Q:
Is Beta Gamma Sigma a fraternity, sorority,
or what?
A: It is neither. Beta Gamma
Sigma is a business honor society that recognizes the most outstanding
students of business at institutions accredited by
AACSB International - The
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Q: How does one become a
member of Beta Gamma Sigma?
A: Students are chosen by the
faculty of their business schools to be invited to membership in the Society.
To be eligible for invitation, students must a) be enrolled in a business
program at a school accredited by AACSB International that has a chapter of
Beta Gamma Sigma; and b) be in the upper 7 percent of the junior class, upper
10 percent of the senior class, upper 20 percent of the graduating master's
class, or completed all requirements to receive a doctorate.
Q: Are there annual dues required to remain an
active member of the organization?
A: No. There is a
low, one-time (lifetime) membership fee to join Beta Gamma Sigma (currently
$50), and some chapters require an additional local fee. Beta Gamma Sigma
membership is for a lifetime.
Q: How can Beta Gamma Sigma help me in my career?
A: Beta Gamma
Sigma is recognized throughout the business world as the leading honor society
for business and management education. Your membership in the Society shows
your commitment to excellence as well as your outstanding academic record. It
is appropriate to include Beta Gamma Sigma membership on one's resume.
Potential employers are encouraged to call the Central Office to verify the
membership of applicants.
Q: Is there a significant service time requirement
for a student who accepts the invitation to Beta Gamma Sigma?
A: No. Beta Gamma
Sigma is an organization devoted to recognizing the best students of business.
Individual chapters at the collegiate level may have their own programs and
activities, but there is no service time or set of activities that is required
for membership.
Q: Can I stay active in the organization after I
graduate from college?
A: Beta Gamma
Sigma has made it a priority over the last several years to provide
opportunities and benefits for members who have graduated (known as alumni
members). The Alumni Chapter Program is the latest and most extensive of these
efforts. Beta Gamma Sigma has established an "Alumni Network" across the
United States that currently covers 16 major metropolitan areas of the
country. For more information about alumni opportunities,
click here.
Q: How does a member qualify for a scholarship?
A: Collegiate
chapters must meet certain criteria in order to qualify to award a
Beta Gamma Sigma Scholarship.
Once a chapter meets those criteria, the chapter itself chooses its recipient.
If you are interested in a BGS Scholarship, please contact the faculty advisor
or other chapter representative at your school.
Q: How many members are there in Beta Gamma Sigma?
A: Currently,
there are more than 480,000 Beta Gamma Sigma members around the world.
Q: How can I update my address and other contact
information with Beta Gamma Sigma?
A: There are
several options to do this: Register - if you haven't already - for
BetaLink and update your contact information
there; or send your new contact information in an
email to the
Central Office; or you may call the Central
Office at: 1-800-337-4677; or send updates through snail mail at: Beta Gamma
Sigma, 11701 Borman Drive, Suite 295, St. Louis, MO 63146-4199.
Q: I think that I'm a member of Beta Gamma Sigma,
but I'm not sure. How can I confirm it?
A: Again, the best
and quickest way to check your information (including membership status) is
through email. But you can also use the phone number or mailing address
provided in the preceding answer.
Q: How can I include Beta Gamma Sigma in my will or
estate? And, how would these funds be used?
A: Essentially,
there are two choices: gifts by will, and gifts during life. People who choose
testamentary gifts may save estate tax. People who choose current giving
generally realize both the immediate satisfaction of benefiting the charity
and the maximum tax reduction. Contact your attorney or tax advisor to find
the best alternative for your situation.
If
you choose to include Beta Gamma Sigma in your will or estate, you can be
assured that all funds would be used to further the goals and ideals of the
Society. The Scholarship Program, the Alumni Network Program, and the low $50
lifetime membership fee are all helped greatly by the generosity of our
members.
Q: I was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma at a
previous school. How can I transfer my membership in the Society?
A: A student must
remain officially listed as a member of the chapter into which originally
inducted and may not accept membership at another chapter at a later date.
However, a student member of Beta Gamma Sigma, in good standing, who transfers
to another school which has a collegiate chapter will be able to enjoy all the
rights and privileges of the new chapter while being considered an official
member of the chapter in which the student was inducted.
Q: Why does Beta Gamma Sigma have a membership fee
if membership is considered an honor?
A: The low,
one-time lifetime membership fee is necessary to fund the activities of the
Society. There are no annual dues or fees associated with membership in Beta
Gamma Sigma.
