A New Journey For NPC
by Carole Jurenko Jones, Alpha Delta (U of Alabama), 2019-2021 NPC Chairman
“It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new.” -Anonymous
On July 1, the National Panhellenic Conference transitioned to a new organizational and governance structure designed to make the Conference more nimble and responsive to the most pressing challenges facing students, campus partners and the greater Panhellenic community. The new structure includes a seven-member Board of Directors with an elected chairman, a Council of Delegates with one delegate from each of NPC’s 26 member organizations, many opportunities for NPC committee and volunteer service and an enhanced staff.
The NPC Board of Directors consists of five members elected to service by the Council of Delegates and two directors appointed by their member organization on a rotational basis. The directors lead NPC and have authority and responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the Conference by establishing corporate policy, setting the strategic direction, overseeing and securing resources and monitoring organizational performance. The Council of Delegates elects the NPC chairman.
The 2019-21 NPC Board of Directors include:
- Carole Jones, chairman, Alpha Omicron Pi
- Cheri De Jong, treasurer, Sigma Kappa
- Mary Baker, Alpha Chi Omega
- Laura Doerre, Kappa Alpha Theta
- Rie Hoehner, Alpha Gamma Delta
- Malaea Seleski, Zeta Tau Alpha
- Laura Sweet, Sigma Sigma Sigma
The NPC Chief Executive Officer, Dani Weatherford, serves on the NPC Board of Directors as corporate secretary with a voice but no vote.
This historic change in governance will equip NPC to be a stronger, more strategic ally to our campus-based colleagues on topics such as changing demographics, college affordability, different educational experiences that impact our organizations and the relevancy of lifetime membership when more and more of our members are looking for a transactional experience. As Panhellenic communities continue to look to NPC as a resource and a convener, this new organizational structure reflects our desire to further expand our capacity to serve such a role.
An important component of the new structure is the addition of the chief Panhellenic officer (CPO) for each member organization. The CPO now is the primary member organization contact for NPC and the 26 member organizations for campus issues and directs all incoming and outgoing communication regarding chapter and alumnae issues specifically as it relates to College and Alumnae Panhellenics.
As we embark on this new journey in NPC, staff and volunteers will partner together to accomplish their work ensuring that greater resources and staff-level engagement will focus on priorities ranging from recruitment and membership growth, enhanced data collection and communication efforts advocating for the sorority experience.
It’s an exciting time for NPC and our member organizations, and I am confident that with all of us working together we will continue to provide a transformational and meaningful sorority experience for today’s young women.