SPECIAL BOULE AND MORE
 
International Grand Basileus Deborah Catchings-Smith
I am excited about the forward  progression  of our awesome sisterhood. We are hosting leadership training and membership engagement opportunities while continuing our tradition of rendering service in our communities. We are building a sisterhood for the future!

Please remember that you have the unique opportunity to shape the future of Sigma Gamma Rho when we review constitution and bylaw recommendations specific to the "Going for Sigma Gold 2015 - 2018 Strategic Plan."
 
Sorors and Philos, I encourage you to register for our 2017 Special Boule scheduled to occur July 21 - 22. We will convene at the world-renowned Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Please join us for our first-ever Referendum Session that will be held on Thursday, July 20. It is an open forum for registered participants to provide feedback, ask questions and make final suggestions about the proposed changes prior to the opening of the Special Boule.
 
Early registration for the Special Boule ends this Friday, March 10. Please visit our website, www.sgrho1922.org, and sign up today. By the way, we will answer all of your questions about the Special Boule Thursday night at 9 p.m. EST. This is an excellent opportunity to find out who should attend and if chapters will be penalized for not attending. You can  also hear about incentives for those who book a room in our host hotel, Caesars Palace. You don't want to miss this informative, interactive webinar.
 
Plans are well underway for our Centennial Celebration. The Centennial Planning Team recently visited Butler University, where it all began, to meet with university officials to discuss plans for our celebration in 2022. Please continue to look for details about the Centennial and  how you can get involved. 

Sorors, Philos and Rhoers, let's continue our focus of being intentional, impactful and ensuring measurable outcomes for our amazing sisterhood!

Centennial Planning Team at Butler University



FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING ONES - THE NEOPHYTE

 
International First Grand Anti-Basileus Rasheeda Liberty
This month is often referred to as a time for "March Madness," symbolizing the height of performance for many college basketball teams. For Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., it is the month where we have our greatest influx of new members. Specifically, we welcome the most undergraduates this month. The new members are showcased through neophyte presentations on campuses throughout the country. Because neophyte presentations are "first impressions," we have to represent exceptionally. Here are some best practices to ensure that our brand is not compromised, but showcased with excellence:
 
Practice Makes Perfect -  Practice and planning for the neophyte presentation can start as early as Module 3 of the T.O.R.C.H. program. Practice can enable precision, eliminate missteps and show confidence. Video the practices and dress rehearsals to critique performance along the way.
 
Smile - Neophyte presentations represent rebirth, new beginnings and great things ahead. A newly inducted member should be excited and happy with her decision to become a proud Sigma woman. A "grit face" or "face of anger" do not demonstrate this. Smile!
 
Be Royal and Golden - When you imagine a can of coke, you visualize it as a red can with a white ribbon symbol. That is a brand. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is distinctly branded with two colors - royal blue and gold. Wear the colors beautifully, so your image alone speaks.
 
Be the Commercial - In our new social media world, you can and will be viral within seconds. Every neophyte presentation is a commercial of who we are and what we represent. Your representation goes beyond your campus, your city, your state and your region. If your show cannot be a Super Bowl commercial, rethink the neophyte presentation.
 
Perfect the Look -  Each neophyte presentation participant must look flawless, from head (hair) to toe (shoes). In between those two things are the shirt, dress, pants, skirt, shorts, etc. Make sure that each participant feels comfortable in her outfit, has appropriate undergarment support and can perform all stunts with a perfected look.
 
Dare to be Different -  A neophyte presentation is not always the best option. Receptions, gifting ceremonies and luncheons are great alternatives to introduce new members. It is not always appropriate to have a neophyte presentation, especially for those who may be impacted personally, professionally, religiously, etc.
 
For those attending neophyte presentations, remember, you are the biggest supporter. You need to represent flawlessly in royal blue and gold from head to toe also. Your excitement, cheers and support will cause others to be just as excited, so show up and show out boldly.
 
Reminder: The prescribed T.O.R.C.H. process should be followed at all times, regarding contact with candidates.
 

Sigma Gamma Rho Neophytes



MESSAGE FROM THE SECOND GRAND
 MARCHING ON TO REGIONALS

International Second Grand Anti-Basileus Kathrina Ruiz
Let's MARCH onward for progress this month. In the spirit of such progress, I wanted to give a brief update on the focus of my term as well as an update on the Youth Service Coordinators (YSCs) and what they have in store for you during their respective regional conferences.

Currently, I am working on bringing a more concrete framework to my mental health initiative, pRHOtect Your Mind, in the hopes of providing an outline and guide for all sorors by the end of this sorority year. Additionally, the YSCs and I will design a webinar series focusing on uniting undergraduate sorors across the globe. This series will likely take place in the summer when most undergrads are free from school.
 
The YSCs have planned fun activities for all undergraduate sorors during the regional conferences. 

In the Central Region, YSC  ShaDe' Phoenix  will host a classroom sponsorship and school supply drive as well as a workshop panel discussion. For fun, she will host a "UG Chat 22 and Chill" with Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator Lori Marshall, luncheon fashion show, stroll competition and an undergraduate party. Join her at the 77th Central Regional Conference April 6 - 9 in Detroit, Michigan.

In the Notable Northeastern Region, YSC Paola Duran will present a workshop as well as host a fireside chat and stroll competition. Join her at the 75th Northeastern Regional Conference April 27 - 20 in Long Island, New York.

YSC Yabreon Kight of the Sophisticated Southeastern Region will host a service opportunity, PRHOvide For Preemies, in which donations and items will be given to a local hospital. She will also host a stroll clinic and stroll competition. Join her March 30 - April 2 for the 77th Southeastern Regional Conference in Orlando, Florida.

YSC Britney Bell has Super great things in store for the Southwestern Region where she will host a stroll clinic along with group and individual chats to acquaint herself with each soror and learn about the region's needs and wants. She will be at the 76th Southwestern Regional Conference March 16 - 19 in Austin, Texas. 

Last, but certainly not least, in the Mighty Western Region, YSC Nneka Sinclair will host a Sigma image workshop, UG Power Hour Chat and a supplies drive for a local school. For fun, she will host an Old School Vs. New School Stroll Off with sorors, a stroll off against fraternity members and an undergraduate party. You don't want to miss the 65th Western Regional Conference April 21 - 23 in Chandler, Arizona.

As you can see, each region has business and fun, don't miss out! If you have not done so, register today!    
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Executive Director
Rachel Morris, MBA
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is always in search of top-quality individuals to join our team of professionals at the International Corporate Headquarters. We have several departments with focused areas of administrative support, customer service, membership services, finance and accounting, and communication.

We have the following positions open: deputy executive director, accounting manager and master data specialist. We are also looking for boule office support. Volunteers will assist the staff with communication, mailing of materials, shipping and handling, phone support, data entry, membership research and customer service in preparation for, during and/or after the boule. 

If you possess proven skills in these primary areas, please submit your statement of interest and resume to:
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Attn: Rachel Morris, International Executive Director
1000 Southhill Dr., Ste. 200
Cary, NC 27513
Email: careers@sgrho1922.org
International Membership Satisfaction Survey

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is launching an International Membership Satisfaction Survey in March and we need your help because y our opinion is valued !   This initiative is a component of the Sigma Gamma Rho  "Going for Sigma Gold 2015 - 2018 Strategic Plan."   The 15-minute survey is being managed by a research firm, Research America,  who will ensure individual responses remain  confidential . The Executive Summary of the survey results will be presented to the Sigma Gamma Rho Board of Directors in July 2017 followed by highlights being shared with the membership.  Please provide your honest responses to the survey to make your opinion count.  We want you to be part of our ongoing improvement efforts and appreciate your investment in our sorority's future!  
2017 YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
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Get ready for the 20th Annual Youth Symposium! Sigma Gamma Rho will host events simultaneously around the country March 11, the second Saturday of March. This year's theme is "Youth Investment: Building a Future for Impactful Leaders."

We want to see pictures of your Youth Symposium. Please send them to International Grand Epistoleus Angela Spears at pressoffice@sgrho1922.org. 

Let's be intentional, impactful and measure our success! 
WALKING TOGETHER FOR STRONGER HEALTHIER BABIES

Each year 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely in the United States. Premature babies face serious lifelong medical and developmental issues.
 
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is proud to be a national partner with the March of Dimes. Members and our affiliates, Philos and Rhoers, participate in March for Babies to raise funds that are used to sponsor research, provide education on prematurity to the communities that we serve as well as medical services and support to families with premature babies. 

We are asking that you join us in "Walking Together for Stronger Healthier Babies." Our goal is $165,000. To sign up your team, go to www.marchforbabies.org/sigmagammarho1922 . Find your region and your chapter and then, click the "Join This Team" button. If you can't walk with us, please help by donating to our team.
95TH FOUNDERS' OBSERVANCE

We are anxiously anticipating the observance of the 95th founding of our illustrious sisterhood, just five years away from our Centennial! We will acknowledge our 95th Founders' Day through a National Day of Service. 

Chapters and affiliates are being asked to mark their calendars to participate in a day of simultaneous community service across the nation and abroad on Saturday, November 11, 2017. All Sorors, Philos and Rhoers will be engaged in making significant impacts in our communities! 

Details will be provided during the upcoming 2017 Regional Conferences.  
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY
     
We celebrate the contributions and achievements of all women during the month of March. The 2017 national theme for Women's History Month is "Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business."

Bold. Strong. Intelligent. Women make a difference.

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody says distract you from your goals." - Michelle Obama

March 2017