Gamma Phi Beta, a women’s sorority, was formed in 1874 at Syracuse University to create a welcoming and supportive environment for collegiate women. The term sorority, which means sisterhood, was coined for it. Gamma Phi Beta joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1891.
Gamma Phi Beta’s vision is to inspire the highest type of womanhood, and its mission is to build confident women of character. Its motto is “founded on a rock”. The symbol of Gamma Phi Beta is a crescent moon. Its official colors are pink and brown, and the official flower is the pink carnation. The badge of Gamma Phi Beta was designed by Tiffany & Co. The official magazine of the sorority is The Crescent.
Its core values are love, labor, learning and loyalty. It helps its members realize their full potential by offering them lifelong opportunities for personal leadership development, growth, friendship, sisterhood and philanthropic opportunities.
Where are the Gamma Phi Beta headquarters?
Its international headquarters are located in Centennial, Colorado.
What are the requirements to join Gamma Phi Beta?
To become a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, the candidate must be a woman. The other requirements are as follows:
- The applicant shall be enrolled in a college or university where there is a collegiate chapter.
- She has ever been an initiated member of an existing National Panhellenic Conference sorority/fraternity.
- The academic qualification for new membership is at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA for entering freshmen and at least a 3.0 GPA for all other students.
How can you join Gamma Phi Beta?
A graduating high school senior or a current college student can join Gamma Phi Beta by filling the “Potential New Member” form. Through a potential new member form, a candidate can apply for her recruitment as a member or can apply for the recruitment of a member she knows. A candidate can also join the Life Loyal program.
How does the Gamma Phi Beta Pledge Process work?
Let us take a look into the joining process step by step:
STEP 1: Pledging Ceremony
A collegiate can carry out a pledging ceremony if the need arises, although not mandatory. Besides this, the pledging ceremony must be carried out under the supervision of one initiated member.
STEP 2: Approval
- Collegiate – Candidates should submit their initiation week activities along with the initiation plans before the start of the initiation week. The candidate should meet all the financial and Gamma Phi Beta requirements before the initiation process.
- Alumnae Initiates – The entire approval decision-making rests upon the local alumnae chapter, alumnae Vice President along with the initiating collegiate chapter. However, only the active collegiate chapter alumnae initiates can be initiated.
STEP 3: Allowed Initiations
There is a provision of a single initiation ceremony in every regular term. Although, this is dependent upon the chapter’s regional coordinator.
STEP 4: Membership Certificates
Every initiate will receive a membership certificate from International Headquarters upon completing the payment of any required membership fees.
STEP 5: Badges
Every initiate needs to purchase the badge from the Sorority during the initiation process. This will be the symbol of her membership. Moreover, the initiation badge is the sole property of the Sorority. However, the member can take a leasehold during the initiation process.
How much does it cost to pledge Gamma Phi Beta?
The costs to join Gamma Phi Beta consist of the following:
One Time Fees
- International New Member Fees
- Membership Badge
- Local Facilities Fees
- International Facilities Fee
Recurring Fees
- Local Chapter Dues are determined by the local chapter and are utilized to fund the chapter’s operation and philanthropy events, social activities, leadership development, formals, and sisterhood retreat.
- International Member Dues- It is a fee paid by all collegiate members per semester that allow the sorority to provide quality programming, leadership training, member services and support to all its members and chapters.
- Local Facility Common Area Fee- All collegiate members pay this fee per semester to prepare for and support the potential use of a chapter facility and the facility services provided by Gamma Phi Beta’s Facilities Management Company.
International Alumnae Dues
These are currently $25 per year. The members of local alumnae chapters pay their annual alumnae chapter dues separately.
Life Loyal Member Fees
Through Life Loyal program, members can fulfill their financial promise to the sorority in a one-time payment of $299. It fulfills the international alumnae dues obligations for life. Members initiated in or before 1971 are required to pay reduced one-time membership dues of $189.
New Member Financial Information for one of the local chapters of Gamma Phi Beta (Please contact your Local Chapter office for more details on membership fees)
I. New Member Fees: $1,257.85
The breakdown for new member semester:
- Inter/National Fees- $150
- Badge Fee- $94 +
- Parlor Fee/Facility Fee-$285.10
- Facility Operations- $450
- International Facility Fee-$27
- Chapter Dues- $251.75
II. Members Residing in House:
- Total $12,223.50
- Fall: $6,111.75
- Winter: $6,111.75
- Security Deposit: $250 (not included above)
III. Members Residing Out of House:
- Total: $1,193.70
- Fall: $596.85
- Winter: $596.85
Please contact the chapter office at your campus to learn about the membership fees and dues.