On Friday, January 10th, in Alexandria, VA Psi Upsilon held our annual retreat and reception for the 2025 Social Impact Fellowship.
Fellows came from around the country and as far away as Singapore to participate in the 2 day intensive leadership retreat.
The Psi Upsilon Social Impact Fellowship is an annual program that brings together alumni who are engaged in professional or volunteer work aligned with the fraternity’s value of Service to Society. Over the course of the year, fellows participate in in-person and remote training sessions to enhance their professional skills, and are also eligible for grants to support their ongoing community impact initiatives.
This workshop day is a launching point for self-discovery, skills development, and further engagement with the facilitators and coaches recruited from our broad network. Our hope is that participants leave brimming with ideas, useful contacts, and questions for further consideration. By design we have included members of past cohorts and a good number of brothers who have been part of the program leadership.
Presentations and presenters this year included:
Marketing your Mission and Soliciting Engagement Kenneth S. Ball, Eta ’82 (Lehigh)
Utilizing Boards and Advisors Alex Senchak, Eta ‘06 (Lehigh)
Inclusive Leadership: Leading Beyond Bias Devon Trotter CPCC, ACC, Phi Beta ’06 (William and Mary)
Leadership and Team Building Throughout Your Career Capt. Jimmy T. King (Ret.d) Phi Delta ‘97(Mary Washington)
Optional, elevator pitch workshop with Jonathan Chaffin, GT’00 (Georgia Tech)
The reception, newly endowed, ran for several hours Friday night, including brief remarks as well as an introduction of our Fellows and Archons, followed by ample opportunity for networking and social engagement. All members of Psi Upsilon and spouses and guests had a grand time.
On Saturday the fellows joined the archons. For the fellows, this involved some large group learning alongside the archons analyzing their individual Birkman assessments and conflict resolution training) and some practical experience acting as a facilitator for some small group discussions (Relating to Others, Navigating Difficult Conversations). The fellows specifically mentioned enjoying interacting with the undergraduate archons and the opportunity for growing as a leader.