NEWS FROM THE GRAND BASILEUS
 
International Grand Basileus Deborah Catchings-Smith
Greetings Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers!
 
We are now in Area Meeting Season! Area Meetings serve as an opportunity to receive training, expand sorority knowledge, receive valuable information, and network with amazing Sorors, Philos and Rhoers. Be sure to engage in your area meetings.
 
Welcome to Our New Executive Director
As announced in August, we welcomed Soror Cynthia R
Executive Director 
Cynthia R Eubanks, MA 
. Eubanks, MA, as the Executive Director of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In this role, she will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the sorority. She will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to implement the strategic plan goals and objectives as well as enforcing established policies and procedures.
 
Soror Eubanks will also be responsible for the overall direction, engagement, and performance coaching of the International Corporate Headquarters Management Team. Additionally, she will direct the efforts of the marketing, communication, and public relations staff. She will also work with vendors.
 
Soror Eubanks brings more than 26 years of executive leadership experience in higher education as a student affairs administrator and faculty counselor. Soror Eubanks is the former Vice President of Student Affairs at Allen University, Chief Housing Officer at Saint Peter's University, and the Director of Community Engagement at Montclair State University. She has also previously been a professor at Benedict College, South Mountain Community College, and Paradise Valley Community College.
 
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and African-American Studies, a Master's degree in Counseling and Human Development with a specialty in Higher Education, and is currently a Doctoral student in Organizational Leadership. Soror Eubanks is off to a fantastic journey in the Executive Director role!
 
Soror Alice Allison Dunnigan to Be Honored in Washington, D.C.
Alice Allison 
Dunnigan 
Soror Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first African-American female journalist credentialed to cover the White House, will be honored with a life-sized statue. Soror Dunnigan was a true trailblazer! She also holds the distinction of being the first African-American woman with access to the Senate and House Press Galleries and the Department of State Press Corps. The statue unveiling will be held at the Newseum located in Washington, DC on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. More details regarding the unveiling are coming soon.  
 
2018 Congressional Black Caucus and NPHC Forum
On Wednesday, September 12th, Congresswoman Marsha Fudge will host the 9th Annual NPHC Greek Forum, "#WhatsAtStake". The forum will take place from 1:30pm-3:30pm in the Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building. The forum is designed to address the importance of voter registration and education for the 2018 midterm elections. We will also discuss accurate and inclusive census counts in 2020 as well as the impact of the 2018 and 2020 redistricting and funding allocations based on the census. National presidents of the Divine 9 will be featured as panelists. Sorors and Philos attending the Congressional Black Caucus as well as those residing in the District are encouraged to attend this public forum.
 
Swim 1922 Clinics During the 2018 Congressional Black Caucus
For the fifth consecutive year during Congressional Black Caucus, Sigma Gamma Rho will be promoting water safety and drowning prevention education. We will sponsor a water safety education booth (#522) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the weekend of September 13th - 15th. Additionally, we are excited to offer community swim clinics on September 13th, 14th, and 15th (see schedule below) featuring our very own Soror and Olympian Maritza McClendon and Olympian Cullen Jones.
 
Thursday (9/13): Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy (Maritza McClendon)
1404 Jackson St, NE
Washington, DC 20017
 
Friday (9/14): Sousa Middle School (Maritza McClendon)
3650 Ely Pl, SE
Washington, DC 20019
 
Saturday (9/15): Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center (Cullen Jones and Maritza McClendon)
13025 Chinn Park Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22192 
 
New Golden Communique Section:"Sorors on the Move" 
Sigma women are doing some amazing things in the world. This new feature will highlight the achievements of Sorors who are making a difference in their personal and professional lives.  Please make sure to check it out below.  
    
MEMBERSHIP KICK OFF 
 
International
First Grand Anti-Basileus  Rasheeda S. Liberty
It's time to start the new sorority year with a focus on membership recruitment, retention, and reclamation. The Grand Chapter adopted many new initiatives that were developed and cultivated with the National Membership Committee as well as the Regional Leadership Team. These efforts will help to drive our membership to the next level.
 
With our success in membership growth, we are able to make the financial investments necessary to fuel our base of volunteers. It is through your hard work and efforts that all of this is possible. We encourage you to take advantage of these great programs and the wealth of information that will be shared in the upcoming months. 
 
To assist you in your planning, here are a few highlights:
 
Membership Development Grant - Cycle 4
Our membership development grant will launch in November with a new process and a larger investment. We have increased the budget from $7,500 to $25,000, which translates to approximately $5,000 per region. These funds are available to both alumnae and undergraduate chapters for membership related initiatives (i.e. chapter branding for recruitment, marketing initiatives, TORCH-related events).
 
Global Membership Liaisons
Our new global membership liaisons are actively seeking members who are attending school or working here in the United States. If you have plans to return back to your international home, are a member looking to reactivate but live outside of the US, or are an active Soror who lives abroad, we have allocated funds to support you. These global initiatives can assist you with reactivating and/or chartering new chapters this sorority year.
 
The Golden Investment
We have allocated funds on a national level to support undergraduate growth and development. Funds are available for attending the following activities:
  • Greek leadership conferences and trainings
  • Professional and career networking
  • Key conferences and events
We are developing plans to assist both undergraduates and advisors. This is an awesome opportunity to benefit our rising members.  
UNDERGRADUATE FOCUS
 
International  Second Grand Anti-Basileus
Christie Nance
Greetings Sorors!
 
My name is Christie Nance and I am honored to serve as your 2018-2020 International Second Grand Anti- Basileus. I began my journey in Sigma Gamma Rho as a Rhoer at age 12. In March of 2017, I was inducted as a member into Lambda Epsilon Chapter at the University of West Georgia.
 
I am ecstatic to play a part in helping undergraduates to take it to the next level through CODE B. L. U. E. (Building Lasting Undergraduate Experiences). I also have multiple initiatives and programs that will help to support them in their pursuit of sisterhood, scholarship, and service. Welcome to a New Sorority Year! I wish all the Sorors blessings and success.
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERSHIP
 
Each month, we will be celebrating various types of members across the Sigma family. Please make sure to post photos, memories, and share stories about each member class.
 
September Highlight: Cultured Pearls
During the month of September, we will be celebrating our Cultured Pearls.
Cultured Pearls are members with 50 or more years of membership.  Please remember the hashtag #SGRhoPearl to honor this month's celebration. 
 
Upcoming Features
October - Ruby Members - #SGRhoRuby
November - Reactivating Members (Welcome Home Campaign) #WelcomeHome
RHOER TO SOROR PIPELINE 
 
National Rhoer Coordinator Shyreeta Peacox, M.M.
Whenever I see a newly inducted Rhoer pinned for the first time, I am moved. The combination of joy and nervousness on their faces warms my heart. They are entering a whole new world where sisterhood is a chosen existence.
 
After all the hugs and smiles, I've often caught them spending long moments staring at their names on their certificates in awe. When I look at those certificates, I see them as CDs or Certificates of Deposit. I know that everything that will be poured into Rhoers now is going to yield greater returns in the future.
 
During the course of this sorority year,  I will be highlighting examples where those CDs have produced great returns. Please be reminded that it is ALWAYS the right time to invest in a Rhoer!
 
From Rhoer to Soror to Second Grand Anti-Basileus
"I basically grew up in this Sorority and to now be International Second Grand is
nothing short of amazing. Sigma Gamma Rho has my heart on lock and that will never change".
 
Soror Christie Nance, Lambda Epsilon Chapter
International Second Grand Anti-Basileus
 
NATIONAL PROGRAMS UPDATES
   
Greetings from the National Programs Committee!
Welcome to the 2018-2019 Sorority Year! As members of the Sigma family, we know that service never stops. It is exciting to see all of the service that has taken place over the summer and into the Operation BigBookBag season. Thank you for continuing to make a positive impact in your communities and being intentional in moving the sisterhood forward through your service.
 
There are a few updates and reminders to take note of. If you need help, please don't hesitate to reach out your program chair.
 
St. Jude Walk/Run for Childhood Cancer
Help us to reach our goal of $50,000! Make sure to register your team to walk on
September 15, 22, or 29, 2018. Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers are encouraged to raise funds by participating in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer.  Please check the St. Jude website  for a walk in your area. For questions, please email Soror Katiah Brown at stjudeliaison@sgr1922.com.
 
All of Us Research Program
Sigma Gamma Rho continues to be an active partner with All of US/NIH to provide outreach and education regarding precision medicine in our communities. Join us for a Phase III Webinar on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 8:00pm EST/ 7:00pm CST. Register at http://bit.ly/AoUWebinar .
 
 
 
Programs Update Webinar
Please save the date for a Programs and Initiatives Updates Webinar tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 9:00pm EST/ 8:00pm CST. Additional details and registration will be forthcoming.
 
Golden Service
Please remember to record individual and chapter service in the Golden Service reporting tool. Click here to enter your hours and activity. There is a handy instructional guide available on the national website. For questions, please email goldenservice@sgr1922.com .
 
Operation Big Book Bag
Operation Big Book Bag is in full effect for the month of August. Many chapters have made a difference. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages to see their Sigma impact.  
 
 
 
SIGMA FAMILY & SOCIAL ACTION
   
Sorors and Affiliates Let's Make a Difference: Get Out the Vote 
Sigma family we can help to make a difference!  It is imperative that we register and encourage everyone to vote. Midterm elections are extremely important.  Local and state elections affect us immediately and the impact can be long lasting.  
 
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. Register individuals to vote by visiting  https://vote.usa.gov. Please use #RhockTheVote and #SGRhoVote for any of your efforts. 
 
Sigma Making a Difference with the United Nations
Did you know that we have had a relationship with the United Nations for more than
five years? Over the years, Sigma Gamma Rho has hosted, co-sponsored, and participated in parallel events for the Commission on the Status of Women. Held in March of every year, the Commission focuses on global issues which affect women around the world. Past participation has included A3 (Ask Accept Act) for Life: HIV/AIDS Prevention Discussions and activities with the Prevention of Premature Birth in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. We are looking forward to continuing our work with the United Nations.
SORORS ON THE MOVE
 
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS
 
Please share photos of you performing and participating in community service activities. Send only your four best 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!    
September 2018