Welcome to the last day of Movember!
For those Brothers, friends and significant others who have been participating in Movember for the past 30 days, we thank you for your involvement. Phi Kappa Theta's National Movember Team of 24 participants have raised nearly $565 dollars. We look forward to seeing how other Phi Kappa Theta teams have been fairing over the past month.
We want to remind you that while we have spent the last thirty days raising awareness of men's health and specifically prostate and testicular cancer, it is important to remember that we should constantly work to raise our own awareness of health related issues. There are a number of resources that may be found related to men's health topics. Many of them may be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website. There is a great link on the CDC's website related to men's health 'Topics A-Z'.
We hope that you all have had a great experience participating in Movember 2009. We look forward to continuing our involvement and increasing our impact on Movember 2010.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Pennsylvania Tau Re-Charting Weekend
Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! We are working hard catching up on all of our work after being out of the office, but wanted to take some time this morning to update all of our blog readers on the weekend before Thanksgiving!
At Convention this past summer, the delegation voted to Re-Charter our Pennsylvania Tau Chapter at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. I had the pleasure of spending the semester working with their President, Kevin Hernandez as they planned their Installation banquet and so was extremely excited to be able to see how the weekend turned out!
Myself, Anita, and National President, Kevin Lampe all made the trip out on Thursday night so that we could spend all day Friday on campus with the guys. We were able to meet up with the outgoing and incoming Chapter Presidents, and meet up with the chapters advisors, both non-members who have given a lot of hours to help make this chapter successful! The chapter held Ritual on Friday night in the campus chapel with the help of the brothers of the Pennsylvania Alpha Xi chapter at Duquesne University. The Duquesne members even got a spaghetti dinner, courtesy of one of the mothers! We also had quite a surprise as the chapter had chosen to participate in Movember and there were some wild mustache's the entire weekend! Below you can see members of both chapters with Kevin Lampe after Ritual.
Saturday was a busy day for everyone! Many of the Pennsylvania Tau members are football players and cheerleaders and it was the last home game. We sat in the stands with all the parents cheering on the members! Although the team lost by 1 point, we got to witness a fantastic interception and touchdown by our own Russel Fisher! And lucky for us, it wasn't even that cold out yet!
Saturday night the guys held their banquet in the ballroom of the Ramada Inn in the nearby town of Altoona, PA. All of the chapters members, parents, and advisors and friends of the chapter were in attendance. The men put together a slide show of pictures and displayed their awards for Fraternity of the year from Saint Francis University, as well as the Colony Development Award that they were given at Convention. We heard speeches from Father Gabriel Zeis-President of the University, Greek Advisor-Bobby Anderson, Founding Father and alum-Ryan Bird, as well as Anita. The members of the chapter also presented the Chapter President and emcee for the night with a plaque in recognition for his service to the chapter. The evening ended with a speech from National President Kevin Lampe, as well as him presenting the chapter with Ritual books, the charter, and swearing in the officers. We then concluded by taking about a thousand pictures, Anita gave the two of us the titles of papparazzi for the weekend! I know it was a bittersweet night for many of the members who played their last football game that day, as well as seeing all of their hardwork come to fruition that evening with receiving their charter.
The members did an outstanding job, and we had a great visit with the members who always greet us with hugs and treat us like family! Congrats Pennsylvania Tau on an amzing milestone and I hope you'll please join me in congratulating our newest chapter! You can see more pictures on our facebook page, PK Thomas!
At Convention this past summer, the delegation voted to Re-Charter our Pennsylvania Tau Chapter at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. I had the pleasure of spending the semester working with their President, Kevin Hernandez as they planned their Installation banquet and so was extremely excited to be able to see how the weekend turned out!
Myself, Anita, and National President, Kevin Lampe all made the trip out on Thursday night so that we could spend all day Friday on campus with the guys. We were able to meet up with the outgoing and incoming Chapter Presidents, and meet up with the chapters advisors, both non-members who have given a lot of hours to help make this chapter successful! The chapter held Ritual on Friday night in the campus chapel with the help of the brothers of the Pennsylvania Alpha Xi chapter at Duquesne University. The Duquesne members even got a spaghetti dinner, courtesy of one of the mothers! We also had quite a surprise as the chapter had chosen to participate in Movember and there were some wild mustache's the entire weekend! Below you can see members of both chapters with Kevin Lampe after Ritual.
Saturday was a busy day for everyone! Many of the Pennsylvania Tau members are football players and cheerleaders and it was the last home game. We sat in the stands with all the parents cheering on the members! Although the team lost by 1 point, we got to witness a fantastic interception and touchdown by our own Russel Fisher! And lucky for us, it wasn't even that cold out yet!
Saturday night the guys held their banquet in the ballroom of the Ramada Inn in the nearby town of Altoona, PA. All of the chapters members, parents, and advisors and friends of the chapter were in attendance. The men put together a slide show of pictures and displayed their awards for Fraternity of the year from Saint Francis University, as well as the Colony Development Award that they were given at Convention. We heard speeches from Father Gabriel Zeis-President of the University, Greek Advisor-Bobby Anderson, Founding Father and alum-Ryan Bird, as well as Anita. The members of the chapter also presented the Chapter President and emcee for the night with a plaque in recognition for his service to the chapter. The evening ended with a speech from National President Kevin Lampe, as well as him presenting the chapter with Ritual books, the charter, and swearing in the officers. We then concluded by taking about a thousand pictures, Anita gave the two of us the titles of papparazzi for the weekend! I know it was a bittersweet night for many of the members who played their last football game that day, as well as seeing all of their hardwork come to fruition that evening with receiving their charter.
The members did an outstanding job, and we had a great visit with the members who always greet us with hugs and treat us like family! Congrats Pennsylvania Tau on an amzing milestone and I hope you'll please join me in congratulating our newest chapter! You can see more pictures on our facebook page, PK Thomas!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving and Movember
Greetings Readers,
This week is Thanksgiving Holiday. I hope that well all have the opportunity to spend the holiday with friends and family. I know that my own family will be making the ten hour drive from Candor, NY to Indianapolis, IN to spend Thanksgiving with me. I am very excited to share the holiday with them.
I am also a little excited for them to see the progress I have made in growing my Mo'. My parents have never seen me with any substantial amount of facial hair, so this will be interesting. It will of course, be the perfect opportunity to speak to my father about his own health. He is in his early 60's and I want to make sure he is thinking about his long term well being. The holiday weekend will provide the perfect opportunity for all of us to speak with our fathers, uncles, brothers and grandfathers regarding their health. Be sure you are able to speak to them about what has motivated you to participate in Movember.
Here is a brief chart that helps us understand what men should be reviewing with regards to their health through their life.
Have a great safe Thanksgiving and be sure to post your Movember pictures to the facebook event!
This week is Thanksgiving Holiday. I hope that well all have the opportunity to spend the holiday with friends and family. I know that my own family will be making the ten hour drive from Candor, NY to Indianapolis, IN to spend Thanksgiving with me. I am very excited to share the holiday with them.
I am also a little excited for them to see the progress I have made in growing my Mo'. My parents have never seen me with any substantial amount of facial hair, so this will be interesting. It will of course, be the perfect opportunity to speak to my father about his own health. He is in his early 60's and I want to make sure he is thinking about his long term well being. The holiday weekend will provide the perfect opportunity for all of us to speak with our fathers, uncles, brothers and grandfathers regarding their health. Be sure you are able to speak to them about what has motivated you to participate in Movember.
Here is a brief chart that helps us understand what men should be reviewing with regards to their health through their life.
Have a great safe Thanksgiving and be sure to post your Movember pictures to the facebook event!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Temple Colony Chapter Gets Creative for Movember!
I trust that all of you Movember participants are having a great week four! I know personally I am starting to get into that awkward phase of wearing my 'badge' for Movember and have caught people giving me awkward looks. I am clearly not supposed to have a mustache! Regardless, it has providing me several opportunities to share how I am helping to change the face of men's health. I have spoken with approximately a dozen people in the last week talking about Movember as well as both the Prostate and Livestrong Foundations. It personally has been a very rewarding experience.
As I continue to serve in my role as a professional, it is important for me to learning quickly about news stories that are happening around the country relating to Phi Kappa Theta. Using alerts, I am emailed any news story, article, blog, or note that can be accessed related to Phi Kappa Theta. Admittedly, many of these stories are negative so I always have a bit of anxiety when I get an alert in my inbox. However, yesterday I received a great story related to our Pennsylvania Iota Colony Chapter at Temple University regarding their involvement with Movember. To read the full article, follow the link.
I want to recognize all of you who are participating or contributing to Movember for your hard work! Remember to share news, events and even your pictures relating to Movember so we can continue to share them with the rest of our readership.
Yours in Service,
Robert Riggs
As I continue to serve in my role as a professional, it is important for me to learning quickly about news stories that are happening around the country relating to Phi Kappa Theta. Using alerts, I am emailed any news story, article, blog, or note that can be accessed related to Phi Kappa Theta. Admittedly, many of these stories are negative so I always have a bit of anxiety when I get an alert in my inbox. However, yesterday I received a great story related to our Pennsylvania Iota Colony Chapter at Temple University regarding their involvement with Movember. To read the full article, follow the link.
I want to recognize all of you who are participating or contributing to Movember for your hard work! Remember to share news, events and even your pictures relating to Movember so we can continue to share them with the rest of our readership.
Yours in Service,
Robert Riggs
Friday, November 13, 2009
Veterans Day
Here is a great article from the USD News featuring Father Mullan, member of the Board of Trustees and advisor for the California Phi Delta Chapter at University of San Diego. If you have not had the honor of sharing a conversation with him, you should. He is an amazing man.
Every Day is Veterans Day for USD’s Father Mullen
Veterans Day was celebrated nationally on Wednesday, a day meant to honor all who have served in the U.S. military. To Father Owen Mullen, chaplain at the University of San Diego, it was a continuation.
“It’s not just one day to me,” he says.
Mullen has strong ties to the military, with whom he served in the Army National Guard, as a chaplain at West Point and retired as a full colonel. His University Ministry office space features photos, plaques, mementos and a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) cap.
He conducts the daily mass at Founders Chapel twice a week, offering support when presenting the prayers of the faithful to “let us remember those in the armed forces, particularly those in troubled spots in the world, for them and their families, and that they come home safely.”
Mullen, now 71, didn’t see any battle time during his military career, but it wasn’t by choice. “When I went into the seminary they put us in a different distinction and it got us out of the draft. But it always bothered me because I wanted to be like everybody else.”
When he was ordained, Mullen asked a bishop about the possibility of joining. “He said, ‘I can’t let you go right now. I need priests here.’ He let me sign up for the National Guard reserves, but in those days people were fighting for a spot. Today, they’re begging for chaplains. I thought it was my duty to our country and for all of those who had served in the past that I take their place.”
Mullen worked for several years at West Point welcoming and working with new cadets and seeing their potential as leaders. “Where else in the world do 22-year-olds have the responsibility of leading 11 or 12 people, and they’re responsible for their lives?,” Mullen asks. “It takes a pretty strong person to do it. That’s what I admire about the military, including our own NROTC graduates.”
Mullen’s commitment to young people is consistent. He is in his second stint at USD, first from 1981-89, now back on campus since 2004. He is the team chaplain for USD’s football, baseball and club lacrosse teams, works with the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and delivers the invocation at the San Diego NROTC fall and spring commissioning ceremonies.
“I was here when the NROTC started on campus (1982) and I think it’s one of the greatest things in the world,” Mullen says. “I listen to our students and I have lunch with them pretty much every day. They’re very positive. Those I meet through my work with the different organizations think it’s great that (NROTC students) are here. I think it’s great for the university and it makes a statement.”
— Ryan T. Blystone
Link to original article
Every Day is Veterans Day for USD’s Father Mullen
Veterans Day was celebrated nationally on Wednesday, a day meant to honor all who have served in the U.S. military. To Father Owen Mullen, chaplain at the University of San Diego, it was a continuation.“It’s not just one day to me,” he says.
Mullen has strong ties to the military, with whom he served in the Army National Guard, as a chaplain at West Point and retired as a full colonel. His University Ministry office space features photos, plaques, mementos and a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) cap.
He conducts the daily mass at Founders Chapel twice a week, offering support when presenting the prayers of the faithful to “let us remember those in the armed forces, particularly those in troubled spots in the world, for them and their families, and that they come home safely.”
Mullen, now 71, didn’t see any battle time during his military career, but it wasn’t by choice. “When I went into the seminary they put us in a different distinction and it got us out of the draft. But it always bothered me because I wanted to be like everybody else.”
When he was ordained, Mullen asked a bishop about the possibility of joining. “He said, ‘I can’t let you go right now. I need priests here.’ He let me sign up for the National Guard reserves, but in those days people were fighting for a spot. Today, they’re begging for chaplains. I thought it was my duty to our country and for all of those who had served in the past that I take their place.”
Mullen worked for several years at West Point welcoming and working with new cadets and seeing their potential as leaders. “Where else in the world do 22-year-olds have the responsibility of leading 11 or 12 people, and they’re responsible for their lives?,” Mullen asks. “It takes a pretty strong person to do it. That’s what I admire about the military, including our own NROTC graduates.”
Mullen’s commitment to young people is consistent. He is in his second stint at USD, first from 1981-89, now back on campus since 2004. He is the team chaplain for USD’s football, baseball and club lacrosse teams, works with the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and delivers the invocation at the San Diego NROTC fall and spring commissioning ceremonies.
“I was here when the NROTC started on campus (1982) and I think it’s one of the greatest things in the world,” Mullen says. “I listen to our students and I have lunch with them pretty much every day. They’re very positive. Those I meet through my work with the different organizations think it’s great that (NROTC students) are here. I think it’s great for the university and it makes a statement.”
— Ryan T. Blystone
Link to original article
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Movember's Impact
Readers and Movember participants,
I would like to share with you a video from Movember's website that goes into more detail about how much of an impact Movember is having with the research that is going on with Prostate Cancer. The information they discuss really brings awareness to how many men Prostate Cancer actually affects.
Please continue to raise awareness of men's health issues throughout your campuses, communities and families!
I would like to share with you a video from Movember's website that goes into more detail about how much of an impact Movember is having with the research that is going on with Prostate Cancer. The information they discuss really brings awareness to how many men Prostate Cancer actually affects.
Please continue to raise awareness of men's health issues throughout your campuses, communities and families!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Movember Day 6!
Greetings Readers!
So as we are officially begin the sixth day of Movember, I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some ideas on events and projects that Movember participants might look to hold this month. We have a number of chapters as well as individual members who have committed to helping us 'Change the Face of Men's Health'. There are really two types of events/projects that would be relevant for the month of Movember educational events and fundraising events.
Educational opportunities would help us raise the awareness levels of the importants of men's health issues. Those might include simple acts such as:
Funds raised throughout the month of Movember given to the Movember Foundation who then distributes them between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Livestrong Foundation. Fundraising opportunities might also include:
So as we are officially begin the sixth day of Movember, I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some ideas on events and projects that Movember participants might look to hold this month. We have a number of chapters as well as individual members who have committed to helping us 'Change the Face of Men's Health'. There are really two types of events/projects that would be relevant for the month of Movember educational events and fundraising events.
Educational opportunities would help us raise the awareness levels of the importants of men's health issues. Those might include simple acts such as:
- Distributing information about men's health throughout campus
- Coordinate a phone-a-thon with collegiate members and have them call their brothers, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers and talking to them about their health, the last time they had a physical, the last time they spoke with their doctor about their risk to cancers, etc (written scripts recommended), invite a sorority to participate and call their brothers, fathers, etc
- Coordinate a phone-a-thon to the alumni of the chapter speaking to them about men's health issues (written scripts recommended), invite a sorority to participate and call their brothers, fathers, etc
- Coordniate a panel of medical professionals to come in to speak to the chapter, fraternity and sororoity community, or even open it up to the entire campus
- Have all of your collegiate members get their annual physical exams in the month of Movember
- Attend the end of Movember Gala Party
- There are a number of opportunities to get involved with the Livestrong Foundation direclty off their webiste including becoming a Livestrong Leader. See all the opportunities to Get Involved with the Livestrong Foundation.
Funds raised throughout the month of Movember given to the Movember Foundation who then distributes them between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Livestrong Foundation. Fundraising opportunities might also include:
- Hosting a Mo Party
- Hold shave auctions for those participating by growing a mustache
- Solicit you friends and family members for donations to your Movember teams
These are just a few ways that we can all become part of the movement that is helping us 'change the face' of men's health. We would love to hear and see more ideas and opportunities that our members are creating to become involved with Movember.
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