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Again, thank you all so much. All of us "kids" have really been out of the "greek world" for a while and all this support is great.
As a side note: I recently came across this site by accident and have checked it out off and on. I really haven't felt a "need" to post until now.
I guess it is OK to discuss which sorority since it might help. Besides, my sister's last name - her married name - is different than mine. And my last name is different than our Mother's maiden name. So I think it might be difficult for the headquarters to hunt her down. If not, I'll be sure to give her a call so she can get a running start.
My Mother and sister are members of Sigma Sigma Sigma.
Some more history.
When Mother attended college, back in the 1940's, the college was considered a "teacher's college". Tri Sigma was the first sorority - or any greek organization - to colonize at the school. At the time, Tri Sigma was a member of the Association of Education Sororities or Education Sororities Association. Not sure what the name was, but it was the national group for educational sororities at the time. I believe that Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Sigma Tau are the other members from the Association that merged with NPC. Which happened shortly after Mother's initiation. In any case, a lot of my Mother's stuff has to do with this association. i.e. The Association's guidelines, rules etc. for the member organizations.
So by the time my sister was initiated, Tri Sigma had joined NPC. So between the two of them, they have a history of their chapter which is also an important part of the history of the school's greek organizations. Which is why the university museum is interested in their items. (My sister would also "lend"/"donate" her items as well.) And while I haven't seen this stuff - my sister, being the good Tri Sigma won't let us "boys" see anything about ritual etc... - there may very well be some historical significance for Sigma Sigma Sigma specifically.
And to be clear, my sister would only give "public information" regarding Tri Sigma to the university museum. Which is why I wrote in my original post that my friend, the curator of the university museum, was a member of another sorority and should not have access to Tri Sigma rituals and secrets. As such, all Tri Sigma secrets would remain with my sister, in the family or would go to either the chapter or nation headquarters.
On the other hand, having as much of this chapter's history together would make for such a better historical presentation. Either on the local or national level. Thus the debate about giving our Mother's items to either the local chapter, the national headquarters or the university museum. And if necessary, how to break up all of the items.
Our family is very proud of our Mother's accomplishments. Only a select few, out of the whole women's student body, were chosen to be Sigmas. We are very proud that our Mother was so honored and was able to help colonize her chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma. So this is not only a part of Tri Sigma history but that of the university as well.
Our Mother continued to be active with Tri Sigma throughout her life. She would often host teas for the local chapter. Every so often, members would come by our home to visit with, and to show their respect to, our Mother. Mother, always the gracious Southern woman, would great these women - her sisters - with open arms. So in turn, we children learned to respect the Sigma sisterhood as well. Which is why there is a special place for Sigma Sigma Sigma with the whole family and not just my sister. And why we all want to do the best for all involved. Our family, the university, their chapter and the national headquarters.
Again, thank you all for your help and patience with these long and rambling posts. I think I will post on the Tri Sigma forum to get their input.
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