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Betas and Alumna Initiation
I have a question for all of you who are pursuing alumna initiation with an NPC sorority or are thinking about it. What are you looking for in a sisterhood that Beta Sigma Phi isn't offering? Is is something that if some changes were made, Beta could offer you? Or is it something that no matter what, could never be made a part of Beta Sigma Phi? I'm not knocking the decision, (I've even considered it) just trying to understand why.
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Well, though I didn't end up pursuing membership in Beta, I'll try answering this question.
As you know... I had kind of a bad experience with Beta. I know it's just one person, but sometimes one person can make all the difference by saying exactly the wrong thing :( I'm not knocking Beta at ALL... but my experience with her made me realize that what I was looking for was something that it couldn't provide. As a member of Delta Omicron in college (well, and still now, you know what I mean)... I always ran into people saying that we weren't 'real'... that since we didn't have that name recognition, that they didn't respect our sisterhood. While that angers me (greatly!)... it did make me realize that one of the aspects of sisterhood that DO couldn't provide me was being able to come to a site like this, and instantly find sisters with whom I could share a bond. The only times I've ever run into sisters that weren't from my chapter were at our Triennial Convention. When I looked into Beta, I ran into a lot of the same flack. Since we weren't NPC, the NPC greeks didn't want anything to do with it, and the GDIs didn't respect it or understand it. I've met several of you online, and while you're all wonderful and I do feel a bond with you - I just couldn't see myself saying, "I'm a Beta Sigma Phi." It couldn't provide that national level of sisterhood I'm seeking. I also was uncomfortable with what seemed like the lack of chapters/opportunities/sisterhood for younger girls like myself. So, now I'm considering Alumnae Initiation with an NPC sorority. I haven't actively done anything about it yet, I'm just sort of letting the idea settle in my mind. I want to be able to help out collegiate chapters. I want to find sisterhood with girls my own age. I want to find an alumnae group who I feel comfortable with. I want to be able to stand up proudly and say "I am an XYZ" and know what that means and have other people know what that means, and hopefully have someone in the back say... "Hey! I'm an XYZ too!" |
Ginger! The funny thing is you are one of the people that made me interested in BSP! I TOTALLY understand the lack of oppertunities for younger women. As a member of a NPC, honorary music org, and BSP - I definately see differences. BSP isnt as well known as an NPC. And as Ginger said, its hard to understand. (ask my chapter!)
I also think the draw of a NPC AI is that people knew what they were when they were in college. Like someone could AI Phi Sig and be like "Yea, we had Phi Sigs in college, I know about them" but then theres BSP which is "I know nothing about this" NPC soroities are what people think of when they hear the word Sorority. BSP needs to have better PR nationally. I didnt even know of chapters in Pittsburgh. As we say in Phi Sig GET YOUR LETTERS OUT! Press releases, get on TV, WEAR YOUR LETTERS! I dont care if youre 18 or 94 - get a lettered shirt. Wear it. Be PROUD! Get it on a jacket, wear your pin, wear any pin that shows youre a BSP! I look for pins on women who come into my store.... |
My Beta experience is wonderful! I love my Beta sisters but for one I would also like to have sisters in my area that are my age or a little younger. In my area, I am the YOUNGEST woman in BSP (36). I would also love a little more diversity. I too, would also want to help with collegiate chapters.
I agree that BSP needs more publicity. I have always wanted to go NPC, and I wish I had done it in college...but the opportunity for me was not there :( |
Ok, I may be stupid, but what is NPC and AI. I have always known BSP because my mother is one. We are a young chapter mostly 20-30 somethings with a couple older. We are even going to Friendly Venture in the fall.
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YES YES YES on the Torch thing.
How can a 20 year old relate to a magazine that features women her grandmothers age?! (not that we dont love our older sisters!!!) Maybe have a few different editions featuring women who are in the same age bracket... or have different sections for the different degrees, like have a NPhiM & younger RoJ section, then an older RoJ section and proceed... Just a quickie on the older sisters in the Torch - I absolutely get a kick out of taking it to my Phi Sig sisters and showing them "these are my sisters, and theyre ACTIVE!" |
I agree with Alison. With the exception of one, my sisters and I really don't get a chance to bond, except during meetings...or if they run into me at the store that I work at.
There are only about 40-45 TOTAL actives in BSP in Whatcom County, WA (5 chapters) My chapter is the youngest. Many have not had new members in AGES. I only got in when I emailed International wanting to join I have yet to get a copy of the Torch. I sent my dues and everything in this past week...looking forward to it |
RE: getting a copy of the Torch
Jill,
You may want to email the torch@betasigmaphi.org to get a copy of the May/June Torch. I don't think we will see another one until the End of August - there are 10 editions/ sorority year; its on the Traditional Chapter Format shedule (experienced Betas please jump in).:) |
All the Beta's in my area are my mom's age. I was attempting an FV with a girl a little younger than me, but she was so negative. After trying for a while to round up people to start a chapter, I see that the interest is just not there in my area. I found out BSP had a chapter at my campus, but it closed due to lack of interest. NPC is the way to go here, and nonsocial and nonacademic GLO's don't seem to be as popular or fare as well. I want the sisterhood that I see others experiencing, and although I think BSP is an awesome organization, I will be rushing NPC in the fall. Maybe I'll look into Beta later, but right now, it's just not there for my age group here.
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Heres my take on this:
Sisters are saying: "We need younger sisters to keep BSP going! We need to bring in younger people, keep people interested..." International is saying: "We need younger sisters to keep BSP going! We need to bring in younger people, keep people interested..." Younger chapters are saying: "Give us help, what should we do about getting people intersted?" Older chapters: "No comment" What is being done? Nothing. Everyone is basically being all talk and no action. If we all really care about getting younger members into BSP and not competing but co-habitating with an NPC we need to do something, not just talk!!! I could see BSP doing well on campuses with high international student population. Most of these students do not join NPC. BSP is something they can have as their own, and also take back to their country. I also see a need for BSP to serve a purpose for younger people to join. Yea, friendship and social activites are good for older people, but 20 somethings need something to have a purpose. We have lost the interest of many people because they say "Well what do you do?" and we explain what BSP chapters do, and they say "Whats the purpose?" There needs to be a purpose for younger chapters! If we have a purpose, we can encourage other greeks to join BSP as well as be in their NPC/NPHC etc org. PROGRAMS: The programs frustrate my chapter and I. Suggestions for younger chapters would be fabulous. A 6 month pledge program... This is not an easy thing for someone who is in school, starting a new job just out of school or in the beginning stages of rasing a family. Those of us who are in school do not have six months to do this! We have looked at the program and it can easily be done with one meeting a week for 9 (I think) weeks, aka easily done in a semester, and does not require much more work than I did when I was a NM/MC for Phi Sig/TBS. When a new chapter starts, have international assign a close chapter, or a person who is willing to travel to help the new chapter. This will help a lot and might help get chapters. Think about it, NPC groups send people in to do rituals and assist in the colony forming and help with paperwork. Why cant we? Also try to start NPhiM chapters or RoJ chapters at community colleges! I want to do this when I move back home and have more time. These girls do not have a typical greek system, so this is something "cool" for them. Also, older sisters - CONTACT the local Highschool. Maybe have a younger member talk to the 18 year olds at the school, or a church youth group, or somewhere younger kids hang out. There are probobly a lot of girls who would LOVE to have this oppertunity, but do not know its there!!!! It will keep them out of trouble and help us! Maybe start an afterschool program or something! Okay, my dinner is really taking revenge on me... so I have to cut this short... just my late night ramblings! |
It can be done.
What I'm reading here is clearly the result of a lot of frustration. As long as we use it to create change, it's a good thing!
I am working my butt off to bring young chapters/sisters into Beta. With 15 awesome members, Delta Pi is going strong, so we are to a Friendly Venture at a nearby college this fall. That's what needs to happen if Beta is going to get the young women it needs. When I first looked into Beta, I saw an organization in need of new energy, new enthusiasm, a new approach. Maybe that's a bad reason to join a sorority, but I saw a fantastic organization that could possibly use my help...a sorority that might die if SOMEONE didn't do SOMETHING. I have a lot of experience in "jump-starting dead batteries," and I've seen what a bit of hope and a dose of enthusiasm can do. I know it is difficult, and I've given this same speech a hundred times. BETA CAN WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. My chapter was up and running in no time, with no help from anyone except ourselves. If you keep talking, people will listen. The only reason I have been in touch with International so much is because I e-mailed them constantly during our first few months, always asking questions, always telling them what we were up to, sharing what problems and triumphs we had. I'll admit that some of their suggestions for young chapters are kind of lame (a spa party is not the answer to the world's problems), but the main message of the Friendly Venture kit is really all you need. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT BETA...even people that you don't think will care/be interested/understand. Yeah, you might look like an idiot, but who cares? Take a risk. Alison, I agree that we need to get the word out. We need to advertise. We need to display our letters. And I TOTALLY agreed about the Torch. I'm going to write up every activity we do just to get some young faces in that magazine. I've also given a lot of thought to some kind of "young chapter newsletter." Something aside from the Torch. |
After reading all of these comments & frustrations......all I have to say is that I'm 100% *more* committed to becoming a Beta than ever before!
I just started frequenting this forum a few weeks ago. Do you know what I noticed? *About 10 new GC members, with BSP in their signature, posting on this board. Every single woman introduced herself and said she wanted to help others in any way she can. *There have been four women from Pittsburgh who are active/want to be a part of Beta. *I am seeing people so enthusiastic about Beta, and it's contagious! Geez! We're reading text and getting excited! If this enthusiasm was spoken face to face, there wouldn't be a female over 18 who wasn't a Beta! (Way too many exclamation points in that last chunk...sorry :P) This post might not make any sense or add much to the conversation, but I was inspired. :) |
Erica, It is cool that you are doing a FV at a college. The College closest to us (Western Washington University) does NOT have a Greek system.
Our area is not a huge metropolis. Lot of retireds. When kids graduate from And as you know Seattle has University of Washington which has a HUGE Greek system I haven't gotten my new member info yet so I don't know how BSP is in the Seattle area (2 hours away) |
Well I have gotten someone interested in BSP. She is on GC and recently became an AI to an NPC
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I think that HQ needs to have a better website. Right now it is not very user-friendly, and it is really split between 2 urls. It would be helpful to list the chapters and contact info for them... I know that would be kinda difficult because of all of the chapters and all the FVs, but I think it would help because PNMs could see "Oh, there is a chapter in my area". Just my $.02.
-Nicole |
I agree with Nicole....
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And MoxieGrrl. Quote:
michelle |
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Michelle - Clean out your mailbox, girlie! :)
To answer your question, I've given my name to Headquarters to be placed on the memberhship list. Other than that, I've been trying to learn as much as possible about Beta before being contacted to rush! |
I have been a member of BSP for two years now. When I first joined our chapter, we were down to just 6 members. My first year, our president , Robin (who had brought me in), brought in 3 more members. Two of my other sisters each brought a new member in too. This past year, I brought in 2 new members and one of them brought in another one. We also had a sister transfer in and we're now up to 15! We also have several prospects that we will be inviting to our fall rush party.
How did we do it? When Robin brought all those members in my first year, I noticed that she told everyone she met about sorority. I started doing the same thing and I tell everyone about all of the fun and wonderful things our chapter does. Our chapter ranges in age from 25-45 with most of us being 30-somethings. We are very active and BSP gives me a chance to get away from the kids and have some grown-up time. Thankfully, dh is very supportive and understands that I need some time with the girls every now and then. :) With programs, we are fairly informal. Whoever is hosting the program meeting has to come up with their program. At our last progam meeting this year, I found the colors of BSP and the traditions that go with them on the Strawberry Patch. As I finished reading each color, we discussed our chapter traditions and what we would like to add. At Christmas time, one of our sisters talked about chocolate and candy making. At another meeting, a sister's dh who is a truck driver, talked about safety while driving around semi-trucks. Figure out what you are interested in and then tell your sisters about it. That is what makes the best programs! :) Jenn |
Hi, Jill.
Just so you know, the school where we are doing the FV doesn't have a Greek system either. The chapter will not be a campus organization at all...just a community chapter like most Beta chapters. We are simply focusing on the campus as a place to advertise and promote BSP. My chapter isn't a campus organization either...although all of our members are students. Erica:D |
Sorry to crash your board but I saw that no one answered DeniLin’s questions. NPC stands for the National Panhellenic Conference. From the web site, www.npcwomen.org, “National Panhellenic Conference, founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 inter/national women's fraternities and sororities. Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae. Members are represented on over 620 college and university campuses in the United States and Canada and in over 4,800 alumnae associations, making up over 3.5 million sorority women in the world.”
The member groups are Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Theta Phi Alpha and Zeta Tau Alpha. AI is shorthand for Alumna Initiate or Initiation depending on the context, person or process. It describes a woman who becomes a member of an NPC group but does not meet the criteria for joining as a collegian. Criteria for joining this way vary from group to group. Here is a thread with some useful information – “My Advice to Prospective Alumnae Initiates” http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=20287 I too thought about becoming a Beta but things didn’t work out. Strike 1 - When I was a student worker one of the ladies in my office was very active Beta. She did stuff for Beta ALL the time when she had a few minutes to spare. There was no doubt in the world where her heart lay. I dropped hints all the time that I was interested but she brushed me off. I got the hint that I wouldn’t be right for her chapter because I was so young. I was 21 and the member nearest my age was 35. However, she did not attempt to get me involved with one of the 6 other chapters in town or even suggest a FV. Strike 2 – When I moved here, I became involved with Newcomers Club, www.newcomersclub.com. There are several ladies in NC that belongs to one of the 8 chapters we have in town. Although their PR is excellent, in the paper at least weekly, they approach only those they want into the chapters. I then turned my attention to Epsilon Sigma Alpha, www.esaintl.com. I saw it as a way to start from scratch because there isn’t a chapter here. I also really like their philanthropy. Strike 3 – I joined AOII as an AI and became completely immersed in AOII Land. I have been an officer ever since I joined. I am currently the VP of my chapter and delegate to the local Alumnae Panhellenic Association (APA). I am also in the process of getting another APA started. I truly love AOII, but the only reason I would join another women’s organization is if there is something tugging at my heart. PEO Sisterhood, www.peointernational.org, has a chapter here and I have been invited to their fall open meeting. What I like about them is that they fully support women’s higher education. They own Cottey College, www.cottey.edu, which is a two-year, independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women. Wow, sorry that was so long. Edited to add that I am an Alpha Phi Omega brother too. Pledged and Initiated in Spring 1988. Quote:
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aopirose, thanks for the rundown of the NPC :) You know you are da bomb! :D
Sorry the woman from Beta blew you off! :( |
Thanks, Jill1228, and you're welcome! GC is one of the best places to come for information and I'd just thought that I would share.
I am sorry that things didn't work out with BSP either but things happen for a reason. |
Thank you aopirose.
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Expanding Beta Sigma Phi to younger women
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Sandi New York Laureate Alpha Beta, Rocky Point http://www.betasigmaphi.org http://www.geocities.com/slaidlow72/...?1057979997262 |
Bump.
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oh I so totally agree with bumping this.
JAMIE ADD YOUR 2 CENTS! I know you have em!!! One thing Ive noticed about BSP which I think I have mentioned before in here... ORGANIZATION and SUPPORT The international organization lacks just that... organization. Emailing Intl. does absolutely nothing and they a lot of the time, arent timely in their response. I have, however, been in touch with some fabulous women at Intl. Some organizational problems are: Conventions, the Website, Paperwork. MOST of these problems could be simply solved by exactly what EVERY OTHER ORGANIZATION does... self govern. ALL NPCs are self governing, other organizations like BSP are self governing. Members make the decisions, not the company. Employees are not people living in the area, they are volunteers spread throughout the country - mostly unpaid work - who do it because of their devotion to the organization, not because they are paid. I do not believe that an organization that is run by a company is going to be sympathetic to the problems that the members are facing. They are NOT hearing our problems. There is NO support for new chapters or established chapters. The chapters that survive, I believe are surviving by luck. They find the members and do well with the SKILLS that they have on their own - not because BSP is helping them. Each of these chapters could have become their own organization due to the drive and determination of their members, not because they are a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Intl., like I said before, should send representatives to help with new chapters... especially places like Pittsburgh where it is HARD to convince women to join an organzation. The dues need to be raised - not to beneift the company, but to benefit the chapters... and not to make the torch prettier or better, but to make the chapters better and stronger. Read all of my points in this thread, they remain the same in my mind. I love Beta Sigma Phi, but to me it really is becoming something that is just a small portion of my life - I volunteer for Phi Sigma Sigma and I see my benefit to society, through our service and philanthropy and my benfit that my work does for the sisterhood - the alumna and collegians. ugh, thats the end of my rant for today. |
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Lack of self-governance has been one of the biggest peeves I have. It sucks to know that no matter how hard you work to change, IT WILL NEVER MAKE A DIFFERENCE. If we want to exist in 20 years, International is either going to have to get with the program, or turn control over to elected sisters who are willing to do the work. |
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Hi Ladies,
Yes, of course I have my two cents!!! I have to reiterate points that Ali has already said. We need self-governance (and yea I'll serve on National Council, count me in!). We need more support and better recruitment tools. We need more help from International (not to say they aren't great b/c they are!)...why isn't BSP seperated into smaller districts where it is easier to help the chapters be the best they can be? Ali is right. There is absolutley no support for new chapters. No phone calls, no checking in. No sisters calling from established chapters. It's very frustrating. I also want to mention that the older sisters don't want to make way and allow the younger members to come in and take over higher positions. One of the reasons I AIed was because I wanted to serve National and with collegians which is something that you can't do with BSP. It's amazing..there are so many BSP pins on Ebay all the time. Most NPCs have groups that rescue the pins. Where is ours? Is there a lack of pride within BSP that so many members are leaving? BSP is dying a slow death. I love this organization and I know that BSP has the potential to be so much more. The current situation is frustrating and disheartening. I hope that we can create some solution to make BSP better. I'd love to help organize a conference to find solutions. Ali, are you with me? We can organize for next summer. What do you think? Beta Love to all my sisters! Jamie |
Jamie:
Count me in on attending the conference! I'm a relatively new member of Beta (a year), and would love to see this organization thrive. |
I don't think its strictly an issue of younger vs. older members wanting to improve the sorority. Several older members have expressed a lot of the same frustrations we have, as well as wanting to work to fix the problem.
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BetaRose,
You're right! It's not just the older vs the younger. It's everything in addition too and in combination with. RagtimeRose..I welcome the help! Awesome! Happy Thanksgiving! I love you all! Jamie |
In the older/younger thing... its not an age thing - but a "length of time in the organization" thing. I dont know if there was more support years ago when a lot of these established chapters were started, but the women I have met in some of these 'older' chapters have not offered a lot of help to the younger... and Jamie can vouch for this, they arent open to change and seem content with things staying the same. WHICH will NOT bring in the new women (to use the 'student affairs' speak that we go into using at my confrence this weekend...) it wont work with the millenials... the new generation of women - the current college students.
Dont get me wrong, there have been some great women from these estab. chapters, there just arent enough of them. |
Alison's Right
Alison's right! Where's the support and leadership?
I can vouch for what she's saying. I hope this is just happening here... Jamie |
As for the conference, how do we get started? Any ideas?
Jamie |
Dance Jamie dance...
heh. We can see about getting together here. Im sure we can come up with even a few hotel rooms in Monroeville or something and maybe they may have a confrence room - or - there is always meeting in the STARBUCKS. My best ideas come from Starbucks. |
I'm not much of a Starbucks drinker (preferring the local NOLA Community Coffee m'self), but I do agree that some of my best ideas come from hanging out at coffeehouses!
So when do I start on checking airfares to Pittsburgh? :) Beta hugs, Hollie. |
Yea! Coffee houses rule! Actually, Nu Iota is due to Starbucks! Everyone is welcome to come to my messy house...if you can deal with my zoo (husband kids and dog!)....
Where should we begin? Jamie I'm starting a new thread for suggestions |
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I have taken a LOA from BETA for this very reason! In October 2003 I went to our local conclave and there was another younger member and myself. The members that had been there for quite some time were RUDE and didn't introduce themselves. Isn't this group about FRIENDSHIP?? During the pre-conclave festivities I went out of my comfort zone to approach a lady who had moved to the area and was very active from where she moved and here too. She seemed very excited about BSP. She was also on the CC. Well, I suggested we FV with the 2 Community Colleges in the area. She immediately shut me down and said that members in the City Counsel wouldn't go for this because they would think that there were attempts to make these like NPC groups and HAZE. I was just like "whatever". And then at the Conclave--OMG!! This lady roasted the other younger member because all the games centered around GRANDCHILDREN and RETIREMENT and when my friend made a comment she couldn't provide an answer, the lady roasted her in front of the entire group and said basically she didn't count because she hadn't "paid her dues yet". I really want to meet and mix with women in my own age range, however, I am accepting of the established members, but I just don't see that coming the other way. And, BSP can't compete w/Jr. League in some areas or whatever the established groups are in those areas for attracting the 20-40 set. But, on the other hand, BSP is being eaten alive for the retirement age set by the RED HATTERS, at least in my area. Not to sound harsh here, but if Beta wants to survive it needs an OVERHAUL from the TOP DOWN. Yes, it does really appear like "these" BSPs in control don't have A CLUE AT ALL!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: |
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