News & U p dates S T R AT E G I C G O A L A R E A
Elevate
NEW GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE PASSED AT 2018 ANNUAL MEETING By Loretta Good, NPC director of communication & marketing
N
ational Panhellenic Conference leadership, volunteers and guests met in St. Louis, Oct. 19-21, at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel for the 2018 NPC annual meeting. Guided by the theme “Gateway to Our Future,” attendees had the opportunity to meet, strategize and make bold decisions about how NPC and its member organizations work together to advance the sorority experience. On Friday, Oct. 19, the NPC Executive Committee, board of directors, inter/ national presidents and executive directors met to discuss a number of topics, including NPC governance, trends in higher education, recruitment results and the NPC strategic plan. The annual meeting began in earnest with the Friday night delegation dinner and meeting kick-off. After the meal, attendees shared in a motivational session in which Erin Fischer, owner and CEO of The Leadership and Training Studio, encouraged participants to challenge old ways of thinking and to shine a light on other women. The kick-off was followed by the opening
10 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha
business meeting, led by NPC Chairman Carole Jones, Alpha Omicron Pi. During her state of NPC address, Jones focused on accomplishments in 2017-18, noting NPC’s work in preserving and advancing the sorority experience on many fronts. She explained NPC was guided by its five strategic priorities and discussed projects such as the creation of think tanks, the “Call for Critical Change,” projects completed to advance Panhellenic operations and NPC’s legislative and advocacy efforts. “As we embrace these many opportunities together, it is loud and clear that the state of NPC is strong, but the state of sorority is fragile,” said Jones as she summarized threats to the sorority experience during the past year. “… Challenging issues in challenging times, but we have leaned on each other for strength, advice, encouragement and comfort. We have all ‘faced challenges and embraced opportunities together.’” Other meeting highlights included the introduction of local College and Alumnae Panhellenic guests, presentation of the
finance report and consideration of NPC legislation. Attendees began their Saturday at a special meeting of the NPC Board of Directors. During the meeting, the directors voted to increase member organization dues and undergraduate fees. In addition, the directors voted to amend NPC’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Effective July 1, 2019, NPC will transition to a new strategic governance structure with a seven-member board of directors and a 26-member Council of Delegates. In a historic shift, the chairmanship of NPC will no longer rotate through NPC member organizations according to the order of admission to the Conference. The Council of Delegates will elect the chairman from
