Welcome to the ZIP Website!
In 1889 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, five freshmen decided to form a fraternity to place their "friendship on a more firm and lasting basis." Since that time our numbers have grown to more than 20,000 and ZIPs are represented on 18 campuses in the United States and Canada. We truly are an International Professional Fraternity.
The ZIPs are well known for their College and Alumni Chapter functions and community involvement to promote dental health and goodwill. Our Fraternity has progressed for more than 100 years because of its high ideals and worthy purposes to give each member a richer life and by living up to its simple motto:
"Hospitality is the Life of Friendship."
Please be our guest at the 151st Annual Session of the
American Dental Association!
"The Xi Psi Phi Fraternity HOSPITALITY RECEPTION during the ADA Annual Session in
Orlando, Florida, will be held on SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 9, 2010, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in
HILTON ORLANDO HOTEL at the Convention Center. All members and friends of Xi Psi Phi Fraternity are encouraged and invited to attend."
Address by Supreme President Dr. George T. Knight Supreme Chapter Board
of Directors Meeting
April 10, 2010
San Francisco, California
As we embark on this, second decade of the twenty-first century, we continue
to enjoy the awesome privilege of living in the greatest country ever conceived.
The opportunities we have all been given to succeed in our chosen profession and
to enjoy the fruits of our labor are true blessings from God. We have all
been honored by earning the opportunity to change the lives of our patients on a
daily basis. This honor should never be taken for granted and out
responsibility to our profession should always be held in the highest regard.
As members of Xi Psi Phi International Dental Fraternity
we have been trusted with the stewardship of an elite organization that
was founded by a small group of forward thinking professionals who recognized
the value in the camaraderie and professional stimulation that results from a
group of individuals forming together to reach a common goal. Every member
of Xi Psi Phi joins the fraternity with thoughts of
personal goals or expectations they may hope to get from the group. These
goals and expectations are often very basic and are frequently based on social
interaction and peer group activities. As we progress in our educational
pursuits, the personal goals associated with fraternal activities often begin to
shift to more altruistic and knowledge seeking pursuits. For those who
truly embrace the value of Xi Psi Phi as a
beneficial source of professional interaction and networking, goals begin to
significantly change near the time of dental school graduation. Very
often, a strong effort is made to keep lines of communication intact with other
Xi Psi Phi members. The true value of
networking becomes reality when ZIP applicants for
residencies can communicate with fellow ZIPs in the
same program or school. Doors begin to open to those seeking practice
opportunities when potential partners or employers are also
ZIPs. Comfort levels are raised and barriers lowered when
Xi Psi Phi dentists enter into military settings,
public health clinics and other institutional positions and discover that a
colleague is also a ZIP. Even our significant
others find comfort in conversing with spouses of our ZIP
colleagues about experiences they have had with ZIPs
over the years.
For some ZIPs, the journey continues
well into their professional careers and beyond. There are
many Xi Psi Phi alumni chapters that are
active around the United States and Canada. By remaining
active with these chapters, ZIP alumni
are able to strengthen their ties to fellow
ZIPs as well as support and mentor local dental school
chapters, thus helping ensure their long-term growth and success.
It is through strong alumni involvement that Xi
Psi Phi will continue to grow and prosper so that the legacy
of our founders will continue to live on.
Some of our most dedicated alumni seek out opportunities to give
back to Xi Psi Phi by volunteering their
time as Chapter advisors, Province Chairs or as members of the
Xi Psi Phi Supreme Chapter Board of
Directors. Through the continued efforts of these extremely
dedicated ZIP alumni, our fraternity has
been kept on a successful and positive course throughout its
existence. In today's society there seem to be fewer
individuals willing to accept long-term responsibility to ensure
that those who follow will have the same experiences and
opportunities that they enjoyed.
I am proudly accepting the full responsibility of strengthening
the foundation of Xi Psi Phi during my
tenure as Supreme President. As with any long-lasting
foundation, work must begin at the most basic ground level. I
will strive to increase the number of pledges in the active chapters
through the local support and encouragement of
ZIP alumni who
volunteer to visit local rush activities to provide testimonials of
the benefits of Xi Psi Phi through their
careers. I will work with the Province Chairs to re-energize
failing chapters through creation of active alumni leadership
contacts at those schools.
I will make 100% alumni membership beginning with the class of
2010 a priority, and I will work with the Supreme
Secretary-Treasurer to increase long-term alumni membership.
I will personally communicate with every ZIP
alumni chapter to reinforce our gratitude to them for
continuing to keep Xi Psi Phi active in
their communities, and I will encourage alumni without a local
chapter to establish one.
Throughout the years that I have continued to serve
Xi Psi Phi as a chapter advisor,
Province Chair, and Supreme Chapter Board Member, I have had
countless opportunities to answer the question, "Why should I join
ZIPs and what's in it for me?" My
answer almost always includes the statement "you will get out of it
much more than you put into it." That being said, to go above
and beyond and give back to Xi Psi Phi
more than just supplying Mom and Dad's address and your first alumni
dues payment, you can be assured that you are making a life-long
investment in a network of professionalism and loyalty that cannot
be measure in time or money.
In light of the many uncertainties we are seeing in our
government, our economy and our future, a simple investment of
minimal time and very affordable dues is a small price to pay to
establish relationships that will always remain loyal, beneficial
and supportive. Your Xi Psi Phi
family remains one of the brightest beacons in your professional
career. Embrace it, support it and help to strengthen it for
the future. We, the Supreme Chapter Board members and local
ZIP leaders, look forward to welcoming all of you with the open arms
of a true ZIP brother or sister.
Fraternally,
George T. Knight, Supreme President
San Antonio, Texas
Beta Lambda, 1988
(Supreme President Knight has selected the following
Xi Psi Phi BIENNIAL "password" -
INVOLVEMENT)
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