The Power of One

The Power of One

The story of how the Sorority, Foundation and Facilities Management Company converged, flourishing as One Gamma Phi Beta

One Gamma Phi Beta' has become more than just a phrase; it embodies the profound unity achieved among Gamma Phi Beta's three core entities: the Sorority, Foundation and Facilities Management Company (FMC). Together, they form a cohesive whole, sharing resources, personnel and support. Like solid pillars, the Sorority, Foundation and FMC lean on each other to thrive. Without one pillar, the others would falter. One Gamma Phi Beta stands as a testament to our organization's strength, positioning us as a sturdy leader within the National Panhellenic Conference and the broader Greek Life community.

To truly grasp the significance of One Gamma Phi Beta, it's imperative to delve into the unique roles and histories of each entity, beginning with the Sorority.

The Sorority

When we talk about the Sorority, we are referring to the organization built by our fearless Founders in 1874. Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, Mary A. Bingham and E. Adeline “Addie” Curtis were among the first female students to attend Syracuse University. They faced gender alienation from both their male counterparts and professors alike. Determined to create a space that offered what their campus community lacked — love, support and camaraderie — they founded Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Little did Helen, Frances, Mary and Addie know that Gamma Phi Beta would experience exponential growth across North America over the following 15 decades. Since 1874, the Sorority has proudly chartered 190 collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada, with more than 250,000 initiated members. Furthermore, that number continues to grow today!

When members join Gamma Phi Beta, they enter that empowering space created by our Founders many moons ago, a haven characterized by love, support and camaraderie. Membership in Gamma Phi Beta also yields personal leadership development and growth, campus community involvement, philanthropic opportunities, social events, access to our vast alumnae network and more.

What distinguishes Gamma Phi Beta from other Greek-letter organizations is our distinctive brand identity. This identity, shaped by our Founders, infuses life and personality into our Sorority through a mission and vision statement as well as symbols, like the crescent moon, imbued with meaning. We know who we are and what we stand for — that’s our brand identity.

Mission

We build confident women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world around us.

Vision

To inspire the highest type of womanhood.

Guiding Principles

• We promote lifelong commitment, intellectual and personal growth and service to humanity.

• We perpetuate our heritage as we commit to the growth of our Sorority.

• We foster enduring friendships.

• We advocate ethical behavior, respect, authenticity, accountability and integrity.

• We aspire to excellence in all that we do.

Symbols

Badge

Crescent Moon

Light and Dark Brown

Pink Carnation

Motto

Founded on a rock.

Core Values

Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty

Creed

Gamma Phi Beta from the past has given

A heritage that makes a fuller life.

Gamma Phi Beta in the present bids

Us strive for lasting values and ideals.

Gamma Phi Beta in the days to come

Will prove that fundamentals can endure.

Therefore we shall embody our lives

The truths that make for finer womanhood.

Once more we pledge a loyalty that means

Adherence to all true and noble things;

A learning that enriches all our days

With magic gold that is forever ours;

A labor that each hour will glorify

The simple, common task, the common cause;

A love that will be strong and great enough

To encompass and to pity all the world.

The Foundation

In 1958, at the 48th Convention held in Victoria, British Columbia, pivotal legislation was passed to establish the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation, described as "a trust organized solely for the promotion and encouragement of educational and charitable purposes."

To facilitate tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation, it was registered separately from the Sorority as a 501(c)(3) corporation. Concurrently, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority was incorporated as a 501(c)(7) corporation. Legally distinct entities, they shared the common goal of identifying and funding educational and leadership opportunities that advanced Gamma Phi Beta's mission.

Fast-forward to 1974, the first-ever Foundation logo was created. While the Foundation colors were changed to rose pink and old gold in 1996, they originally featured red

and orange hues. The logo colors have gone through variations over the years, including combinations like hot pink and light pink, and hot pink and dark brown. Today, the Foundation colors mirror those of the Sorority. Similarly, the Foundation's logo bears resemblance to the Sorority's, with the heart icon being the sole discernible difference. A heart symbolizes love and support, encapsulating the Foundation's integral role within our organization.

The Foundation operates under the oversight of the Board of Trustees (BOT), comprising 14 Trustees, including two International Council representatives, and one chair. Each Trustee plays a pivotal role in providing strategic direction, ensuring the Foundation fulfills its mission in alignment with that of the Sorority, while also offering personal financial support.

Mission

We are sisters helping sisters financially sustain and advance the mission of Gamma Phi Beta. Through successful fundraising and stewardship, we support Gamma Phi Beta and her members who have scholarship, leadership, philanthropic and emergency needs.

Vision

To inspire every member to make Gamma Phi Beta a priority philanthropic cause, empowering all sisters to make a difference in the world, now and in the future.

The FMC

In 2012, the Facilities Management Company (FMC), established as the Sorority's international housing entity, emerged to provide crucial assistance to the dedicated volunteers of the Sorority's affiliated house corporations (AHCs). For years, AHCs grappled with challenges stemming from property ownership. The inception of the FMC relieved AHCs of this burden and served as a central hub where volunteers could access support, resources and education on all matters related to housing. From overseeing the management of the Sorority's continually expanding property portfolio to offering guidance to AHCs, the FMC plays a multifaceted role. Moreover, the expansion of International Headquarters (IH) staff was undertaken to address current facility needs and ensure the provision of competitive, inviting facilities.

The FMC operates under the oversight of the Board of Managers (BOM), entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the strategic direction of the company. The BOM ensures that the FMC aligns with and supports the mission and vision of both the FMC and the Sorority. Comprising seven BOM members and one chair, the board plays a pivotal role in guiding the FMC's activities and initiatives.

Mission

To foster welcoming, inclusive spaces that promote sisterhood by providing innovative, industry-leading properties and asset management services for Gamma Phi Beta and her members.

Vision

For collegiate Gamma Phi Betas to have access to living, learning or gathering spaces that foster community and belonging.

Guiding Principles

• We support and enhance the collegiate experience for our members.

• We maintain fiscally prudent and operationally sound practices.

• We provide exceptional volunteer opportunities.

• We make ethical decisions for the greater good.

From Multiple Entities to One

Originally conceived as a supportive arm of the Sorority, the FMC was never intended to stand as a separate entity. Rather, it was envisioned as a strategic tool to enhance recruitment and extension efforts. To fulfill this vision, IH underwent an expansion to include a dedicated facilities department, overseen by a director of housing (now the chief housing officer). This leadership role manages a team of skilled professionals, including FMC managers and a director of FMC accounting. The FMC team provides comprehensive support and property management to all Sorority-owned and -managed properties. From managing property portfolios to aiding in renovation projects and maintaining facility finances, the FMC plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of Gamma Phi Beta's housing initiatives.

The close integration of the FMC and the Sorority, both physically and operationally, has been instrumental in fostering mutual support and communication between the two entities since 2012. This synergy enables seamless collaboration and promotes the Sorority experience to current and prospective members, many of whom find residence within our facilities to be a significant aspect of their collegiate membership.

Similarly, the Foundation serves as a cornerstone of the Sorority's stability and growth. Initially established as a separate legal entity from Gamma Phi Beta, the Foundation provided a platform for tax-deductible contributions, offering a distinct advantage for donors. However, prior to joining the One Gamma Phi Beta model, the Foundation operated largely independently, with minimal interaction with Sorority leadership or staff.

Recognizing the need for closer alignment and collaboration, discussions about implementing a shared services model between the Sorority and the Foundation had been ongoing for years. Drawing inspiration from the success of the FMC, the 2014-16 International Council (IC) spearheaded efforts to restructure governance, paving the way for greater integration among the Sorority, Foundation and FMC.

It’s important to mention that Sorority and the Foundation were always housed under one roof but operated separately. The Foundation briefly moved to a separate building from the Sorority for about 18 months but swiftly returned to the same building once the One Gamma Phi Beta model was enacted. This consolidation facilitated better understanding, communication and marketing efforts across all three entities, presenting a unified front to donors and stakeholders.

Under the leadership of Megan Smiley Wick (Washington State), serving as the chief executive officer for all three Gamma Phi Beta entities, the organization has embraced the One Gamma Phi Beta model with enthusiasm and success. Quarterly meetings among the BOT, BOM and lC have fostered greater collaboration, strategic planning and joint ownership of Sorority initiatives.

In spring 2023, Gamma Phi Beta hired a group to help conduct a governance evaluation, and through that evaluation we learned that the One Gamma Phi Beta model was, indeed, working. Data from the report* showed that Gamma Phi Beta witnessed increased donor engagement, volunteer participation and overall organizational effectiveness. The success of the One Gamma Phi Beta model underscores its efficacy in advancing the mission of building confident women of character and fostering sisterhood that makes a difference in the world.

*The full report and all its findings can be found in the Member section of our website.

“The power of Gamma Phi Beta is in our collective strength. When all three entities of the organization, the Sorority, Foundation and FMC are aligned, we achieve better results, faster. It is short-sided to think that any one of our areas operates without impact on the other. In very simple ways, the shift to One Gamma Phi Beta has ensured that we are singing our own songs but in harmony and on the same tempo. We are no longer vying for the attention or engagement of our shared membership, but working in tandem to ensure our messaging, our asks and our offerings are harmonious and mutually beneficial.”  —Autumn L. Hansen (Idaho), International President