SEPC 2012 Preview

Tomorrow I head to Atlanta for the Southeastern Panhellenic Conference (SEPC). I really enjoyed this leadership conference last year (see preview, day 1 recap, day 2 recap, day 3 recap) and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

The conference kicks off with a keynote from Mari Ann Callais, Past National President of Theta Phi Alpha.

"Using music and storytelling, Mari Ann offers a truly unique keynote about values, ritual and the responsibilities of being a lifetime fraternity or sorority member. For nearly a decade, she has built a legion of admirers with her fun, upbeat keynotes on fraternity and sorority values.
"Fraternity and sorority communities have asked her to campus to discuss the importance of community service and ritual with new members. She is among the most popular retreat facilitators in the country. As the past national president for Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity, Mari Ann offers a unique blend of local and national perspective on sorority issues and has helped numerous Panhellenics deal with the issue of sorority hazing.
"When you bring Mari Ann to campus, you bring a speaker who approaches fraternity education in a completely unique way. She brings her guitar and uses music to create a relaxing environment. Students rate her keynotes highly because she talks with students, not to students. She can lead them in goal-setting one minute, then lead them in a sing-along of Jimmy Buffet songs the next. By sharing her experiences and observations, Mari Ann helps fraternity and sorority members explore their values and their reasons for being part of a fraternity or sorority."

One of my other favorite events of the conference is the Philanthropy Luncheon on Friday benefiting Circle of Sisterhood Foundation for the second year. Circle of Sisterhood has grown a lot in the last year (almost 100 campuses have adopted CoS as their philanthropy!) so it'll be exciting to see what is new with the Foundation and how Panhellenics have worked together to raise awareness and funds for education for women and girls around the world!

In other news, along with Stephanie from Zeta Tau Alpha, I'm presenting on Academic Excellence for NPC on Friday afternoon in a small group Educational Session. It promises to be a very special weekend - I'll be sure to share photos and a full report afterward!