Essential Sigma What is Essential Sigma?  Implementation Plan  FAQ  Manuals Sigma Jeopardy (Arc Sequence Resource) Arc Sequence Program Evaluation (all collegians, new members, Greek Advisors, AAB, Faculty Advisors, National Officers, and staff are encouraged to complete!) What is Essential Sigma? As an organization committed to friendship, character, and conduct, we have designed a comprehensive membership education program focused on these values. The Essential Sigma program is cutting edge in the fraternal world and we hope that you enjoy the experience. The purpose of the Essential Sigma program is to help you and the women in your chapter to continue membership education throughout your collegiate experience. In the past, we have focused primarily on the new member program and providing education before members were initiated. However, the needs and wants of our collegiate members change. In an effort to provide timely educational programming and help you become the best women possible, we have crafted a program that changes as your membership changes. The Essential Sigma program will take your from bid day to Circle Degree on and graduation! Implementation Plan Arc Sequence: Fall 2007 All chapters will implement the Arc Sequence program for their new members. Implementation is required and is a part of Chapter Accreditation. We’re here to help - below are some of the resources available to you! Revised Vice President Manual which included the Arc Sequence Facilitator Guide PowerPoint Training resource (contact your Collegiate Coordinator for a copy) Essentialtraining@trisigma.org email for questions or concerns. Triangle Sequence: Spring 2008 A conference call training session will be held with all Education Directors and AAB to training the Education Director on the program as well as provide resources for chapter education and implementation. Contemplations Distributed to Date: Our Founders, distributed March 18, 2008 - Education Director Edition and  Member Edition Conference Call Training - were held February 19, 23, and 24. Did your chapter attend? Is your chapter not listed as attending but someone was on the call? Simply have the chapter member who attended email their call facilitator. Did no one attend a call from your chapter? Download and watch the full video/recording and email Lorin Phillips (directorofchapterservices@gmail.com) to confirm completion. All chapters must complete by March 7, 2008. Program Resources: Revised Education Director manual (posted behind members only) PowerPoint Training Resource (PDF or full slide show with script)         * Feel free download and edit for your chapter presentation on the program) Training Call Video/Recording Contemplations (distributed 4 times a year electronically to Education Directors          * First distribution will be March 15, 2008 Horizons Programs and website (used these programs to meet Triangle Sequence requirements) Programming Checklist (A tracking resource for programs presented and will also help with completing the Accreditation Verification Report due December 1. This is also in the Education Director Manual.) Sample member tracking list Implementation Goals & Benchmarks:  Spring 2008 the following should occur: Chapter Education Director has participated in a training call or listened to the training recording. Informational program presented to the chapter on the Triangle Sequence. Plan is put in place for tracking individual members’ completion of programming requirements. Plan is put in place for presenting all required chapter programs for Chapter Accreditation standards - maybe a committee, determine which programs will be presented each semester Complete your first Contemplation as a chapter. Fall 2008 the following should occur: Essential 10 - recommitment ceremony and signing of Essential 10 should occur in September or at the first meeting after formal recruitment Test your process for tracking members’ completion of required education programs. Evaluate and redevelop. Be ready for a complete plan to be in place by officer transition. Meet all 7 programming requirements for Chapter Accreditation. Complete the September and November contemplations. Spring 2009 and beyond - full implementation of the sequence: All 4 contemplations completed (January 1 - December 1) 8-10 programs presented to the chapter (January 1 - December 1) All members in the Triangle Sequence completed their required programming requirements (January 1 - December 1). Failure to have requirements completed will result in being sent to Honor Council by December 15. Essential 10 - recommitment ceremony and signing of Essential 10 is a part of the chapter's annual calendar Circle Sequence: 2009: A Leadership Consultant will train all chapters in 2009 on the Circle Sequence. Much like the Triangle Sequence implementation, if you receive a Leadership Consultant visit in spring 2009, you will implement the Circle Sequence in fall 2009. If you receive a fall 2009 visit, you will implement the Circle Sequence in spring 2010. FAQ Is this really a program for new members? The Essential Sigma program is for new members, but it also involves all initiated members. There are three sequences - Arc Sequence (a.k.a. New Member Program), Triangle Sequence (whole chapter member development program), and Circle Sequence (senior programming). When will new members receive their new workbook for the Arc Sequence? Workbooks are mailed to the chapter after the chapter submits an online P109 form. The workbooks should be shipped to the address listed on the P109 form within 48 hours of submission. If you have not received within 7-10 days, email Theresa Taylor (ttaylor@trisigma.org) at National Headquarters to inquire. Since this is a revised program, will all members be getting a new copy of the workbook? No, the workbook is only for the Arc Sequence portion of Essential Sigma. All other worksheets and information for the Triangle and Circle Sequence will be posted online following implementation. Can we order extra copies of the New Member Workbook for the Vice President or advisors? Yes, contact National Headquarters to inquire about price, payment, and placing the order. Does this replace Forever Sigma? Yes, Forever Sigma or Essential Sigma binders are no longer used. There is a NEW workbook provided for all New Members. This is their guide for the new member program. The workbook is only for the Arc Sequence. As chapters are trained on the other two sequences, additional materials will be provided on the website to compliment the Triangle Sequence and Circle Sequence. What about the crews? Do we still have crews? The crew program no longer met the needs of the sorority at the time. However, Essential Sigma takes many of the concepts of the crew program and expands on it. New members will no longer meet with crews. They meet in Arc Sequence Groups. These small groups may be facilitated by the Vice President in the case of 10 or less new members OR use Arc Group Leaders as small group leaders. What officers are involved? Officers and various chairmen assist the Vice President with educating new members in the Arc Sequence. The Education Director will be responsible for overseeing the Triangle Sequence and the Alumnae Relations Chairman will oversee the Circle Sequence. Again, the only sequence currently being implemented is the Arc Sequence. What is the value of implementing this program? After extensive evaluation of program by our pilot chapters, we have found the Essential Sigma can positively impact the entire chapter. Kim Webber, a member of the Delta Chi chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma at the University of Virginia, said this about the program, “Our sisters have benefited from the Essential Sigma program already and I am very excited to see how it will help us grow in the future and become an even stronger chapter. I have no doubt that this program will positively affect the lives of Sigmas across the country.” The program looks at membership education, leadership development, and chapter involvement in a whole new way. It holds all members accountable and encouraged involvement until graduation. Is the Essential Sigma program optional or will all chapters be expected to implement this program? All chapters will be required to implement the Essential Sigma and adhere to the program as a part of Chapter Accreditation. What if the program doesn't work in our chapter? The program is flexible and designed to adapt to a chapter of 10 women or 110 women. It will take time to implement the program and you will need to be patient and understand that change can be difficult. Through officer training, the web site, and e-mail (essentialtraining@trisigma.org), we hope that every chapter will have great success. Who do we go to for help? Email EssentialTraining@trisigma.org, contact your Collegiate Coordinator or Regional Director, or ask your Leadership Consultant for assistance. How should alumnae be involved? Alumnae can be involved in a variety of ways. First, alumnae can help with the educational programs. Especially during the circle sequence, members can rely on area alumnae to organize programs that pertain to money management, finding a job, or staying involved with Tri Sigma. Alumnae will also need to be involved to help perform Circle Degree. Chapters should work through local alumnae chapters or their Collegiate Coordinator if they need help recruiting alumnae to help with the program. It is also appropriate to involve your campus Greek Advisor, faculty advisor, or other university support systems. If we recruit year-round, how do we include new members into the program at different times? The Arc Sequence is broken into 9 sessions. Each session is 1- 1.5 hrs. If you recruit year round, you can utilize your Arc Group leaders to assist new members in catching up in the program OR host a 1/2 day or full day retreat for newly pledged new members. If you have more questions, please email essentialtraining@trisigma.org Manuals A current copy of the Vice President Manual is posted in two places behind the members only section of the National website. First - reports, manuals, 2008 manuals, and then Vice President Manual. Second, reports, Essential Sigma, and then Vice President Manual. A PDF file of the New Member Workbook for the Arc Sequence is also posted in the Essential Sigma folder behind members only. An updated copy of the Education Directors manaul is also posted behind members only! This now includes information on the implementation of the Triangle Sequence.