Phi Sigma Pi Foundation
The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation exists to generate, preserve and provide financial resources for Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity’s educational, leadership and charitable programs as a means to recognize individual and professional distinction within the brotherhood and its communities.
This non-profit organization was formed in August of 2005 by a small group of Phi Sigma Pi alumni who sought to enhance the relationship between Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and its financial supporters for the purposes of furthering the fraternity's ability to impact the lives of undergraduate brothers and to protect the fraternity's financial and legal assets.
As of July 2007, the Foundation consists of almost thirty members dedicated to the cause of providing the fraternity with the financial means to enhance the brotherhood beyond what mere undergraduate dues can provide. The Foundation is led by a seven-person Board of Directors elected for three-year rotating terms, and is managed by an Executive Director responsible for the day-to-day activities of the organization.
Members are recognized as the foremost supporters of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and its mission. The Foundation welcomes alumni brothers and non-alumni alike to join the organization or offer their financial or in-kind support to further the goals and vision of the Foundation and Fraternity.
History
Although the initial development efforts began in 2004 with the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity Grand Chapter’s approval, the Foundation’s structure was not formalized until the August 2006. The organization has completed the necessary registration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and with the IRS to enter full-scale operations.
Carlye Buchanan, CPA had the original concept of a foundation while serving on the National Council of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. The purpose behind needing a separate entity was to provide: asset protection, raise funds for educational programming which otherwise are not available to fraternities, and better leverage alumni support by not having the fundraising duty be a major focus for the already hands-on National Council. She proposed a plan to establish a foundation to the Phi Sigma Pi Grand Chapter at which time they approved the concept of creating the entity.
Herbert Higginbotham was asked by Joshua Marder, Vice-President of Finance for the Fraternity, to assist in the start-up of the Foundation. Herb’s skills of management, follow-through and networking allowed for Herb to be elected as Vice President to the Foundation in 2005.
Within months a team of volunteers were recognized as the chartering Foundation Board of Directors. Just over a year later, the organization completed the administrative processes to become a corporation within the state of Pennsylvania and be recognized as a federally tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Board Members
The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation is led by the a Board of Directors elected for multi-year terms, in a rotating schedule. Below is the current Foundation Board of Directors:
- Jonah Goodman, Director
- Mike Landisman, Director
- Mark Pabst, Director
- Katie Martin Peachey, Director
- Jeremy Reed, Director
- Frank Sanders, Director
- Beth Walsh, Director
Past Directors include:
- Stella Maher (2011-2014, National President 2012-2014)
- Josh Lazar, (2011-2014, Vice President of Finance 2012-2014)
- Becky Leach-Seymour, (2011-2014)
- Colleen Donathan (2009-2012, National President 2011-2012)
- Shane Miller (2008-2012, National Secretary)
- Brittany Bodart (2011-2012)
- Josh Marder (2011-2012)
- Dave Batts (2009-2011, Vice President of Finance)
- Carlye Buchanan (2005-2011, President)
- Ted Daniels (2009-2011)
- Steven DiGuiseppe (2007-2009)
- John Finnegan (2005-2008)
- Odelle Heimiller (2005-2009, Treasurer)
- Herbert Higginbotham (2005-2008, Vice-President)
- Jeff Johnson (2008-2009, Vice-President of Finance)
- Britt Marder (2005-2006)
- Ryan Marquiss (2005-2007, National Secretary)
- Gene Seevers (2005-2006)
- Travis Smith (2009-2011)
- Alexandra Spirer (2009-2011)
- Adrianne Steichen (2006-2009, Director of Philanthropy)
- Jeffrey Sugar (2006-2008, Director of Membership)
| The Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Board of Directors | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
| Carlye Buchanan | 2005-2011 | |||||||||
| Odelle Heimiller | 2005-2009 | |||||||||
| Herb Higginbotham | 2005-2008 | |||||||||
| John Finnegan | 2005-2008 | |||||||||
| Ryan Marquiss | 2005-2007 | |||||||||
| Britt Marder | 2005-2006 | |||||||||
| Gene Seevers | 2005-2006 | |||||||||
| Adrianne Steichen | 2006-2009 | |||||||||
| Jeffrey Sugar | 2006-2008 | |||||||||
| Steven DiGuiseppe | 2007-2009 | |||||||||
| Shane Miller | 2008-2012 | |||||||||
| Brittany Bodart | 2008-2009 | 2011-2012 | ||||||||
| Jeff Johnson | 2008-2009 | |||||||||
| Dave Batts | 2009-2011 | |||||||||
| Colleen Donathan | 2009- | 2012 | ||||||||
| Ted Daniels | 2009-2011 | |||||||||
| Travis Smith | 2009-2011 | |||||||||
| Alex Spirer | 2009-2011 | |||||||||
| Josh Lazar | 2011 | - | 2014 | |||||||
| Becky Leach-Seymour | 2011-2014 | |||||||||
| Stella Maher | 2011 | - | 2014 | |||||||
| Josh Marder | 2011-2012 | |||||||||
| Jeremy Reed | 2011-2015 | |||||||||
| Mike Landisman | 2012- | 2015 | ||||||||
| Mark Pabst | 2012-2015 | |||||||||
| Katie Peachey | 2012-2015 | |||||||||
| National President | ||||||||||
| Vice-President (of Finance) | ||||||||||
| National Secretary | ||||||||||
| Treasurer | ||||||||||
Membership
Foundation membership is granted to Brothers who have given $250 to the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation over the course of their lifetime. Membership is maintained by an annual gift of $100 to the Foundation. A member of the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation has the right to:
- attend any meetings of the membership (including the Annual Membership Meeting which takes place at Phi Sigma Pi's National Convention)
- vote in any matters brought before the membership (including the election of the Board of Directors)
- and run for a three-year position on the Board of Directors.
The National Office sends invitations to newly-eligible Brothers on a monthly basis. Membership is based on the calendar year.
See List of Foundation Members.
Meetings
- An annual Member meeting is held every summer for the purpose of reporting progress, discussing business, and electing directors to the Board. Periodic e-newsletters are also used to keep the membership abreast of the organization's direction.
- The Board of Directors meets regularly during the year.
Initiatives
Main Article: Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Initiatives
