Since we are a little different than most sororities...
 

Beta Sigma Phi doesn't have a lot of the traditions like the ones that I have been reading about on Greek Chat. But one of the really great things about Beta is that each chapter has the freedom to run as it likes (aside from some standards of operation). Since my chapter is made up of all college students, I am trying to start some of the common college sorority traditions so that my sisters don't feel left out.

Here are some things that we are working on...

A "Bid Day" of sorts. We will invite the girls back who have been Rushing us, and each "family" will invite a new "little" into the group. Of course, we will pass out yellow roses!

A Spring retreat. The week or so after we have welcomed our new sisters (right now we have four Rushing, but hopefully, a few more girls will come out Friday), we are all taking a trip to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Vermont. Yummy! Afterward, we will have some "bonding time."

Finally, (and this is where I can use your help) our new pledges from December will have their pledge ritual in about two weeks. I don't feel that they were ever properly welcomed since they were invited to join a few days before we left for Winter Break. When we got back, they just jumped into the operation of the chapter, took places on committees, started giving great input at meetings, etc.... So, what can we do to give them a great "Welcome to Beta Sigma Phi" before we take in new pledges next month. I would hate to see these three great girls get overshadowed by the new recruits. I just ordered some Beta Sigma Phi tablets and bookmarks from IHQ to make little gift bags. Any other ideas??? If you are already a member, what was your experience like?


Erica

One of the biggest traditions I think of is big/little sisters. I know there is a provision for it in the book of Beta Sigma Phi, but I don't know of any chapters that actually do big/little. I think it gets overshadowed by secret sisters, but you can do both....

I've been thinking on this topic a lot lately. Some of the other traditions that I would be nice to have would be:

Singing: we have a song book, yearly songwriting competitions, and many creative, musically inclined sisters,so there's no shortage of material. I'd like to see chapters actually sing!

Paddles/plaques/pillows exchanges

Families events like Parents Weekend, Mother/Daughter Tea, etc.

Senior Sendoffs: I know that since there isn't a division between collegian/alumna in Beta, there isn't any formal transition ceremonies or traditions for women graduating and moving to a new chapter. But it would be nice to have set up a tradition to say good bye to your sisters that are leaving.

I'm glad I got you thinking!
 

My chapter does do a big/little sister thing. Actually, we are split into families (the Angel Family, the Star Family, the Leopard Family, the Butterfly Family, and the Flower Family). Each one makes up its own traditions for welcoming a new sister. As we get new pledges, each is assigned to a family. The new member is the little sister of ALL the family members. Since we are brand new, our families are really small. I'm actually the only member of the Angel Family since my "angel sister" transferred to another school:( I really hope I get a little sister when we give out invitations in the next few weeks.

We are trying to come up with a special way to send off our only senior. If you think of anything, let me know!

Thanks for your input!

Erica

Hi Erica,

I just thought of a few things your chapter can do for the senior who is leaving. Have all the sisters contribute 1-2 items for a "relaxation basket" (nice bath soaps/salts, aromatherapy items; with her "favorite items" or items for her new home??

Depending on the circumstance and how much time the sisters or your seniors's "Delta-pi-family" has, perhaps create a home-made basket - with her favorite colors, and scapbook type items, pre-paid phone card(s) so she can keep in touch with you.

If your really in a pinch timewise, make a simple 10 x 12 inch "scrapbook-poster" collage with your chapter's family photos, everyone's signature, little mementos (sp?) a suprise dinner/going away party, etc. (sorry this is worded funny - lol). :)

Erica,

I know that one way our chapter does things a little differently is we let the littles choose their bigs. This difference sets us apart from the other sororities on campus where a preference mapping system or other is used. We have found that this works out wonderfully for all of us, and even though we don't have cool family names (which I like those by the way!) we have grand-bigs and grand-littles and great-great-grands and all of that. It's really nice when the alumni come back to visit and you can trace their entire family tree to current active membership.

One of the other things we do is that we have a small ritual for our graduating seniors. It always requires a lot of tissues though. If you send me an email I will gladly send you a more detailed explanation of our senior send-off ritual.

Thanks,
Krista

Bumping this becasue I thought it was an interesting discussion.