Advancing the Sorority Experience Together

WRITTEN IN FIRST PERSON BY: AMBER SHAVERDI HUSTON, HH

This past spring, I had the opportunity to represent Alpha Sigma Alpha at a handful of interfraternal events: Sigma Sigma Sigma’s 125th anniversary celebration at Longwood University, the (inter)national presidents’ meeting and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Council of Delegates meeting. I am honored to represent the sorority and share the common bonds of the sorority experience with our fellow Panhellenic sisters. The time together with strong, intelligent, driven, solution-oriented women who are all committed to the future of sorority membership fuels me with ideas and energy.

While traveling to these events & meetings, I was reflecting on the power of the sorority experience and the magnitude of the impact the 26 NPC member organization founders have imprinted on society. At a time when education was inaccessible to most women, the Founders of Alpha Sigma Alpha, as well as our peer sororities, had the vision to create fraternal organizations that provided a space for women to empower each other’s educational aspirations and a platform for women’s rights, civic engagement and overall personal development. I am in awe! I wish I could travel back in time and listen to the conversations, but since I can’t, I live out their ideas, their vision.

During the national presidents' meeting, 26 presidents came together to discuss openly the roadblocks sorority are facing. We all seek to bring our organizations' visions to life, strategize to make membership more accessible and prioritize how this group of leaders will focus our energy. Working alongside the other national presidents is truly a gift; we learn from each other, share tactics and ideas, tackle local & national concerns and provide guidance to the NPC.

The peak moment of the spring was the NPC Council of Delegates meeting, which was a culmination of months of work. The spring meeting differs from the fall meeting which includes educational sessions and speakers. The spring meeting is solely focused on conference business. The State of the Conference from the NPC Chair is shared, a financial report is provided, votes occur on legislation and the Board of Directors is elected. This year, there were 43 pieces of legislation, which is more than prior years. Of those 43 pieces of legislation, Alpha Sigma Alpha cosponsored eight. Prior to the meeting, I spent months with a handful of NPC peer organizations to research, write and engage fellow delegates in the process. All eight pieces of legislation were focused on membership and I am incredibly proud to share that six of the eight passed. I am already working with some delegates for the fall legislative process, which of course, will continue to be focused on membership.

The meeting also held a historic moment for Alpha Sigma Alpha, the Conference elected the 2023-25 Board of Directors and Kelly McGinnis Beck, EK, was elected to serve as NPC Chair. Kelly is the second Alpha Sigma Alpha to serve as NPC Chair. Kelly will lead the Conference with vigor and with an eye on the future. Each of these moments reminded me of the strength, determination and leadership we as sorority women have within us.

The relationships we have with our peers will help us locally and nationally as we plan for Alpha Sigma Alpha’s future.

May we as sorority women continue to uplift, elevate and empower women!