Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
One question I hear from our members is, “What is national Theta Phi Alpha doing to help my chapter? My association? My position? The answer is many things! However, the resources we provide for you are only valuable and will help if the resources are utilized. This month I am going to focus on the resources we provide for our members, chapters, and associations in various areas.
All Members (Collegians and Alumnae)
Human Support
Technology
- National Website
- Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn
- Theta Phi Alpha Member Portal (Update Contact Information, find members)
Communications
- Quarterly Newsletters (via email)
Other Resources
- Theta Phi Alpha Merchandise
- Active Minds (V-A-R Guides)
- Amplifying Sorority research
- National Convention
- Theta Phi Day of Service
- Founders’ Day
- Theta Phi Alpha Foundation scholarships and disaster relief assistance funds
- Membership in the National Panhellenic Conference
- The Compass Magazine
- Strategic Plan updates (via email)
- Topic specific emails
- National President’s Blogs
Chapters and Collegians (in addition to what is available for all members)
Human Support
- Alumnae who serve as National Officers
- Chapter Advisory Board
- National Housing Corporation
Technology
- Officer Portal
- Our House
- re:Members (formally Billhighway)
- Learning Management System (New Member Education modules, officer modules, more in future)
- Crowd Change (Event Registration and Fundraising)
- Chapter Advisors Facebook group
Officer Training
- Online training specific for the position
- Virtual meetings for collegians in the specific position to ask questions and share information
Recruitment
- Phired Up recruitment training and technology, including Chapter Builder and My Vote
- Recruitment Contractors for specific chapters
Collegiate Leadership Academy (CLC)
- Leadership skill development
- Specific percentage of chapter membership required to attend, all collegians welcome
Other Resources
Associations and Alumnae (in addition to what is available for all members)
Technology
- Affinity Facebook Groups
Human Support
- Alumnae who serve as National Officers
Other Resources
- Crowd Change (Event Registration and
Fundraising)
- Learning Management System (in the future)
Each one of these resources comes with a financial and human investment by national Theta Phi Alpha. Sadly, many of our members, chapters, and associations do not utilize the provided resources to the full extent.
What happens when the resources are not utilized?
- Financial and human resources are wasted.
- The most up-to-date versions of resources and programs are not utilized.
- Training for specific positions and resources available for the position are often overlooked.
- Knowledge and ideas are not shared between those in the same position.
- Information gained from training sessions is not shared with the rest of the chapter/association members or used during officer transition.
- Information shared in writing by the national organization is not read.
- Member contact information is not up to date, which means your chapter, association, and the national organization lose contact with you.
- Officers do not access the most up-to-date resources.
- National Policies and Procedures are not followed, which opens up individuals, chapters, and associations to liability
- Proper branding and name usage are not used.
- National Theta Phi Alpha does not know who to contact for your chapter or association.
- Conversations with our alumnae volunteers who are available to help in specific areas do not occur.
- Chapter advisors are not aware of updates to policies and procedures.
- Most up-to-date Rituals are not used.
- Delegates and members come to convention not ready to discuss and vote on proposals.
- Fundraising and the chapter’s ability to collect payments for events are not used.
- Current research to aid recruitment is not being utilized.
How can we change the narrative to: Theta Phi Alpha’s members, chapters, and associations are using provided resources to enhance operations and our membership experience?
Make it a goal as a member, as a chapter, as an association to:
- Utilize available resources
- Reach out and ask questions
- Attend virtual trainings and meetings that apply to you as a member or an officer
- Come prepared to in person events like chapter and association meetings, and convention
- Read the communication from National Theta Phi Alpha
- Share communication and information with others
- Keep your contact information updated in the member portal
Do you have a question about resources provided by National Theta Phi Alpha? Please email ThetaPhiNO@ThetaPhiAlpha.org with your questions. Enjoy some pictures of our members.
Yours in the Bonds of Sisterhood,
Kristin Henkenius
National President
