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  #1  
Old 06-13-2003, 10:53 AM
OrigamiTulip OrigamiTulip is offline
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Question 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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  #2  
Old 06-13-2003, 12:38 PM
Ginger
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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!"
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  #3  
Old 06-15-2003, 12:01 AM
AngelPhiSig AngelPhiSig is offline
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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....
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  #4  
Old 06-15-2003, 02:09 AM
Jill1228 Jill1228 is offline
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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
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  #5  
Old 06-15-2003, 03:24 PM
DeniLin DeniLin is offline
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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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  #6  
Old 06-15-2003, 08:43 PM
AngelPhiSig AngelPhiSig is offline
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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!"
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  #7  
Old 06-15-2003, 08:59 PM
Jill1228 Jill1228 is offline
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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
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  #8  
Old 06-16-2003, 12:34 AM
bsp-mich24 bsp-mich24 is offline
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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).
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  #9  
Old 06-16-2003, 01:10 AM
MTSUGURL MTSUGURL is offline
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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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  #10  
Old 06-16-2003, 01:28 AM
AngelPhiSig AngelPhiSig is offline
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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!
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  #11  
Old 06-16-2003, 09:20 AM
erica812 erica812 is offline
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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.
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  #12  
Old 06-16-2003, 11:18 AM
MoxieGrrl MoxieGrrl is offline
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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.
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  #13  
Old 06-16-2003, 12:48 PM
Jill1228 Jill1228 is offline
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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)
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  #14  
Old 06-16-2003, 12:51 PM
Jill1228 Jill1228 is offline
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Well I have gotten someone interested in BSP. She is on GC and recently became an AI to an NPC
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  #15  
Old 06-16-2003, 10:42 PM
BSP_Nicole BSP_Nicole is offline
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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
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