Just the Beginning! Advice?
 

Hello GC-ers! I've been lurking around here for awhile now, and I 've really grown to respect and admire many people here. The support that you offer to others is really commendable.

I stumbled upon Greek Chat while I was looking for a way that a grad student who had "missed the boat" might get involved in a GLO. From there, I discovered Beta Sigma Phi, and now I am in the process of starting a chapter in my area. I am so excited!!!!

I currently have five potential members (including myself), and I am looking for ways to spread the word and boost interest. Any suggestions that you can make would be fantastic!

I have already put so much time and effort into building this chapter. I have completely invested my heart into this project, and I'm starting to get nervous. Hopefully, I will have some positive news to report by the end of the week. I'm holding an interest meeting on Thursday. Wish me luck!

Erica

...best of luck to you! By the way...lots of GLOs have alumna initiates.....

Iris

Best of luck, Erica! :)

Good luck!!!

Thanks...
 

...to all of you. I can really use your encouragement!

I've spent some time communicating with people from International Headquarters as well as several sisters on-line and over the phone, and everyone has been so wonderful. Also, I love that at the time of Beta Sigma Phi's founding it provided an alternative to collegiate sisterhood for women who were not able to attend college (during the Depression). It's grown beyond that now, but as you know, roots are so important!

Ultimately, I am looking for sincere sisterhood, an opportunity for community service, and a chance to carry on a respected tradition.
I'll keep you posted.

Erica :)

thats so rad to see people with as much dedication as yourself!!! good luck with everything, and congrats on your sorority!!

Thanks again!
 

I'm so nervous about today! Not to be negative, but I have a feeling that no one is going to show. This interest meeting is mainly for the girls who expressed interest over the summer, so I didn't do much advertising yet. And I haven't heard back from these girls in about a week, so I'm not expecting a great turn out. I'll let you know what happens.

E.

Good Luck with Beta Sigma Phi. I have a few friends who are members and they love it!!

Still hopeful...
 

As I predicted, turn out wasn't good. Only one girl came, but she was very enthusiastic, so that makes up for the lack of numbers. I gave her a couple of pamphlets, and she said that she would definitely talk to a few people.

Also, when I got home, I got an e-mail from a girl who had been interested earlier in the summer. I hadn't heard from her since June, I think, so I was really excited when she wrote to apologize for missing the meeting. She wanted to know what she had missed. Very good sign!

So I might have two sisters already!

Fingers still crossed,
Erica

a little bit of news
 

I got an e-mail from an interested student today. She wrote in response to my advertising (although it was very limited). Apparently, the word is getting out! YAY!!

Erica

Keep up the good work...you'll get there soon!!! :)

Erica, While I started the Local, It was affiliated with an International with in the school year and I have never looked back!

It is very hard to start something new, ask any of the Locals on this site!

If you work hard and with some of the Backing of the Great People on this site whethere it International, National, Local, Multi, NPHC,Or anyone else, You have all of our backing and the very best of luck!!!!!!!:)

Go For it! It Aint Easy but hell getting lut of bed sometimes isnt eather;)

We are all wishing the very best for you!

Thanks!!!!!!
 

I can use all the support I can get. Since I am fairly new at this campus (and I live off campus), I really feel alone in this journey. I've been sticking around GreekChat a lot lately because it continues to remind me of all the reasons that I began to reach for my dream.

Erica :)

Erica:
Thanks for starting this thread. Your dedication to sisterhood is a lesson for all of us here. Don't worry about the numbers right now, if you are able to connect with other women who have equal enthusiasm, you will already have an enriched life. A core group of 2 or 3 can do amazing things.
I looked on the Beta Sigma Phi website and was duly impressed, I think you're looking forward to a lifetime of exciting sisterhood and service.
Don't get down, GC will always be there to tell you to keep going!
thanks again for sharing your jouney with us,
violets

I wish you the best as does everyone else. I think it is so awesome that you are doing this. I think friendships between women is so valuable no matter the age. Just ask my mom who is forty and her best friend is 65 yrs old. Anyway I checked out the website as well and it seems like a great org to be involved in.

another little update
 

I now have a list of ten women who are interested in Beta Sigma Phi! I am so, so thrilled!! Of course, saying that one is interested is NOT the same as joining, but I only need seven to establish the chapter. My odds are improving:)

Erica

Erica, glad to hear the planning is going well. Keep us posted! :)

Yippee!!! Tomorrow's Info Night!
 

Tomorrow is the first "official" event of my Beta Sigma Phi interest group (I guess that's what it is right now). I am expecting 9 women, but I emphasized the importance of bringing friends so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. Three of the women who I am expecting are particularly enthusiastic! I can't wait to talk with them tomorrow evening.

I talked with one prospective sister who can't make the meeting, and I have to admit that she made me feel sort of discouraged. She really bulked at the inital membership fee. It's only $48, but I know that would have been a fortune for me as a college sophomore, too. I'm just worried that the others will all have the same reaction. Knowing me, I'll want to pay for everyone, but I'd have to live on mac 'n cheez for the rest of the year! Oh well...I'm just nervous because I was really hoping to have this girl as a sister. She is smart, funny, and fun to be around. I would hate to see her go due to something like money.

Finally, I could use some advice from you lovely GC-ers on a rather trivial matter. The initial group will be the Alpha class. We will hopefully form the Beta pledge class in late October after our rush event--"Strawberry Bash 2002." Should we make T-shirts right away and then get "Strawberry Bash" shirts later? Or should we just wait and get "Strawberry Bash" shirts along with the Beta Class? I definitely want to have something for the sisters to wear when we host our rush event, and I'm just wondering if it should be exactly what the Beta sisters will get once bids are extended or should they be different?

Thoughts please!!!!

Erica

Does anyone know if there is a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi close to Nashville TN?

Update!
 

Well, I held Info Night in the campus center yesterday, and five girls came. Not bad. Three of them took membership applications with them, and they seemed really excited about the sorority. Best of all, they were already making suggestions and swapping ideas for future plans. That made me feel really happy.

One girl said that she needed to consider her other time commitments. I can certainly understand that.

The last girl really sort of puzzled me. She was very nice and gracious. She seemed very interested. She asked questions, and she even offered some ideas on advertising. But then when I passed out the membership applications, she put her hands up and said that she needed to get back to me. Maybe it was the money thing...I don't know. Maybe she needed to talk to her parents or something. It could be a million different things, but I'm just worrying that it had to do with the way I presented the sorority. I think I was just my bubbling-over-with-excitement self, but since I am a grad student and a teacher on campus, I sometimes put on my "teacher voice" without meaning to. These girls are all undergraduates, and I hope I didn't act too old!

Overall, I think the evening was a success. We arranged another meeting time, and the girls are going to work on making fliers. If I have as much fun as a member of Beta Sigma Phi as I did preparing for Info Night, I have plenty to look forward to. I spent yesterday afternoon baking cookies and decorating them with Greek letters. I made these cute little treat bags with Beta Sigma Phi in yellow lettering, and I tied them with yellow curly ribbon. Inside, I put strawberry candies (one of the sorority symbols is the strawberry) and black & yellow M&Ms (sorority colors). On the outside, I tied a tiny silk yellow rose in the ribbon (sorority flower).

Well, I think those are all of my details for now!

Erica


P.S.
MTSUGURL......The best way to find out if there are chapters in your area is to contact Keri Marshall in the membership department. You can e-mail them at membership@betasigmaphi.org or call 1-888-Beta-2-b-1. If you can't find a chapter in your area, starting one is certainly possible. The organization is really advocating collegiate chapters right now. Keep in touch!!!

Thanks erica!!
 

I only heard about this group a few days ago, and I'm so excited. It seems to be a very classy, ladylike organization, which I believe is very important to strive for. I can't understand people balking at the cost. That's not expensive at all. Especially compared with other sororities. GOOD LUCK!!!

It looks like we might be able to send in our paperwork by October 8th (our next info session)! I am pretty sure that I have SEVEN women who are solidly committed to making this happen. I'm not getting my hopes up too high though because people can change their minds in a flash, but I just might be a new Beta Sigma Phi by next week!

Any tips on the T-shirt question? (please see above)

Erica:D

GO BETA SIGMA PHI!

Erica, it sounds as if everything is really moving forward! I admire your sense of commitment and dedication to sisterhood. You and Beta Sigma Phi are in my thoughts.
Good luck,
violets

GO GO GO!

It is never easy! But hard work pays off! Trust me I know!

Greek Organizations run the gaument, up today down tomarrow!

That is why I started a local, I was and always have been for UNDERDOG! He Shows the Way and his constant companion Tonto!:D Litle Beaver!:D Sancho Panza:D

Oh well what the hello everybody hello!

Holy S-it BatMan!:D :)

Inanitmy is the best form of movemnet!;)

(can't stop smiling!)
 

Thanks for all of the great support!!

This has really been a fantastic experience so far. I've met more people through this whole effort than I did all of last year!

We won't be meeting again until next Tuesday, but I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for reading my thread and caring about my progress.

Also, I am thrilled to say that my story has inspired at least two ladies from Greek Chat to look into Beta Sigma Phi for themselves. Go BETA!!!!

Crystal, when you get your chapter info, you should start a thread here, too!!!

Erica

(Can you tell I'm excited? I've just about worn out my exclamation key...)

:D

Re: (can't stop smiling!)
 

Make that three :D

I'm in a similar situation - I'm ineligble for an NPC sorority because I am a part time student. But reading your story piqued my interest, and I am now in the recruitment database for Beta Sigma Phi! :) I can't wait to meet some of the girls!

They've also contacted me about possibly starting a chapter if there is not one in my area, so....who knows... maybe you'll have a partner thread on here soon!

Best of luck and keep us informed!
Ginger

Yay Ginger!
 

That's awesome! Keep us updated! Erica-anymore news?
They told me I'd hear from someone in 4-6 weeks.

Way to go Ginger! Good luck with BETA SIGMA PHI!

erica, you are already attracting member for Beta in other areas of the country...you are going to be on dynamic sister!
Good luck.
violets

Info Night #2........
 

is tomorrow! I hope my girls have been out recruiting;)

Since I posted this thread, 5 people have now contacted me for info about Beta Sigma Phi, and 4 of them have contacted IHQ as prospective members. International is going to wonder what's going on!!!

I'm so thrilled for all of the new potential sisters here on GC.

I'll update you soon...........

Erica

Erica:
I know what's going on...your every post embodies an enthusiasm and a passion for a caring, active, true sisterhood.
You are attracting new sisters by your actions and attitude. And you are showing us all what the desire for sisterhood can mean.
I'm behind you all the way!
violets

Congratulations--
My mom is a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Every year I get the cookbook set to my apartmen to remind me of home.

Almost there!!!!!
 

Tonight's meeting lasted an hour and a half! There was so much to say, and the women who attended were very enthusiastic and talkative. Before the meeting, I typed up an agenda, and I printed out some sample fliers that I have been working on. I gathered up the leftover little treat bags I had made (in case there were new ladies) and headed off to campus.

I arrived to find all of the girls from last time and one new face. I was thrilled! If you remember from the first Info Night, one of the women was a little if-y about joining, but she was there tonight with a smile and plenty of in-put. I think she is going to be a FANTASTIC sister.

We picked an application deadline for our Alpha Class (the "founding sisters"), and we decided to postpone our recruitment event ("Strawberry Bash") until mid-November. One girl said that she thought we should work on developing our sisterhood before we take on new members. Who can argue with that?!?!? :D When she made that statement, I almost couldn't contain myself! I knew, then, that my dream was really coming true. Everyone agreed, so we are going to hold our Rush after the Founders are "official" with IHQ.

We also decided to make our Rush into three events: The Strawberry Bash, an activity (bowling or ice skating or maybe a philanthropy event), and a dressy dessert social where we will extend invitations.

I am soooooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!! We are all going to get together this weekend at a local coffee house just to get to know each other better.

As far as numbers go, we now have 5 people (including myself) who have turned in applications, 1 who asked for an application, and 2 women who are still deciding whether or not they want to join. We're almost there!

Erica :) :D

Go Erica!!

I just got my pledge book last night at our meeting. I am so enthusiastic about Beta Sigma Phi; my sisters are so wonderful, the organization is great... Next month's meeting is at my house, so I get to come up with the program. I could go on and on about how much I love this organization!

Keep us posted, Erica! I can't wait to call you my Sister (I love finally having sisters!!! :D )

Nicole <---- one very happy Beta Sigma Phi Pledge

Nicole---I'm so happy for you! It really sounds like you love Beta, and I can't wait to be a part of it, too.

To everyone who has been keeping tabs on me---things are going pretty well. We are one member short of chapter status, but the seventh sister will come in time. I really can't complain. The women who have committed themselves to this sisterhood are truly fantastic! I love them all. They are cheerful, enthusiastic, and dedicated. What more could I ask for?

I'm still itching to get that charter, but in the mean time, I'm just going to enjoy getting to know my sisters-to-be.

Thanks for all of your support!

Erica :)

another quick update
 

My girls and I are having an informal get-together tonight. I really can't wait to get to know them all better.

We did some major advertising just before the weekend, and I got one request for information via e-mail. If this girl joins, we will have THREE Sarahs!

Beta Love,
Erica

YAY Erica!!!
 

Girl, I'm so glad things are coming along for you. You're in my prayers!

Crystal

Erica I just had to write to tell you that after reading your thread I contacted Beta Sigma Phi's national office. I just got off the phone with them just a few moments ago. I'm going to start a chapter here at my school!! I fell in love with Beta Sigma Phi after taking your advice and checking the website out. Now I've just got to get seven other girls as interested as I am! I can't wait!:)

That's so great!!!!
 

Another Beta-to-be!! Welcome aboard, OPAGal. This process has been so rewarding for me. I have met a lot of wonderful women who are truly dedicated to bettering themselves and their community. I also feel good about myself because I know that I am doing my campus a great service by bringing Beta Sigma Phi to the area;) Seriously though.....it does feel good to see your hard work blossom.

I had another response to our fliers today. This young woman said that she was curious because we didn't sound like a real sorority. At first, I was a little turned off by that, but I took it as an opportunity to show her all the great things that Beta is really about. We are having a Coffee Night at Starbucks next week, and I really hope that she comes to meet us all.

Erica:D

BIG UPDATE!!!
 

I am proud to announce that my chapter of Beta Sigma Phi now has seven lovely new members, and there are four women who will let us know by Friday. Of these four potential members, two sound fairly certain that they will become sisters!

I am so excited!!!! We met at Starbucks last night, and we had a wonderful time making plans and getting to know one another. We will be sending in our paperwork next week--then we will be officially recognized by Beta Sigma Phi International.

After so much waiting, hoping, and planning, I am finally part of a sorority, and my sisters are better than I could have imagined!

Love, Erica

Re: BIG UPDATE!!!
 

Erica~

That is exactly how I felt when I became a part of Beta Sigma Phi! Congratulations on finding your six other members (and maybe even more!) and good luck with your chapter to be! :D

With Beta Sisterly Love :D ,
Nicole