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Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club

Charter date: 1/1/1926

This History of Phoenix, Arizona, Alumnae Club

Although the Phoenix Alumnae Club has been around for 90 years, it does not have many records except some of the fun photos from newspapers that were provided and of course the club’s yearbooks. This is most likely due to the lack of technology back then. The club was jump-started in 2005 with new leadership, and it hasn't slowed down since! The club has had membership of over 200 since 2006. Club membership is very diverse in both the ages and chapters of members. Approximately one-fourth of the club’s members are young alumnae, one-fourth Golden Arrows and one-half are all the ages between those groups. In the club’s 2015–2016 directory, there were 83 different chapters represented!The club's board consists of 12 Exec members and 28 other positions. Exec consists of a new graduate last year a Golden Arrow and all ages in between. Phoenix Alumnae Club can be described as a large club with a big heart. Members work very hard to make everyone feel welcome, and they lead by example. 

An interesting note is the Phoenix Alumnae Club also had a Camelback Club from 1964–1985. Originally, they wanted the Camelback Club to be a “Junior Group” but Grand Council was not allowing any more Junior Groups to charter. The Camelback Club had mostly younger members who met at night. In 1985, it became apparent that both clubs were struggling to get officers so the Camelback Club combined with the Phoenix Alumnae Club and became the club as it is known today.

The club established an Undergraduate Scholarship Fund of $50,000 in 2008.

Philanthropic Service

  • Champions are Readers® Program
    • The Phoenix Alumnae Club partners with the Arizona Beta Chapter at Arizona State University to facilitate the Champions are Readers program at a local elementary school.
  • Fraternity Day of Service
    • The Phoenix Alumnae Club implements the service project on a Saturday in early March at Burton Barr Central Library in downtown Phoenix. Local children are invited to participate in literacy activities each centered around a Dr. Seuss book. The event is designed to raise awareness about the Fraternity’s literacy efforts. In 2015, they were honored to be chosen by the Pi Beta Phi Foundation as one of four cities to host a Fraternity Day of Service Signature Event, where they were able to distribute 20,000 books to local schools and organizations.
  • Brunson-Lee Elementary Birthday Book Room
    • Once a month, volunteers help students in grades Kindergarten through sixth choose a new book during their birthday month.
  • Kids Need to Read
    • Founded with a passion to improve the lives of disadvantaged children by providing inspiring book collections and engaging literacy programs to underfunded schools, libraries, and organizations across the nation, Kids Need to Read aspires to empower and embolden every last child through a culture of reading. Kids Need to Read is the club's most recent local literacy partner. The Phoenix Alumnae Club has provided support through book donations, Local Impact Grants from the Pi Beta Phi Foundation, and co-hosting events at Brunson-Lee Elementary. 
  • UMOM is the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona. They keep families together, provide a continuum of care from emergency shelter to transitional housing and finally, permanent, affordable housing. Families at UMOM have the opportunity to gain the skills, medical care, quality childcare and education they need to rebuild their lives and succeed when they leave. 
    • UMOM New Day Centers Read to Me: The alumnae volunteer once a month at UMOM New Day Centers Read to Me, a weekly literacy program for UMOM children aged 4 and up. Read To Me is a strong and lively program that has a weekly average attendance of 50–70 children.
    • UMOM New Day Centers Book Room: Twice a month, alumnae volunteer to help organize donated and new books. The book room is utilized for the weekly Read to Me program.
    • UMOM New Day Centers Walk for the Homeless: The club participates in UMOM’s Annual Walk for Homeless Families at the Phoenix Zoo! Every September they walk to raise money and awareness for the homeless families and individuals in the club’s community. 
  • Waste Management Phoenix Open PGA Golf Tournament
    • The Phoenix Alumnae Club is responsible for recruiting more than 100 volunteers to work concession stand shifts at the WM Phoenix Open PGA golf tournament on behalf of the Phoenix Panhellenic Association. In exchange for the club’s donation of time and labor at this event, more than $20,000 is donated annually by the Thunderbirds organization for scholarships for worthy Greek women pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees in Arizona. 

Awards and Club Recognition

  • Club of Excellence (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Excellence in Chapter Support (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015)
  • Excellence in Communication (2008, 2017)
  • Excellence in Communication Award - Region Six (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Excellence in Community Service (2006, 2013)
  • Excellence in Literacy Initiatives (2008)
  • Excellence in Membership Recruitment and Retention (2005, 2006)
  • Excellence in Programming (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010)
  • Foundation Top 10 Award (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015)
  • Premier Club (2011, 2012)
  • Premier Club First Runner Up (2010, 2013, 2014)

Jan Moore Angel Award

  • Established in 1974, the Jan Moore Angel Award is presented annually to a Phoenix Alumnae Club member whose involvement and dedication to the club goes far beyond the expectations of a member or officer. The award is inspired by long-time club member Jan Moore, an Arizona Alpha initiated in 1944. Since her initiation, Jan embodied ideals of the Founders in all that she did, both inside and outside of Pi Beta Phi. She worked tirelessly on behalf of the Phoenix Alumnae Club, mentored countless sisters, and held numerous local and national offices and committee positions. Jan’s efforts to spread the true spirit of Pi Phi were remarkable and are remembered by all who crossed her path. The club is honored to present this award each year to a woman who exhibits Jan’s passion, dedication and enthusiasm. While there was only one Jan Moore, they are thrilled to find others who are also true angels!

Member of Distinction

Emma Harper Turner Award

Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award

Notable Alumnae

  • Lucy West Roca, former Grand Treasurer
  • Janet Goode Garde (Durham), former Grand Vice President Alumnae
  • Patty Davisson Brown, former Alumnae Province President and former Collegiate/Alumnae Director
  • Donna Draper, former Alumnae Province President
  • Liz Holman, former Collegiate Province President and former Collegiate/Alumnae Director
  • Jane Russell, former Collegiate Province President, former Director of Collegiate Extension and former Director of Chapter Support
  • Lisa Rede Roman, Director of Philanthropy and Programming
  • Sharon Abeyta Levey, Collegiate Region Eight Director
  • Karen Thorn, former Foundation Trustee