Designations?

MoxieGrrl · #1 05-19-2003, 03:46 PM

Hi girls-
In my research of Beta Sigma Phi, I have come across (what seems to me) as different designations of chapters. What are the differences between exemplar, preceptor, laureate, & master chapters? Sorry if this is asking something secret, btw.... I don't want to offend anyone!

erica812 · #2 05-19-2003, 06:58 PM

Don't worry...it's not a secret! Beta Sigma Phi has several degrees. These degrees are levels based on years of active membership. Sort of like Girl Scouts...Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadets, Seniors. In Beta Sigma Phi, the levels are Pledge, Ritual of Jewels, Exemplar, Preceptor, Laureate, and Master. There are also Nu Phi Mu chapters of women between 18-23. These chapters are rare since even young groups choose to go Ritual of Jewels instead (like my chapter). Traditionally, when a member progresses to the next degree, she progresses to a local chapter of that degree. However, the resent trend is that chapters wait until the majority (or all? I'm not sure) of their members reach a degree, then the whole chapter progresses. Chapter names are based on degrees. For example, my chapter is a Ritual of Jewels chapter so we are Delta Pi. If we progressed to Exemplar, we would be Xi Delta Pi, Preceptor=Preceptor Delta Pi, Laureate=Laureate Delta Pi, and Master=Delta Pi Master. If we had been a Nu Phi Mu chapter, we would have been named Phi Delta Pi.

Chapters of any degree can pledge new members, so a Preceptor chapter for example may have members of any degree from Ritual of Jewels to Master. The chapter names can give you some sense of the age of the sisters, but it is not an absolute distinction. Michelle, a regular poster here, is a pledge in an Exemplar chapter, and there are a couple of girls that post sometimes from a Nu Phi Mu chapter. I think the degree system is pretty interesting. It shows that you never stop learning and growing as a Beta Sigma Phi.

Thanks for posting!

Erica

Jill1228 · #3 05-21-2003, 11:37 PM

You explained it perfectly.

The president of our chapter explained it to me on our way home from my pledge ritual

I am a pledge but I am in a Preceptor chapter. There are only 5 chapters in our area (Whatcom County, WA)

bsp-mich24 · #4 05-23-2003, 12:59 AM

Yes, Erica explained the levels well

.

There are only 2 Ritual of Jewels, and 3 Exemplar chapters out of 18 chapters out here in our City Council (Xi Gamma Tau & another Exemplar chapter happen to be accepting new members at the time I started the "pnm"/rush process back in October 2002).

This summer our city council will be holding a Friendship Faire / Rush to form (friendly venture) 2-3 new Ritual of Jewels chapters plus an extra effort to increase the the membership of the 20-30 something age range.

Jill1228 · #5 05-23-2003, 01:54 AM

Question:
How soon do you receive your membership number after sending dues in?

I split mine up in 2 payments and it was mailed last week

erica812 · #6 05-23-2003, 07:50 AM

Michelle: all that rushing sounds SO exciting! Wow! You have to keep us updated on the Friendly Ventures. I can't wait to hear.

Jill: You will get your member number, charm bracelet, and Welcome heart after your final payment is processed. I was SO impatient to get mine, but it will come!

Erica

MoxieGrrl · #7 05-23-2003, 03:26 PM

You get a charm bracelet when you initiate into Beta??!!

cutetiger · #8 05-23-2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MoxieGrrl
You get a charm bracelet when you initiate into Beta??!!

Yet another benefit for being/joining Beta! When you join, International sends you a bracelet called an achievement band. Every year that you are in Beta, International sends you a new heart to add to your bracelet. In addition to the hearts, you can get stars that show things that you've been/done and even really cute charms. Every girl loves accessories!

Edited because I can no longer type

erica812 · #9 05-24-2003, 09:32 AM

Hi, "cutetiger"! It's good to "see" you around.

I just LOVE my bracelet. I now have my welcome heart, a charter member star, a pledge ritual star, and the President's gavel (my favorite). I think I'll order my Ritual of Jewels star this summer. The charms are wonderful if you need a small, meaningful gift for a sister.

Erica

P.S. MY SEMESTER HAS FINALLY ENDED!!! WHOOHOO