Advancing Sorority Together

collaborate: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

NPC Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting

Not everyone believes in true collaboration but NPC and I know that the only way we are going to preserve and improve sorority is if everyone does their part and does it well. I had the opportunity to work with the NPC Long-Range Planning Committee this past weekend and the strategic thinking that took place was inspiring. Thoughtful discussion on what NPC can “own” and how we go about collaborating with others to achieve our mission were just a few of the conversations around the table.

 I have recently been questioned about the need for NPC and umbrella groups, in general, and my instant reaction is always "of course we are needed and relevant" and my thoughts were reaffirmed this weekend. NPC has no agenda that doesn't further the constituents we serve - NPC member sororities, College Panhellenics and Alumnae Panhellenics. We are a nonprofit organization, so we don't have a hidden agenda of making money or pushing our own initiatives. Our agenda is your agenda. We are in it with the belief that a rising tide raises all boats and that we can assist in raising that tide. We are a service-oriented organization with the best interests of our members at heart, and we believe that can best be achieved through collaboration with the member groups and Panhellenics. Interesting things are on the horizon for NPC, and I hope that when you are called on to help you will answer the call. I said it in October of 2011 when I took on the chairmanship and it still rings true – it’s our potential, but it's your move.

Tri-City Panhellenic Luncheon

I was delighted to be the guest speaker at the Tri-City Panhellenic luncheon on Saturday, February 9. I joined about 115 Panhellenic women from the Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater areas in Florida. These three Alumnae Panhellenics join together each year to celebrate sorority. This year, the Tampa Alumnae Panhellenic hosted the event, and I had the pleasure of seeing past NPC delegation member Karly Burns from Delta Zeta. Thanks to everyone who made the event at success!

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR HEART HEALTH?

It’s February – time to think of past loves, new loves and your own heart.

Heart disease is the number one killer for women in the United States – a stark fact and that could lead one to avoid checking on heart health. While there are risk factors you cannot change, such as family history, there are many you can control.

How many times have we skipped a walk outside and around the office because we feel 15 more minutes at the desk will get us home sooner? Being sedentary is something we can change in short order.

February, for our network of sorority women, is a good time to take stock. While we’re often busy taking care of others, we can easily neglect ourselves. Take a heartbeat second to please check in during American Heart Month and see what you might need to know.

Why do we need to remain vigilant about our hearts?

According to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, this is a disease that is less understood in women, leading to misdiagnoses and delayed treatment. Roughly, only a quarter of the research published in major U.S. internal medicine and cardiology journals report gender-specific outcomes – leaving women at a loss for reliable medical information.

Women frequently ignore symptoms or believe that nothing is critically wrong when they suffer general issues of “fatigue,” for example.

Some warning signs that should be on your radar screen (and shared with sorority sisters, friends, colleagues and family members):

• Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
• Crushing chest pain
• Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms.
• Dizziness or nausea
• Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially with exertion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Celebrate the month with a heart assessment as you send out your special Valentine’s to loved ones near and far. And here’s a free banner you can use on your website or blog from The Heart Truth, a project of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

You won’t regret taking the moment to be better informed.

Relax, Discuss, Envision: Executive Committee Retreat January 2013

A view from the river.

My husband Bob and I love to entertain at our house on the Homosassa River in Homosassa, Florida. My husband started going to that area of Florida for fishing trips and we loved it so much we knew we wanted to make it our home away from home. We love to allow people the space to relax and unwind allowing for deep and open conversations. It was for these reasons that the NPC Executive Committee decided to have our January 2013 retreat at the river.

The NPC Executive Committee in Homsassa, Florida.

While at the river we laughed a lot and made some great memories, but we also envisioned much for the Conference to accomplish over the next 10 months. We plan to work on marketing, branding and College Panhellenic services along with ongoing board and volunteer development. Being an authentic leader means letting people see the real you. It was a lot to think about and digest, but being at the river allows for those meaningful, thoughtful discussions.

It is my hope that my fellow Executive Committee members walked away with a better sense of direction for the next 10 months but also some peace from time spent with friends in a serene location.

My Hopes for us in 2013

Last year at this time I shared that I don’t do resolutions in January because I believe we should all, as my momma told me, “Do your best every day.” When I began thinking about the New Year and some pearls of wisdom I might share, I kept coming back to a conversation I had on New Year’s Eve with my dear friends about our hopes for 2013.

Here are my hopes for us in 2013:

I hope that we have the opportunity to serve someone else. Our world is in constant turmoil and people are in constant need. There is always an opportunity to serve another and I personally have found those opportunities and experiences when I have been in service to someone else to be the most rewarding for me. Service to another also puts your own situation in perspective.

I hope each day we find something to give us joy. Whether it be a visit from a blue heron at the river house or a phone call from an old friend, finding the joy in the small things in life will shed light on the dark times.

I hope that we are able to deal with the issues that are presented to us using our values and experiences. We can never live drama-free lives but it is how we deal with the drama that builds our character. Drawing upon the strength within us to deal with these issues is all we can hope for.

All we can do is our best every day and HOPE that the New Year brings as much joy as sorrow and humility with success.