Terms and Lingo

Accreditation
National program which outlines the minimum standards and expectations for collegiate chapters. Guidelines for performance are outlined for membership selection, financial stability, ritual and values, sisterhood and group life, campus and chapter leadership, member development, philanthropy, scholarship, chapter organization, and Panhellenic participation.

Alumna    
A Sorority member who is no longer in college (plural is alumnae).

Alumna Advisory Board (AAB)    
This is group of Tri Sigma alumnae and/or campus faculty who support, guide, and work with collegiate chapters in all phase of operations. Positions may include  Chapter Advisor, Recruitment Education, Honor Council, Financial, Accreditation, Ritual, Housing, Alumnae Relations, Essential Sigma, or Scholarship Advisors.

Badge    
This is the proper term for the triangle badge given only to initiated members.

Chapter    
A membership unit of a sorority or fraternity. We belong to a sorority and chapter not a house.

Convention    
Convention is the supreme governing body of the Sorority. Each chapter has a delegate who attends and helps frame the future of Tri Sigma through resolutions at business meetings. Workshops, programs, awards and ritual ceremonies are also presented in an effort to foster personal development, lifelong development, lifelong involvement, responsible citizenship, and a powerful sisterhood experience.

Essential Sigma (ES)    
A comprehensive membership education program that spans the new member period through graduation and beyond. The purpose of the Essential Sigma program is to foster the development of well-rounded Sigma women that emphasizes leadership, personal growth, mentoring, career development, service and lifelong friendships and Sorority involvement.

Honor Council    
The confidential collegiate peer accountability process. Used to ensure members are meeting membership standards in the areas of financial, academic, participation, and conduct.

National Headquarters
The Mabel Lee Walton house is home to our administrative offices and national archives. Chapters may schedule visits to the Walton House for retreats or bonding.

New Member
A woman who has accepted the bid of a sorority and has taken the first step toward full membership but has not yet been initiated. She is not considered a pledge, “baby”, “baby violet”, newbie’s, etc.

Panhellenic    
The cooperative organization of collegiate members of  the National Panhellenic  Conference (NPC) sororities represented on a campus. Often referred to as a “CPH”.

The Triangle    
National magazine of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Sent to all collegiate and alumnae members 3 times a year. If you are not receiving update your address at National Headquarters.

Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI)    
The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation funds numerous scholarships for collegians to attend the North American Interfraternity Conference’s (NIC) principle-centered leadership institute, designed to create momentum toward positive change for campus fraternal communities.