Standards of Distinction
2015 - 2016
Updated: August 2015
© Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Regional & National Compliance ..................................................................................................... 4
Entity Management ....................................................................................................................... 6
Sisterhood Empowerment .............................................................................................................. 8
Academics .................................................................................................................................. 10
Community Service ...................................................................................................................... 11
Cultural Awareness ...................................................................................................................... 12
Morals & Ethics ........................................................................................................................... 13
Standards of Distinction Score ...................................................................................................... 15
What is Standards of Distinction?
Standards of Distinction (SOD) is an assessment program used to ensure the development and success
of Sigma Lambda Gamma’s collegiate entities. This program provides entities with a guideline of
expectations to follow in order to reach the highest level of distinction. This document should be used
as a guide to plan your year and assist your entity in excelling sorority standards.
Areas of Assessment




Regional & National Compliance
Entity Management
Sisterhood Empowerment
5 Principles
o Academics
o Community Service
o Cultural Awareness
o Morals & Ethics
o Social Interaction
Standards of Distinction
Page | 2
SOD Ranking
Description
Rank
Distinct
Exceptional quality, highest ranking, set example for entities in region.
Excellent
Going above and beyond expectations set forth.
Standard
Fulfilling expectations set by the national sorority and values our founding mothers
established.
Below
Standard
Not fulfilling the basic expectations set by the national sorority.
How to Implement Standard of Distinction
1. Review this entire packet with your entity
2. Select the tasks your entity wants to accomplish this year within each area of SOD
3. Calculate the total points for each area of SOD, then use the worksheet in the back of this
packet to calculate your overall SOD score
4. Report out on the progress of your SOD score to your entity and advisor(s) regularly throughout
the year

Update your SOD goals and action plans if they change throughout the year
Steps for Submission
1. Entity Advisor submits approved of entity SOD Packet to Regional Director before May 1st
2. Entity submits national Standards of Distinction paperwork by May 1st
3. Regional Directors submits final approval of entity SOD scores to National Headquarters Office
Things to Note
 National recognition is given to entities receiving Distinct or Excellent rankings in Standards of
Distinction every year by receiving awards during national events (i.e. Convention and/or
Sisterhood Retreat).
 It is highly recommended that your entity set their Standards of Distinction goals and create an
action plan during the first business meeting of the academic school year
 Once these goals are set, delegate a sister to keep track of your Standards of Distinction
progress throughout the year
 Your entity may “double-dip” with activities for SOD. If a program or activity your entity does
covers several different standards in SOD, it may be used for credit in all those areas.
Standards of Distinction
Page | 3
Regional & National Compliance
Regional Compliance





Entity sends required delegates to Regional Retreat
Entity completes an entity visit with Regional Director
Entity maintains consistent communication with
Regional Director
Entity submits all business meeting minutes to Regional
Director by the required deadline
Entity has a representative in attendance for all
regional calls
Points
Total
50
40
30
20
20
Paperwork


National paperwork is submitted correctly 2 weeks
before deadline
 National paperwork includes: Semester Fact Sheet,
Entity Roster/ Grade Verification, Membership Dues
Induction/ Initiation paperwork is submitted correctly
2 weeks before deadline
 Induction/ Initiation includes: Induction/Initiation
Form, Associate Member Grade Verification Form,
Induction/Initiation Dues
50
50
Risk Management




Contracts, liability insurance and event registration
for alcoholic and/or off-campus events submitted
21 days before registered event
All events are registered at least 4 weeks in advance
or in the beginning of the semester
All non-alcoholic, on-campus events are registered
on time (14 days prior to event)
Entity attends an on-campus risk management
program
50
40
30
20
Policy Document Review



National, local and campus policies are reviewed annually
Local policies are in line with national policies and do
not supersede those
Entity asks Regional Director about any policy that
is not clear Entity bylaws are reviewed annually
Standards of Distinction
50
30
20
Page | 4
Advisory Committee




Entity
Entity
Entity
Entity
elects
elects
elects
elects
Chapter advisor
an Intake advisor
an Academic advisor
Faculty advisor
25
25
25
25
Regional & National Compliance Total …………….…....
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 600
551 - 600
351 - 550
151 - 350
0 - 150
Page | 5
Entity Management
Members

Entity has 20+ collegiate members

Entity has 15-20 collegiate members

Entity has 10-15 collegiate members
 Entity has <10 collegiate members
Points
50
40
30
20
Total
Communication

President attends regularly scheduled one-on-one
meetings with Entity Advisor
40

Advisory Committee Members attends entity
meetings monthly
30

Entity utilizes SLG’s Protocol for Communication
in Advisory Committee Manual
20

Entity responds to all business communication
within 48 hours
10
Social Media Management

Entity regularly updates social media accounts

All entity SLG social media accounts align
with SLG’s values and policies

Entity annually updates website content
50
30
20
Meeting Etiquette
60
40

Entity hosts a bi-annual internal retreat

Entity utilizes Roberts Rules of Order for
business meetings

Meeting agenda is sent out at least 24
hours prior to meeting, minutes are
sent out 48 hours after meeting
Entity conducts regularly scheduled
20
business meetings
10

Standards of Distinction
Page | 6
Officer Transition
Points
Total
50
40

Entity uses to Officer Transition Manual

Entity maintains officer information and
historical records in officer file

Newly elected officers attend officer transition
workshops or meet with an advisor to review
elected position
30

Officers are elected annually & attend officers
retreat (as stated in Constitution)
20
Council Involvement



A member of the entity holds a position on their
Greek council. If there is no active Greek council on
campus, entity has submitted an appropriate explanation
of this status through the Semester Face Sheet.
Member(s) attends Greek council and/or
50
Student activities meetings on a regular basis
Entity actively participates in minimum
Requirements set by respective Greek Council
30
and University office
20
Financial Management

Entity pays for required delegates to attend all
national events
60

Entity plans annual budget for upcoming academic
school year
40

Makes a donation to SLG Education Foundation
annually
40

Entity takes sisters to SEC who aren’t paying
dues on time
30

Entity maintains a bank account in the
name of the established entity
10
Entity Management Total ………………..…………..……….…..
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 800
701 - 800
501 - 700
251 - 500
0 - 250
Page | 7
Sisterhood Empowerment
Ritual
Points
Total
80
70

Entity knows Ritual by heart

Entity conducts a Ritual and Values
retreat annually to discuss the purpose
of SLG ritual in their everyday lives

Entity hosts regularly scheduled
practices for Rituals
50

Induction & Initiation ceremonies are
performed as prescribed by the Ritual
of SLG
20
Sisterhood Enhancement Committee

SEC Manual is followed: regular meetings,
sister recognition, bonding, hearings
50

Entity has established and maintained a
Sisterhood Enhancement Committee
30

Entity hosts annual awards program for sister
recognition
20
Associate Member Education & Retention

Retention of associate members is 100%

All entity members are certified in The Journey

Entity utilizes Journey at a Glance to plan AMEP
60
50
40
Recruitment

Entity ask campus professionals for potential member
member recommendations
50

Entity has established an official application and
interview process for all those interested in joining
Sigma Lambda Gamma
30

Entity builds relationship with potential member(s)
at least one semester before induction
20

Entity maintains a detailed contact list of
potential members and maintains up-to-date
marketing materials (pamphlets, brochures,
presentations, website, listserv)
20

Entity plans a detailed schedule for the term
including recruitment events and informationals
10
Standards of Distinction
Page | 8
Alumnae Involvement


Entity has up-to-date contact information of all
alumnae members
Entity establishes bi-annual newsletter to keep
40
alumnae members informed of sorority happenings
30
20
10

Entity hosts annual alumnae engagement event

Entity invites alumnae members to entity/campus events
Sisterhood Empowerment Total ………………………..…..
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 700
601 - 700
401 - 600
151 - 400
0 - 150
Page | 9
Academics
Cumulative Entity GPA

3.75 & above

3.50-3.74

3.00-3.49

2.75-2.99

<2.74
Points
Total
100
90
80
70
0
Enforcement of Academic Probation & Policies


Set Academic Standards for Executive Officers
All members of your entity hold a minimum 2.6
80
70

Cumulative GPA or above
Entity has no members on academic probation or
individual members on academic probation meet
weekly with Scholarship Chair or Academic Advisor
70
30

Entity has a Scholarship Chair or Academic Advisor
Academic Programming & Incentives

Host an event which promotes SLG’s principle
of Academics

Implement Panther Prep Academic Program

Implement Academic Recognition Programs

Attend Academic Improvement Workshops
100
80
50
20
Academic Total …………………………………………………………...
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 600
551 - 600
351 - 550
151 - 350
0 - 150
Page | 10
Community Service
Service
Points
Total
100

Entity hosts an annual signature community
service program
 Signature: An event, service, program
created and/or maintained by your entity.
An event, service, program your entity
is traditionally known for hosting.

Entity is represented at two or more community
service projects per semester
80

Entity is represented in an ongoing community
service initiative
40

Entity is represented in at least one community
service project per semester
20
Philanthropy

Entity raises awareness by hosting a
philanthropic event related to Breast Cancer
Awareness or TRiO Program
60

Entity raises money for Breast Cancer Awareness

Entity participates in a local TRiO program or
an equivalent mentorship/ tutoring program for
children and/or young adults
40
40

Entity participates in a philanthropic event
related to Breast Cancer Awareness
20
Campus Involvement & Leadership

Entity financially sponsors entity member participation
in leadership development opportunities outside
of Sigma Lambda Gamma
80

Entity co-sponsors a program with a community
organization and/or university organization
60

Members hold leadership positions in campus
organizations outside of Sigma Lambda Gamma
40

Members participate in campus organizations
outside of Sigma Lambda Gamma
20
Community Service Total ………………………………………...
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 600
551 - 600
351 - 550
151 - 350
0 - 150
Page | 11
Cultural Awareness
Community Education (External)

Entity has established an annual signature
Cultural Awareness program/event.

Points
Total
80
Signature: An event, service, program
created and/or maintained by your entity.
An event, service, program your entity
is traditionally known for hosting.

Entity co-host/hosts a program focused on the
culture(s) of other under-represented groups in
the community.
60

Entity co-host/hosts a program focused on the
culture of the individual members.
40

Entity shows support by attending cultural
awareness events hosted by another groups.
20
Member Education (Internal)

Entity has established an annual internal program
that educates members on various cultures.
60

Entity hosts an internal program that educates
Members on various cultures not represented
in the entity
50

Entity hosts an internal program focused
on the culture(s) of individual members.
50

Entity has identified a safe space on campus for
members to share or discuss cultural topics
40
Cultural Awareness Total …………………………………….…..
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 400
351 - 400
251 - 350
101 - 250
0 - 100
Page | 12
Morals & Ethics
Code of Conduct
Points

Entity has a member code of conduct that
each member signs each semester
80

Entity reviews information on Ritual, values
and policies of SLG bi-annually
60

Entity holds members accountable by utilizing
code of conduct
40
Total
Personal Development
100

Entity hosts a discussion/workshop based on
Healthy Living: Eating, Exercising, Relationships,
Language, Self-Talk, Leadership, Decision Making

Entity participates in discussions/workshops based
on Healthy Living: Eating, Exercising, Relationships,
Language, Self-Talk, Leadership, Decision Making
80

Entity sets aside time bi-annually for sisters to reflect
on their own personal development and set goals
40
Morals & Ethics Total ………………………………………..……...
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 400
351 - 400
251 - 350
101 - 250
0 - 100
Page | 13
Social Interaction
Professional Development
Points
Total
100

Entity hosts an annual signature professional
development program/workshop for their campus

Entity hosts a professional development
program/workshop
80

Entity participates in a professional development
program/workshop
60
Social Events
100

Entity hosts an annual signature non-alcoholic social
event for the campus and local community

Entity hosts a non-alcoholic social event
for the campus and local community
80

Entity volunteers to assist in the implementation
of a non-alcoholic social event hosted by a campus
department
60

Entity participates in / supports a non-alcoholic
social event hosted by a campus department
20
Social Interaction Total ……………………………………..….…..
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Standards of Distinction
/ 500
451 - 500
301 - 450
151 - 300
0 - 150
Page | 14
Standards of Distinction Score
SOD Rank Descriptions
Rank
Description
Distinct
Exceptional quality, highest ranking, set example for entities in region.
Excellent
Going above and beyond expectations set forth.
Standard
Fulfilling expectations set by the national sorority and values our founding mothers
established.
Below
Standard
Not fulfilling the basic expectations set by the national sorority.
Overall Standards of Distinction Score
Points
Rank
Distinct
Excellent
Standard
Below Standard
Area
4001 - 4600
3001 - 4000
1001 - 3000
0 - 1000
Score
Rank
Academics
Community Service
Cultural Awareness
Morals & Ethics
Social Interaction
Sisterhood Empowerment
Entity Management
Regional & National Compliance
OVERALL
 Add all of your area scores together to calculate your overall score and corresponding rank
Standards of Distinction
Page | 15