Just the Beginning! Advice? - Page 2

erica812 · #1 09-23-2002, 06:30 PM

I now have a list of ten women who are interested in Beta Sigma Phi! I am so, so thrilled!! Of course, saying that one is interested is NOT the same as joining, but I only need seven to establish the chapter. My odds are improving

Erica

LeslieAGD · #2 09-24-2002, 03:11 PM

Erica, glad to hear the planning is going well. Keep us posted!

erica812 · #3 09-26-2002, 05:06 PM

Tomorrow is the first "official" event of my Beta Sigma Phi interest group (I guess that's what it is right now). I am expecting 9 women, but I emphasized the importance of bringing friends so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. Three of the women who I am expecting are particularly enthusiastic! I can't wait to talk with them tomorrow evening.

I talked with one prospective sister who can't make the meeting, and I have to admit that she made me feel sort of discouraged. She really bulked at the inital membership fee. It's only $48, but I know that would have been a fortune for me as a college sophomore, too. I'm just worried that the others will all have the same reaction. Knowing me, I'll want to pay for everyone, but I'd have to live on mac 'n cheez for the rest of the year! Oh well...I'm just nervous because I was really hoping to have this girl as a sister. She is smart, funny, and fun to be around. I would hate to see her go due to something like money.

Finally, I could use some advice from you lovely GC-ers on a rather trivial matter. The initial group will be the Alpha class. We will hopefully form the Beta pledge class in late October after our rush event--"Strawberry Bash 2002." Should we make T-shirts right away and then get "Strawberry Bash" shirts later? Or should we just wait and get "Strawberry Bash" shirts along with the Beta Class? I definitely want to have something for the sisters to wear when we host our rush event, and I'm just wondering if it should be exactly what the Beta sisters will get once bids are extended or should they be different?

Thoughts please!!!!

Erica

MTSUGURL · #4 09-27-2002, 05:59 PM

Does anyone know if there is a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi close to Nashville TN?

erica812 · #5 09-28-2002, 08:43 AM

Well, I held Info Night in the campus center yesterday, and five girls came. Not bad. Three of them took membership applications with them, and they seemed really excited about the sorority. Best of all, they were already making suggestions and swapping ideas for future plans. That made me feel really happy.

One girl said that she needed to consider her other time commitments. I can certainly understand that.

The last girl really sort of puzzled me. She was very nice and gracious. She seemed very interested. She asked questions, and she even offered some ideas on advertising. But then when I passed out the membership applications, she put her hands up and said that she needed to get back to me. Maybe it was the money thing...I don't know. Maybe she needed to talk to her parents or something. It could be a million different things, but I'm just worrying that it had to do with the way I presented the sorority. I think I was just my bubbling-over-with-excitement self, but since I am a grad student and a teacher on campus, I sometimes put on my "teacher voice" without meaning to. These girls are all undergraduates, and I hope I didn't act too old!

Overall, I think the evening was a success. We arranged another meeting time, and the girls are going to work on making fliers. If I have as much fun as a member of Beta Sigma Phi as I did preparing for Info Night, I have plenty to look forward to. I spent yesterday afternoon baking cookies and decorating them with Greek letters. I made these cute little treat bags with Beta Sigma Phi in yellow lettering, and I tied them with yellow curly ribbon. Inside, I put strawberry candies (one of the sorority symbols is the strawberry) and black & yellow M&Ms (sorority colors). On the outside, I tied a tiny silk yellow rose in the ribbon (sorority flower).

Well, I think those are all of my details for now!

Erica

P.S.
MTSUGURL......The best way to find out if there are chapters in your area is to contact Keri Marshall in the membership department. You can e-mail them at membership@betasigmaphi.org or call 1-888-Beta-2-b-1. If you can't find a chapter in your area, starting one is certainly possible. The organization is really advocating collegiate chapters right now. Keep in touch!!!

MTSUGURL · #6 09-29-2002, 12:53 AM

I only heard about this group a few days ago, and I'm so excited. It seems to be a very classy, ladylike organization, which I believe is very important to strive for. I can't understand people balking at the cost. That's not expensive at all. Especially compared with other sororities. GOOD LUCK!!!

erica812 · #7 09-30-2002, 08:54 AM

It looks like we might be able to send in our paperwork by October 8th (our next info session)! I am pretty sure that I have SEVEN women who are solidly committed to making this happen. I'm not getting my hopes up too high though because people can change their minds in a flash, but I just might be a new Beta Sigma Phi by next week!

Any tips on the T-shirt question? (please see above)

Erica

violets · #8 09-30-2002, 11:43 AM

GO BETA SIGMA PHI!

Erica, it sounds as if everything is really moving forward! I admire your sense of commitment and dedication to sisterhood. You and Beta Sigma Phi are in my thoughts.
Good luck,
violets

Tom Earp · #9 09-30-2002, 04:48 PM

GO GO GO!

It is never easy! But hard work pays off! Trust me I know!

Greek Organizations run the gaument, up today down tomarrow!

That is why I started a local, I was and always have been for UNDERDOG! He Shows the Way and his constant companion Tonto!

Litle Beaver!

Sancho Panza

Oh well what the hello everybody hello!

Holy S-it BatMan!

Inanitmy is the best form of movemnet!

erica812 · #10 10-02-2002, 11:24 PM

Thanks for all of the great support!!

This has really been a fantastic experience so far. I've met more people through this whole effort than I did all of last year!

We won't be meeting again until next Tuesday, but I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for reading my thread and caring about my progress.

Also, I am thrilled to say that my story has inspired at least two ladies from Greek Chat to look into Beta Sigma Phi for themselves. Go BETA!!!!

Crystal, when you get your chapter info, you should start a thread here, too!!!

Erica

(Can you tell I'm excited? I've just about worn out my exclamation key...)

#11 10-03-2002, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by erica812
Also, I am thrilled to say that my story has inspired at least two ladies from Greek Chat to look into Beta Sigma Phi for themselves. Go BETA!!!!

Make that three

I'm in a similar situation - I'm ineligble for an NPC sorority because I am a part time student. But reading your story piqued my interest, and I am now in the recruitment database for Beta Sigma Phi!

I can't wait to meet some of the girls!

They've also contacted me about possibly starting a chapter if there is not one in my area, so....who knows... maybe you'll have a partner thread on here soon!

Best of luck and keep us informed!
Ginger

MTSUGURL · #12 10-03-2002, 11:39 AM

That's awesome! Keep us updated! Erica-anymore news?
They told me I'd hear from someone in 4-6 weeks.

violets · #13 10-03-2002, 01:55 PM

Way to go Ginger! Good luck with BETA SIGMA PHI!

erica, you are already attracting member for Beta in other areas of the country...you are going to be on dynamic sister!
Good luck.
violets

erica812 · #14 10-07-2002, 09:40 AM

is tomorrow! I hope my girls have been out recruiting

Since I posted this thread, 5 people have now contacted me for info about Beta Sigma Phi, and 4 of them have contacted IHQ as prospective members. International is going to wonder what's going on!!!

I'm so thrilled for all of the new potential sisters here on GC.

I'll update you soon...........

Erica

violets · #15 10-07-2002, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Since I posted this thread, 5 people have now contacted me for info about Beta Sigma Phi, and 4 of them have contacted IHQ as prospective members. International is going to wonder what's going on!!!

Erica:
I know what's going on...your every post embodies an enthusiasm and a passion for a caring, active, true sisterhood.
You are attracting new sisters by your actions and attitude. And you are showing us all what the desire for sisterhood can mean.
I'm behind you all the way!
violets