Women helping women — this is how we operate.
Established in 1995, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Foundation promotes values and ethics in sororities and encourages all members to be active and responsible leaders in their respective communities. Our mission is supported through the sponsorship of NPC educational and charitable programs addressing health, safety, education, leadership and general women’s issues in today’s society.
At the heart of it, the NPC Foundation raises funds and underwrites initiatives to launch and sustain women leaders.
Members of the NPC Foundation Board of Trustees recently met in Indianapolis for a
strategic planning weekend. I was pleased to participate in discussions with: President Janet Dodson, Alpha Sigma Tau, Barbara Stone, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Ann Brookshire, Pi Beta Phi, Susan Polizzotto, Sigma Kappa, and Harriet Rodenberg, Sigma Delta Tau and from the NPC Executive Committee Vice Chairman Donna King, Sigma Kappa, and Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Lynnda Hoefler, Delta Zeta. NPC Executive Director Nicki Meneley was present for she also serves as executive director of the NPC Foundation. Our discussions were facilitated by professional consultant Karyn Sneath, Sigma Kappa.
The NPC Foundation has funded NPC’s “Something of Value” program for nearly 20 years. This program continues to address risky behaviors and promote better decision making by empowering women to be change agents on their campus. Ultimately, sorority members are encouraged to create shifts in organizational culture for the greater good of the sorority community. In addition to the “Something of Value” program, the NPC Foundation offers scholarships to deserving sorority women.
With our shared commitment for personal growth, the NPC Foundation will continue to advocate for the sorority experience by opening avenues and creating opportunities. Please join us in our mission by donating to this worthy cause.
Recruitment season is upon us. The primary membership recruitment process, previously known as "rush," is underway on many of our 675 campuses in North America
The recruitment process is one of mutual selection. While active members of our sororities are preparing to greet and meet potential new members as part of the membership selection process, potential new members are learning about sororities on their college campus as part of the recruitment process. Potential new members and the sororities use values-based criteria to make membership decisions.
This is why we call this process mutual selection.
The Panhellenic Compact is one of our Unanimous Agreements binding each NPC member organization. This compact defines a potential new member's eligibility for sorority membership. In addition, College and Alumnae Panhellenics are required to operate according to these agreements, as are all individual chapter members.
NPC has several position statements related to recruitment activities:
These statements reinforce our respect for each NPC organization to follow its internal membership selection procedures, provided it follows state and federal laws.
It is interesting to note the evolution of the recruitment process. We know that in the beginning, the most basic and urgent questions in NPC centered on recruitment. Sorority pioneers believed that competition was beneficial as long as it was tempered by a commitment to fair play. NPC representatives denounced women having dual membership in NPC member organizations and established college matriculation as a prerequisite for pledging. These policies continue to apply to the membership recruitment process today. Our predecessors also went on record as early as 1904 against the "rush evils" of undue expense and "elaborate parties." Today, our campuses are to host a "no frills" recruitment approach and encourage chapter members and potential new members to focus on conversations and shared interests.
NPC continues to work with our College and Alumnae Panhellenics to implement appropriate recruitment formats and procedures. Our Release Figure Methodology (RFM) specialists and NPC area advisors provide guidance. RFM specialists support College Panhellenics and NPC member organizations by recommending carry figures for every chapter. NPC area advisors provide helpful advice by interpreting NPC policies and procedures. Suffice to say, professional volunteers and NPC office staff stand ready to assist in various ways.
It is a point of pride to see College Panhellenics articulate the mutual selection aspect of the recruitment process. Recently, the College Panhellenic at Texas Tech University posted a recruitment statement on its website. This type of communication helps provide better understanding on many levels.
Surging recruitment numbers in recent years tell us that college women see value in what sororities offer. This corresponds with the number of women who pursue college degrees. NPC is riding the wave of momentum at this point in history.
It is exhilarating to be on campuses for Bid Days and witness the distribution of sorority invitations. Nothing can compare with watching the joy on the faces of those who realize that they have found their new sorority home.
Our ultimate goal is that every woman will find the perfect match. Harmony is achieved when both the potential new member and the active sorority women make their membership decisions through a values-based, mutual selection process.
