Constitution of Sigma Phi Lambda
Sisters for the Lord

The sorority is named Sisters for the Lord. The Greek letters used to symbolize this are
Sigma Phi Lambda (Phi Lamb), which is the basis for our symbol the lamb. Psalm 100:3,
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the
sheep of his pasture." We are the sheep for whom the spotless lamb committed the ultimate
sacrifice. The sorority verse is Romans 15:5-6, " May the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so
that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sigma Phi Lambda exists for the sole purpose of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ and
making his name great. This is done by providing a source of fellowship to Christian women
who sincerely seek to know His person, His will, and His ways. Sigma Phi Lambda is an
organization of sisters for the Lord where fellowship with our most high God is fostered
by growth in unity with one another. The purpose comes from the name, "for the Lord."
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
Because of this purpose, the sorority is not presently nor will it ever be panhellenic. It is the
sorority's desire to abide by the rules God has given rather than the rules and traditions of
the panhellenic society.

Phi Lamb has adopted the apostles creed as its statement of beliefs:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ,
His only son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the
Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He went
down to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated
at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe
in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection
of the body, and the life everlasting.
*the word catholic is used in this context to mean universal

Any female student is eligible for membership of Sigma Phi Lambda. No individual will be
refused membership on the grounds of race, national origin, age, handicap, appearance,
or social status. Potential members will be admitted into Phi Lamb during a week of rush at
the beginning of a semester with the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
This decision is based upon the potential member's expressed desire to grow in a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. The girls will serve one semester of pledgeship. At the end
of the pledgeship the girls will be initiated into the sorority and assume full membership.

Article V - Officers:

To become an officer, a girl must have been active for at least one semester. She will hold
her position for one school year. The role of the officers is to be servants of Phi Lamb.
Matt. 20:26, "...whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant." The officers
exist only to guide the members of the sorority as the Lord shows them. All members of
Phi Lamb are called upon to share in the duties of the sorority.

Elected Officers:
Elected officers make up a council that is responsible for the leadership of the sorority. This
leadership is a cooperative effort of all five girls and relies upon their delegation of responsibility
to various committees. If an officer is incapable of fulfilling her duties, she will be dismissed by
the sorority and her position maintained by the remaining four officers until an election can be
held. Each chapters officers will correspond with the Alumni Board by sending an alumni
newsletter or a completed chapter surveyto an assigned member of the board to ensure
communication and accountability with each chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda.The officers will be
directly responsible for the minor and routine decisions of Phi Lamb. The will also be
responsible for the final major decisions after a majority vote has been obtained from the
quorum. No major decisions will be made without prayer and confirmation of the Lord's will.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7

1) President - The president is the supervisor and coordinator of all activities within and concerning
the sorority. She is a figurehead and the public representative of Phi Lamb. The president is responsible
for directing the meetings.

2) Vice President - The vice- president is overseer of all social activities.

3) Chaplain - The chaplain is involved in the spiritual growth of the sorority and in keeping it focused
on the Father's plan for us. She is in charge of Phi Lamb's prayer life, devotionals, and retreats. The
chaplain is responsible for the praise and worship time at the meetings.

4) Treasurer - the treasurer is responsible for the financial decisions and transactions of Phi Lamb.

5) Secretary - The secretary is responsible for all correspondence during the year including the summer
immediately following her election, minutes of the meeting, room reservations, service projects, and the
calendar of events.

Article VI - Meetings:

Regular meetings, pledge meetings, and officer meetings will be held weekly for one and a half hours.
Special meetings may be called by an officer as the need arises. The procedure of regular meetings is
based upon Col 3:16, " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
The meetings will include songs lead by the praise and worship team. Group prayer is also a part of weekly
meetings. This is a time when each girl may pray aloud as she desires. No member is obligated to pray
aloud. A short devotional given by an active of Phi Lamb is another part of a regular meeting. A time of
sharing will also be included. During this time, each girl is allowed to share what is on her heart. Discretion
should be used by each girl concerning the content of her words and the attitude with which they are given.
Confidentiality is required. Finally, a time of business is included. At this time announcements are made
and activities are organized. Meetings should never become so business oriented that the needs of the
members are no longer the first priority.

Article VII - Method to Amend the Constitution:

The constitution may be amended upon the unanimous consent of the active members of the Alumni Board.
The Alumni Board must be contacted with any requests for amendments. Refer to the Alumni Board
Constitution for further guidance.

Article VIII - Dissolution Clause:

Phi Lamb may be dissolved by an unanimous vote of the Alumni Board. Refer to the Alumni Board
Constitution for the formal procedures in any dissolution of a chapter.

Article IX - Establishment of a New Chapter:

A new chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda may be established on any college campus with the approval of
all the current officers in the Texas Alpha Chapter. The new chapter must adopt the charter and bylaws
of the Texas Alpha Chapter.

Article X - Membership Requirements:

Sorority members may be classified as pledge, active, inactive, or alumni.

In order to be a pledge, she must abide by the following standards (unless some specific situation arises
and is approved by her pledge trainers)
1. She must be under the covering of or seeking a church home.
2. She must be actively involved in a Bible study. Sorority meetings do not provide adequate study of
the scriptures necessary for Christian growth.
3. She must attend 80% of active and pledge meetings.
4. She must pay semester dues to Sigma phi Lambda.
5. She must attend the pledge retreat.
6. She must attend Phi Lamb prayer once a week. "Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and
thankful" Col. 4:2 7.
7. She must fulfill her service requirement.

In order to be active a member must abide by the following standards (unless some specific situation
arises and is approved by the appropriate officer).
1. She must be under the covering of or seeking a church home.
2. She must be actively involved in a Bible study. Sorority meetings do not provide adequate study of
the scriptures necessary for Christian growth.
3. She must attend 80% of active meetings.
4. She must pay semester dues to Sigma Phi Lambda.
5. She must attend the retreat.
6. She must attend Phi Lamb prayer once a week.
7. She must fulfill her service requirement
8. She must be present 3 of the 4 days of rush, one being the final day of rush.

Actives may be suspended by a majority vote of the officers after much prayer and movement by the
Lord. An active member may choose to go inactive. Under such circumstances the above rules do not
apply to her. She may not participate in closed activities, however she is welcome to resume her active
status for a later semester.

Article XI - Alumni:

An alumna is any member of Phi Lamb who is no longer attending a school with a Sigma Phi Lambda
chapter. An alumna is permitted to attend any meetings or social activity. However, she is not permitted
to participate in voting. The title of alumna is transferred as a privilege.

Article XII - Financial policy:

Dues will be collected each semester. These dues can not exceed the cost of three credit hours at the
local state college. Each semester the officers must estimate a projected budget before the semester begins.
The budget will then be reviewed and finalized after the number of girls who will be able to pay dues is
determined. Five percent of the actual income will be set aside in the housing fund. Ten percent will be
set aside for service work or some sort of tithe. The budget will then be based on 80% of the actual funds.
The last five percent will be saved for emergency. It is the responsibility of the treasurer to be sure the money
is spent wisely. If a member cannot pay, she needs only to talk to the treasurer at the beginning of the
semester and will not be required to pay·

Article XIII - Acknowledgments:

Sigma Phi Lambda was founded with prayer, the Lord's guidance, and great love by the founders and
charter members in the Spring of 1988. The five founders are Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maegen,
Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow. The eight charter members are
Jeana Clary, Bonnie Collins Turner, Jennifer Ford Borger, Julie Heflin Ertl, Debbie Hoehner, Kathleen
Sullivan Kimbrough, Julie Trevino Mannella and April Williams Murphy." For this reason since the day
we heard about you we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge
of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a
life worthyof the Lord and you may please Him in every way:

Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power
according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving
thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints and the kingdom of light."
Colossians 1:9-12