The countdown to the 2020 Phi Mu National Convention is on and we are now accepting donated items for the Sisterhood Auction! The Foundation sponsors the Sisterhood Auction during each Convention to help raise funds to invest right back into our sisterhood. In the past, collegiate and alumnae chapters have put together auction baskets that represent their chapter or area of the country and members contribute special items like jewelry (Kendra Scott and Kate Spade are always popular!), special Phi Mu treasures and everyone’s favorite … vacation stays! Also back by popular demand this year will be the Vintage Phi Mu section of the Sisterhood Auction, featuring unique Phi Mu apparel, books and jewelry from decades past.

If you have an item or two to donate to the Sisterhood Auction, please fill out the 2020 Sisterhood Auction Information Sheet and include a photo of your items for promotional purposes. All donated items will receive lifetime giving credit. The final call for items is June 12.

The Foundation hosted the 25^th annual Phonathon at the Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Florida State University raising more than $16,250 for the Annual Fund! The chapter connected with thousands of Phi Mu alumnae and friends and thanked them for their support of Phi Mu Foundation. In addition to making phone calls, the chapter also helped pilot a new texting platform to increase communication and reach donors who prefer to respond to a text rather than wait for a phone call. Select donors received a personal text message from a chapter member and were able to respond at their convenience. We’re looking forward to incorporating this new way of connecting with our donors into several of our campaigns throughout the year!

We’d like to send a warm thank you to Alpha Epsilon alumnae Kelley Tiller Brewer and Lori Desguin Mizell for helping to coordinate efforts with the Alpha Epsilon Chapter for the Phonathon weekend!

If you missed a call or text over the Phonathon weekend, don’t worry … there’s still time to show your support! Visit our Give Now page and click on Phonathon to make your gift today.

When Sara Connell’s family received the phone call while they were on vacation that the family home was engulfed in flames, it changed her life forever. Thankfully, there was no one home at the time and their lives were spared, but the contents of their home were completely ravaged by smoke and fire. Sara’s family had to redirect all of their resources into rebuilding their home and replacing their day to day necessities and she needed a helping hand to cover her tuition at Jacksonville State University.

“Phi Mu Foundation came to my aid with a grant from the Betty Nell Wilkinson Emergency Fund when I needed it the most.  After my family lost our home in a fire, my parents had no idea how they’d pay for my schooling. Because of Ms. Betty’s generosity, I didn’t have to take a semester off and was able to continue to be involved with the Kappa Sigma Chapter.  I am so thankful to her and to be a part of an organization that generously gives back to sister in need.  This is what sisterhood is all about.”

Learn more about the Foundation’s member assistance funds and how you can support these efforts with your gifts.

While Vicki Ryan was wrapping up her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Missouri Western State College in the spring of 1978, she was presented with a unique opportunity to serve as a Phi Mu Graduate Counselor. The Phi Mu Graduate Counselor program was funded by a grant through Phi Mu Foundation from the Alpha Memorial Scholarship Fund, which existed to provide scholarships to Phi Mu members who were interested in pursuing graduate studies while also serving as counselors to help Phi Mu collegiate chapters grow and thrive.

As a Phi Mu Graduate Counselor, Vicki received a scholarship to help her attain her Masters of Business Administration at Oklahoma State University while working with the Epsilon Gamma Chapter at Tulsa University and assisting with the colonization of Epsilon Nu Chapter at Oklahoma State University in 1979.

“A Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship to serve as a Graduate Counselor started my Phi Mu engagement beyond the local level. Phi Mu Foundation opened doors to my degree, early leadership opportunities, awesome volunteer opportunities, and a lifetime of Phi Mu friendships.”

Little did Vicki know her role as a Graduate Counselor was only the beginning of a remarkable volunteer journey with Phi Mu. A loyal Foundation donor and member of the 1852 Society, Vicki has served the Fraternity and Foundation in various volunteer roles, including serving as a Vice President on National Council from 1984-1990 as well as a Foundation Trustee from 1986-1990. Most recently, Vicki made a multi-tiered commitment to the Foundation’s One Destiny campaign, along with a planned gift, ensuring that generations of Phi Mu women have the same incredible opportunities that she had.

“I’m committed to paying back the education that Phi Mu Foundation afforded me through Graduate Counselor scholarships.  I may not have pursued my MBA without Phi Mu leaders presenting me with a challenge and then the opportunity to further my education.  I hope my contributions to Foundation enable others to do the same.”

Not only did Vicki’s Phi Mu experience expose her to leadership and educational experiences, but it also taught her valuable lessons that she carried well into her career as an executive in the highly-competitive technology industry.

“Phi Mu has always presented leadership opportunities that helped me learn and grow from collegiate roles through area and national offices.  Each of these experiences prepared me with the skills I used in my career in the business world – teamwork, managing projects, communication, budgeting, motivating others, consensus building, and strategic planning.”

As we head into the new year and a new Phi Mu biennium, there are exciting opportunities on the horizon for Phi Mu Foundation, including the launch of the next campaign for Phi Mu, One Destiny.  Vicki serves on the Area Campaign Leadership Team for One Destiny and is looking forward to sharing her passion for Phi Mu Foundation with sisters across the country as we build the groundwork to invest in transformational experiences for every Phi Mu woman.

“As Phi Mus progress in their careers and have the means to share their success, I can think of no better Foundation to support than the one that launched that road to success in the first place. Begin with whatever you can contribute, and then commit to annual goals each year. Over time, you will be surprised how much your overall contributions can grow.  Just start with a purposeful pledge to yourself to contribute on an ongoing basis.”

If you are interested in joining Vicki and documenting a planned gift to Phi Mu Foundation, please contact the Director of Major Gifts Mandi Young at myoung@phimu.org.