Building Confident Leaders

Building confident leaders has been a focus of Pi Beta Phi since our earliest days. When collegians become members of our Fraternity, they are encouraged and empowered to lead within their chapter, campus and greater community. Over the years, and through the support of Pi Beta Phi Foundation, the Fraternity has created several opportunities for leadership programming and events—all with the goal of developing and supporting our collegiate members.

Our young leaders thrive on the support and empowerment provided through membership in Pi Beta Phi, and these leadership opportunities would not be possible without support to the Leadership Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation. Below we’ve shared a few of Pi Phi’s leadership programs and events alongside reactions from members who experienced them firsthand. Keep reading to learn how your gifts support the next generation of Pi Phi leaders.

COLLEGE WEEKEND

At Pi Phi’s annual College Weekend, newly installed chapter officers strengthen their leadership skills while meeting Pi Phi leaders from campuses across North America. Chapter officers are given the resources to be successful in their role along with best practices and procedures for the year ahead. At the end of the event, members leave with a better understanding of servant leadership and the confidence to execute the responsibilities of their chapter officer role.

“My biggest takeaway is my deeper knowledge in being a servant leader along with an inclusive leader, and how these two responsibilities work together to help me be an effective, honest and trustworthy leader.” - Virtual College Weekend 2022 Attendee

“I am feeling extra inspired to reevaluate my role and how I can improve my chapter through my efforts as Vice President Community Relations. I have gained lots of amazing new ideas from the women in my breakout group and hope to be able to utilize what I learned efficiently.” - Virtual College Weekend 2022 Attendee

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS

Critical Conversations® is Pi Beta Phi's risk prevention education programming which educates members on topics such as alcohol and substance use, mental health, sexual assault, bullying, personal safety and accountability through the lens of Pi Phi's core values. The program is offered to chapters once per academic year and provides a variety of tools and resources to address the unique needs of each of our chapters and members. By the end of the conversation, chapter members are empowered to cultivate a culture of care and awareness around health and safety.

“I am appreciative of how this program was conducted. Our facilitator did an excellent job of establishing a welcoming and inclusive environment, which was a key part in getting people to participate.

Above: Florida Beta HARPER WHITTEN SPENCER visits theFlorida Epsilon Chapter for a Critical Conversations.

This program was incredibly valuable and relevant to our chapter and exceeded my expectations. I learned things and left with helpful steps for personal and chapter-wide improvement.” - Every Act of Yours Critical Conversations Participant

“This was a very helpful seminar/discussion. Our facilitator asked very thought-provoking questions and I enjoyed hearing many opinions from my sisters.” - Discovering Sincere Friendship Critical Conversations Participant

PI BETA PHI LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Through Pi Beta Phi Leadership Institute, collegiate members explore their leadership capabilities and drive change. The four day experience provides young leaders with the tools to make a change in themselves, their campuses and their communities— all while connecting with Pi Phis who will inspire and challenge them. After attending this event, members are able to identify their strengths and develop a plan to serve the world as confident women leaders. Although we weren't able to host Leadership Institute in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we're excited to bring this event back to a new group of collegians and help them lead in our ever-changing world.

“This leadership experience will impact your life. I left feeling more empowered than I knew was even possible. That feeling and motivation didn’t fade, either. I have the same “Make the Impossible the Inevitable” mindset now that I had as I boarded the plane to return home. I have been able to share this experience with some of my Florida Alpha sisters as a member of the chapter’s Executive Council and one-on-one with others.” - Pi Beta Phi Leadership Institute 2016 Attendee

“I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have attended this event. Not only have I met 13 new sisters that I became close with in such a short period of time, but I left with a new confidence that I can do whatever I desire to do. I can turn any vision into a reality by breaking it down into small steps. I recommend this to everyone.”- Pi Beta Phi Leadership Institute 2018 Attendee

Because of generous sisters and friends of Pi Phi, we can ensure today’s collegians receive the same leadership development and growth shared by the members above—and maybe even shared by you. The leadership programming and events listed are supported by our Foundation through gifts to the LeadershipFund. When you give to our Foundation, you empower youngPi Phis—helping them find and use their voices. Learn more and make your gift at pibetaphi.org/foundation.