5 Reasons to Volunteer for Delta Phi Epsilon

Are you considering volunteering as a chapter advisor for DPhiE but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you? By supporting DPhiE as a volunteer, you are giving back to the organization that supported and empowered you throughout your college years. As an advisor you’ll reconnect to the organization and help our members to thrive.With a strong support system of volunteers, DPhiE will continue to provide a sense of belonging for all members. 

Here are the top 5 reasons to volunteer for Delta Phi Epsilon:

  1. Strengthen your Resume. Boost your resume skills by gaining first hand experiences as a chapter advisor. Our volunteers receive training and experience with conflict management, working with generation z, communication skills, working as part of a team and relationship building. Participate in our monthly advisor training for continued development throughout the year!
  2. Empower Young Leaders. Looking for an opportunity to guide and empower young leaders? As a chapter advisor you get a one on one mentorship experience with a member of the leadership team. Bring your DPhiE and professional experience to the table to help shape the leaders of tomorrow and reach their full potential. You’ll feel proud to have a hand in their journey. 
  3. Get Inspired. Are you feeling stuck? Use volunteering to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new. Taking a break from your normal routine can be refreshing and rewarding. You’ll be inspired through connections with other sisters, working towards a common goal and seeing all the work that DPhiE is doing to spread our mission and values.
  4. Find Community. Did you move to a new area and are missing that sense of belonging? Join a chapter advisory board for an automatic group of friends that share the same values and ideals. You’ll automatically have a new support network of sisters in your new home.
  5. Reconnect to DPhiE. Are you missing out on DPhiE and all of the late night chats, philanthropy events, and sisterhood bonding? You’ll get to experience a whole new perspective on sisterhood as an advisor. Guide chapters to create stronger sisterhood bonds, connect with sisters from across the country, connect with the organization through monthly virtual programming, and have some fun.

Interested in getting involved? Join our volunteer team today by filling out the volunteer interest form on our website: https://dphie.org/volunteer.


Sisterhood for a Lifetime

Amora LaucellaAs the Lead advisor for the Beta Omega chapter, Amora Laucella often reflects on why she joined Delta Phi Epsilon: to inspire passion and purpose to her sisters. She shared “When I was going through recruitment I didn’t know exactly where my place would be but the second I saw DPhiE, the motto, and learned about our Founders’ I knew it was the organization for me. An organization that helps sisters use their voices and lead!” After graduating, she knew she wanted to  volunteer and give others the same sense of belonging she received. 

Since taking on a volunteer role, Amora’s love for Delta Phi Epsilon has only deepened. Because of her volunteer role she’s connected with sisters across the country and Canada through advising meetings, committee work and the International Leadership Forum. “Being a chapter advisor gives you an outside perspective. You get to building meaningful relationships along the way and  it truly shows you what it means to be a sister of DPhiE.” 

As an advisor, she continues to live by our values and motto and uses them as a guide point in leadership. “After graduation, you will always carry the motto with you but as an alumna you bring a whole different perspective to it. We’re more than just meetings, this is a true sisterhood where we love and accept each other. I get to share what it means from my perspective to show that there’s purpose behind it all.” She loves watching sisters live our mottos and values from the time they join DPhiE until their graduation. Seeing herself as their big sister, she takes pride in having a hand in helping the next generation of sisters find their place in the world and use their gifts to make a difference. She is always there to love and support them and provide a sense of mentorship. “I feel so lucky to be a step in their journey to help them get there and recognize their full potential.” 

Amora encourages sisters everywhere to volunteer for DPhiE to reconnect with the organization all over again. She shared, “As a volunteer you have to put in the time, love and care to help DPhiE grow. Volunteering is a labor of love - you have to have a great love for DPhiE and what we stand for to help sisters become the best they can be. You’re joining a team that’s bigger than just you”

This year marks Amora’s 10 year anniversary since joining Delta Phi Epsilon. Reflecting on her commitment to DPhiE as an alumna she shared, “I think about our Founders’ a lot and how they would feel if they were around today. I hope that I am making the DIMES proud.”


How to: Celebrate your Chapter Advisor

Chapter advisors are vital to the success of Delta Phi Epsilon! Our advisors provide guidance, mentorship, and a sense of belonging to chapter and leadership team members creating a positive sisterhood experience. We are thankful for all of the work they put in to help our chapters thrive - we know our chapter members are thankful for their support as well! This month we need your help to celebrate our advisors. Here are 10 ways your chapter can celebrate your advisors this month. 

  1. Snail Mail: Write your chapter advisor a handwritten thank you note! DPhiE volunteers devote their time and talents to helping your chapter thrive. Take a moment to reflect on their dedication to DPhiE and your favorite memories together.
  2. Virtual Card Shower: Back in the day to celebrate special occasions, sisters sent an abundance of cards to the house of the sister being celebrated. Why not try this through email, text or group message! Have your chapter members send a message to your advisor on the same day and time so that they are showered with appreciation.
  3. Social Media: Create an instagram story template for your chapter to use showing appreciation for your chapter advisor! Members can even share photos with their advisors for the chance to be featured on our official Instagram page. Be sure to tag @dphieihq!
  4. Swag: Surprise your advisor with our new DPhiE volunteer merchandise at https://dphiedesigns.myshopify.com under the “Volunteer Appreciation Month” tab. Choose from our volunteer quarter zip, pocket tee shirt, or baseball hat! 
  5. Coffee: After those long hours of recruitment and virtual meetings, our advisors deserve a pick me up! Send them a virtual coffee gift card to make their day and help them power through the end of the semester. 
  6. Virtual Celebration: To wrap up a year of virtual meetings, why not add one more to the calendar to celebrate your advisors! Play a game of DPhiE trivia, Most Likely To, or just take a moment to go around and thank your advisor. 
  7. Tik Tok: Most of us spend way too much time on Tik Tok these days. Why not create a Tik Tok video thanking your advisors! Get creative with this and tag @dphieihq for your video to be shared on your official Tik Tok account. 
  8. Care Package: Send your advisor a self care package to help them relax after the semester. Include a facemask, bath bomb, candle and their favorite treat. Include a card expressing gratitude for their hard work this year.
  9. Chapter Meeting Shoutout: Celebrate your advisor at a chapter meeting this month by going around and sharing your favorite memory. Does your chapter award a “sister of the week”? Why not award this to your chapter advisor!
  10. Individual “Thank You”: Our advisors devote their time to the success of DPhiE because of their passion for the organization. A simple “thank you” can go a long way! Share your appreciation to your advisor one on one so that they know their work is appreciated.  

Regardless of how your chapter chooses to celebrate, take time to thank your chapter advisors for all they do. Their devotion to your chapter and DPhiE is noticed and appreciated.


Committee Spotlight: Vashtina Boyce

Vashtina BoyceVashtina Boyce’s time as an undergraduate was short; being an active member of the Alpha Epsilon chapter at Kennesaw State University for a year and a half. After a short but rewarding experience, she knew she wanted to continue to give back to DPhiE. She started advising as a chapter in her area and helped them flourish. 

After advising two chapters over the span of five years, she moved to the Pacific Northwest. An area without any DPhiE chapters, Vashtina was unsure of what she would do next. She shared, “I knew that I wanted to get involved again in some way but I did not exactly know how.” She looked around for opportunities on the website and connected with other sisters to see how she could give back. 

Around the same time, DPhiE began recruiting volunteers for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force. With her education leaning towards social justice work, she knew that the DEI task force was the perfect volunteer role for her to thrive in. This allowed her to use her education and further develop her skills in an area that DPhiE needed critical support in. With three years on the committee behind her she looks back on her experience with gratitude. “Some days are hard - especially in the DEI space where nothing is perfect and there’s so much work to do. It can be discouraging but at the same time gives me the motivation to continue.” 

She attributes her time volunteering to providing her valuable professional development skills to help her grow in her career. “Volunteering has helped me to learn how to better work with others as well as how to manage conflict, both skills I did not have as much experience with in college given my short time being active.” The committee work has also helped her to move along in her career. Since joining she aimed to lead by example and showcasing how DPhiE helped her grow to inspire young leaders. 

If you’re on the fence about volunteering for DPhiE, find a role that works best for you, your skill set, and your time commitment. “Don’t be afraid to stretch and try something new - ask questions and plug in your skills where you can!” 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is at an all time high membership count including undergraduate and alumna representation. We are excited to see all that they accomplish this year as they continue to put the Anti-racist Resolution into action. Read about all of our committees here to find a space for you to thrive in.


Volunteers Inspiring Kindness

By:
Hailie Addison

This year, Delta Phi Epsilon created the Kindness Committee to create training materials and programs that sustain a culture of empathy, trust and compassion. For Beta Tau chapter alumna, Misha Brahmbhatt, these traits come naturally. 

Delta Phi Epsilon - MishaIn 2019, Misha started her instagram page @misha_inspires, hoping to spread positivity and motivation. “My instagram page is all about inspiring others and motivating people to be the best version of ourselves,” Misha said.  She  initially made her instagram page to take her followers with her through her journey of becoming a physician. Nearly 8,000 followers later, Misha’s weekly posts have become an inspiration to many. 

In February, Misha partnered with bold.org to create her own scholarship, the “Misha Brahmbhatt Help Your Community Scholarship, for students who are active volunteers in their community. On top of this, Misha recently launched her new Instagram TV series, “What’s your story?”, featuring people from all over the country, her goal being to interview one person from every state by the end of the year. 

When the opportunity arose for Misha to join DPhiE’s kindness committee, Misha felt like it was the perfect way for her to give back to DPhiE and help other sisters be leaders in kindness.

“Incorporating kindness into our everyday lives is something that is really important to DPhiE,” said Misha. “The main thing with that is really taking what we’ve learned in DPhiE and applying it to the outside world. There’s a huge difference between being kind and being nice and we want all of our members to live out kindness on an everyday basis.” 

Even though Misha is a new kindness committee member, she’s “really looking forward to seeing how much the committee is going to grow and impact so many different people.” 

Misha noted that, “DPhiE has taught me how to be adaptable in every situation and that there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel,” and she wants to continue to inspire others in the same way DPhiE has inspired her. 


How to Support a Sister with Depression and Anxiety

By:
Amanda Landry, LMHC, CAP, NCC

Part of being in a sisterhood is being there for your sisters.  Helping a sister with her depression and/or anxiety can seem challenging.  Part of helping anyone out with depression and anxiety is understanding what it is and how it can impact them.  Here are some guidelines you can use to learn about how to best support your sister in need.

  1. Know the symptoms of depression and anxiety
    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, here are the symptoms of depression:
  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
  • Irritability
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
  • Decreased energy or fatigue
  • Moving or talking more slowly
  • Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite and/or weight changes
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
  • Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the symptoms of anxiety:  

  • Feeling nervous, restless or tense
  • Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
  • Having an increased heart rate
  • Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
  • Having difficulty controlling worry
  • Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
  1. Encourage them to seek out professional help
    Getting a professional opinion and treatment recommendations is an important step towards management and recovery.  For collegiate members, most campuses have free counseling services that students can access.  Most insurances cover mental health services and there are organizations out there that help make mental health more accessible.  A great resource is called Open Path Collective.  They link people up with therapists that offer a sliding scale.  You can find out information about them here: https://openpathcollective.org/.
  1. If you are worried about suicide or self-harming behaviors, connect with them the suicide hotline.  
    In the United States, you can reach the toll-free, 24-hour hot line of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to a trained counselor.  In Canada, you can reach the toll-free, 24 hotline at 1-833-456-4566.  
  1. Recognize your limits
    It is important to be a support system for your sisters; however you also need to remember your limits.  When you have a family member, friend, sister or partner with any mental health issues, it can come with a toll on your own mental health.  Be sure you are taking care of your mental health and engaging in regular self-care.  
  1. Support them by being there
    One of the best things you can do is just be there for someone.  When depression hits, people often feel lonely.  By having a friend they can go to may help them feel less lonely and isolated.  Being isolated may be what they want to do but it’s the opposite of what they need to do.  Encourage them to participate in pleasurable and fun activities, even if they don’t feel like it.   For those who struggle with anxiety, let them know you will sit with them when they feel anxious.  Learn some breathing exercises you can do with them.  A great tool for anxiety is distraction.  Help your sister out by distracting them with an interesting story.

Be patient if your sister does not seek help right away or continues to struggle.  Depression and anxiety is not something that simply goes away without appropriate treatment and support.  For more information about how to help, check out the resources below.          

Resources:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
https://openpathcollective.org/
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Name: Amanda Landry
Chapter: Beta Tau

I’m Amanda and I’m excited you have found me. I love working with young adults to find their passion in life, remove blocks that are keeping them from being their most awesome self and learn to live a life they have always dreamed.

I practice therapy in a beautiful and comfortable office in Davie & Wellington Florida at my own private practice called Caring Therapists of Broward & Palm Beach. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addictions Professional and National Certified Counselor. I’ve been a therapist for more than 8 years and absolutely love what I do. I’ve worked with teenagers overcome addictions, young adults go off to college and become successful, and young adults overcome depression and anxiety. I have helped couple’s save their marriages and relationships.  Find out more at www.caringtherapistsofbroward.com


Finding your Home as a DPhiE Volunteer

Sarah RobinsonSarah Robinson knew she wanted to jump into volunteering with DPhiE immediately after graduation. As a leader in her chapter, she wanted to maintain her connection to the organization and serve the organization that gave her a meaningful undergraduate experience. While she knew she wanted to get involved, the path to finding a volunteer role she thrived in was unique. 

Following graduation Sarah started a short term volunteer role that did not fit her lifestyle. As she entered into her career after graduation, the time commitment for this volunteer role was too much. “I wish I had taken more time to look at the different opportunities for involvement, not every role is the right fit for everyone.” From her experience, Sarah learned that it’s ok to test out what works for you and learn more about the different ways to get involved. Whether you want to serve on a committee, advise a local chapter or join an alumnae association there are options available that will fit into your lifestyle. She saw this as an opportunity for growth. While one opportunity was not a good fit for her lifestyle that did not mean there was not a space for her in DPhiE.

In the Winter of 2020, she began serving as the lead advisor for the Beta Beta chapter at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Unlike her last volunteer position, this role was more flexible and provided her the opportunity to maintain and build on the professional development skills she gained during her undergraduate experience. “All of the skills I gained from being MAL, President and advising translate to my career in Human Resources and enhance what I learned in my classes. The collaboration, project management and communication skills all show up in your professional life no matter your field.”

Serving as a chapter advisor also gave her the opportunity for mentorship. Approaching the volunteer role with a mentorship mindset, she coached the chapter members to lead rather than leading them. This was something she craved during her undergraduate experience. “You’re there to serve the chapter members and help them have the best DPhiE experience possible. On every call I tell them I am there for them as much or as little as they need me. I want them to feel supported by me in a way that works best for them.”

Sarah loves serving as a chapter advisor because it fills her cup. “It’s ok to be a little self serving in the way you approach giving back. If you’re invested you will bring the best version of yourself to the table. It’s also ok to try different roles to find a space that you thrive in.” 

For sisters unsure if advising is for them, Sarah encourages you to just try it! “There’s truly a space for everyone. It’s ok to take a risk and advise for another chapter or try something new. Advising a chapter other than my own has given me a unique perspective - they’re the same but different in a good way. Getting involved has made me feel connected to the values of DPhiE all over again.”


Finding Belonging in DPhiE

Finding Belonging in DPhiE - Betty LeungAs a first generation college student, Betty Leung was faced with a unique set of challenges. Her parents immigrated from China in pursuit of the American Dream; working low-paying jobs in order to provide their children a better life and a good education. Betty shared, “Since I was a young child, I was taught the importance of education and it surrounded every facet of my early life. While my parents were able to guide my path to college, they were unable to relate or understand my struggles – I had to figure out a lot of it on my own, such as, applying to colleges, understanding financial aid, and choosing my course load and major.” 

Throughout her time in college, she worked an on campus job in order to financially support herself and took part in organizations to provide her a sense of belonging. Reflecting on her college experience she shared, “My experience taught me grit and my parents’ sacrifices shaped me into the person that I am today. Graduating from college is the greatest accomplishment in my life thus far.”

The core source of her sense of belonging during her collegiate years was Delta Phi Epsilon. Betty leaned on her chapter sisters as a support system. She shared her favorite DPhiE memory from her chapter days, “The spring semester of my senior year a few of my pledge sisters and I traveled to Europe for spring break! We visited Paris and Barcelona and had such a great time!” Her support system of sisters created a home away from home for Betty on campus and will forever be her lifelong friends.

After changing her major three times, she earned her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Analytics. She found her passion in using technology to drive meaningful insights. After graduating college, Betty went on to work as a Corporate & Investment Bank Analyst at J.P. Morgan in New York City. 

In addition to the support from her sisters, Betty also received support financially from the Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation. By receiving a scholarship. She was able to reduce her financial burden, have a peace of mind, and continue to pursue her educational dreams. Betty shared, “I am forever grateful to the Educational Foundation for their generous financial support when I needed it the most and for believing in me and my dreams.”

 


Where Are They Now

By: Emily Mertz

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Emily MertzAs a current law student at the University of Iowa, Emily Mertz credits DPhiE for providing her valuable professional development opportunities and helping her to find her lifelong passion. As her chapters Member at Large and an International Leadership Consultant on staff at IHQ, Emily learned professional skills that she uses everyday in her career. 

Emily shared, “With a career in law, you always have to be thinking on your feet. During my time as an ILC I learned adaptability and professional communication skills - both of which I use daily. Those are skills you don’t typically learn in college but as an ILC I had to be able to resolve problems on short notice and communicate the solutions properly.” Throughout the year as an ILC she learned about herself, her leadership style, and her communication style.

As the Member at Large for her chapter, she oversaw the standards board process. Learning organizational and mediation skills throughout the year.  When interviewing for law school, she spoke highly of the experience she gained from DPhiE and how it helped her pinpoint her passion for justice. 

Throughout her various involvements, her biggest takeaway from DPhiE was the opportunity to lobby on Capitol Hill. This was an opportunity to advocate in favor of legislation important to DPhiE, share updates about her campus experience with Senators, and network with undergraduate and alumnae fraternity/sorority life members. Reflecting on this opportunity she shared, “It’s a really unique experience and you get to meet sisters from all over the country! At the end of the day you channel your communication skills from talking with people one on one - while advocating can be applicable to many different careers, a political career does not have to be your end goal to participate.” 

After a day long training, the program pairs you up with fraternity/sorority life members from your region. For 15 minutes you speak with political representatives from your region to pitch your platform. Emily shared, “The meetings are quick, sometimes you’re even walking down the hallway meeting with senators.” You also get to connect with DPhiE sisters and volunteers from across the country. “We (DPhiE sisters) all met for group meals and everyone got really close - it was a great experience to work with sisters from completely different backgrounds.”

Emily is currently a law student at the University of Iowa, a volunteer intern for the Lavender Legal Center (a center that provides direct representation, advocacy, and referrals for LGTBQ youth), and a Research Assistant at her university! The skills she learned from Delta Phi Epsilon across her various involvements has provided her the skills to thrive.

If you are interested in learning more about Hill Visits, reach out to info@dphie.org.


Celebrate Your Womanhood in March with Wellness

By: Amanda Landry, LMHC, NCC, CAP

Amanda Landry March for DPhiE sisters is a big deal.  It marks our Founder’s Day, a time we celebrate what the DIMES created for our sisterhood.  March is also Women’s History Month.  What a perfect month for us women, the sisters of Delta  Phi Epsilon, to take time for wellness and self-care.

The Wellness Committee has formed and will be creating content on a regular basis to support you in your wellness journey.  We will focus on the following seven areas of wellness.  While this list is not comprehensive, it’s a great starting place for you to assess your overall wellness and create a plan to take care of yourself, whether that’s through small self-care rituals everyday or by taking bigger steps and following through with recommended medical treatments.  

Here are the seven areas of wellness that you can begin to work on, with ideas on how to begin your wellness journey:

Mental Health: Check in with a local therapist and begin working on your mental health.  Not ready to start working with a therapist?  Connect with supportive sisters on a regular basis and share your feelings with each other.  This is the power of our sisterhood at it’s finest.  

Active Health:  Get moving!  This means different things for different people.  Being active can be as simple as going for a 20 minute walk or setting a goal for running that marathon you’ve wanted to complete.  Looking to connect with sisters?  Plan a dance or yoga class as a sisterhood or alumnae event.  There are a lot of places who are hosting events through Zoom and they can be equally as fun and engaging as in-person.   

Medical Health: Follow-up with your primary care doctor and make sure you’ve had a physical within a year.  While we aren’t going to give you any specific medical advice, we do recommend that you follow medical recommendations for your medical staff.    

Sexual/Reproductive Health:  This is another area where following up once a year with your medical team is going to be important.  Find a doctor you know, like and trust.  Be sure to ask them whatever questions you have and ensure that you get the answers you are looking for.  Reproductive and sexual health can create a lot of fear for people so having someone on your side that can guide you is important.  For college-aged sisters, there are usually a lot of free resources on campus to help you get started.  

Dermatology/Skin Care: Wear sunscreen!  This is probably skin care 101 for most women; however it is the best advice out there.    

Spiritual Health:  Spirituality means different things to different people.  We want you to make your own interpretation on what spiritual health means to you.  When working on wellness, be sure to look for ways to consider your spiritual health; whether that’s attending church, meditating or being out in nature.  

Holistic Health: When working on wellness and health, it’s important to work on a holistic approach and consider a variety of ways to seek your solutions.  Holistic health actually looks at all of the areas outlined here when considering wellness. 

We look forward to providing you with content on each of these areas to ensure our sisterhood is focused on wellness.  While March is a good time to reset and reevaluate your wellness journey, wellness and health is something important to consider throughout your year.    

Name: Amanda Landry

Chapter: Beta Tau

Bio: I’m Amanda and I’m excited you have found me. I love working with young adults to find their passion in life, remove blocks that are keeping them from being their most awesome self and learn to live a life they have always dreamed.I practice therapy in a beautiful and comfortable office in Davie & Wellington Florida at my own private practice called Caring Therapists of Broward & Palm Beach. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addictions Professional and National Certified Counselor. I’ve been a therapist for more than 8 years and absolutely love what I do. I’ve worked with teenagers overcome addictions, young adults go off to college and become successful, and young adults overcome depression and anxiety. I have helped couple’s save their marriages and relationships.  Find out more at www.caringtherapistsofbroward.com