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THE HISTORY of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority dates from November 12, 1922, when the first chapter was organized at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven young school teachers. Five of these Founders are still living and active.

More than 350 undergraduate and alumnae chapters have since been established throughout the United States and in Bermuda and Africa. As a nonprofit collegiate organization, Sigma Gamma Rho's focus is on community service as expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress".

Responsibility, stability, purpose and self-respect set the level of scholastic expectancy for the chapters, members and pledgees. Collective striving for these qualities of character is necessary for consistently good scholarship. An excellent standard in scholarship was, and is, directly related to our precepts of quality and character.

The national organization, youngest of the eight-member National Pan Hellenic Council greek-letter sororities and fraternities, is governed by the Grand Chapter which meets biennially where directors and officers are elected. In order to insure efficient administrative practices and to conduct educational conferences, the National Board of Directors established operational levels which include chapters, areas, regions and the National Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Members are thus able to participate in leadership and training sessions beyond the chapter level. Communication is facilitated by The AURORA, the organization's official organ which is published four times per college year.

Officers of the organization are elected from the undergraduate and alumnae membership. In fact, by legislative requirement, the Second Grand Anti-Basileus and the five Youth Services Coordinator positions are from the undergraduate membership. Undergraduate decision-making strength equals one-fourth of the Board of Directors.

Sigmas Gamma Rho offers young people an identification with the community through activities that are natural and appealing to them. Community service, leadership training and education of youth are the guiding forces of the sorority's program and activities. Working under the umbrella of one of the sorority's national programs, Vocational Guidance and Workshop Center, New York City, members project their activities with youth under the banner of TEENTOWN, which encompasses all youth-oriented activities. Teentown activities are geared toward the creative urges and aspirations exemplified through journalistic contests, artistic pursuits, guidance and career clinics.

Sigma Gamma Rho, recognizing the need for emphasis on healthy living among youth, sponsors "Project Reassurance", a community action, public service project in conjunction with the National Foundation March of Dimes. The sorority, with its designated Director, establishes effective means of communication by providing an atmosphere in which parents and their children can confer with meaningful counseling, and by providing the necessary techniques and informational assistance. The project gives counseling support and distributes educational information to female and male teenagers, their parents and often grandparents.

Communities throughout the nation are the recipients of Sigma's goodwill; as thousands of dollars are awarded to youth in scholarships and grants.

Activities are encouraged that will further in every way possible the dignity and worth of the individual member.

To this end, the membership assumes the responsibility to:

• encourage and promote high scholastic attainment.

• develop leadership abilities and individual talents.

• enhance in all members the sense or personal moral responsibility which each should have towards a task and towards leadership-followership responsibilities.

• emphasize the value of poise and personal dignity.

• provide an atmosphere in which friendship and social contacts may be developed.

• maintain interests and attitudes in harmony with modern thoughts and educational outlook.

• work with other agencies and organizations to provide additional community services.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., gives leadership, service, and resources toward removing barriers and inequalities so the all peoples of America may develop their potential and exercise full citizenship.

Through support of human rights legislation, service to and support of grass roots individual and community development activity, and through active participation in the programs of affiliate and other organizations, we are committed to working to improve the quality of our lives and the society we serve.

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