Organization of Phi Gamma Delta
The International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta consists of undergraduate chapters and graduate chapters located throughout the United and Canada. These various chapters are linked together via the International Headquarters, located in Lexington, Kentucky. The International Headquarters manages the affairs of The Fraternity at large and, in order to do so, relies on a variety of mechanisms and resources to accomplish this task. The following describes how Phi Gamma Delta is organized.
Conventions
- Ekklesia: The Ekklesia is the highest governing body of Phi Gamma Delta. Ekklesiai are convened bienially in the summer on even numbered years. Each undergraduate chapter is entitled to three voting delegates, each graduate chapter is entitled to one voting delegate, and all chapters may send brothers to observe. Here the fraternity's laws are made and changed, the Archons are elected and matters of common interest are discussed. Undergraduate chapter representatives cast most of the votes and therefore have an opportunity to guide and influence the Fraternity.
- Fiji Leadership Academy: Fiji Leadership Academies are annual leadership and educational events held for undergraduate members. Attendees learn AbOUT the "nuts and bolts" of chapter operations and socially interact with Fijis from all over the United States and Canada.
The Archons
The fraternity's board of directors is composed of nine prominent, volunteer graduate and undergraduate brothers who administer the affairs of the Fraternity. They typically meet three to four times a year. The offices of the Archons are a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 5 Archon Councilors (three graduate brothers and two undergraduate brothers).
International Headquarters Staff
- Executive Director: The Chief Administrative Officer of the Fraternity.
- Assistant Executive Director: In charge of all business affairs and operational functions of International Headquarters.
- Director of Chapter Services: Responsible for the Field Secretaries program, for working with undergraduate chapters and handles chapter discipline matters.
- Director of Education: Coordinates alcohol education, leadership development, risk management and pledge education programming.
- Director of Finance and Information Systems: Oversees International Headquarters' accounting records and hardware/software installation.
- Director of Communications: Develops communication media for use within the Fraternity and oversees publishing of The Phi Gamma Delta magazine, which has been published continuously since 1879.
Field Secretaries
Field Secretaries are the chief liaison officers between the International Fraternity and the undergraduate chapters. They visit each chapter in their geographical territory twice a year to make inspections and offer suggestions to the undergraduate chapters, among other tasks. Phi Gamma Delta was the first fraternity to use such full-time travelling officers, doing so since 1913.
Financial Advisory Board
Appionted by the Archons, this committee consisting of financial professionals advises the Fraternity on the management of Fraternity funds, property and other assets.
Board of Conduct
Five graduate brothers appointed by the Archons to investigate violations of Fraternity law and recommend appropriate sanctions against offending chapters.
Appointed General Officers
These are volunteers, appointed by the Archons, who serve within Phi Gamma Delta.
- Fraternity Historian: Collects and records facts of interest related to Phi Gamma Delta.
- Fraternity Ritualist: Serves as the official source of protocol regarding Fraternity ceremonies.
- General Counsel: A graduate Brother who is an attorney, the General Counsel advises the Archons and Ekklesiai in intra- and extra-Fraternity legal matters.
- Educational Director: Advises the Archons and Ekklesia on undergraduate academic statistics and other information.
- Curator of Archives: Preserves and catalogs Fraternity memorabilia and records.
- Public Relations Director: Serves as Phi Gamma Delta's public voice.
- Director of Housing: Resolves Fraternity housing issues such as safety and acquisition.
Other Official Entities
- Section Chief: Fosters graduate leadership support for undergraduate chapters within a specific geographical area.
- Purple Legionnaire: A local graduate brother who advises a specific undergraduate chapter. This May Be Phi Gamma Delta's most important and influential graduate role.
- Board of Chapter Advisors (BCA): Appointed by the Archons, the BCA advises a specific undergraduate chapter on all matters except finance and support the Purple Legionnaire.
- House Corporation: A non-profit corporation which is in charge of matters pertaining to the physical house of a specific undergraduate chapter.
Educational Foundation
Raises funds to financially aid the educational and scholastic endeavors of the Fraternity and its members in the United States. A 501(c)(3) public charity, gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible. The Phi Gamma Delta Foundation of Canada serves brothers and donors living in Canada. To date, graduate brothers have pledged or gifted over $7 million to the Foundations.
- Chapter Scholarhips are gifts received from graduate brothers intended for use at specific chapters.
- Housing Funds allow donors to EARMARK gifts for educationally-based projects regarding specific chapters. Examples include study rooms, computer rooms, internet connections, etc.
- Scholarship and Fellowship grants totaling $1.5 million have been awarded to deserving brothers since 1945. Academic Achievement Awards are also available.
- Grants to the Fraternity are given by the Foudation to the Fraternity in support of educational programming such as Fiji Leadership Academy.
- Other services performed by the Foundation include support for graduate chapters across the United States and Canada.