Gamma Sigma Sigma
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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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[edit] Historical Background
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.[1].
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.
[edit] Beliefs
- 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
[edit] 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, Alumnae Liaison, Historian, Social Coordinator, and Parliamentarian, 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 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.
[edit] Chapters
Collegiate Chapters
- 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 Epsilon - Edinboro University
- 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 College
- Gamma Chi - Texas State University, San Marcos
- Delta Nu - University of Maine, Orono
- Delta Xi - Southwest 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
- Epsilon Beta - Clemson University
- Epsilon Eta - Florida Memorial College
- Epsilon Lambda - Alabama State University
- 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 Pi - Texas Southern University
- Zeta Rho - Marquette University
- Zeta Sigma - McDaniel College
- Zeta Tau - Georgia State University
- Zeta Phi - Union College
- 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
- Colony - Lamar University
- Colony - Spelman College
- Colony - State University of West Georgia
- Colony - University of North Texas
- Colony - University of Central Florida
Alumnae Chapters
- Atlanta Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter- Georgia
- Bluegrass Alumnae Reactivating Chapter - Kentucky
- Buckeye City Alumni Colony - Columbus Ohio
- Central New England Alumni Chapter - Vermont/New Hampshire/Massachusetts
- Cherry Blossom Alumni Chapter - Washington, DC
- Cottonball Alumni Chapter - Missouri
- Empire Alumni Chapter - New York
- Gateway Alumni Chapter - Missouri
- Gemini Alumni Chapter – Philadelphia/Tri State Area, Pennsylvania
- Gold Hills Alumnae Colony - Georgia
- Greater Baltimore Alumni Chapter - Maryland
- Houston- Bayou City Alumni Chapter - Texas
- Lone Star Alumnae 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 Alumnae Chapter - Houston, Texas
[edit] Notable Alumnae
- Barbara Bush - National Honorary Member (1987) - first lady
- Mae Jemison M.D. - National Honorary Member - first African-American woman to travel to space
- Jessye Norman - Howard University - opera singer
