Interested in joining

[BSP SassieLuLu]

Hello Prospective Sisters and Sisters,


It is important that you understand, that untill present sisters start new Chapters, new prospects will need to join existing ones.

I took a leave after being in ROJ and Exemplar, I was always the youngest in both groups, even back in 1972 through 1981!!
I actually enjoyed it, the girls were only 5 or so years ahead of me, then. It was a lot of fun and I was extremely involved!

I returned to my sisterhood several years back and to my surprize, wow... where did all the younger chapters go? Finding out that chapters were of mixed degrees and ages now!! No more Progressions etc??? Seems the rushing just stopped! When you progressed you were to replace yourself, ( I replaced myself many times back in the day).


I searched for a chapter that my personality would fit into, I am a bit immature and overly enthusiastic (or so I have been told LOL). I was never invited by any of the Preceptor Chapters to visit , (would be my degree soon, as I as Exemplar still). Seeing afterwards, that these chapters did not want to grow any bigger or they were fairly far away from my residence.

I visited several Laureates, and they all invited me to join their chapters(Their chapters are huge, guess they love to grow). Needless to say I then was an Exemplar in a Laureate Chapter. My wonderful sisters are mostly 10 years older than I, a few are close but, I am still the youngest. Up until actively persued a transferee 8 years younger than myself!! We also have a brand new girl, just took her ROJ, so we have grown to be 18 in number.
The more the merrier, and it makes our jobs so much more fun and easier!!
How do we fit everyone into our homes... easy... just push those folding chairs in a lil closer!! One of our sisters has a small house, we just wrap around into the doorway & hallway LOL, it is great!
Warm days we are outside on a patio, or on a lawn with folding table with folding chairs, would work great. Also one sister used the local libruary, and another her church!!

My Point?? Join any chapter that is convient and comfortable for you and ask if they will be willing to bring in more members in the near future!! Dont bother about the age of these Sisters, as I see some 65 year olds that can outdo some of the youngest sisters!! Hello!! Also you can get involved in City Council Activities!!

Once you have been accepted, you will now persue younger members to become BSP sisters and guess what, you have some of the most knowledgeable Sisters in BSP at your fingertips, for pledge training if need be!! I wouldnt be surprized if you could bring enough new younger sisters into the chapter to learn, and then break away on yours own. Dont do this to soon, wait untill you have added 12. So if you are in a chapter of 13 and add another 12, that is 25... which is a top knotch group, even if you decide to stay as one!!


Once you have joined a nice Chapter
I will actively persue more, hopefully younger to our group. My sisters say we can add 2 or 3 more this year.
My chapter had not given a ROJ for over 20!!

They just all moved up together and changed the name of their chapter to the degree in which the majority earned!! I have a feeling that many did this over the last 35 years. Which is wonderful, as they are very close and know eachother, their family members even the cat and dogs LOL!!

I am lucky to be apart of my Chapter, they are some of the best women in the world!!!

[BSP SassieLuLu]

"little old ladies" ut oh... Good thing that those inwhich you refer to, are not ALL computer literate... so alas, I rue on my own...
WOW, Cant wait till a little snipperdipperosebud, in a very few short years call you that, even if I am not around to see it LOL... <sisterteasin> <Beta Hugs... sense of humormormore)


I just took my Preceptor Ritual, I loved being an Exemplar for the past 8 years! Dont let the lil old lady syndrome catch you, it hasnt caught me yet. Someday soon it will be your turn to run from it...... LOL


I happen to be an "Old Girl, Full Bloomed Rose" Alrightie then....
Also, I would not be considered "little , or old or sometimes not even a lady! I am fun, outragously nutty, daring, I still climb trees if I want... shoulda seen the cartwheel I did for my granddaughter
.............so there.... with whip cream and a cherrie on top..p..ph!

I Thank you to tell all the youngerlings to join us..... We will show you how we have been having Beta Sigma Phi Fun since 1931!!!

[AngelPhiSig]

Originally posted by BSP SassieLuLu


It is important that you understand, that untill present sisters start new Chapters, new prospects will need to join existing ones.

One thing to remember is that many of us on this board started our own chapters - in areas that either didnt have a chapter or only had master chapters (and a 20 something in a master chapter just wont work out well...)

I was not a member until I started PA Nu Eta in Clarion, PA. No one in our chapter was a member until then either. We contacted Intl. after I found BSP through this board - and through Erica812. The closest chapter to us was about 45 minutes away.

Erica also started her chapter when she wasnt a member - Ill let her tell her story too.

BetaSigRose was a member without a chapter, she had never been in one until she joined PA Nu Iota - which Erica and I started when we both moved back into southwestern PA!

So if a person is interested and has 6 friends who are willing to put in the time and effort - non members CAN Friendly Venture!

[BSP SassieLuLu]

AngelPhiSig states:
One thing to remember is that many of us on this board started our own chapters - in areas that either didnt have a chapter or only had master chapters (and a 20 something in a master chapter just wont work out well...)

Reply: Remember you will be a Master someday, (if blessed to live long enough).
I give all the credit of this wide and great sisterhood to my sisters who came before me. (my color is Blue for humility) We can only imagine the work and presuance it took to build this great sisterhood. Of the many years of our elder sisters loyalty.
"Our sisterhood" is well over 165,000 Sisters as of todate. Not too long ago 200,000. Hundreds of Young and Older, ladies since 1931 have started their own chapters, some have started 2, 3 4 chapters all at once, from nothing... In small hamlets, villiages, towns and Cities, all learning as they went, trial by error so to speak. No experienced Sisters to ask questions of or to learn from. They worked hard to make things, sell things, donate things.... to earn money to Friendly Venture Several Chapters at once. Ways and Means Projects were something to see!


Luckily when I became a member 1972, I was 22, there were plenty of experienced Laureates and Masters who we looked up to for guidence. As you have today, thousands, of some of the best women in the world. These older girls have made BSP what it is, with all their hearts. So, I really feel lucky to enjoy the emensity of all the friendships they have created for me!

WE have Rushed Entire Cities, to obtain the memberships we have now. In the 1970s we had a huge growth of sisters that put their souls into their sisterhood to make it what it is today. BSP was so well known that an ad would be ran in a local newspaper of a Rush and an overwhelming number of ladies would respond, many are very loyal sisters still today!


I mostly spoke of the young ladies that were saying the only chapters they had a choice of were Master Chapters. I just want them to understand that this can still be rewarding, and help to gain a better chapter for their future.



First you girls should be commended for your support of BSP!! You have done a fantastic job. I have read your postings here, fairly far back. I for one appreciate the hard work of persuing new members, especially in a fV capasity! Not many FV going on as a whole, so the ones that are should be supported all the way!! Especially the ones in areas where there is no BSP chapters.

From where I sit, I see it on a monthly basis, as I am extremely involved with my BSP chapter and City Council. I see diminishing ROJ and Nu Phi Mu Chapters all across the board. Existing chapters are growing very large however. It would be nice to have more Nu Phi Mu and ROJ again.

I see many postings here, of prospects who are becoming frustrated with trying to be a BSP sister. I just want them to know that we would love to have them, if they could just be a little open minded and patient. BSP is restructuring for the future, you younger ladies must be prepared to take over an The Largest Freindship Organization in the World. One that ladies from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s into the 2000s, have structured as well as kept it well and alive for you.

This is why I suggested another way to obtain Younger ladies, membership in an existing chapter.... no matter what degree, even master, OMWord they would be your best teachers!! pledging new members into the existing chapter is a great undertaking, this so they may learn faster and easier. Then if they choose after pledging enough members of the age of their liking, can start their own chapter.... and go with the wind... with the experience the Laureates and or Masters taught them!
There are plenty of Preceptor and Laureate Chapters for 20 year olds to begin in, even if there real desire is to start a chapter with their friends or prospects of a certain age. They can enrich their lives by learning and being involved with the "Old Girls" (most likely get a little spoiled, as well) .

Well instead of waiting around for a chapter to be formed, or to find prospective members... why not be in a seasoned chapter, learning while you wait? Even if you are 20, as you can be the Masters Chapter Representative in many ways, or hold an office and not lose time. Earn your charms & pins all while presuing your new chapter.

[AngelPhiSig]

I was never saying anything against the master chapters or older members. I was commenting on the fact that many 20somethings are uncomfortable joining a group of women who are older than them - mainly their mother or grandmother's age.

Women of college or post college age now a days are not as 'social' as they once were. (read on the Millenial generation - this is stuff I learned doing my work with Phi Sig - incredibly interesting)

People in the Pittsburgh area are also not very willing to join chapters. We are working on that.

Almost all of the women on this board are trying to bring younger members into BSP as much as we can, we are trying to get BSP to make the changes needed in order to continue to grow. We notice the absence of younger chapters. Many of us were in NPC (college) sororities and we bring that expierence to the table...

From what I know of NuPhiMu chapters, there are very few left and Intl is not creating more. Women 18-23 are encouraged to start ROJ chapters and even the new Michigan Alpha Theta Chi in Flint is a college chapter- but RoJ.

Eh. Its late. My job is sucking. Im sorry if I ever sound b*tchy.

Mizpah to you all <3

[BSP SassieLuLu]

Hi there Alison,
No No No... I do not think you are being B...chy!! We only take what we read as an opinon, or discussion!! (I just never can seem to give mine without writing a book LOL) We all just have to know that although you can not see my smile, or my facial expressions, does not mean a person is stating mean or nasty remarks. Just so much fun and love to share thoughts!


I love what all you are doing, I just was stressing that if you are unable to start a chapter, to use the older ones as a cacoon, if you will. It is hard to struggle in the beginning... 7 members would be very hard. Put those 7 young members in a seasoned chapter until you have 12, then make your own, it isnt so hard then. As you know with 7 new members, some come and go... making your members only 4 or 5 , inwhich a burnout may occur.

Anywho, that is enough from me. I love talking with you however!!
Beta Hugs, Your Sister Proud To Be A Beta Sigma Phi

[AngelPhiSig]

You hit the nail on the head with the burnout thing!

We have that. We are trying to restart.

There are NO older chapters on this side of the city, so they're all about 45 minutes away (except for a small master chapter that I dont think does too much... I dont know if they're still functioning) We did join city council, but all that did was put a strain on us finacially and with our time. We would appriciate help, but it seemed like our CC didnt want to do that.

I agree with you on the 7 members joining the older chapter until they get on their feet. Then the older chapter could FV them. That is fantastic. In areas where there are more chapters, thats a great idea.

Older chapters need to be more accepting to this!

BSPSassieLuLu, you should come to our meeting of 'younger' women in BSP where we are going to talk about bringing younger women into BSP, keeping BSP growing etc. We want to propose some changes to Intl but only after we discuss them more. You seem to be focused on BSP growing, unlike a lot of non-ROJ women (especially around here) that are content with how things are. All orgs need to change with the times and those changed dont come easily. (Believe me, we voted on two important things this past summer in Phi Sig land and we're all like "Whaaaat?"

You're cool in my book

[BSP SassieLuLu]

Hi Sisters, I would love to help with ideas and possibly help with ideas to help build BSP. I however must do this online, as I am not wealthy enough to be trapesing off across the US.
Do you have a private message chat area for this. How are you discussing the possiblities outside the public eye?

[Measi]

It's been a while since I've popped by here, but I thought giving another experience from a potential member would add to discussion-

I became interested in BSP a couple years ago. I loved the idea of being part of a sisterhood, post-college, that could last the rest of my life. I could care less if my sisters were my age or my grandmother's age. These are the women who have the life experiences that I now need as an engaged woman and a homeowner! Age is an ever-changing number.

In two years, the only contact I received from my inquiries to BSP headquarters was a "try FV'ing!!" No contact from any chapters here. BSP refuses to give me leads toward contacting any chapters here. There are no lists of local chapters in New England.

I tried using the Beta Board. I tried using here.

I received wonderful encouragement from the women on this board. They were the only ones that kept me going in my hopes to join. Unfortunately, none live within a reasonable drive of me (which for me is 3 hours). But there was silence from everywhere else.

So-- I simply gave up. It was pretty clear that right now, I'm not meant to be a member of BSP. Maybe some time down the road, that will change. I honestly hope it will. But I don't feel comfortable FV'ing a chapter of an organization I have not yet joined, and that appeared to be my only option to join.

~ Mel.

[BSP SassieLuLu]

AngelSig said:
There are NO older chapters on this side of the city, so they're all about 45 minutes away (except for a small master chapter that I dont think does too much... I dont know if they're still functioning) We did join city council, but all that did was put a strain on us finacially and with our time. We would appriciate help, but it seemed like our CC didnt want to do that.

Hello again!! We are family, we got all our sisters with me... remember the Masters and all other BSP, are your sisters, not strangers... get comfortable with that. You will see once you introduce yourself they will greet you with open arms!!!
Could you contact that small Master Chapter that they may enjoy more company to help them out? Find out through International their Pres or VP name address, send them a beautiful card and, let them know you are thy sister, ask to go visit them, one on one or at one of their meetings or socials. They may have younger grand daughters, nieces etc, that may be interested and not any place to start. Not all are cut out for FVing.

Visit your Masters and chapters once a month, or EOM? Check out the other chapters 45min away, ask to visit some of them and go maybe 3 or 4 times a year to visit, meetings or socials, just have them send you an invitation.
And attend City Council as much as possible and express your views!! Sisters are so busy tring to grow their local chapter, that seems harder to help long distance but, you can enrich your knowledge by going to them... when you can, dont try to go every week, unless you can afford or want to. You are their sister, you can attend CC without the chapter being a member, just to observe and make requests for help! You will have to make them understand you are serious about making a go at this and need their help.

Make sure you go online and post every free site there is, like craigslist and so many others. Have an online rush in your area!! Post your want of new prospects, tell them the fun things you will be doing. If you get phone calls, meet in public with another friend with you. If she seems one who would fit, get all her info and start inviting her... either one on one with you or to chapter functions.

Do not limit yourself to one age group... you can split later if you get enough of a couple generations... like 20's, 40's or 50s even. Keep everyone in mind. Let them all join... you may create 2 or 3 chapters instead of just one... in the long run.
Dont restrict or limit, see what happens!!

Paid Advertizing is expensive so that is out. You will have to be creative. I have made business cards with a pretty yellow rose, that says I am giving you an invitation to the largest friendship circle in the world, with my name, ph number an email.
Making your own flyers to post at your favorite market, clubs, etc.. Give some to your family and friends to put at their work places in the lunch rooms.
Go to the $1 store get a bunch of silk yellow roses, remove the heads, hot glue large safty pins to them, pass them out with your cards. They can wear them on their lapel!! Make it fun for you too. Maybe have a strawberry social, make flyers and make invitations for the girls in your favortied store... RSVP always! Dont go buy any treats till you know if anyone is coming.

I thought also to maybe approch in a friendly manner to a business who employs a large amount of girls/ladies Visit the business several times , maybe purchase or just to browse and say hello, trying to greet the same ones each time (you know like your favorite teller or grocery clerk). Then one day give them a card. Wait a bit then tell them you are having a little get together for sodas, coffee or tea, maybe some treats, and you would like her to please come, and that if she likes you will pick her up! Some might enjoy this better than a homeshow party where they feel obligated to buy something.

Just Ideas. Hope today is a wonderful sunny yet cool day for you!

[BSP SassieLuLu]

Measi - In two years, the only contact I received from my inquiries to BSP headquarters was a "try FV'ing!!" No contact from any chapters here. BSP refuses to give me leads toward contacting any chapters here. There are no lists of local chapters in New England.

Where are you in New England? There must be plenty of chapters there. Humm
Let me try to find chapters for you. We have over 165,000 members in probably 8 or 9,000 chapters. Unless you are in a extremely small area, we should be able to get you invited!!

[AngelPhiSig]

BSP SassieLuLu,

Unfortunately our CC wasnt helpful and the chapters there werent even wanting to grow. Some of the women were fabulous and I had a great time with them, but as a whole - they seemed content to stay the same.

We are working though! We just got second place with our float in the Memorial Day parade. We handed out fliers with info about us, our site and our picnic coming up! Its exciting!

-Alison

(PS move from Oregon, come to Pittsburgh. You can join Nu Iota.)

[BSP SassieLuLu]

LOL, I would certainly have a lot of fun it sounds!! Parades and all!! Congratualtions that was a fab idea!!
I hope you will put pics on your website, I wanna see!!

[BSP SassieLuLu]

That reminded me of this, another sister shared this with me once.

The good you do today,
people will often forget
tomorrow; Do good anyway!

If you are successful, you
will win some false friends
and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway!

If you are kind, people may
accuse you of being selfish,
and having ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway!

What you spend
years building,
someone may try
to destroy it overnight;
Build anyway!

If you are honest and
frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway!

Give the world the
best you have, and
it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway!

If you find serenity
and happiness, they
may be jealous.
Be Happy Anyway!

You see, in the final
analysis, it’s between
you and god;
It was never between You and Them Anyway!

Live, Love, and Laugh

[AngelPhiSig]

BSPSassieLuLu:

Check the thread called "Better BSP" or something like that - or leave your email so I can put you on the email group!