Misty Garrett Steps Up as the First Member of Carnation Club

Misty Garrett, ΚΙ, understands first-hand the importance of giving to Phi Mu Foundation. “As a Greek advisor on a college campus, I see exactly what it takes to support an outstanding sorority or fraternity,” said Misty, coordinator of Student Life at Birmingham Southern University in Birmingham, Ala.

Misty was impressed by the Sam Spady alcohol poisoning awareness DVD supplied to all Phi Mu collegiate chapters by the Foundation. “If Foundation hadn’t discovered the Sam Spady DVD and funded it, we never would have been able to bring that valuable information to our collegians. As soon as I saw it, I started making plans to bring it to the students at Birmingham Southern as well,” she said.

Earlier in the year, Foundation representatives attended a membership coordinators meeting at Phi Mu Headquarters to share information on the many ways that Foundation financially supports the Fraternity. Under the leadership of Lana Bulger, ΑΟ, Misty serves as the collegiate membership director for Phi Mu and was present in the meeting. Detailed information on the grants given to the Fraternity from Foundation, as well as specific information on how the funds have been used, was distributed to all attendees. According to Misty, that presentation solidified her resolve to give to Foundation in a meaningful way.

“I could relate to where every single dime was going. This money is important to our success and it’s going to real programming,” she said. “I know that, without a strong Foundation, we will never succeed nationally. It just won’t happen! I was ready to step up and give on a regular basis. And, the Carnation Club offered a level of support that is doable at this time in my life.”

At an annual giving commitment of $500 per year, payments to the Carnation Club come to only $42 per month. Misty opted to have the payments made automatically with her credit card, “It’s so easy! I just set it up for a monthly draw on my card and I don’t have to think about it again.”

When asked what she would say to other Phi Mus who are considering giving to Foundation, Misty replied, “When we decided to be a member of Phi Mu, it was for life. I think so many of us graduate from college and don’t think about our sisterhood again. Forty-two dollars a month is just a little thing I can do to give back to an organization that has meant so much to me.”

To set up an account and become a member of Carnation Club, please contact Nancy Walls at nwalls@phimu.org or call 770.632.2122. Sisters who join Carnation Club now will be a part of the charter membership class and will receive special recognition at Phi Mu’s National Convention in June 2008.