Sigma Society changes constitutional pronouns to include all adults | New

Sigma Society changed its constitution to allow anyone of any gender to participate in the organization.

Sigma Society was founded in 1970, originally as a women’s service organization. It helps local charities like the Nodaway County Humane Society and national charities like Ronald McDonald House. In its original constitution, all pronouns were limited to her, her, young women, and the fraternity.

Last semester a suggestion was left in an anonymous comments box. He mentioned that some of the members may not identify with standard pronouns. The original constitution of the Sigma Society was made up entirely of female pronouns. These have been removed and placed with gender-neutral terms. For example, whenever the term “women” was used, it was replaced by “adults”.

Sigma Society President Jalyn Bryan has said she is ready for change.

“We’ve had members in our past who didn’t go through her but rather through them,” Bryan said. “Gender identity has always been quite fluid with our members. So it’s nice to be able to accept people and give them their appropriate pronouns to make them feel welcome.

Adrienne Reynolds is an education consultant for Sigma Society, and she believes in accepting more people, regardless of gender.

“This shouldn’t be just an organization for women, because it’s an organization of service and giving back to the community,” Reynolds said.

By removing all pronouns from its constitution, Sigma Society has now opened the door for men and non-binary people to join their organization.

“The service must be open to everyone. It shouldn’t have a gender tag, ”Bryan said. “Men have just as much right to serve our community and be part of an organization that serves the community as women. We are therefore totally open to anyone who shares the same values ​​as our organization.

Sigma Society parliamentarian Kayla Torres, who made the changes to the constitution, said the revisions made her feel better about the future of the Sigma Society.

“I understand that at first we were just a women’s organization, but opening up to be more inclusive will be better for everyone, especially if it means everyone feels more comfortable.” , Torres said.

The change in the constitution makes some adjustments to the way new members join. When a new person joins the organization, each member will provide their pronouns.

“I just think it’s fabulous that we’ve become so inclusive and that the students want to have an organization that they can not only give to their community, but also make others feel at home in that same organization,” said said Reynolds.

Bryan hopes other campus organizations will follow suit and remove gendered language from their constitutions.

“I hope other organizations will follow suit. I think it will be good and it would help everyone find their place without having to worry about whether people will accept me or respect my pronouns, ”said Bryan.

Those who wish to join the Sigma Society can visit its website and communicate with their hiring managers.