November 30 2016

Chapter Spotlight – University of Dubai 

BGS congratulates the University of Dubai for its efforts to engage students and to encourage students to become members. One way the university encourages Beta Gamma Sigma membership is through meaningful events that are fun for the students and impactful within the community. This May, they held an advanced screening of Captain America: Civil War, where they raised nearly $7,500 for the SENSES Home for Children with Special Needs. The BGS members enjoyed the screening and took a subsequent trip to SENSES for a visit with the children. 

Hear What Our Chapters Are Doing to Give Back

Several of our chapters have hosted activities and events to give back to their community in participation with our BGS Gives Back program. Does your chapter have a service activity planned for the 2016-17 academic year? Please feel free to share your event and pictures with us. We enjoy seeing all that our chapters are doing to give back to their community!

Bloomsburg University: Participated as a chapter in the “Feed A Friend” program that provides Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate.

University of North Carolina Greensboro: Participated in the 4th Annual Halloween Candy Drive to provide a happy Halloween for local children in need of care and celebration.

North Carolina A&T State University: The Doris Henderson Newcomers School serves more than 250 students from grades 3-12 who are new arrivals to the United States. Students were provided assistance with reading, math and technology skills. Students also received help understanding U.S. currency and focusing on financial literacy skills.

Dominican University: The Adopt a Kid Network serves families in prison ministry and community outreach programs; abused women’s shelters; teen mom and baby programs; foster care and family shelters; low-income Headstart programs and daycare centers; organizations serving the physically impaired; and mentally and physically challenged seniors. The Adopt a Kid Network stresses that the gifts we purchase for their “kids” are the only gifts they will receive this Christmas.

Best Practice Ideas for Your Chapter

Looking to promote your chapter and increase member engagement? If your chapter has TV screens within your business school, create a BGS video or use some from our website. Use videos or a slideshow display that runs throughout the business school monitors. Within your video, you can include your BGS yearly event schedule, interview your student officers about the benefits of joining, or provide a recap of last year’s recognition ceremony.

Student officers are a great resource to have when trying to promote a chapter, host events, and participate in tapping ceremonies. Student officers have a can-do attitude, a willingness to assist, and a genuine desire to showcase their leadership potential. They can help in a number of ways to aid in promoting your chapter and assisting in running come chapter operations. 

Offer your BGS members and/or your business school students a professional headshot in exchange for a canned food donation. This allows them to give back to those in need as well as gain a valuable photo to be included on their LinkedIn profile or used for other professional needs. 

2015-2016 Chapter Year in Review

Thank you to all of our chapters that completed the annual Chapter Year in Review Survey this past year! We received a lot of valuable information that has helped us set goals for the next academic year. Highlights from the 2015-2016 program included:

• 414 chapters completed a survey this year
• 242 chapters participated in tapping of invitees (10 points per term)
• 84 chapters attended a Collegiate Chapter Training Seminar in the last 3 years (10 points)
• 196 chapters hosted an information session and/or information table (5 points)
• 136 chapters indicated that they invited second semester Sophomores (10 points)
• 315 chapters indicated that they invited first semester Juniors (5 points)
• 96 chapters had Student Officers 

We are proud to announce that 135 chapters earned Honors status, 100 earned High Honors status, and 52 chapters earned Highest Honors status for the 2015-2016 academic year. The results are listed on our website. The chapters in the top two categories (Highest Honors and High Honors) earned a Leadership Scholarship which covered the cost of one full registration for the Global Leadership Summit in Dallas earlier this month. Kudos to all the chapters that earned recognition for 2015-2016! 

For tips, suggestions, and ideas on how to improve your Honors level status in 2016-2017, please visit our website or contact your Chapter Manager to discuss specific ideas for your chapter. 

Share Your Event & Recognition Ceremony Pictures

The Beta Gamma Sigma Global Headquarters staff would like to see your event and recognition ceremony pictures. While we wish we could attend every event, we enjoy reading about what your chapter has done and viewing the photos. In order to provide other chapters with event and recognition ceremony suggestions, we try to highlight at least one chapter in each Chapter Notes edition. We also feature monthly chapters in our Society Spotlight (our monthly e-newsletter) which is distributed to all BGS members. Additionally, we share event and recognition ceremony photos via our HONORS magazine and on our social media sites. Send your pictures today so your chapter can be featured next!

Request Your Chapter’s Full Database of Members 

Keeping accurate records and up-to-date information of all your BGS members can be difficult. You are always welcome to reach out to the Global Headquarters to request a full chapter database. This list includes everyone who has ever been inducted through your BGS chapter. Utilizing this database can help your chapter identify alumni members who can be invited to campus for events such as speaker events, panels, community service events, etc. The list can also be helpful in identifying a Chapter Honoree and/or keynote speaker for your annual recognition ceremony. In order to receive a chapter database, email your Chapter Manager.

Spotlighting an International Benefit

There are several international benefits available to our BGS members including 1-800-Flowers. With the holiday season around the corner, now is a great time to take advantage of the special BGS member discount on flowers, gift baskets, and more. Visit our website to see a full list of international member benefits.