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39-642: The National Panhellenic Conference provides guidelines and resources for its members and serves as a national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. Founded in 1902, the NPC is one of the oldest and largest women's membership organizations, representing more than 4 million women at over 650 college and university campuses and 4,600 local alumnae chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Each year, NPC-affiliated collegians and alumnae donate more than $ 5 million to causes, provide $ 2.8 million in scholarships to women, and volunteer 500,000 hours in their communities. The organization

78-491: A Boston meeting, with the intention to meet again in 1893. In 1902, Alpha Phi invited Pi Beta Phi , Kappa Alpha Theta , Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma , Gamma Phi Beta , Delta Delta Delta , Alpha Chi Omega , and Chi Omega to a conference in Chicago on May 24 to set standards for collegiate sororities. Alpha Chi Omega and Chi Omega were unable to attend and joined the following year. The remaining seven groups met and

117-590: A conference call or video conference . Conferences can have various formats, topics and intentions. Pi Kappa Sigma Pi Kappa Sigma ( ΠΚΣ or Pi Kap ) was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from November 17, 1894, until it was absorbed by Sigma Kappa in 1959. Pi Kap was the first pedagogical sorority. On November 17, 1894, in Ypsilanti, Michigan , nine female students from Michigan State Normal School formed

156-604: A "pedagogical sorority" prevented it from being admitted into the National Panhellenic Conference . In 1917, two members of the Association for Pedagogical Sororities (A.P.S.), Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha , invited Pi Kap to join their association. Pi Kap accepted and was soon joined by Delta Sigma Epsilon . At the third national convention of A.P.S., the sororities changed A.P.S. to Association of Education Sororities (A.E.S.) Over

195-551: A delegate board with at least one representative from each of its 18 senior members. That year, the Congress also began plans for a centralized headquarters to coordinate and streamline interactions with the separate sororities. Shortly before its merger with the NPC, the Association of Educational Sororities (AES) was part of a larger multi-panhellenic association, the Council of Affiliated Panhellenics. Created in 1941, it included

234-450: A few days, which is organized on a particular subject, or to bring together people who have a common interest. Conferences can be used as a form of group decision-making , although discussion, not always decisions, is the primary purpose of conferences. The term derives from the word confer . The first known use of "conference" appears in 1527, meaning "a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern". It came from

273-492: A finish. Praises rather than blames the efforts of others. Adjusts to situations where the good of her group surpasses her own personal opinion. Stands by her ideals of Christian living. Ignores gossip and fault finding. Grows in poise and confidence. Matures in her relationships with people. Adds to life because of her humor, buoyancy, and wholesomeness. —Virginia Wielandy, Faculty Advisor Alpha chapter Pi Kappa Lambda chartered 51 chapters. Following

312-442: A law enforcement investigation before their school could begin its own investigation. In 2016, collegiate members began discussing membership offers for transgender women , which was supported by some national organizations with changes to their national policies; however, some national organizations delayed membership offers for trans women due to fears about Title IX exemption status, which caused dissent in local chapters. Though

351-427: A policy explicitly open to trans and non-binary individuals, and sororities open to anyone who identifies as a woman include: Alpha Chi Omega , Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Epsilon Phi , Alpha Sigma Tau , Chi Omega , Delta Gamma , Gamma Phi Beta , Kappa Alpha Theta , Kappa Delta , Kappa Kappa Gamma , Phi Sigma Sigma , Sigma Sigma Sigma , and Theta Phi Alpha . Sororities open to anyone who identifies and lives as

390-484: A secret club called J.P.N. In a nod to the fashion of the day, the letters of this club stood for Jolly Petticoats Nine . Other J.P.N. members recall the secret meaning as Just Progressive Normalites . For three years, J.P.N. grew as a Latin-lettered club. In 1896, membership was thirteen. In 1897, Alice Eddy Snowden assisted the J.P.N.s to transform themselves into a Greek-lettered organization. After careful consideration of Greek syntax and semantics, Pi Kappa Sigma

429-405: A variety of topics, from politics, to science or sport. Many conferences are held on a regular periodic basis, such as annually, biannually (twice per year), or biennially (every other year). With the development of communications technology , conference holders have the choice of replacing the physical meeting space with a telephonic or virtual form of meeting. This has resulted in terms such as

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468-416: A woman include: Alpha Gamma Delta , Alpha Omicron Pi , Alpha Xi Delta , Delta Delta Delta , Pi Beta Phi , Sigma Delta Tau , and Sigma Kappa , while Zeta Tau Alpha specifies that the individual must consistently identify and live as a woman. A Panhellenic Council consists of executive board members at each university or college. Each institution holds different executive positions based on its size and

507-764: Is a conference , not a congress , as it enacts no legislation and only regulates its own meetings. Other than basic agreements which its member groups must unanimously vote to follow, the NPC confines itself to recommendations and advice and acts as a court of final appeal in any college Panhellenic disputes. One of its services is providing advisors for sororities. Early histories of sororities contain accounts of rushing and pledging agreements or compacts among sororities on various campuses, and many stories of cooperation and mutual assistance. However, no actual Panhellenic organization existed and no uniform practices were observed. The NPC's origin can be traced to 1891, when Kappa Kappa Gamma invited all seven existing sororities to

546-503: Is a scroll with Pi Kappa Sigma in Greek letters." The first initiation ritual was that of J.P.N. In October 1902, there was a new initiation and pledge ritual recorded by hand. These rituals were "very similar" to what the sorority used in 1949. Minor changes in phrasing and a few additions were made in later years. Pledge ribbons were given to new members before the official pledging ceremony. Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for

585-467: The 1940s many teachers' colleges had begun to add liberal arts programs, and vice versa, which led to difficulties in the organizations functioning separately. On November 12, 1947, at a conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado , the NPC considered and granted associate membership "with reservations" to the six AES sororities. The AES was holding its biennial meeting when it was notified of

624-629: The 2010s, sorority members and outside observers noticed a shift in sorority culture; though sororities began as feminist organizations, emphasis during the mid-1900s on social reputations and exclusionary recruitment policies (such as a refusal to recruit Jewish and African-American women) led to a reputation for following cultural hegemony and being made up of upper-class white women. Though such issues continue to persist in various ways, sorority and anti-sorority women alike observed sororities becoming more ethnically diverse and moving away from traditional power structures towards their feminist roots. In

663-518: The 2010s, sorority members began attempts to change how sororities work from within. In November 2015, eight NPC members ( Alpha Phi , Alpha Chi Omega , Phi Mu , Alpha Gamma Delta , Sigma Delta Tau , Delta Phi Epsilon , Delta Gamma , and Gamma Phi Beta ) broke ranks from the NPC to withdraw their support for the Safe Campus Act , a controversial bill that would have required campus sexual assault victims to report to police and submit to

702-605: The AES, NPC, and Professional Panhellenic Association as members. Members of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha organized the Association of Pedagogical Sororities on July 10, 1915. Its members were primarily sororities located on state campuses mainly attended by women entering the educational field. In 1917, Pi Kappa Sigma and Delta Sigma Epsilon joined the association, followed by Theta Sigma Upsilon in 1925, Alpha Sigma Tau in 1926, and Pi Delta Theta in 1931. At

741-451: The NPC created a gender identity study group to examine potential legal consequences, they concluded that the legal precedents were "incomplete, inconclusive, and inconsistent," and did not enact official policy or recommendations. By 2021, most national organizations had released political statements on racial and social equity and inclusion, while also developing membership policies regarding gender identity. Delta Phi Epsilon developed

780-494: The NPC decision and, at that meeting, "completed the necessary business and took formal action to dissolve the Association". The NPC admitted five other sororities at the same time: Alpha Epsilon Phi , Delta Phi Epsilon , Phi Sigma Sigma , Sigma Delta Tau , and Theta Phi Alpha . In December 1951, all 11 of these sororities became full NPC members. Since that time, three AES members have merged with other NPC groups, leaving Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, and Sigma Sigma Sigma as

819-402: The NPC's relationship with it. The basic positions at each institution are President, VP of Communications, VP of Finance, VP of Philanthropy and Community Service, VP of Programming, VP of Recruitment, VP of Scholarship, and VP of Judicial. The number of positions is based on the number of NPC sororities at each institution. Along with the delegates each being a representative from their sorority,

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858-412: The NPC. Pi Kappa Sigma, in a 1949 publication, hoped to become a full member by 1951. There were two problems for Pi Kappa Sigma and the move into the NPC. First, many Pi Kaps also held membership in NPC groups, having joined before 1947. These sisters were forced to choose between Pi Kap and their NPC sorority. Pi Kap, like all sororities faced with this adjustment, suffered losses. The second problem

897-516: The Pi Kappa Sigmas. The second badge was a "modified triangular shield with a narrow gold bevel surrounding a field of black enamel. At the top is a small diamond surrounded by thirteen points of gold. Across the center of the field are the Greek letters Pi Kappa Sigma in gold, and beneath them a Greek lamp in gold." The pledge pin was a modified triangle in turquoise-blue enamel with the Greek letters ΠΚΣ in gold. The coat-of-arms

936-534: The everlasting chain of friendship for Pi Kappa Sigma. We ask all these things in Jesus' Name. Amen. —Written by Ruth S. Neidig, Grand President Pledges herself to service of all on campus within the limits of her capacity. In at home in the universe because in giving self she finds herself. Keeps her sense of values, especially in emergencies. Appreciates the contributions of townspeople, faculty, and students. Promises to do only what she can see through to

975-536: The executive board includes a member from each sorority as well. Throughout its history the NPC Executive Board has been led by a chairman . In 2018 the NPC Board of Directors voted to change its governance model. As of 2021, members rotate onto the board in the order their organization joined the NPC, but the chairman is now elected. Conference A conference is a meeting , often lasting

1014-488: The formation of group-specific sororities which attempted to provide the same social and academic outlets to groups who were otherwise excluded from membership. These groups included the first Black Greek letter organizations . By 1922, the NPC (at the time named the National Panhellenic Congress) had an executive committee consisting of a chairman, secretary, and treasurer; a publicity board; and

1053-416: The joy of this day. We lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings and comforts which come to us through our founders. We thank thee for all the tender mercies of the past and the great hopes that lead us into the future. We pray to fix in all our hearts the bright resolves to live nobly, truly, simply, and in the real spirit of Pi Kappa Sigma. May we, as loving children, remember that we are in

1092-451: The next decade, Theta Sigma Upsilon , Alpha Sigma Tau , and Pi Delta Theta became A.E.S. members. In November 1947, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) invited Pi Kappa Sigma and her A.E.S. peers into "associate membership with reservations." With this invitation, the A.E.S. immediately dissolved. In June of the following year, the reservations cited by the NPC were removed. The former A.E.S. sororities became associate members of

1131-458: The next decade, with Alpha Xi Delta in 1904, Alpha Omicron Pi and Sigma Kappa in 1905, Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Gamma Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha in 1909, Delta Zeta in 1910, Phi Mu in 1911, and Kappa Delta in 1912. No new members were admitted for the next few decades. Throughout its early years, NPC members were often racially and religiously segregated and rarely admitted Jewish , Catholic , or ethnic minority members, which led to

1170-558: The organisation of tribal celebrations". Since the 1960s, conferences have become a lucrative sector of the tourism industry and have evolved into hundred billion Pound per year industry on a global scale. The growth around the world, including in Great Britain, Germany, Philippines, United States and Australia, has led to conferences themselves becoming an industry with buyers, suppliers, marketing , branding and conference facilities. Modern conferences can be held to discuss

1209-492: The remaining former AES members. From the 1940s to the 1960s, various smaller organizations merged into larger ones. On some campuses with two different chapters from merged sororities, a third sorority would organize on the campus to absorb the smaller sorority's former chapter. By the end of the 1960s and the civil rights movement , NPC sororities eliminated official policies that prevented minority members from joining, although diversity in Greek life remained an issue. As of

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1248-423: The session resulted in the organization of the first interfraternity association and the first intergroup organization on college campuses. The first few meetings resulted in several mutual agreements, especially regarding pledging. Up to this time, no guidelines had been set, and women could be pledged to groups before enrolling in college and belong to more than one group. Many of the current members joined through

1287-422: The springtime of life. Help us to seize and improve every opportunity for the cultivation of our minds, the foundation of habits the preparation for future usefulness and gaining good. Lord, be near all on this day, and when we come together again, with thy help, O Lord, may we be better able to help each other and live that we may not forget the purpose for which we were founded and the all embracing love enclosed in

1326-464: The third biennial conference, the name of the association was changed to the Association of Educational Sororities. Later, the word Educational was changed to Education . From 1915 through 1926, the NPC and AES operated chapters in the same colleges and universities. In 1926, the NPC and AES made an agreement "defining fields of activities of each panhellenic". There was competition between NPC and AES sororities, and dual memberships were often held. By

1365-446: The word confer , which means "to compare views or take counsel". However the idea of a conference far predates the word. Arguably, as long as there have been people, there have been meetings and discussions between people. Evidence of ancient forms of conference can be seen in archaeological ruins of common areas where people would gather to discuss shared interests such as "hunting plans, wartime activities, negotiations for peace or

1404-496: Was absorbed by Sigma Kappa . Total membership reported in the 1957 Baird's Manual was 11,013, two years before the merger with Sigma Kappa. The first badge was a shield design with "thirteen turquoise set in laurel leaves surrounding Pi Kappa Sigma" At the first convention, a new badge was designed. The younger Pi Kaps wanted more definite shield patterns and "something symbolic of secrecy". The sisters claimed that since other sororities had pins symbolizing secrets, so should

1443-483: Was authorized by the Grand Chapter in 1927 and is described as a "quartered shield [gold and blue] shaped like the pin. The upper dexter quarter is a Greek lamp; in the lower sinister quarter, a five-point star; at the point of interest, overlapping the quarters is an open book. The crest is an effulgent star of thirteen points resting upon a wreath. Beneath the shield are two crossed laurel branches; below them

1482-484: Was chosen as the name. Pi Kappa Sigma planted chapters at different campuses throughout the United States. In 1915, the sorority worked to become national. The first national convention was held. There, goals for increasing membership and chartered chapters were established. A new membership pin was designed. The constitution was revised. Authorization for a publication ( the Laurel ) was given. Pi Kappa Sigma's status as

1521-593: Was the chartering of chapters at "unqualified institutions". Under the rules of the NPC, Pi Kap had to withdraw such chapters from the roll until those institutions could attain the proper accreditation. Again, Pi Kap lost members. The history book (1949) included total membership records after the NPC affiliation. The total membership was 9,241 sisters. There were 32 active chapters and 15 inactive. National conventions were held every two years from 1915 up to 1931, then every three years. Pi Kappa Sigma remained an NPC-affiliated sorority for only ten more years. In 1959, it

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