Gamma Iota Sigma
Appalachian State University is the Rho Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), and we established our chapter in 1979. Through GIS we actively participate in regional and national Gamma Iota Sigma events, and our Rho chapter hosted their 2013 International Conference.
GIS is an international professional collegiate insurance organization sponsored by the Brantley Center. The purpose of the organization is to promote, encourage, and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science as a profession; to encourage high moral and scholastic attainments; and to facilitate the interaction and cooperation of educational institutions, industry, and professional organizations by fostering research, scholarship, and improved public relations.
Through regular meetings, guest speakers, and industry events, the GIS provides students with real-world exposure, networking, and the opportunity to build lasting friendships with classmates. Special industry-sponsored events such as job shadow days and Insurance Career Fairs are held each semester to acquaint the students with industry practices and foster industry relationships.
See the calendar of events here.
See recordings of past events here.
Learn more about the new "Summit Certification Program" for active AppState GIS members here: https://insurance.appstate.edu/students/summit-certification .
Join the AppState GIS chapter:
Membership in GIS exposes students to many travel, networking and professional development opportunities. Members must re-register each semester and include membership dues payable to AppState GIS. Since the organization is open to RMI and Actuarial Science majors, Employee Benefits minors, and to all majors, students are encouraged to join GIS as soon as they can. Students interested in joining GIS should contact the Faculty Advisor and stop by the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, #3053 Peacock Hall.
Complete our AppState Rho chapter Membership Form: HERE
Questions? Contact us!
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Marlett
Brantley Center Associate Director: Dillon Waschenbach
Current GIS Leadership
GIS President: Caroline Reeder
Roles & Responsibilities
- Schedule, prepare agenda and host weekly Monday leadership meetings
- Oversee all officers and their duties
- Assess the need for committees and appoint as needed
- Introduce programs at general membership meetings (speakers, etc.)
- Serve as student representative on Brantley Center Advisory Board
- Communicate with other campus clubs
- Attend President Round Table meetings
- Work closely with Executive VP and RMI Faculty
- Alumni Relations—communicate with recent alumni
- Work with Executive VP to build presentations and present as needed
- Coordinate Recruitment Dinner with Brantley Center team
- Sign new member certificates
Contact: reedercc@appstate.edu
GIS Vice President: Brooke Gruber
Roles & Responsibilities
Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
Submit monthly GIS reports to Grand Chapter
Assist in presenting to BRIC Advisory Board
Plan bi-annual leadership retreats
Work with National Gamma liaison
Manage google calendar
Assist President in duties/fill in in President’s absence
Work with designated officers (Director of Marketing, Director of Events, Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Community Service, Employee Benefits Liaison, Actuarial Science Liaison)
Work with President to build presentations and present as needed
Contact: gruberbe@appstate.edu
GIS Co-VP of Membership: Hrisha Bhatty
GIS Co-VP of Membership: Trey Knox
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly leadership team meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Take minutes and attendance at all leadership team meetings
- Manage email communication/send out reminders in GIS chapter GroupMe
- Sign new member certificates
- Keep track of event participation
- Help students sign in the excel sheets for events
- Aid President and Vice President's in any responsibilities
- Write thank you notes and prepare gifts for speakers
- Work closely alongside Lacy for communication and interchapter relations
- Coordinate speaking to RMI classes about upcoming GIS events
- Work with President to coordinate Open House and RMI dinners
- Coordinate shifts at WCOB Club Expo
- Reach out to underclassmen who may be in interested in RMI/GIS and develop creative ways to market to students
- Reach out to local High School clubs to hold events to share industry and collegiate opportunities through RMI (Financial Literacy day, DECA, etc.)
- Submit applications and register all new and returning GIS members
- Reach out to new members individually
- Maintain GIS membership records, work with VP to include participation in these records
Contact: bhattyh@appstate.edu, knoxgr@appstate.edu
GIS VP of Finance: Addyson Klass
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Monitor finances of RMI and report expenditures
- Make bank deposits
- Balance checking account
- Maintain spreadsheet of financial transactions and track by categories
- Responsible for ordering anything decided on
- Work closely alongside Lacy Schmidt and Dr. Marlett for management and decisions regarding the budget
- Manage incoming dues from members during and after bi-annual open house
Contact: klassam@appstate.edu
GIS Co-Director of Alumni: Katie Heeseman
GIS Co-Director of Alumni:Nate Chapman
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Create a Gamma Iota Sigma Alumni Spotlight on the website and coordinate with the director(s) of marketing to feature Alumni and collect ‘Alumni Profiles’
- Work with Gamma Leadership Team and Advisors to brainstorm new initiatives to engage Gamma Alumni and connect current members with alumni for career networking, post graduate opportunities, etc.
- Assist Lacy in planning any events surrounding homecoming, career fairs, etc. that include alumni and industry representative as well as create new events
- Communicate with the Charlotte Alumni chapter for events and opportunities for networking
- Plan any alumni events/panels
Contact: heesemankl@appstate.edu, chapmannj@appstate.edu.
GIS Co-Director of Marketing: Lauren Broadway
GIS Co-Director of Marketing: Hallie Harrington
Roles & Responsibilities
- Social media and Summit Certification management and planning
- Oversee the design and ordering of the official Rho Chapter T-shirt
- Coordinate filming of "roll call" for the GIS international conference
- Lead promotion of all GIS events
- Keep the chapter up to date with upcoming activities
Contact: broadwayle@appstate.edu , harringtonmh@appstate.edu.
GIS Co-Director of Events: Ashley Weisser
GIS Co-Director of Events: Molly Holcombe
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Coordinate multiple social events each semester. (Sunset social, Tacky Christmas sweater party, bi-annual Bowling)
- Assist with planning other events that may occur throughout the year
- Take on any additional tasks given by faculty or higher executives on the team
- Work alongside Dr. Marlett, Lacy Schmidt, President, VP, and Director of Finance to develop a suitable budget for events
Contact: weisseraj@appstate.edu, holcombemm@appstate.edu.
GIS Co-Director of Community Service: David Cyubahiro
GIS Co-Director of Community Service: Hailey Myers
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Plan Adopt-A-Street cleanup each semester (3-4 times a year)
- Coordinate GIS Week of Service Involvement
- Communicate community service ideas with the leadership team and execute (Operation Christmas Child, Polar Plunge, Dance Marathon, etc.)
- Create or continue community service initiatives (ex. "Four-Legged Friend Friday": volunteer at the Watauga Humane Society bi-weekly or monthly, Hunger & Health Coalition)
- Work with VP of Membership to create event sign-ups
- Work with Director(s) of Marketing to help facilitate and provide pictures and/or videos of events
- Encourage campus involvement with other club's community service events
Contact: davidc@appstate.edu or myershb@appstate.edu.
GIS Employee Benefits Liaison: Katie Parker
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Foster and grow relationship with Employee Benefits minors
- Work to provide Employee Benefits resources to students
- Be an active voice and assist in growing the program with the coordinator once a month
- Plan an event to advertise the program on National Employee Benefits day, April 2nd
- Work closely with Kevin Huff in promoting the EB minor program
- Present to Employee Benefits classes on GIS events, ways to grow involvement, and social events
Contact: parkerkm@appstate.edu
GIS Co-Director of Inclusive Excellence: Riley English
GIS Co-Director of Inclusive Excellence: Ashley Weisser
Roles & Responsibilities
- Attend weekly executive meetings and as many GIS events as possible
- Foster and grow relationship with students of diverse backgrounds and encourage considering RMI as a major
- Assist Brantley Center with developing best practices to promote an inclusive environment for all RMI students, through a variety of methods
- Act as a liaison to Walker College of Business Diversity Advisory Team
- Act as liaison between on-campus Multicultural Student Organizations and Inclusive Excellence programs
- Lead GammaSAID initiatives on campus, including unique week
- Act as a liaison between the The Grand Chapters' GammaSAID committee and the Rho Chapter
- Consider speaking opportunities through GammaSAID at various conferences
- Join the national chapter GammaSAID committee and participate in monthly phone calls.
Contact: englishre@appstate.edu or weisseraj@appstate.edu.
