My Convention Experience

By Rachel Gurley, Alpha Phi Fraternity, Butler University

Rachel (right) with Alpha Phi's NPC Delegate and former 
NPC Chairman, Sally Grant (left), at the Candlelight Banquet.

When reflecting on my collegiate experiences as an Alpha Phi, it’s hard not to smile. I was fortunate to attend Alpha Phi’s Emerging Leaders Institute last summer as a sophomore member. When the opportunity presented itself for me to attend convention, I could not wait to reunite with my ELI sisters from across the country for another summer adventure with Alpha Phi. 

I was already aware the world of Alpha Phi expands beyond just my chapter from my experience at the leadership institute.  Convention immersed me in the big world of Alpha Phi once again. This time not only did I find that I am a part of an amazing organization that’s larger than my chapter, but I learned I also have many alumnae sisters that are very experienced, accomplished and great at what they do.

Every Panhellenic organization has particular alumnae that are famous members. Katie Couric, Sheryl Crow and Ashley Judd are all fabulous sorority women.  At convention I got to hear the stories of women (my sisters!) who are just as amazing as the pop culture stars we normally highlight.  

Sorority women are driven and passionate. Our International President, Linda Long Boland, said it all by using the famous Isaac Newton quote, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of giants.” Alumnae now and alumnae before them have broken down barriers to be successful in their fields. We are where we are today because of the women who served as giants before us. There is still work to be done. Women continue to struggle for equal opportunity, compensation and respect in the work place. But by following the examples of the leading women in our organizations we can be the giant for the next generation.

As a collegiate member, I am inspired by the stories I heard and the alumnae I met at convention. I saw examples of amazing women who truly live out the values of our organization. Sorority membership is for a lifetime. After attending convention I have a greater understanding of what lifetime membership looks like. How we choose to spend our lifetime is up to us. Why not ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’?

Sorority Conventions Provide Lasting Memories

For National Panhellenic Conference members, summer is truly a special time. Hundreds of women gather to celebrate sorority and all that their national organizations have to offer – camaraderie, connections and conversation. From one convention destination point to another, you will find women gathering to strategize about advocacy, bestow honors, memorialize student and alumnae leaders, and share best practices.

As we all respectively head to our annual conventions this summer, we thought it appropriate to share convention memories from your current executive leaders here at NPC.

I was pledged and initiated at a small university and chapter. When I graduated, I joined an alumnae chapter. But it wasn’t until my first national convention that I realized the true meaning of lifetime membership.

I witnessed the excitement of sisters, young and old, reconnecting with sisters they had not seen in years, or meeting new sisters, and realizing we were not strangers, but women who shared a special bond through our membership in Alpha Xi Delta.

In later years while attending other NPC member group conventions, I saw that same excitement and pride in their sisterhood and organization as I had in mine. As I witnessed the shared experience, I realized the potential we have to advocate for women and the sorority experience.

Here are other memories from NPC leaders:

Jean Mrasek: My first sorority convention was 30 years ago. I was chapter president and arrived at the national meeting totally wide-eyed and anxious to learn more about Chi Omega's history and teachings. It was an incredible experience that taught me that the sisterhood circle was much larger than I ever imagined. I was impressed with the intergenerational aspect of the gathering - collegians and alumnae of all ages. I left inspired as a Chi Omega chapter officer who could make a difference on my campus. I did not dream that my degree of impact one day would be widespread as an elected national officer of my beloved fraternity. And I did not realize the number of lasting friendships that would be formed as a result of my involvement with NPC.  Indeed, the sisterhood circle is much larger than I ever imagined. Not only do I have a special bond with my Chi Omega sisters, but I have a special bond with my Panhellenic sisters who also share common values and standards.

Mary Jane Beach: Kappa Alpha Theta will convene its 70^th Grand Convention in Tucson June 28. While attending convention is now familiar, the excitement is nearly the same as the first time. My first Kappa Alpha Theta Convention was so inspiring. As the Jacksonville, Florida, alumna delegate, I attended not knowing a soul. I was so impressed by Lissa Bradford presiding as Grand President (who would later go on to serve as NPC Chairman) and how she demonstrated the values of Kappa Alpha Theta, I promptly went home and wrote her a letter telling her this. Little did I know then what opportunities the future held! This experience set my course of Theta volunteering at the local, district and national levels including Fraternity President as well as NPC Delegate and my current Executive Committee service with the National Panhellenic Conference!

Julie Johnson: To say my collegiate chapter was isolated from other Kappa Delta chapters is an understatement. The closest chapter was 500 miles away, so I had had no exposure to other collegiate sisters. I remember walking into the lobby of the convention hotel in Miami Beach, and was awestruck with seeing National President Jean Tucker Stradley greeting people. It was like seeing a movie star for me. I met sisters from collegiate chapters all over the country, some much larger (and also smaller) than mine. We shared stories and ideas and problems. Even though I had just met them, I felt that "instant" connection and bond, and quickly realized their chapter issues were really not much different than those of my own chapter. I have been to more than 15 national conventions. Even though I have fond memories from each of them, nothing will ever replace that excitement and awe I had from attending that first convention as a collegian.

Josette Kaufman: The dictionary offers one of definition of “sister” as having a close relationship with another because of shared relationships. If that’s the case, I believe the National Panhellenic Conference is my other mother because of all the close Panhellenic sisters I have been fortunate enough to gain through my sorority experience. At a recent convention I had the opportunity to install Phi Sigma Sigma’s current National President, Alicia Scott. Just before her installation, we also installed her mom Patty Scott. It reminded me of 13 years earlier when my own mom, Nancy Marshall, was installed as a Phi Sigma Sigma prior to my own installation as National President. I credit my own mom and my NPC mom as having shaped me into the sorority woman I am today.

Do you have a convention story to share? If so, tell us about your special moment on Facebook or Twitter and use this hashtag #sororitytraveler. We hope you enjoy your summer and quality time spent with sisters.

Alumnae Panhellenics

I love my alumnae experience. I am often telling people that while my college sorority experience was wonderful, my alumnae experience has far surpassed it. As a young alumna and later in life, no matter where life took me, I always found an Alumnae Panhellenic group in the area to join. My Alumnae Panhellenic experience in Jacksonville and Orlando has afforded me some great memories and friendships that I will cherish forever. It is in this vein that the National Panhellenic Conference is rededicating support for our Alumnae Panhellenics across the country.

I recently attended Alpha Xi Delta Florida State Days as an alumna.

In addition to the alumnae volunteers who serve as advisors to our Alumnae Panhellenics, we are hiring a full time staff member to be accessible to our Alumnae Panhellenics. We believe this change will offer more consistent and regular support to our important Alumnae Panhellenics. We will also be rolling out new resources to all of our constituents via the new npcwomen.org website. I am hopeful that the renewed resources and support will allow our Alumnae Panhellenics to thrive and enjoy the same wonderful experiences I have received.

Is the World a Friendly Place for Women?

The National Panhellenic Conference is often consulted about negative images women face in their lives. It seems extraordinary that in 2012 we are still confronted with real challenges for women – such as lower pay than our male counterparts and a dearth of women leaders in Congress.

To punctuate both points, we decided to share with you an interesting mission taken up by a woman for women to counter the negative images and stereotypes that surround us in the world.

Miss Representation, a film that is now moving across the country, is sparking a movement of sorts. Filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom wrote, directed, and produced the 2011 Sundance documentary, which explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence.

Newsom interviews women in powerful and not-so-powerful positions to make the point that pop culture seriously undermines what we can do and how we view ourselves. And it poses the question for an ongoing conversation – are women in this day and age really valued for their brains and their abilities?

The film has spawned a call to action soliciting individuals to host local screenings in their workplaces, universities or schools. Curriculum guides are also available for K-12 schools, universities, colleges and libraries on the film’s website.

There are other useful links brought to us by MissRepresentation.org, including The 2012 Project from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University  – a non-partisan campaign to encourage more women to run for political office. While women make up 51 percent of the U.S. population, they make up only 17 percent of Congress.

As our nation evolves, so should our discussion about how women fare in all walks of life. NPC is often all too aware of the negativity surrounding women and impediments they face, from specious sorority ranking systems that are often commercialized for profit to stereotyping young women on reality TV with the promise of making them stars.

As one of the largest advocacy groups for women in the nation, NPC is often dismayed to see our own members stereotyped and cast into the same disparaging role over and over again. Sororities have launched leaders in all professional arenas and continue to provide women a network of mentors and leadership opportunities, from undergraduates to alumnae.

Let’s help women realize their full potential. Take a moment this month to visit MissRepresentation.org. See if you agree that the time has come to clear the path of all impediments for women in their personal and professional growth. It is, after all, 2012.

An Interview About Living a Healthy Lifestyle: Jane Sutton

"In May, the Office on Women’s Health celebrates National Women’s Health Week. This important week reminds women to make their health a top priority. Many women find it hard to take care of themselves because they are busy working and taking care of others. Jane Sutton, a successful professional, wife, and mother, learned early on that healthy eating and exercise would help her achieve all of the things she set her mind to. Read on for tips and suggestions to help you make the most of all the years ahead of you. Learn more about balancing your career and your health in this interview."

Click here to read my interview with Women's Health.

Health is a Precious Commodity

Women are prone to overlooking an ache or pain. We can easily dismiss a headache, fatigue, inability to sleep – and even weight gain of a few pounds. But we really shouldn’t. As caregivers and career professionals, we often pull double duty in our life roles – not to mention the additional time we put into volunteering for sorority.

This month, we send out a reminder to put yourself first.

When it comes to health, you are the best judge of something that may be awry. If you wait for a loved one or colleague to tell you that you’re not on your usual game, your symptoms may have waylaid you into a chronic condition.

Falling back on a cliché about prevention is too simple, but we want you to take a moment to listen to the advice of Dr. Kate Wolin, a St. Louis-based epidemiologist and Chi Omega. Dr. Wolin has good advice for women of all ages, especially about the habits that we fall into when young that will lead to potential diseases in later life.

We’re seeing startling health trends these days, from obesity to early onset of diabetes. And women are still making the same mistakes that can easily be corrected to get on a better path to health. These are minor changes in lifestyle that result in major health differences.

We can all start making quick changes during National Women’s Health Week this May 13-19 (beginning on Mother’s Day). You will find the NPC listed as a partner with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health as we help to spread the word.

Let’s start with some small steps.

• Take a friend for a brisk 30 minute walk.

• Log off your computer and head out into the fresh air.

• Jump into those pools that will open up on Memorial Day weekend.

Let’s take care of each other and ourselves. And don’t forget to take the pledge to encourage women to visit their health care professionals for checkups.

The National Panhellenic Conference has a long history of being health aware – from our Something of Value program which addresses risky behaviors on campus to the various health-related philanthropies of our member groups that educate and raise research funds for the good of all.

It is never too late to start practicing good health habits. So start now. And share your story of health with us on Facebook or Twitter. We are always glad to share good news and always willing to listen to a sister.

Support CHIA

At this year's D.C. Hill Visits I stood up and said, "We are here to ask you for your support of the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act." As I said these words again this year, I realized we need to do more. 

As sorority members, we tout the fact that our organizations breed civic-minded, engaged students and alumnae. Now more than ever we need to mobilize those civic-minded individuals to action. We have been engaged in a ten-year effort to pass a bill that would allow our donors the same tax benefits they would receive if they were making a contribution to a university. This is important because our facilities need renovations, and we do not want to pass those costs onto our students. 

To that end, the National Panhellenic Conference has joined forces with the North-American Interfraternity Conference and the Fraternity/Sorority Political Action Committee to create a coalition that exists to build a permanent platform for an integrated federal government relations program supporting the objectives and needs of fraternal life. But, none of our efforts are worth anything without you and your sisters. We need to encourage our civic-minded members to use the tools the coalition has prepared, namely the tool to assist you in creating a letter for your state representative.

This tool can be found at www.fgrcgreek.org. Use it, share it with your friends, tweet your representatives and then tweet them again. Let them know that we need the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure (CHIA) bill to pass, and we are using our civic-minded sisterhood to make it happen.

Sarah Lindsay, NPC Government Relations Committee Chairman, and I support CHIA.