As hundreds of women head into the National
Panhellenic Conference’s annual meeting in Los Angeles this month, it’s time to
pass the gavel. The next member sorority will rotate into the Conference’s top
leadership position as chairman.
First,
let me share my thanks for being part of that historic journey and joining my
predecessors as a member of Alpha Xi Delta. Second, it’s just as important to
note the milestones that we’ve reached in my two years as chairman and
illustrate how those will efforts push us progressively forward to meet member
needs.
NPC’s
Board of Directors invigorated the 111-year-old Conference this year by
approving a strategic plan. Data-driven decision-making is a core foundation
for the NPC, and critical information is collected annually from our 26 member
groups to keep us on track.
NPC’s
advocacy efforts extended to the NASPA Greek Summit, the White House event on
Girls in Leadership, a continuing participation in the Coalition of Higher
Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention and a new initiative this
year with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Through NAMI, we’re
bringing a new educational resource to students and advisors this year for
mental health awareness – which is a centerpiece of this year’s annual report.
More
than 130 women spent time on Capitol Hill this spring to advocate for measures
that improve the lives of college students everywhere. Panhellenic women have
been advocating for better laws during Hill trips for the past 11 years. Many
college members give up the traditional spring break trips to mingle with their
federal lawmakers, including the historic number of women who were elected to
the U.S. Senate.
About
30,000 women participated on Facebook in NPC’s celebration of International
Badge Day on March 4 this year, pledging to wear their sorority pins. At the
same time, dozens of collegiate women from Columbia University and New York
University and alumnae members from the area traveled to Rockefeller Plaza for
a live broadcast of “The Today Show” to celebrate with their badges and signs.
Last
year’s annual report was recognized by the Hoosier Chapter Public Relations
Society of America with a Pinnacle award and a new crisis communications
handbook won “Best of Show,” which is now a resource for members and our
partners. NPC also received a “Critic’s Choice” award from the Fraternal
Communications Association for its updated logo and brand.
We
also welcomed a new training and curriculum design coordinator to NPC staff
this year and elevated the National Panhellenic Conference Foundation with
additional support from our executive director.
Along
the way, and just in time for this year’s meeting, we’re recognizing
outstanding advisors, Alumnae Panhellenics and College Panhellenics who are
always “on” and provide the best of what sorority women have to offer.
We
never stop working. We never stop planning. We never stop raising the bar for
ourselves and others. It’s been a big year full of bold moves, and we could not
have done it without you. Thank you for answering our challenge — and seeing
the potential for the National Panhellenic Conference.
