NALFO Press Releases

[FIA1931]

What is a FIOTA you ask?

FIOTA: a highly recognized person part of the oldest existing latino brotherhood, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. Characteristics include academic excellence, the ideals of a gentleman, the talents of a prodigy and the values of a brother [ see also perfection, suave, dedication]

[FIA1931]

PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts:

Omar Lopez
Director of Marketing
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
http://www.phiota.org/press.php
casal5@hotmail.com

Phiota becomes youngest LULAC state director

Arkadelphia, Arkansas - September, 2009

Alejandro Aviles became the youngest state director in the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) on Saturday when he was tapped for the position by the group's Arkansas chapter. Aviles, 27, is a founding member of Phi Iota Alpha at the University of Arkansas and a current student at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
In his position, Aviles will direct the efforts of Arkansas's seven LULAC councils across the state that advocate for civil rights and the advancement of opportunities for the more than 150,000 Latinos in Arkansas. He will also represent the state on LULAC's nation board.
"I look forward to securing key partnerships with organizations, state agencies and public officials essential to advancing our mission and whose charge for serving the public can be enhanced by our membership's input and dedicated service," Aviles said.
Aviles, who is in his third semester at the Clinton School, recently returned from his International Public Service Project in Chetumal, Mexico, where he worked with the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid.
A native of Fayetteville, Arkansas, he also serves on the board of the Arkansas Public Policy Panel and the University of Arkansas Chancellor's Council of Diversity.
He is also founding member of Phi Iota Alpha at the University of Arkansas and has done extensive volunteer work as a steering committee member for the Arkansas Citizens First Congress and as a member of the Arkansas Task Force on Latino & Hispanic Affairs, appointed by then Governor Mike Huckabee.
"The Hispanic community is not immune to our nation's struggles in the economic crisis and employment woes," Aviles said. "LULAC recognizes special disadvantages faced by them in educational attainment and immigration reforms. We hope to continue our work in Arkansas to decrease these gaps."

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Founded on December 26, 1931 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the goals of Pan-Americanism throughout the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the Latino community's development through many notable Phiota men, including former presidents of Latin American countries. Today Phi Iota Alpha, The Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence, continues to serves our community as the preeminent Latino fraternal organization with chapters throughout the United States.


Established in 1929, the League of United Latin American Citizens advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. LULAC is the nation's oldest Hispanic advocacy organization. LULAC Arkansas has given over $150,000 in scholarships to and continues to advance educational opportunities for Arkansas students throughout the state.

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - The Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence

[LatinaAlumna]

So "phiota" is not a typo, then. I just never saw it written that way.

Anyways, congrats to these brothers!

[knight_shadow]

PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
council@phiota. org - 49 East 41st Street Suite 449 New York, New York 10165


In honor of its 78th anniversary Phi Iota Alpha today was presented with a Proclamation from the Honorable Governor from the State of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm.

The Proclamation sponsored by Governor Granholm recognizes Phi Iota Alpha for its 78 years of service to the community. The Proclamation states:

On behalf of the citizens of Michigan, we Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry Jr. do hereby recognize

Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc.

Wheras, Founded in 1931 Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., is the oldest Latino fraternity in our nation, and its mission to preserve the the rich history and cultures of the Latino community still resonates today; and,

Whereas, Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., encourages scholastic success in its brotherhood and guides its brothers to craft a new vision that moves beyond the attainment of persona and professional goals that contribute to the larger good of the community through individual acts and deeds, and,

Whereas, Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., has served as an intellectual "ideological university" through its rigorous study of Pan-Americanism inspired by the accomplishments of its five pillars: Simon Bolviar, Bernardo O'Higgins, Benito Juarez and Jose Marti; and,

Whereas, The history Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., continues to be made by men of great vision, leadership, devotion, persistence and most importantly, a commitment to the continued development of their communities;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That we Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, and John D. Cherry, Jr., lieutenant governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby offer this Certificate of congratulations to Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., in recognition of its 78th anniversary. We offer our congratulations to Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc., for continuing to strive for academic excellence and social responsibility.

###

Since 1931, Phi Iota Alpha has set precedents for Latino greek leadership in the global community. Through the past 78 years, Phi Iota Alpha has cultivated and inspired Latino men nationwide to become leaders of their communities across Latin America and the United States. Open to all men, this distinguished brotherhood includes many professionals and former presidents of Latin American countries. Today Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, continues to lead as the preeminent Latino fraternal organization with chapters throughout the United States.

[knight_shadow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2009
Contact: Indhira Santana, Director of External Affairs
Email: DOEA@justbecus. org
Website: www.JustBeCUS. org

Chi Upsilon Sigma Sister Inducted into The Douglas Society

Distinguished alumnae will be inducted into The Douglass Society 2009 by the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College on October 7, 2009, joining nearly 200 previously inducted alumnae whose life work embodies exceptional accomplishments and leadership.

Rutgers, NJ (9/24/09) - Debra Joy Pérez ’84 has led a career that exemplifies her deep commitment to improving diversity in philanthropy. In her leadership role as a Senior Program Officer in Research and Evaluation at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Debra is improving quality and reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Much of her work in public health focuses on building the field of public health services systems research which supports building the evidence of how organization, structure, governance, financing, and performance impact the public health system. Debra cares about community development and social justice, and believes good research requires people from diverse backgrounds who have a connection with the study population.

Debra graduated from Douglass College with a degree in communication and went on to earn a master’s degree in women’s studies from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, in 1993. While at Douglass she was very active in Casa Boricua and Chi Upsilon Sigma, the University’s first Latina Sorority founded in 1981. She was also part of the Educational Opportunity Program. She received the National Urban and Rural Fellows award leading to an M.P.A. from Baruch College, City University of New York, where she graduated with honors. Debra completed her interfaculty doctoral program at Harvard University in 2005, receiving her doctorate in health policy. While at Harvard, she chaired the first and second university-wide symposium on racial and ethnic disparities in health/health care. She was awarded a five-year fellowship in health policy and research from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

She began her career in philanthropy in 1997, when she became the first deputy director for New Jersey Health Initiatives, a program office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Since joining the RWJF in 2004, she has been responsible for program development. Her current research focuses on racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. She has a particular focus on discrimination and how socio-cultural factors such as acculturation impact immigrant and non-immigrant health and health care experiences.

Debra has published numerous articles on public health services and systems research and racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Her most recent article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine focuses on the relationship between perceptions of quality of care and discrimination among US-born and foreign born Latinos.

Chi Upsilon Sigma has been in existence since April 29, 1980, incepted on the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Our founders are 7 Latinas who had the desire to create an organization to promote leadership among the Latino community and our membership has since grown to incorporate women of all ethnicities. Chi Upsilon Sigma has devoted itself to increasing awareness amongst ourselves and our communities about important political, social, cultural, and educational issues and servicing the communities around us.


###

[knight_shadow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2009
Contact: Indhira Santana, Director of External Affairs
Email: DOEA@justbecus.org
Website: www.JustBeCUS.org

Chi Upsilon Sigma Sister Nominated for Best Latina Blogger Award from LatISM.org – Latinos in Social Media

New York, NY (9/28/09) -- BeChicMag.com's editor and founder Mercedes Sanchez has been nominated as Best NY Latina Blogger for Latism.org - Latinos in Social Media.

LatISM is a group is for all the Latinos who blog, tweet, connect, tag, bookmark, work & enjoy Social Media! They are the central resource for Latino(a)s in Social Media and the major brands who seek your expertise.

With 21 million projected Latino internet users by 2010, Latinos are adopting social media as their primary source of communication, news and entertainment faster than any other group. Their buying power is projected to reach $1.3 Trillion by 2013.

Mercedes launched BeChicMag.com in September 2006 as an online magazine where she covers fashion, beauty and entertainment. She is also the host of the Web series BeChic TV where she interviews prominent experts in the industry. We have spoken with Vera Wang, actor John Leguizamo, Bravo's Real Housewife of NYC Jill Zarin, author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez of "The Dirty Girls Social Club," Model Latina winner Jessica Caban, celebrity make-up artist Jackie Gomez, Project Runway's Christian Siriano and many more!

LatISM will be hosting their first ever tour starting in New York this week where the award winners will be announced.
The LATISM Heritage Tour is a two-day event will provide a networking opportunity and conference presentation, bringing together the leading minds and innovators in social media and technology.

Please support Mercedes and BeChicMag.com by voting here, http://latism.org/Latism-ny/ny-awards/

The award ceremony is on Thursday, so please cast your vote today. Make sure you click "submit survey" for your vote to count.

Chi Upsilon Sigma has been in existence since April 29, 1980, incepted on the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Our founders are 7 Latinas who had the desire to create an organization to promote leadership among the Latino community and our membership has since grown to incorporate women of all ethnicities. Chi Upsilon Sigma has devoted itself to increasing awareness amongst ourselves and our communities about important political, social, cultural, and educational issues and servicing the communities around us.

###

[knight_shadow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 6, 2009


Contact: Indhira Santana, Director of External Affairs
Phone: (212) 386‐5512
Email: DOEA@justbecus.org
Website: www.JustBeCUS.org


Chi Upsilon Sigma moves on to the next round in “Sprite Step Off” Competition

Three dedicated undergraduate women of Chi Upsilon Sigma’s Xi Chapter, University of Delaware, have qualified for the Regional Semi-Finals making Chi Upsilon Sigma the first Latino organization to participate in the competition thus far.

New York, NY (10/06/09) --- Corazones Unidos Siempre, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. (CUS) would like to congratulate Odette Fuentes, Vanessa Pabon Garcia and Talia Yanowitz for their placement in the national Sprite Step Off competition this past weekend at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Their fourth place during the Mid-Atlantic qualifying round moves them on to the Regional Semi-Finals which take place on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the University of South Carolina. These three dedicated women have become the first team from a Latino Greek organization to compete in the largely Divine Nine competition.

The competition is giving these women an opportunity to compete against historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC). As a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc. (NALFO), CUS is proud and honored to compete and qualify in such a large national competition.

The Sprite Step Off competition is the largest National Step competition with a $1.5 million prize pool in college scholarships. The competition is also rallying undergraduates across the country to contribute 1.5 million hours in community service. For more information please visit www.spritestepoff.com


About Chi Upsilon Sigma - Chi Upsilon Sigma has been in existence since April 29, 1980, incepted on the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Our founders are 7 Latinas who had the desire to create an organization to promote leadership among the Latino community and our membership has since grown to incorporate women of all ethnicities. Chi Upsilon Sigma has devoted itself to increasing awareness amongst ourselves and our communities about important political, social, cultural, and educational issues and servicing the communities around us.


###

[Tumbao]

lol ok negroes writing a book...anything important I shoul take from this?

[LatinaAlumna]

^Are you not a part of NALFO? If you are, NALFO news should be important to you...or maybe you are one of "those" who doesn't know any letters besides his own...

[Senusret I]

In a weekend, who has time to learn any others?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Tumbao

lol ok negroes writing a book...anything important I shoul take from this?

If you don't want to read it, don't open the fucking thread.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

In a weekend, who has time to learn any others?

*dead*

[knight_shadow]

October 8, 2009

Contact: Ray Dela Torre, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc., r_delatorre79@yahoo.com

Latino-based Fraternal organizations to host Unity Summit

Albany, NY – For the first time ever, six national Latino-based fraternal organizations will host a Unity Summit for its undergraduate members in the Northeast region. On Saturday, November 7th, an expected 200 undergraduate members will convene on the University of Albany campus to work toward a common goal of unity.

After years of negative images and interactions with one-another, the national Presidents and Vice Presidents of these organizations will host this Unity Summit to begin solving these issues. The purpose of the Summit is to bring together the undergraduate members of these organizations to build a positive working relationship, encourage members to collaborate on programmatic events, and to build upon the foundations of the organizations original vision of empowerment.

The members in attendance will be participating in the program entitled “The Yard,” created by Robert N. Page, Jr., who has held this program on other college campuses. “An event of this magnitude is historic in nature,” said Ray Dela Torre, Unity Summit Committee Member. “The only time we are actually sitting next to each other, it’s at a step or stroll show. So much time we waste battling each other. But now we will sit down together and actually break bread together. Hopefully our undergraduate chapters will see the light.”

The participants in the Unity Summit are members of Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc., Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc., Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. Delegation will be focused on the Northeast Region where the six organizations are heavily represented.

[knight_shadow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOCELYN TEJEDA, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PR@OMEGAPHIBETA.ORG

OPBSI Sister Elected as President of the AFA

New York, New York…September 28, 2009. Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) recognizes Soror Monica Miranda Smalls for being elected as the incoming president for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA). She will be serving a three year term beginning January 2010 and leading an organization with over 1,700 members. Monica is the first person from an NPHC or NALFO member organization to ever be elected to such a position in AFA. This achievement is a great honor for OPBSI and a huge stride for persons of color in the field of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The newly elected officers will be installed at the AFA Business Meeting on December 9, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida.

Monica has been an active member in AFA since 1998 and has volunteered in over twelve committees/working groups. She previously held the positions of Area Coordinator and Vice President for Region 1 and Chair of the Membership Intake Resource workgroup for NALFO, NMGC, and NAPA Resources Guide. Monica is the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at the University of Rochester and for the past decade has dedicated herself to improving the structure and fraternal relationships of organizations on campus. In 2008 she was awarded the Sue Kraft Fussel Distinguished Service Award from the association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and Professional of the Year by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). In addition, as a member of OPBSI Monica has received countless awards from the governing board including the Top 20 Most Influential Sister, Sister of the Year, and Most Dedicated Sister.

Monica's passion and leadership is exemplary and enables her to be a role model for her peers and the multiple constituents she serves. Monica states "I am truly honored to have been elected to this position and stand committed to advancing the relevance of the fraternal movement alongside all members and partners of AFA." OPBSI is proud to support such an empowered and fearless woman.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a NALFO organization member, is a Latina-oriented sorority founded on March 15, 1989, at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Seventeen women of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together to defy the injustices suffered by women, particularly women of color, in the academic, professional and political arenas. The purpose of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership, and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. For further information visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org.

[knight_shadow]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 6, 2009
Contact: Indhira Santana, Director of External Affairs
Phone: (212) 386‐5512
Email: DOEA@justbecus.org
Website: www.JustBeCUS.org

Chi Upsilon Sigma moves on to the next round in “Sprite Step Off” Competition

Three dedicated undergraduate women of Chi Upsilon Sigma’s Xi Chapter, University of Delaware, have qualified for the Regional Semi-Finals making Chi Upsilon Sigma the first Latino organization to participate in the competition thus far.

New York, NY (10/06/09) --- Corazones Unidos Siempre, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. (CUS) would like to congratulate Odette Fuentes, Vanessa Pabon Garcia and Talia Yanowitz for their placement in the national Sprite Step Off competition this past weekend at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Their fourth place during the Mid-Atlantic qualifying round moves them on to the Regional Semi-Finals which take place on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the University of South Carolina. These three dedicated women have become the first team from a Latino Greek organization to compete in the largely Divine Nine competition.

The competition is giving these women an opportunity to compete against historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC). As a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc. (NALFO), CUS is proud and honored to compete and qualify in such a large national competition.

The Sprite Step Off competition is the largest National Step competition with a $1.5 million prize pool in college scholarships. The competition is also rallying undergraduates across the country to contribute 1.5 million hours in community service. For more information please visit www.spritestepoff.com


About Chi Upsilon Sigma - Chi Upsilon Sigma has been in existence since April 29, 1980, incepted on the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Our founders are 7 Latinas who had the desire to create an organization to promote leadership among the Latino community and our membership has since grown to incorporate women of all ethnicities. Chi Upsilon Sigma has devoted itself to increasing awareness amongst ourselves and our communities about important political, social, cultural, and educational issues and servicing the communities around us.