Medal 2024 SIENA MEDAL NOMINATIONS

The Board of Trustees announced our search for nominations for Theta Phi Alpha’s next Siena Medalist.

The medal will be awarded at National Convention in Baltimore in 2024!

Please take some time and research an amazing woman who has done something worthy of this honor. Nominees should be women of distinction in their profession, advocates for social service, or personal role models.

To nominate a deserving woman, please fill out the nomination form.

This biennium’s Siena Medal committee currently includes Carolyn Lucas, E; Christine O’Brien, K ; Becky McLaren, AM; Holly Mason, BL; and, Cathy Billoni, BN. The committee’s role is to research and discuss the nominated Siena Medal applicants.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Siena

Medalist through July 1, 2023. More information can be found here.

Please direct any questions to the Siena Medalist Trustee, Cathy Billoni, via email.

A. 18" Snake Chain, #SNAKE

B. Permanent Badge Charm*, #3199

C. Crown Pearl Badge, #0102

D. Crown Pearl Double Letter Guard, #J0600

E. Association Treasurer Dangle, #47

F. Big Sis Dangle, #37

G. Sisterhood Chair Dangle, #61

H. Social Chair Dangle, #13

I. Centennial Badge, #0103

J. Scholarship Pearl Dangle, #41

K. One World, One Heart Dangle, #1W1H

L. Etched Single Letter Guard, #J0700

M. Plain Single Letter Guard, #J0100

N. Crown Pearl Single Letter Guard, #J0500

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A CHAPTER GUARD indicates your collegiate chapter. They are available in single or double letter and three styles. DANGLES are used for special recognition – for leadership, for academic success, activities, and to show your ΘΦΑ story – and can be purchased as a gift for yourself or for someone else. Dangles hang from the chain that connects your badge and chapter guard. Visit HJGreek.com to view the entire collection of badges, guards and dangles.

*Badge not included. Wear your badge as a permanent pendant as shown or choose the pin-on option.

**Standard shipping.

Founders’ Day is a time to reflect upon where Theta Phi Alpha started at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1912, but also a time to appreciate the journey that has brought us to 2023 and how to navigate the path forward. Let’s explore the path of Theta Phi Alpha’s use of technology and how we can use it to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and set the direction for the future.

In the era of the golden jubilee during the early 1960s –Theta Phi Alpha first adopted technology to organize its membership records with a database. The database has expanded beyond basic contact information to include initiation records, education and training records, volunteer service, and awards history. Now, members may not only access and update their own records directly through the membership portal at my.thetaphialpha.org, but also find their friends through the My Sisters tab. Update your contact information or connect with a friend today. The Fraternity and Foundation partner to provide these resources.

During the 1980s, educational materials began to migrate from a version prepared on a typewriter to a more readily updated version on a personal computer. At the time, most of the items were called manuals and topics were expanded beyond recruitment, new member education, and academic excellence to include chapter operations, finances, and risk management.

The advent of home use of the internet further connected our members. The Grand Council first connected on email during the 1990s, the decade which also saw the launch of the first Theta Phi Alpha website. Intranets made it possible to begin storing materials for easy access as members gained more access to this technology.

Now, with access to social media and Zoom, members are able to connect and even “see” one another using technology. Where will Theta Phi Alpha head from here? The future of Theta Phi Alpha will utilize technology as an educational resource for all members. At Officer Leadership Training (OLT) in July, Theta Phi Alpha will launch Chapter Builder by Phired Up. This program, funded 70% by Theta Phi Alpha Foundation, will provide tools and resources for chapters in recruitment of members with the intention of increased engagement, efficiency, and membership retention. With support of generous members, we are excited to invest in this resource for Theta Phi Alpha.

The strategic goals of Theta Phi Alpha include expansion of the educational tools to include an enhanced Membership Experience. These resources will be available not only for skills needed by chapter leaders, but also to serve members individually. Planning for this new experience is well underway. It will include a focus on providing education on topics that support competencies, which are skills that members use in their daily lives, coursework, and careers.

What role will technology play in this future? Theta Phi Alpha will invest in a Learning Management System (LMS) that will integrate the process of educational module development, teaching the sessions, updating members’ educational records, and evaluating the effectiveness of these modules. You may already use a LMS at work without even realizing it, as your employer may have one to track its educational program. The Membership Experience and LMS is a giant step for Theta Phi Alpha that will strengthen our members.

Support of the strategic aims of Theta Phi Alpha to provide increased resources to all members will become a focus of Theta Phi Alpha Foundation’s efforts. We are able to financially support general educational and leadership resources. The Ever Loyal Commitment of Theta Phi Alpha’s members can help to transform Theta Phi Alpha and Set The Direction for its continued success.

How can you help? Consider an increased contribution, such as through the Sustaining Sister option. We also can use assistance in building excitement among our fellow Theta Phi Alphas, as perhaps they don’t pay as much attention as you or have been awaiting the advent of something big and new. If you are interested in more frequent updates as we move through this process, let us know by filling out the form for Set the Direction updates.