NPC Board of Directors Service Opportunity

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is looking for Panhellenic women to serve on the 2021-23 Board of Directors. The NPC Board of Directors leads the Conference and has authority and responsibility for overseeing its affairs. Since joining the board in 2019, current directors have learned and accomplished a lot in their work to set the strategic direction of the Conference and create a vision for the future of Panhellenic sorority life. Below, three directors share their thoughts and advice for future board members.

Why Panhellenic Women Might Consider Serving

“There are so many exciting opportunities coupled with unique challenges as we build the future framework of the sorority experience,” Mary Baker, Alpha Chi Omega, said. “In addition to the collaborative work with highly competent and progressive women on the board and staff, working with 26 NPC organizations to make a difference in the lives of undergraduate women is fulfilling volunteer work.”

But, the work of the board is also to think about the future of NPC and the sorority experience. Mary shares that directors must want to pay it forward and find ways to make the future sorority experience relevant for women enter college in the next few decades.

A Successful Director Possesses Certain Skills

To be able to fulfill the duties of the board, a successful director possesses certain skills. Malaea Seleski, Zeta Tau Alpha, shared a director should be emotionally intelligent, kind, confident, flexible and a strategic thinker.

“They should have the ability to look at things from alternative points of view and have the willingness to change your mind if your point of view is not the best for NPC,” Malaea said.

Serving is Rewarding and Challenging Work

Serving on the NPC Board of Directors is fulfilling and challenging volunteer work. Directors have an impact on the future of the sorority experience and service can be both rewarding and challenging.

“Being a servant leader, anticipating the possibilities for all women on the campus to feel welcomed in membership and planning for that future has been the most rewarding,” Laura Sweet, Sigma Sigma Sigma, said.

As NPC’s current organizational model and governance structure is still new, it is continuously being perfected. “It will be a privilege to have the opportunity and joy to make NPC’s evolving structure work for our member organizations and the future women who will thrive in their sorority environment,” Laura said.   

To learn more about serving on the NPC Board of Directors, you can visit this link. Starting the path to service is as simple as submitting the NPC Board of Directors Interest Form here.

 

From the NPC Chairman: A new journey for NPC

“It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new.” Anonymous

On July 1, the National Panhellenic Conference transitioned to a new organizational and governance structure designed to make the Conference more nimble and responsive to the most pressing challenges facing students, campus partners and the greater Panhellenic community. The new structure includes a seven-member Board of Directors with an elected chairman, a Council of Delegates with one delegate from each of NPC's 26 member organizations, many opportunities for NPC committee and volunteer service and an enhanced staff.

The NPC Board of Directors consists of five members elected to service by the Council of Delegates and two directors appointed by their member organization on a rotational basis. The directors lead NPC and have authority and responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the Conference by establishing corporate policy, setting the strategic direction, overseeing and securing resources and monitoring organizational performance. The Council of Delegates elects the NPC chairman.
     
The 2019-21 NPC Board of Directors include:
Carole Jones, chairman, Alpha Omicron Pi
Cheri De Jong, treasurer, Sigma Kappa
Mary Baker, Alpha Chi Omega
Laura Doerre, Kappa Alpha Theta
Rie Hoehner, Alpha Gamma Delta
Malaea Seleski, Zeta Tau Alpha
Laura Sweet, Sigma Sigma Sigma

The NPC Chief Executive Officer, Dani Weatherford, serves on the NPC Board of Directors as corporate secretary with a voice but no vote.

(Pictured front row, left to right: Malaea Seleski, Laura Sweet, Rie Hoehner;
Pictured back row, left to right: Dani Weatherford, Laura Doerre, Carole Jones,
Mary Baker and Cheri De Jong)

This historic change in governance will equip NPC to be a stronger, more strategic ally to our campus-based colleagues on topics such as changing demographics, college affordability, different educational experiences that impact our organizations and the relevancy of lifetime membership when more and more of our members are looking for a transactional experience. As Panhellenic communities continue to look to NPC as a resource and a convener, this new organizational structure reflects our desire to further expand our capacity to serve such a role.

An important component of the new structure is the addition of the chief Panhellenic officer (CPO) for each member organization. The CPO now is the primary member organization contact for NPC and the 26 member organizations for campus issues and directs all incoming and outgoing communication regarding chapter and alumnae issues specifically as it relates to College and Alumnae Panhellenics.

As we embark on this new journey in NPC, staff and volunteers will partner together to accomplish their work ensuring that greater resources and staff-level engagement will focus on priorities ranging from recruitment and membership growth, enhanced data collection and communication efforts advocating for the sorority experience.

It’s an exciting time for NPC and our member organizations, and I am confident that with all of us working together we will continue to provide a transformational and meaningful sorority experience for today’s young women.

Interfraternally,

Carole J. Jones
NPC Chairman 2019-21