We Hear Your Voices on Sexual Assault Awareness

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) has taken steps in recent months to address this topic that has become part of the national conversation. Please review the timeline illustrating the progress made by NPC since we entered into the discussions on sexual assault awareness. Some noteworthy actions:

• In February, the NPC Board of Directors approved the attached position statement on sexual assault. This bold move was deliberate and most intentional. We realize that our voice on this topic is important as one of the largest women's organizations in the world.
• We have continued our conversations with RAINN and recommend its hotline -- 800-656-HOPE -- as a resource for students affected by sexual assault.
• Our Student Safety and Sexual Assault Awareness Task Force will issue a preliminary report this weekend to the inter/national presidents.  
• In May, the Student Safety and Sexual Assault Awareness Task Force will present their recommendations to the NPC Board of Directors. We will share the board's decisions on our strategic steps to move forward as plans get underway.

Sororities are a caring community that supports students affected by sexual assault. It takes courage to come forward and report sexual assault, and we applaud those individuals who choose to speak out and navigate their path for justice.

Threads of Friendship and Purposes Everywhere

In celebrating Women’s History Month, I am revisiting the historical records of the founding of NPC and many of our member organizations. It is remarkable to track the progress made by our founders and early pioneers to form women’s-only organizations. These women were bold, ambitious and strategic in establishing chapters from coast to coast — all of this achieved through personal letters, Western Union telegrams and visits by train to campuses in college towns. The early leaders would be amazed at the evolution of our organizations.  

I read this from one of the historical journals, to paraphrase: We are a society of college women devoted to fine friendship and progress. While this historical account tells the story of this progress, we find the threads of friendship and purposes everywhere.

Have we remained true to these purposes? What would our early leaders think of us now?

I honestly believe that our early leaders would be very pleased at the state of sorority in today’s world. You find threads of friendship and purposes everywhere illustrated in pictures of sorority women linked arm in arm posted on Facebook and impact reports of our community outreach. Sorority women are scholars, servant leaders and philanthropists. We make a difference today in our communities by putting our values into action.  

That said I also believe that our early leaders would be troubled with how sororities are being depicted in the media without full consideration of the enrichment that sorority membership adds to the college experience. I have not lost heart in the sorority experience, despite recent news stories. Actions of a few are incongruent with our values and founding principles; it is unfair to use a broad brush to paint all of us with allegations of anything to the contrary of what we stand for. These are indeed challenging times. As sorority women, we must stay the course and continue our efforts to do good and do better.

Friends, we have been entrusted to honor the legacy of our founding principles and pass it on to future generations. I recall a quote from one of my Chi Omega mentors, Kirk Bell Cocke Hassell. She said, “Leadership at its finest is by example. You can show your campus and world what we stand for and, at the same time, enrich your own life.” 

Our shared commitment as a unified coalition of sorority women will allow us to perpetuate the goodness that is embodied in our organizations. Just as our founders were determined to establish a presence on campuses, we are charged with the responsibility to see to it that our women’s-only organizations continue to flourish.  

We must stay true to our ideals. And lead by example.

STEP UP AS OTHERS HAVE BEFORE US

At the conference on girls' leadership and civic education at the White House, speakers addressed the need for women's empowerment through education and mentoring programs. Key messages included:

• Our voices are missing from shaping public policy.
• Women belong at the table where decisions are being made.
• Girls need courage, character and confidence to succeed.

The overall message that resonated with us that day was that girls today are tomorrow's leaders. Our actions as role models will inspire them to lead, and this in turn will impact future generations. Participants were challenged to step up; not to wait to be lifted.

The founders of our sororities were remarkable women. They saw the need to step up and lift others by overcoming obstacles to establish secret societies for women that would offer friendship and support in academic pursuits.

The mid 1800s saw unparalleled times in higher education. When women began to appear on college campuses, there was concern. Some critics asserted that women were not worthy of penetrating the educational sphere for fear it would harm our social culture. Later "scientific evidence" led some to believe that females were unsuited for academic training and the female brain could not handle textbook learning. One influential book written by Dr. Edward Clark raised the notion that higher education damaged a woman's health by inhibiting her reproductive system. There were serious doubts that women would flourish at universities.

From 1850-75, brave women of Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Sigma Kappa and Gamma Phi Beta formed the first women's fraternal organizations in response to male challenges in coeducation settings. Activities for men outnumbered those for women eight to one despite the fact that women accounted for up to one third of the student population on some campuses. In many ways, sororities stood as a daring declaration that women had an equal opportunity on the college campus.

Other women's organizations arrived on the college campus scene: Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta, Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Zeta, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Sigma Sigma, Delta Phi Epsilon and Sigma Delta Tau. Our early sorority members sought self-improvement by allowing their sisters to critique compositions, debate and practice elocution. The sorority setting was a safe environment where women could exercise democratic principles with voice and vote -- years prior to the 19th Amendment. Dedicated to organizational purpose, the ideal of true womanhood was woven throughout ritual ceremonies and mission statements.

Things have changed on college campuses. There are more women attending degree-granting institutions than ever before in history. However, one element has remained unchanged throughout the decades, the strong belief that women's-only organizations add value to the coeducational setting at colleges and universities.

Throughout history our sororities have provided a community where women find support and encouragement. Evidence from a Gallup study on well-being released in May 2014 shows that face-to-face interactions and mentors matter. This impacts the lives of graduates and their workplace engagement and the connection with their communities. These findings are an extension of our organizations' mission to encourage sorority affiliation as a lifelong commitment that helps flourish friendship, responsibility, community engagement and confidence.

Given our rich heritage and principles, National Panhellenic Conference efforts to preserve our single-sex exemption and protect our Title IX rights will not be restrained. We continue to lobby lawmakers on Capitol Hill to ensure these rights and will not acquiesce to any university mandate aimed at requiring social fraternities and sororities to become coed.

Step by step, we are making a difference in providing opportunities for women. NPC celebrates Women's History Month in March by scheduling International Badge Day on the first Monday in March. Retrace our steps in history by viewing this video.

Wear your badge March 2 as a tribute to those who have stepped up before us. We must do our part to raise our voices as a unified coalition of women in support of the sorority experience as women's-only organizations. What we do today will impact generations to come.

For the Love of Sisterhood

My travels as NPC chairman take me to different campuses, conferences and celebrations. Recently, I attended the 100th anniversary celebration for the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic Association. This special event attracted more than 120 women who came together to share stories and celebrate friendship beyond badges. This is the beauty of sisterhood when we reach beyond the confines of our own member organizations and embrace the fact that we all share common values and ideals as women that inspire us to lead lives of high purpose. We can accomplish so much more when we pool our resources, our talent and our time as a unified coalition of sorority women.

In 1915, the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic was the first organization in Florida to raise funds for scholarships that would benefit women. To put things into perspective, the Alumnae Panhellenic was fully functioning as a women’s-only organization before the 19th amendment was passed. These ambitious women sold tickets to literary plays and hosted rummage sales to raise money to give other women educational opportunities. Sorority alumnae in Jacksonville were driven to make a difference in the lives of others.

The efforts of the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic continue today. At the anniversary event, a $3,500 scholarship was presented to a deserving young woman at a nearby university. The recipient thanked those in attendance, acknowledging how inspired she was to be in a room with such an impressive group of sorority women who supported her academic pursuits. This young woman’s life was enriched because of the shared commitment demonstrated by sorority women in the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic.

Indeed our own lives are enriched by other women who serve as mentors or offer support in times of need. For the love of sisterhood, reach out to another sorority woman and tell her how she has enriched your life. 

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my Panhellenic friends!

NPC: Standing Strong with Hearts United

When we recognize common values that we share as sorority women, we stand strong. NPC encourages our women to promote the true worth and ability of all women in every setting. 

In his book, “Eight Habits of the Heart” Clifton Taulbert outlines timeless values that build strong communities. These habits are a nurturing attitude, dependability, responsibility, friendship, brotherhood (sisterhood), high expectations, courage and hope. Of the eight habits of the heart, the one habit that Mr. Taulbert cites as critical to a good community is brotherhood (sisterhood).

“Brotherhood (sisterhood) is the habit that reaches beyond comfortable relationships to extend a welcome to those who may be different from yourself.” 

Our ritual and rich heritage as women’s-only organizations embody these habits and practices on a daily basis. History tells us that our founders and early leaders united against the critics and rallied to advance the academic opportunities for women. Without email or Twitter these courageous women knew how to build communities. All of our NPC member organizations were established out of similar needs and for similar purposes. These similarities unite us today as our efforts continue to protect and preserve the rights we are afforded as women’s-only organizations. 

We are beneficiaries of timeless values that our founders etched out in the form of ritual. These ideals and expectations are bestowed in love and trust by those who have gone before us and passed down through the generations. 

While our challenges today may appear different from our predecessors’, we are called to lead with integrity and uphold our high standards. We do this in part by adhering to the Unanimous Agreements and policies as endorsed and ratified by all 26 member organizations. 

Women nurturing women is at the heart of what we do. Recognizing friendship beyond badges allows us to stand strong and defend what others fought so hard to create. 

In a sign of solidarity, with hearts united, join sorority women around the globe who will be wearing their badges on March 2 for International Badge Day.

NPC Hosts Sorority Symposium

On Jan. 9, with assistance from Texas Christian University Chancellor Victor Boschini and Vice Chancellor Kathy Cavins-Tull, the NPC Executive Committee hosted 13 university administrators at the NPC Sorority Symposium. Topics for discussion ranged from sexual assault and Title IX to student retention. The candid conversations were productive and the event was deemed successful on many levels.

Afternoon conversation focused on what needs universities have and what role NPC and our member organizations can play in fulfilling these needs. Suggestions included assisting campuses in delivering Title IX education to upperclass students, communicating back to campuses what educational models are being provided by our organizations and encouraging members to participate in campus climate surveys. It was clear campus administrators are looking for more from NPC in this arena and the presidents and vice presidents want to stay informed.

Specific outcomes from the meeting include:

• A desire for more direct communication from NPC to college/university presidents and vice presidents
• Education to collegians on how their organizations and efforts support the host institution's mission
• A request for our member organizations to better engage and retain their upperclass members
• Education to collegians on their “webutation” and the impact of social media
• A need for NPC to have a campaign on sexual assault awareness

The NPC Sorority Symposium was a great first step in fostering relationships with top administrators while gleaning information on additional benefits NPC and our member organizations can provide to our host institutions.

I am so thankful for the conversation and time shared with the presidents and vice presidents.  It is only in partnership with our host institutions that we are able to advance sorority.

FORECAST: SUNNY SKIES AHEAD

“A great organization is one that delivers superior performance and makes a distinct impact over a long period of time, keeping in mind that performance must be assessed relative to the mission.” - Jim Collins, “Good to Great and the Social Sectors” 

As we begin the New Year, NPC begins implementing its 2015-20 strategic plan, which was adopted by the board of directors at the annual meeting in October 2014. 

The strategic plan reaffirms our mission statement, vision statement and values. Our strategic objectives and goals are articulated here. 

The focus of our work will center on three areas: 

• Educational support 
• Growth management 
• Marketing and outreach 

We realize there are opportunities to educate and better equip our NPC family and our stakeholders with Panhellenic knowledge. 

We know that there are opportunities to better collaborate in areas of growth management and to follow trends and projections as we consider what the sorority experience should look like in the future. 

We understand that there are opportunities to strengthen our position as the premier advocate of the sorority movement through enhanced marketing and outreach efforts. 

Watch for progress reports in the months and years to come. This is just the beginning of sunny skies ahead with limitless opportunities for NPC. 

Are you wearing your sunglasses? NPC is ready to get started on our five-year journey from good to great. We are determined to rise to the challenge outlined by Jim Collins and effectively deliver on our mission and make a distinct impact.