NEWS FROM THE GRAND BASILEUS
 
International Grand Basileus Deborah Catchings-Smith
Greetings Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers! Welcome to the 2018 fiscal year!  We are poised to experience an amazing sorority year because of your continued hard work and laser focus.  As a member, you are eligible for a variety of discounts and benefits with our corporate partners that can be found on our website.
 
We know that many of you are seeking opportunities to get involved. The call to join national committees is open.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the volunteer activities and roles available at the chapter, regional, and national levels. We also encourage you to make plans to attend your local chapter, area, and regional meetings.  
                                            
                                           57th Biennial Boule
What an amazing and historic Boule in Dallas!  We executed three community service projects and attended more than 16 different workshops and activities while focusing on the future during our plenary sessions. We not only had historic attendance but also contributed a record-breaking $88,000 to six charities during our Boule!   
 
The highlight was our focus on HBCUs where we spent several hours at Paul Quinn College' s We Over Me Organic Community Farm . We planted seeds and toured the former
Sorors Performing Community Service at Paul Quinn College's We Over Me Organic Farm.
fo otball field t hat provides fresh produce t o their food desert community. Our Siste rhood donated $22,000 to the We Over Me Organic F arm. Additionally, we an swered the clari on call for HBCU support joining forces with the National Education Fund to raise more than $26,000 in 15 minutes! Kudos to our Undergraduates and Rhoer s who partnered to d onate over 1,000 toiletry gift bags to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.  
 
Many thanks to our National Boule Hostess, Soror Denine Goolsby, the National Boule Planning Team, Southwestern Region Leadership Team of Syntaktes LaShonda Johnson, UCC Miranda Moore, YSC Britney Bell,  along with hundreds of volunteers. The leadership and support of the DFW local chapters comprised of Soror Robin Birt - Alpha Omicron Sigma, Soror Ashlee McGhee - Zeta Delta Sigma; Soror Shae Jefferies - Alpha Pi Sigma and Soror Latisha Brandon - Lambda Upsilon Sigma was invaluable.  Sorors, Philos and Rhoers certainly left an indelible mark in Dallas!
 
USA Swimming Partnership
We participated in the USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships hel d in Irvin e, CA, July 26-28, 2018.  Soror Secenario Jones, USA Swimming National Liaison, continues to lead ensuring that the Sisterhood is provided opportunities to
I nternational Grand Basileus 
with Western Region Sorors at the USA Swim1922 Event.
demonstra te our passion for reducing drowning rates in African-American communities and communities of color.  Special thanks to the Western Region Lea dership team of Syntaktes Kennessa Marshall, UCC Michele Aldridge, and YSC Ivianna Law for supporting the Swim 1922 Clinic. We were excited about the Western Region Sorors who participated in the clinic.  It was an honor to represent the sisterhood during USA Swimming's Deck Pass Live show , joined by Olympian Cullen Jones, promoting our Swim 1922 Drowning Initiative.  To date, the online show about our Swim 1922 Initiative has m ore than 125,000 views.  
 
Technology Update
The National Technology Team, led by Soror Crystal Rock, continues the work of our pilot initiative allowing individual Sorors to remit their national assessments online. We appreciate all the Sorors and chapters that have volunteered to participate. More updates will be provided as we move forward.
 
Special Thanks
I extend my personal gratitude and special thanks to all Sorors and Affiliates of Gamma Sigma, Gamma Phi Sigma, 
.Left to Right: At Alpha Kappa Alpha National Public Meeting with Supreme Basileus Dorothy Buchannan Wilson. At Zeta Phi Beta National Public Meeting with Zeta Grand Basileus Mary Breaux Wright. At Omega Psi Phi National Public Meeting with Grand Basileus Antonio Knox.
Epsilon Tau Sigma, Lambda Omega Sigma, Epsilon Phi Sigma, and Epsilo n Sigma Chapters who supported leadership by attending the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity National Conference Public Meetings held in Houston and New Orleans during the month of July 2018.
GREATER SERVICE & GREATER PROGRESS AT A LOWER PRICE  
 
International
First Grand Anti-Basileus  Rasheeda S. Liberty
Welcome to the new sorority year! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the sisterhood for another term. I am even more excited about the wonderful incentives and programs that we have to offer members to continue their membership. Here are some of the membership discounts currently available:
 
Military Discount Program
If you are currently serving our country as a member of the armed force, have retired, or have been honorably discharged, you are eligible for the military discount program.  
New Alumnae Transfer Discount
Undergraduates who have made  the transition to graduate in the 2017-18 sorority year are eligible to pay your undergraduate rates for the next two years.

Life Member Benefit
Welcome to Life Member status! If you became a Life Member in 2017-2018, you can enjoy the benefits of having your individual national head tax waived for this year and the years to come.

Cultured Pearl Benefit
Cultured Pearls inducted at this year's Boule will enjoy the benefit of being exempt from paying national dues and assessments.

Campaign 2022
If you know of a soror who was not in good financial standing for 2017-18 sorority year or any years prior, she is eligible for the Campaign 2022 program. She will be offered a discounted national head tax along with waived fees on many items.

Many forms and related discount information are available via the Member Files available on our national website. We are excited about even more future opportunities to engage and retain our membership for years to come. Remember, sustainability is the key.   
NATIONAL DUES SUBMISSION PILOT IMPLEMENTATION
 
International   Grand Grammateus Karya   Beamon-Evans 
Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers,
Please remember that dues can now be submitted online! Verification is needed to submit local and regional assessments. Please complete the attestation form. By clicking the link:
If you require technical assistance, we will not be able to respond to your request until August 10, 2018.  Please send all requests to  onlinepayments@sgr1922.com. 
NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR NAMED 
 
National Membership Co-Chair
Marica Harris 
Soror Marica Harris, Immediate Past Syntaktes of the Northeastern Region, has been named National Membership Co-Chair. Soror Harris comes with a record of success. She grew her region to historic numbers during her tenure. Harris will work in tandem with the International First Grand Anti-Basileus to develop tools, strategies, and initiatives to grow sorority membership and affiliates.
RHOER CLUB AFFILIATES EXPERIENCE A NUMBER OF FIRSTS AT DALLAS BOULE 
 
Immediate Past National  
Rhoer Coordinator 
Robin Birt 
This year's Boule in Dallas was filled with a number of firsts for our Rhoer Club Affiliate Members.  New activities included the first joint community service project with our Undergraduate Sorors, the first Butterfly Brunch, the first scholarship for the Pageant winner, the first "Inner Beauty Box" for all pageant contestants, and the first party just for them.

On Friday, our Rhoers started the out the
Rhoers with Soror Bo Talley 
day with fitness. Soror Bo Talley led them through a workout that focused on inner and outer wellness. After their fitness session, Rhoers performed community service. Provided with a $1,000 donation from SPEAR, Rhoers worked with Undergraduate Sorors to stuff and donate over 1,000 toiletry bags for families at the Ronald Mc Donald House in Dallas.

Miss International Rhoer 
Jada Lawson 
Rhoers also participated in the International Rhoer Pageant.  Our contestants were escorted by member of the Dallas Kappa Leaguers who presented each contestant with a red rose.  Immediate Past National Rhoer Coordinator Robin Birt presented each contestant with an "Inner Beauty Box" filled with inspirational items to keep them motivated.

On Saturday, Rhoer activities closed out the conference with their Butterfly Brunch.  Rhoers were also presented with various awards and achievements. They ended the day at a joint celebration with our Undergraduate Sorors at a private party.

Here is a list of the winners of the various Rhoer awards given during the Boule:

International Rhoer of the Year 2018
Miss Victoria Bruton - Alpha Alpha Sigma, Northeastern Region

International Rhoer Club of the Year 2018
Eta Xi Sigma Rhoer Club, Central Region

International Rhoer Scrapbook 2018
Alpha Omicron Sigma Rhoer Club, Southwestern Region

International Rhoer Advisor of the Year 2018 (tie)
Larissa Smith - Eta Xi Sigma, Central Region
Oneika Shiver - Iota Omicron Sigma, Southeastern Region

International Miss Rhoer 2018
Miss Jada Lawson - Iota Beta Sigma, Western Region
 
NATIONAL PROGRAMS REMINDERS  
   
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
 
Sigma Gamma Rho continues to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support its mission of finding cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In partnering with St. Jude, we are able to assist in providing support to help ensure that the needs of families are taken care of while their child is receiving life-saving treatments.
 
Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers are encouraged to raise funds by participating in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer. This year our goal is $50,000. Please check the St. Jude website for a walk in your area.
 
Operation Big Book Bag
 
Operation Big Book Bag is in full effect for the month of August. Many chapters are already  making a difference. Don't forget to collect school supplies for children and families in need.
 
 
 
Document, Document, Document
 
Documenting our service is important. Don't forget to record your service hours and efforts. Click here to enter your Golden Service hours and activity.  
   
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
CALLING ALL SORORS AND AFFILIATES
   
We are excited to announce our official partnership with National Voter Registration Day
initiative. As the deadline looms on our ability to register individuals to vote, it is more important than ever for Sigma Gamma Rho to take action.  Register individuals to vote by visiting https://vote.usa.gov  . 
 
Elections on all levels - local, state, national and international - affect our lives. On Election Day, we are all equal; everyone has one vote. Let's make sure we exercise our right to vote, help others register to vote, and help them get to the polls. Please use #RhockTheVote and #SGRhoVote at any of your activities. Make sure to document your activities in our Golden Service Reporting Tool.

LET'S DEMONSTRATE OUR SERVICE AND EFFORTS SORORS!
 
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS
 
Please share photos of you performing and participating in community service activities. Send your photos to  
International Grand Epistoleus Tamika Williams-Clark at pressoffice@sgrho1922.org. Indicate your chapter name, location, and community service activity. Let's show service in action!    
August 2018