According to the Alpha Phi International website, “The Emerging Leadership Institute provides collegiate women with the opportunity to:

• Understand, debate, and apply the Alpha Phi values of leadership, service, sisterhood, loyalty, scholarship, and character development.  Through this process they learned how to lead with authenticity, integrity, and confidence.
• Refine their leadership skills so they may serve as effective students, leaders, and citizens within their communities.  They frame leadership as an inherently relational process of working together to accomplish a goal or to promote change.
• Learn the importance of building a strong community of support for their personal self, in addition to creating a team committed to common goals.
• Develop effective communication skills so they may create healthy relationships with others.”

Here’s some insight to Irene’s experience at the seminar and how her experience there has impacted her membership in Alpha Phi:

“It was honestly amazing to meet Alpha Phis from around the United States and Canada. We always talk about how “this sisterhood is forever and beyond our collegiate years and campus”, but nothing makes you realize that like an experience at ELI. All the sisters were so welcoming and kind, and I truly felt like they were all my sisters. One of our lead facilitators, Cathy McKay, was actually a JMU alum, so it was really cool to get to meet her and we instantly shared a JMU and Alpha Phi connection.

We learned a lot about effective leadership. One of my favorite lessons was on caring confrontation. Since we stress Watchcare so much in our chapter, this lesson was very useful. We learned ways to confront people we care about in ways that don’t seem like we are attacking them. We all took oaths promising we would both give and take “reproof and correction”, and this lesson taught me how to go about this in a loving and sisterly way.

Another lesson that I personally loved was the one on stewardship. Stewardship is caring for something that has been entrusted to you. We all promised to take care of our Fraternity, and meeting women from across the country really made me realize the importance of that. They inspired me to be a good representative of Alpha Phi and to try my hardest to improve my chapter.  Everyone I met was truly inspiring and reassured me that Alpha Phi was definitely the right decision for me. I couldn’t be happier with my sisters at JMU and around the world. We truly do have an incredible sisterhood, and I wish everyone could experience ELI to realize that.”

The Theta Iota sisters are so proud of Irene for applying to such a wonderful program and representing our chapter in a positive way.  We look forward to her bringing back everything she learned to the chapter in the Fall and helping us grow even more.

As a sorority woman and a communication major I decided to study TFM for my Communication and Gender class. As I began to analyze a site I know many of you sisters view for fun, I began to realize the negative implications this site has to how we as sorority women are portrayed.

I have witnessed numerous sisters quote TSM on Facebook and Twitter, it’s even on our senior shirts this year. While it is done in jest I urge you all to stop referencing the site. I won’t go into my analysis of what determines a “total frat move,” but focus on how we are defining ourselves as sorority women by using TSM.  A total sorority move can be categorized by trending characteristics. These include relations to a fraternity male or “fratdaddy,” physical appearance, privileged class with daddy’s money, and pastimes appropriate for a female of sorority standing.

Examples of actual posts include:

Characteristic one: I’m in the law library with my frat daddy. He’s studying corporations or something. I am coloring. TSM.

Characteristic two: Feminism is for ugly girls. TSM.

Characteristic three: Getting over $600 worth of campus parking tickets in one semester because you didn’t want to sweat on the way to class. Don’t worry, Daddy paid them off and I plan on doing it again next semester. TSM.

Characteristic four: Cooking, crafting, and drinking wine. Wondering how girls who aren’t in sororities spend their time. TSM.

Really ladies? Is this how you want to be seen? We are classifying ourselves as sexual objects whose entire value is based on how we’re viewed by men. I am proud that we are a chapter made up of strong, independent women. Alpha Phi was founded on the principles of being a strong woman. We have had notable alumni in the fields of science, politics, and business. We were founded as a way for women to come together in a college environment dominated by males and established the mission statement to support one another in lifelong achievement.

As sisters of Alpha Phi, we have taken an oath to promote sisterhood, service, scholarship, love, loyalty and character development. Our founders were pioneers, paving the way for women to have the chance for social equality. What would Martha say if she knew sisters were commenting that they were a good sorority girl because they can make a sandwich for a man who refers to her as slampiece?

I joined a chapter of strong women who I respected and admired. I hope in the future you will think about what it truly means to be a total sorority girl. It means a woman who is smart, loyal, confident, driven, and knows the value of sisterhood is more than partying on the weekends. Sisterhood means a family of those who share your values, and our values do not promote ignorance and sexism. As your sister I urge you to think about what you are really saying to the public when you quote TSM. I know many of you get offended by being called a stupid sorority girl, so why are we calling each other that? TFM is not TSM. TSM is being a dedicated sister who upholds the values of Alpha Phi.

Stacy Murphy, Sister of the Week

This week we would like to feature Stacy Murphy for her excellence in this chapter.  As Director of Finance, she has gone above and beyond her position and made a positive impact on the sisters’ morale.  She never disparages a sister, and always wears a smile (and her pearls!).  Looking classy as always, her enthusiasm for the betterment of Alpha Phi boosts the confidence of all sisters.  Thank you for everything you do!

Red Rain Blue Thunder

On Sunday, April 3rd, JMU Fraternity and Sorority Life kicked off its annual Greek Week!  Alpha Phi was paired with Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and the multicultural sorority Delta Sigma Theta (DST) to form the team Red Rain Blue Thunder, through which the members of each organization worked closely together to place first!

Throughout the week, groups of Panhellenic, Interfraternity Council, and Multicultural organizations competed in various events to accumulate a series of points.  A different competition was held each night of the week.  Starting on Sunday, the list for a week-long scavenger hunt was given to each team.  Tasks such as getting twenty team members to take a picture at a James Madison statue or taking a picture of ten team members eating in a dining hall were necessary to win this specific event.  Extra points were given for every four plus members in every picture.

Monday was the famous Shack-a-thon, where teams accumulate as many scraps of cardboard, tarp, etc. to build a shack.  Each team is judged on attendance, structure, creativity, meaning, and sportsmanship in order to win.  Our team of Red Rain Blue Thunder won first place in this particular competition!  We built a teepee to represent how Alpha Phi, AEPi, and DST lean on each other for support and establish a great foundation of friendship with one another.  On the inside of the shack, we made cardboard furniture to symbolize the comfort we share with each other.  Written on the walls was our creeds, values, and other important aspects of each of our organizations.  It was a shame destroying such a sentimental creation after judging was over!

Tuesday was the “Library Hours” event.  A representative from each of the teams was stationed in both of JMU’s libraries from 5 pm to 10 pm, and team members were required to register with the representatives to accumulate points.  Not only was this a great way to accumulate points, but participants were able to study during this busy week.

On Wednesday, teams participated in a “Field Day”.  Games such as the wheel barrow race, fifty-yard dash, three-legged race, etc. were played in order to accumulate more points!  Red Rain Blue Thunder had great attendance, showed the Greek Week spirit, and placed first in this event!

Thursday was the most important day of all…Greek Sing!  Each sorority and fraternity prepared a top-secret (at least it was supposed to be), five-minute dance routine involving dancers, hands, and props.  Alpha Phi’s theme was “APHI and the Chocolate Factory”.  We definitely had the golden ticket.  After a semester’s worth of preparation, we felt very accomplished on our performance.  Check us out!

Alpha Phi placed fourth in Greek Sing and won best theme!  AEPi’s theme was “A Day in the Life of an AEPi”, which emphasized the importance of brotherhood within its chapter. AEPi placed second out of all the fraternities that participated.

This has been an amazing week where Greek organizations came together and showed their appreciation for what Greek life has to offer!  Thanks to Alpha Epsilon Pi and Delta Sigma Theta for making this week a complete success!

King of Hearts Male Auction

Move Your Phi’t 5K

Last week’s sister of the week was Morgan Seckinger, sophomore.  She was a First-yeaR Orientation Guide (FROG) for the 2010-2011 school year and currently serves as the Unity Chair.  Her job is to organize all-sister gatherings, and she has done a fantastic job unifying Alpha Phi.  We thank her for her dedication to her position as well as the chapter.

This week’s sister of the week is Maya Gibson-Reinemer, senior.  She is the former Director of Community Service and was very involved in encouraging sisters to volunteer at the local children’s museum and the SPCA while in office.  Her positive attitude and sweetness will be missed when she graduates.  We thank her for being such a great sister and always spreading the cheer to sisters who need it most.

Alpha Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon pair for a community service event at the Arc

On Friday, March 25th, Alpha Phi paired with the fraternity of Sigma Phi Epsilon to host an Easter-themed activity day for clients of the Arc, which is a non-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

From egg hunts to coloring, to egg-dying and an Easter Bunny piñata, the day was a unique experience for the Alpha Phis and SigEps that volunteered as well as the participants.  Check out some photos from the event, and for more information on the Arc, please visit http://www.hrarc.org/

Maureen Cashman, sophomore and Alpha Phi’s Director of Community Service, went on an Alternative Spring Break to Bristol, Florida (in the pan handle) to work with the organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC).  She worked and camped in the Apalachicola National Forest, which is deemed one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Her main task was planting wiregrass plants, which are imperative to the forest’s ecosystem and prevents further erosion of the forest’s ravines.

Maureen’s group as a whole planted almost 66,000 of these wiregrass plants, as well as 5,875 long leaf pine trees, which are necessary to support a wide variety of wildlife.  She learned a lot about the importance of prescribed fire and conserving our planet’s natural ecosystems. It brought her closer to nature and made her more aware of many different environmental issues.

Amanda: middle row, second from left

Amanda Loeser, sophomore and Member Educator, also went on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Savannah, Georgia.  She helped third-graders improve their reading and writing skills in inner city schools.  What a great way to give back to the community and spread the importance of literacy!

Emily Benson, junior, went to Joshua Tree National Park in California.  For three days, she put stakes into the ground and worked on fire restoration. The stakes closed off the roads in order to keep cars, SUVs, etc. from destroying land and harming animals through off-roading.  Throughout the rest of the week, Emily helped pick dead plants. Since the environment is very hot and windy fires are easily started, she helped keep the oasis safe.  She even got to hike every day, rock climbed, and visited Vegas!

Morgan: first from right

Morgan Seckinger, sophomore and Unity Chair, went to Los Angeles to work with Aids Project Los Angeles for the week.  She worked at the local food bank and helped the nonprofit organization organize their files and donation forms. Morgan had an amazing time and learned so much about the community!

Heather: first row, second from left

Heather Nunziato, sophomore, went to Charlotte, NC and worked with an organization called Lifespan.  This program provides education, employment, and enrichment programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Katie: third from right

Katie Soriano, junior, and Jane MacDonald went to Trujillo, Peru.  Their group collaborated to remodel the inside of a large classroom for an impoverished Peruvian elementary school. The roof had fallen through prior to the group’s arrival, and had later been replaced. Leaving rubble, cinder blocks, mud, dirt, and wood everywhere, they swept, shoveled, and cleared out the entire room. The group repainted the walls: white on the top and purple on the bottom, and even added a JMU mural and inspirational quote, “A small group of people can make a difference”.  They also made additional donations to children from another impoverished area and played soccer, colored, and even danced with them. Katie and Jane and had an amazing experience and have been inspired to want to help even further by sending more donations from home.

Lastly, we would like to recognize our next “Sister of the Week”, Alissa Bowman.  As a senior, she has been actively involved in all Alpha Phi activities.  She is one of the “Hands” captains for this year’s Greek Sing, and her positive spirit is incredibly contagious.  Alissa has an amazing ability to brighten our days, and she deserves this recognition and our appreciation.  Thank you for everything you do!

In the Fall semester of 2010, we initiated 54 wonderful new members!  Through a series of sister events such as new member education, big/little week, initiation, and elections, the newest members have already given so much to this chapter, and we cannot wait to see it grow even more.

Fall 2010 New Members

Most recently, we concluded our annual philanthropy week called “APHIASCO” where we raise money for cardiac care and research through the Alpha Phi Foundation.  In one week, we  surpassed our goal of $15,000 by  holding a series of events such as proceeds nights at local Harrisonburg restaurants, a King of Hearts Male Auction, “penny wars” between the Greek organizations on the campus commons, a week-long “JMU is For Lovers” t-shirt sale, a “Move Your Phi’t” 5K, and a Red Dress Gala for all sisters and their families.  Through these philanthropic efforts, we are ranked as one of the top three donating chapters out of the Southeast Region to the Alpha Phi Foundation.

Lastly, we have implemented a sister-recognition program called “Sister of the Week”.  We designed a special set of letters for the selected “sister of the week” to wear, and this title is given to a sister each week who totally embodies the values of Alpha Phi: sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, and service.  Not only that, but she is always there for any other sister that needs her as an advisor, a friend.  This week’s “sister of the week” award goes to Megan Roth.

A sophomore psychology major, Megan is Alpha Phi’s current Director of Alumnae Relations.  She was a JMU First YeaR Orientation Guide (FROG), is a peer advisor for the psychology department, and lives the Alpha Phi ritual.  We congratulate her for everything she does for Alpha Phi and JMU.

Please look out for more posts about JMU Alpha Phi!  This is a great tool for marketing but more importantly to provide a behind-the-scenes look into how we value our chapter, how we impact JMU, and how we impact the world of cardiac care.

Until next time,

Sisters of JMU Alpha Phi <3