Questions

[pas]

Hello! I am a senior undergrad and in May I will either be going to grad school or joining the workforce. I am a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota and it has been a very important part of my life.

I am interested in Beta Sigma Phi. After I graduate college I can choose to join an Alumnae group but I have always been curious in non-academic sororities.

I see that there are numerous chapters throughout the country. Does national pair you up with a chapter near you? Is this how rituals are performed and such? Is there a certain age range? I think I read that you had to be at least 18 with a high school degree...so they would take college graduates?

Are meetings held weekly? Monthly? Or does it depend on the chapter?

Thank you so much in advance to listening to my randomness!!

[ElieM]

Hi there,

Beta Sigma Phi was formed as a non-collegiate social sorority. They definitely do take college graduates.

You can contact the International office and they should be able to direct you to local chapters. You can then rush the local chapters and see if you get a bid - things like how frequent the meetings are and the age ranges depend on the chapter.

There are also online chapters for those who do not have a chapter nearby, or who have different time constraints, etc. The international office can also put you in touch with chapters that are accepting new members.

In my Online Chapter the ages of the women range from 24 through to 60+

[ElleLeann]

As far as how often meetings are held, there are two different formats. Career chapters meet once a month and traditional chapters meet twice a month. Each chapter determines which format they want to follow.

My online chapter ranges from 21 (me) to sixty-somethings, maybe older. They've never really shared I know that the age ranges can sometimes turn people away from Beta, but I think it's a great opportunity to learn about the sorority from someone who has been a member for decades.

Let us know if you have any other questions! I would love to hear what you decide/find out!

[pas]

Thank you both for the help! I just filled out an interest form for BSP. I looked at the chapter locator and it says that the next town south of mine has two chapters...Is that because one is career and the other is traditional?

I was thinking that it would be beneficial to start a chapter in my own town. Do you guys think that would be possible? Can a potential new member do such a thing? Both of these towns (mine and the one south) have two colleges each. I have six girls who are interested in BSP and I suppose I am the head of this venture. Ha. Could they all join as well? And would we all have to go to the town south to meetings...or what if there was a BSP member in our town?

I am sorry for all the random questions.

BSP appeals to me because I will be moving after I graduate and BSP has chapters everywhere! ha and you also have an online chapter. I grew up with my grandparents and I am around people older than myself and I actually prefer their company to that of my piers many times. Ha.

Thank you so much for your help ladies!! I am excited to see what happens next!

If you have any advice please let me know. For example, how do you hold rush? (I don't think I would be able to put signs up at my college since BSP is not an approved group.)

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by pas

Thank you both for the help! I just filled out an interest form for BSP. I looked at the chapter locator and it says that the next town south of mine has two chapters...Is that because one is career and the other is traditional?

I was thinking that it would be beneficial to start a chapter in my own town. Do you guys think that would be possible? Can a potential new member do such a thing? Both of these towns (mine and the one south) have two colleges each. I have six girls who are interested in BSP and I suppose I am the head of this venture. Ha. Could they all join as well? And would we all have to go to the town south to meetings...or what if there was a BSP member in our town?

I am sorry for all the random questions.

BSP appeals to me because I will be moving after I graduate and BSP has chapters everywhere! ha and you also have an online chapter. I grew up with my grandparents and I am around people older than myself and I actually prefer their company to that of my piers many times. Ha.

Thank you so much for your help ladies!! I am excited to see what happens next!

If you have any advice please let me know. For example, how do you hold rush? (I don't think I would be able to put signs up at my college since BSP is not an approved group.)

The chapters listed close to you are just that. Chapters listed close to you. They could be career or traditional. When they contact you to invite you to their meetings, this is a question that you should ask.

As far as starting your own chapter, it is called a 'Friendly Venture" and is highly encouraged by International. If you are interested in doing this, contact International and they will walk you through the process and give you all kinds of ideas to get started.

[pas]

Thank you so much for all of your help! I got an email today about the various ways to join or start a chapter! (So many options!!)

I have decided to get information on Friendly Venture and the online chapters! I will be spreading the word to see if I can get any other ladies who are interested in starting a chapter!!! I am so excited!!!

[ElleLeann]

Friendly Venturing is extremely rewarding! International will be behind you every step of the way and the ladies in the rushing office are so friendly.

I can't wait to hear what you decide to do!

[erica812]

Yes! This is exciting. You can absolutely start a chapter. I started one back in 2002. I've since moved, but FVing was a fabulous experience. Int'l provided great support.