I have been a Tri Sigma for 14 years after being initiated into the Alpha Rho Chapter at Lock Haven University. I’ve been an advisor for Alpha Delta at Drexel University for almost 2 years. Here, I started as Scholarship and Accreditation/Awards Advisor, and I am now a Chapter Advisor. I oversee the chapter operations, and work closely with the Chapter President. I am also a charter member and the President of the Philadelphia Area Alumnae Chapter.

Volunteering is something I have been doing since I was in middle school, and I enjoy giving my time to help others. Being an Advisor allows me to not only give back to Sigma, but to help the collegians have a positive experience! I truly believe “to receive much, you must give much”, but I also believe I have received much more than I could ever give! I have met some incredible women whom I never would have met had I not volunteered for Tri Sigma.

I joined Tri Sigma in fall 1999. My collegiate chatper is Alpha Chi, at Murray State University. I started advising with Theta Delta was just starting as a colony.

As Chapter Advisor, I work with the President and Secretary, and I also work with the entire CAB to make sure the chapter is getting the support and guidance that they need. As Chapter Advisor, I’m also in frequent communication with our NHQ staff, Lauren Berger. Theta Delta is pretty lucky to have a full CAB, so I typically attend 2-3 meetings a semester, along with various events. Our CAB also hosts monthly meetings, either via conference call or face to face, and I put together the agenda for those meetings.

Just prior to volunteering as Chapter Advisor, I was the President of the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter, and I worked for the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation. I’ve attended 3 conventions (and I’m so sad to be missing Orlando!), I traveled as a Leadership Consultant, and I have volunteered as a Collegiate Coordinator.

I decided to volunteer because I really believe in our motto “to receive much, you must give much”. Tri Sigma was my home for 4 years in college. My advisor, Ms. Jan, gave us so much love and support and I knew one day I wanted that same chance to give back. Serving as Chapter Advisor for Theta Delta has been really exciting. Watching women start as a colony with Tri Sigma, learning our history, building a siterhood, creating traditions, and ultimately being installed as a chapter was very inspiring. I believe in the positive impact that being a member of a sorority has had on me and ultimately, I volunteer to help others see the positive impact of Tri Sigma.

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation week, we’ll be spotlighting some special Sigma volunteers each day this week. Today, we feature Carolyn Wallisch (Iota), Golden Violet Coordinator.

I have been a member of Tri Sigma for 24 years as of March 31, 2013! My collegiate Chapter is Alpha Pi at Clarion University of PA. We will be celebrating our 80^th year on Clarion’s campus in 2015. In April 2011 I was appointed as the National Housing Coordinator for Tri Sigma and continue to serve in this role.

Prior to becoming a National Officer I served on the Chapter Advisory Board for Alpha Pi as the Housing, Risk Management and Alumnae Relations Advisors. I also founded the Alpha Pi House Corporation in 2009 and remain as its current Treasurer. In 2011 I assisted with the chartering of the Philadelphia Area Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma and am currently the Treasurer.

I have always been passionate about volunteering. As a student at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova, PA, I volunteered at Melmark which is a residential facility for youth with developmental & intellectual disabilities. I also spent many Sundays with my close friends from the Academy serving meals to homeless women at Saint Rita’s Parish in South Philadelphia. When it came time to choose a Sorority at Clarion University of PA, I fell in love with Tri Sigma’s motto: “To receive much, you must give much.” This Motto is a way of life for me professionally as a Social Worker, as a Sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma, and most importantly as a wife, mother, sister, and friend.  As a National Officer and Sigma Volunteer, I work with many outstanding women who dedicate themselves in developing an amazing Collegiate and Alumnae experience. It is an honor to be a part of this Sigma Volunteer Family!

(Michelle is on the right.)

It was 10 years ago that I took my pledge to Sigma Sigma Sigma, and when I did, there was no way that I could have ever known how much this organization would truly mean to me.  Since I joined as a second semester sophomore, and would be student teaching the spring of my senior year, I was never able to serve as an officer for my chapter.  However I still served my chapter as ritual chair and parliamentarian.  I stayed very active in my chapter even during my last semester while student teaching. During that semester we found out that our house corp. manager would be stepping down, so I applied to take over that position upon my graduation.  That summer, right after graduation, I attended the Volunteer Leadership Institute (what is now called the CAB and Leadership Summit) in Washington DC.  Right off the plane I met Nancy McGowan, the president of what has become my alumnae chapter.  I met women that changed my life on that trip.  We also took a day trip to Walton House.  That experience forever changed me, and my understanding of a life long commitment to Sigma Sigma Sigma.  I served as house corp. manager for 3 years.  I took only two years away from my volunteer work so I could work on and complete my master’s degree.  During that time I was the president of my alumnae chapter. Three years ago I started volunteering again. I became a National Officer serving as a Regional Support Team member (RST). I started the summer of our last convention, and again was able to attend the CAB and Leadership Summit. By the end of that year not only was I serving Sigma as just an RST, but also as a member of the Program team, as a coach at Officer Academy, and a mentor at the Dunham Women of Character Institute.  The following year I also was trained and started also volunteering and serving as a Character Counts! Advocate.  I was blessed last June with the opportunity to facilitate the inaugural Labyrinth Leadership Experience.  It was around this time that the opportunity became available to be the Character Counts! Coordinator.  As this triennium ends I will be parting ways with my role as RST, but am so lucky to be able to continue my service as CC! Coordinator and a part of the Program Team. Believe it or not, I have a full time teaching position too!

My volunteer work has brought me so much more than what I have ever been able to give back to this wonderful organization.  The friendships that I have gained and sustained through my volunteer work reach across the country.  Volunteering along side so many amazing women of character has given me confidence in who I am as a sister and woman.  There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not working on something to better the Sigma experience for my fellow sisters. I don’t actually know what sparked me to start volunteering, but I do know that I have continued because of the friendships that I have formed during this time.

I hope that the collegiates that I mentor and coach realize that there is so much more awaiting them and their Sigma experience.  Much of that will only be enhanced if they give back and volunteer. It is staying active with in the organization that will keep our ritual alive. I also wish that women who already are alumnae, who may feel disconnected with Sigma, reconnect to it by becoming active in an alumnae chapter, or a volunteer role within the organization. I challenge all of my sisters to find what it is with in the organization that ignites passion and get involved.  The rewards are incredible and waiting for you.  Who knows maybe we might someday be able to meet and work together for our sisterhood! How cool would that be?!

When I was in junior high school (9th grade) I went to my band teacher (who was a friend of my dad), and told him I wanted to play the bagpipes. He told me the high school that I was going to actually had them!  At the school, bagpipe knowledge was passed down from student to student, without a formal class. Usually it takes someone a full year to pick up the set of pipes, and be able to play them (holy cow do they take a lot of air! I’ve almost passed out before!!!) but I learned them in about two weeks, and was playing at the beginning of the semester. They were just so natural for me!

By my senior year, I was the bagpipe captain. I graduated from high school in 2004, and initially planned to move to Boise, where they had the Boise Highlanders.  In the summer though, I decided not to move, and planned to attend Idaho State.

That fall, I started seeking out Tri Sigma. I pledged in Spring 2005, and was initiated in April 2005. Fittingly enough, my nickname became “Piper”. I continued to play, but had to stop after a while due to financial concerns.

Right now, I just practice on my practice chanter with the Boise Higlanders, as I do not have my own set of bagpipes. I hope to get a set and play soon!

Since I’m so passionate about the bagpipes, you may be wondering what I did for St. Patrick’s Day yesterday. Of course, I saw the Boise Highlanders. I was dressed in my green dress, black tights, black Mary Janes (with gold buckle) and ginger hair!

The upcoming Orlando Convention will be the 13th one that I have attended. How lucky can one Sigma be?? My first one was in Chicago in 1977. As president of the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter, which had been the Chapter of the Year for the previous year, I was asked to go and share some of the ideas and events that had made our group so successful. I had 2 young children at home, and no idea of exactly what being a delegate to Convention entailed. My husband told me to go ahead and use the vacation money we had saved to fly there….and I guess the rest is history.

I’ve told the story many times of how being there was like “turning on a light bulb in my brain” about what Tri Sigma, the national organization, was actually all about. Seeing women from 18 to 80 gather together at meetings and ceremonies, work and laugh and share meals together, was inspiring and wonderful. And, that is where I met a special sister. She was from the Chicago area, another young mother, who was just attending the sessions during the day. That is where Barb Stoe Stone, Beta Tau, and I began our special Sigma journey.

Barb and I continued to juggle our schedules, and growing families, to meet at the next 3 Conventions. When I was on the committee for the New Orleans gathering in 1989, Barb came in early and worked alongside my alumnae sisters. We certainly got a behind-the-scenes view of how a Convention is organized, both long-range planning and last minute snafus! Future service as national officers, much less as Executive Council members, was just a thought – or a dream- in those early days. We were both lucky to share several more Conventions together in those capacities.

Now as Convention 2013 approaches, I look forward to assignments I may have as Alumnae Editor of The Triangle, to renewing old friendships and meeting new Sigma sisters. There will be late nights and early mornings, but always time to look around and see the wonder of our national sisterhood at work…and play. My husband no longer has to wonder whether or not I will attend Convention; he just asks when I need a ride to and from the airport. I’ve trained him well!

I know how lucky I am to be taking part in my 13th Convention. Look for me there!

Mandy Meehan Chocheles
Gamma Eta and New Orleans Alumnae Chapter

During my college years in the mid-1990’s, I joined a local sorority at the University of Michigan- Flint.  After twenty years of the local sorority, they decided to affiliate with a national sorority.  One evening, I was invited to hear the extension presentation from Tri Sigma.  During this presentation, I met some magnificent Sigma women.  These magnificent women included chapter members from a nearby University, alumnae members, and even a National Vice President.  That evening the women at the University of Michigan- Flint, decided that Tri Sigma was a perfect fit for them! That evening I also decided that although I didn’t exactly know what it would mean, that I also wanted to be part of this experience!

Within a few months of that presentation, the colony was established and I became an Advisor of the colony.  Becoming a new chapter requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it was all worth it and I was so proud when the colony officially became the Theta Beta Chapter of Tri Sigma.  The best part of working with the chapter is watching the women grow and mature throughout their collegiate years.  While I was not a collegiate member of Tri Sigma, I feel like I have some of my own wonderful experiences as an Alumnae Initiate and their Chapter Advisor.  In addition to working with the chapter, I have traveled to the Minneapolis Convention and attended three advisor conferences.  In my travels, I have attended some great educational sessions, met countless members of Tri Sigma, and made a lot of new friends!

I am so glad that I took the time to go and listen to the extension presentation, as that evening changed my life.  Back three years ago, I would have never imagined that I would be a member and advisor of such a great organization.  I enjoy volunteering my time with Tri Sigma and am always look for more ways to work with the sorority.

Nicole’s ten tips for advisors:

1. Use your National Headquarters resources to ask questions, such as your Regional Consultant and Assistant Director.
2. Use your online resources….Sigma Connect, Officer Training, Advisor Training, Officer Manuals, and Advisor Manuals… Everything you could ever want (and more!) is available just a click away!
3. Plan in advance!  Try to plan the whole semester before it even starts. This helps you as an advisor just as much as it helps the women!
4. Don’t overprogram–Spread out the sisterhood events, community service, educational workshops, etc.  Remember, the women join for FUN!
5. Go to the CAB & Volunteer Summit (offered every year) and National Convention.  At these events you can create friendships, ask questions, and find invaluable resources!
6. Be involved with the chapter but not TOO involved. Always remember that this is their collegiate experience, not yours!
7. Work with the chapter on the importance of Ritual and keep it always a topic at meetings and events.
8. Don’t be afraid to continue learning and growing! Contact Aimee, Director of Alumnae & Volunteer Services about additional ways you can help Tri Sigma!
9. You are never too young or too old to be an advisor or be involved with a local collegiate chapter! Don’t be afraid to ask for ways for you to help! Even if you only have an hour a month, there are still ways for chapters to use your skills!
10. Have FUN!

Tri Sigmas serving on Capitol Hill in 2012.

Apply now to lobby on behalf of the fraternity/sorority community in Washington, D.C.!
The North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference are looking for outstanding campus and chapter leaders to serve as advocates for the fraternity and sorority community by traveling to Washington, D.C to lobby Congress. This is a great opportunity for any students who are interested in combining their fraternity or sorority experience with their passion for politics. Each year, the NIC and NPC send student leaders to our nation’s capital to advocate for legislation that is important to the success of fraternity and sorority organizations across the country.
The Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) is a bill that would help make fraternity and sorority housing safer and more affordable for students. Alumni/alumnae and students have been working together for several years to gather support for this bill by lobbying on behalf of the fraternity and sorority community. Student participation is a crucial part in gaining support from members of Congress who are eager to hear about students’ current experiences on campus and in fraternity and sorority housing.
This unique opportunity allows participants to experience Washington, D.C. in a new way through direct interaction in the legislative process. Many past participants have also found this to be a great opportunity for networking and gaining a greater perspective on the political process.
The Congressional visits will take place in Washington, D.C on April 21-25, 2013. If selected, students will be expected to participate in prep work leading up to training sessions and visits that will include securing letters of support from their university’s president, vice president or chancellor, as well as passing a student government resolution in support of CHIA. It is also important that students are aware that they will miss at least 3-4 days of school that week and should be prepared to plan accordingly with their professors during that time.
To apply, please submit an application via this link by December 14, 2012.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Amy Davenport at adavenport@pattonboggs.com or by phone at 202-457-6528.