Over the past few years, Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) has evolved from an organization that recognizes leaders to one that engages current and future leaders by providing leadership development opportunities.

Building on the theme of last year’s Leadership Challenge on DEI initiatives, we are investigating and changing the practices of the Society – both historical and current – that may have led to inequitable distribution of awards or membership in PLS, including on the basis of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, ability, professional practice area or location. In addition, there are many current leaders who may not have met criteria for induction into PLS during pharmacy school but have demonstrated their leadership skills and impact on the profession after graduation. Thus, there are many leaders impacting our profession who we have missed recognizing and engaging with as a Society.

Given PLS’s strategic focus on leadership development and transformational change in our profession, engaging leaders in our profession AND strong professional allies outside the profession (e.g., legislators, elected officials, non-pharmacist leaders in healthcare) will be key to expanding the reach of PLS and providing current and future pharmacy leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for change. 

Therefore, the Board of Directors proposes the following Leadership Challenge to YOU, our chapters:

Design a longitudinal, sustainable initiative within your chapter to identify and engage with local, regional, and global professional leaders in pharmacy and beyond who are not yet members of PLS. Collaboration with other school organizations, community groups, and other professional societies is encouraged. Strong proposals will include the following:

• Description of the process by which your chapter seeks to identify and engage with professionals that will be sustainable for your chapter to continue for at least 3 years

• Intentional engagement of professionals based on chapter needs and/or strategic planning (see provided Engagement Matrix Toolkit resources)

• Description of metrics which your chapter will use to track the efficacy of your efforts and criteria by which you will evaluate if modification or change to the process is needed

• A focus on identifying diverse leaders and using inclusive practices in your chapter’s process

• A focus on engaging professionals who are not already affiliated with PLS or with your school or chapter

Ideas from strong proposals will be shared with the PLS Board of Directors and Committees for possible adoption on the national level. 

Project Proposals should include the following:

1. Project Objectives: Describe the specific objectives of your chapter’s initiative including a completed Engagement Matrix and Engagement Activities Plan (see Resources).
2. Project Description and Timeline: Detailed enough that another school would be able to successfully implement the same initiative based on the information provided.
3. Project Budget (see Resources): You may request up to $1,500 of monetary support from Phi Lambda Sigma. 
4. Data/Metrics: To quantify the project’s impact once implemented.

Resources: Please see the Leadership Challenge resources.

Leadership Challenge Engagement Matrix Toolkit

Budget Toolkit 

Submission: Please submit one complete application packet electronically (single PDF file) by January 26th at 11:59 PM PST to awards@philambdasigma.org. Signature pages should be scanned and submitted with the packet.