DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
A Service Sorority
Grand Chapter
January 2014
TO:
National Executive Board Members
Chapter Presidents
FROM: Beverly E. Smith, National First Vice President and
Chair, Scholarship and Standards Committee
RE:
Recommendations of Names of Individuals for Honorary Membership for
the 2015 National Convention
The Constitution and Bylaws of the Grand Chapter provides for chapters and/or members
to recommend women of national prominence for Honorary Membership to the National
Scholarship and Standards Committee.
Chapters and/or members wishing to recommend women of national prominence for
Honorary Membership Initiation at the 2015 National Convention must submit their
recommendation(s) on the attached 2015 Honorary Membership Recommendation form
to National Headquarters by April 25, 2014.
Honorary Membership is a very special privilege the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. reserves for a woman who has singularly achieved national
distinction in a given field. The achievements of this woman must have received national
and/or international recognition for the improvement of the quality of life for people.
Selection of Honorary Members is a very serious process and should reflect the high
ideals and standards of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as national prominence.
The following guidelines approved by the National Executive Board should be reviewed
and observed by each chapter and member who is desirous of recommending candidates
for Honorary Membership:
(1)
The invitation to Honorary Membership shall be from the Grand Chapter only,
extended by the National President. Chapters or chapter members do not extend
the invitation, but make recommendations to the National Scholarship and
Standards Committee of the Grand Chapter.
(2)
The recommendation(s) from the chapter or chapter member is confidential. (IT
IS NOT TO BE DISCUSSED OR EXPLORED WITH THE NOMINEE.)
(3)
The recommendation(s) shall include a statement of rationale or support, a
summary of biographical data, and other supporting information including articles
and photographs, etc.
(4)
This honor is not reserved for any particular field.
(5)
Pursuant to Article II - Section 3 of the Grand Chapter Bylaws, the Scholarship
and Standards Committee in consultation with an ad hoc panel of Past National
Presidents; appointed by the National President, will review chapter and member
recommendations and present to the National Executive Board their
recommendations for Honorary Membership. Upon Board approval, the National
President extends the invitation to the person(s) approved. This must be the first
point of contact with the recommended person(s).
(6)
The recommended person(s) will be requested to respond to the invitation within a
set period of time.
(7)
The recommended person(s) can only be posthumously initiated if approval has
been granted prior to death.
(8)
Accepted invitations must be acted upon within a two-year period, if not acted
upon at the appropriate National Convention closest to the date of acceptance.
Complete and specific information on the Recommendation Form will help us in making
an effective appraisal of your recommendation.
Membership
Attachment
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
A Service Sorority
Grand Chapter
2015 NATIONAL CONVENTION
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP RECOMMENDATION FORM
Date:
Nominee’s Name:
Title:
(Example: Humanitarian, Writer, Actress, etc.)
Manager/Contact Person ________________________________________________________
Address:
Telephone: Home (
)
Business (
)
**************************************************************************
Recommending Soror: __________________________________________________________
Chapter ______________________________________________________________________
Office Held (If Applicable) ________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State ________ Zip Code __________
Telephone: Home (______) __________________;
Business (______) __________________
**************************************************************************
Please return this Honorary Membership Recommendation Form with the following:
(1) Statement of Rationale or Support
(2) Summary of Biographical Data
(3) Other Supporting Information (including articles and photographs, etc.)
Please return by April 25, 2014 to:
Beverly E. Smith
National First Vice President/Chair, Scholarship and Standards Committee
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
1707 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
S&S Committee/Membership (Rev. 2/14)