Transcript SIGMA LAMBDA GAMMA SORORITY

SIGMA LAMBDA GAMMA
NATIONAL SORORITY, INC.
Associate Member Education Program
…welcome to The Journey.
WELCOME
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Welcome to the beginning of your journey into the sisterhood of Sigma
Lambda Gamma Sorority! This orientation will give you an overview of
what is to come as you embark on your journey. We encourage you to keep
an open mind, be willing to self-explore, actively participate, and embrace
the journey.
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Week One is focused on the expectations and the commitment that are
essential for a meaningful and successful experience. This week, you will be
introduced to the curriculum and learn what you should expect from the
Initiated Members who will assist you. As a Sorority, we value open and
honest communication and want your journey to becoming a sister of Sigma
Lambda Gamma to be an empowering and purposeful experience. As a
result, we are committed to living the Sigma Lambda Gamma’s values. You
will be introduced to the foundational tenants of the Sorority that will guide
you to making a lifetime commitment to Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority.
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Weeks 1 and 2 of this curriculum will lay the foundation for your associate
member journey--logistically, structurally, and contextually.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Understand the expectations and purpose of the Associate
Member Education program.
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Establish and comprehend the expectations for self, for the
Ship and for the Initiated Sisters of this entity.
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Practice self-management skills for organizing personal
commitments of family, school, work, and the journey to
becoming a sister of Sigma Lambda Gamma.
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Identify personal connections with the Sigma Lambda Gamma
values, specifically focusing on the purpose and mission of
the Sorority.
GROUND RULES
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A few days ago, we officially invited you to begin your journey as an
Associate Member of Sigma Lambda Gamma. During Induction, our first
Ritual, you had the opportunity to state your commitment and our Initiated
Members renewed their commitment to being Women of Distinction. We
are now beginning to spend time together as a Ship, learning about our
common connections. The next step in developing our Ship is ensuring that
everyone has an opportunity to learn and reflect in a safe environment. We
will now develop ground rules for how we will interact with one another.
SIGMA LAMBDA GAMMA NATIONAL
SORORITY VALUE SYSTEM
 Mission
 Purpose
 Principles
 Creed
INTRODUCTION TO ASSOCIATE
MEMBER GUIDE
MISSION & GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATE
MEMBER PROGRAM
Begin the journey of becoming an Emotionally
Intelligent Woman
 Maintain and enhance commitment of a lifetime of
service to Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority
 Develop and enhance an understanding of Self
 Leadership Development
 Understand and apply the Sigma Lambda Gamma Value
System to self
 Develop a sense of sisterhood that empowers both self
and others
 Understand entity operations
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PROCESS VS. JOURNEY
What is the difference between a process and a program?
A Process has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
 A Journey is a passage or progress from one stage to
another.
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Within Sigma Lambda Gamma, the Associate Member
Education Program, The Journey should be an uplifting
journey that doesn’t end when you are Initiated. This is a
journey that you are on for life. This education manual
seeks to empower, educate, and begin that journey.
REVIEW OF ASSOCIATE MEMBER MANUAL
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is about
Me
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is about
Us
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is About
Community
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is About
Commitment
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is About
Action and Being a Catalyst for
Change
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is About
Embracing our Diverse Sisterhood
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Sigma Lambda Gamma is About
Becoming a Woman of Distinction
Reflections
At the end of each week there is an
opportunity for reflection on the
week’s activities, as well as how each
week relates to your personal growth
and development.
Glossary of Terms
At the end of the Manual you will
find a glossary of terms used in
Sigma Lambda Gamma and
Fraternity and Sorority Life.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITIES
AND EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT
As an associate member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. commit myself to
the Sigma Lambda Gamma Associate Member Education Program. This means that I will…
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Attend all of the Associate Member meetings that are required.
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Keep all ritual activities confidential, which includes Induction Ritual and Initiation Ritual.*
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Do my part to create and participate in a safe, supportive and engaging atmosphere for my fellow
Associate Members.
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Exemplify Sigma Lambda Gamma’s Five Principles in my behavior and in what I say.
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Treat everyone with respect and hold others to treating me with the same respect.
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Confront with compassion any Associate Members’ behaviors that are contrary to the SLG Values
System.
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Make an effort to get to know Initiated Members.
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Make an effort to share myself with my fellow Associate Members.
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Be on time and prepared for meetings.
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Maintain open communication both inside and outside the Journey activities.
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Fulfill all financial responsibility in a timely manner and discuss any difficulty with the Educator
if it arises.
Will not share individual, personal information about another member with anyone outside of
Journey meetings and activities.
Follow all Sorority, campus, and city rules, regulations and laws.
INITIATED MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITIES
AND EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT
Individual members have expectations, also, that are known to contribute to a successful and
positive journey for both associate members and initiated members.
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Any initiated sister directly involved with The Journey must have completed the national
training to do so.
All initiated sisters will comply with all sorority, campus, and local rules, regulations and
laws.
All initiated sisters will support the sorority’s stance on hazing.
All initiated sisters will self-evaluate her interactions and learn from them, as well as look
how to improve those interactions and deeds that were less successful.
All initiated sisters will also confront with compassion behaviors of others that are
contrary to the SLG Values System.
All initiated sisters are a part of the team with the common goal of providing positive
physical, emotional, and intellectual experience for all involved.
All initiated sisters are willing to accept various roles that will allow this program to be
successful.
All initiated sisters will attend all meetings that are necessary and will be prepared and on
time for all meetings.
All initiated sisters are role models and are expected to conduct themselves as such.
All initiated sisters will treat everyone with unconditional respect.
All initiated sisters will make an effort to get to know Associate Members and make an
effort to share themselves with Associate Members.
TIMELINE
The curriculum for this journey is 8 weeks.
 There may be accommodations made for
unforeseen events and/or university schedules or
holidays.
 Complete schedule form with standing
commitments, confirm schedules, and inform
associate members of current entity calendar.
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FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
National Sorority Dues
 Induction: $120
 15Initiation: $ 145
 Membership Dues: $110/semester
 (include due dates implemented by entity)
Local Colony/Chapter and Council Dues
 (insert the local breakdown)
 (include due dates)
MYTH OF SECRECY AND
FACT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Myth
You may not discuss ANY part or ANYTHING
related to your associate member program with
anyone outside this room.
 Fact
The only absolute secrecy and/or confidentiality is
the content and operations of the SLG induction
ritual and initiation ritual.
**Remember, some of the best public relations and
effective recruiting you will do is by sharing your
positive experience through informal and formal
conversations and interactions with others.
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ANTI-HAZING STATEMENT
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.(SLG) is an
organization dedicated to the empowerment of all women.
Therefore, it is our responsibility to treat all women with the
respect and dignity they deserve. We strive to maintain a
healthy culture that uplifts and supports one another and our
community. In achieving this purpose, we assert that our
organization is intolerant of all forms of hazing. As defined in
the SLG Policy Manual, hazing is “any act or tradition that
endangers the physical, mental or emotional well-being of an
Associate and/or Initiated member” regardless of intent or
willingness to participate. In addition to SLG policy, there are
hazing policies that exist on your campus and laws that vary
from state to state. Please take the time to familiarize yourself
with your campus policies and those laws specific to your
state:
http://www.stophazing.org/laws.html.
Despite what other organizations may consider “traditions,” we
must use reasonable judgment in all of our actions and
recognize the profound consequences of hazing. On an
individual level, we are hurting those who look up to us and
wish to join our organization, as well as perpetuate an
unhealthy cycle. On an organizational level, we are not
truthfully fulfilling our purpose and principles if we publicly
denounce hazing with our words but support it behind closed
doors with our actions. This compromises our integrity and
prevents us from achieving all that we are capable of for our
sisterhood and for our community.
CAMPUS HAZING POLICY
(insert your campus hazing policy from the
university student handbook or student code of
conduct)
STATE HAZING LAWS
(insert the hazing law for your state)
3 TYPES OF HAZING
SUBTLE HAZING
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Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance
between new members and other members of the
group or team. Termed “subtle hazing” because
these types of hazing are often taken-for-granted
or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle
hazing typically involves activities or attitudes
that breach reasonable standards of mutual
respect and place new members on the receiving
end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or
humiliation tactics. New members often feel the
need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of
the group or team.
Taken from www.stophazing.org
EXAMPLES OF SUBTLE HAZING
Deception
 Assigning demerits
 Silence periods with implied threats for violation
 Deprivation of privileges granted to other
members
 Requiring new members to perform duties not
assigned to other members
 Socially isolating new members
 Line-ups and Drills/Tests on information
 Name calling
 Requiring new members to refer to other
members with titles (e.g. “Mr.,” “Miss”) while
they are identified with demeaning terms
 Expecting certain items to always be in one's
possession
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HARASSMENT HAZING
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Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or
physical discomfort in order to feel like part of
the group. Harassment hazing confuses,
frustrates, and causes undue stress for new
members.
Taken from www.stophazing.org
EXAMPLES OF HARASSMENT HAZING
Verbal abuse
 Threats or implied threats
 Asking new members to wear embarrassing or
humiliating attire
 Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or
humiliating acts
 Expecting new members to perform personal
service to other members such as carrying books,
errands, cooking, cleaning etc
 Sleep deprivation
 Sexual simulations
 Expecting new members to be deprived of
maintaining a normal schedule of bodily
cleanliness.
 Be expected to harass others
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VIOLENT HAZING
Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical
and/or emotional, or psychological harm.
Taken from www.stophazing.org
EXAMPLES OF VIOLENT HAZING
Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug
consumption
 Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
 Branding
 Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or
concoctions
 Burning
 Water intoxication
 Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
 Public nudity
 Expecting illegal activity
 Bondage
 Abductions/kidnaps
 Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat
without appropriate protection
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IS IT HAZING OR NOT?
The following is a list of questions to ask to determine
whether or not it is hazing:
1)
2)
3)
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5)
6)
Is alcohol involved?
Will active/current members of the group refuse to
participate with the new members and do exactly what
they are being asked to do?
Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?
Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your
parents, to a professor or University official?
Would you object to the activity being photographed for the
school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” the
activity is probably hazing.
Adapted from Death By Hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 1988
RISKS OF HAZING
 Hazing
carries a number of risks,
including:
Civil lawsuit
 Criminal prosecution for an illegal act
 Most states consider hazing a felony
 Discipline by the Sorority
 Example: probation/suspension, loss of membership
 Discipline by the College/University
 Example: degree taken away, suspension
 Possible loss of insurance coverage
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“If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.”
ACADEMICS
THE ΣΛΓ START RIGHT PROGRAM
The Start Right program will help you learn how to utilize
college and campus resources to set goals, develop an action
plan, and identify a supportive academic partner. The
objectives of this program are to help you:
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Identify a set of semester goals (grade point average,
commitment to study time);
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Create an action plan that will support your academic success;
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Identify an academic partner (university staff, faculty,
advisers) who will help you implement and fine-tune your
action plan;
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Complete a contract that defines your goals and, semester plan
and lists your academic partners.
START RIGHT PROGRAM CONTINUED
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STEP #1: Goal Setting/SMART Method
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STEP #2: Action Plan
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Identify critical elements that support your SMART goals. List items as
intentions statements: “I will…”
STEP #3: Academic Partner
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S – Set specific, not general, goals.
M – Goals must be measurable.
A – Are the goals attainable?
R – There should be a certain level of risk involved.
T – Set a time limit.
Identify someone who can help you achieve academic success. Your
partner should review your goals and action plan and meet regularly.
The should encourage you, provide feedback, direct you to resources
and hold you accountable to meet your goals.
The FINAL Step…
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Meet with your Academic Partner and sign the Academic Success
Contract.
START RIGHT PROGRAM CONTINUED
TIME MANAGEMENT
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This program will help you see how you currently
spend your time so that you can assess your
current schedule and make changes if needed.
The objectives of this program are to help you:
Identify how your time is currently being spent
 Identify open time
 Prioritize commitments
 Create an action plan that will support your
academic success
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TIME MANAGEMENT CONTINUED
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Step #1: Time Management Log
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Step #2: Create a Master Calendar
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Go through week by week (you can make additions as you go)
completing your weekly schedule
Step #4: Goals/Objectives & Priorities
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Utilizing your syllabi, prior commitments, appointments,
work, class hours, SLG meetings, etc create your
quarter/semester schedule using color code.
Step #3: Weekly Schedule
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Log how many hours you spend each week doing each activity,
then total the week’s hours and answer the questions
List your top three goals, determine their priority
Step #5: Short-Term Schedule
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Creating your daily schedules the day/night before
Quarter Schedule
Weekly Schedule
STUDYING
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Study Hours with both Sisters & Associate
Members
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Plan time, days and locations
Studying Tips
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Best practices shared by Sisters & Associate
Members
CREST EXERCISE
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1, 2, 3, 4: Create four symbols (pictures) that represent your
deepest, most cherished values in life. Do these in order of
importance (1, 2, 3, 4).
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Use written statements (short phrases or words) to describe the
following:
5. Who am I?
6. My happiest moment or experience or greatest achievement.
7. Three things I do well.
8. Three areas, traits, characteristics, or attitudes I want to
improve.
9. Personal motto by which I (try to) live.
10. One thing I would like to have said of me if I died today.
11. Three things I would like to learn to do well.
12. Three accomplishments I want to realize during my lifetime.
13. Three things I would like to start doing now.
14. My three highest priority life goals.
ONE ON ONE
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To aid in Sisterhood bonding each week Associate
Members will be paired with a Sister for a
minimum of one hour dates
The objective of this bonding time is to increase
awareness of:
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Commonalities
Personalities
Interests
Aspirations
Backgrounds
NEXT STEPS
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(insert details of next meeting and any directives)