LEADERSHIP

True leadership comes from experience. Sororities allow women to develop the skills and talents to impact our campus, community, state, country, and world as undergraduate members and as graduate and alumni members. Sororities are self-governing organizations; therefore, members have the opportunity to develop and grow as leaders and gain experience in many leadership capacities.

Today’s employers seek individuals who have been involved on campus and have experience working in a team, managing resources, and communicating with peers and administrators. Sororities offer great opportunities for you to gain this experience. For instance, a chapter treasurer gains invaluable experience by working with a budget that may exceed $200,000. A chapter philanthropy chair will gain experience planning large-scale events for nationally-recognized organizations. Chapters typically have 10 or more executive officers, as well as a variety of committee chairpersons and minor positions. Another opportunity for leadership positions is the Panhellenic Association, the umbrella organization of the 12 Northwestern Panhellenic sororities. All of these experiences serve as excellent references for prospective employers.

Leadership is more than just a position or title. And all sorority women, regardless of the fact if they hold a leadership position in their chapter, have the opportunity to gain leadership experience. They learn how to set an example, follow others, think on their feet, and solve problems. In addition to the opporunities within their chapters, sorority women are involved in more than 300 student organizations . Sororities help women become involved on campus in departmental clubs, student organizations, student government, and athletics.

The Panhellenic Associaiton, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL), and other national organizations hold many leadership development opportunities throughout the year for students of all years and levels. All of these leadership opportunities come at no cost to students. Below are descriptions of those leadership programs, retreats, and events.

New Member Conference

The New Member Conference is held on a Saturday for all the new members of the Panhellenic community. This event is typically held with the new members of the chapters in the Interfraternity Council as well. The New Member Conference consists of a speaker and several workshops on risk management issues such as alcohol abuse, sexual assault prevention, and hazing awareness.

Greek Emerging Leaders

Held in the fall and spring quarters, this experience is for fraternity and sorority new members who have been identified as future leaders within their chapter and the Northwestern community. Two sections of Greek Emerging Leaders meet once a week to learn about themselves and their leadership styles, discuss the pressing issues effecting the Greek community, and make connections with other rising leaders. The class is taught by one student facilitator and one OFSL staff member. Up to four nominated members from each chapter can take part in the class each year.

Greek Leadership Retreat

Each April, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life sponsors a weekend retreat that brings together fraternity/sorority leaders from both the council and chapter level. All four councils send their executive boards and chapter presidents. The retreat serves as a forum to build relationships and have open discussions about the fraternity and sorority experience at Northwestern. Two outside facilitators are brought in to lead students through the curriculum, and eight senior leaders serve as small group facilitators.

The Omega Experience

Throughout the year, the OFSL holds programming targeted to juniors and seniors relating to career planning, alumni/ae involvement, and life transitions. OFSL also recognizes seniors who have been active in the Greek community by inviting them to serve as facilitators for Greek Emerging Leaders and Greek Leadership Retreat, holding a dinner with the University President, and presenting them with awards at the spring Order of Omega Awards Ceremony.

Bridging the Gap

Participants from the 2006 Greek Leadership Retreat partnered with the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network, an initiative that addresses race relations through sustained dialogue. Beginning Fall 2006, approximately 50 fraternity/sorority students participated in dialogues concerning diversity within the fraternity/sorority and Northwestern community led by trained peers. Two year later, the program is still going strong. For more information on Sustained Dialogue visit http://www.sdcampusnetwork.org/.

Mid-American Greek Council Association Annual Conference

The largest gathering of undergraduate fraternity and sorority leaders from councils across the country, this four-day program is held every February in St. Louis, MO. Members of the Panhellenic Executive Board attend this conference with other council executive board members and OFSL staff to learn about current events and issues that impact the Greek community on a college campus. Nearly 2,000 participants come together creating the ideal setting for networking and idea sharing.

Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute

Regarded as the premiere Greek Leadership Academy in the country, this 5-day national Greek leadership academy is in Indianapolis and held throughout the summer. Greek students from Northwestern attend this program on scholarships from their local and national chapters, the Panhellenic Association, and local alumnae organizations. For more information and dates, visit: http://www.nicindy.org/programs/UIFI.