The following information has been received from the Focus on Five Initiative page from the National Tau Beta Sigma website.
What is it?
The “Focus On Five” campaign is designed to encourage each chapter’s participation in Tau Beta Sigma National Programs and initiatives by presenting five simple things each chapter can do that are related to our national programs. Chapters will earn stripes for completing each activity and attempt to complete all of the stripes represented on the Tau Beta Sigma flag. Those chapters that complete the most pieces of the flag will be recognized at both District and National Conventions.
How do we participate?
Establishing Participation and Risk Management
The Red Stripe focuses on ensuring that we are established for the year with regard to our Chapter operations documents, awareness of risk management policies, and enrollment in the Focus on Five Campaign. There are three key steps needed to earn the Red Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is October 15, 2023):
The Red Stripe focuses on ensuring that we are established for the year with regard to our Chapter operations documents, awareness of risk management policies, and enrollment in the Focus on Five Campaign. There are three key steps needed to earn the Red Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is October 15, 2023):
- Appoint your Focus on Five Liaison and have them join the Tau Beta Sigma Discord server.
- Email your Chapter Budget & Constitution to your District Counselors.
- As a Chapter, watch the TBSigma Risk Management Policy Video and complete the “Take a Stand” cards, preferably during National Hazing Prevention Week (September 25-29, 2023). Share a photo of the Chapter’s Take a Stand cards in the Discord server.
Community Engagement
The White Stripe focuses on community development within our Mission Statement. Our community extends from our band program, to our campus, to our greater communities. Tau Beta Sigma’s National Programs were created with the specific aim to support various aspects of the Mission. There are two programs that target our engagement within the community: Crescendo and Coda. There are two steps to earn the White Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
The White Stripe focuses on community development within our Mission Statement. Our community extends from our band program, to our campus, to our greater communities. Tau Beta Sigma’s National Programs were created with the specific aim to support various aspects of the Mission. There are two programs that target our engagement within the community: Crescendo and Coda. There are two steps to earn the White Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- Host either a Crescendo or Coda event within your community.
- Share photos (if able based on the community partner’s guidelines) and details of the event and answer the questions “How did this event impact our community? What does it mean to our Chapter? How did Tau Beta Sigma make a difference?” in the Discord server.
- If photos are not allowed, complete the appropriate Participation Form located in the TBSigma National Programs Guide and have it signed by an official from the community partner organization.
Promoting Women in Music
The Blue Stripe focuses on the empowerment of women in music within our Mission Statement. The Women in Music Speaker series is the hallmark National Program of Tau Beta Sigma. It was created with the intent of giving women in music a platform to speak and share their experience. It is also an opportunity to connect our members, bands, and greater community to these music professionals and to learn from their story. There are two steps to earn the Blue Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
The Blue Stripe focuses on the empowerment of women in music within our Mission Statement. The Women in Music Speaker series is the hallmark National Program of Tau Beta Sigma. It was created with the intent of giving women in music a platform to speak and share their experience. It is also an opportunity to connect our members, bands, and greater community to these music professionals and to learn from their story. There are two steps to earn the Blue Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- Host a Women in Music Speaker Series for your band program, campus, and/or greater community.
- Share photos and details of the event and answer the questions “How did this event impact our community? What does it mean to our Chapter? How did Tau Beta Sigma make a difference?” in the Discord server.
Band Development
The Green Stripe focuses on cultivating leadership in our Chapter and band community. Developing leadership skills within a band program can greatly enhance the overall performance and success of the group. While there is not a current National Program that focuses on this aspect of the Mission, Tau Beta Sigma can enhance leadership within the band program and community through setting examples of positive leadership and facilitating development events for band members (suggested topics below). There are two steps to earn the Green Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
Members of Tau Beta Sigma are not required to be the primary content presenters/facilitators of the event to earn the Green Stripe. It is encouraged to partner with campus resources including the student activities office, Greek life, or other professional services to bring content expertise and also to connect band members with resources across the campus community. Alumni members in good standing can present with approval from the Director of Bands.
The Green Stripe focuses on cultivating leadership in our Chapter and band community. Developing leadership skills within a band program can greatly enhance the overall performance and success of the group. While there is not a current National Program that focuses on this aspect of the Mission, Tau Beta Sigma can enhance leadership within the band program and community through setting examples of positive leadership and facilitating development events for band members (suggested topics below). There are two steps to earn the Green Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- Host a leadership development event for members of the band program.
- Share photos from the event and answer the questions “How did this event impact our community? What does it mean to our Chapter? How did Tau Beta Sigma make a difference?” in the Discord server.
Members of Tau Beta Sigma are not required to be the primary content presenters/facilitators of the event to earn the Green Stripe. It is encouraged to partner with campus resources including the student activities office, Greek life, or other professional services to bring content expertise and also to connect band members with resources across the campus community. Alumni members in good standing can present with approval from the Director of Bands.
Musicianship
The Black Stripe focuses on musicianship and music appreciation, central foci of our Mission, Vision, and Purposes. One of the most important aspects of serving bands is one’s ability to contribute positively to each rehearsal and performance as a musician, and one of the best ways in which to contribute positively is to be proficient at your instrument. The For Greater Practice Initiative of Tau Beta Sigma was designed to help Chapter members serve their bands by becoming better musicians through the development of good practice habits, especially with regard to the fundamentals of each member’s instrument or auxiliary equipment. There are three steps to earn the Black Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
The Black Stripe focuses on musicianship and music appreciation, central foci of our Mission, Vision, and Purposes. One of the most important aspects of serving bands is one’s ability to contribute positively to each rehearsal and performance as a musician, and one of the best ways in which to contribute positively is to be proficient at your instrument. The For Greater Practice Initiative of Tau Beta Sigma was designed to help Chapter members serve their bands by becoming better musicians through the development of good practice habits, especially with regard to the fundamentals of each member’s instrument or auxiliary equipment. There are three steps to earn the Black Stripe (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- For at least three months, at least 50% of all Chapters members individually practice for four hours or more. This can be completed with individual or group rehearsal on primary/secondary instruments (including auxiliary equipment). Practice should be tracked for all members using the For Greater Practice Initiative tracking sheet or another preferred method available through your college/university.
- At the conclusion of the For Greater Practice Initiative tracking, host a mini-recital (either privately as a Chapter or including participation of other band members) to perform selected rehearsed pieces and celebrate one another’s progress.
- Share the completed tracking sheet (or report from school-based tracker), photos/video from the mini-recital and details of the event, and answer the questions “How did this event impact our community? What does it mean to our Chapter? How did Tau Beta Sigma make a difference?” in the Discord server.
2023-2024 Lyre Pieces
Lyre Pieces
The Lyre Pieces are an opportunity to expand the Chapter’s involvement in aspects of the Sorority outside of the primary National Programs and Mission-driven initiatives.
The Lyre Pieces are an opportunity to expand the Chapter’s involvement in aspects of the Sorority outside of the primary National Programs and Mission-driven initiatives.
The Left Lyre Piece focuses on celebration, recognition, and achievement within our Chapters and bands. Tau Beta Sigma offers a number of recognition opportunities to celebrate the musical and academic achievements of our Chapter and band members including the Academic Achievement Program, Service Certificate, and For Greater Bands Award. There is one step to earn the Left Lyre Piece (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- Submit an application for an Academic Achievement Program award, Service Certificate, and/or For Greater Bands award.*
The Center Lyre Piece connects each Chapter to their District-specific projects and initiatives. Review the steps to earn the Center Lyre Piece for each District (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
Northeast District: The Center Lyre Piece is designed to showcase the individual personalities and characteristics of our Chapters. While we all uphold the 8 and 5 in everything that we do, each Chapter has their own personality that contributes to our service projects and gives each Chapter a distinct service style. For this year’s Lyre Piece, each Chapter will have to brainstorm a quality/personality trait of their Chapter and utilize this trait to create a service project that showcases your Chapter’s individuality. To receive the Lyre Piece: Come together as a chapter, and decide on one of the following options(can do more if desired): 1) A service event of your choosing that recognizes a unique characteristic that your Chapter has to offer, 2) An activity that your Chapter can do to make something to give back to your community that highlights your Chapter, while also giving back to those who support us every day, or 3) A performance that showcases your chapter’s unique personality or personality trait to the community. Share the project on the Discord server for review and completion.
Northeast District: The Center Lyre Piece is designed to showcase the individual personalities and characteristics of our Chapters. While we all uphold the 8 and 5 in everything that we do, each Chapter has their own personality that contributes to our service projects and gives each Chapter a distinct service style. For this year’s Lyre Piece, each Chapter will have to brainstorm a quality/personality trait of their Chapter and utilize this trait to create a service project that showcases your Chapter’s individuality. To receive the Lyre Piece: Come together as a chapter, and decide on one of the following options(can do more if desired): 1) A service event of your choosing that recognizes a unique characteristic that your Chapter has to offer, 2) An activity that your Chapter can do to make something to give back to your community that highlights your Chapter, while also giving back to those who support us every day, or 3) A performance that showcases your chapter’s unique personality or personality trait to the community. Share the project on the Discord server for review and completion.
The Right Lyre Piece encourages Chapters to engage with Sorority events throughout the year. During the upcoming academic year there will be a series of events focused on Chapter operations, professional development, and musicianship and band appreciation. These events are made successful by the presence and interaction of members and Chapters from across the country to learn from one another. The tentative calendar of events for this series is available on the Linktree and at this link. There are two steps to earn the Right Lyre Piece (deadline to complete and submit tasks is June 1, 2024):
- At least one member of the Chapter is present at at least half of the total National Council-sponsored events. This does not need to be the same member for all events.
- After the event series has concluded, submit a post highlighting the events that were attended and the attendees’ response to the questions “What were the key takeaways from this event? How did the Chapter grow from the experience?” in the Discord server.
NED FO5 Tracking Sheet
Click this link to gain access to the NED FO5 Tracking Sheet. This is where you'll be able to see what stripes or lyre pieces your chapter has completed!
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Northeast District Lyre Project, please email Samantha Fingerman, the VP for Special Projects, at [email protected].