Chapter Spotlight – Black Hills State University

The Black Hills State University chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma along with Dean Priscilla Romkema co-sponsored an event called “The Executive Breakfast” on March 3rd, 2016. Beta Gamma Sigma members, Beta Gamma Sigma alumni, the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Business, and business faculty and staff were invited to the event. Breakfast was served while those in attendance mingled.

A presentation was then given by Paulette Davidson, Chief Operating Officer for Regional Health, an integrated health care system serving 20 communities and headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. Davidson’s presentation focused on her own life lessons and experiences in regard to building a pathway to leadership and executive positions. This presentation stressed the importance of facilitating the leadership qualities of others while being a leader yourself. The Executive Breakfast was a great opportunity for all who attended to network and gain insightful strategies. The BHSU chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma plans to make this an annual event.

Nominations are open for the 2017 Business Achievement Award and Medallion for Entrepreneurship

Beta Gamma Sigma is now accepting nominations for our Business Achievement and Medallion for Entrepreneurship! Award criteria and the nomination packet has changed. Please be sure to review these updates on our award pages prior to submitting.

Business Achievement Award: https://betagammasigma.org/business-achievement-award
Medallion for Entrepreneurship: https://betagammasigma.org/medallion-for-entrepreneurship

The deadline to fill out this application is January 20^th, 2017

Nominate for Outstanding Chapter, Outstanding Chapter Advisor, and/or Dean of the Year Awards

For those chapters that qualify through our Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll program, don’t forget to submit your nomination materials for the Outstanding Chapter, Outstanding Chapter Advisor, or Dean of the Year awards (if applicable)! All nomination materials must be sent to Heather Sweeney at hsweeney@betagammasigma.org by the deadline date.

The deadline for submission is January 27^th, 2017

Winter/Spring 2017 Collegiate Chapter Training Seminar Dates

Collegiate Chapter Training Seminars provide an invaluable opportunity to interact with BGS Global Headquarters Staff and other Collegiate Chapter Contacts. Join us to share best practices and learn how to more effectively manage your chapter. As a reminder, chapters will earn five points per attendee for three consecutive years on the Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll when sending representatives to the trainings. Chapters are highly encouraged to send a representative every three years to learn more about all of the Society’s new initiatives and procedures. Representatives could include deans, Chapter Advisors, administrative staff members, and/or other faculty working with the chapter.

This upcoming spring, we’re looking forward to hosting a Collegiate Chapter Training Seminar (CCTS) in Dallas, TX on February 16-17, 2017. Members from the Chapter Operations staff will be in attendance for this training seminar. If you’re not able to join us in Dallas, we will also be hosting a CCTS in Seattle, WA on March 9-10, 2017.

Click the links below to register. Registration cost includes meals, breaks, and seminar materials. Chapters are responsible for the representative’s travel and lodging.

Dallas, TX | February 16-17
Seattle, WA | March 9-10

Dates and locations for 2017-2018 trainings are currently in the works. This information will be shared as soon as it becomes available. 

Resources to Help You Plan for the Spring Semester

With spring 2017 quickly approaching, below are a few reminders as you begin planning your recognition ceremony and engagement activities.

1. Elect Student Officers if you have not already done so.
   Students Officers are a great way to get your student members involved with the chapter and gain valuable leadership experience. Chapters are encouraged to utilize Student Officers in ways that best fit their campus culture. If you elect student officers, be sure to let your Chapter Manager know. We must have this information on file at the Global Headquarters in order for you to receive points for the Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll.
2. Update your Chapter settings within the Chapter Management System (CMS).
   Please take a moment to review and update your CMS information. It is important to have this information updated so we have the correct information on file when billing, shipping, and inviting members.

» Chapter Contacts
» Chapter fee settings
» Chapter billing address
» Chapter shipping address

3. Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll point earning opportunities.
   Don’t forget to refer to the Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll for a list of point earning opportunities. Those chapters that qualify for High Honors and Highest Honors will receive a Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship covers the registration cost and hotel accommodations for one of your student members to be sent to the Global Leadership Summit.
4. New eligibility requirements.
   BGS’s eligibility requirements allow you to induct your eligible members into the society earlier. The early induction means that chapters will be able to begin inviting students to join the Society as early as the last term of their second year and anytime during the third and fourth years of an undergraduate/baccalaureate program.

Please contact your Chapter Manager with any questions.

Sign Up for CMS Webinars Next Semester

BGS Global Headquarters will once again be hosting Chapter Management System (CMS) webinars this spring to provide additional training as you begin to use the system again or for the first time.

These free one-hour webinars will cover details of the CMS and make sure that all participating chapter contacts are prepared to utilize the system going into the spring semester. As you may be aware, the Chapter Management System is utilized for all stages of inviting members and tracking membership acceptance. We will share the dates of the Spring CMS webinars in an upcoming Chapter Notes.

If you have not already done so, we encourage you to review the Chapter Management System Manual to become familiar with the system. Please reach out to your Chapter Manager with any questions, comments, or concerns.

2^nd Annual Global Leadership Summit Recap

Over 360 BGS Collegiate Chapter Members spent four intensive days in Dallas, TX for the 2^nd Annual Global Leadership Summit. Students seized the opportunity to network with their peers and fellow future business leaders. They discovered their strengths, talents, new skills, and uncovered their own unique career path to a fulfilling professional life.

Students learned from an exciting and passionate line-up of speakers including keynotes Amy Hall, Director of Social Consciousness at EILEEN FISHER; Dmitri Stockton, Special Advisor to the Chairman and SVP at GE; panelists including talent recruiters from GEICO, KPMG, 3M and Nestle Purina; as well as speakers including Dr. Alex Sevilla, Associate Dean and Director of the Heavener School of Business at the University of Florida; Dr. Tim Clipson, Steven F. Austin University; and Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Relationship Officer at NASBA and President of The Center for Public Trust.

Below are testimonials from attendees:

“There are very few instances in life where you will have the opportunity to connect face to face with business students from across the country and around the world and put your strengths to the test. The Global Leadership Summit provided me that opportunity” – Ann Cremo, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

“The Global Leadership Summit was a wake-up call to all participants. It helped us learn how individual strengths can contribute to the success of all our daily activities and interactions. This experience is a must for every university student graduating soon, it is an early call to discover and answer many of life and career goal questions. The Global Leadership Summit is the best place to network with the best in business, develop your interpersonal skills, and to connect with successful people (speakers) and firms from all over the world” – Farah Ismail, American University of Beirut

“This opportunity opened my eyes to the different ways of life and people through the relationships I built. I also learned how to be successful and ethical leadership in an organization. The keynote speakers gave me a confidence and drive like no others have, encouraging me to follow my passions.” – Jerry Ehlers, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Making the Most of BGS Lifetime Membership: The BGS Alumni Network

The first half of the 16-17 academic year has been very busy for the BGS Alumni Network. Already this year, two of our 30 global Alumni Chapters reactivated, meaning that BGS has a stronger presence than ever in Washington DC and Auckland, New Zealand. More informal Alumni Networking Groups have also grown and our Chile Alumni Network is working toward formal Alumni Chapter establishment.

Engagement with the BGS Alumni Network is the best way for members to get the most out of the lifetime membership. Members do not have to wait until after they graduate to participate in Alumni Network events! Based on the mailing address members list on their membership profiles, all members in the vicinity of an Alumni Chapter or Alumni Network will receive email notifications of any upcoming events. Please also note, all members and chapter officers can view all BGS Alumni Network events using the Alumni Network Events Calendar on the BGS website. We hope you’ll publicize this information to your students.

Please don’t forget that Alumni Networks and Alumni Chapters can be an invaluable resource for local Collegiate Chapters. They can potentially be a source of mentors, speakers, etc. Global HQ highly recommends that Collegiate Chapters look to collaborate with your local Alumni Chapter or Network whenever possible. Not sure if there is a BGS alumni presence in your area? Please see the Chapter and Network listing on the BGS website.

All BGS members are welcome to attend any Alumni Network events. Members may also elect to officially join their local chapter. Joining is easy using this Alumni Chapter Membership form. Joining the chapter permits Global HQ to share direct member contact information with the Chapter Officers (who have all signed a confidentiality agreement) and may mean the member is privy to additional chapter information. Please feel free to contact Global HQ with any Alumni Network questions.

Update on Membership Goal for 2016-2017

In our first edition of Chapter Notes, we shared with you our new membership goal for 2016-2017. By sharing this goal we hope that you will keep us accountable and that it will help you understand how the Collegiate Chapters impact the Society. As a reminder, for 2016-2017 our goal is to induct 28,600 new members. This goal includes all new members who accept membership from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Spring is our busiest time of the year in which we have a large push towards our membership goal.

We plan to reach this goal by increasing our marketing efforts, continuing our early induction initiatives, offering more compelling programs and membership benefits, and encouraging chapters to engage their students. Here are some things you can do to assist us in meeting and exceeding our goal:

• Invite all eligible students and add them all to the CMS
• Follow up with students and encourage them to accept membership
• Send reminder emails via the CMS
• Make sure your students complete their profiles in a timely fashion

We appreciate all your efforts and support as we aim to reach this goal!

Current number of new members for 16-17 (as of December 1): 4,050