President’s Blog

28th National President’s First Blog

Nov 9, 2022 | Categories: Announcements, Blog

Hello Theta Phi Alphas,

As I write my first National President’s blog, I can’t help but wonder where have the last three months gone? It feels like just yesterday we were gathered at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis for our 53rd National Convention. Reuniting with old friends, making new friends, conducting the business of the fraternity, gaining knowledge from speakers, hearing the voices of our collegian and alumnae members, and electing our leadership for the the next biennium felt so good after canceling convention in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Convention provided a compass to guide the 2022-2024 members of the Grand Council. I'd like to share with you where that compass is taking us.

The Grand Council has identified two overarching goals as our strategic priorities for 2022-2024.

Define the membership experience at all stages of membership.

This goal means that we are looking at what our members experience as a new member, a collegian, and as an alumna to meet the needs of our membership.  We are answering questions such as: 

  • What does it mean to be a Theta Phi Alpha?
  • What do we want our members to experience at all phases of membership?
  • What value and skills will our members gain from being a Theta Phi Alpha?
  • What does lifetime membership mean?

As we answer these questions we will be guided by our mission, and our guiding principles of Justice, Friendship, and Truth.

Create a plan to achieve financial sustainability.

2022 saw the 110th year of Theta Phi Alpha.  Our membership wants Theta Phi Alpha to continue to be a relevant and sustainable organization.  For this to be a reality, Theta Phi Alpha needs to be a financially sustainable organization that will support our membership experience, as well as invest in our future.  We will do this by:

  • Invest in recruitment programming and software to assist our chapters to increase collegiate membership.
  • Increase the amount collected through alumnae dues and donations to support our membership experience
  • Align chapter fees and assessments to reflect operations costs of chapters.
  • Continue to investigate new income sources.
  • Identify education and technology needs that can be funded by the Foundation and then partner with the Foundation to inform our membership of our needs and secure financial support.

I look forward to updating you on the progress of these goals.  Together we can ensure that Theta Phi Alpha will be successful and provide a valuable experience for our members for the next 25, 50, 100 years and beyond.

Yours in the Bonds of Sisterhood,

Kristin Henkenius

National President

On behalf of the 2022-2024 Grand Council

President’s Corner

Tracey Liphardt, Theta Phi Alpha National President

Kristin Henkenius, Theta Phi Alpha National President, will share her monthly news and notes and highlight other stories from the sisterhood through this blog.

Founded in 1912, Theta Phi Alpha is a women’s organization dedicated to close comradeship; to advance educational, social, and philanthropic interests and leadership training; to encourage spiritual development and adherence to the highest moral standards; and to promote lifelong bonds of friendship; a fraternity for college and university women and alumnae.