Industry Update Provided by NPC

Coverage of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in The New York Times referenced her membership in Alpha Epsilon Phi during her time as an undergraduate at Cornell University. The Times coverage includes comment from Bonnie Rubenstein Wunsch, executive director of Alpha Epsilon Phi.

In long-awaited reporting, The Washington Post published a lengthy piece on the Abolish Greek Life movement, including comment from Dani Weatherford, National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) CEO, and Judson Horras, North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) president and CEO. “Where we are going to make the most difference is our members’ commitment to positive change,” said Weatherford. “That is what we have always done, change to meet the needs of members and their campus community,” she continued, adding the NPC Board of Directors is in the process of appointing an “equity and access advisory committee.” (Note: At the time of the interview, the committee had not yet been appointed.)

Grand Council Action

At its Sept. 19 meeting Grand Council took the following action:

• Considered an alumna initiate candidate, and
• Considered a Fraternity officer appointment.

In addition to regular reports on the Plan of Aspirations, housing, Theta Foundation, and NPC, the board received reports on various aspects of the college program. Leaders of the program, Laura Locke, director of college chapters/college committee chairman, and Katharine Murphy, director of collegiate services, provided updates on high priority chapters as well as chapters adversely affected by the Abolish Greek Life movement. Chapter advisor recruitment, training, and retention were discussed as well.

The board also met with April Brown, chapter compliance committee chairman, to discuss college chapter compliance and with Emma Silvers, assistant director of collegiate services, to discuss member development. Kourtnee Vickery, assistant director of collegiate services, shared the guidance provided to chapter leaders by the budget district directors (BDDs) regarding financial challenges brought on by the pandemic last spring and again this fall. The most pressing challenge facing college chapters is membership affordability.  

Each program leader noted enhancements to several programs that will be announced at the appropriate time to chapter leaders, members, advisors, and/or workforce. All participants were praised for their ingenuity, resourcefulness, and energy devoted to tremendous challenges brought on the pandemic and their commitment to customized chapter and member experiences as the pandemic lingers. Visitors to the October board meeting will focus on the extension program.  

Educational Programming

Thanks to everyone who attended our September session on change management. You can access the recording with the passcode 1@T$GQBp. Our October training session will take place on the usual first Tuesday of the month: Oct. 6 at 8:30 p.m. EDT. Register for our October topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

New advisor onboarding is a program conducted entirely online and participants can move through topics at their own pace. While this program is intended for new advisors, anyone is welcome to sign up. Advisors appointed in April through Sept. 2020 will be emailed with information about registering. The September 2020 issue of The Bulletin will have information on how to sign up, as well.

Stay tuned for details on upcoming training and programming opportunities for emerging leaders, advisors, chapter officers, and general members. 

Workforce Contact Update

Ana Schwab, college district director (CDD) in College District III, will be away from her Theta desk until Wednesday, Oct. 7. If you need support for College District III during Ana’s absence, contact Laura Locke, director of college chapters/college committee chairman. 

Alumnae Newsletter

The Autumn 2020 issue of the alumnae newsletter was sent this past weekend to more than 98,000 alumnae.

Recent Theta Blogs

• Congratulations to Our Grand Convention Award Recipients
• National Hazing Prevention Week: Creating a Culture of Care

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important Dates and Visits
• Workforce Contact Information
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates
• Coronavirus Update
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 
• ThetaConnect