Did you know Hofstra has a chapter of
Sigma Phi Omega?

From the Desk of the President
Joseph A. Weber, Ph.D.
California State University, Fullerton

The national Sigma Phi Omega office in Washington, D.C., plays a vital role in maintaining records and organizing national events, while each chapter has a unique role to promote gerontology and aging studies at the local level. SPO chapters also have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can benefit local communities. Community service is an effective way to help SPO chapter members to gain professional expertise and recognition. Here are some tried-and-proven venues that local chapters have participated in to help their members. They could work for you, too.

• Help students gain public recognition for their skills by having articles and photos of chapter activities printed in school newspapers and reported in local media.
• Help students make contacts and help them network with local community agencies. These contacts can often lead to a summer job or eventually a career plan.
• Help give visibility to skills and accomplishments of chapter members through awards, news releases, editorial newspaper contributions and public appearances.
• Help give chapter members career advice. Advise students about potential career and academic opportunities in gerontology.
• Help chapter members work with colleagues in other disciplines. Gerontology is truly a multidisciplinary field and helping students learn of the breadth of the field gives students a new awareness of the potential of gerontology.

The success of Sigma Phi Omega and its membership ultimately lies at the local chapter level, which means it relies on each and every one of us. Let us spread our passion for gerontology. The collective effort of Sigma Phi Omega has and will continue to make a difference in our communities.