More Good Advice from Jodi R.R. Smith!

As each of you know, the Foundation has partnered with Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting to bring their free monthly newsletter directly to our members. Our very own, Jodi R.R. Smith is the founder and president of the company. This month, Jodi offers up some spring fashion advice.

Spring Fashion is Nothing to Sneeze At
Newsletter 80 / April 2008

A fashionista I am not. I can barely tell the difference between Tahari and Target. Yet a polished and professional appearance is important to me, as it is to most of my clients. This spring I have noticed a surprisingly large number of people trying to be polished and missing the mark. Here are some of the fashion faux pas I have seen so far this spring, and their quick fixes!

Lose the Label ~ If you have just purchased the suit, blazer or jacket, look down. If there is a large rectangle label near the cuff of your left sleeve, cut it off. That tag is for the shopper to easily figure out what the item is made of before buying. Once the suit, blazer, or jacket is yours, the label no longer serves a purpose. Yes, you may need a seam-ripper or small, sharp scissors to remove the label. But to leave it on does not enhance your image.

Ixnay on the X ~ To keep the garment in tip-top condition while on the rack, the manufacturer adds a darted X of thread where there are pleats or vents. Once the garment is yours, you should be checking front, back and sides for any loosely sewn Xs to remove before wearing the outfit out of your home. (Many image consultants recommend leaving sewn pockets sewn to maintain the line of the garment.)

Zip to Fit ~ Just because you are able to zip, button or shimmy into an item does not mean it fits you. The fabric should not be stretched to the maximum while covering the minimum. Pay no mind to the size numbers on the tags, and pay much homage to the image in the mirror. If it looks too tight or if you have to ask a fellow shopper if it is too tight, it is too tight.

Re-Use or Re-Cycle ~ Before hitting the stores (brick or cyber), take stock in your own closet. Items you have not worn for more than two years need to go. Items that do not fit and items that are too big or too small need to go. Items that were part of a "former-life," but no longer work for your current life-style need to go. Once you have your To-Go pile, sort into smaller piles - one should be donated to charity and the other to be cut into rags.

Up a Notch ~ A general truism is that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Of course, showing up in ball gown or tuxedo to a summer picnic is a bit much. Instead consider the appropriate attire and then go up a notch. If everyone is in jeans and t-shirts, you should be in pressed khakis and a polo shirt. Through your attire, it is better to tell people you thought too much of them instead of not enough.

Down a Notch ~ In our casual society, some heady individuals throw caution - and good sense - to the wind. Just because you can wear something does not mean you should wear it. Your individuality need not be swallowed by convention. The event may call for business professional attire. While you would never be caught in a navy pin-striped suit, this does not mean you can default to Tevas and sweats. Instead, find a fabulous 1940's suit and have it tailored to your frame, choose a tie with panache, or wear that navy pin-striped suit with artistic accessories such as red framed glasses or funky jewelry. Being underdressed silently states that you are under prepared, for the event and perhaps for life.

Devil is in the Details ~ We infer competence via accessories. Do not overlook the extras. Great suit and scuffed shoes, fabulous gown and no earrings, or even baseball uniform and no glove; all scream inability to follow through on details. For a complete polished persona, whether on the athletic field, in the ballroom or in the boardroom, your accessories should communicate that you are prepared and ready for the event.

Quality vs. Quantity ~ There are some image consultants who will manage your wardrobe down to 50 essential items. Whether or not you are a minimalist, there are times to invest in your attire and times to grab a bargain. Remember, you should calculate your clothing cost by the number of times you will wear an item. You may be splurging on a classic overcoat, but if you faithfully wear that item for a decade, it has more than paid for itself. Whereas buying bargains for fashion fads and trends makes sense if that particular color or style will look dated in a month or two.

What is Old is New ~ Since fashion is designed to keep consumers buying, the styles are every changing. What is old suddenly becomes new again. What was short becomes long, low becomes high, tight becomes loose... you get the idea. Eventually you will see a fad you remember from your past. As my dear friend and mentor Ginger Burr is fond of saying about fads, "if you wore it the first time, you are too smart to wear it this time around."

Get Thee to a Tailor ~ The biggest secret to looking polished and pulled together well is an amazing tailor. Even those of you who can purchase clothing off the rack will be amazed at the difference a nip, tuck and hem at the hands of an experienced tailor can make. Sometimes the cost of the tailoring is more than the initial cost of the clothing... and still alterations make all the difference. A good tailor is worth double their weight in gold.

So this spring, as you change over your closet to match the season, do keep these faux pas and their fixes in mind. If changing over your closet is too much of an overwhelming chore, seek professional help. Here in the Boston area, I highly recommend:

• Ginger Burr of Total Image Consultants
• Mary Lou Andre of Organization By Design

Outside the Boston area, both Ginger and Mary Lou have written books and offer e-mail newsletters. Details can be found on their websites. Or, for personal help, seek an image consultant in your area.

Happy Spring!

About Jodi R. R. Smith: Jodi R. R. Smith is a proud Phi Sigma Sigma sister from our Delta Beta chapter and has been promoting better behaviors since 1986. Ms. Smith is a dynamic presenter who has worked with organizations, corporations, educational institutions and individuals to increase their social savvy and confidence levels. Ms. Smith's background in motivational psychology and human resources has served to reaffirm her belief that proper manners and etiquette are an essential part of functioning successfully in today's world.

Ms. Smith received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Rochester and her Master's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Ms. Smith is a human resources professional and an avid advocate of etiquette.

You can learn more about Jodi on her website at http://mannersmith.com/.

Congratulations to our Theta Gamma Chapter at Gannon University!

Congratulations to our chapter at Gannon University for their amazing accomplishments this year! We just received the good news that the chapter won three awards at their Greek Awards Banquet last week including Emerging Leader Award, Outstanding Sorority Chapter President and Outstanding Advisor Award. We are so proud of your accomplishments this year. Way to "Aim High!"

Was your chapter honored this year? Do you know of an amazing chapter sister or alumna who should be featured on the blog? If so, email us at foundation@phisigmasigma.org or leave a comment on this post!

A Great Ending to a Great Spring! Pictures from the Albany Leadership Conference

Pictures from the Fabulous Chicago Leadership Conference!

Going to the Theatre?

As each of you know, the Foundation has partnered with Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting to bring their free monthly newsletter directly to our members. Our very own, Jodi R.R. Smith is the founder and president of the company. This month, Jodi offers sage advice for all theatre patrons to help make sure everyone enjoys the show!

Audience and Applause
Newsletter 79 / March 2008

I adore going to the theater. Flipping channels on a television set pales in comparison to the experience and electricity of a staged production. I have had the good fortune of attending three live performances this past month, and being out-on-the-town for a bit of culture is always enjoyable. Whether you are attending a local-amateur production, visiting a smash-Broadway musical or experiencing the opera, there are some basic niceties that should be observed to insure everyone is able to enjoy the show.

Arrive Early ~ Plan your time carefully. You should anticipate and expect there will be traffic and crowds as others arrive for the show. Overestimate the time it will take you to arrive. Include time to find your seats, check your coats, visit the facilities and settle in well before the curtain is scheduled to rise.

Do Make Way ~ If you are closer to the aisle, do not get too comfortable if your row is still vacant. The easiest method to make way is to exit the row and allow others to enter. If that is not feasible, at least rise and fold in your chair so that others may pass. Given the spacing in many theaters, merely moving your legs to one side does not allocate enough room for most adults to pass without touching. When you are the one entering, do face the stage while edging down the row into your seat.

Observe Your Space ~ Clearly space is at a premium in most theaters. Do your best to keep all of your belongings and your body well within your real estate. If you have not checked your coat, your coat should not hang over the back of your chair into the aisle behind where you are sitting. Any packages and bags should be placed under your seat, not in the aisle. The allocation comes down to one armrest per customer.

No-no Noise ~ Your cell phone should be off, your jewelry should be silent and you will need to wait until intermission to open that hard candy. Even when you know every word to every song, you will need to save it for the shower. All distracting noises should be avoided so that the action from the stage can be heard.

Eat Outside ~ Plan ahead to have dinner first so that you are not starving during the performance. Or, have a snack before you come to the show if you plan on dining afterwards. Your neighbors should not be subjected to your chomping and chewing snacks or entrees during the show.

Watch Those Whispers ~ Theaters are designed for sound to carry. Do your best to keep your comments to yourself. Whispering to your neighbor distracts your neighbor as well as those around you. Your whispers may even distract the performers.

Polite Pictures ~ It is distracting and can be downright dangerous to see flashes from cameras during the show. Look for the theater policy. Most productions are lenient about snapping shots during the curtain calls. Video taping professional productions is never allowed.

Applaud Appropriately ~ At the end of acts, arias and certain songs, it is quite appropriate for the audience to show their appreciation. Clapping and even shouts of "bravo" are the usual demonstrations. Standing on your chair while whooping and whistling should be saved for sporting events.

Wait & Walk ~ As the show ends, take your time. The entire auditorium will need to empty. There will be those who move slowly and pushing will only make matters worse. You may stay in your seat and read the playbill, providing you allow your row-mates to pass, or you may turn on your cell phone and check your messages if waiting is too difficult for you. Once you enter the throngs streaming from the theater, do be sure to keep moving upon exiting. Stopping once you hit the street only creates a bottleneck for those trying to exit.

As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to emerge from the earth, I do hope you will find ways to expand your horizons and grow your art appreciation with some live theater. From community casts to award-winning productions, taking time to take in some theater is truly time well spent.

About Jodi R. R. Smith: Jodi R. R. Smith is a proud Phi Sigma Sigma sister from our Delta Beta chapter and has been promoting better behaviors since 1986. Ms. Smith is a dynamic presenter who has worked with organizations, corporations, educational institutions and individuals to increase their social savvy and confidence levels. Ms. Smith's background in motivational psychology and human resources has served to reaffirm her belief that proper manners and etiquette are an essential part of functioning successfully in today's world.

Ms. Smith received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Rochester and her Master's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Ms. Smith is a human resources professional and an avid advocate of etiquette.

You can learn more about Jodi on her website at http://mannersmith.com/.

Want to volunteer for the Transplant Games? Information now posted!

Are you interested in joining the Foundation at the 2008 Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, PA? If so, click here to check out our website for more details.

We are thrilled to be a $30,000 corporate sponsor of the Games and are looking forward to a weekend of sisterhood and service July 12-14! Hope you can join us!

A new blog feature from your friends at the Foundation and Mannersmith

We are so excited to bring a new feature to the blog this year! The Foundation has teamed up with Jodi R. R. Smith, a proud Phi Sigma Sigma sister and founder of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, to bring you Jodi's monthly newsletter directly to our blog. You'll get tons of practical advice and learn just what to do in those sticky etiquette situations. We hope you enjoy Jodi's newsletter as much as we do!

Have We Met? A Guide to On-Line Introductions
Newsletter 77 / February 2008

Being that it is February, the commercials for the on-line dating sites have been in high rotation on both television and radio stations. We know in our modern, fast-paced society, on-line dating works. In addition to their own success rates which are loudly touted on their sites, a solid percentage of the wedding gifts I have purchased recently have been for couples who have met on-line. Now clearly, when someone posts a profile, whether it is on a dating site or on a professional networking site, they are willing to be contacted by strangers. However, sharing someone's professional or private contact information without their expressed permission can be fraught with peril. As with all things having to do with etiquette, there is a right way and a rude way to introduce two people via an e-mail introduction.

Proper Protocol for On-line Introductions

In this day and age, privacy is a high priority. We must be respectful of other people's contact information. Before connecting two people, you need to make sure both are willing to interact by following the guidelines below.

You and Jared were chatting and drinking coffee while discussing his latest project. You realize that your colleague Sadie has expertise to offer in this particular area, and you mention Sadie in your conversation. Jared says he does not know Sadie and requests an introduction (or you may have volunteered the introduction). You do NOT share Sadie's information with Jared on the spot.

When you are back in your office, you contact Sadie, briefly describe Jared and his project, and ask permission to facilitate an introduction.

Sadie has the option to decline the introduction. Sadie need not offer an explanation why.

If Sadie declines, you contact Jared and express regret for not being able to help.

If Sadie agrees, you contact Jared to share Sadie's contact information. If this is done by e-mail, Sadie should be cc'ed on the e-mail between you and Jared. You should also e-mail Sadie separately any contact information for Jared so that she is not caught off guard when Jared contacts her.

Once the e-mail has been received, it is then up to Jared, who requested the introduction, to contact Sadie with an introductory e-mail sometime over the next few days. In this first e-mail he can request a telephone conversation or introductory meeting.

Whether or not Sadie is helpful to Jared, Jared should be thanking you in some way shape or form for the introduction and thanking Sadie for being willing to try to help.

Need help with a thank you note? Check out Mannersmith's Thank You Note Wizard.

February is the month of interpersonal connections. Join in, take an active role. If you have two friends you think may fancy each other or two business buddies who should be in each other's contact database, do consider the proper and polite way to introduce them to each other by e-mail. Who knows, your "Jared & Sadie" may become life long friends or the best of business partners.

About Jodi R. R. Smith: Jodi R. R. Smith is a proud Phi Sigma Sigma sister from our Delta Beta chapter and has been promoting better behaviors since 1986. Ms. Smith is a dynamic presenter who has worked with organizations, corporations, educational institutions and individuals to increase their social savvy and confidence levels. Ms. Smith's background in motivational psychology and human resources has served to reaffirm her belief that proper manners and etiquette are an essential part of functioning successfully in today's world.

Ms. Smith received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Rochester and her Master's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Ms. Smith is a human resources professional and an avid advocate of etiquette.

You can learn more about Jodi on her website at www.mannersmith.com.

LA Leadership Conference Photos Now Posted!

Foundation Blog Reaches a Milestone!

This post represents the 100th post to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation Blog. The Foundation's Board of Directors would like to thank our faithful readers, donors and friends who regularly check the blog and submit content to be published.

We are proud to reach out to our friends in a meaningful and innovative way that better connects all of us to the Foundation and Phi Sigma Sigma.

Thank you for enjoying the blog with us!

March 3: International Badge Day

Join Supreme Council and the Foundation Board of Directors in celebrating International Badge Day on Monday, March 3 by wearing your badge with pride! The Fraternity released this message to our membership:

Celebrate International Badge Day March 3

Show Your Greek Pride!

Elkridge,Md. - Phi Sigma Sigma invites collegiate and alumnae members alike to celebrate International Badge Day by wearing their Sphinxhead badges with pride on Monday, March 3.

The Sphinxhead binds us all to Phi Sigma Sigma and the entire Greek community, including the 25 other member organizations of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which sponsors International Badge Day each year.

"This is a great way to promote Greek sisterhood and the pursuit of professional and personal excellence among women," said Josette George Kaufman, Phi Sigma Sigma's NPC delegate and a past grand archon. "Thousands of women worldwide will be showing their Greek pride by wearing their badges, and we encourage everyone to participate."

This year's theme is "Wear Your Badge with Pride." A commemorative poster can be downloaded here.

The National Panhellenic Conference provides support and guidance for member inter/national sororities/women's fraternities and serves as the national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. Founded in 1902, NPC is one of the oldest and largest women's membership organizations, representing more than 3.9 million women at 655 college/university campuses and 4,500 local alumnae chapters in the United States and Canada.