Advisory Forum

Beta Alpha Psi is an international honors organization for financial information professionals, founded in 1919, with chapters on more than two hundred and fifty campuses. Its membership includes many prominent professionals in professional service and consulting firms, industry, government, and education. Membership in Beta Alpha Psi is limited to students majoring in accounting, finance, or information systems, faculty in those disciplines, and alumni and honorary members who meet the requirements of the International Bylaws.

The purposes of Beta Alpha Psi include:

• Recognition of outstanding academic achievements in the fields of accounting, finance, and information systems;
• Promotion of the study and practice of professional fields related to these disciplines;
• Provision of opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing business professionals;
• Encouragement of a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibilities.

Recently, in recognition of changes in the financial information profession, membership Beta Alpha Psi was opened to finance and information systems majors as well as the traditional accounting majors. Students can now pledge in their sophomore year.

Structure

An elected Board of Directors governs Beta Alpha Psi. The Board is comprised of a President Elect, President, Past President, six regional directors, two alumni representatives, the Chair of the Advisory Forum, and several administrative positions. The Board of Directors sets policy, administers the finances, and sets the overall direction for the organization. Generally, the Board meets in January, June, and at the Annual Meeting in August. The Annual Meeting is primarily a series of workshops, seminars, and professional education presentations.

There are eight regions (two regional directors oversee two regions each) in the organization. Each region has a meeting in the spring of the year. The regional meetings mirror the annual meeting in purpose and content, but on a much smaller scale.

Students govern the local chapters with the assistance of a faculty advisor. Each chapter is responsible for setting the type and number of meetings and events in which they will organize or participate. The Board has established an outline of activities called the Program for Chapter Activities (PCA). The PCA outlines the minimum activities a chapter must have and outlines levels of achievement and recognition for more active chapters.

Role of the Advisory Forum Members

The Advisory Forum exists to aid the Board of Directors and Beta Alpha Psi in a number of ways. Most importantly, the Forum members provide input on strategic issues impacting Beta Alpha Psi. In addition, they provide a critical link between student members and the respective professions they are preparing to enter. Forum members help to ensure the mission and purpose of the organization are fully realized. The following outlines the role of the Advisory Forum members.

Meetings

The Advisory Forum meets as a group at least once a year at a joint meeting with the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of Beta Alpha Psi. At times, additional meetings may be called to discuss matters affecting the organization and on which the Board would benefit from the advice and input of the Advisory Forum.

Chapter Meetings

Individual chapters are asked to include Forum members whenever possible for presentations to their chapters. Because the chapters design their own plan for their Program of Chapter Activities, Forum members may or may not be asked to participate at this level.

Regional Meetings

Forum members may attend up to two regional meetings per year. Forum members are generally asked to make presentations in line with the topic of the conference, serve as panelists, judge competitions, or help with the Leadership Conference. Each regional meeting will have a Forum liaison that will help ensure each representative has a part to play at the regional meeting. Regional Forum members may attend a maximum of one regional meeting.

Annual Meeting

Forum members may attend the Annual Meeting. The duties are similar to those while attending the regional meeting.

The person representing an organization on the Forum does not necessarily have to be the one attending the meetings at the various levels. If someone else associated with an organization is more knowledgeable on a subject or logistically closer to the meeting site, substitutes may attend. It would be unusual for more than two people from an organization to attend all events and participate in regional and annual meetings. To that end, this document should be shared with and understood by colleagues associated with Forum members.

Recruiting and Business Solicitation

Most Forum members and their respective organizations view their support of ΒΑΨ as an investment in their future. ΒΑΨ strives to enhance the image and growth of the various student majors and professions represented in the membership. It is anticipated that the image and visibility of ΒΑΨ will continue to attract high caliber students. As such, it is expected and understood that the Forum member firms join the organization in part due to the contact with and access to students--there is a strict code of conduct the Forum members must observe in their contact with students.

Direct recruiting of students or faculty for employment or business purposes at the chapter, regional, or national meetings is strictly prohibited. The exception to this rule is the exhibits at the annual meeting. Because this area can be open to interpretation, the following is intended to clarify the expectations of ΒΑΨ by outlining appropriate and inappropriate actions. This is not intended to be a complete list:

• Appropriate
  • Making presentations at local, regional, and annual meetings about topics of general interest to those in or entering the profession
  • Presenting information regarding the benefits of a specific area of the profession in a general sense
  • Meeting students or faculty with whom you already have a relationship developed for meals or short meetings. Remember BAP's no alcohol policy applies to these if they are done during the timing of the chapter, regional, or national meetings
  • Making general reference to incidents or cases at your firm during presentations
• Inappropriate
  • Conducting interviews or selection processes during, immediately prior to, or following chapter, regional, or annual meetings
  • Having hospitality suites, booths (except the exhibitors at the National Meeting), parties, etc. at or around any meeting of Beta Alpha Psi
  • Centering presentations or cases around activities, practices, or attributes of your firm or its products or services
  • Distributing firm-specific merchandise, flyers, or information to students before, during, or after any meeting
  • Serving, furnishing, or funding alcohol at any ΒΑΨ function

If you have any questions regarding this document, please contact the Chair of the Advisory Forum.