Gamma Sigma Sigma


Gamma Sigma Sigma is a national service sorority founded on October 12, 1952 at Beekman Tower in New York City by representatives of Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel Institute of Technology, Los Angeles City College, New York University, Queens College, University of Miami, and the University of Houston. Their intention was to form a nationally based service organization. The purpose of Gamma Sigma Sigma is "to assemble college and university students in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendships among students of all races and creeds".

Historical background

On October 10–12, 1952, representatives from eight colleges and universities met at Beekman Tower in New York City.
Represented were groups from Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel University, Los Angeles City College, University of Miami, New York University, Queens College, and University of Houston. During the weekend, the representatives from these groups decided on the name Gamma Sigma Sigma, the colors of Maroon and White and charters were given to these groups. As the group from University of Miami did not commit to membership at the founding meeting, they are not counted as a founding group.
SchoolOriginal Group NameAssigned Chapter Name
University of HoustonAlpha Gamma ChiAlpha
Brooklyn CollegeBooster SquadBeta
Los Angeles City CollegeAlpha Gamma ChiGamma
New York UniversityWomen's Service OrganizationDelta
Boston UniversityOmega Service SororityEpsilon
Drexel UniversityGamma Sigma SigmaZeta
University of MiamiSigma Lambda PhiEta
Queens CollegePhi GammaTheta

a. Sigma Lambda Phi from University of Miami did not attend the final day of convention. Eta Chapter was reserved for this group. They later joined as Upsilon Chapter in 1958.

About Gamma Sigma Sigma

All chapters, collegiate and alumni, are required to perform a defined number of service hours during the year as set forth in national and chapter bylaws.
Projects range from nationally sponsored causes to individual dedications, and chapters/individuals may be awarded for their efforts. Each member of the organization brings individual talents, skills and ideas to the organization, uniting in the spirit of service.
Each individual University chapter is led by an executive board. The officers of the chapters hold the offices of President, Service Vice President, Membership Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Public Relations Coordinator, National Representative, and Alumni Liaison, all of whom, except the Parliamentarian, shall be elected by membership. The President shall appoint the Parliamentarian.
At each National Convention, two special project areas are chosen by the delegation for special emphasis during the following biennium. These areas, known as Project I.M.P.A.C.T., encourage participation by all members, and help to establish relations with other national charitable organizations. The current I.M.P.A.C.T. areas are Anti-bullying and Suicide Prevention and Invisible Disabilities and Diseases.
In addition to Project I.M.P.A.C.T. area suggestions and individual chapter projects, Gamma Sigma Sigma, as an organization, partners with charitable organizations to provide a combined, concentrated level of service to the nation. These affiliations are many, though the longest standing partnership is with the national March of Dimes. The sorority's national service partners include: March of Dimes, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, American Cancer Society, and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Chapters/Members participating in special emphasis projects are given recognition for their service through award competitions and certificate presentations.
The governing body of Gamma Sigma Sigma is the National Convention, held biennially in odd-numbered years. The National Board of Directors, elected at each National Convention, coordinates sorority activities in accordance with organizational bylaws and policy. National staff members assist in administrative functions.

Membership

Gamma Sigma Sigma is not selective. The sorority does not discriminate based on race, sex, or gender nor do they tolerate hazing in any form. Membership is determined by guidelines set by each chapter, within guidelines set by the national organization and academic institution. These tasks are in direct relationship to both chapter and national service programs. Members-in-training are not required to perform personal services for members, or any activity that can be construed as hazing. Gamma Sigma Sigma also accepts individuals who are members of other organizations, including social sororities, into its membership.

National Conventions

NumberLocationHostThemeDatesWoman of the YearRefs
0Beekman Tower, New York CityOrganization and Constitutional -
1stNorthwestern University, Evanston, Illinois-
2ndNew York City, New York-
3rdDetroit, MichiganIota chapter-
4thPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaZeta chapter and Philadelphia Alumni Chapter-
5thBoston University, Boston, MassachusettsEpsilon chapter-
6thUniversity of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MarylandXi chapter-
7thSt. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MinnesotaAlpha Beta-
8thNorthwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MissouriAlpha Gamma"Pioneers in Service"-
9thFlorida State University, Tallahassee, FloridaAlpha Kappa"Giving Sunshine"-
10thUniversity of Connecticut, Storrs, ConnecticutNu"Season with Service"-
11thUniversity of Houston, Houston, TexasAlpha and Houston Alumni Chapter"Our Hearts in Service"-Esther Brenner
12thBall State University, Muncie, IndianaGamma Omicron and Indianapolis Alumni Colony"Crossroads to Service"-Dolly Melville
13thUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MassachusettsAlpha Theta"Unity... Spirit... Service"-Margaret Kuster
14thUniversity of Georgia, Athens, GeorgiaChi and Atlanta Alumni Chapter"Service with a Smile Southern Style"-Dr. Ethel Allen
15thUniversity of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MinnesotaAlpha Iota and Northern Lakes Region"Seeways to Service"-Margaret E. Kuhn
16thWestern Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KentuckyBeta Sigma and Bluegrass Alumni Chapter"Run for the Roses"-JoAnn Verner
17thSouthwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MissouriDelta Xi, Gateway Alumni Chapter, and the Frontier Region"Service: The Finest Frontier"-Sharon Wenz
18thUniversity of Delaware, Newark, DelawareBeta Gamma, Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, Mid-Jersey Shore Alumni Chapter, and District III"First in Service"-Barbara Bush*
19th, Birmingham, AlabamaDelta Sigma and District IV"Celebrate Service"-Mae Jemison*
20thCharlotte, North CarolinaDistrict II"Magic of Service"-P. Buckley Moss
21stGrand Milwaukee Hotel, Milwaukee, WisconsinDistrict I"Servicefest '93"-Pat Mitchell* aka "Auntie Litter"
22ndLord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, MarylandDistrict III"Star Spangled Service"-Ellen Q. Ahlgren*
23rd, Houston TexasDistrict IV"Discover the Spirit"-Patty Wetterling*
24thCrown Plaza Hotel-Powers Ferry, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Alumni Chapter"Service on My Mind"-Karolyn Nunnallee*
25thGreenville Hilton, Greenville, North CarolinaDelta Chi"Guiding Service through the New Millennium"-Beatrice Gaddy
26th, Morristown, New Jersey"Pride in our Past, Faith in our Future"-Amy Callahan
27thEmbassy Suites Hotes Cleveland-Rockside, Cleveland, Ohio"Service Rocks"-Barbara Irvine
28thLincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, Illinois"Spotlight on Service"-Liz Scott, Mother of Alex Scott
29thFort Lauderdale, Florida"Destination: Service"-Ann McGee
30thWestin Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia"Capitalizing on Service"-Enitan Doherty-Mason
31stCrown Plaza Clayton, St. Louis, Missouri"Meet Me In Service"-Paula Goldberg
32ndNashville Airport Marriott, Nashville, Tennessee"Service: Music To My Ears"-Carrie Newcomer
33rdOmni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania"iServe"-Viney Mosley
34thTBA, New Orleans, Louisiana"TBA"-TBD-

The currently Active Chapters and Colonies as of July 21, 2018

Current Active Collegiate Chapters and Colonies

National Honorary Members