A Day in D.C.

As part of our mission to be the premier advocacy and support organization for the advancement of the sorority experience, NPC representatives visited with several officials on Nov. 20 in Washington. Joining me on visits were Advocacy Chairman Mary Jane Beach, NPC Executive Director Nicki Meneley, Fraternity/Sorority Political Action Committee President Sarah Lindsay and Public Policy Specialist Amy Davenport of Squire Patton Boggs. We met with officials at the following offices:

• Association of American University Women (AAUW)
• Running Start
• White House Council on Women and Girls
• Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

These meetings were productive as we discussed ways NPC can align our strategic initiatives and collaborate in areas of research, training and education, and sexual assault prevention and response awareness. We seek to establish meaningful relationships and dialogue with other organizations that will result in a greater understanding of who we are and what we do. It was helpful to share our updates on the recent Gallup-Purdue Index study findings on the well-being of college graduates and retention as it relates to sorority membership. We also shared news with these officials about the formation of our Benefits of Single-Sex Status Task Force and Student Safety and Sexual Assault Awareness Task Force. Through these meetings, we discovered that these organizations offer trainings, education and resources that can benefit our sorority women. It was a great day of conversation.

In our movement to advance the sorority experience, we must continue to reach out to other audiences and bring others along in our journey to fully embrace our mission and vision. This is what being a premier advocacy and support organization is all about.

A Collegian's Perspective: Friendships Beyond Badges

By Abby Schneider, University of Missouri

Chairman Jean M. Mrasek with all the past NPC
chairmen in attendance at the 2014 NPC annual meeting.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the National Panhellenic Conference annual meeting in St. Louis. Throughout the weekend, I shadowed current NPC Chairman, Jean M. Mrasek, and sat in on some of her meetings, observing and absorbing as much information as my collegian viewpoint would allow me to do. 

The first event I witnessed Friday night was a meeting to revise the bylaws with NPC delegations from the 26 NPC member organizations. Upon entering the crowded room, I immediately noticed a u-shaped table that seated one woman per each of the 26 NPC sororities. These 26 women, I came to find, were the delegates that would stand up and speak on behalf of their organizations when they felt it was necessary. With the delegates in the shape of a U, I already could feel a sense of collaboration among the women in the room. When a woman stood up and walked to the microphone to make any input, she would state her name and sorority affiliation first, with full respect and attention of those around her. This collaboration, I then understood, was Panhellenic -- friendships beyond badges.

While I was most taken by the true spirit of togetherness that was apparent at the meeting, the subject being addressed was also something that surprised me. As an active member, the bylaws are something that I remember acknowledging during my recruitment process and pushing out of my mind shortly after. Before this weekend, I never would have assumed that the NPC worked so diligently on keeping these bylaws as up to date and accurate as possible. For one hour these women went line by line, sometimes debating one word or phrase until finding one that conveyed their meaning accurately. The NPC's determination toward revising and perfecting these regulations truly represents how much work they put into so many different things that before the meeting I had never even thought of. 

One of the biggest things I took away from the meeting was just how important the National Panhellenic Conference is in terms of the bigger picture of sorority life. NPC is the venue that allows all 26 incredible women’s organizations to advance sorority together.

FOR GUARDING OF GOOD HEALTH

It is powerful to hear sorority women recite The Panhellenic Creed in unison.

The Panhellenic Creed includes the phrase for guarding of good health as one of the main tenets by which we strive to live. Indeed, our early NPC leaders had vision to place good health as a focus area.

How did good health make the list? Why is good health important to sorority women?

Good health means different things to different people; however, we can all agree that good health contributes significantly to happiness and overall well-being. It encompasses the wide range of things — physical, mental and emotional functions — that play into our lifetime success and accomplishment. With our health in good order, we can live up to our fullest potential. 

NPC member organizations have inter/national philanthropies that either support local charities or national causes. Several of our NPC member organizations support causes related to women’s health. Here are just a few examples:

• Alpha Epsilon Phi supports Sharsheret, an organization that supports young Jewish women in their fight against breast cancer.
• Alpha Gamma Delta supports members and individuals living with diabetes.
• Alpha Omicron Pi supports research and education on arthritis.
• Alpha Phi supports projects in all areas of women’s heart health.
• Delta Gamma supports organizations that promote sight preservation.
• Delta Phi Epsilon supports the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).
• Sigma Kappa supports studies on aging and addresses needs of the elderly, with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease.
• Zeta Tau Alpha devotes efforts to breast cancer education and awareness.

All of these noble causes raise awareness and bring to light the need to do more to assist in research, education and support to benefit women’s health.

One such organization that seeks to elevate the issue of women’s good health is DiabetesSisters. Reports indicate 13.4 million women have diabetes, which is also linked to high blood pressure, kidney failure, heart disease, blindness and stroke, among other health issues. Founder and CEO Brandy Barnes was diagnosed with diabetes as a teenager and found little information about services for women when her journey took her through a high-risk pregnancy. Her experiences culminated in forming DiabetesSisters in 2008. She contends that emotional and peer support are vitally important to coping with this disease. 

Emotional and peer support are just what sorority women can offer one another as well as other women in need. It is not uncommon for sorority sisters to sit with others in hospital waiting rooms, accompany a friend on a doctor visit or specialized treatment or provide meals for sisters and their families. Whatever and whenever the need arises, sorority sisters are there to provide comfort, encouragement and support. 

Ways to guard good health:

• Make healthy food and drink choices.
• Visit your doctor regularly.
• Do self-exams, and be aware of changes in your body and appearance.
• Know your family history. Some diseases are hereditary.
• Make time for exercise and form fitness groups with other women — running, water aerobics, walking, Zumba, yoga or Pilates.
• Model life balance with rest, work and play.

Guarding of good health requires that we tune into our bodies and become more knowledgeable about prevention and maintenance. Good health equates to increased work productivity, social engagement and ultimately, lifetime fulfillment. More than ever, as sorority women we are charged to uphold this portion in our creed and apply good habits to our daily lives.

As we approach the holiday season, let’s give thanks for good health.

Resources:
National Institutes of Health — Orwh.od.nih.gov  
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention — cdc.gov

The Journey Continues!

The NPC Executive Committee enjoyed campus visits to Washington University and Saint Louis University just prior to the NPC annual meeting held in St. Louis Oct. 24-26. These campus visits allow the NPC Executive Committee to meet with university officials and empower our sorority women to work together as a unified coalition of women. We reminded the sorority members that they are the largest women’s organization on campus. At Saint Louis University, the NPC Executive Committee received a warm welcome with more than 1,000 sorority women attending the all-sisters forum. After an informal roll call of chapters, each NPC Executive Committee member shared her personal story of sorority membership. It is exhilarating to have that many sorority women present to hear the message: Shared commitment brings desirable outcomes. Our journey continues to advance sorority. We look forward to more travels in the coming year.

Efforts Continue on Sexual Assault Awareness

As noted in the NPC chairman’s September message, sexual assault awareness is at the forefront of discussions on college campuses. We are continuing to get updates about initiatives that are underway. Thank you for sharing your efforts with NPC. 

In recent months, national campaigns have been launched to help raise awareness and engage individuals to speak up and take action. One such initiative underway is “It’s On Us.” We applaud our Panhellenic sisters who have taken the pledge. It is wonderful to see that our brothers in NIC and fraternity men are also addressing this issue that is very important to all students, but especially to women. We can all make a difference in spreading the word. 

We are also seeing more education on Title IX -- what it means and how it is defined. Some College Panhellenics are inviting campus officials trained on Title IX to attend their meetings and provide education to sorority women. Please take a moment to review the nine things to know about Title IX.

Friends, our united efforts for sexual assault awareness continue. We encourage our College Panhellenics and sorority leaders to become educated about Title IX and encourage our women to stand by each other and support others who have the courage to come forward and report. After all, we are on the same team.

SORORITY WOMEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. -- Edith Wharton, Vesalius in Zante

Each year, sorority women donate hours and dollars to support charitable causes. Last year alone we contributed 3,078,687 volunteer hours and $37,499,429 to benefit causes ranging from funding medical expenses and granting wishes for children with terminal or life-threatening medical conditions to supporting breast cancer research, serving as court advocates and promoting domestic violence awareness.

When sorority women work together toward a common cause, there are endless possibilities.

Sorority women -- collegians and alumnae alike -- actively address needs in our communities. Lessons learned in college through community-service engagement carry over to the post-graduate years, when alumnae band together to help others. Community service is an outgrowth of our sorority rituals, which inspire us to sacrifice for the greater welfare of others and extend a helping hand toward our fellow man. We are called to spread light.

Many of our College Panhellenics have chosen to coordinate their efforts to support Habitat for Humanity or Circle of Sisterhood, an organization that helps provide educational opportunities to girls and women around the world.

Some of our Alumnae Panhellenics raise funds for scholarships and donate money to support local community needs.

• Houston Alumnae Panhellenic members read to children and give more than 100 community service hours annually to the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program at an elementary school.
• For nearly 40 years the Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic has volunteered at the Phoenix Open to help raise funds for scholarships. In addition, these volunteers collect stuffed animals as part of the Phoenix Fire Department's Teddy Bear Drive to comfort children in emergency situations.
• Chicago Northwest Alumnae Panhellenic packaged meals to feed 56 children for an entire year as part of the Feed My Starving Children campaign.
• Central New Jersey Alumnae Panhellenic members work at a bone marrow registry.
• Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic raises funds to support local families in need.

All NPC member organizations have inter/national philanthropies, and these alliances help mobilize their membership to make a difference in the lives of others.  

On Oct. 25, NPC will join millions of volunteers around the world in improving the lives of others by participating in USA Weekend Make A Difference Day. This is the largest national day of community service. We are asking our inter/national leaders and delegations attending the NPC annual meeting in St. Louis to bring purses and professional apparel to donate to Connections to Success, a local organization that partners with Dress For Success and helps break the poverty cycle by providing a comprehensive network of services and support.

What can you do?

• Support your NPC member organization's philanthropy.
• Combine efforts in your College and Alumnae Panhellenics and volunteer to assist in community events -- benefit walks, house construction projects, relief efforts, organizational efforts at battered women shelters and food banks.
• Donate professional attire to organizations like Dress for Success and help promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women.
• Clear out closets and bring discarded household items to collection agencies for donation or resale. Offer to pick up items from neighbors.
• Make an online donation to your charity of choice.

We can all make a difference if we take a moment to seek ways to help others. This is something that can happen on Oct. 25 and throughout the year.

Our rituals encourage us to use our gifts for good and contribute in meaningful ways as citizens in our larger communities. Let's unify our efforts and spread light.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS: WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM

Within the first six weeks of the school year, college freshmen are at risk.

In the college setting, 18-year-olds experience a new sense of freedom that intersects with a new built-in social scene. Interactions are encouraged; sometimes interactions cross the line, however. Add alcohol use to the mix, and this puts students at more risk, causing judgment to be blurred. Often women and men go further than they ever intended. Mutual consent must exist. Whenever mutual consent does not exist, sexual assault does exist.

Webster's Dictionary defines sexual assault as "illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (as a family friend) in a position of trust or authority." Many universities further define mutual consent as it pertains to sexual assault in their code of conduct.

The topic of sexual assault has been at the forefront of national discussions this year. White House staff and Department of Education representatives held listening sessions last winter. In late April, President Obama issued the report titled "Not Alone," which is the first report of the White House task force to protect students from sexual assault. NPC attended both sessions and had a voice.

University officials and international leaders of sororities and fraternities take sexual assault seriously. We know that sexual assault affects at least one in four college women, and these are just the women who are willing to report. Reporting is a challenge. It takes courage to come forward and talk to someone in an official capacity about it -- a campus authority, a Title IX officer or the police. Many women are reluctant to report because of the ramifications that may impact their friendships or acceptance in the academic environment and fraternal community on campus.

So where do we go from here? How can we help one another?

No matter the sorority letter or badge, we are on the same team. The NPC voice is important as the large umbrella for 26 member organizations. For that reason, we have polled our College Panhellenics and member organizations to find out more about what is happening at the local levels. This is a first step.

From these results, the majority of our member organizations would like NPC to:

• Encourage sorority women to support other women.
• Collect resources and share with member organizations.
• Work with interfraternal partners on awareness efforts.
• Guide sorority women to use campus resources.
• Encourage College Panhellenics to launch awareness campaigns. 

Although sexual assault is not new to the college setting, this issue is ever evolving as to how to address it. Universities have ramped up their compliance efforts and education by hiring additional trained Title IX officers. Likewise, NPC and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) are addressing this issue with collaborative discussions between our boards and as part of the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition legislative agenda.

Men are engaged in the discussion as well. Organizations such as Men Can Stop Rape and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center Men's Activism Program (SAPAC) educate and empower men to understand and speak out against power-based violence. NIC recently announced the formation of a commission on sexual assault. We applaud these efforts to generate more awareness on this topic.

This is our call to action.

Frequently we find that bystander behavior is associated with sexual assault. There are times we turn our heads or ignore what we see happening leading up to the sexual violence. It is not my business, we say to ourselves. We can all learn more about appropriate ways to confront, divert attention and help a sorority sister or friend in our university community when there is potential danger.

The NPC tagline reads The Voice for Sorority Advancement. By standing side by side with our sisters, Panhellenic friends and fellow female students when they choose to report, we can have a voice as sorority women in this discussion. We can demonstrate that true sisterhood means supporting other women when they have the courage to speak up.

What else can we do?

• Join awareness campaigns on campus and help promote resources to sorority women.
• Invite a Title IX officer to a Panhellenic meeting to help educate sorority women on proper protocol when it comes to filing a report.
• Target freshmen and share campus resources where victims can get help.
• Reach out to the IFC organization and discuss this issue with fraternity men.

We must acknowledge that we are on the same team by working together as a unified coalition to create more awareness and ultimately, prevent the number of students who fall victim to sexual violence.

The time is now.