Robert E. Joseph RMF Award

  • Background

     

    In recognition of twenty years of distinguished leadership of the Risk Management Foundation, the RMF Board of Directors voted unanimously in August 2008 to name the annual RMF Award in honor of past RMF Chairman and Past Grand Consul Robert E. Joseph, Willamette 1957. Brother Joseph served as the founding chairman of the RMF and was on the board continuously from 1991 until his retirement in April 2008. Under Brother Joseph’s leadership, the RMF has provided comprehensive risk management education and invaluable assistance in times of loss to countless Sigma Chi undergraduates across the continent.

     

    The RMF began funding this annual grant in 1998 for the purpose of supporting further risk management education and chapter house life safety improvements, as well as recognizing chapters with exemplary risk management programs. Since then, the RMF has honored 35 outstanding chapters and provided grant monies of over $140,000 with awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

     

    This year, the RMF will recognize up to ten (10) chapters with education and life safety grants of $1,000. Grant money can be used for the funding of future educational programs related to risk management, or for necessary safety repairs to the physical property of a chapter house (especially those repairs and upgrades recommended by the Life Safety Inspection).

     

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    Guidelines

     

    Your application, when completed, should conform to the following five (5) general guidelines. The application is designed to ensure that no chapter, by virtue of its history, host institution, or location, receives favorable treatment over any other chapter. An application that does not follow each of these requirements will be ineligible for the award.

    Deadline:

    Applications and recommendations must be submitted to the Risk Management Foundation Award Committee by Friday, May 11, 2012.

    Recommendations:
    For eligibility, recommendations are required from:

    1. Chapter/Alumni Advisor (Download form here.)
    2. House Corporation President or Officer (if chapter has a residential facility) (Download form here.)
    3. Greek Advisor (Download form here.)
    4. Grand Praetor (Download form here.)
    5. Grand Trustee (Download form here.)

     

    Recommendation forms must be printed, signed by the appropriate officer, and uploaded to the online application form. Alternatively, you may e-mail them (RMF@sigmachi.org), fax them (847-869-4906, ATTN: RMF AWARD), or mail them (1714 Hinman Ave; Evanston, IL 60201) to the RMF, to be received no later than May 11, 2012. 



    Validity of Material:

    The RMF Award Committee will be reviewing the information the chapter submits as part of the annual Accreditation Report submitted to the General Fraternity. Additionally, your responses should illustrate the comprehensive nature of your chapter’s risk management program including pledge education, member education, and involvement in campus risk management education efforts. Information furnished should be compiled through March 31, 2012.

    Format:
    You must submit your application online.

    *TIP: Type and save your responses in a word-processing program. Once they are completed, copy and paste your text into the online form.

    Accuracy and Completeness:
    Applications should contain accurate and complete information. The discovery of inaccurate or false information will result in disqualification. Incomplete applications will be ineligible for the award and will not be reviewed by the RMF Award Committee.

    If you have questions about the application process, the criteria, or the RMF Award itself, please contact the Risk Management Foundation at RMF@sigmachi.org.

     

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    Application

     

    Click here for the online application. Questions are listed below so that you may develop and save your answers in a word-processing program before copying and pasting to the online form.

     

     

    Section 1: Risk Management Priorities and Best Practices

     

    1. In 500 words or less, describe your chapter’s top three risk management priorities and the best practices implemented at your chapter to ensure these issues are fully addressed in the pledge education program, in the member education program (i.e. chapter retreats), and within your campus community. (6 points)

     

    2. In 250 words or less, describe any innovations in risk management developed and implemented at your chapter this past year. (3 points)

     

    3. Provide a copy of your chapter’s risk management and/or crisis management plan. (3 points)

     

     

    Section 2: Chapter Plan to Use Award Grant Money

    When completing your answers to this section, remember that the funds must be spent on risk management related educational programs or chapter house life-safety improvements. Consider the specific needs of your chapter.

    NOTE: If your chapter wins one of the awards, cost estimates and receipts from contractors and others may be necessary prior to the release of the award money. RMF Award monies are available for one year from the date the award is given.

    1. If your chapter receives a Robert E. Joseph RMF Award grant, what will you do with the grant funds? (2 points)

    2. Why do you think this will be the most effective use of the funds for your chapter? (1 point)

     

     

    Section 3: Recommendation Forms

     

    Upload your completed and signed recommendation forms to the online application. Alternatively, you may e-mail them (RMF@sigmachi.org), fax them (847-869-4906, ATTN: RMF AWARD), or mail them (1714 Hinman Ave; Evanston, IL 60201) to the RMF, to be received no later than May 11, 2012. 

     

    1. Chapter/Alumni Advisor (Download form here.)
    2. House Corporation President or Officer (if chapter has a residential facility) (Download form here.).
    3. Greek Advisor (Download form here.)
    4. Grand Praetor (Download form here.).
    5. Grand Trustee (Download form here.).

     

     

    Make sure each one is completed, signed and returned to the Risk Management Foundation no later than Friday, May 11, 2012.

     

    E-mail: RMF@sigmachi.org (subject line: [Chapter name], 2011-12 RMF Award Rec)

    Fax: 847-869-4906, Attn: RMF Award

    Mail: Risk Management Foundation (RMF Award)

            1714 Hinman Ave

            Evanston, IL 60201

     

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    Last Year's Winning Applications

     

    Download the winning 2010-11 RMF Award Applications:

     

    Best overall program ($5,000): Lambda Iota (Florida International)

    Honorable mention ($1,000): Alpha Kappa (Hillsdale)

    Honorable mention ($1,000): Delta Psi (Rensselaer)

    Honorable mention ($1,000): Epsilon (George Washington)