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#MeetTheMus: Trustee Jennifer Chapman Joyner, Alpha Iota

 

We’re launching a multi-part series this summer called #MeetTheMus, where we’ll introduce one of our Phi Mu Foundation Trustees each week, and give you an inside peek at what drives their passion for the lifetime development of Phi Mu women!

Next up, meet Trustee Jennifer Chapman Joyner.

What made your collegiate Phi Mu experience special?

Many people may not know that I have an older sister that was a senior at Mercer when I went through recruitment. She was an officer in our chapter at the time and I had a very special recruitment going through as a legacy and then having her participate in my initiation.

What (or who) influenced you to give back to Phi Mu as an alumnae volunteer?

My first volunteer experience was as Alpha Iota’s faculty adviser when I joined the staff at Mercer University. They needed one – and at that point, there wasn’t an alumna on staff at the University. Shortly after, I became the chapter adviser and stayed in that position for six years until we moved. I feel becoming the chapter adviser was very serendipitous in that the current adviser had to step down unexpectedly and I received a letter from Headquarters congratulating me on my appointment as chapter adviser. I have no idea how that happened to this day (I didn’t even know they knew I was the faculty adviser – it was pre-OP and anything web-based), but it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a volunteer. Chapter advisers are truly the hardest working volunteers for Phi Mu! I highly encourage all alumnae to get involved on an advisory council.

How has your journey in Phi Mu impacted the woman that you are today?

I served as my chapter’s recruitment chair and I truly believe that started my interest in event planning, public relations and “friend-raising.” Had I not been given that leadership opportunity, I don’t think I would have found my true love for my profession and my true love of all things “membership.” Having served the Fraternity in the Membership Department for eight years was some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had yet as a volunteer. This is my first term as a Foundation Trustee and I have found a new love as a volunteer. Instead of helping women just in my area, I now get to help all collegiate women and alumnae through the help of the Phi Mu Foundation.

What legacy do you hope to leave for Phi Mu through your work with the Foundation?

I have always believed that giving to the Foundation is an investment in our future. By investing in our members (scholarships, member assistance, leadership training and historic preservation), I believe that I’m helping improve and grow our sisterhood so that Phi Mu will be even more vibrant and relevant – not just for my 10 year old daughter, but her daughter and her daughter’s daughter and so forth. Phi Mu is an extremely important part of my life – I can’t imagine my life without it. I’m sure that is true for every Phi Mu and what I hope will encourage others to make an investment in Phi Mu.

What would you tell a young alumna about why she should invest with the Foundation?

I can think of many things I can support and contribute to in my community, but nothing has touched me the way Phi Mu has touched me. I made the choice a long time ago to make Phi Mu my philanthropic priority. That has meant different things over time, but it is still true today. I support my University, other charitable organizations, etc., but Phi Mu is where I believe I make the biggest impact and where I chose to make my largest investment.

What is your favorite song on the radio right now?

I love all things Mumford & Sons and Adele but Ed Sheeran’s new album is really good!

What book is on your summer reading list?

John Grisham came out with a new book this summer, “Camino Island.” I’ve always enjoyed his books! This one looks like a good read!

What is your favorite Phi Mu tradition?

Because my chapter is in Macon, a tradition for us was for the entire chapter to go on a history tour of Wesleyan, the Cannonball House and Riverside Cemetery before initiation. I realize how incredibly blessed we are to be surrounded by our Fraternity’s rich founding. Having all of us gathered at these sacred places made our initiation mean even more to each initiate and placing a carnation bouquet at the grave of Martha Bibb Hardaway each time paying tribute to one of our Founders, was always special to me.


Jennifer resides in Georgia, and is married to her husband, Richard of almost 19 years. She has one daughter, Audrey (10) and a step-daughter, Anna Swope (25) who lives in Orlando, FL with her husband, Aaron.

#MeetTheMus: Trustee Diane Hawkins Eggert, Zeta Iota

We’re launching a multi-part series this summer called #MeetTheMus, where we’ll introduce one of our Phi Mu Foundation Trustees each week, and give you an inside peek at what drives their passion for the lifetime development of Phi Mu women!

First up, Past Phi Mu Foundation President and current Trustee Diane Hawkins Eggert.

What made your collegiate Phi Mu experience special?

The closeness of my sorority sisters. Compared to today’s chapter sizes, we would be considered very small – about 50 members. It was easy to get to know almost all the members in a very significant way, we knew their backgrounds, their hometowns, their families. It was not uncommon for house roommates to be from different pledge classes or even college classes – I had roommates that were Juniors and Seniors when I was a Sophomore. We have kept that closeness through many years – a group of us have gotten together annually for many, many years.

I will always remember the trip together in August 2014 – my husband had passed away recently, one of the members of our group died very suddenly at the same time , and another member’s ALS was progressing – we still came together. There were many tears but then there were many happy times – laughing as we remembered some crazy experiences from our past and our collegiate days. It gave us strength but also peace knowing that we had the incredible support from each other.

What (or who) influenced you to give back to Phi Mu as a volunteer?

Giving back just came naturally to me because Phi Mu gave me so much. I wanted to ensure that others had as rich as Phi Mu experience as I had. Not only did Phi Mu give me a family during my college days, but it ensured that I would never be a stranger in a new town! When I moved into a new area, all I had to do is find out where the nearest Phi Mu Alumnae chapter was! I was part of the Annapolis Phi Mu Alumnae for 20 years – far longer than my college days, and those women were an incredible social support system. When I moved to Birmingham, I found Phi Mu sisters through participation in the alumnae chapter, serving on the Alpha Gamma Advisory Council and participating in the Birmingham Panhellenic!

How has your journey in Phi Mu impacted the woman that you are today?

I believe that Phi Mu encouraged me to take on new leadership opportunities, both as a collegian and an alumnae. My very first Phi Mu position was as Parliamentarian! I knew nothing about parliamentary procedures, but I learned and became comfortable in the role. Many years later, Claudia Nemir, Eta Alpha, and then Phi Mu Foundation President, asked me to take on the role of Vice President Finance during the period we were constructing our Headquarters. I still remember Claudia cautioning me that with all that was happening, taking the job meant a ‘high burn rate!’ But I knew that I could do it and I knew that I would have the support of a fantastic group of women as I grew into the position.

What legacy do you hope to leave for Phi Mu through your work with the Foundation?

I hope that I have contributed to the continued growth of the Foundation. Nearly 100 women have sat on the Foundation Board of Trustees over the years, each giving her talents and making the Foundation stronger. In the very early days, these women took bold steps to ensure the viability of the Foundation by embarking on a fundraising campaign when the organization was in its infancy. Through the years, the women on the Board guided the Foundation through some difficult times, when we could not afford a professional staff, during downturn in the economic climate, and through the challenge to fundraise and build our Headquarters. I hope that my participation has built on their efforts and the Foundation is a more vibrant, more strategic, more professional organization.

What would you tell a young alumna about why she should invest with the Foundation?

You get by giving. Donating to our sisterhood makes our organization stronger and enables us to keep women in school, provides life-changing leadership experiences for our collegians, helps our sisters facing distressing situations, and ensures that our legacy is preserved. Each of these missions benefit our donors in direct and intangible ways. You get the satisfaction of helping women thrive.

What is your favorite song on the radio right now?

I am sure “Hey Jude” by the Beatles is playing on the radio somewhere! (You can imagine how thrilled I was when my grandson told me that he liked the Beatles!)

What book is on your summer reading list?

I am not sure I will get to them all but waiting on my bedside table are: Three Sisters, Three Queens, Philippa Gregory; Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen; Stranger in the Woods, Michael Finkel; Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders; and Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance

What is your favorite Phi Mu tradition?

This is very old school, but passing the candle for a significant event in a sisters life – with the lights low and the candle light glowing on each sisters face as it is passed around the room, with the chapter signing, “Picture a Girl” – I love it!

Meet Rachel Thompson, DB

 

Please help us welcome Rachel Thompson, Delta Beta, to the Phi Mu Foundation Team as our 2017 summer intern!

Rachel is a sophomore at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and a member of the newly re-established Delta Beta Chapter. She is studying History with a concentration in Museum Studies and will be working closely with the Foundation staff on various projects this summer.

Honor a Woman at Phi Mu Leadership Institute

Celebrate your chapter sister attending Phi Mu Leadership Institute with an Honor Card! She will receive the card with your personalized message following her participation at the Institute in Atlanta, GA.

Click on the Give Now page and select “Make a Contribution” and apply your gift to “2017 Leadership Institute Honor Gift” on the Give Now page. You can view a list of Session I attendees here and Session II attendees here.

For attendees to receive them in a timely manner, Session I deadline is June 12 and Session II deadline is June 26.