Los Ba&#241;os resident and presiding officer of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority Marion Silva is in Fresno to welcome members to the sorority's state convention.</p><p>The convention which ends Sunday is a gathering of the international women's organization which provides educational programs to its members and opportunities for service to others.</p><p>Silva along with Chairwomen Debbie German of Clovis and Nana Tullock of Fresno were among the society's California members who are in Fresno for the convention. </p><p>They will attend regional meetings to discuss the groups past achievements and plan for future endeavors.</p><p>"You can never get a group of ladies together without them wanting to help others," Beta Sigma Phi member Pauline Newbry said. "We probably do more service than some service clubs."</p><p>Newbry wasn't too off the mark when she made the statement. </p><p>Since its founding in 1932 Beta Sigma Phi has contributed to many causes and is a scholarship donor at California State University, Fresno. </p><p>Its California philanthropic projects include the National Cystic Fibrosis, Stanford Hospital Kidney Research, The Scleroderma foundations and the Lupus Foundation of Northern California.</p><p>The theme for this year's state convention is "celebrate" and mystery writer Earlene Fowler will be celebrating right along with the members as she speaks at the official opening Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Fresno's Saroyan Theater. </p><p>The sorority was founded by a young man, Walter W. Ross, during the depression. </p><p>He wanted to gather young women whose families could not afford to send them to college. </p><p>They studied and learned public speaking by giving talks on topics of the day.</p><p>They also planned dances and other social events which taught them social graces.</p><p>The sorority's Fresno County Council still participates in public forums and even holds a Sweetheart Ball each year.</p><p>The Fresno council has 10 chapters and just celebrated its 76th anniversary in April. </p><p>For more information on the sorority and to become a member contact Eva K. Tremper at (559) 225-9709.</p><p><i>--Minerva Perez</i>