NPC also recognized the Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic as the biennial winner of the 2015-17 Harriet Macht Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic Award sponsored by Delta Phi Epsilon. It recognizes excellence in communication, programming, scholarship and service. Previous winners include Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic (2013-15) and the Coachella Valley, Calif., Alumnae Panhellenic (2011-13).
Both Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic and Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic have answered questions about the Harriet Macht Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic Award application process, what it means for their Alumnae Panhellenic to win and how they plan on sustaining excellence.
Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic Association
1. Do you have any suggestions for Alumnae Panhellenics in completing the award application?
One thing that would help is to commence the planning process at the beginning of the biennium. Print a blank form and distribute a copy to each member of the executive board. As you plan your association’s activities during the next two years, use the application as a guide to ensure that all, or most, of the criteria are met. When completing the application, clearly, but concisely, answer every point, adding extra sheets if needed. Begin working on it early enough that you are not pushed to meet the due date. Most important: apply for the award every biennium!
2. What does it mean to your Alumnae Panhellenic and community being selected as the Harriet Macht Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic Award winner?
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| Photo credit: Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic, www.atlantapanhellenic.org |
3. How do you foresee upholding Alumnae Panhellenic excellence in the future?
For the last 90 years, Atlanta Panhellenic has been serving the greater community through our programs, communication, scholarships and philanthropic efforts. Going forward, we will continue to expand our focus, as needed, in each of these areas, continuing current programs and exploring others. Social media has become a driving force in promoting all that we do, and we view it as a means to convey a positive message of Alumnae Panhellenic excellence and the overall Greek experience.
4. Do you have any words of encouragement or suggestions for Alumnae Panhellenics across the country that are striving towards excellence?
Focus on the basics: Collegiate support, scholarships, philanthropy and communication. Start with small objectives, and they will grow. Being a well-rounded organization is, in our opinion, as important as the numbers and/or dollars that come from your investment of time and talent in each of these areas.
Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic Association
1. As an award winning Alumnae Panhellenic, do you have any suggestions for keeping records for your Alumnae Panhellenic?
Each officer and committee chairwoman is given a thumb drive, containing information on all aspects of that office or committee, which is passed on annually to the next officer. Each officer adds to it each year, so officers and committees continue to build on a solid foundation. Officers also have access to a designated email address so they can easily see and reference past communications. We try to start each new year on a firm foundation without having to re-design every aspect of the position, although new ideas are always welcome. Dropbox folders have also been created for executive board and committee chairwomen to access.
Phoenix Panhellenic also maintains a database in Excel that includes all Panhellenic officers, council delegates, alumnae club presidents and treasurers; Panhellenic contacts at Arizona universities; and past Panhellenic presidents and Panhellenic Women of the Year. This list is updated as needed and provides a database to contact Panhellenic women in our area. We have also been keeping this list current with past council members as we look forward to our upcoming Centennial Celebration in 2020.
2. Since being selected as the 2013-15 Harriet Macht Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic Award winner, how have you sustained Panhellenic excellence through this new biennium (2015-17)?
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| Photo credit: Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic, www.phoenixpanhellenic.com |
Sunflower Shout-outs! are included at every meeting to recognize the time, talents and treasurers of our sorority women, committees and alumnae chapters. Photos are taken at meetings with our Sunflower sign and then are posted to social media. Anyone may submit a Sunflower Shout-out! but they are typically received from executive board, committee chairwomen and council members.
3. Do you have any words of encouragement or suggestions for Alumnae Panhellenics across the country that are striving towards excellence?
Phoenix Panhellenic’s executive board is chosen by rotation and has a 5-year commitment. Two years in advance, contact is made with the president of the next group to start the rotation to seek out potential delegates and to encourage participation and familiarity with our council. Executive board members are required to have served on Phoenix Panhellenic for at least one year prior to starting the rotation.
Although the delegate selection remains up to the alumnae club, we look for women who possess an enthusiasm about Panhellenic; exceptional interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; and the ability to motivate others through effective communication of desired objectives to engage all members.