A key component of the mission of Phi Mu Foundation is to support the educational and leadership initiatives developed by the Fraternity. Over the past three years, the Foundation has been able to provide over $325,000 in educational and leadership grants to the Fraternity. Recent grants have been made in several areas: alcohol awareness, leadership development and life skills.
Leadership Development
The Foundation uses it resources to develop leadership skills in our collegiate and alumnae members. Grants are provided to partially fund the Programming and Leadership Development Coordinator position in the Headquarters and Leadership Consultant positions.
The Programming and Leadership Development Coordinator writes and produces the educational programming that is presented to Phi Mu members and volunteer officers.
The Leadership Consultants are similar to chapter consultants who travel and visit chapters. They teach the officers in collegiate chapters valuable leadership skills and present chapter developments on leadership skills.
In addition, the Foundation has partially funded alumnae officer leadership training and a large chapter training retreat.
Life Skills
Phi Mu Foundation also provides grants to help members develop valuable life skills. One new program funded by Foundation is Always Phi Mu: The Senior Experience. This program, which focuses on the needs of fourth and fifth year members, places emphasis on “real world” skills. This valuable resource will feature a separate chapter development program for seniors focusing on resume writing, interview skills, financial management, and other life skills necessary to be successful once they graduate. With its emphasis on getting prepared for life after graduation, the program gives collegians a wealth of hands on knowledge that will give them an edge as they make the all-important transition into life beyond college.
Alcohol Awareness
AlcoholEdu
AlcoholEdu for College is a major alcohol awareness program that the Foundation funds through a grant to Fraternity. During the 2006-07 academic year, every Phi Mu member and provisional member was required to complete this online education program. Each subsequent Phi class will also be required to complete the program so that every Phi Mu will have had this important training.
AlcoholEdu for College is a science-based course taken by tens of thousands of students each year. The course aims not to preach but rather to educate students about alcohol and its effects on the mind and body. Whether or not they drink, AlcoholEdu for College empowers students to make well-informed decisions and better cope with the drinking behavior of peers.
AlcoholEdu for College offers a confidential, personalized experience for each student. The course includes:
- Four chapters of alcohol-related educational content
- Case studies
- Interactive exercises
- Assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors
The goal in funding this program is to make a permanent difference in members’ lives.
The Sam Spady Story
Another program on alcohol awareness funded by the Foundation was the Sam Spady DVD and chapter development. Death by Alcohol: the Sam Spady Story is a documentary that tells the story of an accomplished young college woman who, over the course of a football Saturday, participated in drinking activities. Her friends left her to “sleep it off” at a fraternity house and she was found dead the next morning.
This moving documentary educates college students about the dangers of binge drinking and the warning signs of alcohol poisoning. At the 2007 Leadership Conferences, every collegiate chapter received a copy of the DVD and a chapter development program to take back and present in their chapter. Many chapters have used these materials to present programs for all Panhellenic or Greek groups on campus.
Foundation was proud to fund the purchase of the DVDs, a wallet card for every member and the creation of a chapter development.