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SUPREME COUNCIL CANDIDATES

CONVENTION 2025

BETH DAVIS
XI CHAPTER AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

B Davis headshot.jpg

Beth Davis has served Phi Sigma Sigma as a volunteer for the past 15 years. Prior to her election as Supreme Council director, Beth served as a chapter key advisor, member of the CKA coaching committee, archon of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter member and the major gifts and events committees for the Foundation. Beth has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Chapter Key Advisor Award. Beth is an alumna of the Xi Chapter at Temple University.

 

Professionally, Beth is a College Counselor at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. In this role, Beth guides 85-90 students through the college application process each year. Beth also works for TEACH, a Philadelphia based educational programming company and an event planning company as a day of wedding coordinator. Prior to her current role, Beth was the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Temple University from 2010-2020. While working at Temple, Beth served as the faculty advisor for Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and received the Advisor of the Year award in 2018.

 

Beth lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her fiance David. They love to travel, eat donuts, see Broadway shows and be Aunt Beth & Uncle Dave to their many nieces and nephews. In her free time, Beth enjoys spending time with her friends and loved ones, reading, running, volunteering and sitting on the beach in Avalon, NJ.

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Candidate for: Director

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Education

Temple University, B.A.​

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Academic Honors

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Number of Volunteer Years: 14

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Phi Sigma Sigma Awards

  • Outstanding Chapter Key Advisor Award

  • Chapter Key Advisor Service Award

  • Fraternity Service Award – 5, 10 years

  • Certificate of Appreciation

  • Supreme Council Dangle

  • Active Alumna Award

  • Active Alumna Award, Honorable Mention

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Other Awards

  • Kappa Delta Rho Advisor of the Year, August 2018

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Philadelphia’s Finest Professional, June 2014

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Phi Sigma Sigma Staff and Volunteer Experience
Current:

  • Supreme Council – Director

  • Ritual Task Force – Chairman

  • Beta Alpha House Corporation – Vice President

 

Past:

  • Chapter Key Advisor – Delta Eta Chapter at the University of Delaware

  • Chapter Key Advisor – Theta Eta Chapter at Rider University

  • Chapter Key Advisor – Iota Rho Chapter at St. Joseph`s University

  • Chapter Key Advisor – Nu Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania

  • Convention Task Force – Member

  • Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter – Archon, Vice Archon

  • Fundraising Major Gifts Workgroup – Member

  • Events Committee Associate Board Chair Member

  • CKA Coaching Committee – Member

  • Membership Recruitment Advisor

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Outside Volunteer Service

Current:​

  • Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Temple University Alumni Association – Chair

  • Girls on the Run Philadelphia – Associate Board Co-Chair

  • Old First Reformed United Church of Christ – Director of Stewardship

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Past:

  • Faculty Advisor for Kappa Delta Rho, Xi Alpha Chapter at Temple University

  • Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counselling

  • Board of Elders for Old First Reformed United Church of Christ

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Delaware Valley Chapter

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Describe the blend of personality, skills and life experiences that you would contribute to Supreme Council and the mission of Phi Sigma Sigma. You may draw from multiple experiences whether it be professional experiences or from volunteer roles.

I am a decisive woman passionate about equity, personal growth and living an authentic life. My personality is bold and bright which aligns with Phi Sigma Sigma's presence in the fraternal world. My outlook on life has been formed by being a Black woman navigating spaces that often lack diversity. Those experiences have taught me the importance of self-advocacy, making space for others at the table and continual education to keep improving. My unique outlook will remain an important addition to Supreme Council that was not included before 2022. 

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As a high school college counselor and former college admissions professional, my experience with the college-bound student population allows me to keep a pulse on higher education trends. We must stay abreast of what is happening on college campuses and specifically where we have chapters. The landscape is constantly changing - colleges are merging, dropping academic programs and continuing to shut their doors. These are realities that we cannot change, however, we can be best prepared to navigate should they affect our organization if we are informed. 

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My experience as Associate Board Co-Chair for Girls on The Run Philadelphia has allowed me to develop my skills as a volunteer committee manager, navigate a working relationship between paid staff and volunteers and become a better fundraiser. The work is certainly different but the sharpened skills have directly translated to my work on Supreme Council for the 2022-2024 biennium. 

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​What is your experience in business/organizational management, such as risk management or policy preparation?

As a member of the Beta Alpha House Corporation, I have gained valuable experience in business and organizational management, focusing on risk management and policy preparation. As a board, we assess property-related risks, develop strategies to mitigate them and ensure compliance with local policies. 

 

There is ongoing collaboration with board members to refine operational policies, emphasizing transparency and accountability. This has involved researching best practices and reevaluation of vendor contracts to meet our high level of customer service for our house residents. 

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Outside of Phi Sigma Sigma, my experience as an Elder at my church from 2012 to 2016 provided significant learning and growth. Serving two consecutive two-year terms, I helped create, review and present an annual budget exceeding $300,000. After approval, I participated in monthly financial reviews of income and expenses across various accounts. 

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Additionally, I contributed to risk management policy development for community outreach initiatives, including a weekly food and clothing cupboard, an annual men’s homeless shelter and urban service camps. We collaborated with local nonprofits for the shelter and service opportunities. This experience deepened my understanding of business and organizational management within a community context. 

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What do you feel is the greatest risk to the Fraternal industry over the next biennium? 

Sustaining relevance is the greatest risk to the Fraternity industry over the next biennium. Founded when college students had limited options for belonging, today’s students have a plethora of options to choose from. Three key areas threaten our relevance: a decline in membership numbers, challenging relationships with our campus partners and shifting priorities for college students. 

 

Declining membership numbers can be attributed to retention issues and low interest from potential new members. Current members can feel disengaged or disconnected, while potential new members perceive the organization as outdated or misaligned with their values. This highlights the need for strategies to boost engagement and attract a broader audience. 

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Challenging relationships with the host campus can hinder effectiveness and growth. Conflicting priorities and poor communication can limit collaboration. It is crucial to prioritize open dialogue, establish common goals and build trust for a more cohesive partnership. 

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Shifting priorities for college students now emphasize mental health, career readiness and work-life balance. Students are increasingly reluctant to join Greek letter organizations due to a perception of being misaligned with their focus on meaningful experiences and inclusivity. Students today have a stronger desire to ensure their financial obligations match their morals. 

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Despite these risks, we know there is still a need for fraternities and sororities. The relationships we foster and the way we develop our members have the potential to be life-changing. We must find a way to continue to demonstrate our value to ensure survival. 

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Tell us about a time you had to lead a team or organization through a crisis, making difficult strategic decisions. Please share the processes you use.

Working at a high school generally includes other duties as needed. One of the extra hats I wear is the advisor for the BBQ Club, which hosts a student tailgate before school sporting events. The tailgate for the Homecoming game in October 2021 started on a high note but quickly became a crisis. There was a car accident that required medical transport by helicopter. 

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We were an hour and a half before the game started when I heard the sirens of multiple emergency vehicles approaching the stadium. My first priority was to ensure student safety and keep game attendees away from the stadium entrance. 

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I gathered student volunteers and assigned roles to manage the crowd. Additional food was cooked and passed out to anyone near the space. Volunteers invited students from the opposing school into the tailgate space, and others stood on the perimeter of the grass, asking students to stay put until further notice. The game was ultimately canceled, so we ensured every student had a way home. 

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Though little information was available initially, I stayed calm and composed while developing an action plan and enlisting volunteers to help. I assessed what information to share with the public to provide context without creating chaos. As needed, I pivoted and shifted the plan to prioritize safety. After the event, I led a debrief to recap what we did and created a formal plan to use in the future. 


Describe your experience working with budgetary oversight, including profit and loss statements, financial statements and budgets.

As Vice President of Beta Alpha House Corporation, I have significantly expanded my experience with budgetary oversight. Our board collaborates to create and manage the overall budget, develop policies to mitigate risks and review vendor contracts annually. 

 

We also work closely with our advisor at Morgan Stanley to evaluate investment performance and market conditions. This was an area I was not as familiar with as a new member to the board. To ensure I am prepared for these meetings, I block off time on my calendar to review the materials sent in advance of the meeting and write down any questions that I have. The preparation allows me to actively participate in meetings and ask questions to ensure our finances are in good health. 

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What are your current personal and professional priorities? Describe your current bandwidth and how you plan to incorporate your commitment as a member of Supreme Council to your current obligations.

My current professional priorities are my work as a college counselor at a high school in Delaware and as a College Readiness Advisor for a Philadelphia-based academic tutoring company. My school day ends at 3:30 p.m., and my work with the tutoring company is approximately four evening hours per week. Both roles have the schedule for the year created in August, so I know my availability well in advance. 

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My personal obligations currently consist of serving as a director on Supreme Council and volunteering with Girls On The Run Philadelphia, Temple University Alumni Association and Old First Reformed United Church of Christ. The commitment for the three volunteer roles is incredibly flexible: generally, there are 1-2 meetings per month that are scheduled in advance, and independent work totaling no more than four hours. 

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The schedule demands of these professional and personal priorities allow most evenings and weekends to incorporate my commitment as a member of the Supreme Council. I utilize a note and color-coded calendar system to ensure I am not over-committing on any day or week. This has allowed me to remain committed to all these obligations during the current biennium, and I do not anticipate any change in my capacity. I am thankful that my professional and personal people, especially my partner David, support my desire to continue serving our Fraternity. 


How would you separate your personal sorority experience from your executive role on Supreme Council, including upholding your confidentiality and fiduciary obligations?

Separating my personal sorority experience from my role on Supreme Council requires a steadfast commitment to professionalism and ethical standards. My love for Phi Sigma Sigma began during my personal journey, and my role on the Supreme Council allows me to ensure that current and future collegians have the same transformative experiences.

 

I prioritize the best interests of the Fraternity over those of individuals or small groups. Tough decisions often arise, and I recognize that they must be made for the long-term sustainability of our organization. While this adjustment was initially challenging, I view my responsibility as a caretaker of the Fraternity’s future as both an honor and a privilege that I do not take lightly.

 

Additionally, my role as Director of Stewardship for Old First Reformed United Church of Christ reinforces my understanding of confidentiality and fiduciary obligation. I handle sensitive information about members’ contributions, which must remain private. This experience further sharpens my ability to navigate complex situations with integrity, ensuring that I uphold the trust placed in me by both the sorority and the church community.

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As a director, explain how you would promote the Fraternity’s organizational goals in the next biennium?

As a director, promoting our fraternity’s organizational goals in the next biennium will focus on three key strategies: continuing to lean into whatever is asked of me, supporting volunteers and prioritizing alumnae engagement.

 

I pride myself on my ability to lean in to get the work done. I will continue that in the next biennium without hesitation.

 

The work could not be done in the same way without our volunteers. By creating a supportive environment, we empower our volunteers which enhances their commitment and effectiveness. I want to help find a balance of supporting our current volunteers and create opportunities for new volunteers to join the force.

 

Our alumnae are a valuable source of untapped potential of their time, talent and financial support. Most importantly, they are our sisters. It’s crucial for our organization to foster a culture that reconnects them with our mission. We have struggled to maintain opportunities to engage them after their collegiate years. It is imperative that we prioritize reconnecting with these women.


Describe how you have collaborated with others to make critical decisions quickly and effectively?

My roles on the ritual and convention task forces have allowed me to showcase my decision-making strength. Trust and respect within a team are vital for effective collaboration. An environment where every voice is valued allows critical decisions to be made while remaining true to our shared values.

 

Since October 2023, my focus for the ritual task force has been to honor our history of tradition while ensuring our practices resonate with current members. To prepare new ritual ceremonies for a pilot program in Spring 2024, we needed to make decisions thoughtfully but quickly. The committee and I used our biweekly meetings to define our core values, evaluate what chapters are currently doing, assess where updates could be made, and rewrite the ritual ceremonies the Fraternity uses. Each meeting ended with a recap of decisions made and the next steps listed. The clear plan allowed each committee member to take ownership of the work.

 

The convention task force worked from March 2023 to August 2023 to consider the timing of convention timing and make a recommendation in the best interest of the Fraternity. As a committee, we emphasized delegation, assigning specific tasks based on each member's strengths, which enhanced our efficiency. We utilized digital tools for feedback and discussions from a sample-size group of volunteer attendees, which ensured contribution regardless of location. We opted for a quick voting system when urgent decisions arose, balancing the need for speed with inclusivity.

SUPREME COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Supreme Council will be elected during Plenary at Convention 2025. If you have any questions about the candidate profiles or responsibilities of Supreme Council, please contact the nominating committee at nominatingcommitee@phisigmasigma.org.

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