and<br />
TORCH manual revealed many<br />
conflicts between the documents. These<br />
organizational documents must be in<br />
harmony as these are the operational<br />
documents that govern the organization<br />
and are to be used when there are<br />
questions about our policies and<br />
procedures. Conflict between these<br />
documents creates a problem for which<br />
there is no resolution. The boule<br />
schedule does not afford the muchneeded<br />
time to address and correct these<br />
issues. Thus, there should be such a<br />
meeting set to afford us an opportunity<br />
to de-conflict our governing documents<br />
without time constraints.<br />
DELETED<br />
6 Central Standard<br />
Operating<br />
Procedures,<br />
Section 2, 2.200<br />
(c)<br />
Undergraduate<br />
members, upon<br />
graduation from a<br />
four-year<br />
institution, shall<br />
immediately<br />
apply for transfer<br />
to an alumnae<br />
Undergraduate members, upon<br />
graduation from a four-year<br />
accredited institution, shall<br />
immediately apply for transfer<br />
to an alumnae chapter,<br />
member-at-large status or<br />
International member status.<br />
It is not feasible for every undergraduate<br />
member to transfer into an alumnae<br />
chapter upon graduation. There are other<br />
options which should be listed.<br />
FINAL<br />
LANGUAGE<br />
CARRIED<br />
UG members<br />
upon<br />
graduation<br />
from after<br />
alumnae<br />
chapter add<br />
when an<br />
alumnae<br />
Page 4 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
7 Central Supplemental<br />
Information,<br />
Appendix A,<br />
Section 7(b)(3)<br />
chapter.<br />
Any delegate who<br />
is thirty minutes<br />
or more late for a<br />
Grand Chapter<br />
session (unless<br />
excused by the<br />
Grand Basileus) shall<br />
be fines twenty-five<br />
cents (.25)<br />
Any delegate who is thirty<br />
minutes or more late for a<br />
Grand Chapter session (unless<br />
excused by the Grand<br />
Basileus) shall be fined<br />
twenty-five cents (.25).<br />
This needs to be corrected for<br />
typographical errors (i.e. fines should be<br />
fined and a period is needed at the end<br />
of the sentence).<br />
CARRIED<br />
chapters not<br />
located<br />
within 30<br />
miles the<br />
member shall<br />
apply for an<br />
eligible<br />
category of<br />
membership.<br />
N/A<br />
Page 5 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
8 Central Supplemental<br />
Information<br />
TAB Appendix<br />
B, 5. <strong>Sigma</strong><br />
Creed<br />
We believe in<br />
<strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong><br />
<strong>Rho</strong>, symbolized<br />
by royal blue and<br />
gold which<br />
represent the true<br />
spirit of <strong>Sigma</strong>, a<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong> devoted<br />
to motivating<br />
youth to greater<br />
achievements,<br />
wholesome<br />
living, inspired<br />
actions, and<br />
exploring new<br />
horizons. We<br />
represent women<br />
bound together in<br />
thought and effort<br />
toward common<br />
purposes of selfimprovement,<br />
uplifting young<br />
people, and<br />
rendering service<br />
wherever needed.<br />
We believe in<br />
service to one<br />
another, our<br />
Sorors, our youth,<br />
our families, and<br />
our country. We<br />
further believe<br />
The <strong>Sigma</strong> Creed is written<br />
incorrectly (a full line is<br />
missing).<br />
It is recommended that it be edited to<br />
comply with the original version.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
Page 6 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
that these things<br />
are possible<br />
through “Greater<br />
Service, Greater<br />
Progress.”<br />
Page 7 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
9 Central Rituals Section,<br />
Induction<br />
Ceremony for<br />
Honorary<br />
Membership<br />
We believe in<br />
<strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong><br />
<strong>Rho</strong>, symbolized<br />
by royal blue and<br />
gold which<br />
represent the true<br />
spirit of <strong>Sigma</strong>, a<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong> devoted<br />
to motivating<br />
youth to greater<br />
achievements,<br />
wholesome<br />
living, inspired<br />
actions, and<br />
exploring new<br />
horizons. We<br />
represent women<br />
bound together in<br />
thought and effort<br />
toward common<br />
purposes of selfimprovement,<br />
uplifting young<br />
people, and<br />
rendering service<br />
wherever needed.<br />
We believe in<br />
service to one<br />
another, our<br />
Sorors, our youth,<br />
our families, and<br />
our country. We<br />
further believe<br />
The <strong>Sigma</strong> Creed is written<br />
incorrectly (first line is<br />
incorrect).<br />
It is recommended that it be edited to<br />
comply with the original version.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
Page 8 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
that these things<br />
are possible<br />
through “Greater<br />
Service, Greater<br />
Progress.”<br />
10 Central Supplemental<br />
Information,<br />
Appendix A, #5<br />
The minimum<br />
induction fee<br />
shall be $525 for<br />
Alumna and $465<br />
for<br />
undergraduates.<br />
The minimum induction fee<br />
shall be $525 for alumnae and<br />
$465 for undergraduates who<br />
join the sorority in the fall.<br />
The head tax and insurance fee<br />
that comprise part of the<br />
induction fee shall be reduced<br />
by half for those who join in<br />
the spring.<br />
The fees should be prorated based on<br />
when a Soror joins the sorority. This<br />
will affect Sorors who join in the spring;<br />
therefore, fees should be based on the<br />
remaining balance of time in the sorority<br />
year. Members should not be required to<br />
pay for membership during a period in<br />
which they were not members of the<br />
sorority by paying the full head tax and<br />
insurance. This will prevent future<br />
Sorors from having to pay dues when<br />
first joining the organization in the<br />
spring and then paying the fees again, a<br />
few months later for the new <strong>Sorority</strong><br />
year.<br />
DELETED<br />
11 Central Torch Manual No current<br />
language<br />
Applicants must submit three<br />
letters of recommendation for<br />
membership. One letter must<br />
be written by a member of the<br />
<strong>Sorority</strong>.<br />
This proposed language was left out<br />
when the <strong>Sorority</strong> ended its use of the<br />
MIP process and began use of the<br />
TORCH process. Just as with applying<br />
for a job, a personal recommendation<br />
provides valuable insight into character<br />
and work ethic.<br />
CARRIED<br />
One letter<br />
must be<br />
written by a<br />
financial<br />
member of<br />
the <strong>Sorority</strong>.<br />
Page 9 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
12 Central Torch Manual No current<br />
language<br />
Applicants must submit a letter<br />
of intent.<br />
This proposed language was left out<br />
when the <strong>Sorority</strong> ended its use of the<br />
MIP process and began use of the<br />
TORCH process. This letter to the<br />
chapter reflected the applicant’s desire<br />
to become a member, and was a<br />
valuable piece of information taken<br />
from the prospective member.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
13 Central Torch Manual –<br />
2007 Section:<br />
Timelining –<br />
Rushing<br />
A full torch<br />
calendar must be<br />
submitted to the<br />
Regional<br />
Syntaktes and<br />
copies to the<br />
alumnae advisor<br />
and<br />
Undergraduate<br />
Chapter<br />
Coordinator at<br />
least 14 days<br />
prior to any<br />
informal rush.<br />
Chapters that<br />
conduct informal<br />
rushes without<br />
submitting a<br />
calendar shall be<br />
subject to<br />
disciplinary<br />
A full torch calendar must be<br />
submitted to the regional<br />
Syntaktes with copies to the<br />
alumnae advisor and<br />
Undergraduate Chapter<br />
Coordinator at least 14 days<br />
prior to any formal rush.<br />
Chapters that conduct formal<br />
rushes without submitting a<br />
calendar shall be subject to<br />
disciplinary action. Informal<br />
rushes can be conducted and<br />
do not need an approved torch<br />
calendar.<br />
Informal rushes are events the<br />
organization holds to expose the<br />
community and prospective candidates<br />
to the organization; this includes civic<br />
and social events. The informational is<br />
a more focused and professional<br />
environment for recruitment at which<br />
Sorors can address any questions<br />
prospective candidates may have. This<br />
is sometimes not possible to do at many<br />
social events chapters may sponsor,<br />
such as card tournaments, symposiums,<br />
etc. Keeping the Informational outside<br />
the Torch calendar allows more<br />
flexibility for chapters to inform<br />
prospective candidates about<br />
requirements of the organization.<br />
Informationals should still require<br />
participants to be Torch trained and<br />
financial.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
Page 10 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
action.<br />
14 Central TORCH<br />
Program Manual<br />
IMPORTANT<br />
POLICY NOTICE<br />
Numbers and/or<br />
nicknames WILL<br />
NOT be assigned to<br />
Prospective<br />
Members or newly<br />
inducted members<br />
(effective August<br />
2004). If this<br />
policy is violated,<br />
the board of<br />
directors will<br />
establish a penalty.<br />
All administrators<br />
and Greek Affairs<br />
Directors will be<br />
informed of this<br />
sorority policy<br />
Numbers and positive<br />
nicknames may be assigned to<br />
new members following their<br />
induction. Nicknames of all<br />
undergraduate members must<br />
be approved by their advisor.<br />
Line names and numbers help to show<br />
those unique qualities Sorors have that<br />
others were not exposed to when they<br />
first met. Though these were<br />
historically assigned as part of the<br />
pledge process, that does not have to<br />
hold true today. While pledging is<br />
illegal, the tradition of having line<br />
names and numbers can still be<br />
observed if done so in a positive<br />
manner. With the reinstatement of these<br />
rituals, new Sorors can form special<br />
bonds with other inductees, whether in<br />
<strong>Sigma</strong> <strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> <strong>Sorority</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>., or<br />
any of the other Divine 9 organizations.<br />
Line names and numbers connect Sorors<br />
to others outside of the members with<br />
whom they joined the <strong>Sorority</strong>.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
15 Central TORCH<br />
Calendar<br />
No Current<br />
Language<br />
Remove the Informational<br />
from the TORCH Calendar.<br />
The informational should not be part of<br />
the TORCH calendar. Having an<br />
informational or interest meeting does<br />
not mean that a chapter is ready to<br />
implement a TORCH calendar. It is<br />
simply a means to determine interest<br />
and to distribute general information<br />
about the sorority. Chapters should be<br />
able to hold informationals at any time<br />
prior to the official membership intake<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
Page 11 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
schedule.<br />
16. Southeast No Current<br />
Language<br />
No Current<br />
Language<br />
Suspended/expelled chapters’<br />
and members’ names shall be<br />
published within the “Sorors<br />
Only” section of the<br />
International Website.<br />
The <strong>Sorority</strong> membership needs to know<br />
which Chapters/members have violated<br />
the <strong>Sorority</strong>’s policies and procedures.<br />
In doing so, if a suspended or former<br />
member of the <strong>Sorority</strong> continues to act<br />
in the name of <strong>Sigma</strong>, we are able to be<br />
“Our Sister’s Keeper” and report those<br />
individual(s), saving our Sisterhood<br />
from potential lawsuits/embarrassment.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
17. Southeast TORCH manual The informal rush<br />
component must<br />
be submitted on<br />
the TORCH<br />
Calendar.<br />
The informal rush component<br />
shall be allowed to occur<br />
outside of the formal TORCH<br />
calendar process.<br />
Sorors will not be subject to the 30-day<br />
wait period to hold an informal rush<br />
(interest meeting), thus giving chapters<br />
the opportunity to gauge interest and<br />
allowing appropriate time to prepare for<br />
a TORCH process.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
18. Southeast Standard<br />
Operating<br />
Procedures,<br />
Section 9.200, a.<br />
1. Individual fees<br />
9.200 Individual<br />
Fees<br />
a. Head tax (Member<br />
tax)<br />
1. Head Tax shall<br />
be paid annually;<br />
it must be<br />
received by<br />
National<br />
Headquarters<br />
office on or<br />
before October<br />
1.<br />
a. Head tax (Member tax)<br />
1. Head tax shall be paid<br />
annually; it must be<br />
received by National<br />
headquarters office on or<br />
before September 1.<br />
Chapters must be financial in order to<br />
operate. Undergraduate chapters and/or<br />
sponsoring graduate chapters are<br />
negatively impacted by their nonfinancial<br />
status.<br />
.<br />
DELETED<br />
DELETED<br />
Page 12 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
19. Southeast Standard<br />
Operating<br />
Procedures,<br />
Section 9.300,<br />
a. Chapter Fees<br />
9.300 Chapter<br />
Fees<br />
a. Chapter fees<br />
shall be sent<br />
to National<br />
headquarters<br />
on or before<br />
October 1 of<br />
each year.<br />
9.300 Chapter Fees<br />
a. Chapter fees shall be sent<br />
to National headquarters<br />
on or before September 1<br />
of each year.<br />
Chapters must be financial in order to<br />
operate. Undergraduate chapters and/or<br />
sponsoring graduate chapters are<br />
negatively impacted by their nonfinancial<br />
status.<br />
20 TORCH<br />
Committee<br />
TORCH<br />
Program<br />
Calendars now<br />
include the<br />
Informal Rush<br />
Calendars will not include<br />
the Informal Rush<br />
Removing the Informal Rush from the<br />
calendar will allow for better<br />
recruitment efforts to be conducted.<br />
In addition, the removal of the<br />
Informal Rush from the current<br />
formal membership process will<br />
allow an opportunity to review<br />
candidates in advance of submission<br />
for a formal TORCH calendar.<br />
CARRIED<br />
N/A<br />
Page 13 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
21<br />
TORCH<br />
Committee<br />
SOPs 2.100<br />
(Insert in 2.100<br />
and renumber)<br />
Change/ insert<br />
this language<br />
and renumber<br />
remaining parts<br />
of the section<br />
2. Prospective Member<br />
Qualifications<br />
a. A Women of High<br />
Character (absent of conduct<br />
unbecoming)<br />
b. Participation in Campus<br />
Activities (Minimum of one<br />
community service initiative)<br />
Participation in the <strong>Sigma</strong><br />
<strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> Chapter Sponsored<br />
Community Service Project<br />
(minimum<br />
a. one community service<br />
chapter project)<br />
b. Exhibit Leadership<br />
Abilities (Church, Scouts,<br />
Junior Achievement, High<br />
School Student<br />
Organizations,<br />
University/College Student<br />
Organizations, etc.)<br />
c. Attendance at the <strong>Sigma</strong><br />
<strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> Chapter<br />
Sponsored<br />
There are several references to<br />
qualifications in the bylaws and<br />
standard operating procedure. This<br />
will give a specific list of<br />
qualifications.<br />
DELETED<br />
Page 14 of 15
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Recommendations</strong><br />
Functions/Events<br />
3. Letter of <strong>Recommendations</strong> –<br />
Minimum of Two Required<br />
• All Prospective<br />
Members are required to<br />
provide two letters of<br />
recommendations from the<br />
following sources:<br />
(1) Letter from a <strong>Sigma</strong><br />
<strong>Gamma</strong> <strong>Rho</strong> Soror<br />
(2) Letter from a Community<br />
Leader (School Counselor,<br />
Pastor, etc.)<br />
Page 15 of 15