NEWS FROM THE GRAND BASILEUS

International Grand Basileus Deborah Catchings-Smith
Greetings Sorors Philos and Rhoers!  April has arrived bringing new mercies, renewal, growth and opportunities for us to continue our focus of making significant service impacts across our communities. Participating in membership intake activities occurring during the 2018 Regional Conferences and meeting newly inducted members and affiliates has been awesome! 

I Am 2018 Conference
We are proud of the representation of Pi Pi Chapter members who attended conference sessions and town hall meetings as well as those who participated in the I AM 2018 50th Anniversary of the Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike and March on April 4. This day commemorated the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

I would like to give a special thanks to National Social Action Chair Anita Laster Mays, Southeastern Region Syntaktes Jakimva Martin, Iota Lambda Sigma Chapter Basileus Angela Whitfield,  Soror Keshia Graham - Advisor for Pi Pi Chapter, Pi Pi Chapter Basileus Jazzmyn Davenport and all Tennessee Sorors for your support! There is a series of social action events designed to bridge the past and the present by re-dedicating ourselves to the fight for justice and equality. These events are spearheaded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the nation's largest public services employee union, and the Church of God in Christ, Inc., the largest Christian Pentecostal denomination in the United States that has congregations in 63 countries around the world.  

Mark Your Calendar - Calling All Sorors, Philos and Rhoers: Divine Nine Day in Raleigh, North Carolina
Our sisterhood will be participating in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Divine Nine Legislative Day in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 16. We appreciate the leadership of Soror Laster Mays, Northeastern Region Syntaktes Marica Harris, Northeastern Region Area III Coordinator Nakisha Boulware, the tremendous local support of Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter Basileus Nicole McCall and the entire planning team! Details regarding registration, logistics and hotel accommodations will be provided in the coming days!

National Webinars and Membership Engagement Initiatives
* Golden Service Community Service Hours Reporting App Webinar - April 18
* National Social Action Webinar - April 24
SUCCESSFUL GROWTH IN OUR SISTERHOOD

International First Grand Anti-Basileus
Rasheeda Liberty
We are quickly approaching the end of a great year of membership growth from a recruitment, reactivation and retention perspective. Our membership goals, as outlined by each regional syntaktes with input from her team, were definitely a stretch, yet attainable. It's time to see how we are doing.

Compared to prior year, 2017-18, we are tracking towards 10 percent growth. The Sigma Family, inclusive of affiliates, has crossed the 10,000 mark which is a historical milestone for us. The Super Southwestern Region is outpacing prior year by growing 9.2 percent so far this year.

We are at 98.2 percent of our membership goal to deliver our Centennial commitment for 2017-18. The Northeastern, Southeastern and Southwestern Regions have achieved their goals for this sorority year with Central Region tracking close behind. Here is how each region is performing against this goal, as well as the number of members still needed:
  • Central Region - 95% (106)
  • Northeastern Region - 102.6%
  • Southeastern Region - 101.7%
  • Southwestern Region - 101.2%
  • Western Region - 79.6% (156)
The Southeastern Region has the largest membership composition at 28.5 percent, within 125 members.

Centennial Chapters (100+ Members) as of April 2017
  • Central Region
    • Alpha Lambda Sigma - Cleveland, OH
    • Alpha Sigma - Indianapolis, IN
    • Delta Sigma (Largest Chapter in the Sisterhood) - Chicago, IL
    • Eta Xi Sigma - Oak Lawn, IL
  • Southeastern Region
    • Eta Sigma - Atlanta, GA
  • Southwestern Region
    • Gamma Phi Sigma - Houston, TX (NEW Centennial Status Chapter)
  • Northeastern Region
    • Eta Nu Sigma - Brooklyn/Queens, NY
    • Lambda Delta Sigma - Anne Arundel County, MD
Attracting and retaining membership are the responsibilities of each member of our sisterhood. We are all accountable for growing and sowing into our membership to deliver on our motto and fulfill the vision of our Founders. With that, we have an opportunity to continue membership growth for this sorority year. For alumnae chapters, May, 20 is the final date to host a Formal RUSH.

Let's keep up the great work and close the year strong. We can do it!
DAY OF SERVICE AT BOULE

Registration for 57th Biennial Boule is still underway. What region will have the most the most members and affiliates attend? Will the undergraduates out number the graduate members in Dallas?  

Can you feel the excitement? Regular registration is open until May 1. Please visit sgrho1922.org and click the EVENTS & REGISTRATION tab for all of the details. 

The Boule Planning Committee is  putting your ideas to work. You wanted a major community service project during the conference. Join us for our Day of Service on July 11 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. We will tour We Over Me Farm at Paul Quinn College and learn about the crops that are harvested. This interactive tour will allow us to see the impact the farm has on the campus and the community which are located in a food desert. Our support aligns with the H3 - Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations Initiative. Please pack a pair of closed-toed shoes and wear clothing appropriate for working outdoors.

We look forward to seeing you and creating new memories in Dallas!
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE BOULE MOMENT


Let's trend!  Don't forget to flood your timelines on the second Thursday of April with your favorite boule moment. We want to see and hear about those special memories, connections and training opportunities on April 12.

You can also send your favorite moments to International Grand Epistoleus Angela Spears at  pressoffice@sgrho1922.org.  


SIGMA FUN DAY IN MAY

The sorority year will soon come to an end. As we get ready for a new year, let's recruit, reclaim and retain! We are, of course, all about service, but we also have a lot of fun together as sisters. 

Sorors, Philos and Rhoers, let's make Hump Day a Fun Day in May. Every Wednesday during the month,
please post pictures on your social media sites of you and your chapter or  a ffiliate  having fun together. 

We look forward to seeing how you relax and have a good time every Wednesday in May on all social media platforms!

Please use the following hashtags: #SGRho #SigmaGammaRho #SigmaFunDay.
MARCH FOR BABIES

We are once again joining our partner, March of Dimes, as it leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We encourage all chapters and affiliates to participate in March for Babies. About half a million babies are born premature or with birth defects in the U.S. each year. 

Our goal is to raise $165,000 to help find solutions to the biggest health threats and to support moms through every stage of pregnancy.

Please check with your local March of Dimes Chapter for a listing of walk dates and times. If you have any questions about forming your Sigma, Philo or Rhoer Team, please contact Soror Christina Guillen, March of Dimes liaison, at marchofdimesliaison@sgr1922.com.

Let's walk together to raise money and awareness to ensure moms and babies get the best possible care.
RHOERS IN ACTION

We are so proud of our Rhoers! They are excelling in the classroom. They are also giving back to others in their communities. We put the spotlight on Zeta Phi Sigma Rhoer Club in Tacoma, Washington.

The young ladies work quarterly at the El Shaddai Christian Ministries Food Bank. They sort food and clothing for families in need.

The Zeta Phi Sigma Rhoers are preparing for a big  event. They will host their inaugural Father/Daughter  Dan ce on Saturday, June 9. Generous donors will provide dresses, shoes and tiaras for attendees ages five and up. Men in the community have stepped up  to escort the girls who need companions for the special dance.
April 2018