School of Social Work | University of Missouri

History of Phi Alpha, National Honor Society for Social Work Students -

"The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of undergraduate social work students at Michigan State University in 1960. Investigation revealed that local chapters existed at three schools. Those three schools along with a few other schools formed a National Honor Society Committee in November, 1960. For more than a year this committee worked on the constitution and other administrative matters. The name Phi Alpha and the keys were adopted from the local chapter which existed at Florida State University.

The constitution and formal organization was completed in 1962, and six chapters qualified to become "charter chapters." There were: Florida State University, Michigan State University, Ohio North University, Central State College, University of Dayton and the University of Tennessee. Over 380 chapters are now in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing."

-from http://www.phialpha.org

Chi Delta Chapter Information from Constitution

Eager to promote a closer bond among students of social work and to enter into a more intimate fellowship with those dedicated to the promotion of humanitarian goals and ideals by a professional group for which specialized preparation is deemed imperative, students and faculty involved in social work education at the University of Missouri-Columbia resolve to sponsor a Chapter of Phi Alpha National Honor Society, thereby to foster high standards of training for social work and to invite into pledges of fellowship those who have attained excellence of scholarship and distinction of achievement as students of social work.

Purpose:

1. To recognize and promote scholastic achievement among students and faculty involved in the undergraduate and graduate social work program at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
2. To recognize, improve, and further the goals of social work in the community, state, nation, and the world.
3. To stimulate interest in preparation for a career in social work. 
4. To encourage continued study and research at the undergraduate level, the graduate level, and in professional practice.
5. To recognize those professional social workers whose service, contributions, and leadership are held in esteem.

As permitted by the National Office, the Chi Delta Chapter has established higher eligibility requirements than the minimum requirements of the National Phi Alpha Honor Society.

General Membership
Students are invited to join Phi Alpha, Chi Delta Chapter based on their eligibility. At the beginning of each full semester (fall & winter), academic criteria is reviewed for all professional BSW & MSW students.  Eligible students will receive a letter of invitation to join via their student e-mail account during the first month of the semester.

Undergraduate students must have:

• junior-standing in the Professional Program;
• have completed 9 hours of required social work classes with a GPA of 3.5; and
• achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 to be eligible.

Graduate students must have:

• completed a minimum of one term of course work (*or the entire first-year of course work if part-time);
• have full-time status*; and
• achieved a GPA of 3.75 to be eligible.

To accept an offer of membership into the Chi Delta Chapter, members must complete the acceptance form and submit their payment by the specified deadline date. All checks should be made payable to Phi Alpha.

All members initiated into Phi Alpha, Chi Delta Chapter enjoy life-long membership in Phi Alpha Honor Society. Each member is invited to an initiation ceremony to take the membership pledge and receive their official membership certificate.

A lifelong commitment to excellence, recognition for academic excellence, camaraderie, and support are natural outcomes of Phi Alpha membership.

An initiation fee of $20.00 is required by the National Society, and a $20.00 fee is retained by the local chapter to support chapter activities and the gold medallion presented to all eligible active members at graduation.

Active Membership

Active membership in the Chi Delta Chapter is rewarded with the Phi Alpha gold medallion. It is engraved with the member’s name and graduation date and can be worn over the gown at graduation. A Chi Delta member is considered “active” when they complete the following chapter requirements:

• Attend 75% (equal to 3/semester) of all chapter events and gatherings each semester of membership (MSW students in block practicum are waived from this requirement for the block practicum semester only);
• Complete 15 hours of community service/volunteerism each semester of membership (New initiates complete just 8 hours their first semester of membership only);
• Submit documentation forms for attendance and hours completed by the deadline each semester.

Semi-Active Membership

Members who are unable to attend the required number of meetings may choose Semi-active status in the Chi Delta Chapter. Semi-active members complete and document all the required service hours each semester (as listed under Active Membership) but are exempt from all meeting requirements. Semi-active members are presented with a gold Phi Alpha lapel pin.

Eligible students are invited to join the Chi Delta Chapter and participate in the Initiation Ceremony which is held at the beginning of each semester. Initiates take the pledge of membership, sign the membership book, and are presented with a certificate of lifetime membership, ribbon, and button from the National Office.

Initiation is generally the first chapter meeting of each semester and counts toward the meeting attendance requirement. Current Chi Delta members, MU faculty & staff, and members from other chapters are invited to attend.

Fall 2009 Phi Alpha Initiation
Friday, September 25, 2009
Gwynn Lounge
5:00 pm

University of Missouri School of Social Work

National Phi Alpha Honor Society website

There are no meeting minutes posted at this time.

Upcoming Meetings:

Fall 2009 Phi Alpha Initiation
Friday, September 25, 2009
Gwynn Lounge
5:00 pm

Upcoming Activities:

• Friday, September 25th from 1:00-5:00pm in Wrench Auditorium: SSW Fall Conference! Free registration for students! Topic: Restorative Justice
• Phi Alpha will be volunteering at the Central Missouri Food Bank on the following dates. October 1st: 6-8pm, November 3rd: 6-8pm adn December 3rd: 6-8pm. Can count one session as a meeting and use them all to get service hours. Be sure to sign up for a shift by emailing Melissa Martin at mlmcm3@mail.missouri.edu.

Brochure

Membership Acceptance Form

Service Hours/Meeting Log Form