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Alpha Kappa Psi Introduces New Organizational Structure

Posted On April 9, 2024 By akpsi In Volunteers /  

[Noblesville, Indiana] – [April 9, 2024] Alpha Kappa Psi introduced a new organizational structure for chapter-operations to better align with the programmatic improvements implemented over the past five years. Further, the changes to the volunteer structure (the “Management Team”) will improve coordination with the Professional Staff to deliver more consistent support of student chapter officers and chapter advisors. The implementation of this new structure went live on April 1, 2024.

Over the last several years, the Fraternity implemented several new programs and resources for chapter officers and leaders, including the launch of MyAKPsi, which includes several new resources and online tools. The goal of the new organizational structure is to assist in the delivery of these programs and resources:

  • to provide the best support for student chapter officers and chapter advisors,
  • to improve the implementation of the Chapter Achievement Pathway,
  • to focus on function rather than geography, and
  • to focus on individual chapter needs.

This transformation is the first significant change to roles and responsibilities within the organizational structure in 30 years, other than the periodic adjustments to our geographic regions.

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Alpha Kappa Psi Unveils New Mission Statement, Forging a Path for Future Leaders

Posted On March 22, 2024 By akpsi In Leadership /  

[Noblesville, Indiana] – [March 20, 2024] – Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) is pleased to announce a new mission statement: “To develop a diverse global community of courageous, principled business leaders with the capability to drive positive impact throughout their lifelong journey.” 

This revised statement reflects AKPsi’s commitment to evolving alongside the ever-changing landscape of business. It emphasizes the Fraternity’s core values while positioning it as a preeminent organization for fostering the current and future generations of impactful business leaders. 

“The new mission statement expresses AKPsi’s commitment to being an important part of how our members grow as leaders, with the expectation that we, the collective we, will have the motivation and means to make our communities better, on the small scale and beyond,” said Michael G. Dickerson, Chair of the AKPsi Board of Directors. “The world of business is more dynamic than ever before. Our new mission statement acknowledges this reality and reaffirms our commitment to equipping our members with the skills and character they need to navigate complex challenges and achieve success.”

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Dr. William "Bill" Callarman

William “Bill” Callarman (1946 – 2024)

Posted On March 22, 2024 By akpsi In Alumni /  

Professor, Mentor, Devoted Brother 

William “Bill” Callarman, beloved professor, cherished friend, and dedicated member of the Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) fraternity, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024, at the age of 80. Bill will be deeply missed by his family, friends, students, fellow church members, and brothers. 

Bill was passionate about working with people, establishing as his personal mission statement, “The greatest investment you can make is the one spent on others.1”  

He studied business at West Texas A&M University (now West Texas State University), where his father was the dean of the business school, where he was initiated into Alpha Kappa Psi in 1962. He continued his education at Arizona State University, earning a Ph.D. in Business Management. He eventually moved his family to Florida for a faculty role in 1972 at Florida Technological University (later renamed the University of Central Florida).   

Bill’s career flourished at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he served as a professor in marketing and management2 and was eventually named faculty emeritus for his many leadership roles in and out of the classroom. A pillar of the UCF community, he was known for his engaging teaching style, unwavering dedication to his students, and unwavering commitment to fostering a love for learning.  

Beyond the classroom walls, Bill was actively involved in the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity. His dedication to the organization’s values of brotherhood, unity, integrity, service, and knowledge was exemplified by serving on the Board of Directors and by serving as the faculty advisor of the Nu Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi at UCF for 30 years. For his service and for the guidance he provided hundreds of AKPsi members over the years, AKPsi recognized Bill with the Gold Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor for a volunteer given by the organization.  

Bill was also an active church member and a long-time youth soccer coach. He played pivotal roles in NCAA athletics, chairing the UCF athletic committee in the 1990s. He utilized this post to further advocate for gender equity and women’s athletics. Bill was also the chief designer of the business curriculum at UCF, providing critical leadership to the fledgling university.  

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Helen Ayres Callarman, and is survived by his son, Michael, and daughter, Julia, and granddaughters, Kate and Mary Quinn.3

He will be remembered for his warmth, humor, intellect, and steadfast dedication to his family, students, fraternity brothers, church family, and loved ones. 

 

Sources

1 Mangual, A. (2011, March 29). The Resume of a Man Who Got All He Dreamed. ALEXIAMANGUAL. March 22, 2024, https://alexiamangual.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/the-resume-of-a-man-who-got-all-he-dreamed/

2 University of Central Florida, “The UCF Report, Vol. 05 No. 03, August 11, 1982” (1982). The UCF Report. 133. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfreport/133

3 Newcomer. (n.d.). Newcomer family obituaries – dr. William Glen “bill” callarman 1943 – 2024. Orlando. https://www.newcomerorlando.com/Obituary/275190/Dr-William-Callarman/Orlando-FL

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Culture and Coaching with Debbie Barrett

Posted On October 11, 2022 By AKPsi Headquarters In Business Edge Podcast /  1

How does company culture impact business performance? In this episode of Business Edge, special guest Debbie Barrett suggests that a lot of it boils down to managers and the support and training that they’re given. She also speaks to the different career paths existing within the expansive HR field, the concept of “coaching out” (and why it may not really be a bad thing), and her most rewarding experiences within HR.

Debbie is the Vice President of Work Life & Culture at ITHAKA (ithaca), an alum of the Montclair State University’s Iota Rho chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi and serves on the Fraternity’s Board of Directors. She’s a strategic and results-oriented Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in all areas of HR management. Debbie is a creative problem solver and proven leader with a record of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing business performance in a fast-paced, high-growth culture. As a trusted advisor, she creates strong, effective, and collaborative relationships, inspiring confidence at all levels.


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The Alpha Kappa Psi logo and a heading that says "Alpha Kappa Psi News"

Fraternity Restructures Volunteer Support

Posted On October 3, 2022 By akpsi In Volunteers /  

NOBLESVILLE (October 3, 2022) – Alpha Kappa Psi is excited to announce a new volunteer structure focused on better serving the needs of its collegiate chapters based on the findings from two Organizational Assessment Task Forces. 

The first task force concluded the next step in revising the volunteer support structure was to design and implement a new volunteer structure aligned with the functional operations of chapters. This structure would also better support the needs of collegiate members, chapter volunteers, and staff. 

In Summer 2022, the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity Board of Directors commissioned the second Organizational Assessment Task Force to explore how to improve the volunteer structure to serve collegiate chapters’ needs better. The second task force, comprised of current and former volunteers, examined the critical role of the chapter advisor and how specialized teams based on functional operations could support the chapter officers and chapter advisor in improving an area of their operations.

As a result, eight functional needs were identified, and the same number of teams were developed to address those areas. This new volunteer structure is the evolution of the current regional manager system, expanding the knowledge and skills of these individuals across regions. The regional manager and chapter advisory board roles will transition into the functional team structure and broader fraternity volunteer structure. 

For Fall 2022, the focus is filling open chapter advisor roles and recruiting volunteers for four of the functional teams. These functional teams are prioritized based on current needs.

  • Operations
  • Recruitment and Member Education Managers (focused on the pledge program)
  • Membership
  • Finances 

How does the new volunteer structure impact the current Regional Management Team roles?

Chapter Advisor (CA)

  • The chapter advisor (CA) will continue to be the primary face-to-face volunteer and support for the collegiate chapter.
  • Chapter advisors will be in close communication regarding the state of the chapters’ operations with their chapter educational resource coordinators (CERCs). Section directors and regional directors correctly reported in Volunteer Central will receive copies of staff communication.
  • Chapter advisors are expected to be familiar with the Bridge to Brotherhood program and the chapter’s plan for its new member program.

Section Director (SD)

  • As of August 2022, the section director role remains unchanged and regional directors may recruit and fill open positions.

Regional Director (RD)

  • Regional directors will continue in their role; however, vacant positions will not be filled as the Fraternity Board of Directors and staff leadership continue to review the organization’s overall volunteer structure.

For further information, please consult the Volunteer Restructure FAQ. 

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