Trustee Tuesday: Meet Delicia Bryant Arnold, Kappa Omega
Next in the Trustee Tuesday series we’re introducing Trustee Delicia Bryant Arnold, Kappa Omega. Delicia was elected to the Board of Trustees during the 2016 National Convention and is currently serving a four-year term through 2020. After spending several years as a collegiate department volunteer and contributing to the Foundation as a member of the 1852 Society, Delicia felt compelled to get more involved in fundraising on behalf of the many women growing and developing through the programs offered by the Fraternity.
“Knowing that Foundation donors help fund many of our signature leadership and educational programs, I wanted to serve on the Board of Trustees to ensure that generations to come would have access to scholarships, emergency aid, and leadership programming. I also wanted to help share the message that giving back is part of who we are as Phi Mu members and continuing that commitment beyond their college years is important.”
As a former Area Membership Director for the Delta area and current Advisory Council member at the Kappa Chapter, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Delicia enjoys staying connected to the Phi Mu collegiate experience and keeping her finger on the pulse of the issues facing sorority women on campuses today. Over the years, she’s seen first-hand the benefits that women gain from their Phi Mu membership – everything from academic scholarships to help them further their studies to pivotal leadership experiences that accelerate their path to successful careers. Watching Phi Mu women rise above challenges because of the opportunities Phi Mu has offered them inspires Delicia to stay laser-focused on the type of support she would like to see the Foundation provide to encourage future growth.
“My vision is for every chapter to have a scholarship and leadership endowment through the Foundation that can be used for members to attend Phi Mu leadership programs or any leadership development programming offered in their community. In harmony with that, I would also like to see an alumnae endowment for our alumnae members to take advantage of local leadership programming. Helping to secure funding for lifetime leadership opportunities that will help our women meet their full potential is something that motivates me every single day!”
After graduating from the University of South Alabama, Delicia headed to law school at the Mississippi College School of Law and spent nearly 20 years as a practicing attorney in Knoxville, where she lives with her husband John and daughter Abbey Clare. In her role as a member of the Development and Finance/Investment committees of the Board of Trustees, Delicia is able to leverage her legal experience to elevate the Foundation’s efforts to support our sisterhood.
“As an attorney, my background helps me provide a better understanding of non-profit status and the ability to explain to others many financial and legal situations that can protect the Foundation and its investments. Combined with the lessons I’ve learned in Phi Mu on how to communicate and get along with people of all backgrounds and beliefs, my career has taught me how to be a passionate advocate for what I believe in, while also being an active listener and compromising with others for the good of the organization.”
With all of that passion and fervor, it’s no surprise that when it comes to picking just one Foundation campaign that ranks as number one in her books, Delicia chose 18 Hours & 52 Minutes of Giving. She says she loves the excitement and energy on the day of giving and that being able to see the immediate results from the generosity of our donors is her favorite kind of adrenaline rush!
“Creating a culture of philanthropy through annual events like the day of giving and our grant programs is critical to the Foundation’s success. Giving back to Phi Mu should feel like returning a favor that was done for all of us. If the Foundation could grow its endowments and increase the number of grants it makes each year to invest in more Phi Mu women, chances are those women would pay it forward by giving back … and that could be game-changing for the future of Phi Mu.”
