Building Better Chapters

BUILDING BETTER CHAPTERS

By: Jackie Hackett, M.A., Assistant Executive Director for Undergraduate Engagement, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Psi Chapter

Phi Mu Delta Fraternity through the decades has seen drastic changes. In 1918, six men made the courageous decision to create something different: a place for all men to learn, grow, and develop into the future leaders and citizens of the world regardless of their race, religion, creed, or position.

Fifty years later, in the 1960s, we began to prosper and opened our first National Headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with professional staff and a traveling consultant.

Today, over the next 50 years later, the National Fraternity is dedicated to the same mission and is honoring the hard work and dedication of the men who came before us through educational programming for chapters and their collegiate members.

Over the last few years, the National Fraternity committed to ensuring all programs had assessed learning outcomes and that 50% of the undergraduate membership would participate in a national program. The first goal has been completed and we are working diligently to achieve the second.

In order to redefine fraternity on college campuses, the National Fraternity wants to provide top-notch programming and educational experiences for members. With this new re-branded slate of educational and leadership develop workshops and institutes, the focus on building better chapters through experience-based learning that is in-person and virtual has become the priority.

While these programs will not solve all of the problems facing fraternities today, Phi Mu Delta is committed to providing members the tools to be successful and the space to learn, brainstorm, serve, lead, and grow together through a meaningful, shared experience both at the chapter level and at the national level.

All national programs achieve the learning competencies determined by the 2016-2018 National Council:

1. Effective communication

2. Appreciating Diversity

3. Social Responsibility

4. Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships

5. Leadership Development

Foundation Institute (Formerly Officers' Academy)

Officers' Academy has existed as a national program for the last five years. Prior to this, there were regional events designed to provide chapter officers the tools to be successful over their terms.

The purpose of this program is to offer nuts & bolts training to all newly elected officers. This three-day training workshop provides officers with the essential tools to manage chapter operations and attain goals for the coming year.

This program is free for all 5 officers to attend and is an interactive experience.

Keystone Institute (NEW starting in 2019)

Running concurrently with the Foundation Institute is the Keystone Institute which is programming provided specifically for incoming chapter presidents. This program will provide newly elected chapter presidents with specific, one-on-one training for their upcoming terms.

It will be interactive, discussion-based and applied learning with trained facilitators.

Cornerstone Institute

The Cornerstone Institutes replaced the Recruitment Academies in the fall of 2018. The Cornerstone Institute is designed to provide chapter members the key information for having a successful chapter through recruitment, membership development, and accountability. This interactive, one-day, workshop provides attendees with knowledge and skills to improve their chapter?s membership.

Brick & Mortar Webinar Series

In an effort to provide more education to all members of Phi Mu Delta, we introduced the Brick & Mortar Webinar Series this fall!

This series will consist of common topics, concerns, and questions posed by undergraduate and alumni of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity. They will occur every other Wednesday at 3:00pm EST.

These webinars are designed to fill in the gaps and continue the conversations for strong, successful chapters outside of the program.

Sapphire Leadership Institute

The Sapphire Leadership Institute is held biannually to assist all undergraduate members who are interested in learning more about leadership. This program allows participants to practice their own leadership skills in preparation for their growing role as chapter leaders. Each chapter/colony is expected to send four members to this four-day residential experience.

Sapphire Leadership Institute is an essential program that helps members realize the impact one can have on the whole and how those individuals can further improve their chapters.

Navigator

Held concurrently with Sapphire Leadership Institute, Navigator is an elite program designed to introduce newly initiated members to the possibilities of their lifelong membership. This program runs concurrently with the Sapphire Leadership Institute and chapters/colonies are required to nominate one newly initiated member to attend.

To qualify, the member must have been initiated during one the previous two semesters.

Beyond the Limits Retreat

Beyond the Limits was developed in the fall of 2018. Beyond the Limits is a day and a half long retreat designed to rejuvenate and retool Phi Mu Delta chapters and colonies through intense discussions, activities, and goal setting.

Through the philosophy of Appreciative Inquiry and Advising, the facilitator(s) will guide members through goal development in a positive, strengths-based manner.

"Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based approach to organizational development that replaces the traditional top-down model of power and control with one that gives all participants equal stake and voice in the process" (Fifort & Lander, 2013).

This process engages and empowers individuals to imagine possibilities rather than dwelling on the problems.

Colony Retreat

Immediately following the installation of the colony, the National staff facilitate a colony retreat designed to provide colony members with the basic knowledge of Phi Mu Delta, chapter operations, finances, and then set goals and elect officers.

Post-Chartering Retreat

One inevitable occurrence that happens to newly chartered chapters is the "post-charter slump." In an effort to address this issue, Phi Mu Delta Fraternity has developed a new program for newly chartered groups: the post-chartering retreat. It is designed to analyze the colony experience, learn from it, and develop new goals to work towards over the next 2-3 years through strategic planning and team building activities.

Advisors' Academy

Advisors' Academy was launched in January 2018 and was designed to provide volunteer advisors the tools, knowledge, and best practices to advisors supporting our chapters and colonies.

Funding for Educational Programs

The Phi Mu Delta Educational Foundation funds the educational and leadership development programs that are created and facilitated by the fraternity, its staff, and program volunteers.

The Foundation funds these programs using donations from alumni and friends, and sees a direct return on the program cost, in the development of men who lead and serve their chapters and the fraternity for years to come.

To learn more about our educational programs or how you can help impact our collegiate members through programming, visit our website: www.phimudelta.org/foundation.