Phi U Guide for New Members

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IN
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

A Guide For New Members

www.phiu.org

CONTENTS

1 Welcome to Phi U
1 Phi U’s Purpose
1 Our Mission
2 Phi U Heritage
2 Founders’ Day
2 THE CANDLE: The Honor Society’s Publication
3 Crest, Songs, and Jewelry
4 Honor Cords & Honor Stoles
4 Phi U Professional Program
4 Professional Projects
5 Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards Program
5 The Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation
6 Organizational Structure
6 National Meetings
7 Officers
7 Student Leadership
8 Phi U: A Lifetime Honor
9 Phi U Creed

A Phi U Handbook, which outlines the policies and procedures of the Phi
Upsilon Omicron honor society, may be obtained from the National Office or
accessed from the Phi U website at http://www.phiu.org. It is a vital tool for

leaders on the local, regional, or national levels.

12/2017

WELCOME TO PHI U!

Congratulations! As you join Phi Upsilon Omicron, you become a vital part of
the oldest national family and consumer sciences honor society. Membership in
Phi Upsilon Omicron offers opportunities for further professional development
and accomplishment. In addition, since Phi U is a member of the Association of
College Honor Societies, you will benefit from all its privileges.

You have been recognized for your achievement and professional promise. Your
excellence in academic work suggests an attitude of maturity and responsibility
needed for professional success. You also have exhibited:

• Professional and community leadership.
• A willingness to use your talents to serve others.
• Character through your personal integrity and professional attitudes.

Your Phi U membership marks you as a person who knows how to achieve.
Being a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron can enrich your personal life as well as
help open doors as you enter graduate school or the job market.

PHI U’S PURPOSE

The honor society exists:

• To recognize and promote academic excellence.
• To develop qualities of leadership by providing opportunities for service.
• To encourage lifelong learning and commitment to advance family and

consumer sciences and related areas.

OUR MISSION

Phi Upsilon Omicron, an honor society in the integrated field of family
and consumer sciences, offers an environment empowering lifelong
learning, leadership building, and ethical and scholastic excellence.

1

PHI U HERITAGE!

Phi Upsilon Omicron was founded February 10, 1909, at the University of
Minnesota. Originally organized as a professional fraternity but now an honor
society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies, Phi U has
worked throughout its history to emphasize the professional nature of family and
consumer sciences and to provide leadership and service to the profession.From
the beginning, Phi U members have worked to advance the profession of family
and consumer sciences individually, in chapters, regions, and at the national level.

The initial letters of Phi Upsilon Omicron,
come from the first, second and last words
of the Greek phrase “the light of the home.”

FOUNDERS’ DAY

Each year chapter members gather in February to honor the memory of the 22
Founders of Phi Upsilon Omicron. Collegiate and alumni chapter members often
use this opportunity to meet together to recognize their own chapter beginnings,
outstanding professional members, scholarship recipients, and 50-year members.

THE CANDLE:

The Honor Society’s
Publication

The official publication of the
honor society, is published each
fall and spring. All alumni who
pay their annual alumni fees
will receive THE CANDLE the
following year. You should use
a permanent home address and
email for THE CANDLE sub-
scription because you may move
frequently in the years following
initiation. If you have questions
about your subscription, contact
the Executive Director.

2

CREST SONGS

The crest is a shield. In “The Phi U Song”
the chief are two charges,
one of which is a castle (Tune- “Believe Me If All Those Endearing
indicating the home and Young Charms”)
the other a pelican with Phi Upsilon Omicron, our hearts are thine,
its young, symbolizing Thy honor and name we adore;
the family. In the base is We will love thee and cherish thee forever more,
the horn of plenty, rep- And our hopes will around thee entwine.
resenting the nutrition Thou wouldst still be adored;
of home, community, Were we all far away,
and world. On the scroll And no longer were here with thine own.
above the coat-of-arms Phi Upsilon Omicron, teach us we pray,
is the name of the honor To revere and to love thee always.
society in Greek letters.
“Thy Candlelight”

(Tune- “Greensleeves”)
Thy candle light, Phi Upsilon,
Doth softly, softly shine
Within our circle love is reigning,
Phi Upsilon Omicron.
Music soft and sweet and low,
Our praises now we sing to thee.
Rev’rently our lives we pledge,
Our hearts we yield to thee.

PHI U JEWELRY

Phi U jewelry provides an outward symbol of members’
inner commitment to the honor society and its goals.
An information sheet can be obtained from the National
Office or at www.phiu.org.

The official badge consists of a ring symbolizing the
family circle and a candle with a diamond as a flame,
representing the light of the home.

3

HONOR CORDS & HONOR STOLES

National Council has approved
honor cords and honor stoles to
be worn at graduation by Phi U
members at institutions allowing
this practice. Phi U honor cords are
entwined purple, white, and yellow
with purple tassels. Phi U honor
stoles are purple satin with an
embroidered yellow emblem.

PHI U PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

The professional program is the heart of Phi U. It is the framework for accom-
plishing our goals. The professional program provides for the development of
members and interprets and demonstrates to others the purposes of Phi U and the
family and consumer sciences profession. Phi Upsilon Omicron works, through
the professional program, to develop leaders and well-rounded members who
contribute personally and professionally. The professional program includes:

• Chapter programming.
• Recognition of academic and professional achievements through the

scholarships, fellowships, and awards program.
• Continuing professional association between collegiate members and alumni.
• Participation in educational and professional projects.

PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS

Professional projects are one aspect of the total professional program. These
projects use the professional competencies of members to serve others. The proj-
ects are planned, carried out, and evaluated by members of each chapter to meet
needs in the local and larger communities. If possible, the projects implement
the theme of the national program of work. Every member is expected to partici-
pate in the chapter’s professional project. By effectively serving others, these
projects advance the profession.

4

SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS,
AND AWARDS PROGRAM

One of Phi U’s significant successes is its extensive scholarships, fellowships,
and awards program administered through the Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational
Foundation. Nationally, the following are given:

• Undergraduate scholarships and awards.
• Graduate fellowships.
• Biennial awards to alumni for outstanding achievement and an alumni

research grant.

Application information and forms are available from Chapter Presidents or
Advisors, the National Office, or on Phi U’s web site. Many collegiate and/or
alumni chapters also offer local scholarships, fellowships, and awards.

THE PHI UPSILON OMICRON
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in
1970 to administer the scholarships, fellowships, and awards program for the
honor society. The Foundation stimulates collection of funds to support the pro-
grams and serves as a vehicle to receive funds given by collegiate and alumni
members and chapters, as well as other individuals and groups.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors which is composed of:

• Four directors elected at-large from the alumni membership,
• One representative chosen from collegiate chapters, and
• The Phi Upsilon Omicron National President-Elect,

and Executive Director.

Contributions to the Foundation can be sent to:
Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc.
P.O. BOX 50970
Bowling Green, KY 42102-4270

5

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

You have been initiated into one of Phi U’s collegiate chapters. In addition,
there are alumni chapters across the country where members continue their
professional association and development.

The chapters are grouped into four regions, each of which is served by a
Councilor. The Councilors serve as liaisons between the chapters and the nation-
al organization. Nationally, Phi U is governed by a Conclave of delegates which
meets every two years. Each chapter in good standing is represented by an
official delegate. National Council, which meets annually, is composed of the
President, President-elect, Alumni Councilor, Finance Chair, Advisor Councilor,
Region Councilors, and Collegiate Representatives (one from each region, with
one serving as Chair). The Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member,
and the Educational Foundation Chair serves as an ex-officio member without
vote.

The Executive Board, which conducts the business of the organization between
annual meetings, consists of the President, President-elect, Alumni Councilor,
Region Councilor Chair, and Collegiate Chair. The Executive Director serves as
an ex-officio member, and the Educational Foundation Chair serves as an
ex-officio member without vote.

NATIONAL MEETINGS

Representatives from all chapters meet at Conclave, which is held in
even-numbered years. The official delegate body conducts the business
of the honor society. However, all Phi U members are invited and
encouraged to attend. Conclave is a memorable experience thanks to
nationally known speakers, workshops, chapter sharing sessions, and
the chance to meet Phi U members from across the country.

Phi Upsilon Omicron is a collegiate-focused honor
society nurturing leaders to continue the legacy of family
and consumer sciences.

6

OFFICERS

The leadership provided by national and local officers is crucial in the
continuing vitality of the honor society. National leadership includes
the following officers:

Elected Officers

• President, who directs the business of honor society.
• President-Elect, who administers the professional program.
• National Collegiate Chair, who provides student representation on the

Executive Board and National Council.
• Alumni Councilor, who serves as a liaison between alumni and the

national organization.
• Finance Chair, who oversees the budget and financial affairs.
• Advisor Chair, who interprets advisors’ interests and concerns.
• Region Councilors, who serve as liaisons between members and chapters

in their regions and the national organization.
• Collegiate Representatives, who represent collegiate members’ concerns,

issues, recommendations, and problems.

Staff

• Executive Director, who handles correspondence, the official records, and
the supplies of the honor society. Also, this person handles and records all
financial transactions and keeps the membership records up-to-date.

• A Media Coordinator, who edits THE CANDLE and maintains the Phi U
web site and other electronic media.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

In Conclave years, each region is represented on National Council by one
collegiate representative. A National Collegiate Chair is selected by the
collegiate representatives at Conclave to serve a two-year term on
National Council.

7

PHI U: A LIFETIME HONOR

When initiated, you become a lifetime member of the honor society.
Membership, as conferred by initiation, is not dependent upon the payment of
annual dues. However, your continued financial support is an investment in the
profession and ensures receiving THE CANDLE and other Phi U publications.

Alumni Fees

Each alumni member is encouraged to pay an annual national alumni fee to sup-
port the ongoing work of the honor society. A national lifetime alumni fee may
be paid. Local alumni chapters assess their own local alumni dues.

Alumni Chapters

When you leave the collegiate chapter, you are eligible and encouraged to join
any of Phi U’s alumni chapters. Many have found this a valuable chance to
network when relocating. An alumni chapter can be established when seven or
more members hold a minimum of four meetings a year. Often these alumni
meetings are held in conjunction with other professional meetings, college alum-
ni events, or electronically.

Staying Connected with Phi U

Send changes in name or address to the Executive Director at
[email protected]. Include your previous name(s) and address. When you keep
your address current, service to you is uninterrupted and the honor society saves
money.

COLORS PHI U FLOWER

Yellow- to symbolize light. The violet
White- to symbolize honor represents the
and integrity. virtues of truth
Purple - to symbolize and faithfulness.
faithfullness.
8

BOOKMARK

The bookmark is purple, gold, and white,
representing the Phi U colors. The gold is a
form of yellow symbolizing light, the white
represents honor and integrity, and the pur-
ple is for the honor society flower, the violet.
The candles at the top and bottom also sym-
bolize light. The miniature house suggests
the home, and the conventionalized flower
represents the violet.

PHI U CREED

“To Members Of Phi Upsilon Omicron,

The Trust Is Given To Keep
Undimmed Within Our Lives, The Circle’s
Light. It Is Our Privilege To Carry Forth
This Light Of Friendship And Service
To Shine In Countless Human Lives The
World Around.

In So Doing We Shall Find Each
Member Made Stronger, The Meaning Of
Our Honor Society Deepened, And In Our
Chapter, A Warmth Which Comforts,
Strengthens, And Inspires Us All.”

9

“In becoming a member of an honor society, one accepts its goals

and ideals as one’s own. In striving to attain these goals, close ties

of friendship are formed, a sense of responsibility is deepened,

and one’s influence is broadened. As people give of themselves

and their abilities, their accomplishments and satisfactions are

increased. Like the light of a candle, the light produced by our

lives has an effect in the world around us.”

(from the Initiation Ceremony)

National Office
Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc.

P.O. BOX 50970
Bowling Green, KY 42102-4270
270-904-1340 • [email protected]

Copyright 2017 Phi Upsilon Omicron Inc. All rights reserved.
Published by Phi Upsilon Omicron, National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences,

a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

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