MS-38
BETA SIGMA PHI PRECEPTER CHAPTER COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
The collection of the Beta Sigma Phi Precepter Chapter was accessioned into the Flesh Public Library Archives 1 June 1989. The collection fills two Hollinger boxes and twenty-six individual folders. The collection covers the years 1963-1979. There are no restrictions on the use of the collection and the Literary Copyright has been deeded to the public.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Beta Sigma Phi Precepter Chapter Collection is divided into eight series: Minutes of Meetings, Programs, Treasurer Reports, Membership, Correspondence, Publicity, Promotions and Scrapbook.
SERIES I: MINUTES OF MEETINGS – covers meetings from 26 March 1963 to 16 May 1979.
SERIES II: PROGRAMS – covers yearly programs for 1984-1985, 1985-86, 1987-88 and a Founder’s Day Program of 1983.
SERIES III: TREASURER REPORTS – covers receipts and donation acknowledgements.
SERIES IV: MEMBERSHIP – covers names and addresses of members as well as membership forms and instructions to complete same.
SERIES V: CORRESPONDENCE – covers notes and letters regarding members and procedures.
SERIES VI: PUBLICITY – covers a few newspaper clippings of 1986.
SERIES VII: PROMOTIONS – covers suggestions from Headquarters for money raisers.
SERIES VIII: SCRAPBOOK – covers all materials kept in a scrapbook from 1942 to 1974
HISTORY
Beta Sigma Phi, an international organization, was founded on April 30, 1931 by Walter W. Ross of Kansas City, Missouri.
A Piqua chapter was organized in March, 1936, with the following charter members: Lucille Carey, Willette F. Swayze, Mary F. Walling, Rosemary D. Amann, Virginia Collins, Elinor May Gattshall, Margaret J. Henke, Marjorie Porcher, Olga Teleler, Hazel Harshbarger, Margaret Decker Buecker, with Mary Quirk as sponsor.
In July of 1938 a Lambda Chapter was formed consisting of the same membership. Another chapter was known as the Nu Psi Mu for younger members. The Lambda Chapter progressed to Exemplar on October 30, 1946, as degrees were earned.
Representatives from the three chapters formed a City Council branch. The memberships in Beta Sigma Phi expanded with the years and many and varied charitable undertakings were executed very successfully by the members. The major project over the years was the concern of the illness of one of its members, Betty Compston, who suffered from multiple sclerosis for half a century. Many other citizens of Piqua benefitted from the gererosity of this group.
Today (1992) Beta Sigma Phi is still an active organization with two chapters in Piqua.
CONTAINER LISTING
SERIES I: MINUTES OF MEETINGS
BOX 1
File
1 26 March 1963-12 May 1965
2 4 August 1965-19 July 1967
3 6 September 1967-23 July 1969
4 3 September 1969-28 July 1971
5 1 September 1971-26 July 1973
6 5 September 1973-17 July 1975
7 3 September 1975-July 1977
8 21 September 1977-16 May 1979
SERIES II: PROGRAMS
File
9 Programs – Founders Day, 1983, 1984-1986 and 1987-88.
SERIES III: TREASURER REPORTS
File
10 Treasurer Receipts and Acknowledgements
SERIES IV: MEMBERSHIP
File
11 List of Members
12 Membership forms
SERIES V: CORRESPONDENCE
File
13 Correspondence
BOX 1
SERIES VI: PUBLICITY
File
14 Newspaper Clippings
SERIES VII: PROMOTIONS
File
15 Sorority Promotions (Headquarters)
SERIES VIII: SCRAPBOOK
BOX 2
File
1 Scrapbook 1942-1950
2 “Fun for You” September 18-19, 1946
3 Scrapbook 1951-1960
4 Scrapbook 1961-1969
5 Scrapbook 1970-1974
6 Programs
7 Yearly Programs
8 Notes
9 Snapshots
10 Newspaper Clippings
11 Booklets from Headquarters