The organization of the groups which formed Gamma Sigma Sigma as a National Service Sorority is attributed to the women of Drexel Institute of Technology, a local service sorority known as Gamma Sigma Sigma.  After searching for other groups having similar ideals and purposes, the Drexel group discovered the Omega Service Sorority at Boston University and the Women’s Service Organization at New York University.  After periodic informal contacts and information exchanges about their local organizations, the three groups determined they had nearly identical ideas, service programs, and ideals.  A Constitutional Convention was scheduled to establish formal ties and form a National Service Sorority.

 

The Constitutional Convention was held at Beekman Towers in New York City, October 10-12, 1952.  Representatives attended the meeting from Boston University, Brooklyn College, Drexel Institute of Technology, Los Angeles City College, New York University, Queens College, University of Houston, and University of Miami-Florida.  During these three days, a national constitution was drafted and adopted, officers were elected (Barbara Van Sciver from Drexel was the first National President) and a name was selected for the new National Service Sorority.  The date commemorating the Constitutional Convention, October 12, is designated as Founder’s Day for our sorority.

 

Selection of a name proved difficult for the organizations attending the Constitutional Convention and the results proved to be a model of diplomacy.  Consideration was given to two names: Gamma Sigma Sigma, the name of the Drexel group, and Alpha Gamma Chi, the name used by Los Angeles City College and the University of Houston for their two-chapter “national” organization.  The name Gamma Sigma Sigma was adopted and the official national pin and other symbols used by Alpha Gamma Chi were adopted as the official insignia of the sorority, with some small alterations for the new name.

 

Members of Brooklyn College requested that maroon and white be established as the colors of Gamma Sigma Sigma.  These colors identified their organization on campus and maroon and white were accepted as the official sorority colors.  Lastly, each group expressed a preference for a chapter designation.  Each chapter was named with a letter from the first eight letters of the Greek alphabet.  Consequently, as each new chapter is chartered, it is awarded a Greek letter designation in Greek alphabetical order.

 

Since the founding chapters sis not have sufficient time during that first Constitutional Convention to adopt ceremonies, the assignment was given to the members of the Drexel group (Zeta chapter).  Member-in-training, Initiation, and Officer Installation ceremonies were to be written which reflected a combination of the ceremonies used by all the founding chapters.  The National Constitution went into effect on January 1, 1953.

 

© Gamma Sigma Sigma, Member-In-Training Handbook