Gamma Iota Sigma - Sigma Chapter

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Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) is a college academic fraternity, founded on April 16, 1966 at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Gamma Iota Sigma is an international professional fraternity organized to promote, encourage and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science as professions. It aims to encourage high moral and scholastic attainments and to facilitate the interaction and cooperation of educational institutions, industry, and professional organizations by fostering research, scholarship, and improved public relations.

Mission Statement

The purpose of Gamma Iota Sigma is to encourage, establish, and enhance the professionalism of students in The Risk Management, Healthcare Risk Management, and Actuarial Science programs. As a fraternal organization, they also strive to build a sense of community and cohesion among members while improving their career opportunities through increased knowledge of the industry. In addition, the Sigma Chapter aims to prepare our members to interact comfortably with industry leaders and form contacts that will serve them throughout their career. It carries this out by utilizing valuable resources, including our International Grand Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, the Fox School of Business and Management, a rich tradition in a strong professional team network and a Distinguished Alumni Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma.

Chapter Recognition

Chapter Awards

Chartered on November 21, 1980, the Sigma Chapter at Temple University is one of 47 Gamma Iota Sigma chapters throughout the world. Throughout its history, the Sigma Chapter has won several national awards.

Most Improved Chapter Award 1987-1988, 1991-1992
Membership Development Award 1993-1994, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Public Relations Award 1996-1997,1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Industry Relations Award 1991-1992, 1994-1995
The National Conference Award 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002
Chapter Management Award 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Alumni Relations Award 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Warren L. Weeks Scholarship 1993-Maryann Amici; 1996-Virginia Roth; 1998-Marc A. Savasta; 2000-Sunny Cutler; 2004–Noelle Salamone
Anita Benedetti Memorial Award 1998-Marc A. Savasta; 1999-Jennifer Paretchan
Grand Chapter Leadership Award 1997-Richard Dyke; 2000-Jennifer Paretchan
Alan C. Williams Leadership Award 2003–Samuel Codispoti; 2005–Noelle Salamone
Elizabeth Lange/Microsoft Scholarship 2001-Matt Holtz; 2002–Kristin Rimer; 2003–Damita Williams; 2004–Cindy Li; 2005–Kimberly Miguel
National Student Representative Outstanding Achievement Award 2001-Chris Armstrong
Black & Gold Awards Chapter Handbook 1992-1993; Chapter Reactivation Handbook 1995-1996; General Information Package 1996-1997; Member Handbook 1996-1997; Guide to Organizing and Executing a Career Fair 1996-1997; RIMS Relations 1997-1998; Resume Book Fundraising 1997-1998; How to Create a Monthly Report 1997-1998; Creating an Effective Website 1998-1999; How to Host the Annual Conference 1998-1999; Publishing an Alumni Newsletter 1998-1999; How to Plan an Officer’s Retreat 1999-2000; Actuarial Science Student Involvement 2000-2001; Public Relations Committee 2000-2001; Student Affairs Committee 2001-2002; Philadelphia Excursion 2001-2002; Resume Generator 2001-2002; Alumni Call-A-Thon 2002-2003; Math Competition 2002-2003; How to Organize Business School-wide Community Service Event 2003-2004; Professional Designation Subcommittee 2003-2004; Professional Designation Subcommittee 2003-2004; Connection to the Industry 2004-2005; Membership Development Opportunities 2004-2005; How to Run a Date Auction 2004-2005; Alumni Luncheon 2005-2006; Internship Board 2005-2006; How to Run a Lady Luck Lottery Fundraiser 2005-2006; Sigma Chapter 25th Anniversary Celebration 2005-2006; How to Run a Beef N' Beverage Event 2005-2006, How to Run a Corporate Trek 2005-2006
GIS Scholarship 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

Edison L. Bowers Award

Most notably, the chapter has been awarded the Edison L. Bowers Award that is awarded annually to the best chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma in the country. The Sigma Chapter at Temple University has received this award for each of the following years:

1992-1993, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006

This award is based on consistent and successful projects in the areas of Public Relations, Industry Relations, Alumni Relations, New Chapter Development, Punctuality of Reporting, Membership Development and Inter-Fraternal Relations.

The awards are presented at each Gamma Iota Sigma Annual Management Conference. Temple University's Sigma Chapter hosted this conference in 1996 in Philadelphia, co-hosted the conference with Indiana State University in San Diego, California in 1998, hosted the conference in Dallas, Texas again in 1999 and again in Philadelphia in the Fall of 2002. The 2006 conference will be hosted by the Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Indiana State University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Committees

Executive Committee

It is the Executive Committee's job to oversee all that happens in the Sigma Chapter. As the head of the chapter, they play a hand in all final decisions made regarding chapter events, expenditures, etc.

Alumni Affairs

The Alumni Affairs Committee is designed to maintain relationships with former Gamma Iota Sigma members. They maintain a large database of alumni information for use in fundraising and social activities. Through alumni happy hours and newsletters, the Alumni Affairs Committee is charged with keeping alumni abreast of current events within the Gamma Iota Sigma- Sigma Chapter community.

Finance

The Finance Committee seeks financial sponsors for the annual resume book. The Committee is very important to the survival of the organization. According to estimates, it costs over $150 per member to run the organization. Therefore, since by only charging $110 in dues, the other portion of that cost must come from fund raising.

Student Affairs

The Student Affairs Committee is designed to cultivate relations between Gamma Iota Sigma and the various communities of Temple University, the Fox School of Business and the Risk Management and Insurance professional community. They promote Gamma Iota Sigma activities at all university wide events. The structure of this committee is to involve the members to partake in Gamma Iota Sigma's events such as Socials, Gamma Games and fundraisers. The final responsibility of the Student Affairs committee will be to successfully execute the Annual Gamma Iota Sigma Dinner.

Membership Development

Since Gamma Iota Sigma thrives on its members' participation, in hopes that its members can develop professionally and socially through its coordinated events, they have developed created a committee that is responsible for managing and enhancing the professional knowledge of our members. Members of the Membership Development Committee will be responsible for overall membership involvement and participation in GIS sponsored events such as weekly meetings, professional seminars, and Gamma Games. This committee is also responsible for communicating with new members through generating new member packets and encouraging them to attend meetings, events and other functions.

Industry Relations

The Industry Relations Committee is charged with working on the Industry Relations part of the GIS website which will contain current events, internship testimonials, career testimonials and a career library. In addition, members of this Committee will help coordinate and participate in the Networking Lunch Program. Also, the Committee will be responsible for maintaining the physical Career Library.

Community Affairs

The Community Affairs Committee is charged with planning and executing charitable and social activities for Gamma Iota Sigma. Their purpose is to think of innovative ideas that Gamma Iota Sigma can do as an organization to help the less fortunate. For example, Community Affairs recently prepared and distributed food to the homeless in the Philadelphia area. Similar events that Student Affairs has participated in the past include the Ronald McDonald House, the Salvation Army, and the Trevor Place.

Public Relations

The Public Relations Committee is devoted to enhancing the knowledge of Gamma Iota Sigma throughout the Fox School of Business and Management as well as Temple University as a whole. Photo albums, bulletin boards, display cases, publications and documentation take up much of the time for public relations committee members and officers.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Members of this committee will be able to learn computer skills, as they will be working with and uploading information onto the Internet. The MIS committee is responsible for maintaining the Sigma Chapter's current website. This committee will be using technology to provide easily accessible information for the membership's professional development.

Philanthropy

Throughout the semester, the Sigma Chapter is involved with volunteering at the following events:

Events

Additionally, the Sigma Chapter hosts a variety of professional development and social activities for their members. They offer plenty of opportunities for students to get involved within the organization.

Professional Development

H. Wayne Snider Distinguished Guest Lecturer Series
Networking Lunch Program
Risk Management Intern Presentation
Risk Management Career Presentation
Actuarial Science Intern Presentation
Actuarial Science Career Presentation
Senior Interview Workshop
Etiquette Workshop
Intern Interview Workshop
CPCU Workshop
Mock Interviews
CEBS Workshop
Actuarial Exams Workshop
Senior Career Reception
Actuarial Science Intern Reception
Risk Management Intern Reception
Corporate Trek

Social Events

Gamma Games
Poker Tournament
Bowling Social
A Night with the Philadelphia 76ers
Cultural Dinner
A Night with the Philadelphia Phillies
Date Auction
Laff House
Roller Skating
Six Flags Fright Fest
Halloween Costume Party
Annual Dinner

Faculty

Faculty Advisor, Associate Professor and Chairman: Dr. R. B. Drennan

Assistant Director: Michelle Henry

Links

Gamma Iota Sigma

Sigma Chapter Homepage

Grand Chapter

Temple University

Fox School of Business at Temple University

Fox School of Business