Expansion Terms

Colony – term used to describe a Tri Sigma group before they receive their charter

Installation Goals – goals and requirements (similar to Accreditation) that a colony must achieve before they receive their  charter

Installation – weekend of events to recognize the colony’s completion of installation goals. Includes initiation, officer installation, welcome to new member meeting, and celebration banquet where the chapter’s charter is presented, awards are given, and the chapter’s doll is presented. The chapter doll is a Tri Sigma tradition – for every installed chapter, the women create a doll representative of the times and their campus. The dolls are then displayed at our National Headquarters in recognition of the chapter. It is always a highlight when members come to tour the house.

Sail Away Retreat – a day long retreat where the new colony women learn about what it means to be a colony. We define Tri Sigma’s principles and values and try to get the group to come to some consensus of “who they want to be” on campus and what “makes this group relevant” to a woman’s university experience. This is the beginning of the sisterhood building process. They’ll also receive their installation goals, be placed on committees, elect Honor Council, determine which Arc Sequence group they’ll participate in, and receive/review chapter calendars.