Goodbye, 2020! OCTOBER 2021 VIEW IN BROWSER The LowDown a Sigma Kappa quarterly newsletter [FROM THE ARCHIVES] "We tread our paths so easily, Now worn quite smooth by other feet, We scarce will deign to look upon The rougher paths, which may ours meet. So we forget that our smooth way Was once as rough and hard as these; That many traveled painfully, That we might travel on in lease." - Grace Foster, Alpha, Colby College From the Autumn 1921 Sigma Kappa Triangle, celebrating 50 years of women's admission to Colby College A STRATEGIC FUTURE FOR SIGMA KAPPA HEADLINES Looming end to Sigma Kappa is pleased to present its 2020-2023 Strategic student loan payment Plan, focused on becoming a strategic leader in the Sorority moratorium raises community; modeling a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and fears among accessible membership experience among women's fraternal defaulted borrowers organizations; and modernizing the alumnae and collegiate membership experience to provide relevant Congress close on engagement opportunities for all members. Click here to simplifying FAFSA learn more. 'A perfect storm': College students face incredible mental DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS health stressors during COVID-19 pandemic Sigma Kappa has continued its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) by making DEIA a What if instead of cornerstone of our new strategic plan, educating members calling people out, we in the summer issue of the Sigma Kappa Triangle, and using called them in? the DEIA committee to advise on Sigma Kappa's social Two women and media, communication and bias response plans. The DEIA 10,000 miles on the committee also held three meet and greet sessions, which road to suffrage you can view here under the DEIA Committee & Charge section. Entity boards and staff have participated in two What is a governance trainings with DEIA consultant Vicki Clark, and several staff model and why does teams have read and discussed books about anti-racism. it matter? The Sigma Kappa Foundation has announced microgrants available to collegiate chapters for DEIA-related programming, and the National Housing Corporation has BOOK CLUB updated many of its processes and procedures to ensure READS transparency and accessibility. More information on Sigma Kappa's DEIA efforts can be found here. January: "The Person You Mean to LEGACY POLICY UPDATE Be" by Dolly Chugh Book Club In November, Sigma Kappa announced the elimination Travel Club of the policy regarding the consideration of legacies during recruitment ("legacy policy," section I.B of the National Cooking Club Policy Handbook). The elimination of the legacy policy empowers our collegiate chapters to make their own membership selections and gives each potential new YOUTUBE member (PNM) an equal opportunity to receive an invitation to join Sigma Kappa. Removing this policy is an initial step Talking Careers with in examining many of our policies and practices, specifically Lindsay Boccardo our recruitment practices, to ensure equitable consideration 2024 Convention for all PNMs. This change is effective Jan. 1, 2021. For more Reveal information, please click here. The Spark - Design an Amazing Charcuterie DESIGN YOUR DREAM CAREER Board Bound by our Values - Are you struggling to build or search for a successful career Bound by Friendship in 2020? This January, we are partnering with Careerhouse for a six-week live virtual course for all SIGMA sisters, which is completely free thanks to the generous KAPPA support of the Sigma Kappa Foundation. The course will provide information on choosing job opportunities, writing a MASKS resume, interviewing and more. Our experts will also have AVAILABLE office hours to answer questions, provide support and feedback. Click here to get on the list! SIGMA KAPPA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Sigma Kappa Foundation is pleased to offer 2021-2022 academic scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. The application is NOW OPEN through Feb. 10, A portion of the 2021, at 6 p.m. ET. Please check out the FAQs to learn proceeds from these more about the application process. Apply Now! face masks goes to support grants and scholarships for SHARE YOUR HEART WITH A SISTER sisters. Spread the love across the country! Join sisters the week of HOLIDAYS Feb. 15 for the annual Heart Exchange. This is a virtual event that you can participate in from the comfort of your Hanukkah - home. Enjoy virtually "meeting" a new sister and spreading Dec. 10-18 sisterhood across the country. Keep an eye on Sigma Las Posadas - Kappa's Facebook page for a Heart Exchange event. Sign-up Dec. 16-24 for the Heart Exchange will open in early January. Christmas - Dec. 25 Kwanzaa - Dec. 26-Jan. 1 VIRTUAL CAPITOL HILL VISITS The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) will be hosting STAY Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) Virtual CONNECTED Capitol Hill visits on April 13-15, 2021 to advocate for topics outlined in the NPC Government Relations Platform. Any collegian interested in advocating for legislation important to the success of fraternity and sorority life can apply. Click here for the student application. Applications are due Sunday, Dec. 13. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Sigma Kappa national headquarters will be closed for the holidays from Wednesday, Dec. 23-Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. If you are celebrating, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a joyous New Year! [FAST FACTS] HEY NOW, YOU'RE NATIONAL COUNCIL SIGMA KAPPA AN ALL STAR! RECOMMENDATIONS NOW FOUNDATION Have you or a Sigma OPEN TRUSTEE Kappa you know Every member of Sigma NOMINATIONS accomplished something Kappa is welcome Sigma Kappa Foundation big or small, personal or to recommend deserving trustee nominations and professional? We want sisters for national council. applications will be to hear about it! Share Learn more about the process open Nov. 1-Dec. 1. with us here! and qualifications Watch the website and here. Recommendations close social media for a link. Nov. 1. YOU SPOKE, WE LISTENED The LowDown was created in response to what our members have said they wanted to hear from us. Like it? Love it? Have ideas? Email our director of publications. SIGMA KAPPA Live with Heart 2021 SIGMA KAPPA SORORITY I 695 PRO-MED LANE, SUITE 300, CARMEL, IN 46032-5323 Visit Sigma Kappa | 317-872-3275 If you would not like to receive email from Sigma Kappa anymore, please unsubscribe here. L higher logic