SIGMA KAPPA Sigma Kappa

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Diversity & Inclusion

 

It has been over a year since Sigma Kappa began intentionally incorporating diversity and inclusion throughout all aspects of our organization. Remaining open-hearted complements our purpose to provide women lifelong opportunities for support in their social, intellectual and spiritual development. The Sorority values individuality and diversity and stresses the importance of treating each other with care, respect and tolerance.

 

We have positioned Sigma Kappa to adapt and respond to a rapidly changing world and remain current with the trends and challenges we face. We are aware that diversity of all types benefits both our individual members and our organization as a whole. Sigma Kappa will continue to invest in our commitment to diversity and inclusion by enabling open dialogue, researching and identifying opportunities where we can be more inclusive and achieve relevance beyond the norms.

 

What We’ve Accomplished
  • Focused on diversity and inclusion (D&I) as one of the three key trends relevant to planning for change
  • Incorporated D&I programming at RLC and Volunteer Summit
  • Created D&I chairman role for collegiate chapters
  • Developed D&I workshops facilitated by Live with Heart Facilitation Team
  • Designed support materials and resources (see “Resources” section)
  • Identified a staff member responsible for leading diversity initiatives in collaboration with leadership, staff and members
  • Appointed a ritual taskforce to focus on inclusive language
  • Launched a D&I workgroup made up of members representing a variety of ages, experiences and expertise
  • Held staff trainings on D&I
  • Made intentional decisions throughout the organization to use more inclusive images and language in publications, book selections, on social media posts and on The LowDown Podcast

 

What We’re Working On
  • Developing SKILLab modules for D&I chairman
  • Surveying collegians and alumnae
  • Featuring D&I in the Autumn Sigma Kappa Triangle “Navigating Change” issue
  • Adding D&I update to caregivers page on website

 

Resources
 
Live with Heart Facilitator Team

Sigma Kappa’s Live with Heart Facilitator Team is a group of skilled alumnae members with expertise in engaging facilitation and communication with college-aged learners. These energetic and dynamic women will be trained to facilitate workshops for our collegiate chapters in an effort to provide vibrant education and development opportunities for our members.

Each facilitator will commit to volunteering their time, energy and wisdom to promote Sigma Kappa’s values and purpose by conducting a facilitation experience at a collegiate chapter at least once per term.

Potential Facilitation Topics
  • Diversity and inclusion (Identity and Inclusion Series, similarities/differences, religious identity, etc.)
  • Healthy relationships (sexual assault awareness, domestic violence awareness, etc.)
  • Member safety and supportive sisterhoods (friendship and sisterhood, accountability, etc.)
  • Mental health (positive body image, stress, eating disorder awareness, depression, self-care, etc.)
  • Personal development (StrengthsFinder, personal brands, goal-setting, etc.)

 

Collegiate Chapter Benefits

Members of the Live with Heart Facilitator Team will be trained to facilitate programs that are challenging to be peer led. Often, having a person visit a chapter with whom the chapter members are not as familiar allows for deeper and more meaningful conversation and learning. It is imperative that our sisters have the opportunity to engage with strong, confident women who can help to empower our members to be the best version of themselves! 

There are numerous reasons your chapter might request a Life with Heart facilitator visit.

  • Chapter goals: Your chapter might have identified an area of focus for the term that an outside facilitator has more expertise in than your members.
  • Difficult conversations: There is much going on in society and in the lives of our members that call for difficult conversations. A Live with Heart facilitator can come in and guide the chapter through these in a supportive and non-judgmental way.
  • Sisterhood retreat: A Live with Heart facilitator is a great option for an outside facilitator to infuse some guided educational programming into your sisterhood retreat plan.
  • Breath of fresh air: Sometimes a new face and new voice is just refreshing. The Live with Heart facilitator team can be that for your chapter!
 
Cost to Chapter

The national organization will cover the cost of travel, accommodations, food during travel and any supplies the facilitator will need for the Live with Heart team to visit our chapters! The chapter should be prepared to cover any costs related to renting a space/facility for the program and snacks/meals for the chapter and facilitator during the program.

Want more information about bringing a Live with Heart facilitator to your chapter? Check out this Frequently Asked Questions document.

 

Become a Live with Heart Facilitator 

*Applications for the 2018-2019 academic year will close on September 7 at 11:59 p.m.*

Anyone interested in serving as a Live with Heart facilitator should follow the steps below:

Complete the application here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SigmaKappaFacilitationTeam

  1. Please note: that all applicants will be asked to provide two references who can speak to their facilitation abilities.
  2. Selected applicants will be asked to submit a video sample of themselves facilitating. More details will be provided to those selected to move on to this stage.
  3. Alumnae selected to serve on the Live with Heart facilitation team will participate in a weekend long training and conduct their first visit in the spring 2019 term.


Looking for more information on becoming a Live with Heart facilitator? Check out this Frequently Asked Questions document.

Do you know of someone who would make a great Live with Heart facilitator? Please complete our brief recommendation form: http://bit.ly/LWHFTRec

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the time commitment to serve as a Live with Heart facilitator?

A: Live with Heart facilitators are expected to attend the annual training and make a visit once per academic term (fall and spring). However, because this is a new initiative during the 2018-2019 academic year Live with Heart facilitators will attend training in the fall term and conduct one visit during the spring term.


Q: How do I know if I am qualified?

A: All Sigma Kappa alumnae are eligible to apply. However, if you are a current nationally appointed volunteer (advisory board supervisor, recruitment supervisor, coordinator, director or any other volunteer appointment approved on an annual or biannual cycle) you are ineligible to simultaneously hold both roles. If you have questions about this, please email facilitators@sigmakappa.org.

Q: Can I recommend someone to be a part of the Live with Heart Facilitator Team?

A: Yes, but recommendations are not required. If you know a Sigma Kappa that would make a great Live with Heart facilitator we encourage you to complete our brief recommendation form: http://bit.ly/LWHFTRec.


Q: How do I apply? What is the selection process like?

A: All interested alumnae should complete an application, http://bit.ly/LWHFTapp. All applicants will be asked to provide two references who can speak to their facilitation abilities. After the initial application review, selected applicants will be asked to submit a video sample of themselves facilitating. More details will be provided to those selected to move on to this stage. Alumnae selected to serve on the Live with Heart Facilitator Team will participate in a weekend long training and conduct their first visit in the spring of 2019.

For the 2018-2019 academic year, we hope to have applicants chosen in early August to adequately prepare for facilitator training. We encourage you to apply early.

 

 

Questions? Email facilitators@sigmakappa.org
Talkspace for Alumnae

Sigma Kappa understands everyone needs someone to talk to at times, and for women who are on-the-go, it can sometimes be hard to find time to get help. Because we are dedicated to the wellness of our members, Sigma Kappa has partnered with Talkspace to provide personal, convenient and confidential online counseling at a discounted rate to our alumnae members by providing a voucher code to use for online counseling. For more information about Talkspace, visit www.talkspace.com

To access the exclusive code for Talkspace, please complete the form below and the voucher code will immediately be emailed to you. By submitting this form you are affirming you are a member of Sigma Kappa.

Talkspace Code

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use the code?

This code can be used only by members of Sigma Kappa. It does not matter how involved you are in Sigma Kappa. 

Can I share this code?

Unfortunately not at this time. This code is to be used only by members of Sigma Kappa.  

How does Talkspace work? 

Talkspace is designed to be easy to use no matter where you are. Once you have set up your account you’ll be asked to complete a brief assessment. This assessment will take you less than two minutes to complete. Based on the answers to the assessment questions, you’ll be matched with three counselors. Once you have read their profiles and selected the one that is best for you, you can begin messaging the same day. Talkspace counselors are available five days a week and you have unlimited text, audio or video messaging with them once you begin! 

 

Is Talkspace meant for emergency situations? 

No. If you are experiencing a crisis or may be in danger, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. You can also use these resources to get immediate help. 

Will Sigma Kappa know if I'm using Talkspace? 

The usage of Talkspace is 100% private. Sigma Kappa will not know if you are using Talkspace. 

What does the code cover?

This code offers a discount only on the 1 or 3-month plans. It cannot be used on the 6-month plan or couples therapy. Monthly plan information can be found on the Talkspace website or by contacting Talkspace directly.

Does Talkspace accept insurance?

At this time Talkspace do not accept insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. It may be helpful for you to know that some Talkspace customers use a normal credit card or PayPal for their subscription and then submit the bill to their Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

 

 

 
Talkspace for Collegians

Sigma Kappa understands everyone needs someone to talk to at times, but for on-the-go college students with various academic and extracurricular responsibilities, it can sometimes be hard to find time to get help. Because we are dedicated to the wellness of our members, Sigma Kappa has partnered with Talkspace to provide personal, convenient and confidential online counseling to our collegiate members.

Talkspace is perfect for the college lifestyle because it is counseling for how students live today. According to the NAMI, 1 in 5 college students cope with a mental health issue at a given time. Because the average mental health counselor to student ratio on college campuses is 1 counselor to every 1,737 students, access to Talkspace will provide Sigma Kappa’s undergraduate members counseling whenever they need without having to make an appointment or tell anyone. The platform is designed to allow someone to text, audio or video message a counselor when it is convenient for them. For more information about Talkspace, visit www.talkspace.com.

RESULTS FROM OUR FIRST YEAR:

  • 91% of our collegiate chapters have at least one member who has used Talkspace.
  • Over 700 collegiate members have signed up for this service, and over 300 of those collegiate members signed up during the first few weeks Talkspace was available to them.
  • In December, we launched a code for alumnae members providing them access to Talkspace services at a discounted rate. This code is also available to collegiate members who want to continue their use of Talkspace after their two free months have been used.
  • Our members who have used Talkspace have reported feeling more comfortable dealing with anxiety and depression, roommate issues and balancing commitments and responsibilities.
  • Eight out of ten members would recommend using Talkspace to their friends.
  • The NHC has allocated funds for member corporations to install private spaces in chapter houses so that members feel safe and secure when conducting Talkspace sessions. Check with your local corporation board president for more information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign up to use Talkspace?

New undergraduate users of Talkspace can visit our partnership website at talkspace.com/sigmakappa and sign up with their email address. Once you have signed up, follow the prompts to finish creating your account and begin using the service.

Returning undergraduate users should contact Talkspace customer service to reopen their account and begin using the service again. You can contact Talkspace customer service at support@talkspace.com.


How does Talkspace work?

Talkspace is designed to be easy to use no matter where you are. Once you have set up your account you’ll be asked to complete a brief assessment. This assessment will take you less than two minutes to complete. Based on the answers to the assessment questions, you’ll be matched with three counselors. Once you have read their profiles and selected the one that is best for you, you can begin messaging the same day. Talkspace counselors are available five days a week and you have unlimited text, audio or video messaging with them once you begin!

Is Talkspace meant for emergency situations?

No. If you or anyone you know are in a crisis situation or may be in danger, call +1 (800) 273-8255 or use these resources to get immediate help.

 

Who is covered by this partnership?

Currently, Sigma Kappa is offering unlimited Talkspace messaging to all undergraduate members for up to two months during the academic year, completely free of charge as funds allow.

What can I talk to a Talkspace counselor about?

You can talk to your Talkspace counselor about anything. We know that college life is busy and there are lots of factors that contribute to a member's individual health and wellness. Talkspace counselors are there to listen and offer you help with whatever you’re facing.

 

Do I have to use my three months consecutively, or can I split them up?

Your two months need to be used consecutively. All undergraduate members will receive access to two free months of counseling from Talkspace each academic year as funds allow.

 

What happens when I’ve used my three months of Talkspace?

If you have used your two free months of unlimited Talkspace messaging, you can use a code to receive a discounted rate on additional 1 or 3-month plans. Complete the form in the Talkspace for Alumnae accordion above to receive this new code.

 

How can I share this with my chapter members?

There are a number of informational flyers and posters that we have available for you to share! Click here to access those. If there is a resource that you’d like to see, you can contact Mary Phillips Carlson, director of educational programs, and share your ideas with her.