Phi Beta Sigma

ΦΒΣ
Fraternity Information
Name:	Phi Beta Sigma
Founding Date:	January 9th, 1914
Founding Campus:	Howard University, Washington, DC
Number Chapters:	650+
Council:	NPHC and NIC
Website:	www.pbs1914.org
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NAME	Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc
LETTERS	ΦΒΣ
NICKNAME	"Sigmas"
FOUNDING DATE	January 9th, 1914
FOUNDING UNIVERSITY	Howard University, Washington, DC
TYPE	Social and Service
SCOPE	International
COUNCIL	NPHC and NIC
MOTTO	Culture For Service and Service For Humanity
COLORS	Royal Blue       Pure White
SYMBOL	Dove
FLOWER	White Carnation
CHAPTERS	650+
PHILANTHROPIES	Sigma Wellness, Sigma Beta Club, Living Well Brother to Brother, AIDS/HIV Epidemic, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, National Debate Contest, National Oratorical Contest, Project Seed, Project Vote, IRS Partnership, Capitol Hill Presence, Federal Credit Union
PUBLICATION	The Crescent
HEADQUARTERS	145 Kennedy Street, NW Washington, D.C., USA
WEBSITE	www.pbs1914.org

Contents 1 History 2 Mission 3 Initiatives 3.1 Sigma Wellness 3.2 Sigma Beta Club 3.3 Living Well: Brother to Brother 3.4 AIDS/HIV Epidemic 3.5 American Cancer Society 3.6 March of Dimes 3.7 IRS Partnership 3.8 Capitol Hill Partnership 3.9 Federal Credit Union 4 Notable Brothers

History

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The Founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

The Founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits, rather than his family background or affluence...without regard to race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They desired for their fraternity to exist as part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the "inclusive we" rather than the "exclusive we".

From its inception, the Founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, they held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity's motto, "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity".

Today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, members of the Fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union and The Sigma Beta Club Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the Fraternity.

Mission

The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are the Fraternity's most valuable resource and strength. They are the primary means by which the Phi Beta Sigma objectives will be achieved. In order to accomplish the Fraternity's objectives, it is essential that systems are instituted that effectively embody "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity" and promote brotherhood, scholarship and service.

To optimize Phi Beta Sigma's effectiveness, the Fraternity will:

• Strengthen and serve proactively the brotherhood, as a supportive resource that positively impacts the *Fraternity's growth and financial solvency.
• Reaffirm and maintain a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship and service.
• Ensure that the Fraternity programs are focused and committed to serving humanity.
• Create an environment that respects the dignity and worth of each brother.
• Exhibit integrity and ethical behavior in conducting the Fraternity's business. serving as a model for all Greek-letter organizations.
• Maintain and improve the Fraternity's technological literacy, in order to better service its members and the community at large.
• Foster and nurture our constitutional bond with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Encourage a closer and mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow Greek-letter organizations, other community service organizations, businesses and government.
• Select leaders who are committed and have demonstrated their ability to lead.

Initiatives

Sigma Wellness

Sigma Wellness: Community Initiatives, Partnerships and Programs

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., an international organization comprised of 150,000 college-educated men, focuses on issues that impact the youth and our communities. Through our national mentoring program for males ages 8-18, the organization provides opportunities for the development of young men as they prepare for college and the workforce. The organization's partnerships with the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund speak to its mission to address societal ills including health disparities and educational and developmental challenges for young males.

The Phi Beta Sigma programs of Bigger and Better Business, Education and Social Action are realized through the Fraternity's overarching program, Sigma Wellness. Sigma Wellness is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated signature community initiative adopted at Conclave 2007 and has the following objectives:

1. To support Sigma’s vision of ensuring programs are focused and committed to serving our communities and serving young males through mentoring and scholarships.
2. To ensure symmetry among all of our organizational and community initiatives.
3. To develop a sense of pride and commitment in the community toward healthy living that will reduce the incidences of health conditions that adversely affect men of color.

Sigma Beta Club

In 1950 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity became the first Greek organization to develop a youth auxiliary group. Under the direction of Dr. Parlette L. Moore the Sigma Beta Club was founded. Brother Moore was concerned about our changing needs in our communities and recognized the important role that Sigma men could play in the lives of our youth.

The Sigma Beta Clubs’ four major principles of focus are on Culture, Athletics, Social and Educational needs. The Sigma Beta Club offers a unique opportunity to develop values, leadership skills and social/cultural awareness in our youth during their developmental years. Sigma Beta Club programs are geared to meet the needs of its members, but at the same time provide them with a well-rounded outlook that is needed to cope with today's society. Phi Beta Sigma is confident that investing in our youth today will produce the effective leaders of tomorrow.

Living Well: Brother to Brother

Taking a leadership role in eliminating health disparities in men of color.

• Living Well is a men’s health initiative designed to educate and inform the community about key health issues facing men of color. This initiative is meant to engage the community in a dialogue about our health and solutions to improve our well-being.
• The Program Guide is designed around five health modules. Each module has one or more sessions and should be completed in its entirety before moving on to the next module.
• Each module has a series of slides. The slides and manual are designed to work together to provide consistency and simplicity. All may be downloaded under Members > Initiatives Forms.
• You may supplement the slides with relevant and audience friendly audio or visual materials of your own choosing or with guest speakers.
• It is best to plan out the workshop a few weeks ahead of time. Preferably, the workshops can coincide with the Sigma Social Action Calendar.
• Brothers are advised to practice the slides a day or two before your workshop presentation. This allows you to become familiar with the language, topics and the transition of the slides.
• Take attendance, take pictures, provide a pre-test and post-test for attendees (materials included in the guide). This will help us better understand our effectiveness in the community, as well as provide us key information for building future programming.
• Brothers should first train each other on the modules so that every active Brother in the Chapter is familiar with the topics, and then prepare to conduct the workshops in the community.
• We encourage Brothers that when appropriate co-host the event with our sisters Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Conducting the Living Well workshops provides an excellent opportunity for professional development, strengthened public speaking skills and enhanced organizational know-how.
• Report, Report, Report! The hosting Brother must build a workshop portfolio and report activities.
• Get the media involved. Save newspaper clippings; contact the local health department and let them know of your work. Engage health educators on your campus; organize health fairs. Record and keep the pre-tests and post-tests (send the Social Action Director copies).
• Complete the assessments at the end and mail with your workshop portfolios.
• Complete the new online PIA form. We want to acknowledge our Sigma Wellness Leaders

AIDS/HIV Epidemic

In an effort to raise the awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on the African-American male population, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, through it Sigma Wellness signature initiative has developed a new project, the Conversations Among Brothers Series. This initiative is targeted at African American men on college campuses and is designed to encourage ongoing peer-to-peer discussions about topics and issues that adversely impact African-American men, particularly HIV/AIDS.

With the alarming number of African-American men between the ages 17-24 that are infected with the disease, it is imperative for organizations whose membership encompasses such demographics to take a proactive position in helping to address this matter of urgency. To that end, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, primarily through its collegiate chapters, seeks to facilitate ongoing dialogue among Brothers on college campuses. In addition, the Fraternity seeks to encourage African-American men to not only become aware of the impact of the disease on our communities but to get tested and become advocates for HIV/AIDS testing.

The Fraternity realizes the need to leverage the power of peer interaction and actively engage young people in their educational efforts in a way that goes well beyond typical initiatives like lectures and traditional programs. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity wishes to directly involve young people in a peer-to-peer way which adds energy and momentum to the educational efforts and objectives as set forth in this new initiative.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society and Phi Beta Sigma are waging war against cancer. Through this partnership, the two organizations fight cancer through legislative campaigns aimed at promoting legislation that combats cancer, encourages education and awareness, and seeks to level the ills of disparity between those who can afford treatments and services and those who cannot.

Our partnership with the American Cancer Society marks a new advocacy outreach strategy that will effectively engage Phi Beta Sigma members to take action in legislative campaigns. American Cancer Society has developed a way for members of Sigma and Zeta, and our family and friends, to write letters to congressional leaders requesting action on particular legislative issues. These action campaigns are called Code Blue Alerts. Brothers will receive the Code Blue Alerts via email. They take two minutes to respond to and they're easy. These actions that help increase funding for prevention of health disparities and other health issues.

Sigmas will participate in Relay For Life and other fundraising for the American Cancer Society as well. Our goal is to raise $100,000 over the next two years through Relay For Life and other fundraisers. Each chapter is expected to raise and contribute a minimum of $300 to the American Cancer Society.

March of Dimes

Phi Beta Sigma partners with the March of Dimes. Through this partnership, the two organizations will work together to prevent premature births and build strong fathers and male role modes in the African American community through sponsoring Strong Fathers seminars and Stepping To Save Babies. Our members are committed to take the following actions:

• Sigma's volunteering for local March of Dimes chapters, committees and boards.
• Chapters co-sponsoring and leading with the March of Dimes Strong Fathers seminars in our communities.
• Sigma's Stepping To Save Babies initiative: Our goal is to raise $75,000 with each chapter contributing a minimum of $200 for March For Babies.

IRS Partnership

IRS Partnership—Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

With so many tax benefits available today, taxes can serve as the starting point leading to greater prosperity for many people. In 2000, the IRS changed its approach to meeting individual taxpayers’ needs for tax education, awareness and assistance by establishing an office called SPEC (Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication). In 2008 IRS-SPEC cultivated a partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and shared mutual goals in three key areas:

• Promoting tax understanding and awareness
• Preparing tax returns for free for low-to-moderate income people
• Encouraging personal asset building and self-sufficiency through tax incentives

Mission Statement: To assist taxpayers in satisfying their tax responsibilities through collaborative efforts with IRS-SPEC and thus creating and sharing value by informing, educating and communicating with members of the community.

Guiding Principles

The International Headquarters of Phi Beta Sigma will strive to achieve this mission by:

• Supporting volunteer-based initiatives to address underserved community segments, primarily through awareness campaigns and free tax preparation
• Reaching out to our customers through trained Sigma personnel
• Supporting fully this partnership
• Leveraging our resources to reach rural as well as urban tax payers.

Our Partnership

In addition to strengthening local relationships and offering valuable services through our partnership, Phi Beta Sigma will:

• Bring dollars and other resources into the community
• Provide members and volunteers valuable personal skills and financial insights
• Satisfy community outreach goals or requirements

In this partnership, Phi Beta Sigma will be able provide the membership and community with information and assistance that need, want and value. Through this alliance with IRS-SPEC, Phi Beta Sigma will reach the following audiences:

• Low to moderate income population:Phi Beta Sigma will reach out to low–to-moderate income individuals, offering them tax credit assistance that puts more money in their pockets.
• Older American population: With the aging population which includes our membership, Phi Beta Sigma will reach out to this segment and with the assistance of IRS-SPEC to bring tax help and information to a taxpayer group that often lives on a fixed income.
• General population: As an international fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma in association with IRS-SPEC, can further expand its community objectives in terms of Bigger and Better Business by providing tax information to people who have just had a child, started their first job, bought a home, retired, etc.
• Members: In terms of membership satisfaction and benefits this partnership with IRS-SPEC offers members of Phi Beta Sigma valuable personal skills and financial insights.
• Student Population: With our links to the collegiate population and the academic community, our partnership with IRS-SPEC can add an increased sense of volunteerism to the list of attributes held by these future taxpayers. Collegiate members could provide valuable tax assistance and information to their parents and peers while learning more about the federal system.
• Disabled Population: In reaching out to the disabled community, Phi Beta Sigma with IRS-SPEC can make this population aware of tax credits, alternative media and other tolls available to assist them in understanding and meeting their tax responsibilities.

The Strategy

Although there is no specific formula for reaching these shared goals through the strength of this partnership, Phi Beta Sigma with IRS-SPEC commits to support local and national initiatives by offering support in the following areas:

• Technical tax expertise
• Research data based on tax filing statistics
• Customized tax education
• Marketing products and materials
• Access to local and national partnership networks
• Suggestions and support for building coalitions
• Ideas for local and national partnership models

Capitol Hill Partnership

Our Government relations vision is to promote the Fraternity and its work on the Congressional Level. Our target audience is members of Congress, Congressional staff members, the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional black associates.

Our tactical plan is to do a one or two-day sweep of Capitol Hill offices. Fraternity and Sorority members will address Members of Congress and their staff, informing them of the work that Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta are doing for their constituents. They will be introduced to our partner connections and understand legislation that we support or oppose. Special emphasis will be placed on district-specific activities that have the greatest impact on the Members’ constituencies. Leaders from both organizations will meet with the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate, the Congressional Black Caucus and other leaders that champion causes supported by Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta.

When available, our service statistics or “service fact sheets” will be available for members of Congress and their staff to illustrate the levels of service that Phi Beta Sigma renders in each Congressional District. Not only is this a unique courtesy but also a tool to foster the communication that must exist between the Fraternity and Congressional Offices. It is imperative the every chapter report their service activities in order to accommodate the report sharing effort. Also, it would be beneficial for members of Phi Beta Sigma to participate in the advocacy activities of our strategic partners including the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. It is also helpful that brothers identify themselves as members of Phi Beta Sigma, while working with these partners.

Phi Beta Sigma’s current grassroots advocacy efforts are implemented through Blue Alerts. This is one of the easier ways for members to address their concerns and/or support for Congressional activity or specific legislation. Additionally, Blue Alerts help support the direct advocacy component.

Federal Credit Union

What We Offer

We offer Special Project Loans, Share Secured Loans, Collateralized Loans, Special Signature Loans. We offer loans for purposes of Home Improvements, Education, Wedding, Vocation, Bills/Loans Consolidation and Personal.

Membership

Membership in the Credit Union is open to Sigmas, Zetas, their families, the Fraternity, the Sorority, and their Regions and Chapters. A $28.00 minimum amount is required to open a share account, of which $3.00 pays the application fee and $25.00 purchases 5 shares at $5.00 each, deposited into the account.

A Smart Investment

A share at Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union is a flexible investment serving a variety of needs. Every dollar deposited is put to work to earn profit for the depositor. Most are invested in preferably short-term investments with high yields, and some are reinvested in loans to other PBSFCU members.

Check out the Phi Beta Sigma Credit Union Site

Notable Brothers

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity's membership includes many notable members who are involved in the fields of arts and entertainment, business, civil rights, education, health, law, politics, science, and sports. The fraternity's membership roster include heads of state such as: 42nd United States President, William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton, Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, William Tolbert, and William V.S. Tubman; past presidents of Nigeria, the Republic of Ghana, and Liberia respectively. Other notable members include: World famous scientist, George Washington Carver, the first black Rhodes Scholar Alain LeRoy Locke, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, Huey P. Newton, organizer of the Million Man March, Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, civil rights activists, Hosea Williams, Rev. Al Sharpton, musicians The Original Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, television personality Al Roker, and professional athletes Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith and Ryan Howard, the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman. From the ranks of the fraternity have come a number of pioneers in various fields. Member Dr. Frank Chambers was the first African-American to teach at Columbia University Dental School. Dr. Albert Roberts was the first minority to graduate with a PhD in Psychology from Emory University. A number of buildings and schools have been named after Sigma men such as: George Washington Carver, Alain LeRoy Locke, Robert Russa Moton, Alger Boswell and James Weldon Johnson.