Section VI - Beta Gamma Sigma Programs
Society Programs Available to Collegiate Chapters/Members
1. Chapter Honoree
The chapter nominating committee shall nominate candidates for the Chapter Honoree Award. Any person who has achieved distinction primarily in business and administration who possesses those qualities that Beta Gamma Sigma fosters may be nominated as chapter honoree by the chapter. Chapters may elect up to two chapter honorees in any one year. If a chapter has reason to select more than two chapter honorees in a given year, that request should be made to the Central Office.
Chapters located within the United States must submit to the Central Office a completed Chapter Honoree Information form with a $85 (U.S.) fee for each chapter honoree to help defray the cost of the specially chosen chapter honoree plaque. Be sure the spelling of the name is correct since the plaque will be ordered from the information on this form. The information form should be received 4-6 weeks prior to the induction date to insure delivery prior to the ceremony. Honorees who are not otherwise members of Beta Gamma Sigma will be awarded honorary membership, so chapters should fill out the online MDP, with as much information as possible, for Chapter Honorees.
Chapters located outside the United States should purchase a plaque locally for presentation to the Chapter Honoree (due to the shipping and customs charges incurred, as well as the length of time it takes when the plaque is shipped from the U.S.). The Central Office will provide suggested wording and artwork for the plaque.
Chapters outside the U.S. will be charged $65 (U.S.) for each Chapter Honoree / honorary membership, which will include the membership certificate and lapel pin. The certificates and pins will be shipped with the chapter's membership order.
2. Student Scholarships
In 1988, the Beta Gamma Sigma Board of Governors established a scholarship program to award scholarships to deserving student members. The annual awards are available to undergraduate or master’s student members enrolled in a business administration program at a college or university with AACSB International accreditation.
The current program, as revised by the Board of Governors in 1995, provides a $1,000 scholarship award to a student member from each chapter that achieves a 70% or greater membership acceptance rate overall in the previous year, or 85% at a given degree level, naming the chapter an Exemplary Chapter, and whose Dean’s office provides $500 in matching funds to the Society’s $500 contribution.
The program is set up so that collegiate chapters select one student to receive the scholarship award. The competition is open to juniors, seniors and master’s students. Chapters can select a current chapter member, an alumnus of the chapter or a student who will be invited to become a BGS member during the spring of the nominating year. Each chapter’s scholarship recipient must complete the BGS scholarship application. However, chapters use various methods for selecting their recipients.
Qualifying chapters must confirm their participation and availability of matching funds in January with a deadline for returning the winning applications to the Central Office in late Spring. Winners are announced in April/May.
3. Student Leadership Forum
Debuting in 2001, Beta Gamma Sigma offers the Student Leadership Forum to outstanding undergraduate student members. With this program, Beta Gamma Sigma provides an opportunity for the best business and management students in the world to exchange ideas, information and expertise with each other and with experienced business leaders. The Forum utilizes team-based, hands-on leadership experiences and interactive team dynamics assignments. To register your chapter for an upcoming Student Leadership Forum, complete the Student Leadership Forum Registration Form on the Forms, Registrations and Printed Materials page of BetaNet.
4. Medallion for Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship Medallion is awarded to outstanding individuals who combine innovative business achievement with service to humanity. The accomplishments of the individuals may be domestic or worldwide but must be consistent with the ideals of Beta Gamma Sigma. The BGS Medallion for Entrepreneurship was established to provide appropriate recognition to those individuals and firms which contribute significantly to the vitality and strength of the economy, combining innovative business achievement with service to humanity.
Beta Gamma Sigma chapters are eligible to nominate individuals for this award based on the following criteria:
- Combination of innovative business with service to humanity;
- Success in overcoming risk in new venture development;
- Degree of innovation in risk taking;
- Adaptation to new market and competitive environments;
- Service to humanity as an individual;
- Successful accomplishment of the above during the past 5-10 years;
- Promise of additional achievements during years to come;
- The nominee shall have been a model of Ethical Business Leadership in his or her career and have exemplified the highest honor and integrity consistent with the ideals of Beta Gamma Sigma.
BGS Deans, Faculty Advisors and members of the Board of Governors are invited to nominate persons for this award. Nomination forms are distributed by the Central Office each spring with an early fall deadline for receipt of nominations. Recipients are announced to the Society during the AACSB Deans' Conference and at the BGS Deans' Luncheon during the AACSB ICAM each spring. Actual presentations to the recipients are held locally to maximize the exposure for both the collegiate chapter and the entrepreneur in their local communities.
5. Business Achievement Award
The Business Achievement Award is presented to honor individuals for significant achievement in business through the traditional corporate route. The achievement may be demonstrated over a career or by a singular achievement that has advanced the field of business and contributed to a community and to humankind.
Individuals are nominated for the Business Achievement Award based on the following criteria:
- Significant accomplishment in business demonstrated through an individual’s position, career progress, leadership, financial/market share results and community impact;
- Evidence of significant generosity through enhancement of a community or an educational institution;
- The significant accomplishment in business and the evidence of generosity may be over a career or the past 5-10 years;
- Evidence of continued and/or further service to humanity beyond the acts of generosity;
- The Nominee shall have been a model of Ethical Business Leadership in his or her career and have exemplified the highest honor and integrity consistent with the ideals of Beta Gamma Sigma.
A nominee need not have received a degree in business or be a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Nominations may be received from a Beta Gamma Sigma chapter, through the Faculty Advisor or Dean, or from a member of the Board of Governors. One to three individuals will be selected annually for the award, with nominations of women and minorities particularly encouraged.
This is a global award presented locally at the convenience of the recipient and the nominating institution. The award will be given prominence through an announcement at the BGS Deans' Luncheon at the annual AACSB ICAM meeting, at the annual AACSB Deans' Conference, through the BGS International Exchange, and a feature on BetaNet, the Beta Gamma Sigma website.
6. Outstanding Chapter Awards
The Beta Gamma Sigma Outstanding Chapter Award is presented annually to chapters whose activities and programs during the previous academic year promote the purposes of Beta Gamma Sigma and enhance the value of membership in Beta Gamma Sigma on their campuses.
In 1998, the Beta Gamma Sigma Board of Governors decided to select Outstanding Chapters in three levels of excellence: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Starting in 2000, the Society added the Honorable Mention category.
Evaluation of chapter activities will be made on the basis of outstanding performance. The following criteria along with other creative efforts are considered:
- Provision of an atmosphere in which membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is highly prized and sought after, as evidenced in part by high acceptance rates;
- Participation in Beta Gamma Sigma programs at the Society level (i.e. scholarship program, Medallion for Entrepreneurship, Business Achievement Awards, Outstanding Chapter awards, chapter workshops, completing the annual Survey of Membership Acceptance Rates, etc.);
- Effective recognition and support of Beta Gamma Sigma by the Dean of the school or college;
- Sponsorship of programs which recognize scholarly work of students and develop an awareness of Beta Gamma Sigma;
- Provision of opportunities for student members to participate in experiences and/or programs of a professional nature;
- Effective press coverage of Beta Gamma Sigma activities.
To pre-qualify, chapters must obtain at least an 85 percent membership acceptance rate for the previous year, which names the chapter as a Premier Chapter, and have invited and inducted eligible students into membership. It is expected that all chapters have conducted annual induction ceremonies, elected officers and maintained effective communications with the Central Office.
Applications may be submitted by a chapter officer, Faculty Advisor or the Dean. Application forms are distributed by the Central Office in the fall, with a deadline for receipt of the application in early winter. The presentation of the Outstanding Chapter Awards are made at the BGS Deans' Luncheon held during the AACSB Annual Meeting. The Outstanding Chapters each receive a scholarship, at the Gold, Silver, Bronze or Honorable Mention level, to award to a Beta Gamma Sigma member from their chapter.
7. Premier / Exemplary Chapter Awards
Premier Chapters
Chapters that achieve an acceptance rate of at least 85 percent will be named Premier Chapters. A certificate recognizing this accomplishment will be awarded to each Premier Chapter. Premier Chapters will pre-qualify for consideration as an Outstanding Chapter as well as qualifying for $500 in matching funds for the Society’s Scholarship Program. The Central Office will identify Premier Chapters through the Online Ordering System records.
Exemplary Chapters
Chapters that achieve an acceptance rate between 70 and 84 percent will be named Exemplary Chapters. A certificate recognizing this accomplishment will be awarded to each Exemplary Chapter. Exemplary Chapters will also qualify for $500 in matching funds in the Society’s Scholarship Program. The Central Office will identify Exemplary Chapters through the Online Ordering System records.
8. Professor of the Year Award
Members of collegiate chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma are encouraged to recognize an outstanding Beta Gamma Sigma faculty member and help promote the chapter on campus through an annual selection of the Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year. To participate, chapter members should create a roster of business school faculty members who are also members of the Society. Chapter members would then vote for and select the BGS Professor of the Year. It is expected that the award would be announced and presented at the chapter's induction ceremony or another appropriate venue.
Staff at the Central Office will confirm Beta Gamma Sigma membership of faculty members prior to the chapter selection process. Chapters can order the medallion from the BGS Store. The cost of this medallion is $25 (US).
Chapters may also want to purchase the Beta Gamma Sigma multi-plate plaque (available through the BGS Store at $65 (US)) for the official recording and display of each year's winner.
9. Chapter Workshops for Chapter Advisors and other Chapter Officers
The Central Office staff presents at least three full-day workshops for Chapter Advisors and chapter officers each year. These workshops are typically held in the Fall and late February to allow participation by as many faculty officers as possible. The workshops are typically day-long events and provide an excellent opportunity to share ideas and interact with other faculty officers and staff from the Central Office. The workshops feature sessions to assist chapters in providing meaningful experiences for all eligible students and to help raise campus visibility for collegiate chapters through suggestions for publicity, publications, displays, model ceremonies and programming activities. Chapters should send representatives to the workshop every 2-3 years.
10. BGS Store - BGS Apparel and Gifts
Beta Gamma Sigma chapers and members can purchase supplies, apparel and other logo merchandise at the BGS Store. Plaques, honor cords, stoles, medallions, Professor of the Year medallions, cups, napkins and paperweights are just a few of the items available. The BGS Store is a great place to find items for giveaway, as gifts, and to promote BGS on your campus.
11. Alumni Network/Alumni Chapter Program
Beta Gamma Sigma has created an “Alumni Network” that stretches across the United States and Hong Kong. To see if your area has established a chapter, click on the Alumni Map. This very popular program will make “active lifetime membership” a more realistic goal for all present and future members. The Alumni Network provides benefits to Society members long after graduation.
12. International Honoree Award
The International Honoree Award is conferred upon those who have furthered the ideals of the Society through outstanding business and managerial leadership, or meritorious contributions to education for business and administration or both. The Board of Governors invites collegiate chapters to recommend candidates who meet the standards cited above. International Honoree candidates are chosen from chapter alumni, from those chosen as Chapter Honorees, or from those outstanding persons who have not yet been recognized by Beta Gamma Sigma. Chapters are encouraged to submit names of outstanding candidates to the Board of Governors. Chapter officers are encouraged to work with the Dean on any possible nominations for the International Honoree Award.
13. Biennial Convention
The Biennial Convention is held in conjunction with the International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM) of AACSB International and occurs in even-numbered years.
The Board of Governors encourages each collegiate or alumni chapter to send a member delegate to this convention. Delegates must be a member of the chapter – faculty, administration, student. Most chapters are represented by their Dean who is usually in attendance at this meeting. Information on the Biennial Convention is mailed in advance to inform chapters of the details.
14. Beta Gamma Sigma International Exchange
The BGS International Exchange is distributed to members several times per year. This magazine keeps the membership of more than 550,000 informed about the Society’s activities and provides lifelong learning opportunities through articles addressing current business topics.
15. BGS Connection
The BGS Connection is the electronic newsletter developed for and distributed to Collegiate Chapter Faculty Advisors and other chapter contacts. This newsletter allows the Central Office to communicate important information to the chapters and is currently published at least twice a year – in September and January.
16. BetaNet, the Society’s Website: www.betagammasigma.org
BetaNet is the Beta Gamma Sigma presence on the Internet. Through our Website, members can have instant access to information on activities and programs. Additionally, members can request that professional accomplishments, publications, etc., be placed on the site. As a service to the chapters, each Beta Gamma Sigma school has been linked to our homepage.
When a member (or non-member) is seeking information about Beta Gamma Sigma, BetaNet is the best place to turn. With information for Collegiate Chapters, Alumni Chapters, Members, Prospective Members, and many, many more, BetaNet is the Society's online information source.
17. The BGS Member Directory
This free service allows members and chapters the opportunity to keep their contact information up-to-date with the Society. Registration with the site is critical as Beta Gamma Sigma seeks to keep all its members informed about Society happenings.
18. BGS CareerCentral
This free service seeks to connect Beta Gamma Sigma members with those outstanding employers wishing to hire them. BGS CareerCentral allows members to post their resumes and search through thousands of jobs posted at the site. In addition, employers who value hiring "the best in business" can post career opportunities and look through the resumes that have been posted.
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