What is the role of "alumnae panhellenic"?
 

What is the role of alumnae panhellenic (for NPC sororities) in the cities where it exists?

I know alum members are often contacted by their local alumnae groups where they live for various events, but are there ever times when someone could be contacted by alumnae panhellenic for all-panhellenic events? Do alumnae panhellenics ever say, "Let's get all the Zetas and Kappas and Pi Phis, etc. together within a 100-mile radius of Metropolis and do something social."

Does alumnae panhellenic have a database of all the members from various NPC groups that live in a particular city or region within a certain mile radius, for purposes like I described above?

Obviously all NPC groups keep a detailed list of their members, but since they're all under the umbrella organization of NPC, does NPC have access to all the 26-member lists/database too?

I'm curious because I've lived in a couple of large U.S. cities and have never been contacted by alumnae panhellenic to participate in events with other Greeks from different affiliations, but I have heard of such events. Or are such events for panhellenic delegates only? Maybe I'm just confused...

Hope this makes sense!

The role is to promote greek life in general, they often do sponsor events for high school students to learn about greek life, and they assist people in obtaining recommendations for organizations. Usually, there are members to represent each GLO, for instance one of the member of my alum group is our representative. I know it varies greatly how large and active groups are. For instance, the Atlanta group is very active (they have a great website) but some places they are very small.

Purpose of Alumnae Panhellenics:

To INFORM fraternity women of current trends
To PROMOTE the fraternity system
To IMPROVE the Panhellenic image
To STIMULATE a continuing interest in Panhellenic affairs

Here's more from the NPC website at www.npcwomen.org:

alumnae panhellenics

So...from my understanding then, their role is more of an advocate for Greek life, good PR if you will, rather than aggressively organizing get-togethers for the various NPC groups represented on campus?

I have read their purpose before, but for me, it still seemed ambiguous (why can't I just "get it"?!) ;)

Thanks tho...

I meant "represented in the community", not the campus. Sorry.

the way I understand it (and I learned about them from a lady who was once president of all the alum panhellenic grps) is to promote greek life. I think that is their main objective.

I revised your quote to match your post after it. :)

Our alum panhellenic here is mostly concerned with putting on a fashion show to award scholarships to local Greek collegiates. When this event happens, the Panhellenic reps go back to their alum chapters and women from all sororities can attend the show. These are the kind of events you're talking about. They also do PR in some high schools and go to the colllege panhellenic meetings to educate the women about alumnae membership.

In the South, as stated before, helping rushees to secure recs is also a big thing that they do, but none of the schools here really require recs.

They do not have access to membership lists for NPC groups. The only way an alum Panhel has contact with sorority alums is through that sorority's alum panhel rep.

the alumnae panhel here has had social events for all groups with representatives on the council. a few years ago, one organization hosted a happy hour at a local bar and members of all of the sororities were invited to come and bring canned goods which were donated to a local food bank. we host a fundraiser every year to raise money for the susan g. komen fund and the american cancer society, and our scholarship. we offer dues scholarships to 4 women at area colleges and universities. we also held a networking event for college seniors and alumnae. this year, we are trying to get more involved with college panhels by sponsoring a talk about alumnae membership.

the thing is that each alumnae panhel can choose its own focus. that is probably why the explanation on the website is so ambiguous. lol.

Our alumnae panhellenic gives out about $8,000 in scholarships every year.

We give out about 3500 in scholarships, about 500 in grants to local NPC alumnae chapters for philanthropic work, donate about another 500 to local charities and host a sorority information night for graduating seniors.

http://www.tallahasseeaph.org

Congratulations Ladies. I think this puts a lot of information out about What Greek Alums do. Not just having Garden Partys, but doing what Alum. Associations do for the betterment of not only a Greek Organization, but for ALL Members!:)

While many GLOs have Educational Foundations, there is money there from not only IHQs, but from Alum. Groups like wise.

That is what Brother/Sisterhood is all about.

Guess, it is in a nut shell, We Care.

Alumnae Pahnellenics
 

I helped start an Alumnae Panhellenic (and got to serve as Pres.) in my area (A previous one had disbanded about 10 years before this one was started.). It is sort of ambigous, but that's partly because some Alumnae Panhellenics are very established and have scholorships set up and others (like mine) were mainly trying to get different Sororities to not only join (pay dues which you also decide the amount) but have Sisters attend and hold offices. Each Alumnae Panhellenic sort of has to chart their own course.

We were very fortunate to get lots of assistance - for my MANY questions - from NPC and from an Advisor in the state. It's been three years now and although we don't have a scholorship set up, area schools can use Alumnae Panhellenic for help and assistance during RUSH/Recruitment.

BTW, Alumnae Panhellenic can only go to Collegiate Panhelleniic meetings at the invitation of that CP. Generally the CP will welcome the Alumnae participation. The AP can't just come in and take over! :)

The Alumnae Panhellenic is a wonderful way for Greek women to continue the bonds of sisterhood...both with members of their own GLOs and those of other groups.

I can't remember exactly how our group got started...I'm sure GPBLtColonel will post soon. I know that she contacted GLO headquarters but I can't remember her response. I gave her a list of local AGDs. A lot of times, a local GLO member may be able to give her a list of area members.

Our group gave 1 $500 scholarship last year and 2 this year!!

If you have moved around, does your local GLO alumnae chapter/club know you are there? If not, tell them.

If you hear of an AP event, by all means, contact them and say that you want to participate!! :D

Thanks everyone for all the fabulous information! It has really helped clarify for me what alum panhell is all about. You guys are the best!

Thanks AGDLynn! Yes I did get the Atlanta Southern Crescent Alum Panhel Association started in 2001 after tiring of the tedious and sometimes treacherous drive into Atlanta to participate in the Atlanta Alum Panhel Assoc activities. I wanted a group to do the same types of things that had been done by the other Alum Panhel groups I was a member of during my Air Force career (e.g. many moves): encourage college bound girls to rush and join sororoties; conduct sorority info sessions and get recs written; do routine philanthropic/altruistic/community service; give scholarships AND socialize. :D
I contacted NPC first to find out exactly what they needed me to do so our group could become officially affilated with NPC. I even squeezed a small ($50) grant from the Atlanta Alum Panhel Assoc to help with the costs since everything was coming out of my own pocket and NPC does not reimburse you for anything, unlike my sorority which does reimburse you for many of the expenses associated with starting an alum chapter. I invited all the Greek women I knew to a brunch I cooked and served at my home; my Gamma Phi alum chapter helped with that first event and I had the Atlanta Alum Panhel Pres (an Alpha Xi Delta) and the Vice Pres (a Chi O) come down to speak and encourage us.
There were over 50 Greek women who attended and they were all supportive of my efforts. We planned a date for a second, follow up meeting at which I presented the bylaws I had written -- following the template NPC gave me -- and voted on them and elected officers. We "meet" every other month and our "meetings" are typically social events with some business conducted -- the exec board mostly handles that aspect. We are just three years young but we already have two ongoing philanthropies ("Baby Peaches" thru which we provide new layette items to needy mothers to be and "Womens Success Network" thru which we provide clean, gently-used career attire and accessories to women trying to re-enter the workforce from welfare/abusive situations); we donate to local charities such as the "Noel November" that benefits the local abused/neglected childrens home by auctioning off donated and highly decorated Xmas trees and wreaths -- it is a great outlet for our many creative Greek alums! and we got to act as hostesses during the recent Street of Dreams model designer home show -- one of the homes was decorated by a member (a very stylish and creative Kappa!) and she came to us her Greek sisters for help in acting as hostesses and tour guides -- all the proceeds from that endeavor went to the YW/MCA ; we also do annual sorority info sessions and each year we have more girls alttend and request recs; and as AGDLynn says, we give out scholarships -- one 2 yrs ago and two last year. Right now I am trying to get a Foundation established for our scholarship program and that should help us get more community financial support -- I am using Houston's fantastic Alum Panhel Association and their foundation as a model -- they have sent me some good info.

I STRONGLY encourage you to get in touch with whatever alum panhel group is in your town and get involved --I know that some alum panhel associations have meetings and some events thatare for official delegates only --like Atlanta Alum Panhel does; but other alum panhel associations -- like ours -- is open to ANY Greek alum and our dues are cheap (just $10 although we do encourage everyone to give more for our scholarship fund).

Go greek!
:D