A "Nu" Story

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by erica812

I definitely hear what you are saying, sigmadiva. I've been following misscherrypie's story from the beginning.

On your first point:

It's not wrong for misscherrypie to follow an NPC-esque model. She just isn't going to get that kind of support from International because Beta Sigma Phi isn't built that way. I don't have a problem with Nevada Nu joining in with the Greeks on campus as long as they maintain our ritual and the other requirements. In fact, from what I've seen "behind the scenes" in my communications with misscherrypie, she is doing a fantastic job of being a positive supporter of all Greeks on her campus. She is keeping her soon-to-be-sisters informed about philanthropy events and fundraisers. Her spirit is inspiring! I do sometimes worry that she might be disappointed with BSP because she isn't going to find pointers on big-little ceremonies or pref night in her materials from International. What she will get is a book of beautiful rituals, ideas for Secret Sister traditions, Woman of the Year pointers, and thoughts on celebrating the annual Valentine Sweetheart. THESE things are Beta Sigma Phi through and through! And I believe that Nevada Nu will come to love these things even if they aren't like most collegiate sororities.

And I think this may be the source of some of her frustration.

I want her to be successful too.

On your second point:

You are right. Nevada Nu would need to reach out to an area chapter to have a person physically present to support them. The process designed by International does not automatically provide face-to-face guidance. However, every chapter is assigned to a division, and each division has a Division Chairman. The Chairman is an excellent support person. I have had nothing but great experiences with mine. She would be more than happy to help misscherrypie by phone and e-mail.

I think if Nevada Nu had more physical assistance, then they would know how and what to do to specifically market BSP to the collegiate students. I am guessing that the reason so many bids were not accepted was because maybe some of the women realized BSP is not what they thought it might be (like a NPC org). But, if they (MCP and the female students) had a better understanding of what BSP is, then she may have had more to join.

Truly, the Friendly Venture process and BSP chapter operations are so straightforward than anyone with a bit of leadership experience can handle it. The hard part is gathering enough members to charter, and it looks like misscherrypie is well on her way!

True, but at some point everyone needs training about their org. That's why so many companies and schools have professional development training sessions for their employees. That employee may have leadership experience, but they will still need to be trained on the company structure and expectations.

Same is true for GLOs. I know that my GLO, SGR, is constantly offering leadership training. It is especially expected if you are planning on being an officer, or you are already an officer. Polices and procedures can change quickly to address the issues of RM, membership intake, and by-laws changes.

[misscherrypie]

We do have a faculty advisor. She is not a Beta Sigma Phi....but has been supportive in the ways in which she is able to be. I'd personally appreciate her taking more of an advisory role....but since she's only been on board for less than a week, and has been observing how things have run....we believe that she will gradually come into her own.

[sigmadiva]

WOW!! Thanks for letting us know.

Well, keep at it. You are very determined to make this work, and it seems like it will.

[misscherrypie]

Thanks SigmaDiva. Really.

We meet with ASUN tomorrow morning for a discussion in relation to becoming recognized by the University. All thoughts and prayers would be most welcome for a positive outcome.

Thank you!

[Gamma Xi Phi]

This just seems so tricky.

Beta Sigma Phi is non-collegiate.

It's a social sorority that seems to be exempt from Title IX but allows dual membership with other social sororities. It is not a service sorority, professional sorority, or honor society.

It is non-collegiate, but allows institutional chapters.

Even though one could very well be in a social sorority and BSP, chances are on most campuses one wouldn't do both unless the non-NPC org had a "hook" - like music (SAI), service (OPA), or another field of study.

I wish you luck. Expansion is tough. I wouldn't even know how to advise a student group like this, other than to advise them to intentionally be off-campus as a "mixed" chapter of collegians and women in the community.

[misscherrypie]

Well, I have news.


Well, the verdict is in. Because of rule changes that predate my arrival to campus, Beta Sigma Phi isn't going to be able to be recognized by Greek Life as a sorority because our international doesn't fall under one of the recognized umbrella organizations of Greek Life.

We could be recognized as a club, but would be unable to use our actual name (So we'd have to use a name such as The Rose Society) and we'd have to modify our constitution to permit men to join to comply with title IX.

I knew that there was some reason why there are no Beta Sigma Phi chapters on Public University or College campuses. Never mind the fact that we don't have enough actual students to become recognized as a campus club or organization.

I'm more annoyed that I can say at the moment. My sisters all think that taking our time and not trying to push things (meaning....working gradually to become recognized as a campus club, and then seeing if things change.....and if it takes past the time that we graduate to become recognized as an org....then so be it.) will be the key to success. I believe that I'll warm up to the idea....but I'll be truthful in saying that with as feisty as I am....being taken down a peg is not something that I immediately accept....it takes a while for me. A flaw, but at least I'm honest about it.

I didn't appreciate being told that the sorority that I've given my time, finances and spirit to try to bring to campus doesn't measure up enough to be eligible for campus recognition. I think that is what got my goat the most.

A large part of me wants to give up the idea of even bothering to become recognized on campus. If its not going to happen....then why expend so much energy trying to recruit PNMs who want that Collegiate Greek experience who will see that we're not like other sororities and aren't what they're really seeking.

On the overwhelming positive....we have enough members to charter Nevada Nu and no matter what the school says.....we're going to be recognized as a full fledged chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in just a few weeks. So, my dream of having sisters who are my age and in college like me did come true. I was afraid that it never would.

[FSUZeta]

"On the overwhelming positive....we have enough members to charter Nevada Nu and no matter what the school says.....we're going to be recognized as a full fledged chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in just a few weeks. So, my dream of having sisters who are my age and in college like me did come true. I was afraid that it never would." misscherrypie

Don't lose focus on that point, because that is what it ultimately is all about. What does not being recognized as a campus org. mean? You can still be a chapter of BSP. You can still wear letters. Is it that you won't be able to secure a meeting place on campus? That shouldn't stop you from meeting. Just meet at someone's apartment/house.

[misscherrypie]

Mostly it's the fact that we wouldn't be allowed to recruit or fundraise on campus without paying a large amount of money (that we don't have) and other orgs wouldn't be able to partner with us in our activities.

We actually do meet on campus. The campus has a system where students can reserve rooms in specific places as "gatherings of students", which we take full advantage of....plus it's free which is a big plus as well as being centrally located.

We have some fundraising ideas....but we'll just need to find another way to make them happen.

[Old_Row]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

Mostly it's the fact that we wouldn't be allowed to recruit or fundraise on campus without paying a large amount of money (that we don't have) and other orgs wouldn't be able to partner with us in our activities.

I'm confused again. How were you just able to do all that recruiting on campus if this is so?

[sigmagirl2000]

Originally Posted by Old_Row

I'm confused again. How were you just able to do all that recruiting on campus if this is so?

Glad I'm not the only one feeling a bit confused about all of this.

[FSUZeta]

Could BSP be placed in another category other than "greek", once you acquired the requisite number of members, per campus requirements?

You might be permitted to set up a table at Target or a grocery store for your fundraising. You would probably make more $ too, since you would not be limited to soliciting from poor college students!

[misscherrypie]

Yes. We would fall under the "Campus Life" category.

[FSUZeta]

Super. So your turn down is not terminal, just temporary, right?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

Super. So your turn down is not terminal, just temporary, right?

Methinks it's the women-only part that's going to be the sticking point.

[misscherrypie]

No, it's not.