News from International
ATTENTION:
EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL
Many of our Beta Sisters in Australia have an email account with "BigPond". Unfortunately, the Beta International IT department is not blocking Big Pond emails but they are just not working. So, if you need to communicate with International be sure to use an alternative email provider.
Australia's page in the Sept/Oct 2022 Torch
Torchbearer Alpha had a two-page spread in the Torch - "Afternoon Tea with the Australian Ballet School". The article featured guest speaker, Lisa Pavane, Director of The Australian Ballet School, moderator Andrew Wright, who studied at the School and School leaders, Charlotte Stratton-Smith and William Humphries.
The Afternoon Tea was a fund raiser for The Australian Ballet School in memory of Beta Sigma Phi Sister, Mudite Luyt.
Click on the links below to read the article.
Torchbearer Alpha had a two-page spread in the Torch - "Afternoon Tea with the Australian Ballet School". The article featured guest speaker, Lisa Pavane, Director of The Australian Ballet School, moderator Andrew Wright, who studied at the School and School leaders, Charlotte Stratton-Smith and William Humphries.
The Afternoon Tea was a fund raiser for The Australian Ballet School in memory of Beta Sigma Phi Sister, Mudite Luyt.
Click on the links below to read the article.
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Announcements in the Sept/Oct 2022 Torch
Australia Chapter Record reviews and Certification Forms were mailed to chapter recording secretaries. Be sure to notate your new chapter officers on the blue form, along with any changes in status, corrections or additions to the roster, and return no later than May 1st.
Australia City Council Officer Sheets were mailed to city council recording secretaries. Please complete and return to the International office no later than May 1st.
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAMBDA MASTER (Mount Eliza, Victoria) WHO ARE NOW TORCHBEARER GAMMA!!!
Intl Award of Distinction - August Torch
Lovely article about Mary Jean's IAD in the Torch. Click on the link below to read.
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Australia's page in the March-April Torch
Have you checked out the "DownUnder page" in the March-April 2022 Torch? It's a great write-up complete with photos about our 2021 Founder's Day Luncheon at The William Angliss School of Catering.
Open the link below & scroll to Page 23 - check it out!
Open the link below & scroll to Page 23 - check it out!
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** ATTENTION RECORDING SECRETARIES **
Due to a reduction in Staff at International it is IMPERATIVE that ALL Recording Secretaries RETURN the blue Record Review form with NEW OFFICERS noted. This form is how officers are coded - they are no longer picked up via our chapter minutes. Even if there is no change in officers, please send the form to International with officers indicated!
Due to a reduction in Staff at International it is IMPERATIVE that ALL Recording Secretaries RETURN the blue Record Review form with NEW OFFICERS noted. This form is how officers are coded - they are no longer picked up via our chapter minutes. Even if there is no change in officers, please send the form to International with officers indicated!
Member-At-Large Status*
There has been some confusion about member-at-large status, so here is a refresher:
A member-at-large is still considered an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, she is just not affiliated with a chapter. All members-at-large are responsible for their International annual fees, unless they are a paid for life member in which case, they have already paid their dues to International. Since they are not with a chapter, they are not responsible for chapter dues. All members-at-large are afforded the same benefits as any active member in a chapter. That includes access to The Torch online and/or by subscription. All members-at-large will receive the Torch email notification. If you are getting the email notification and you are not in a chapter, it is because you are a member-at-large.
In most situations International will place a member on member-at-large status rather than cancel their membership without the express consent of the member. One exception to that rule is when a member is delinquent in payment of International fees and has been given ample opportunity to get current but fails to do so. Another exception is when a member is in violation of her sorority promises, in which International has been consulted and approved the cancellation.
A chapter may notify International of a member’s desire to cancel their membership, but in such cases the chapter should express that the member is canceling her membership or becoming inactive from the organization. If a chapter expresses that a member is no longer active in their chapter, she is not canceled, but placed on member-at-large status. The phrase “not active in our chapter” does not indicate to International that the member is canceling, but that she is no longer in that chapter. When communicating with International, be clear on what it is you’re asking.
*Published in the December 2018-January 2019 Torch
There has been some confusion about member-at-large status, so here is a refresher:
A member-at-large is still considered an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, she is just not affiliated with a chapter. All members-at-large are responsible for their International annual fees, unless they are a paid for life member in which case, they have already paid their dues to International. Since they are not with a chapter, they are not responsible for chapter dues. All members-at-large are afforded the same benefits as any active member in a chapter. That includes access to The Torch online and/or by subscription. All members-at-large will receive the Torch email notification. If you are getting the email notification and you are not in a chapter, it is because you are a member-at-large.
In most situations International will place a member on member-at-large status rather than cancel their membership without the express consent of the member. One exception to that rule is when a member is delinquent in payment of International fees and has been given ample opportunity to get current but fails to do so. Another exception is when a member is in violation of her sorority promises, in which International has been consulted and approved the cancellation.
A chapter may notify International of a member’s desire to cancel their membership, but in such cases the chapter should express that the member is canceling her membership or becoming inactive from the organization. If a chapter expresses that a member is no longer active in their chapter, she is not canceled, but placed on member-at-large status. The phrase “not active in our chapter” does not indicate to International that the member is canceling, but that she is no longer in that chapter. When communicating with International, be clear on what it is you’re asking.
*Published in the December 2018-January 2019 Torch
Angel Members
In June 2016 Beta Sigma Phi International requested all Life Members (members for over 25 years) to consider agreeing to relinquish their life-time paid-up membership and to pay a fee of USD 15.00 annually to assist the organisation to remain financially viable.
A Renewal Pledge for Angel Members was provided to Life Members asking for help to cover International costs rather than placing all of the burden for funding on those members who haven’t reached Life Member status.
This pledge is entirely voluntary and at any time, if a member needs to, she can go back to her life member status, she will never lose that ability and indeed, while members are giving USD15.00 per year, they are actually still life members, who have just agreed to take on the yearly donation.
International suggested that if members wanted to have Beta Sigma Phi continue to function, then they needed Life Members’ help. The Angel Members will be committing to a gift to the organisation and themselves. Fifteen dollars a year is a small sum to guarantee the future of Beta Sigma Phi.
The Renewal Pledge for Angel Members can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:
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Life Membership Status
Members who pledged from 1956 through the USA autumn of 1992 were offered paid for life membership, reaching it once they paid 25 years of International Annual Fees. Members pledging after the USA autumn of 1992 were no longer offered this option, however, International still honors the life membership commitment to those members who accepted the offer.
Members who pledged from 1956 through the USA autumn of 1992 were offered paid for life membership, reaching it once they paid 25 years of International Annual Fees. Members pledging after the USA autumn of 1992 were no longer offered this option, however, International still honors the life membership commitment to those members who accepted the offer.
Australia's page in the March/April 2014 Torch
Have you checked out the "Australian page" in the latest Torch? A lovely article from The Torch archives about Elsie Guenther establishing the first chapter in Australia, an article about the 2013 Founder's Day luncheon, and a tribute to Audrey Taylor, a founding member of Beta in Melbourne. Page 21 - check it out!
Also in the March/April issue is the latest on excess months toward progression - page 23.
Also in the March/April issue is the latest on excess months toward progression - page 23.
Founder's Day 2012 Photo
A photo of the Golden Circle Ritual for Kathie McCleery and Carolyn Thompson which was held at our 2012 Founder's Day luncheon has been published in the latest edition of The Torch on page 14.
Australian Photo in the Torch
Our group photo from the 2011 Founder's Day luncheon at Yarra Yarra Golf Club has been printed on page 13 of the March-April 2012 issue of the Torch. Be sure to have a look!
The Torchbearer Degree
Beta Sigma Phi International has made one of the most greatly anticipated announcements in our 80-year history in the latest edition of The Torch magazine.
For the first time in 22 years, at the behest of our members, they are adding a new degree – the Torchbearer. The Torchbearer will be the seventh and final degree. While contemplating a new degree over the last few years, many names for this new venture have been mentioned, from Diotima to various Latin and Greek words.
But the name Torchbearer resonated with a perfect truthfulness. Torchbearer stands for what the final degree in Beta Sigma Phi should exemplify. It brings to mind quests such as the reaching of a summit, or becoming a leader and allowing the light of the Torch to reflect its shine so that as members, we too are illuminated.
Sisters who earn this degree will become the Torchbearers and as such will serve as Beta Sigma Phi ambassadors. Torchbearers will be committed to spreading the light of our Torch as they continue on their worldly travels. As a Torchbearer you will be a mentor for those sisters who are progressing through their various degrees, and who will turn to you for your wise guidance.
After 12 years of holding the Master degree, members will be eligible for the Torchbearer degree.
When Certification Forms are received in January 2012 from International, they will list members eligible for the Torchbearer degree. The degree will not be available before that time.
Please note: Torchbearer pins will not be allowed to be ordered until Certification Forms have been completed and returned to International. Phone orders will be accepted after January 16th.
For the first time in 22 years, at the behest of our members, they are adding a new degree – the Torchbearer. The Torchbearer will be the seventh and final degree. While contemplating a new degree over the last few years, many names for this new venture have been mentioned, from Diotima to various Latin and Greek words.
But the name Torchbearer resonated with a perfect truthfulness. Torchbearer stands for what the final degree in Beta Sigma Phi should exemplify. It brings to mind quests such as the reaching of a summit, or becoming a leader and allowing the light of the Torch to reflect its shine so that as members, we too are illuminated.
Sisters who earn this degree will become the Torchbearers and as such will serve as Beta Sigma Phi ambassadors. Torchbearers will be committed to spreading the light of our Torch as they continue on their worldly travels. As a Torchbearer you will be a mentor for those sisters who are progressing through their various degrees, and who will turn to you for your wise guidance.
After 12 years of holding the Master degree, members will be eligible for the Torchbearer degree.
When Certification Forms are received in January 2012 from International, they will list members eligible for the Torchbearer degree. The degree will not be available before that time.
Please note: Torchbearer pins will not be allowed to be ordered until Certification Forms have been completed and returned to International. Phone orders will be accepted after January 16th.