Harriet Macht Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic Award

For the 2016-17 academic year, NPC proudly recognized 58 Alumnae Panhellenics for their work to advance the sorority experience. NPC annually recognizes Alumnae Panhellenics with achievements in areas such as programming, College Panhellenic relations and recruitment information events through the Citations of Merit and Programming Excellence Awards. Alumnae Panhellenics are evaluated on their programming accomplishments, submission of the Alumnae Panhellenic annual report and continued administration of their Alumnae Panhellenic online account. 

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?

Photo credit: Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic,
www.atlantapanhellenic.org

Atlanta Panhellenic’s 21-member organizations work very hard to achieve excellence in all areas. They are so proud to be the recipients of this very prestigious award. AAPA has received recognition from the Governor of Georgia, the City of Atlanta and has been recognized as an Outstanding Georgia Organization, but to be recognized by NPC has a special meaning.

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)?

Photo credit: Phoenix Alumnae Panhellenic,
www.phoenixpanhellenic.com

Phoenix Panhellenic continues to have strong communications between executive board, committees and council. We host an annual summer retreat to make sure the incoming executive board and committee chairwomen are trained to understand the “big picture” as well as the particular duties and timelines for their office. Goals are set at this retreat, and expectations, responsibilities and timelines are annually reviewed and updated. It is also a great way for the new leadership team to get to know one another.

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.

College Panhellenic Spotlight: Montana State University

Photo Courtesy of Greek Yearbook

The goal of the Montana State University Panhellenic Council is to create a campus environment where membership is a reward to those who seek it. Through fostering both personal and professional growth, the women of MSU leave the sorority community with the skills to be successful in the modern world. To encourage close friendship and connection, the Panhellenic implemented a “sister sorority” program through which chapters plan sisterhood events with each other on a monthly rotation. 

Another way MSU has increased cohesion across its community is through the adoption of a Panhellenic philanthropy, Circle of Sisterhood. It is obvious that a key reason most women join a sorority is not only for the sisterhood, but also for the community service aspect. By adopting a Panhellenic philanthropy, the community is connected through a basic tenet which is present in the ritual and purpose of each chapter. Connecting the traits of individual chapters to the community at large is successful in achieving a profound sense of unity for MSU. 

No time is more divisive to this unity than recruitment. To help mitigate the feeling of competition characteristic of this time, the Panhellenic Council helps facilitate house tours between the different chapters during spirit week. This tactic not only makes each chapter better recruiters by providing more practice, but it also eliminates the questions and curiosity about how other chapters are recruiting members. Suddenly the mystique surrounding recruitment dissipates and transparency is intact. A factor unique to MSU’s primary recruitment is the affiliation policy. By allowing members serving on the Panhellenic Council to retain affiliation with their chapters, both the potential new members (PNMs) and the active members feel an increased sense of trust regarding Panhellenic officers. Recruitment counselors are able to demonstrate to PNMs and their own chapters that a difference of letters is not a barrier among any woman in the community. At Montana State University the motto is “we as sorority women are always wearing our letters,” even during primary recruitment.

Lastly, Panhellenic meetings are held at the chapter facilities as opportunities to provide women with skills and information they would not otherwise have access to. To accomplish this goal, presenters from the community as well as professionals from the university are invited to share their knowledge with the sorority population. Over the past year speakers covered a range of topics including: resumé critiques, positive body image and health, sexual assault and violence, career fair opportunities, study abroad presentations and community service opportunities. Overall, the Panhellenic community is built on tenements of sisterhood, scholarship and professionalism created through the implementation of Panhellenic programs.