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.