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MIT Survival Guide

Galim BBG’s

Everything you need to know about Galim BBG and BBYO

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3 About Your MIT Mom 4 BBYO Breakdown 5 About DC Council and Galim BBG 6 Chapter Board Positions 8 The Executive Board 9 BBYO Events 11 Conventions 13 Cheers 15 BBYO Dictionary 17 Menorah Pledge 19 BBG Programming folds 21 Good and Welfare 22 My Letter to You

Table of Contents

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About Your MIT Mom

•My name is Ruby Mendelson • I am a sophomore at The Field School • I have been a member of Galim since Fall Term 2017 •My favorite color is pink • I have three sisters and one dog • I go to summer camp • I love Broadway shows • I LOVE BBYO!!!!!!

Welcome to BBYO! You have just been given the opportunity to make amazing friends, take on leadership roles, and connect more to your Jewish heritage! Here are a few things about me:

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BBYO Breakdown

The International Order of AZA and BBG

Region (Northern Region East)

Council (DC Council)

Chapter (Galim BBG)

Member (You!)

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About DC Council and Galim BBG

DC Council • Number: 54 • Colors: blue and yellow

• Mascot: Donald Duck

Galim BBG • Number: 158 • Colors: blue and green

• Mascot: sea turtle • Song: Dancing Queen

• Movie: The Princess DiariesFun fact:

The word “galim” means “waves” in Hebrew!!

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Board PositionsN’siah (President) Leads the chapter, runs meetings, oversees executive board, represents Galim in the council, presides over elections, keeps in contact with advisors and staff. S’ganit (Vice President of Programming) Plans calendar, oversees programming, responsible for incorporating all six folds into programming, acts as N'siah if N'siah is not present. MIT Mom (Vice President of Membership) Recruits new members for the chapter, coordinates chapter retention and educating members, coordinates sisterhood in the chapter, plans activities for intake night and MIT rush, makes new members feel welcome and at home. Sh’licha (Vice President of Judaism, Social Action, and Community Service) Plans Judaic, social action, and community service programming, works to promote chapter's Stand UP cause, plans Shabbat services, educates chapter on Jewish customs and holidays.

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Gizborit (Vice President of Fundraising) Keeps track of incoming and outgoing chapter funds, raises money for the chapter and ISF, works with S'ganit to budget for programs, sells spirit wear to chapter/council. Mazkirah (Corresponding Secretary) Oversees all chapter communication and promotion efforts, informs chapter members of upcoming events, takes minutes at meetings, advances chapter social media accounts. Sunshine Girl (Chapter Spirit and Happiness) Reads opening and closing prayers at chapter meetings, oversees chapter happiness, in charge of senior appreciations, keeps up chapter spirit and sisterhood, brings food to meetings. Ozeret *New Position* (Leadership Education) Educates chapter on board positions, creates and maintains chair network, coordinates GLTI, pushes chapter leadership.

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The Executive Board

N’siah Emily Cohen

S’ganit Sydney Fingerhood

MIT Mom Ruby Mendelson

Sh’licha Sierra Pasternak

Gizborit Erin Shugar

Ozeret Tali Brown

Sunshine Girl Kayla Bobb

Mazkirah Paige Nesbit

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BBYO EventsMeetings These are usually held every Monday at the Rockville JCC from 7-8. These are where we discuss upcoming events for our chapter and anything else worth discussing for that week.

Programs These are usually every Saturday from 7-9 an they can be held at a member’s house or a specific venue, it depends on the program. There are different folds that go into programs, sisterhood, social action, community service, Jewish heritage, recreation, and creativity. Sometimes, these programs can be sleepovers!

Friday Night Dinners These do not happen every week. At Friday night dinners we usually go to someone’s house and celebrate Shabbat. Sometimes it could be a potluck, or a parent teen Shabbat where parents are invited too!

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Fundraisers These are ways that our chapter can raise money. We also use fundraisers to raise money for ISF (International Service Fund) or our Stand UP cause. These can be anything from bake sales to restaurant nights or more.

Dances There are three main dances a year. We have the Fall Term Kickoff dance which is at the start of the fall term. We also have the Spring Term Kickoff dance which is at the start of the spring term. At these dances chapters can show off their most chapter spirit and have a great time. And we also have a dance called Sweetheart Heartthrob which is basically like a homecoming dance.

Conventions These are weekends usually at a camp or hotel. At conventions we have different activities and each convention is different in it’s own way. Although they do cost money, it is totally worth it to go and scholarships are available.

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ConventionsFall Convention This convention is with all of Northern Region East! It is a brotherhood/ sisterhood bonding convention. This convention is usually held at Capital Camps.

Regional Convention RC is a convention specialized for maximum spirit! It is usually held at a hotel and includes everyone in NRE, so you'll meet people from Baltimore and Virginia too! This conventions includes a dance, competitions, and lots of free time!

International Convention IC is the biggest convention of the year and it is open to every member from all around the world! You can meet so many new friends from all over! There are so many amazing experiences like leadership seminars, fun electives, and concerts that usually are performed by a big name celebrity!

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New Member Weekend This convention is all about YOU! You will learn so much about bbyo and get an older member mentor to help you! You can make so many friends here and it's so fun!

Council Convention This convention is open to all members in DC Council and is usually held at a summer camp. At this convention, there are fun electives, a Shabbat service, and elections for the next year's council board!

Chapter Convention This is the smallest convention because it's just the chapter! It's usually held at a house or hotel during late May/early June. At this convention, seniors give life, this means that they talk about their time in BBYO, give dedications, light all their candles, and give away all of their wearables.

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Cheers

Identity Identity, identity Who am I? A BBG. I am one, though only one. There's so much I can do!

We Pledge to Thee We pledge to thee, oh BBG Our love, our youth, our loyalty We sing to thee with joyous sounds Our voices reach the sky From Zion came the white and blue To give these colors bold and true Our loyal daughters gather round To raise our flag on high.

The BBG Heartbeat [7 hits on the floor, 7 claps] [3 hits on the floor, 3 claps] [1 hit on the floor, 1 clap] B! [7 hits on the floor, 7 claps] [3 hits on the floor, 3 claps] [1 hit on the floor, 1 clap] B! [7 hits on the floor, 7 claps] [3 hits on the floor, 3 claps] [1 hit on the floor, 1 clap] G! [7 hits on the floor, 7 claps] [3 hits on the floor, 3 claps] [1 hit on the floor, 1 clap] BBG!

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BBG Pep Song B'nai Brith Girls, we're standing tall, we're one for all, B'nai Brith Girls, we're here to stay, we'll pave the way for all the Jewish youth! B'nai Brith Girls, we're standing here as one (hey), B'nai Brith Girls, for sisterhood and fun (hey), For love and laughter, friends that last, Times so good, they go so fast, WE STAND AND SING WITH ALL OUR MIGHT B'NAI BRITH GIRLS OUR FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT Soooooooooooooo……… B'nai Brith Girls, we're standing here as one (hey), B'nai Brith Girls, for sisterhood and fun (hey), TOGETHER AS ONE, FOREVER UNITED!! B'NAI BRITH GIRLS! B'NAI BRITH GIRLS! B'NAI BRITH GIRLS!

Honor and Courage Honor and courage to you, Devotion and loyalty too, Memories of all days we recall, We owe to you Under the stars that shine bright, Knowledge is our guiding light, Lighting a way to a brighter day, And come what may Come disappointment or fear Our mighty foundation is here Nothing can break us, No one can take us We stand strong When our two orders unite With our goals insight B’nai B’rith is gleaming We'll keep on dreaming through the night Honor and courage to you, Devotion and loyalty too, Memories of all days we love, We owe to you

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BBYO Dictionary• AIT - Aleph-in-training, a boy in eighth or ninth grade. • Alephs - What boys in BBYO are called (NOT AZAs). • AZA - The boys side of bbyo. • BBG - The girls side of bbyo. • B’nai B’rith Girls - What girls in bbyo are called (BBG’s for

short). • B-linked - The BBYO website used to sign up for all events. • Candles - An obsession all of you will have eventually. • Caucus - Declaring one’s candidacy for a BBYO election. In our

chapter we have a closed caucus, which means you can’t discuss running with anyone in the chapter, but the N’siah or your MIT Mom!

• Chairs - Given position of leadership on any level not on board chosen by application. A specific board member usually oversees each chair.

• Chapter Songs - These are played at dances and each chapter in bbyo has one (Galim’s is “Dancing Queen”).

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• Gavel - What the N’siah uses to call order in a meeting. • Good and Welfare - A bonding activity that we do at

sisterhoods where people talk about whatever they want and no one is allowed to repeat anything said.

• Inductions - A ceremony at the end of the term that officiate MITs becoming members.

• ISF - International Service Fund, this funds scholarships for teens in need of financial aid for conventions or summer programs.

• Lives - A ceremony marking the end of one’s time in BBYO where the graduating seniors discuss their time in BBYO, what lessons they would like to pass down, and how they want the chapter to remember them.

• Member - Any registered boy or girl in bbyo. • MIT - Member-in-training (YOU!!!), a girl in eighth or ninth grade • Platform - Used for elections, this shows your declaration

statement, qualifications, letter to the chapter, quote, and goals and ideas.

• Spooey - Pretzels dipped in icing (aka the best food ever!!!). • Summer Programs - BBYO offers tons of different summer

programs such as CLTC (chapter leadership training conference, for people going into 10th and 11th grade).

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Menorah Pledge1. Citizenship We pledge our devotion to our beloved country whose blessing we shall never take for granted. We shall guard zealously our democratic rights and shall fulfill our duties as citizens.

2. Jewish Heritage We have a magnificent Jewish heritage, which has enriched the civilization of every land. We shall aim to become imbued with an understanding and love of our Jewish culture so that we may be a conscious part of the people from who we stem. We shall always strive to live up to the ideals, which are the essence of Jewish religious faith.

3. Community Service We recognize our responsibility to render selfless service as citizens of the community in which we live.

4. Philanthropy We shall always be concerned with the underprivileged and the distressed. We shall offer our help to those in need recognizing that the ability to help others is a blessing, and a responsibility.

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5. Inter-Faith Relations We represent one of the faiths that make up the diverse pattern of the religious world. We shall learn to understand and respect our neighbor. We shall so live as individuals and groups that we may reflect credit upon the Jewish people.

6. Tradition We shall try to exemplify in our home the finest of Jewish family traditions.

7. Good Sisterhood We make possible the warmth and joy of good sisterhood through our association in chapters. We shall respect the rights of each member. We shall make our chapter a true example of democratic living so that companionship and friendship may endure.

8. Prayer for World Jewry Lighting the candles is a privilege we engage in that displays the freedom we as B’nai Brith Girls and as Jews are able to exhibit. However, there are Jews in our world who are not allowed to practice Judaism freely. Oppressed Jewry is a major concern in our society. The light that is burning is so brightly is the light of hope. We hope that one day all oppressed Jews will be allowed to practice Judaism as freely as we are doing here today.

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BBG Programming Folds

Jewish Heritage The Jewish Heritage fold covers everything relating to Jewish life. The fold includes all aspects of Judaism, from the different practices of Judaism to education about Israel. Programs can range from educating members on Jewish concerns, to building a chapter Sukkah, to preparing a chapter Shabbat dinner! Community Service An essential part of BBG programming that allows us to help everyone in the area (and the world!). These programs can be hands-on service or indirect service. Social Action The Social Action fold enables us to educate our members, voice our concerns, and take action. Social action is a discussion of the problems and issues of today in relation to us. These programs might include campaigns, discussions, creating petitions, and more.

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Recreation Recreational programming is about moving, getting active, and having a blast! Almost any program can incorporate recreation.! Creativity Creativity programs are always tons of fun! Each of these programs is a unique and incredible experience! These can range from baking, to paper mache, to candle making, the list could go on! Sisterhood These programs emphasize chapter unity and friendships through activities that include conversation games, bigs and littles, good and welfare, and more. The goal of this fold is to unite the chapter and build more relationships between members.

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Good and WelfareWhat is it? Good and Welfare itself is an activity that Galim does at some sleepovers. During Good and Welfare, each girl in the chapter has a chance to speak freely about her life without being interrupted. This promotes sisterhood in the chapter. Topics during Good and Welfare include, but are not limited to, school, friends, love life, family, and BBYO. It involves very specific rules.

What are the rules? When we say that something goes under “Good and Welfare Rules,” we mean a few things. First of all, we mean that anything said in that situation is a complete secret to anyone else, unless it could seriously hurt the person speaking. You are not allowed to talk about anything said during Good and Welfare after Good and Welfare ends. These rules allow us to trust one another. If you break these rules, there will be serious consequences.

When do the rules apply? Good and Welfare Rules always apply during Good and Welfare itself. And if you ever want to confide a secret in the chapter, you say that your secret goes under Good and Welfare, and Galim will respect that.

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My Letter to YouTo my MITs, I hope that you have learned some things by reading this guide. I can’t wait to have an amazing term with you and build friendships with all of you. The purpose of this survival guide was to teach you about bbyo so that should you choose to take your bbyo journey even further, you will be ready. This may be a little overwhelming right now, but I promise you it will get so much better. I was a MIT just like you once and I was so scared, but my MIT Mom made me feel at home and I realized how much I love bbyo! And that is my goal for you. Please feel free to contact me at anytime, my number is 240-500-0550. Submitted with undying love for Galim BBG, and each and every one of you, I forever remain, Ruby Paige Mendelson MIT Mom of FT18

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