Return of the Traveling Consultant?
 

I had a very interesting chat with International today and expressed my interest in possibly becoming a 'traveling' resource to chapters that would appreciate someone to travel to them and assist in person with chapter and council issues, helping to friendly venture new chapters and such.

This would be purely in a volunteer capacity, but its something that I am very interested in doing for the organization and Laura was more than happy to listen and suggested a contact that I get in touch with.

We shall see! I *so* hope that this will work out and there can be an additional resource to help our sisters in a new capacity. :)

With some chapters on different campuses, I can't imagine why this wasn't thought of before. If Beta Sigma Phi wants to continue to expand, especially to universities, this is a good idea. Good luck!

This sounds like a very worthy endeavor. I hope you get the chance. You really have made strides in BSP.

Would you be paying for the travel yourself or by Beta Sigma Phi? I ask because as a member, my area council has often thought of inviting our Division Chairman to conventions, etc. the problem is we would have to pick up her full tab for her travel expenses, thus why we don't invite her because we cannot afford to do so.

Did you talk about with her about the financial aspect of being a traveling consultant?

The question I always ask when discussing an idea is this: is there a demonstrated need? Has this been thoroughly investigated? From what you wrote, it's a desire that you have, not necessarily one that BSP has targeted as a need.

Truthfully, my recommendation is that you put your energies into your local area first, since you've been elected to a leadership position on your local council; and you also can focus on establishing yourself in a career post-graduation. It may be a seed that you plant that bears fruit in years to come; it may not be yours at the moment, however. This concept you have of a "traveling consultant" appears to be based on an NPC model. That's my take.

I also wanted to ask what happened with your involvement with SAEPi? I understood that you were a new member of that colony/chapter. Am I mistaken?

I have and I offered to handle funding for all travel on my own. I'm looking into the details to see how this might be feasible from all angles. I'm hopeful that it will work out.

There's a lot of backstory, but I've been contacted frequently by sisters in chapter across the nation after being featured a few times in our sorority magazine with questions and concerns. The organization used to have Traveling Consultants in years past, but that ceased due to financial reasons. So, there is a need. I did pitch the idea to international, so it is something that I thought of at this time, and not something that I was asked to do.
The more (and my prime) pressing concern is my starting in my career after graduation, as you suggested.

I am currently a member of the SAEPi colony, but will potentially lose that membership (that means, not being to be an Alumna) upon graduation due to specific organizational rules. It's not that I want things to end on a sad note...I really enjoy being part of SAEPi, but the situation is out of my hands. :-( I'm willing to discuss the situation via PM to those who are interested, but do not feel comfortable getting into specific detail here in this public sphere.

That's not the same as a demonstrated need, but I'm sure you know that already. Forgive me, but the research scientist in me comes out when analyzing challenges/ideas/problems, etc.


Good luck to you as you graduate! I hope you'll be able to find employment in Reno so you can fulfill your elected role in BSP. And I don't need to know any back story or info on SAEPi, I was just confused because I was pretty sure you'd joined that colony. Neither organization is an NPC organization, and that's something to consider. But I know you already know that as well.

I don't think any traveling consultant needs to pay for their own travel, even as a gift to the organization. There are too many potential risks and conflicts involved.

Yes.

Many GLOs have volunteers while others have TS's who are fully paid.
If they are volunteers, who pays for expenses, and insurance on business? That would be a problem. Legal issues could come up if representing your GLO for a myrid of reasons in a sue happy world.

Many questions need tobe answered in your quest!

One thng to poing out, it is cheaper to pay some costs than hiring a full time TS! Check it out and good luck!

Your knowledge has value and should be treated as such. As opposed to being a full time employee, you could present yourself as a consultant and put in writing your requirements. Travel expenses should be the bare minimum. I would also clearly date the contract in case they start to fully appreciate your talents, so that you can adjust your requirements over time.

If you can instill in your chapters a fraction of your enthusiasm in BSP, their money will be well spent.