I am very excited for the upcoming school year. Over the summer Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) officers have been working on making this year better than ever. We have thought of many news ideas and will continue to build upon last year’s improvements as well. Thanks to all of my officers, this can all be possible. A chapter is only as strong as its leaders and this year I can’t wait to see what each officer has to offer. One of the main events the new officers and members participated in was the BAP National Conference in Brooklyn, New York. We had the opportunity to take four members and it was a great learning experience, where each of us gained ideas to implement in the upcoming school year.

Beta Alpha Psi is a premier international honorary service committee respected and recognized worldwide. We provide the essential tools for members to gain experience in their field of interest while also providing the best of opportunities to network with the most prestige peers and employers. Our goal is to recognize academic excellence while fostering lifelong growth, service, and ethical conduct.

Since Beta Alpha Psi was founded in 1919, it has expanded to over 300 different chapters internationally with more than 330,000 participating members worldwide! Our Zeta Iota chapter has earned the highest international ranking, “Superior Status”, the last five out of six years and it is our goal to sustain “Superior Status” throughout the current school year. Because the Beta Alpha Psi International Board of Directors became aware of some chapters who were going significantly beyond the requirements of “Superior Status” they have decided to give an award to the top 15 chapters internationally. The recognition and award is called the “KPMG Gold Challenge” and only 5% out of all the chapters internationally can obtain this recognition. This year we have set our sights on receiving this prestigious honor. It will not be an easy accomplishment, but the quality of officers and members make this award in our reach.

This year we hope to improve upon many areas, including alumni relations, communication between members, and outreach into the community. One of our main goals is to be competitive in the National award to be a “KPMG Gold Chapter.” Since the beginning of this year, we have been implementing new ideas to make this goal attainable. One project we would like to continue is a presentation from last year about Financial Literacy. Over the year we plan on reaching into the community to help citizens who simply do not have an education on how to manage their finances. The citizens of Reno would greatly benefit from this presentation if we are able to reach out to diverse audiences.

So far our chapter is off to a great start, but as the recruitment process approaches we hope to add many more members to our chapter. Our chapter can only succeed as much as the membership is willing to participate. As a member/candidate, please stay informed and check regularly for updates on WebCT. The opportunities Beta Alpha Psi has to offer you is endless, but as a member you must reach out and become involved. Events are a great way to start, such as firm tours and professional lunches, just to name a few. You can also become involved with the officers, helping them plan events and projects as they arise throughout the year. Thank you to the members for your continued participation and support and I cannot wait for the year to come, I am confident it will be a successful one.

Best Regards,

Danielle Farris
President, Zeta Iota Chapter