STTI

Become a Billye Brown Fellow

We've all read the poignant and electrifying stories about Sigma Theta Tau International members remembering the society in their wills or other estate arrangements. In fact, in the last 18 months, the organization has received more than $1 million dollars in bequests, which is much needed and being applied to advance the International Leadership Institute, the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library, and nursing research.

Several members have provided major gifts to chapters either directly or via their wills or trusts, but many nurse leaders have not considered this option. To encourage them to do so, Sigma Theta Tau's Board of Directors has just created a remarkable new gift society honoring members who designate planned gifts of any size or type as Billye Brown Fellows. The bequests may be on behalf of Beta Upsilon and/or the international society.

Billye Brown Fellows will receive special pins, certificates, and other benefits, and be recognized frequently at society meetings and in publications.

If you do not have a will or a living trust, we encourage you to consult with your attorney, accountant, or financial counselor and have those documents drawn up as soon as possible. To die without them can be extremely detrimental to your heirs. If you have made these provisions, we invite you to consider including our chapter in your plans.

Bequests of all sizes, from $1,000 to $1 million or more, would be extraordinarily significant to Beta Upsilon. Just consider the impact on our organizations and its contributions to the profession if all members would include the chapter in their wills for $5,000 or even $1,000! A constant stream of such modest but meaningful bequests would ensure our financial viability and allow us to focus more on scholarly activities and less on time-consuming fundraising. Information taken from STTI's web site; full permission granted.

First-time Members

There are three categories of initial membership in the Sigma Theta Tau Beta Upsilon Chapter:

• Undergraduate, Pre-licensure or RN-BSN Student (by invitation)
• Graduate Student - Master’s or Doctoral
• Nurse Leader

Transferring to Beta Upsilon Chapter/Dual Chapter Membership

• See Membership Options at Sigma Theta Tau International

Maintaining Your Current Beta Upsilon Membership

• Change of Address and/or email
• Membership renewal

Nurse Leaders Wanted!

Are you a nurse who displays outstanding achievement in practice, leadership, nursing education, research and/or administration?  Do you work with someone who exihibits those qualities? Now is your opportunity to nominate yourself or your colleague for membership in Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing.

Criteria for Eligibility

Membership Benefits

Nurse Leaders are accepted as members on a continuous basis. If you wish to participate in the Spring or Fall Induction Ceremony, the Nurse Leader Counselor must be notified no later than 30 days prior to the ceremony.

Apply for Membership

To Apply for Membership as a Nurse Leader you may use one of the following options:

• Apply locally through the Beta Upsilon Chapter by completing the Nurse Leader Membership Application
• Apply online through the Sigma Theta Tau International website

If applying locally, please submit all materials to:

Melanie Brewer – Nurse Leader Counselor
Sigma Theta Tau Beta Upsilon Chapter
College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Arizona State University
500 N. 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004-0698
Melanie.Brewer@asu.edu

Beta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International was started in 1975 by Mary Jo Kasselman, President of ASU's Nursing Honor Society. Mary Jo Kasselman, received ratification on October 25, 1975, from Kitty S. Smith, National Secretary, that "the House of Delegates, Sigma Theta Tau, sitting in session at its 23rd Biennial Meeting has approved your application for charter in the organization."

The March 23, 1976, Arizona Republic reported installation ceremonies of the newly chartered ASU Chapter. One hundred-three nurses were initiated as new members and 13 nurse members were inducted as transfers from other chapter.

In 1995 and 1997 our chapter was awarded the prestigious Chapter Key Award from Sigma Theta Tau International for overall chapter excellence.

Mission

The honor society provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people. We support the learning and professional development of our members, who strive to improve nursing care worldwide.

Sigma Theta Tau is committed to five strategic directions that will guide it as it fulfills its mission:

• Knowledge
• Leadership
• Service
• Communities
• Sustainability

Vision

To create a global community of nurses who lead in using scholarship, knowledge and technology to improve the health of the world’s people.

Purpose

1. Recognize superior achievement.
2. Recognize the development of leadership qualities.
3. Foster high professional standards.
4. Encourage creative work.
5. Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession.

On behalf of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, you are invited to apply for membership if you meet the eligibility criteria. Sigma Theta Tau is an international professional honor society in nursing. 

Benefits of Membership

Criteria for Eligibility

Apply for Membership

• Complete (type or neatly print) the Graduate Student Membership Intent form and sign where indicated
• Request two (2) endorsements: one (1) must be from a faculty member and one (1) must be from an Active Member of Sigma Theta Tau
• Submit Membership Intent Form to the Faculty Counselor
• Verify that endorsement forms have been submitted to the Faculty Counselor - this is the responsibility of the applicant. NOTE:  Only complete applications will be considered.

Submit required materials to:

Kay Jarrell, MS, RN
Faculty Counselor
Sigma Theta Tau Beta Upsilon Chapter
Arizona State University
College of Nursing and Health Innovation
500 N. 3rd. Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Applicants will be notified of their membership status.

Beta Upsilon makes the following scholarships and awards available to eligible applicants on an annual/biannual basis:

The Nancy Melvin Research Grant is an award for up to $1,000 that is to be used for research expenses. Awardees will be asked to sign a letter stating how they plan to use the funds.

We are now accepting ONLY electronic submissions for the Beta Upsilon – Nancy Melvin Research Grant, which will be awarded each year at the Fall and Spring induction.

No paper submissions will be accepted. Electronic submissions allow for better peer review across locations in a timely manner for all submissions.

Completed application materials must be submitted via email attachment to the Second Vice-President, Jacqueline M. McGrath at jmmcgrath@vcu.edu by November 1, 2007 or March 1, 2008.

Criteria for Awarding the Nancy Melvin Research Grant

Evaluation of Research Proposals:

• Study problem, hypotheses, aims, and/or research questions are clearly stated.
• Significance to nursing science/relevance to nursing is clearly noted.
• Theoretical/conceptual framework clearly supports need for and/or direction of the study.
• Study design and methods are appropriate for the study problem, hypotheses, aims, and/or research questions.
• Sample selection is adequate for the proposed study.
• Appropriate data collection procedures are outlined.
• There is evidence that the instruments to be used are reliable and valid.
• Data analysis methods are appropriate for the proposed study.
• Proposed budget is included.

Materials to be Submit:

• Completed Application Form (MS Word or PDF)
• NIH style Bio-sketches, Resume or Vitae for ALL investigators.
• Complete proposal (as listed above).
• Consent Form/ Informational letters/ human subjects approval form. If research has not yet been approved please note expected date of approval on the form. Approval will be required prior to dispersing any funds.
• If the proposed study is a student project please also include the research advisor NIH style Bio-sketches, or Vitae and letter of support.

Preference will be given to Sigma Theta Tau members when all other attributes of the applicants under discussion are equal.

Deadline for submission: November 1, 2007
Deadline for submission: March 1, 2008

The Beta Upsilon Scholarship is an award of up to $750 that is to be used for educational costs by the student. Awardees will be asked to sign a letter stating how they plan to use the funds.

We are now accepting ONLY electronic submissions for the Beta Upsilon Scholarship, which will be awarded each year at the fall induction.

No paper submissions will be accepted. Electronic submissions allow for better peer review across locations in a timely manner for all submissions.

Completed application materials must be submitted via email attachment to the Second Vice-President, Jacqueline M. McGrath at jmmcgrath@vcu.edu by November 1, 2007.

Criteria:

Applicant must be enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program at the time of the award.

Materials to Submit:

• Completed Application Form (MS Word or PDF)
• One page written statement of personal and professional goals. Include content on how these goals will contribute to the practice of nursing or the welfare of patients.
• Three letters of recommendation. Two (2) letters must be from faculty members; one (1) must be from professional associates. Letters can be submitted separately or with the application but must arrive before November 1, 2007.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure receipt of the letters.
• Copy of current transcript or program of study (PDF format preferred)
• Resume or Vitae (optional)

Preference will be given to Sigma Theta Tau members when all other attributes of the applicants under discussion are equal.

Completed application materials will be evaluated for quality, merit, feasibility, clarity and consistency across goals and proposed contributions.

Deadline for submission is November 1, 2007