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Please email the NPC office at npccentral@npcwomen.org to submit fundraising, philanthropy, or programming ideas.
FUNDRAISING
The Atlanta Southern Crescent Alumnae Panhellenic Association (ASCAPA) is planning its 2nd annual Toga Trot - a community wide 5K race fundraiser that is run along all the golf cart paths of Peachtree City. They partner with the local Rotary Club and split the funds raised. The Rotary Club uses their funds for their Polio eradication program and the ASCAPA money goes for scholarships. For the first event, which was started and finished at Phi Mu Headquarters, there was over 100 entrants! They had togas available for purchase (at a nominal fee) onsite and encouraged runners to show up in their togas too. The main race sponsor was a rehab office and they had two paralyzed "runners" who had been told they'd never walk again after serious accidents and this rehab outfit has gotten them to the point where at the race they were able to walk across the finish line from about 10-20 yards out.
For 2009, they are planning to offer an incentive to area college panhellenics, e.g. a monetary donation to their chosen philanthropy for whichever college panhellenic has the most toga-clad runners entered in the event, which is scheduled for Halloween morning. The Dolce hotel in Peachtree City, GA will be the start/finish for the 2009 race.
“Divas’ Day Out”
Clear Lake, Texas Alumnae Panhellenic
This is style show and luncheon for which members sold and bought tickets, modeled in the style show, obtained underwriters and sponsors, sold community advertisements that were printed in the program, conducted silent and live auctions, and held a raffle. Proceeds went to the scholarship fund, and $24,989 was raised.
Each year the Casper, Wyoming, Alumnae Panhellenic participates in the “Evening of Giving,” a fundraiser held at a Casper mall in early December. Not-for-profit organizations sell $5 tickets for the evening at the mall and get to keep 100 percent of the proceeds. In addition to shopping, the mall has special events for those who buy tickets. Over $300 was raised.
Tidewater, Virginia, Alumnae Panhellenic held its annual fundraiser for scholarships by sponsoring a play at a local theater.
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| “Lights, Camera, Fashion” |
The Elmhurst, Illinois, Panhellenic Foundation has hosted “Lights, Camera, Fashion” since 1931. Over the years, it has given over $222,000 in scholarships for local women. The event features a professional fashion show, vendor boutique, silent auction, raffle and 50/50 raffle. For the first time this year, the Foundation sold advertising in the program distributed to attendees. This year's benefit raised $13,000 for scholarships, and there were over 300 attendees.
Community Woman of the Year luncheon: Philanthropic groups within the community are invited to nominate one of their members for recognition. A nomination committee chooses two women to receive the “Woman of the Year” gold medallion. Each nominee is honored and a brief résumé is read. Program books are underwritten with ads from local businesses. (Similar luncheons are done by several of our Alumnae Panhellenics.)
No-Show Book Club (Honolulu Alumnae Panhellenic): Curl up with a good book, and fail to make an appearance at the No-Show Book Club! Level of donations included:
$5: I read a page … what a good read
$10: I read a chapter. It was intriguing
$20: I read the whole book and can’t wait to discuss it
$25: I read the whole book and it was so good, I read it twice
$_____: I read the Cliff Notes version of the book (fill in the amount)
Silent Auction (Jacksonville, Florida Alumnae Panhellenic): Each sorority was asked to donate a basket for the silent auction. The basket theme was “Time in a Bottle,” and the baskets were cleverly designed around tea time, bath time, tee time (golf) and time on the beach.
Cookbook (Houston, Texas Alumnae Panhellenic): This group produced its own cookbook. Proceeds supported the HAPA scholarships. The cookbooks were made available at various stores throughout the Houston area.
PHILANTHROPY
San Diego Alumnae Panhellenic is committed to doing a local philanthropic project every year. The project is chosen based on the philanthropy of the current president's sorority. This year Alpha Omicron Pi holds the president position, and its philanthropy is the Arthritis Foundation. Members will participate in a 5K walk/run as “Greek Girls.” They will demonstrate their Panhellenic spirit by wearing matching T-shirts.
The Richmond Alumnae Panhellenic sponsors local book awards. Guidance counselors at 20 area high schools each choose a high school senior based on leadership and academics. Books are given to the high school libraries with nameplates that honor the award recipients and credit the National Panhellenic Conference. Members of the Richmond Alumnae Panhellenic present the awards at the senior awards assemblies, highlighting the work of the Alumnae Panhellenic. This group changed the location of its meetings from a library to a restaurant and started using e-vites as well as contact information from its NPC Area Advisor to increase attendance and participation.
Clothes That Work Boutique (Dayton Alumnae Panhellenic): This resale shop is for better-label casual clothing, designer fashions, party and formal wear. All proceeds from the sale of clothing in this boutique are used to support the Clothes That Work program. This organization supports women by offering them good quality clothing for job interviews and jobs. Dayton APH accepts donations for business professional, business casual, uniforms and specialty work clothing to stock the boutique.
PROGRAMMING
Coachella Valley, California, Alumnae Panhellenic reads the bio of a “mystery member” at each meeting. This is a fun way to put the spotlight on someone while finding out more about her. It also allows the members to get to know each other on a more personal level.
Northern Virginia Alumnae Panhellenic Association has developed a support program for its members called PALS. This group of Panhellenic volunteers recognizes milestone events (births, marriages, engagements, etc.), provides meals for members who have had surgery, a death in family or an illness, and offers general support.
Shared leadership is the philosophy of the Sonoma County, California Alumnae Panhellenic. Two officers (secretary and membership) serve permanently. From September through October, a team of 3-4 volunteers write and send the fall newsletter and chair the fall meeting. A team for January through March develops a theme and flier for the No-Attend fundraiser, writes the winter newsletter and chairs the winter meeting. The team for April through June plans and presents the annual spring social, writes the spring newsletter and chairs the spring meeting. Yearly volunteers include a Sonoma State College liaison and a chairman of recognition awards.
The Colorado Springs Alumnae Panhellenic hosted a summer meeting for local presidents of alumnae groups to keep them informed about the Alumnae Panhellenic, including its goals, future events/activities, and how they could support its efforts. The group also hosted meetings on current topics of interest to its members, such as investing, decorating, crafts and a sorority evening out.