Philanthropy Resources
Over the last several months, Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity and Foundation staff, in accordance with the Plan of Aspirations, have been working to establish and promote Theta’s culture of philanthropy. Through this process, we have redefined philanthropy for Kappa Alpha Theta to be more comprehensive and to reflect the current language being used in the non-profit world. Our new philanthropy philosophy statement is:
“The world should be a better place because Kappa Alpha Theta exists.” – Former Fraternity President Adelaide McDonald Sinclair, Sigma/Toronto
One of Kappa Alpha Theta’s three aims is to exercise the widest influence for good. Kappa Alpha Theta aspires to cultivate philanthropists, who demonstrate tangible works to seek positive change in their communities. Kappa Alpha Theta categorizes philanthropy in three areas: 1) service, focusing on hands-on volunteering for others; 2) fundraising, or collecting monetary or in-kind donations for causes close to our hearts; and 3) advocacy, or championing a cause through public support, education, and awareness.
One step in this process was identifying gaps in knowledge, education, and resources for college and alumnae chapters for all three areas of Theta’s philanthropic focus. This led to a Philanthropy Handbook, which will launch at the end of the month in conjunction with the Bulletin. This new handbook will provide officers who oversee chapter fundraising events, organize chapter-wide service projects, or work to provide education on Theta’s philanthropic priorities (Theta Foundation and CASA) with recommendations and step-by-step planning resources, as well as clarification and expansion on existing policies related to philanthropy. It will be located on the Theta website under Theta Manuals and in the OP Document Library under Manuals. Additional resources are already in the OP Document Library under Philanthropy Resources. If you have any questions, please email Assistant Director of Education & Leadership Ellen Barlow.
New Scholarship Audit Process
At the 2016 Grand Convention, Grand Council approved the creation of a scholarship taskforce to discuss how to assist our college chapters with scholarship. At Grand Council’s July meeting, the scholarship taskforce’s audit recommendation was approved. The audit will consist of the following.
A representative of the scholarship committee will reach out to the scholarship director, scholarship advisor, and advisory board chairman to explain that the scholarship committee will be working closely with them this academic term as part of a special scholarship program to provide extra support to chapters. At the conclusion of the audit in December, a representative of the scholarship committee will prepare a summary report based on the information gathered from each chapter, as well as specific recommendations for chapter improvements that could be implemented in the following semester/term.
The following chapters have been identified by the college district directors and scholarship committee chairman to be included in the audit. Contact Scholarship Committee Chairman Christa Sobon and Assistant Director of Education & Leadership Victoria Stankus with any questions.
Social Media Snapshot
Hurricane Irma: Theta staff members and volunteers are staying in close communication with college and alumnae chapters in Florida and surrounding states. Any updates or relevant information will be posted to our Facebook page. If you have any information, please feel free to share it there as well.
Recent Theta Blog
Heritage What’s New, September 2017
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