The True Blue Soror:
The Costs and Benefits
of Membership in
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
4/9/2015
Presented by
Linette Y. Caroselli
Northeast Region UCC
&
LaTonya Nelson
Immediate Past
Western Region Syntaktes
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Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Mission Statement
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's aim is to enhance
the quality of life within the community. Public
service, leadership development and education of
youth are the hallmark of the organization's
programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho
addresses concerns that impact society
educationally, civically, and economically.
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Objective
To raise awareness of Fiscal Responsibility & Sorority
Membership
Topics of Discussion:
Assessment of members financial perspectives
 Sorority Membership: Dues and Expenses
 The true cost of sorority membership explored and explained
 The responsibility for fundraising to first/support “Greater Service,
Greater Progress”
 The recognition that sorority life is not without cost
 The inherent financial commitment associated with sorority
membership
 Life Membership
 The Benefits of Membership
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Discussion
What does it mean to be a
financial soror?
Loyal
Dedicated
Serious
Committed
Provider
Protector
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Dues and Expenses- Local Level
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Local (Chapter) Dues
Cotillions/ Debutante Balls
Fundraisers (Ticket Quotas)
Chapter Bonding Functions
Gas
Tolls
Gifts (Inductions)
Sponsorships (Rhoers,
Scholarships, etc.)
Area Meetings
Chapter Support (supporting other
chapter events)
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Dues and Expenses- Regional Level
Regional Dues
 Regional Assessments (example- ICHQ
donation, regional projects)
 Regional Conference Registration
 Donations (example: Project
Reassurance, & St. Jude’s)
 Hotel
 Transportation
 Food
 Outfits and Accessories (official sorority
blazer, all white for Omega Rho)
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Dues and Expenses- National Level
National Dues
 National Assessments- NEF, SPEAR,
etc.
 National Programs
 Donations
 Boule’ (Hotel, Registration,
Transportation, etc.)
 Leadership Conferences
 Vendors (purchases at conferences)
 Inclusion of Family for Boule’
 Workbooks (T.O.R.C.H., Protocol,
etc.)
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True Cost of Sorority Membership
Sorority membership entails not only money but
most importantly, your time. “Greater Service,
Greater Progress” is achieved through our
dedication to service and mankind. Our
commitment to community service serves as the
foundation of the cost of membership. We all could
think of other ways to spend our time but we took
an oath to serve and help improve our communities.
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Discussion
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The value of time: Community Service, Chapter
Meetings, Youth Symposiums, Social Functions,
NPHC meetings, etc.
The obligation of duty: Officer responsibility,
member responsibility, organization
responsibility
Misrepresentation: When we as an organization
do not fulfill our duties as members
Personal Fulfillment
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Fundraising
The act of fundraising is never for personal gain. It
is for the benefit of providing “Greater Service,
Greater Progress” for our communities. Therefore
every dollar we raise should go towards:
 National Programs/Projects
 Scholarships (Local, Regional or National)
 Rhoer/ Philo Development
 Chapter Development
 Community Service Projects
 Soror Hardships
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Life Membership:
A Candid Discussion
Life Membership within Sigma Gamma Rho represents an
elite group of women who have made the ultimate sacrifice
for the sisterhood. Life Membership holds its privileges and
they are not taken lightly. Paying the LM fee is just the
beginning. Sorors must be cognizant when they make the
decision to join the ranks of LM, they are making the
commitment to be ready to make financial contributions for
the good of the order. The Grand Basileus and/or any of our
other non-profit organizations can ask for a donation at any
time for a specified amount. LM’s are expected to meet this
call without hesitation.
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Running for an Office
Running for a Regional or
National Office is very expensive.
Expenses:
 Traveling on the campaign
trail
 Campaign Materials (favors,
brochures, etc.)
 Telephone Calls
 Postage
 Envelopes
 Letterhead, paper, ink, etc.
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While in Office….
Not all expenses are covered by the
sorority/region. Once your budget is
gone….well…you’re on your own.
 Travel (transportation, hotels, gas,
wear and tear on your car, etc.)
 Telephone calls
 Office Supplies
 Cell Phone Minutes
 Time, time and more time
 Your sanity
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The Inherent Financial Commitment
Upon our induction into Sigma Gamma Rho, we are
expected to be lifetime financial members. Although
life can throw challenges at us from time to time
that may hinder us from fulfilling our financial
duties, we must learn to lean on the shield. Some
chapters have programs in place to assist financially
challenged sorors with their dues. Even if you can’t
pay your dues, your time is still a valuable asset to
the sisterhood.
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Benefits of Membership
General
 The motivations for joining
Sigma vary. But lifelong
friendships, community service,
networking, leadership
development and social activities
are key advantages.
 Sigma membership greatly
enriches the experiences for the
vast majority of Sorors. Most
have found a place to belong and
that is just the start. Joining
Sigma opens the doors to other
opportunities.
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Life Long Friendships
One of the main motivators for
joining a sorority is friendship.
Finding a group of friends can
make a tremendous difference
in feeling integrated into life
versus feeling like another
individual.
 Sigma provides a home away
from home with a group of
supportive women who will
cheer you on and provide
encouragement during low
times.
 Most Sorors have developed at
least a few lifelong friendships
that continue in spite of
distance and time.
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Leadership Development
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By joining Sigma you will undergo
Leadership Development. It is a natural
part of being in a sorority
Some sorors will go on to hold highly
visible local, regional and national
offices, however every Soror will lead in
some way
Committee assignments, recruitment
planning and execution, and
representing the organization all provide
opportunities to develop public
speaking skills, presentation skills,
motivational skills, and organizational
skills. These are all benefits of the
sisterhood
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Community Service
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Sigma has national programs to which
all chapters/regions contribute in
meaningful ways.
Beyond this, Sorors/Chapters tend to
be very service oriented and also
participate in other community
activities that benefit their local areas.
There are multiple opportunities
presented each year by both the
individual chapters as well as the
Sisterhood as a whole to participate in.
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Networking
Membership in Sigma definitely provides networking
opportunities.
 Many leadership positions on campus and even
world wide are held by a member of a fraternity or
sorority.
 Networking in Sigma opens the door to meeting
other leaders and finding avenues for networking.
 Sigma has a network of chapters throughout the
regions and internationally where Sorors can enjoy
their membership as they travel around the world.
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Social Activities
Sigma’s love their social events
and by joining the sorority
certainly expands your social
opportunities.
 Sorors are very creative in
offering a variety of social event
themes and outlets for fun.
 Some of these social events
involve collaborating with other
organizations and some are only
for Sorors. In either case, a Soror
has the opportunity to keep her
social calendar as full as she
desires!
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A Golden Opportunity
&
A Royal Experience
Membership in Sigma
Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
definitely is a commitment!
But most Sorors have
learned that since joining
the sisterhood, they discover
that the benefits far
outweigh the sacrifices and
are thankful for the
opportunities in the long
run.
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Synopsis
Sorors are expected to be financial on all levels
 Time is a valuable asset
 Life Membership isn’t just the initial fee
 Our main purpose is service
 Officers don’t get free rides
 Everything we do benefits the sisterhood and our
communities
 The benefits of membership are priceless &
endless
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Questions/Concerns
??????
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Thank You!
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