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 34 outstanding chapters and provided grant monies of over $135,000 with awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

     

    Award criteria are assigned on a subjective scale and encompass the entire gamut of chapter risk management activities, from building and fire safety to chapter educational risk management programs.

     

    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).

     

  •  

    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 Monday, May 2, 2011.

    Recommendations:
    For eligibility, recommendations are required from:

    1. a House Corporation Officer or Chapter/Alumni Advisor (Download form here.)
    2. the Greek Advisor (Download form here.)

     

    Recommendation forms must be printed, signed by the appropriate officer, and uploaded to the online application form. Alternatively, recommendation forms may be sent to the Risk Management Foundation via email (RMF@sigmachi.org), fax (847-869-4906, ATTN: RMF AWARD), or postmarked by April 30, 2011, in order for your chapter’s submission to be considered.

    Validity of Material:
    Information furnished must be as of, and should be compiled through, February 28. Our expectation is that the material presented covers the 2nd semester (3rd Quarter) of the previous school year and the 1st semester (2nd Quarter) of the current year.

    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.

  •  

    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

    A risk management plan is a key component to effective chapter operations. It is important that the chapter’s plan include guidance on proper event planning, safety and emergency protocols including fire safety and evacuation procedures, and crisis management. All existing risk management policies set forth by Sigma Chi Fraternity as well as RMF and the host institution (if applicable) should be incorporated by reference.

     

    1. Does your chapter review and/or update the risk management plan in a chapter meeting each semester? (2 points)

     

    2. In 250 words or less, discuss four (4) key components of the risk management plan and how they impact safe event planning and implementation. (4 points)

     

    3. In 250 words or less, describe an experience at your chapter in which the risk management plan was incorporated as a key resource for the planning and development of a pledge program activity. (2 points)

     

    4. Please provide a current electronic copy of your chapter’s risk management plan. (2 points)

     

     

    Section 2

    Chapter Plan for Using the Robert E. Joseph RMF Award

     

    Please address the following two points in 250 to 500 words. After creating your response in a word-processing program, copy and paste your answer to the online Robert E. Joseph RMF Award Submission form.

     

    1. If your chapter receives an award of $5,000, what will you do with the grant?

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

     

    Additionally, please include an itemized list of cost estimates outlining how and for what the award money will be used should your chapter win one of the awards.

     

    When completing your answer 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. Robert E. Joseph RMF Award monies are available for one year from the date the award is given.

     

     

    Section 3

    Download these recommendation forms:

     

     

    Make sure each one is completed, signed and returned to the Risk Management Foundation no later than May 2, 2011.

     

    E-mail: RMF@sigmachi.org (subject line: [Chapter name], 2010-11 RMF Award Rec)

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

    Mail: Risk Management Foundation (RMF Award)

            1714 Hinman Ave

            Evanston, IL 60201

     

  •  

    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)