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Call for Nominations: Board of Trustees – 2026

Leinin on January 12, 2026

Nominations for positions on the Phi Mu Foundation Board of Trustees are now open!

Self-nominations for the Board of Trustees are due by February 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information on what serving on the Board of Trustees entails, please click here for the position description and/or view the Foundation’s Trustee Election Policy here.

Trustee Position Description
Trustee Election Policy

Dear Sisters,

Nominations for positions on the Phi Mu Foundation Board of Trustees and the Phi Mu Fraternity National Council are now open. Information related to these opportunities and the process can be found below. 

Eligibility

Phi Mu Foundation Trustee

  • Be a member of Phi Mu Foundation and an alumna member in good standing with Phi Mu Fraternity
  • Be willing to become a member of the 1852 Society or Wesleyan Society Giving Program upon election as a Trustee
  • The term of office is four (4) years 

Phi Mu Fraternity National President

  • Alumna member in good standing
  • Have served at least one term as a member of National Council within the previous three (3) biennia
  • The term of office is two (2) years

Phi Mu Fraternity Vice President

  • Alumna member in good standing
  • Have previously served as a National or Area Officer, Fraternity Committee member, or on a Phi Mu special committee, working group or task force.
  • The term of office is two (2) years

Process

Phi Mu Fraternity and Phi Mu Foundation accept self-nominations from eligible candidates. All self-nominations are to be submitted via the Joint Nomination Form, which can be found here. This is a Google Form, so you will need to sign into a Google account to upload files (this is a Google requirement). Self-nominations are due by February 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Additionally, Phi Mu Fraternity will also accept nominations for eligible candidates to serve as Vice President or National President. Nominations are due by January 26, 2026. Sisters who are nominated will receive notification that they were nominated by another member and will be provided the link to complete the self-nomination application. To nominate a candidate for National Council, click here. 

The Foundation and the Fraternity are collaborating on the nomination process. All individuals who are interested in being a candidate for the Foundation or the Fraternity will complete the same Nomination Form. Within the Nomination Form, candidates will indicate interest for Fraternity National President, Fraternity Vice President and/or Foundation Trustee.

When completing the Nomination Form, candidates will need the following:

  • Resume/CV
  • Contact information for three (3) references

A preview of the questions on the Joint Nomination Form can be found HERE. 

Timeline

Important dates for the rest of the process are listed below:

  • January 26: Fraternity Nomination Form due to nominate another member for National Council
  • February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT: Joint Self-Nomination Form Due
  • February 3: Executive Directors for both organizations verify candidates’ eligibility
  • February 9: Candidates confirm interest in continuing to move forward
  • February 10: Feedback is requested from Fraternity National and Area Officers and members of the 1852 Society and Wesleyan Society Giving Programs
  • February 10: Nominating Committee(s) request additional information from candidates (if desired/needed)
  • February 20: Additional information from candidates, if requested, is due
  • February 20: Feedback form closes
  • February 20-March 5: Candidate interviews take place (virtually)
  • March 6-7: Fraternity Nominating Committee meets
  • March 8-9: Foundation Nominating Committee meets
  • March 11: The Slate of Candidates for each organization will be announced by this date
  • March 12: Nomination by Petition Forms, for National Council positions, are available from the Fraternity Executive Director and for Trustee positions from the Foundation Executive Director by this date (only candidates who participated in the nomination process may petition)
  • March 26: Nomination by Petition Forms due for Trustee positions
  • March 30: Foundation Executive Director announces petition candidates, if any
  • April 16: Nomination by Petition Forms due for National Council positions
  • April 30: Fraternity Executive Director announces petition candidates, if any
  • July 1-5: Board of Trustee and National Council elections held at the 2026 National Convention

Learn More

To learn more about the scope and responsibilities of these elected positions, please visit this Foundation website page and this Fraternity website page.

The Fraternity is hosting a webinar for interested candidates to learn more about the role of National Council, the work they do, the Fraternity’s governance model and the nominations process itself on Tuesday, January 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Please register here. 

Thank you in advance for your interest in serving Phi Mu. If you have any questions, you can reach us at nominations@phimu.org.

Yours in Our Bond, 

Pamela Gaines (Southern Methodist)

Foundation Nominating Committee Chairwoman 

Karey Neville (Western Kentucky)

Fraternity Nominating Committee Chairwoman

 

 

Foundation Nominating Committee

Pamela Gaines (Southern Methodist)

Erin Cole (American)

Karey Neville (Western Kentucky)

Ashley Olive (Alabama)

Emily Thornton (Mercer)

 

Fraternity Nominating Committee

Karey Neville (Western Kentucky)

Pamela Gaines (Southern Methodist)

Andie Kash (Georgetown College)

Jill Mahar (Southern Arkansas)

Ashley Stafford (Ole Miss)

Joan Wallem – A Lifetime Phi Mu

Leinin on December 18, 2025

Joan Wallem - A Lifetime Phi Mu

By Joan’s Husband Paul

I drove Joan to Rush at the University of Illinois. We had just graduated together from high school and had been going together for a year.

It was 1952. She was to be my future wife, but that week she was excited to join Phi Mu’s Delta Beta chapter. I had decided to go to the U of I also, so we could be together. We had four great years on campus, and I spent a lot of time at her chapter house. We married right after graduation.

Joan has been gone two years now. We were together for 73 years. I believe she would want new pledges and actives to know how much Phi Mu meant throughout her lifetime.

She was firm in her belief that graduating Phi Mu’s should become involved in alumni chapters and help to counsel incoming chapter members. Through the years she felt the highlights of her life was watching young women set their goals high after she had encouraged them.

She felt strongly about what she could do as a Phi Mu Alumni. Our first two years of marriage were spent in Hawaii during my Army service. She joined the Honolulu Alumni Chapter and helped with fund-raising.

Next came my corporate transfer to Watertown, Wisconsin. She drove monthly to be Involved with the Milwaukee Alumni chapter. Two years later was my transfer to Madison where Joan founded the first Alumni chapter and served as their first President.

Through the years she was always excited about the help these chapters gave to active collegiates on college campuses. Our next corporate move was to Peoria, Illinois where she founded a new Alumni chapter and served as President. Following that I was transferred to our Chicago headquarters and Joan became active in the large suburban Alumni chapter. Some major projects were involved.

After four years I resigned to buy a dealership and we moved to Rockford, Il for the rest of our married life. She joined the Rockford Alumni Phi Mu chapter and served twice as President. This was the sixth Alumni chapter where she had been a member…..Also she began her involvement at the national level.

Her roles as she progressed through state and national jobs were as follows:

1976 Phi Mu State Day Chairman
1982-84 National Council NPC Delegate
1984-86 National Council Extension Director
1986-88 Phi Mu Foundation Secretary
1988-92 Foundation 2d Vice President
1992-94 Philanthropic Activities Chairman
1994-96 Foundation Treasurer
1996-98 Foundation President
Joan then became part of the steering committee to create the new Phi Mu National Headquarters
2002 National Council recognized Joan as Outstanding Alumni for Phi Mu
2004 Joan became Chairman of 1852 Society

At the time of her death in 2023 Joan had been an active part of Phi Mu for 70 years. She had attended 22 national conventions. Phi Mu’s throughout the U.S. were her closest friends. She believed that Phi Mu had represented a huge positive impact on her life, along with the satisfaction of helping a lot of young women find their potential. She believed that her greatest contribution in life came from helping collegiate believe In themselves and set high goals.

She was the “Miracle” in my life during 73 years together. I will always be proud of what she accomplished, as are her three children.

A video on YouTube is titled “Joan Wallem, A Lifetime Phi Mu”. It can be seen by entering “Joan Wallem Phi Mu Tribute”.

– Paul Wallem

Donor Spotlight: Shelley Starr

Leinin on July 14, 2025

Donor Spotlight: Shelley Starr (Texas Wesleyan)

This Mission Moment Monday, we are honored to feature Shelley Starr (Texas Wesleyan), a proud member of the Wesleyan Society and a dedicated Phi Mu Foundation volunteer who believes in the power of sisters caring for sisters.

Shelley’s passion for giving back to Phi Mu Foundation centers on the academic scholarship program and the emergency assistance fund, which together provide critical support for sisters during times of need—whether in pursuing educational dreams or recovering from natural disasters or critical illness.

“Phi Mu Foundation has established an emergency fund through the generosity of members that is available to those impacted by natural disasters and extreme hardships during critical illness. Sisters caring for sisters!”

For Shelley, supporting Phi Mu Foundation means ensuring that every sister has the opportunity to thrive, no matter her circumstances:

“Phi Mu provides a giving program to support young women as they pursue their educations and may need financial assistance. To be able to support others is an opportunity to give back to others in need.”

Her advice for first-time donors is simple yet powerful:

“Phi Mu members are committed to supporting other members in times of need. If we all work together to provide support, we can change outcomes in the lives of our sisters.”

Shelley believes deeply in the role Phi Mu Foundation will continue to play in shaping the future of our sisterhood:

“The success of the Phi Mu Foundation giving programs is essential to continue to provide support to young women as they pursue their educational endeavors. We are building strong, independent women for the future through our giving.”

Thank you, Shelley, for your commitment to ensuring that Phi Mu remains a place where sisters support each other, build confidence, and create lasting change in the world.

Join Shelley in supporting the future of Phi Mu by giving today. 💗

Donor Spotlight: Susi Kiefer

Leinin on April 14, 2025

Donor Spotlight: Susi Kiefer (Illinois)

For Susi Kiefer (Illinois), Phi Mu is more than a lifelong bond—it’s a legacy of love, leadership, and service. With an impressive list of volunteer roles and her continued support through the 1852 Society, Susi has spent decades giving back to the sisterhood that helped shape her.

Her journey includes service as National Music Chairwoman, 1852 Society Co-Chairwoman, multiple leadership roles within the Milwaukee and Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapters, and numerous positions within the Delta Beta (Illinois) Chapter Advisory Council.

Why Susi Gives

“Donating to Phi Mu Foundation is truly a privilege, an opportunity to actively support our beloved Fraternity and to join many generous donors of the past.”

Susi knows firsthand the life-changing impact of Foundation programs. As a recipient of an academic scholarship, she was able to pursue her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Michigan—a pivotal step in her professional journey.

Her Favorite Way Phi Mu Foundation Gives Back

While she values every aspect of Phi Mu Foundation’s mission, academic scholarships and leadership training stand out as her personal favorites.

“All four Foundation areas are immensely significant in empowering and supporting Phi Mu women.”

“Thank you for your generosity! You will experience great joy in joining together with hundreds of sisters in supporting the women and legacy of our beloved Fraternity!”

Susi believes Phi Mu Foundation’s future is as bright as its history.

“In its nearly 70 years since inception, Phi Mu Foundation has continually facilitated immensely positive impact for Phi Mu Fraternity. I am fully confident that the Foundation’s remarkable influence will continue to thrive, expand, and flourish. Phi Mu is truly for a lifetime!”

Thank you, Susi, for your leadership, your generosity, and your unwavering belief in the power of sisterhood. You continue to inspire the next generation of Phi Mu women.

Ready to follow in Susi’s footsteps? Join the legacy of support and make your gift to Phi Mu Foundation today.