What do I do?

[Jenn2nen]

About a month ago, I moved to a new state. I called international before I left my old chapter and let them know I was moving. When I arrived here, I already had a letter from them giving me the name and phone number of the vice president of the area city council. I gave her a call and let her know that I was very interested in joining a new chapter. She said she would email the chapters and let them know I was here. A week later she called me back to see if anyone had contacted me. Unfortunatly I haven't heard from anyone. She then said that she would have invited me to one of her chapter meetings, but her chapter has disbanded.

I know with my previous city council that when a chapter disbanded they lost their seat on city council. Is that true for all councils? Should I contact international again and try to get a new contact person or should I just give it a little more time? It seems that there are quite a few chapters in this area and I'm surprised that I haven't heard from any of them yet. This is my first time changing chapters and I'm not sure what to do.

Jenn

[erica812]

Hi, Jen!
I've never been through a chapter transfer, but I imagine that you are encountering the same problem that our potential pledges have stumbled upon. Many chapters are satisfied with their membership at present, or they are busy with activities and haven't taken the time to reach out to members or potential members that have expressed interest. I would suggest waiting another week or so, and then call the C.C. Vice President (or former Vice President) again. Even if she is no longer part of the City Council, she will probably have the contact information for other sisters in the area. If nothing comes of it, try International again. A chapter out there is missing out on your enthusiasm, ideas, and friendship!

Good luck. I hope that you will let the Greekchat sisters be your "chapter" until you find a new home

Erica

[Jenn2nen]

Thanks Erica! I was so involved with my last chapter that it's been hard to move here and not have that. I'm also a stay at home mom and sorority is my chance to get away from the kids for a few hours and have grown-up girl time, lol. I hope someone contacts me soon!
Thanks again,
Jenn

[Jenn2nen]

I just wanted to let everyone know what's been happening here with me trying to find a chapter.

Last week, I contacted International again and found out that the vice pres of city council was no longer listed. They gave me the name of the president and I was able to contact her. She let me know more about BSP in the area and invited me to Founders Day! Yeah!!!

I also contacted the person in charge of convention for my state, and I've received an invitation to that.

Last night, I received a call from another BSP member and she invited me to her chapter meeting next week. Everything was going great with our conversation until I asked her what degree her chapter was. She had no idea what I was talking about and couldn't even tell me what degree she was. This was very surprising to me considering she said she had been on city council. Am I being paranoid after my experience with the vice president here? I'm still planning on meeting the person I talked to last night, but it seemed strange to me that she didn't know her degree. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jenn

[Krista#78]

Jenn,

Luckily, you can figure out their degree just by asking her the chapter name. Depending on how active in everything you want to be, I too would be weary about it. Maybe she just couldn't remember the term right or was confused, it happens, but that's alright. I had to explain what Nu Phi Mu degree was to one of the girls from the chapters out here. It seems that sometimes we should review these items.

I'm looking at one of the chapters here where I just moved, and it's been a little strange for me too at this point. They invited me to a Founder's Day brunch being held this afternoon, described the attire as dressy, but then when I asked about whether it was "pin attire" she said they don't usually wear their pins. To me, this was kind of unnerving. I am very proud of my letters (being from a collegiate) and love to wear my pin and charm bracelet whenever I can. I guess it's just a difference in the pledge program and how and what we learn (and retain )

I also have a quick question about transferring. The chapter that I am going to meet today keeps talking about pledging in the fall. I was curious how this was usually done or if all members went through the program every year or as a transferred member is this something I have to do? I was just curious, don't get me wrong, I think it would be a great experience to pledge again, but since I'm already a member I wasn't sure how that worked.


Definitely keep us posted on how everything's going!! Wish I could be more help...maybe after today I can talk to more Beta's and find out their thoughts. But this is my first time changing chapters too!

[erica812]

Jenn2nen...did anything come of your contacts?

Krista#78...how did the picnic go?

Erica

[Jenn2nen]

Everything is going great here! I've now attended two meetings with the chapter I mentioned above and I also sat with them at Founders Day. I've learned that BSP is not the same everywhere and that different chapters do things differently. I don't think this is a bad thing, I just need to learn how they do things here. The chapter I visited has already invited me to join their chapter and right now I think I probably will. I have been invited to one other chapter's meeting though, and I'd like to give them a chance too before I decide.

The sister that contacted me that I was concerned about since she didn't know what degree she was is a fairly new pledge. I don't think that the chapter has been doing pledge training for her and only a few of the girls wore their pins at the meetings I attended although they did all "ooh and ahh" over my badge, lol. Pins are important to me, but none of the 197 ladies at Founders day wore thier badges. I'm wondering if none of the chapters here wear their pins. Maybe this is something I can help change in the future!

The chapter is also planning on Rushing in the fall. I love to be involved with Rushing and Pledge training, so maybe this is where I need to be. My goal with sorority is to one day be a part of a friendly venture and I may be able to do it here.

It has also been a big change coming from a City Council of only 5 chapters to a Council of over 20! Founders day was so large, that I was only able to meet a few people that were not associated with the chapter I'm interested in. With my last city council, new members were easy to see and many people would come up and introduce themselves. I don't think there is enough interaction between the chapters to make that possible here.

Krista- The way I was taught in pledge training is that once you are a member of BSP and you transfer, you retain your degree and do not have to pledge again. Could they have been talking about Rushing in the fall to gain new members and possibly wanted your help with that? Or maybe they want to wait until the fall to add new members (including you). Before we moved, I wasn't sure if I would need to ask a chapter if I could join them or if they would invite me. Thankfully I have been invited to join and I plan to let them know at the next meeting.

Thanks for all your support ladies!

Jenn

[Krista#78]

Awesome to hear Jenn, I'm glad things are going well for you!! Keep us updated on how things are going!!

I too had the same experience with the pins at the Founder's Day bruncheon here. I only saw one or two maybe in the whole crowd, and when I asked the girls who had invited me if dress was "pin attire" she said that they don't usually wear their pins. I too am very proud of my badge and my letters, and I wear them all the time, whether it be a bracelet, a necklace or my pin. I think this is definitely something we'll need to work on with our new chapters, maybe a program on being proud of your badge!

As far as pledging with this group goes, I am hoping that they don't plan on having me pledge again, however, most of them are new members and we'll just have to work out the details if they ask me to join.

Again, congrats on hopefully finding at least one home Jenn!!

[daisy19]

Have you tried the Chamber of Commerce in your new city? Looked through the newspapers for meeting listings? Called the society editor of the newspaper?Asked at your church?
I hope you have a contact soon as I have always felt that being able to have "instant friends" in a new place was one of the biggest draws for Beta Sigma Phi. Mizpah, Lisa Weaver

[erica812]

Welcome, daisy19 Enjoy the board.

Erica