Council Connections – June 2015

Council Connections

By Jamie Jones Miller, Psi (National Vice President)

This past spring, members of the National Council traveled across the United States to celebrate milestone anniversaries with many of our chapters. I had the privilege of joining the Delta Rho Chapter of Chowan University at their 15th anniversary celebration in April. I served as the Educational Consultant (Traveling Counselor) for Delta Rho when they were colonized and installed in 2000, and since then I have kept in touch with many of the founding Sisters. Over the years, I have met many other leaders from Delta Rho and my connection to the chapter has deepened over time. I am fortunate to be able to call these women my friends despite the fact that I haven’t seen some of them in over a decade. The highlight of serving as an Educational Consultant is the relationships I built with Sisters of all ages across the country. These friendships are priceless.

I believe that our core value of “Connections,” – where we prioritize building and maintaining meaningful, sincere, and lasting relationships with our members, our alma mater, and our community – is a critical part of what it means to be an Alpha Sigma Tau. I am always proud to talk about the mission of Alpha Sigma Tau which is in part to “sustain relationships that transcend the collegiate experience”.

I love the beginning of summer because my Facebook feed always fills up with posts and pictures from graduating seniors who are wearing Alpha Sigma Tau honor cords, have decorated their caps with anchors, and have posed with their Sisters in caps and gowns in front of their chapter house or oversized sorority letters! Perhaps they are a little sad about what is behind them and a little nervous about what is in front of them. The good news is that Alpha Sigma Tau will always be with them.

Here are some ways your Sorority membership can help you navigate life after college:

• Looking for a job? Your membership in Alpha Sigma Tau gives you instant access to a professional network with thousands of members.
• Heading to graduate school? Find a Sister pursuing a similar degree and team up to present at a conference or submit an article for publication.
• Moving? Your Sisters live around the world! Use them as a resources for your relocation. An alumnae chapter or alumnae Panhellenic can help you become part of the community.
• Need a referral for a service provider? Contact your Sisters for their recommendations for realtors, dog walkers, home improvement and repair companies, etc.
• Looking for a discount on insurance, banking/financial services, textbooks, etc.? Alpha Sigma Tau has partnerships with affinity programs that provide those services at a discounted rate.
• Looking for volunteer opportunities? Hone your leadership, financial, operations, and other skills that will serve you well in your career and in your community by volunteering with Alpha Sigma Tau.
• Need experience working with a diverse group of people? Generational differences in the workplace are common. Your continued involvement with Alpha Sigma Tau can teach you how to form and navigate multi-generational relationships.

I’d like to share a friendly reminder with our graduating seniors: Commencement means “beginning” not “ending.” While this is a time of transition for you, I hope that you will remember that Alpha Sigma Tau will stay with you as you move to a new city, start a new job, or enroll in graduate school in a different state. Your undergraduate sorority experience may only last a few years, but the benefits of membership in Alpha Sigma Tau will last a lifetime. Just ask the members of Delta Rho Chapter (15th anniversary), Alpha Xi Chapter (50th anniversary), Omicron Chapter (85th anniversary) or the many other chapters celebrating anniversary milestones this year!