Author name: psiupsilon

Psi Upsilon has a new Online Store!

You spoke and we listened! After hearing that our members wanted a better experience in finding officially licensed Psi Upsilon merchandise we created ShopPsiU.com.

Through ShopPsiU.com members will have access to an extensive range of merchandise from multiple licensed vendors. And best of all, vendors will have the ability to add products over time and we will be able to highlight products depending on the season.

All the products featured on ShopPsiU.com are officially licensed, thus every purchase made through the store supports the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and helps offset undergraduate fees while also ensuring each product is high quality and safeguards the fraternity’s name and trademarks.

We encourage all members to visit and use ShopPsiU.com and explore the wide selection of products available – from shirts, outerwear, graduation stoles, flags, to one of a kind gifts ShopPsiU.com is your one stop shop to find the perfect Psi Upsilon memento or gift. This online storefront has been made possible through our partnership with Affinity Licensing, a leading trademark management and protection firm.

Psi Upsilon has a new Online Store! Read More »

30th Archons Academy Opens New Opportunities!

The Archons’ Academy is our annual leadership academy for chapter presidents and unlike many leadership opportunities afforded to our members, this one is highly tailored to a select audience and is built around conversation and discussion as much as possible for those who have the unique experience to lead our chapters.  First held in the 1990s, it allows our chapter presidents to network with one another and share best practices while learning valuable skills to assist them during their time as president.

Over the years it has continued to evolve and change to adjust to the needs of our members as well as to take advantages of new opportunities, and in 2024 we were able to make one of the largest changes to our programming and open a new chapter in our development programming by overlapping the timing with the Psi Upsilon Foundations Social Impact Fellowship.

We moved the Archons’ Academy to Alexandria, VA to help make traveling easier for the majority of our attendees and we had 21 chapters represented.

The academy has evolved and adapted over the years, utilizing the feedback from prior participants we’ve always been able assess what works well and also retire certain parts of the academy that aren’t as relevant. In recent years we’ve introduced The Birkman Method, a personality assessment tool, to a cornerstone of the academy. The Birkman Method reveals four key perspectives of every person: Motivation, Self-Perception, Social Perception, and Mindset. In understanding these perceptions and how they influence each other, individuals can better understand the emotions and actions that drive their life. Every Archon completed the assessment prior to arriving in Atlanta and much of the programming Saturday included facilitated discussions from Doug Opicka, founder and managing partner of Plaid, LLC on the assessment and specific ways attendees should approach conflict resolution given their personality type.

Additional sessions in the academy reviewed Psi Upsilon’s history, values, chapter operations, crisis response, motivating and incentivizing members, reviewed Psi U resources, and gave Archons a chance to share their challenges.

This event is always a highlight of our programming year and, most importantly, helps show the chapter presidents that they are not alone in the challenges they face and that they have resources to assist them. We hope to complement these relationships by continuing our monthly Town Halls and campus visits by staff.

You can view photos of the weekend on our Flickr site and Facebook Page.

Attendees at the 30th Archons Academy in Alexandria, VA

30th Archons Academy Opens New Opportunities! Read More »

3.22.2024 – Great Lakes Founders Day

PSI UPSILON GREAT LAKES FOUNDER’S DAY

Friday, March 22nd, 2024

The Great Lakes Founders Day Event is a longtime tradition for all Psi U alums in the state of Michigan, hosted by the Epsilon Nu and Phi Chapters and often occurring in Detroit. This year, as it was for many years prior to 2020, it will be at the Historic Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle. All Psi U’s are invited to attend.

Schedule of Events:

Annual Meeting of the Epsilon Nu Chapter – 4:30 PM

Cocktails – 6:00 PM

Dinner – 8:00 PM

Please RSVP to 810westgrandriver@gmail.com no later than March 10th.
$75 per person. After you RSVP to the above email address please pay by Venmo to EpsilonNuChapterOfPsiU or use this link to pay by credit or debit card:

https://vault.omegafi.com/vault/public/contributions/contributionsform.php?URLCode=ZBOQLJ

BLACK TIE OPTIONAL

3.22.2024 – Great Lakes Founders Day Read More »

Psi Upsilon Mourns the Loss of Bill Wishard, Delta Delta ’64 (Williams)

It is with sore and stricken hearts that we pass along the loss of William N. “Bill” Wishard III, Delta Delta ’64 (Williams) who passed away on Wednesday, January 17th. Bill has served Psi U in many roles over the years, he joined the Executive Council in 1997 and became an Honorary Life Member of the Board in 2013. He also served as a Director of the Foundation in the early 2000’s and was very involved with the Annual Fund Campaign even after his time on the board. He was a regular presence at Psi U events, especially those held on the west coast, and was known for his kindness and warmth.

Most notably Bill was a longtime advisor of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at Pepperdine University; he became re-engaged with Psi U in the 1990s when the local fraternity, Lambda Omega Sigma, approached Psi Upsilon to become a chapter. Bill’s counsel was instrumental in building that relationship and making the transition a successful one. In 1999 and again in 2000 Bill was named advisor of the year by Pepperdine University for his work with the chapter. In 2017 the Lambda Sigma Chapter nominated Bill for the Psi Upsilon Distinguished Alumni Service Award at the 174th Psi Upsilon Convention for his years of support.

Bill joined Psi U as a sophomore at Williams College in September 1960. The Delta Delta chapter was known as an outstanding fraternity on campus, filled with many student leaders. “For a rather shy young man from a small high school in Indiana, becoming part of Psi U was a huge highlight of my years at Williams … My acceptance and assimilation into, for me, such a diverse group, was a big step – a hallmark for what has continued to be my experience with Psi U brothers I have met since then.”

Originally from Indianapolis, IN, Bill led a full life and service was always an important part of it. Bill was a leader in Up With People, the1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and Wishard & Associates, organizing international peace events. He was very involved in Rotary, and a past president of the Malibu, CA chapter where a number of Psi U’s were involved.

If you knew Bill and would like to leave a comment or a story for his family please leave it below and share your name. We will be collecting them and sharing them with his daughters Keri and Alison.

You can view Bill’s obituary at the IndyStar website. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to Psi Upsilon, you can use this link.

  • Bill receiving an award from the Lambda Sigma Chapter in 2001
  • At the Sam Schmidt Racing to Recovery Gala in 2016. Sam Schmidt was a founder of Lambda Omega Sigma Fraternity.
  • Bill with William Webster, Gamma ’47 at the 168th Psi U Convention
  • With members of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at the 174th Convention
  • With members of the Lambda Sigma Chapter at the 174th Convention
  • Fall 2021 at a Lambda Sigma Reunion in Santa Monica
  • Bill is seated in the front row, 4th from the left.

Psi Upsilon Mourns the Loss of Bill Wishard, Delta Delta ’64 (Williams) Read More »

1.23.2024 – Virtual Chapter Roundtables

Join us on Tuesday, January 23rd for the first of our two part round-table series to help chapter members prepare for the Spring of 2024. In this session we’ll have four breakout rooms where chapters members can discuss a topic, share best practices and get new ideas for their chapter. Fraternity staff will facilitate each session and give an overview of the topic and then open it up for discussion.

Topics for January 23rd:

Learning from Fall 2023: What has been working in recruitment this year
Facilitator: Travis Smith, Director of Growth
Target Audience: Recruitment Chairs and Committee Members
Description: As the recruitment landscape continues to evolve, fraternity chapters are redefining success through innovative approaches that enhance membership pipelines, leverage effective marketing strategies, and carve out unique identities on campus. This roundtable invites a discussion on the current year’s successes in fraternity recruitment, focusing on pipeline development, impactful marketing, and the creation of distinct organizational identities.

Accountability: Chapter Standards and how to make them work for you.
Facilitator: Stephan Oeschle, Director of Chapter Services
Target Audience: Standards Officers and Committee members, Archons or Angeloi looking to build a standards program
Description: We all struggle with the best ways to hold members accountable and address conflict within the Brotherhood from time to time. This session will focus on how a little structure and process can help with that challenge. There will be something for everyone to take away whether you’re trying to refine an existing system or build one from the ground up.

A Mighty Friendship: New Member Education and Orientation
Facilitator: Thomas Fox, Executive Director
Target Audience: New Member Educators
Description: Whether you are a chapter with single tier membership, or a pledging process we’ll discuss the best ways to create a positive orientation experience that provides both meaningful experiences as well as teach the necessary information to prepare them to be members of the fraternity.

Public Relations: Branding and Social Media
Facilitator: Justin Sines, Chapter Services Coordinator
Target Audience: 2nd Angeloi, Secretaries, Social Media/PR Chairs, but anyone with an interest in learning more should attend
Description: This meeting will cover the basics of marketing and communication as a way to show your chapter’s brand to your campus, your friends and family, and to the National Fraternity. This session will give you and your chapter tips to plan and execute a successful marketing plan and better demonstrate the great things your chapters are doing. Come hear successes and bring struggles to discuss with fellow leaders.

Zoom Info:
https://mattisoncorp.zoom.us/j/3174739263?omn=85961500348

Meeting ID: 317 473 9263

1.23.2024 – Virtual Chapter Roundtables Read More »

Psi Upsilon Chapter Resolutions

As we approach the new year, our Chapter Services Team wanted to lay out a few “resolutions” you can make to better your chapter and better support your brothers in the coming year.

  1. Set Chapter Goals: Psi Upsilon has a goal setting retreat, A Commitment to Excellence, to help facilitate this, but having specific goals set up by the chapter will help motivate and keep your members accountable.
  2. Explore Psi Upsilon’s rich history: We have a lot to be proud of and a lot of interesting stories in Psi Upsilon. Look at our Online Archives and the Annals of Psi Upsilon, to learn about our fraternity, and your chapters history.
  3. Recruit with Purpose and a Goal: Recruitment is the lifeblood of every chapter and we can always be improving. Take some time to improve your ability to recruit new members by completing the Phired Up Certified Recruiter Training and help ensure others in your chapter do as well.
  4. Take care of your own mental and physical health: We have the Psi U Cares program, which lists several resources. Remember: It’s okay to not always be okay!
  5. Apply for a Psi Upsilon Scholarship! We all could use more cash, and our awards are both merit and need based. Applications are due February 15th, but don’t wait until the last minute to begin – start now! And if you are graduating and starting grad school, we have graduate scholarships as well.
  6. Over prepare for you chapter roll: Are you a new officer? Review the resources available to you online. We have guides on New Member Education, Recruitment, Operations and more!
  7. Finish/Start Strong: If you are leaving a position make sure to sit down with your replacement and review the last term, if you’ve accepted a position make sure you ask questions.
  8. Build something bigger: Do you know anyone going to a campus with a Psi U Chapter, or who may be interested in starting a chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity? Be sure to refer them to us and help Psi U Grow! We’re currently in the process of returning to Columbia University and Kenyon College, and always looking for new opportunities.
  9. Reach out: Do you have brothers studying abroad next term? Make sure you stay in touch with them. And for those that are returning this term be sure to include them in your activities right away!
  10. Be Present: Enjoy the time you get to spend with your chapter, next thing you know it’s spring break and then graduation. Enjoy the time you get with your brothers while you can and don’t take it for granted.
  11. Stay Connected: Follow Psi U on Facebook and Instagram and be sure to let us know of any chapter or individual achievements. We know you are all doing great things and we want to be sure we’re sharing your story!
  12. Reach out to us at the International Office! We have monthly town halls for our undergraduate leadership and host webinars like the Psi Upsilon Speaker Series, our Spring Roundtables (coming soon!) and Summer Leadership Series. If you ever need to connect with a staff member don’t hesitate to do so, we’re here to make your experience the best it can be and we really do enjoy getting to work with all of you! 

We hope you all have a great break for the holidays, and a happy new year! Let’s make 2024 the best year it can be!

Stephan Oeschle
Director of Chapter Services
Stephan@psiu.org
317-473-9263

Justin Sines
Chapter Services Coordinator
Justin@psiu.org
317-286-6472

Travis Smith
Director of Growth
TSmith@psiu.org
317-805-1056

Psi Upsilon Chapter Resolutions Read More »

1.5-7.2024 – 30th Archons’ Academy

The purpose of the Archons’ Academy is to help our chapter presidents better understand Psi Upsilon and their role Fraternity, know what resources they have at their disposal, and better develop their personal leadership style.

If you are a chapter president or officer looking to register for the event please use this link.

When: The Academy will take place between Friday, January 5th and Sunday, January 7th. All attendees are asked to arrive by 2PM and the academy will finish by noon on Sunday. For those traveling by plane or train staff will book your travel.

Travel: Fraternity staff will be following up with Archons about travel after your registration is complete, any tickets will be purchased by the International Fraternity using the information you provided and we will do our best to accommodate any requests you have made. The International Fraternity only pays for airfare, not any upgrades, changes, baggage, or parking unless arranged prior to the Academy. Archons within a 200 mile radius to Alexandria will have the option to drive and be reimbursed or we will purchase train or bus fare depending on cost and availability. An airport shuttle between the hotel and Washington National airport is available – follow this link for more information.

Location and lodging: The Academy will be located at the the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria. You will be paired with another attendee and share a room on Friday and Saturday night, the lodging will be taken care of after you complete registration.

Curriculum: The Archons’ Academy will help prepare you for many challenges that you face as Archon as well as review the necessary information from Psi Upsilon about our policies and procedures that you will need to be successful. One of our goals of the academy is to help you build a familiarity will the staff and one another. Topics include: Psi Upsilon’s History and Values, Organizational Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Running a chapter and delegation, Resources and where to get help, and much more. The academy is structured between large and smaller breakout sessions.

One important piece of curriculum is the Birkman Assessment, which must be completed prior to attending. Instructions on how to access the assessment will be sent to the attendees in advance.

Dress Code: The Dress Code for the academy is business casual – this means coat and optional tie for men and equivalent for women. No t-shirts, jeans, or other casual clothing. On Saturday evening we will be holding a more relaxed dinner and casual clothing is appropriate then.

Schedule: Sessions will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and conclude noon on Sunday. A PDF of the schedule can be downloaded here.

Questions: If you have questions about the academy please contact the Director of Member Services, Keith Willard at Keith@psiu.org or Executive Director Thomas Fox at tfox@psiu.org.

1.5-7.2024 – 30th Archons’ Academy Read More »

1.24.2024 – Thesauristes Academy

Wednesday, January 24th from 7 until 8:30 PM EST

The Theasauristes’ Academy will assist chapter treasurers as they begin, or currently serve, in their respective roles. Led by Psi Upsilon Fraternity Staff via a Zoom meeting the following topics will be covered:

  • How to create an effective chapter budget
  • Best practices for collecting chapter dues
  • The role of fundraising in a chapter
  • Federal Tax ID number, and tax filing requirements
  • The Assessment Schedule – what fees you are responsible for and what they go towards
  • Online resources to assist you

We will also take some time to answer any questions that you have and discuss any challenges that you are facing. We ask that every Chapter Treasurer, and any assistants to the treasurer, be in attendance via computer for this important workshop.

Zoom meeting info:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89780713914?pwd=azNqaGI5blZPL0Iwc1ZOTkFPcFlZZz09

Meeting ID: 897 8071 3914
Passcode: 1833

1.24.2024 – Thesauristes Academy Read More »

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