SIGMA LAMBDA GAMMA NATIONAL SORORITY, INC.

Associate Member Education Program

…welcome to The Journey.

WELCOME 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.

  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.

Weeks 1 and 2 of this curriculum will lay the foundation for your associate member journey--logistically, structurally, and contextually.

LEARNING OUTCOMES Understand the expectations and purpose of the Associate

Member Education program.

Establish and comprehend the expectations for self, for the Ship and for the Initiated Sisters of this entity.

Practice self-management skills for organizing personal commitments of family, school, work, and the journey to becoming a sister of Sigma Lambda Gamma.

Identify personal connections with the Sigma Lambda Gamma values, specifically focusing on the purpose and mission of the Sorority.

GROUND RULES 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

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.

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

Sigma Lambda Gamma is about Me

Sigma Lambda Gamma is about Us

Sigma Lambda Gamma is About Community

Sigma Lambda Gamma is About Commitment

Sigma Lambda Gamma is About Action and Being a Catalyst for Change

Sigma Lambda Gamma is About Embracing our Diverse Sisterhood

Sigma Lambda Gamma is About Becoming a Woman of Distinction

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.

Reflections

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 AGREEMENTAs 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…

Attend all of the Associate Member meetings that are required.

Keep all ritual activities confidential, which includes Induction Ritual and Initiation Ritual.*

Do my part to create and participate in a safe, supportive and engaging atmosphere for my fellow Associate Members.

Exemplify Sigma Lambda Gamma’s Five Principles in my behavior and in what I say.

Treat everyone with respect and hold others to treating me with the same respect.

Confront with compassion any Associate Members’ behaviors that are contrary to the SLG Values System.

Make an effort to get to know Initiated Members.

Make an effort to share myself with my fellow Associate Members.

Be on time and prepared for meetings.

Maintain open communication both inside and outside the Journey activities.

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.

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.

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 ANDFACT OF CONFIDENTIALITY

MythYou may not discuss ANY part or ANYTHING

related to your associate member program with anyone outside this room.

FactThe 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.

ANTI-HAZING STATEMENTSigma 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 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

HARASSMENT HAZING

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

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

IS IT HAZING OR NOT? The following is a list of questions to ask to determine

whether or not it is hazing:

1) Is alcohol involved?2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to

participate with the new members and do exactly what they are being asked to do?

3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to

your parents, to a professor or University official?6) 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

“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:

Identify a set of semester goals (grade point average, commitment to study time);

Create an action plan that will support your academic success;

Identify an academic partner (university staff, faculty, advisers) who will help you implement and fine-tune your action plan;

Complete a contract that defines your goals and, semester plan and lists your academic partners.

START RIGHT PROGRAM CONTINUED STEP #1: Goal Setting/SMART Method

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.

STEP #2: Action Plan Identify critical elements that support your SMART goals. List items as

intentions statements: “I will…”

STEP #3: Academic Partner 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… Meet with your Academic Partner and sign the Academic Success

Contract.

START RIGHT PROGRAM CONTINUED

TIME MANAGEMENT

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

TIME MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Step #1: Time Management Log Log how many hours you spend each week doing each

activity, then total the week’s hours and answer the questions

Step #2: Create a Master Calendar Utilizing your syllabi, prior commitments, appointments,

work, class hours, SLG meetings, etc create your quarter/semester schedule using color code.

Step #3: Weekly Schedule Go through week by week (you can make additions as

you go) completing your weekly schedule

Step #4: Goals/Objectives & Priorities List your top three goals, determine their priority

Step #5: Short-Term Schedule Creating your daily schedules the day/night

before

Quarter Schedule Weekly Schedule

STUDYING

Study Hours with both Sisters & Associate Members Plan time, days and locations

Studying Tips Best practices shared by Sisters & Associate

Members

CREST EXERCISE 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).

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

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: Commonalities Personalities Interests Aspirations Backgrounds

NEXT STEPS

(insert details of next meeting and any directives)