Thoughts from the College Panhellenic Academy 2016 Facilitators

College Panhellenic Academy provides the opportunity for hands-on training with NPC representatives, allowing attendees to refocus their commitment to NPC values and in turn, shape their fraternity and sorority communities. A team of experts in sorority is ready to facilitate and guide our attendees to be the best sorority women they can be. We asked these facilitators a few questions about their own sorority experience and what they are most looking forward to at #Academy16.

Krystal Clark
Director for the Office of Student Leadership Development, Vanderbilt University

What do you think is the most important thing for a Panhellenic Officer to keep in mind at the beginning of her term?

Operate from a place of grace and not perfection. Perfection is not a thing to pursue. The goal is to always do YOUR best and to understand that your best changes from day to day and even moment to moment. You will make mistakes. Ask for help.




Patty Gesell
NPC College Panhellenics Committee chairman

What do you think is most important for a Panhellenic officer to keep in mind at the beginning of her term?

This can be a wonderful experience if you are willing to embrace the NPC philosophy, establish relationships and trust with other CPH officers and delegates, work for the common good and lead by example.







Julie Johnson
NPC delegate, former NPC Panhellenics chairman and former national president of Kappa Delta Sorority

How has NPC/Panhellenic been a part of your life/profession?

Being an advocate, positive role model and resource for the sorority experience has been a part of me since college.  I had an incredible undergraduate experience, and I greatly appreciated the opportunities and skills my membership gave me.  I knew that I wanted to "give back," so I began volunteering in grad school at the local level on a house corporation and then served as a chapter advisor.  From there I was asked to serve as a national officer/volunteer, and I am now in my 30th year of serving on the national level. 


Carole Jones
NPC vice chairman

"Why sorority?" If someone asked you that, what would be your answer?

As an undergraduate member, I learned that being a member of a sorority extended beyond my college days, and as an alumna, I have been committed to continuing my fraternal journey. While I continue to enjoy the special bond that exists between my Alpha Omicron Pi sisters, I have also developed special relationships with sisters who span several generations and come from sister sororities. We are all dedicated to the ideals of character, integrity and loyalty.



Kyle Pendleton
Senior director of harm reduction and education, Zeta Tau Alpha

What is your favorite moment or a highlight from your own fraternal experience thus far? 

My chapter at Ohio State was closed several years after I graduated. When the chapter was recolonized in 2011, I served as the chapter advisor and oversaw the first initiation of the new chapter members and advised the group through the chartering.  Last year, the chapter was one of five that received the Pyramid of Excellence, the highest collegiate chapter award in Delta Sigma Phi. This is the first Pyramid in the chapter’s history. I am so lucky to have gotten to work with them.


Justine Rosenberg
Gift officer, Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation
 

"Why sorority?" If someone asked you that, what would be your answer?

I am genuinely a better version of myself because of my sorority experience–because I am a Panhellenic woman. I am proud to be in outstanding company of leading women in their fields, who I wholeheartedly believe will inspire me throughout my life. The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega says it best, “to see and appreciate all that is noble in another, be her badge what it may,” as Panhellenic women are the ones, in many ways, changing the world for the better.


Corre Stegall

Vice president emerita, Louisiana Tech University
 

What most excites you about this College Panhellenic Academy?

The most exciting thing about the CPA is the opportunity to interact with so many outstanding young leaders who are dedicated to the excellence of sorority.  These young women have made a wonderful decision to work for the betterment of not only their own sorority, but for the success and growth of all the sororities on their campus.  That takes a great deal of insight, and it’s inspiring and energizing for me to have a part in working with them…they’re such fun!



Corin Wallace
Director of Experience Design, Mavenly + Co.
Speaker and Communications Consultant, Red Frame Communications

What is your favorite moment or a highlight from your own fraternal experience thus far?

I've had many magical moments, from watching my cousin select my organization to seeing the creeds of many organizations expressed at programs like UIFI. Most of my favorites involve an "a-ha moment" for a member: the clear realization that this experience is rooted in personal development and support. I love seeing young men and women realize that because of their fraternal experience, they are a little less alone.

The Impact of College Panhellenic Academy on My Campus – Advisor

College Panhellenic Academy is a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) program designed to equip College Panhellenic officers and advisors with the most up-to-date Panhellenic knowledge through hands-on training with NPC representatives.

The 2016 Academy is designed for four College Panhellenic officers: Panhellenic president, Panhellenic officer responsible for recruitment, Panhellenic officer responsible for implementation of the judicial process and Panhellenic officer responsible for communications and public relations, and it includes a jointly created track for fraternity/sorority advisors. This year, College Panhellenic Academy will be held Jan. 22-23 at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. 

Rebekah Druetzler, Alpha Xi Delta, has served as Butler University’s director of Greek life for 13 years. She had the opportunity to attend College Panhellenic Academy in 2015 with Butler's College Panhellenic officers.

How did College Panhellenic Academy impact the way you fulfill your role as an advisor? 
Attending Academy helped our Panhellenic officers work from baseline NPC knowledge sooner, which allowed us to have deeper conversations early during their tenure.

How did Academy impact the leaders of your College Panhellenic?
Attending College Panhellenic Academy provided my officers with confidence in understanding Panhellenic matters and ensuring that their council is advocating for chapters and their members.

What has the Butler College Panhellenic achieved of the goals that were set at academy?
We have encouraged casual attire for potential new members and chapters during the first two rounds of recruitment, and we have created a new fall event for sorority women. 

What do you think is most important for a Panhellenic officer to keep in mind at the beginning of her term?
Through your Panhellenic, you will facilitate some great collaboration between the chapters on your campus, but you will also have the opportunity to make amazing friendships with the other women serving as officers with you.  Be prepared to invest in Panhellenic, but also to invest in the lives of others.

What was the most helpful part of Academy for you as a fraternity/sorority advisor?
I found the session for FSAs on single-sex status and transgender students really helpful.

Why would you encourage others to attend Academy?
There’s a lot of information to cover and process with each new council.  Members have a greater awareness of their own organizations through national conventions and regional programming, but they don’t get to experience NPC in the same way.  College Panhellenic Academy provides an opportunity to make the information sharing more manageable while prompting council leaders to consider new possibilities on their own campuses.

Message From the Chairman: Wide and Wise Human Service

Philanthropic service is a cornerstone of sorority life. By volunteering community service hours, raising awareness and through purposeful fundraising, sorority women positively impact their communities. The 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) inter/national organizations touch lives from aged to young, from hospitals to schools, from local communities to the world.

Collectively, sorority members representing their chapters, associations and inter/national organizations participated in over 2.9 million hours of service and donated more than $34.8 million to a variety of charitable causes during the 2014-15 year. Equally as commendable, the cooperative organizations of Alumnae and College Panhellenics volunteered for over 1.3 million hours of community service, and donated in excess of $7.9 million to admirable causes in the same year.

Statistics speak volumes, but more important is the effect that philanthropic service has on a sorority woman throughout her life.

"Service is putting people before yourself and admitting that you can be the change in the world. My sorority service gives me the opportunity to impact college women in a way that will allow them to impact others in a very real way. I am grateful for the opportunity," says Lindsey Medenwalt, Sigma Kappa alumna.

"For me, doing service is a highlight of being a sorority woman. I love being able to use my talents and knowledge to make the world a better place for others," says Emily Hoffman, Kappa Kappa Gamma collegian, Butler University.

"Service to others is being unselfish, fulfilling the needs of others and expecting nothing in return. My volunteer service to Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity and NPC has afforded me the opportunity to better my own character and to positively impact the lives of collegians," says Julie Karstetter, Alpha Gamma Delta alumna.

During this holiday season, I say thank you to each and every sorority woman for her gift of "wide and wise human service" to the world.

Interfraternally,

Donna C. King
Chairman 2015-17

Message From the Chairman: With Courage and Conviction

The gavel passed from one National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organization to another with mutual respect and friendship on Oct. 24, 2015, in Irving, Texas. It is now my distinct honor to join the ranks of women who have preserved our freedom to form, expand and protect the sorority experience, which is the true essence of NPC.

Sororities have come under the increasing scrutiny of the media, universities, colleges and communities where they are hosted. We are at a crossroads in terms of our future reputation, and some believe, perhaps, even the existence of the fraternal membership experience. With courage and conviction, my platform for the next two years, we will confront our current challenges together and build for the future.

As your NPC chairman, I will focus on:

• Creating leadership training opportunities that strengthen character and skills to empower our young women. 
• Promoting sorority role models who have displayed courage and conviction.
• Recognizing the notable acts of our collegiate members.
• Partnering with the North-American Interfraternity Conference and other umbrella organizations to promote respect and appropriate behavior embraced by all sororities and fraternities.
• Exploring new ways to make our partnerships with university administrations even stronger.
• Defending the sorority experience when attacked.
• Making the positive case for sorority membership, whenever and wherever possible.

It will take courage and conviction on my part and that of the entire NPC family to reestablish, but also reinforce, the positive relevance of sorority life. The issues we face cannot be resolved in a short period of time. We must continue to build on the foundation for change. In partnership with members of the NPC family, I will work collectively and collaboratively to ensure the preservation of the membership experience for generations of young women to follow. I am passionate about NPC, and together we will move from being successful toward being truly significant as the premier advocacy and support organization for the sorority experience. 

Interfraternally,

Donna C. King
Chairman 2015-17

The Impact of College Panhellenic Academy on My Campus - Collegian

College Panhellenic Academy is a National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) program designed to equip College Panhellenic officers and advisors with the most up-to-date Panhellenic knowledge through hands-on training with NPC representatives.

This program is designed for four College Panhellenic officers: Panhellenic president, Panhellenic officer responsible for recruitment, Panhellenic officer responsible for implementation of the judicial process and Panhellenic officer responsible for communications and public relations. College Panhellenic Academy takes place in conjunction with the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s IFC Academy and includes a jointly created curriculum track for fraternity/sorority advisors. This year, College Panhellenic Academy will be held Jan. 22-23, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. 

Jennifer Piascik, an Alpha Gamma Delta at Westminster College, serves as her College Panhellenic's recruitment director. She had the opportunity to attend College Panhellenic Academy in January 2015. 

Why did you attend Academy?

I attended with my Panhellenic Council President because of the huge recruitment shift that we had decided we wanted to make here at Westminster. We wanted to be able to talk to other College Panhellenics, advisors and presenters to get their opinions and input about how best to implement this change. 

How did attending academy empower you to use your voice to advance your sorority community?

One speaker talked about the ‘squeaky wheel.’ At a school of about 1,300 undergraduates, those squeaky wheels are often loud. Being conscious of this concept, when we returned to campus we were prepared to address the squeaky wheels. We didn’t allow those that were set in their ways to stop us from getting out our message and making the necessary changes. Academy also instilled the idea of Panhellenic spirit within me. Being more panhellenically-minded is helping us to encourage and better each other as sorority women. 

What was your favorite part of College Panhellenic Academy?

My favorite part of attending Academy was meeting all of the other attendees. In the recruitment-based workshops, it was fascinating to meet women who were doing the same types of things I am doing. I also got to ask them questions and get their advice. 

Why would you encourage others to attend Academy?

Academy really reminded me why I joined a sorority in the first place. It was amazing to see how fraternity and sorority life has affected the amazing women I met. I learned so much about not only my job as recruitment director, but about fraternity and sorority life as a whole, including the ways being a member of a Greek-letter organization can enrich my life.

Meet the Executive Committee: Lynnda Hoefler, Finance chairman 2015-17

Lynnda Hoefler is the 2015-17 Finance chairman. The Finance chairman works with the executive director, NPC’s accountant and the Finance Committee. Together they prepare the annual budget and review the financials each month. They also work to plan for the future and maintain the financial integrity of NPC.

About Lynnda: Lynnda is a member of Delta Zeta and resides in Stow, Ohio, with her husband and their two cats. Her father and two younger brothers and their families live in upstate New York. Lynnda earned her bachelor’s degree from Kent State University, where she studied speech and hearing disabilities. She served on the Delta Zeta National Council for a total of 23 years as the National Director of Chapter Finances, National Vice President of Membership and most recently is completed her 12-year tenure as the NPC Delegate.

What do you enjoy most about working for NPC? I am totally energized and privileged to work with really outstanding Panhellenic women on challenging issues. We have common goals to advance sorority together and to empower young women today. We work with our interfraternal partners to make fraternity/sorority life the best it can be.

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? Working with our new investment firm to secure a stronger financial position for the future of the National Panhellenic Conference.

What are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about my family and friends, followed by my sorority work.

What have you gained by being a member of a sorority? It has been a great opportunity to grow, give, lead and succeed while making the best friends ever working on common causes together. My membership has challenged me to be a better person and role model for others.

How would your friends and family describe you in three words? Outgoing, dedicated and caring

Fun fact: I work on occasion as an actor/standardized patient at the Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio. I “pretend” to be a patient with various illnesses.

Meet the Executive Committee: Donna Chereck, Advocacy chairman 2015-17

Donna Chereck is the 2015-17 Advocacy chairman. The Advocacy chairman is responsible for discerning and assessing issues on which an NPC stance is needed. As chairman she will prepare and recommend appropriate statements and strategies as well as courses of actions for consideration by the NPC Board of Directors.

About Donna: Donna is from Dallas and is a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus in speech education and history. Donna has served as the national president of Alpha Chi Omega and on its foundation board of trustees. She has also served as the chairman of the ForNow/Forever Campaign, which raised $10.7 million to support Alpha Chi Omega education and leadership initiatives. Donna is an only child but does have three children and a small dog named Scarlett Rose.

What do you enjoy most about working for NPC? The relationships ¾ the building of relationships with Panhellenic sisters, collegians, alumnae and university officials as we strive to promote the work of sororities to empower women

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? I would complete the development and implementation of a sustainable plan of communication and assessment that will educate and help ensure support of the national leadership of each of NPC’s 26 member organizations for the advocacy objectives that promote the sorority experience for women of all ages.

What is something you do every day? I enjoy a quiet time with coffee and the newspaper and purposely thinking about all the people and things for which I am grateful.

What are you most passionate about? Promoting domestic violence awareness ¾ supporting victims of domestic/relationship abuse and putting an end to the abuse of women

Favorite book, show or artist? My favorite book is “The Shell Seekers” by Rosamunde Pilcher.

What's your biggest pet peeve? Loud cell phone conversations in public, closely followed by texting and driving

What have you gained by being a member of a sorority? My membership in Alpha Chi Omega has shaped the woman I am today through the ongoing opportunities I have been provided in the areas of leadership, academic excellence, philanthropy and lifelong friendships with outstanding women.

How would your friends and family describe you in three words? Determined, enthusiastic and trustworthy

Fun fact: I lived in England for two years, which was the catalyst for my love of travel and adventure.