Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Message From the Chairman: NPC is Focused on Educational Support

Educational support is a strategic objective of the National Panhellenic Conference. NPC is focused on education, support and development of best practices for College and Alumnae Panhellenics, advisors and the professionals who partner with us. A major part of that strategy is College Panhellenic Academy and the fraternity/sorority advisor (FSA) track offered in collaboration with the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

Jan. 22-23, 229 College Panhellenic officers gathered in Indianapolis to explore the personal journey to becoming a leader who leaves a legacy and ways to lead within a College Panhellenic and the broader fraternal community.

College Panhellenic officers began by exploring the NPC purpose, mission, vision and values. The leaders challenged themselves to make a connection between personal values and the collective values of NPC and their Panhellenic communities. Understanding the nuts and bolts of College Panhellenic operations included exploring best practices for officers, realizing the importance of well-written governing documents and diving into Panhellenic policies and procedures.

Learning from others is central to the academy experience. Attendees benefitted from the engaging, humorous and heartwarming tales shared during "The Talks: Learning Through the Stories of Others." Speakers were Krystal Clark, Josh Driver, Karen Katz, Darren Pierre and Josh Orendi. Even I shared my story with the women at breakfast, challenging each to frame her leadership with courage, conviction and purpose.

Coming together with the Interfraternity Council officers and FSAs at the end of the academy to set goals allowed the College Panhellenic leaders to reflect on what they had learned. Attendees also brainstormed ways to improve their own positions, their College Panhellenics and their overall communities.


The academy also afforded NPC the opportunity to create e-learning modules for College Panhellenic leaders. Modules are now available on the NPC website for these officers: president, recruitment, judicial and communications/public relations.

In addition, NPC is continuing its partnership with the regional fraternal leadership conferences by offering educational sessions at these events on a variety of topics.

Educational support is our focus, because lifelong learning is a cornerstone of membership in an NPC sorority. I am proud of the work we will all do together to continue our advocacy for the sorority experience through learning opportunities for our College Panhellenics and partners.

Thank you to all who have worked to move this strategy forward.

Interfraternally,

Donna C. King
Chairman 2015-17