A "Nu" Story - Page 4

FSUZeta · #1 02-21-2013, 05:15 PM

Oh...dad gum, I forgot about that aspect!

misscherrypie · #2 02-21-2013, 05:25 PM

Yep.
It seems to be: Beta Sigma Phi is not a member of NPC/IFC/NALFO/NPHC. No actual title IX exemption stamped by the US Department of Education.

Since we don't have the first, we couldn't be recognized as Greek. If we're not recognized as Greek, then we would be unable to use a Title IX exemption, even if we had one in hand.

The organizations that exist as Greek on campus were grandfathered in before these rule changes.

Another suggestion that was offered to us is that we petition to affiliate with a different Greek Organization that meets both criteria.....the mere mention of that resulted in *That look* from myself and my sisters.

FSUZeta · #3 02-21-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

Yep.
It seems to be: Beta Sigma Phi is not a member of NPC/IFC/NALFO/NPHC. No actual title IX exemption stamped by the US Department of Education.

Since we don't have the first, we couldn't be recognized as Greek. If we're not recognized as Greek, then we would be unable to use a Title IX exemption, even if we had one in hand.

The organizations that exist as Greek on campus were grandfathered in before these rule changes.

Another suggestion that was offered to us is that we petition to affiliate with a different Greek Organization that meets both criteria.....the mere mention of that resulted in *That look* from myself and my sisters.

Why?

adpiucf · #4 02-21-2013, 05:53 PM

I agree. First of all, I understand you are excited about BSP and the FV, and you are really excited to be in a sorority after the disappointment during your fall NPC recruitment. You found a great organization in BSP, regardless of whether you would have joined an NPC.

This isn't intended to sound harsh, but here are the facts. You haven't been a BSP for very long, so I think you're being a bit dramatic about your loyalty and love for the organization. I'm not saying you don't love it or you're not dedicated to it, but you've only been a member for a few months and you've been pretty much on your own with a few friends who have agreed to join or who are excited to join. If, out of 80 interests, 33 women who were offered bids declined (except one who's on board in name only until her schedule improves?), that should tell you that there isn't that kind of demand on your campus for this group. You're also trying to shoehorn a community sorority into your vision of an NPC, and clearly the infrastructure is not there and that is not BSP's intent.

This suggestion to affiliate doesn't impact your membership one bit. You have only a few members and your membership isn't compromised by the suggestion. Additionally, even if your group were absorbed by another, you could all retain membership in BSP/recruit them for BSP. BSP is not a local; it's a national non-collegiate sorority and its members may have dual membership in an NPC or other national collegiate organization.

If you're looking for an opportunity to recognized by campus, this is the way to go. A national collegiate organization would provide the stability and support you felt was lacking in BSP. I would follow their advice. You have absolutely nothing to lose and it won't affect your current membership because you may have concurrent membership.

ree-Xi · #5 02-21-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

That was the first interested PNM. I was trying not to cry over the scrapbooks….seeing my sisters and what they did together so long ago really touched my heart and kindled an even deeper love for Beta Sigma Phi

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Originally Posted by misscherrypie

The knowledge that we would soon be sisters, for the rest of our lives....joined to the chain of BSPhi sisters<snop>made we want to cry.

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Originally Posted by misscherrypie

We did have a deadline. It was last Friday.
The bid extended to Michelle was the equivalent of a snap bid.

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Originally Posted by misscherrypie

All of our sisters have shown their commitment to the organization, exemplify our ideals and are fiercely proud of being a Beta Sigma Phi, and forever loyal to our sisters. If we simply welcomed any and all women who desired to go Greek, then...what would our sisterhood mean?
<snip>

Friendships are one thing....but my sisters astound me daily and I treasure them more and more as time goes on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

The fact that Beta Sigma Phi International offers almost no guidance to those charting new chapters, other than sending the needed documents to fill out and send back to international is something that I know annoys the snot out of Beta Sigma Phi members in general. It's a major gripe among us Beta Sigma Phis across the planet and one that I personally think that International ignores.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

This isn't intended to sound harsh, but here are the facts. You haven't been a BSP for very long, so I think you're being a bit dramatic about your loyalty and love for the organization. I'm not saying you don't love it or you're not dedicated to it, but you've only been a member for a few months and you've been pretty much on your own with a few friends who have agreed to join or who are excited to join. If, out of 80 interests, 33 women who were offered bids declined (except one who's on board in name only until her schedule improves?), that should tell you that there isn't that kind of demand on your campus for this group. You're also trying to shoehorn a community sorority into your vision of an NPC, and clearly the infrastructure is not there and that is not BSP's intent.

I agree. I think it's time to stop trying to make "Fetch" happen and either accept the organization for what it is (and isn't), and/or move on to other pastures.

erica812 · #6 02-22-2013, 08:10 AM

I did feel a little uncomfortable with how our organization was being portrayed. That's why I jumped in to clarify, but I think misscherrypie's feelings are normal. And she was just letting her thougths roll. I don't fault that.

Sister, your apology was very gracious.

I didn't realize Reno had a City Council. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!!!!! In a major metropolitan area, a City Council is going to have great events. They probably have a very formal Founder's Day event. They are likely to have a Valentine Ball. When I FV'd back in 2002, we didn't "join" the City Council, but we did attend their Founder's Day. It was SO inspiring to see the older sisters, and we made many positive contacts that way. You can learn so much.

You're going to have to decide what you really want, and I think even the BSP sisters who have volunteered to help you can see that BSP might never meet your expectations. That's okay. If you decide not to worry about campus recognition and just love the BSP experience, then you can relax about recruiting for a bit. As long as you have sent in your forms for seven founding sisters, you can move forward. Conduct your pledge ritual per International's design (it's lovely!), and then as you are developing your sisterhood and doing your pledge training, you can be gaining new members as you go.

ALL of my FV members came from word-of-mouth. We did do a table once, and we did not gain members that way. We were on a college campus, but we didn't try to affiliate with the university. We tried hard to never look like we were trying to compete with the campus Greeks, and I think it worked to our advantage.

I truly wish you the best, sister.

misscherrypie · #7 02-21-2013, 05:55 PM

It may be a possibility....and I can definitely see it that way.

misscherrypie · #8 02-21-2013, 07:02 PM

Another club put the tabling under their name on our behalf and let us use the table. Which, as we were told today...isn't actually allowed. So, we couldn't go that route again. Non campus recognized orgs have to pay $120 per day to table in front of the Student Union and are required to have an insurance policy. We don't have either of those.

I had to pay the university to be allowed to have our fliers and info cards on campus....in fact, the cost of recruitment (paying for Zumba entrance, the Starbucks and Einsteins Bagels for rush events, the copying and posters) totaled several hundred dollars of my own funds, and while much was learned....it was disheartening to put all that effort and funds forth in return for not much success. I'm out of money.

sigmagirl2000 · #9 02-21-2013, 07:06 PM

It seems to me like you're putting a TON of effort and money into a population that is VERY small at your campus (students your age looking to join a greek organization). Are there nearby schools that you could try to find non-traditional students at? (in a less expensive way?) or a way to appeal to other mid 20's - mid 30's members of the community at large?

misscherrypie · #10 02-21-2013, 07:16 PM

there is a community college in town,which has a large population. That's where Sophie is a student. I'm not sure of the demographics there, but assume a larger population of non traditional students.

The weird thing is that our other student members are traditional students and are all 21 and under.

The others are a recent graduate who is also in her very early twenties, Sophie who is slightly younger than I and Michelle who is even older than I....but only by a few years.

International did send a list of our registered local legacies (contact info was out of date for them....hello hours on the telephone) , a list of locally registered members at large, and a short list of women who are interested in joining Beta Sigma Phi to use in efforts to meet additional potential members. We are using these lists, and hopefully...some good will come out of them.

I'd like to contact our city council and get some feedback from them.

Old_Row · #11 02-21-2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

there is a community college in town,which has a large population. That's where Sophie is a student. I'm not sure of the demographics there, but assume a larger population of non traditional students.

The weird thing is that our other student members are traditional students and are all 21 and under.

The others are a recent graduate who is also in her very early twenties, Sophie who is slightly younger than I and Michelle who is even older than I....but only by a few years.

International did send a list of our registered local legacies (contact info was out of date for them....hello hours on the telephone) , a list of locally registered members at large, and a short list of women who are interested in joining Beta Sigma Phi to use in efforts to meet additional potential members. We are using these lists, and hopefully...some good will come out of them.

I'd like to contact our city council and get some feedback from them.

Maybe I am just dumb, but I can't figure out what kind of group you are trying to be there. You say you want to be recognized as a student Greek organization but almost half your current members aren't even students at your school. I think you are trying to be too many things and that lack of focus is part of why you are having trouble attracting members?

I also think it is starting to sound like you are not speaking very nicely about your national organization here in public and blaming them. Sorry but it doesn't look very professional to me.

Why would the city council care? What does it have to do with city affairs? That's a little dramatic I think.

misscherrypie · #12 02-21-2013, 09:38 PM

Reno has a Beta Sigma Phi City Council.

AngelPhiSig · #13 02-21-2013, 07:50 PM

The lists given to us from Intl were great - I have 4 members of my chapter from the list, and it is also how I met Jamie, one of my best BSP friends <3 when Erica and I founded the Pgh chapter.

misscherrypie · #14 02-21-2013, 08:07 PM

The main issue that others have seen with the MAL list has been that 99.9% of it consists of higher degreed sisters who have been Beta Sigma Phis for 20+ years and some even longer than I have been alive and are considerably older. We could definitely use the expertise and wise counsel....but at the same time....we really would like our chapter to be college focused. Of course....part of us says.....why not? They can get involved with Beta Sigma Phi again, we can meet new Beta Sigma Phis and together we can grow our FV.

Only two numbers on the Legacy list were accurate, and both women had no interest in becoming involved with Beta Sigma Phi at this time.

I'm still waiting on hearing back from the women listed on the Prospective members list. There are three.

DubaiSis · #15 02-21-2013, 08:42 PM

That all sucks. I'm sorry. You can't advertise through the school, but doesn't social media rule the world these days? You absolutely have to stop paying money from your own funds, but I would think you could market heavily through Facebook et al, and have your events wherever you can get away with it. And use what makes BSP different to your advantage. You aren't restricted to undergrads or students at other schools and that can be a good thing. You are going after a more "seasoned" student and they don't have the opportunities your 18 year compatriots do. And the good news is you can see the difference so they're easy to target! You can start a whisper campaign using your sorority and fraternity friends and get a lot done in terms of exposure.

Best of luck. You know we're all rooting for you!