Phi Alpha Honor Society - Chi Delta Chapter
"Through Knowledge - The Challenge to Serve"
The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.
The Chi Delta Chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia became an official chapter of the National Phi Alpha Honor Society on March 20, 1991.
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Meeting Opportunities | Service Opportunities| Forms
About Us
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:
- 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.
- To recognize, improve, and further the goals of social work in the community, state, nation, and the world.
- To stimulate interest in preparation for a career in social work.
- To encourage continued study and research at the undergraduate level, the graduate level, and in professional practice.
- To recognize those professional social workers whose service, contributions, and leadership are held in esteem.
Membership
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.
Initiation
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.
Links
Contact Us
| Chapter Advisor Tammy Freelin, MSW, LCSW 722 Clark Hall School of Social Work University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 65211-4470 Phone: (573) 882-1656 Fax: [573] 882-8926 Email: FreelinT@missouri.edu |
Current Phi Alpha officers President: Amanda Wysocki Vice President:Cassie Thompson Secretary: Sara Zuccarello Treasurer: Jennifer Williams Historian: Michaela Morgan |
Meeting Minutes
There are no meeting minutes posted at this time.
Meeting Opportunities (3 per semester required)
An officer will be present at every meeting. Be sure to find the officer to sign off on your form for your attendance to count. Also, please remember to plan ahead for your meetings for the semester!
October 17th: City Council Meeting
The City Council will be voting on whether or not to approve the rezoning of the Regency Mobile Home Park. If they vote to approve it, the owner will sell the property and the residents will be evicted. This would be a great advocacy event and a look into how city council meetings are run!
*This will be at 7pm at the City Hall (701 East Broadway)
October 19th: Coping with a Violent Relationship
Time and Location- 3-4pm in Chamber Auditorium
This workshop will teach you the signs and symptoms of a violent or potentially violent relationship as well as ways to improve your own well-being in all of your relationships. We will also discuss how to help a friend who is dealing with a violent relationship and note local resources for further assistance.
October 20th: STARS and MARS present: “Troubling Violence”
Time and Location: 6-9pm in Chamber Auditorium
Learn from the Troubling Violence Performance Project. Join to hear the stories of others and learn ways to help counteract violence and help those who have been affected by violence.
November 7th: Cyber Bullying Panel
Time and Location: 12pm in the Student Center
*1 in 10 students will be the victim of cyber bullying while in college. Learn about the effects, consequences, and how you can help. Representatives from the Counseling Center, Student Conduct, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, and Student Legal Services will discuss their perspectives on cyber bullying at this Suicide Prevention Week event.
November 7th: Suicide Prevention Week Speaker
Time and Location: 7:30pm in Stotler Lounge
Come listen to Major General Mark and Carol Graham talk about their experience with losing a son to suicide and another son in War. Good for students who want to work with Military families, Veterans, or Mental Health.
November 9th: Suicide Prevention Week Movie Screening and Panel
Time and location: 7 pm in Memorial Union
Come watch the documentary The Truth About Suicide and join counselors and other mental health professionals for a discussion following.
November 14: LGBTQ Resource Center Safe Space Training
Time and location: 6:30-8:30pm
Learn how to create a safe space for the LGBTQ population!
November 17: Resume Building and Skills
Time and Location: 5pm-5:50 at the MU Career Center
Learn about how to tailor your resume to best describe your experience and get interviewing skills to help find a great practicum placement or job! Bring your resume to get help tailoring it.
December 7th (tentative date): Semester wrap-up
Time and Location: 6pm in Clark Lounge (5th Floor)
Join the exec board for our end-of-semester wrap-up party! Let us know how things went this year, turn in your meeting and service log, and vote on new officers!
Previous Meetings this Semester: Welcome Back BBQ & Initiation
Service Opportunities (15 hours per semester required; 8 hours for new initiates)
Please note that while we have a few events that are pre-planned, any service that you do can count for this requirement. You are encouraged to find service opportunities and you do not need an officer signature for your individual service—just be sure that someone at the agency can sign off on your report form that you were there!
PREPLANNED EVENTS
Extreme Home Makeover in Joplin
Extreme Home Makeover will be in Joplin during the week of October 19th. We will look into more information on this and pass it along!
McCambridge Center: October 29th, 12-2pm
We will be going with CSSW to paint picture frames with the clients. *Contact Jen Williams with questions.
Central MO Food bank: Saturday’s from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
Come during these times to package food with CSSW and Phi Alpha members! *Contact Antaniece Sills for questions.
Green Dot Conference: October 29th, 10-3pm
Registration is required for attendance!
For more information: rsvp.missouri.edu
Veteran’s Day Service Project
Friday, November 11th
Location and time to be announced
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER IDEAS
Hospice Advantage
Direct care, indirect care, or office work available
Contact Alicia Firman at afirman@hospiceadvantage.com to get involved
Medzou (MSW students only)
For more information: medzou.missouri.edu
If you are interested, send a resume and a one paragraph statement of interest to either:
Brandon Slama at brandon.slama@gmail.com
Jure Baloh at jure.baloh@mizzou.edu
