2010 Recommendations - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

2010 Recommendations 

# Sponsoring 

Region 

Section to be 

amended 

Current language Proposed language Rationale Disposition Final 

Language 

1 Central Not applicable Not applicable The Central Region Executive There continues to be a prevalence of CARRIED N/A 

Board of Directors 

recommends the International 

Headquarters create, maintain, 

and periodically publish, a list 

of the names of individuals 

who have been banned from 

Sorority membership. The list 

should include the names of 

those who have renounced 

their membership in the 

Sorority. The list should be 

kept updated and made 

accessible to all Regions of the 

Sorority. 

individuals who fraudulently perpetrate 

membership in our Sorority and who 

participate in unsanctioned underground 

pledge activities. In order for all 

chapters of each region to avoid 

inadvertently granting membership or 

sorority privileges to these individuals, 

the International headquarters should 

maintain a list that is accessible to all 

chapters. 

2 Western Standard 

Operating 

Procedures, 

Article XIV, 

Section 9, 9.700- 

Officers’ 

Honoraria. (Pg. 

9-2)- 

Editor-in-Chief of 

the Aurora, Grand 

Grammateus, 

Grand Anti- 

Grammateus, 

Grand 

Tamiochus, Legal 

Advisor 

Editor-in-Chief of the Aurora 

2nd Grand Anti-Basileus 

Grand Anti-Grammateus 

Grand Grammateus, 

Grand Tamiochus 

Legal Advisor 

Carried 

Article 14, Section 1401 f. reads 

"National Expenditures. Sigma Gamma 

Rho Sorority, Inc. is responsible for the 

following expenditures (f) Honorariums 

of national officers as authorized and 

itemized in Sigma Gamma Rho 

Policies." At the 2008 Boule, it was 

noted that the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus 

was not listed to receive an honorarium, 

the only elected National officer not to 

be included. A vote was passed to 

award the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus an 

honorarium based on Article 14 Section 

1401 due to the missing language in the 

SOP. As the 2nd Grand Anti-Basileus, 

is the highest ranking undergraduate 

Recommend 

ation was 

accepted 

with the 

Second 

Grand to be 

included in 

the receipt of 

an 

honorarium 

to begin in 

the 2012- 

2013 

financial 

year. 

Page 1 of 15


member of the sorority and 3rd highest 

ranking Soror in the sorority, this office 

should be listed to receive an 

honorarium along with the other elected 

National Officers based on the service, 

responsibilities, and duties that this 

officer carries out throughout the year as 

the undergraduate representative. 

Current language Proposed language Rationale Disposition 

# Sponsoring 

Region 

Section to be 

amended 

3 Western None None Sigma Gamma Rho include the 

SPEAR Foundation Events as 

part of the base registration 

option of the Boule package to 

endure payment and 

attendance by the bulk of the 

conference attendees rather 

than having it listed in the 

Boule package as an event for 

which an additional fee must 

be paid. 

At the 2006 Boule, this recommendation 

was voted on and passed; however, the 

SPEAR event was not included in the 

2008 Boule package as the Grand Body 

voted. In addition, the event will not be 

included as a part of the 2010 Boule 

package. It was found that there was a 

loophole in the original recommendation 

with the word "similar", thus this 

allowed the SPEAR event to be included 

as an option and not included as a part 

of the Boule package, as originally 

voted on. The recommendation, as 

submitted now, will provide for a 

solidified understanding going forward 

that all Boules will include the SPEAR 

event as a part of the Boule package. 

FINAL 

LANGUAGE 

CARRIED 

1) the per 

capita fee for 

both SPEAR 

and NEF will 

increase by 

$2.00 to $7.00 

3) All 

foundations 

must submit to 

National 

Headquarters 

by April 1st of 

each year, a 

full disclosure 

financial 

report 

reflecting the 

same 

information 

required by 

IRS. 

Headquarters 

will post these 

reports to the 

Page 2 of 15


sorority’s 

website. 4. 

Any 

Foundation 

that fails to 

submit to 

National 

Headquarters, 

by April 1 st of 

each year a full 

disclosure 

financial 

report, will 

forfeit its per 

capita 

assessment for 

the ensuing 

year. 

4 Northeast None None Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 

Incorporated, shall hire a 

professionally registered 

Parliamentarian for the 

purpose of getting national bylaws 

and other binding 

documents in full accordance 

with Roberts Rules of Order 

As currently written, the national bylaws, 

SOP, Policies and Procedures 

have a myriad of inconsistencies, 

repetitious language, etc. The hiring of 

a professional parliamentarian would 

ensure our governing documents are 

written and arranged in a manner in 

which the organization can operate more 

efficiently and effectively. 

DELETED 

Page 3 of 15


5 Northeast 

and Central 

None None Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 

Incorporated, shall hold a 

constitutional convention 

(inclusive of bylaws, SOPs, 

supplemental information, 

rituals, and all official manuals 

of the Sorority) in 2011. 

A review of the Sorority’s by-laws, 

SOPs, supplemental information and 

TORCH manual revealed many 

conflicts between the documents. These 

organizational documents must be in 

harmony as these are the operational 

documents that govern the organization 

and are to be used when there are 

questions about our policies and 

procedures. Conflict between these 

documents creates a problem for which 

there is no resolution. The boule 

schedule does not afford the muchneeded 

time to address and correct these 

issues. Thus, there should be such a 

meeting set to afford us an opportunity 

to de-conflict our governing documents 

without time constraints. 

DELETED 

6 Central Standard 

Operating 

Procedures, 

Section 2, 2.200 

(c) 

Undergraduate 

members, upon 

graduation from a 

four-year 

institution, shall 

immediately 

apply for transfer 

to an alumnae 

Undergraduate members, upon 

graduation from a four-year 

accredited institution, shall 

immediately apply for transfer 

to an alumnae chapter, 

member-at-large status or 

International member status. 

It is not feasible for every undergraduate 

member to transfer into an alumnae 

chapter upon graduation. There are other 

options which should be listed. 

FINAL 

LANGUAGE 

CARRIED 

UG members 

upon 

graduation 

from after 

alumnae 

chapter add 

when an 

alumnae 

Page 4 of 15


7 Central Supplemental 

Information, 

Appendix A, 

Section 7(b)(3) 

chapter. 

Any delegate who 

is thirty minutes 

or more late for a 

Grand Chapter 

session (unless 

excused by the 

Grand Basileus) shall 

be fines twenty-five 

cents (.25) 

Any delegate who is thirty 

minutes or more late for a 

Grand Chapter session (unless 

excused by the Grand 

Basileus) shall be fined 

twenty-five cents (.25). 

This needs to be corrected for 

typographical errors (i.e. fines should be 

fined and a period is needed at the end 

of the sentence). 

CARRIED 

chapters not 

located 

within 30 

miles the 

member shall 

apply for an 

eligible 

category of 

membership. 

N/A 

Page 5 of 15



Information 

TAB Appendix 

B, 5. Sigma 

Creed 

We believe in 

Sigma Gamma 

Rho, symbolized 

by royal blue and 

gold which 

represent the true 

spirit of Sigma, a 

Sorority devoted 

to motivating 

youth to greater 

achievements, 

wholesome 

living, inspired 

actions, and 

exploring new 

horizons. We 

represent women 

bound together in 

thought and effort 

toward common 

purposes of selfimprovement, 

uplifting young 

people, and 

rendering service 

wherever needed. 

We believe in 

service to one 

another, our 

Sorors, our youth, 

our families, and 

our country. We 

further believe 

The Sigma Creed is written 

incorrectly (a full line is 

missing). 

It is recommended that it be edited to 

comply with the original version. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

Page 6 of 15


that these things 

are possible 

through “Greater 

Service, Greater 

Progress.” 

Page 7 of 15


9 Central Rituals Section, 

Induction 

Ceremony for 

Honorary 

Membership 

We believe in 

Sigma Gamma 

Rho, symbolized 

by royal blue and 

gold which 

represent the true 

spirit of Sigma, a 

Sorority devoted 

to motivating 

youth to greater 

achievements, 

wholesome 

living, inspired 

actions, and 

exploring new 

horizons. We 

represent women 

bound together in 

thought and effort 

toward common 

purposes of selfimprovement, 

uplifting young 

people, and 

rendering service 

wherever needed. 

We believe in 

service to one 

another, our 

Sorors, our youth, 

our families, and 

our country. We 

further believe 

The Sigma Creed is written 

incorrectly (first line is 

incorrect). 

It is recommended that it be edited to 

comply with the original version. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

Page 8 of 15


that these things 

are possible 

through “Greater 

Service, Greater 

Progress.” 


Information, 

Appendix A, #5 

The minimum 

induction fee 

shall be $525 for 

Alumna and $465 

for 

undergraduates. 

The minimum induction fee 

shall be $525 for alumnae and 

$465 for undergraduates who 

join the sorority in the fall. 

The head tax and insurance fee 

that comprise part of the 

induction fee shall be reduced 

by half for those who join in 

the spring. 

The fees should be prorated based on 

when a Soror joins the sorority. This 

will affect Sorors who join in the spring; 

therefore, fees should be based on the 

remaining balance of time in the sorority 

year. Members should not be required to 

pay for membership during a period in 

which they were not members of the 

sorority by paying the full head tax and 

insurance. This will prevent future 

Sorors from having to pay dues when 

first joining the organization in the 

spring and then paying the fees again, a 

few months later for the new Sorority 

year. 

DELETED 

11 Central Torch Manual No current 

language 

Applicants must submit three 

letters of recommendation for 

membership. One letter must 

be written by a member of the 

Sorority. 

This proposed language was left out 

when the Sorority ended its use of the 

MIP process and began use of the 

TORCH process. Just as with applying 

for a job, a personal recommendation 

provides valuable insight into character 

and work ethic. 

CARRIED 

One letter 

must be 

written by a 

financial 

member of 

the Sorority. 

Page 9 of 15


12 Central Torch Manual No current 

language 

Applicants must submit a letter 

of intent. 

This proposed language was left out 

when the Sorority ended its use of the 

MIP process and began use of the 

TORCH process. This letter to the 

chapter reflected the applicant’s desire 

to become a member, and was a 

valuable piece of information taken 

from the prospective member. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

13 Central Torch Manual – 

2007 Section: 

Timelining – 

Rushing 

A full torch 

calendar must be 

submitted to the 

Regional 

Syntaktes and 

copies to the 

alumnae advisor 

and 

Undergraduate 

Chapter 

Coordinator at 

least 14 days 

prior to any 

informal rush. 

Chapters that 

conduct informal 

rushes without 

submitting a 

calendar shall be 

subject to 

disciplinary 

A full torch calendar must be 

submitted to the regional 

Syntaktes with copies to the 

alumnae advisor and 

Undergraduate Chapter 

Coordinator at least 14 days 

prior to any formal rush. 

Chapters that conduct formal 

rushes without submitting a 

calendar shall be subject to 

disciplinary action. Informal 

rushes can be conducted and 

do not need an approved torch 

calendar. 

Informal rushes are events the 

organization holds to expose the 

community and prospective candidates 

to the organization; this includes civic 

and social events. The informational is 

a more focused and professional 

environment for recruitment at which 

Sorors can address any questions 

prospective candidates may have. This 

is sometimes not possible to do at many 

social events chapters may sponsor, 

such as card tournaments, symposiums, 

etc. Keeping the Informational outside 

the Torch calendar allows more 

flexibility for chapters to inform 

prospective candidates about 

requirements of the organization. 

Informationals should still require 

participants to be Torch trained and 

financial. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

Page 10 of 15


action. 

14 Central TORCH 

Program Manual 

IMPORTANT 

POLICY NOTICE 

Numbers and/or 

nicknames WILL 

NOT be assigned to 

Prospective 

Members or newly 

inducted members 

(effective August 

2004). If this 

policy is violated, 

the board of 

directors will 

establish a penalty. 

All administrators 

and Greek Affairs 

Directors will be 

informed of this 

sorority policy 

Numbers and positive 

nicknames may be assigned to 

new members following their 

induction. Nicknames of all 

undergraduate members must 

be approved by their advisor. 

Line names and numbers help to show 

those unique qualities Sorors have that 

others were not exposed to when they 

first met. Though these were 

historically assigned as part of the 

pledge process, that does not have to 

hold true today. While pledging is 

illegal, the tradition of having line 

names and numbers can still be 

observed if done so in a positive 

manner. With the reinstatement of these 

rituals, new Sorors can form special 

bonds with other inductees, whether in 

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., or 

any of the other Divine 9 organizations. 

Line names and numbers connect Sorors 

to others outside of the members with 

whom they joined the Sorority. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

15 Central TORCH 

Calendar 

No Current 

Language 

Remove the Informational 

from the TORCH Calendar. 

The informational should not be part of 

the TORCH calendar. Having an 

informational or interest meeting does 

not mean that a chapter is ready to 

implement a TORCH calendar. It is 

simply a means to determine interest 

and to distribute general information 

about the sorority. Chapters should be 

able to hold informationals at any time 

prior to the official membership intake 

CARRIED 

N/A 

Page 11 of 15


schedule. 

16. Southeast No Current 

Language 

No Current 

Language 

Suspended/expelled chapters’ 

and members’ names shall be 

published within the “Sorors 

Only” section of the 

International Website. 

The Sorority membership needs to know 

which Chapters/members have violated 

the Sorority’s policies and procedures. 

In doing so, if a suspended or former 

member of the Sorority continues to act 

in the name of Sigma, we are able to be 

“Our Sister’s Keeper” and report those 

individual(s), saving our Sisterhood 

from potential lawsuits/embarrassment. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

17. Southeast TORCH manual The informal rush 

component must 

be submitted on 

the TORCH 

Calendar. 

The informal rush component 

shall be allowed to occur 

outside of the formal TORCH 

calendar process. 

Sorors will not be subject to the 30-day 

wait period to hold an informal rush 

(interest meeting), thus giving chapters 

the opportunity to gauge interest and 

allowing appropriate time to prepare for 

a TORCH process. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

18. Southeast Standard 

Operating 

Procedures, 

Section 9.200, a. 

1. Individual fees 

9.200 Individual 

Fees 

a. Head tax (Member 

tax) 

1. Head Tax shall 

be paid annually; 

it must be 

received by 

National 

Headquarters 

office on or 

before October 

1. 

a. Head tax (Member tax) 

1. Head tax shall be paid 

annually; it must be 

received by National 

headquarters office on or 

before September 1. 

Chapters must be financial in order to 

operate. Undergraduate chapters and/or 

sponsoring graduate chapters are 

negatively impacted by their nonfinancial 

status. 

. 

DELETED 

DELETED 

Page 12 of 15


19. Southeast Standard 

Operating 

Procedures, 

Section 9.300, 

a. Chapter Fees 

9.300 Chapter 

Fees 

a. Chapter fees 

shall be sent 

to National 

headquarters 

on or before 

October 1 of 

each year. 

9.300 Chapter Fees 

a. Chapter fees shall be sent 

to National headquarters 

on or before September 1 

of each year. 

Chapters must be financial in order to 

operate. Undergraduate chapters and/or 

sponsoring graduate chapters are 

negatively impacted by their nonfinancial 

status. 

20 TORCH 

Committee 

TORCH 

Program 

Calendars now 

include the 

Informal Rush 

Calendars will not include 

the Informal Rush 

Removing the Informal Rush from the 

calendar will allow for better 

recruitment efforts to be conducted. 

In addition, the removal of the 

Informal Rush from the current 

formal membership process will 

allow an opportunity to review 

candidates in advance of submission 

for a formal TORCH calendar. 

CARRIED 

N/A 

Page 13 of 15


21 

TORCH 

Committee 

SOPs 2.100 

(Insert in 2.100 

and renumber) 

Change/ insert 

this language 

and renumber 

remaining parts 

of the section 

2. Prospective Member 

Qualifications 

a. A Women of High 

Character (absent of conduct 

unbecoming) 

b. Participation in Campus 

Activities (Minimum of one 

community service initiative) 

Participation in the Sigma 

Gamma Rho Chapter Sponsored 

Community Service Project 

(minimum 

a. one community service 

chapter project) 

b. Exhibit Leadership 

Abilities (Church, Scouts, 

Junior Achievement, High 

School Student 

Organizations, 

University/College Student 

Organizations, etc.) 

c. Attendance at the Sigma 

Gamma Rho Chapter 

Sponsored 

There are several references to 

qualifications in the bylaws and 

standard operating procedure. This 

will give a specific list of 

qualifications. 

DELETED 

Page 14 of 15


Functions/Events 

3. Letter of Recommendations – 

Minimum of Two Required 

• All Prospective 

Members are required to 

provide two letters of 

recommendations from the 

following sources: 

(1) Letter from a Sigma 

Gamma Rho Soror 

(2) Letter from a Community 

Leader (School Counselor, 

Pastor, etc.) 

Page 15 of 15

2010 Recommendations - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

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