Our Chapter… Our Commitment
These commitments are a reflection of the promise of loyalty made by you, your chapter’s members and your chapter’s founders. Alpha Sigma Alpha is your sorority, each member’s sorority. Along with the benefits of membership comes the responsibility to keep it strong. It is your role, your responsibility, and your commitment to be an energizing influence in the future of your chapter and Alpha Sigma Alpha.
As a reminder of our commitment to Alpha Sigma Alpha, each section in this document contains phrases quoted from our rituals and references to National Policies and Procedures.
Membership
”...outstanding character is the prime requisite for membership…”
- Achieve established recruitment targets
- Utilize recruitment wish list and recruitment teams
- Follow a written year-round recruitment plan which includes provisions for formal rush and continuous recruitment
- Have at least an 85% retention rate for new members pledged to members initiated
- Have core membership of 40 members, or one more than the campus average, whichever is greater
- Follow National Membership Selection Procedure
Academic Excellence
”The entire university community has the right to expect great things from you now as well as the years ahead.”
- Maintain a chapter term grade point average of at least a 2.6 on a 4.0 scale
- Follow a written scholarship plan that includes components for recognition, assistance and accountability
- Follow the expectations for academic requirements for offering membership bids and the initiation of new members
Finances
”...strength and prosperity are the results of financial stability.”
- Prepare and submit an annual chapter budget to national headquarters
- Submit monthly treasurer’s reports to national headquarters
- Ensure no individual member is more than 30 days in arrears without a promissory note
- Participate in the national savings program
- All accounts receivables to national organization are no more than 30 days past due
- Submit annual audit (Treasurer’s Handbook)
Membership Education
”...to produce women of poise and purpose who shall be noted for their character and concerns for others.”
- Follow ΑΣΑ Advantage for the entire chapter
- Have an ΑΣΑ Advantage support team in place to implement and monitor on-going membership education at all levels
- Prohibit any type of hazing or other inappropriate activities
- Submit all paperwork and associated fees pertaining to new members in accordance with national procedures with attention to timeliness and detail
- Take the national membership examination annually
Chapter Operations
”An office is a responsibility and an opportunity as well as an honor.”
- Ensure each officer fulfills responsibilities of her position
- Communicate regularly with district volunteers and utilize district and national resources
- Ensure chapter bylaws are congruent with national bylaws and are reviewed annually
- Use Standards Resolution Procedure to hold members accountable
- Adhere to election procedure as outlined in the Collegiate Officers’ Handbook and conduct officer transition
- Submit the annual report and award applications for all individual and chapter awards
- Submit the Chapter Information Report each fall and spring
- Set written chapter goals with dates for completion
- Maintain a chapter reporting efficiency of at least 80%
Philanthropy
”...to make the chapter a powerful force in the life of the university and community…”
- Contribute annually to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation
- Ensure every member completes 50 hours of service each year as defined in the ΑΣΑ Advantage initiative
- Promote good relations with the university and surrounding community
- Participate in at least two philanthropic programs a year
- Support Special Olympics and S. June Smith Center through volunteer efforts or financial support
National Meetings
”...opportunities for worthy development…”
- Send a minimum of one delegate and advisor to national convention
- Send a delegation to the Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute
- Send a delegation and advisor to District Day
- Send chapter representative(s) to additional national and/or regional educational programs
Ritual
”Alpha Sigma Alpha stands for dignity and high ideals at all times…”
- Follow and respect the Ritual of Alpha Sigma Alpha
- Keep ritual equipment in a safe and secure place and keep clean and in good condition
- Perform the Consecration Service at first business meeting of the school year
- Maintain the dignity of our ritual by wearing proper attire
Organization (Chapter) Image
”...regulate all your acts that they will reflect credit upon your chapter and university…”
- Promote good relationships within the campus and local communities
- Participate in and promote the college Panhellenic association and/or Greek council
- Adhere to the Unanimous Agreements and policies of the National Panhellenic Conference
- Meet with Greek advisor or university administrator at least once a term
- Promote positive parent relations and communicate with parents of members at least once a term
- Create a written public relations plan for the year
National Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures
”...promise unfailing loyalty to the standards of Alpha Sigma Alpha…”
- Adhere to Alpha Sigma Alpha national bylaws, policies and procedures
- Educate chapter members annually on national bylaws, policies and procedures
- Conduct a risk management program centered around the FIPG policy each term
- Make proper preparation for visits from sorority staff and volunteers and support their needs while visiting
Advisory Board & Housing Corporation
”May I positively influence and guide those entrusted to my care…”
- Have a trained advisory board that includes the chapter advisor, membership advisor and financial advisor
- Facilitate communication between the district volunteers and advisory board and housing corporation and utilize district and national resources
- Ensure that a minimum of one advisor participates in all executive board, standards board and chapter business meetings
- Have a housing corporation (if applicable) that communicates with volunteers, national headquarters and the housing oversight committee
Alumnae
”...lifetime membership, fosters goodwill and cooperation between alumnae and our collegiate chapter…”
- Utilize at least one communication tool per year to communicate with alumnae
- Have an annual planned event with local alumnae
- Introduce graduating seniors to alumnae membership and emphasize lifetime membership commitment
- Provide the opportunity for eligible women to become initiated as alumnae members of Alpha Sigma Alpha
Approved by the National Council 6/94, Revised 6/96,
Revised 6/02, Revised 2/04, Revised 1/06