FAQ

I have an idea for an activity. Who do I tell?

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If you have an idea you want to submit for an event, fill out this form and AGS officers will review it for consideration.

Where and when are volunteer activities?

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Check this page for upcoming events.

What is AGS?

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stands for Arete meaning Excellence
(The quality of which constitute the best)

stands for Gnosis meaning Knowledge
(The ability to understand with depth and penetration)

stands for Sophrosyne meaning Wisdom
(Temperance, self-awareness, love of truth, beauty, goodness, and respect for others)

Alpha Gamma Sigma is a California community college honor society. Its purpose is to foster, promote, maintain, and recognize academic excellence through scholarships.
In 1925, Dr. William T Boyce conceived the idea of promoting a statewide community college honor society. He saw in it an intellectual stimulus comparable to Phi Beta Kappa in the 4-year colleges.
As head administrator of Fullerton Community College, Dr. Boyce was chiefly responsible for the formation of the California community college honor society that eventually became the Alpha Gamma Sigma we know today.

Who We Are
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society – an inspired group of over 100 self-motivated Honors students working to make a life-changing difference at CCSF and the community.

Our Mission
To promote academic excellence, community awareness, and professional achievement. We plan, coordinate, and participate in service-oriented activities for CCSF and the community. We offer numerous opportunities for cultural, social, and enrichment experiences. As an Honor Society, we foster, maintain, and recognize academic excellence through scholarships.

Are there member requirements?

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AGS recognizes service as part of its mission. In order to be a member in good standing you should do a minimum of 15 hours service per semester. Outside service can be for campus organizations or for those off
campus. We don't discriminate on the basis of public/private, secular/religious organizations. We'll accept "underpaid" community service work as well. Generally, if you are doing good work outside of the club, then we'll count all your service hours for your outside activity. On the other hand, if you are doing a lot for the club, then we'll count all your service hours for club service.

In general, we are flexible, and, as always, anything you do for the club, including attending meetings, counts for service.

Fundraising
Each semester, members decide on group fundraising activities. In the past, AGS members have sponsored food sales, drives, carwashes, and specialty events.

Community Service
Individual members must choose a community service project each semester. The opportunities for volunteerism are endless! In the past, members have volunteered as tutors and youth sports' coaches. They have given time and donations to homeless shelters, senior centers, the needy and political causes. For a list of contacts in the San Francisco area who are in need of volunteers, see Mr. Cox.
At the end of each semester, members are required to turn in documentation of their fundraising and community service hours. Click here to get the form.

Dues and Meetings
Upon application each semester, AGS requires a $15 fee to be paid at the beginning of the semester to Mr. Cox or directly to the treasurer.
Members are not required to attend meetings however, to be an informed and fully contributing member, it is recommended that members attend each bi-weekly meeting.

What are AGS Scholarships?

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Chapter Scholarships
The Chapter awards scholarships each semester, if funds are available, exclusively to chapter members under the following names:
Lance Rogers Award, Valerie Meehan Award, and Omega Chapter Awards (alpha, beta, gamma, etc).
These scholarships are administered by the chapter and follow a different timetable than scholarships awarded by the CCSF Scholarship office. Applications are provided to chapter members only in the middle of each semester.
In addition, the chapter funds one $250 scholarship each year to a City College student at large, this award is administered by the CCSF Scholarship Office and follows the College timetable for awards. [Note: The chapter should discuss raising this to $500 to conform to other CCSF awards].
In the academic year 2007-2008 the chapter funded nine 9 scholarships for members and 1 scholarship for a student at large, for a total amount of $4350.

State Scholarships
At the State convention each spring, the statewide AGS awards scholarships in two main categories: service and scholastics. Each chapter is permited to nominate one service candidate and two scholastic candidates. Additional nominations are provided to chapters that host conventions. These awards go to students who have achieved high levels of academic excellence or have contributed hours of volunteer work towards improving their communities. At the Spring Convention in 2008 there were 15 Walsh, 3 Bell, 15 Loly, 3 Coffey, 5 Mantovani scholarships and 1 Jackson award given to students from throughout the State of California for a total of $30,970.
For Ms Grant's benefit, as these awards have appeared on occasion in the CCSF Scholarship Handbook, the State awards are:
Ed Walsh, Charles Bell, Kathleen D. Loly, Virginia Coffey, Robert Montovani, and Tom Jackson

How do I become an AGS member?

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Fill out the AGS Membership Application and turn in the application with the $15 fee to Mr. Kox at Rosenberg Library 517. A person may attain initial membership by completing 12 semester units of college work in a maximum of 2 semesters at any recognized institution of higher education with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Temporary Membership
All life members of the California Scholarship Federation and those who graduated with a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the high school level shall be invited to become temporary members during their first semester at a community college and shall have, upon payment of dues, all the privileges of membership except that of holding offices.

Continuing Membership
An initial or temporary member may attain continuing membership by achieving for the previous semester not less than a 3.0 GPA in courses recognized in college standing, or maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in courses of recognized college standings.

Permanent Membership
A member may apply for permanent membership by having maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and by having been a member of AGS for at least one term. Or a contnuing member who has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and has been member of AGS for at least two terms may also apply. All applicants have to have completed a minimum of 60 semester units of recognized college courses, with a minimum of 30 units completed at a community college.