Sigma Kappa Handbook for the Activities Chairman 2020 FOREWORD "The purpose of Sigma Kappa Sorority is to provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities." Article II, Section 1 Sigma Kappa Sorority Bylaws This purpose builds on the values of our organization: friendship, loyalty, service and personal growth, all bound by a promise. National council affirms that Sigma Kappa collectively can only grow through the prosperity of each individual chapter. Such prosperity must begin with sound and lasting leadership. Each chapter officer is provided a handbook designed to give her the information needed to perform the duties of her office and assist the chapter in achieving the Sigma Kappa Standards of Excellence. Serving as a collegiate chapter officer exemplifies Sigma Kappa's purpose and values. © 2020 Sigma Kappa Sorority TABLE OF CONTENTS The Activities Chairman 4 Resources 4 Advisor 5 The Importance of Involvement 6 A Sigma Kappa Standard 6 Developing the Activities Program 7 Individual Involvement in Co-Curricular Activities 7 Chapter Involvement in Campus Activities and Events 8 Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 3 THE ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN The activities chairman is elected or appointed by the chapter and is responsible for developing and implementing an activities program for the chapter and its members. The activities program includes chapter and individual involvement on campus and in the community. The activities chairman reports to the vice president of programming (VPP). In light of these responsibilities, the activities chairman must do the following: Read, comprehend, and follow the Handbook for the Activities Chairman. Access and watch all training modules associated with the activities chairman role located in SKILLab: Sigma Kappa's Interactive Learning Lab. Analyze the chapter's current involvement in activities in order to identify ways to make the program more successful. Work closely with the chapter VPP to ensure each member of the chapter is participating in a university affiliated co-curricular activities such as clubs, honorary societies, professional groups, residence hall organizations, internships, sporting/dance/cheer teams, etc. in accordance with National Policy Handbook IV.C.2. Serve as a liaison between campus and community organizations/events and the chapter members/committees including but not limited to: Dance Marathon Relay for Life Greek Week Homecoming Establish and maintain an accurate record of each member's participation in such activities. Maintain an accurate record of chapter members who hold leadership positions in college/university/community affiliated activities. Assist the chapter president by supplying these records for the President's Annual Report. Assist the Sigma Kappa Triangle correspondent with reports on member accomplishments to be highlighted in articles for the magazine. Resources The activities chairman must have certain resources and materials to properly do the job. They are as follows: Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 4 Annual supplies National Policy Handbook The chapter's current Code of Conduct A list of goals for the chairman position Recommendations from the predecessor Sigma Kappa budget for the chairman position Chapter calendar List of organizations on campus College/University Calendar Fraternity/sorority community calendar of events Names and contact information for: Advisor to the activities chairman and advisory board supervisor (ABS) College/university officials and pertinent faculty and staff members, such as the campus activities office Sigma Kappa paired alumnae chapter Advisor to the Activities Chairman The advisor to the activities chairman provides continuity in a chapter's activities program. She is a member of the advisory board. Review the module on SKILLab: Sigma Kappa's Interactive Learning Lab to learn more about developing a relationship with your advisor. What If You Don't Have an Advisor? If you don't have an advisor, there are several other resources to look to for assistance: Advisory board supervisor (ABS) Programming coordinator Collegiate coordinator Contact information for these volunteers is located on the members only side of the Sigma Kappa website. Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 5 THE IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVEMENT A Sigma Kappa Standard Being actively involved on campus and in co-curricular activities is a vital part of any successful chapter. In order to meet the Sigma Kappa Standards of Excellence, the chapter must encourage member involvement and leadership in co-curricular activities. This standard is outlined in the National Policy Handbook: "All collegiate members are expected to participate in at least one co- curricular activity." -- Article IV, Section C.2 Sigma Kappa believes strongly in the importance of campus and community involvement for three reasons: 1. Co-curricular involvement builds an important component in the college experience-learning how to work cooperatively in the larger community and developing the leadership, communication and civic engagement skills to work effectively with other people to accomplish common goals. 2. Involvement in campus and community activities and organizations helps us to carry out the purpose of Sigma Kappa by allowing us to serve and positively impact our communities. 3. The involvement of members in the campus and community promotes a positive perception and reputation of the chapter and its members. Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook . page 6 DEVELOPING THE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM Developing a comprehensive activities program that will encourage the involvement of every chapter member requires time, creativity and energy. There are two main components of the activities program: individual member involvement and chapter activities. Individual Involvement in Co-Curricular Activities 1. Evaluate the current level of involvement. At the beginning of the year, review the member involvement and leadership records and determine which areas of involvement are lacking. Compare the current member involvement and your chapter's ideal level of member involvement. Examples of co-curricular activities include: a. Academic clubs and organizations b. Honorary and professional organizations C. Service clubs d. Residence hall organizations e. Student government f. Campus activities board or committee g. Athletic teams h. Intramurals i. Cheerleading, dance squad, etc. j. Dramatic and/or musical productions k. Musical ensembles or choirs I. Judicial or mediation boards m. Ongoing and consistent volunteer service to a community agency Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook . page 7 2. Set goals for the term, based on the evaluation of the chapter's involvement. Goals may include: a. Increasing the number of members involved in co-curricular activities. b. Increasing the number of members in campus or community leadership roles. C. Educating members about the opportunities available to them. 3. Check resources available to the chapter members. Compile a list of campus/community organizations and activities available to members. 4. Stimulate interest in activities throughout the year by: a. Highlight members who are already involved in various activities during an informal chapter meeting to give an explanation of the activity and encourage other chapter members to get involved. b. Asking members to sign interest cards or fill out a survey indicating activities that interest them. Follow up with members and provide information about the activities they have listed. C. Announce and post information about activities taking place on campus and in the community: cultural events, lectures, recitals, student government elections, etc. d. Host a campus activities fair before or after a chapter meeting to highlight members involved in activities and organizations on campus and to encourage members to get involved. 5. Work with the vice president of new member education (VPNME) to ensure new members are also informed about involvement opportunities and expectations. Chapter Involvement in Campus Activities and Events Another component of the chapter activities program is the coordination of chapter involvement in campus activities and events. This type of involvement can build sisterhood and strengthen the reputation of the chapter. The following suggestions will help to encourage chapter involvement: Evaluate current involvement by analyzing past chapter calendars and comparing the chapter's campus involvement with goals for the semester. Work with the VPP to add campus and community events to the chapter calendar. Announce campus and community events that would be appropriate for chapter members to attend together at every chapter meeting. Examples include: art fairs or exhibitions, athletic events, dramatic or musical presentations, lectures, campus-wide service projects, etc. Identify campus events that sisters are involved in (example: a sister has a performance in a campus dance recital) and encourage the membership to attend and support. Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 8 Some chapters may also choose to have the activities chairman responsible for coordinating the chapter's involvement in campus events such as Homecoming, Greek Week or intramurals if they do not have specific chairmen for these events. If you are responsible for these duties, work with the VPP to ensure you have a clear understanding of the calendar of events and expectations for the chapter's involvement. Inform chapter members about the events well in advance, and ensure they are aware of any expectations for their involvement. Carefully coordinate involvement in these activities to ensure that members still have ample time for other commitments including classwork, studying, sleeping, wellness activities and part-time jobs. One recommendation for ensuring the chapter participates in events is to have the chapter committees participate together. For example, the new member education and philanthropy committees will attend a specific campus activity or event together. Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 9 SIGMA KAPPA Live with Heart 695 Pro-Med Lane, Ste 300 Carmel, IN 46032-5323 317-872-3275 f: 317-872-0716 e: info@sigmakappa.org www.sigmakappa.org Sigma Kappa Sorority Activities Chairman Handbook page 10