GRADUATE MEMBER PROGRAM Education Manual Updated 2012.07.27
Contents Introduction......................................................................
GRADUATE MEMBER PROGRAM Education Manual Updated 2012.07.27
Contents Introduction..............................................................................................................2 Definition of Graduate Member ..................................................................................2 Eligibility Criteria for the Graduate Member Program ...................................................2 Graduate Membership Application Process ..................................................................3 Graduate Membership Induction Process ....................................................................4 Graduate Membership Education Process ...................................................................4 Graduate Membership Initiation Process .....................................................................4
Introduction The purpose of the Graduate Member Program Education Manual is to assist our sisterhood to understand how the Graduate Member Program works and to assist mentors in guiding these women through their education program to become sisters of Sigma Lambda Gamma.
Definition of Graduate Member A candidate for the Graduate Member Program is a woman who has an interest and dedication to Sigma Lambda Gamma, but who perhaps did not have an opportunity to join Sigma Lambda Gamma during her time as an undergraduate student. The candidate has demonstrated a commitment to living by Sigma Lambda Gamma’s lifeguiding principles, as well as making a substantial impact within her community. A good example of this woman would be a chapter advisor, community leader, or a woman with the available time, commitment and desire to become a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma. Upon completion of the Graduate Member Education Program, the woman is welcomed into our sisterhood through the Initiation Ritual and has limited rights and privileges of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Eligibility Criteria for the Graduate Member Program The main criteria for women interested in joining Sigma Lambda Gamma via our Graduate Member Program are that they must have obtained their baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university or college. All interested women in the Graduate Member Program must turn the completed application packet to the Alumnae Association.
The requirements on the Graduate Member Program Application are as follows:
Fully completed Graduate Member Application. Submit a letter of intent expressing membership interest. Three letters of recommendation: one from an initiated sorority member in good standing; the second from an employer or other organization with which the applicant is associated; and the third from a community service agency indicating at least ten hours of community service. Professional resume with reference page indicating the names and contact information for individuals who provide the letters of recommendation. Submit official, sealed transcripts displaying a most recent cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) and degree earned from an accredited four-year university or college. Payment of membership fees in the amount of $275.00 for purposes of Induction and Initiation, due upon approval of membership application.
NOTE: Candidates for the Graduate Member Program may not be or have been initiated members of another social sorority. Graduate Membership Application Process 1. The interested woman must show an interest and fulfill the requirements set forth in the Graduate Member Application Packet. The application may be requested by the individual or provided to ideal candidates. 2. One of the requirements of the Graduate Member Program Application packet is to obtain a letter of recommendation from an initiated member in good standing of Sigma Lambda Gamma. This requirement puts an additional responsibility on the alumnae association that invites the interested woman into Sigma Lambda Gamma to ensure that she begins to develop her network within the sorority. 3. Upon review of the application packet, if the interested woman decides to seek membership with Sigma Lambda Gamma, a completed application must be submitted. The application should be submitted to the local alumnae association. 4. The completed application with supporting materials is reviewed by the local alumnae association and the applicant should expect to hear a response within two weeks. The letter should provide an explanation as to the decision made. 5. Upon receipt of the decision letter, the interested woman will have two weeks to decide/determine/review and then inform the alumnae association as to her decision.
6. For women who accept their invitation for membership in Sigma Lambda
Gamma, they will continue to the GMP Induction Process. For women who were denied an invitation for membership, they are encouraged to reapply in a year.
Graduate Membership Induction Process The induction process shall proceed as follows:
The following documents must be forwarded to Headquarters: application documents; acceptance letter; induction fee; induction form; and contact information for the Sister selected to be the mentor. Once the information is received at Headquarters, the information will be processed; induction pin will be mailed to the AA. The AA is in charge of scheduling and organizing induction with the prospective associate member.
Graduate Membership Education Process Following induction, the associate member will be given the Graduate Member Education Packet by her mentor. The Education Packet consists of the same information as our New Member Education Manual. The associate member will have 8-10 weeks to complete the education process that entails:
Become familiar with the information in the packet. Fulfill tasks for each of our Five Principles. Fulfill an additional task focusing on personal/professional development. Receive a Gamma Mom. The Gamma Mom shall be an active member in good standing of the local alumnae association.
Graduate Membership Initiation Process The mentor will use her discretion to see when the associate member is nearing completion of her education program. As her education program nears the end, her mentor must:
Mail associate member’s initiation form and fee to Headquarters. Once initiation pin is received, begin organizing the associate member’s initiation. Decide on a line name. The mentor will have final discretion on how the line name will be chosen.
Determine line number designation. Much like chapter numbers, these shall be consecutive numbers assigned to women who enter membership through the alumnae association Finally, the woman will be initiated into Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority as prescribed by the Ritual.