All women who join a sorority at Whitman College also become members of the Whitman College Panhellenic Association. By uniting together under one common organization, the sororities are able to create a climate of unity and support among the four groups. In this way, we increase our resources and are able to complete leadership and community service projects as a sorority system.
The Panhellenic Association is led by the Executive Council, comprised of women elected from each of the four sororities. The Council meets weekly throughout the academic year to plan activities and conduct business that is of mutual concern to the sororities. Philanthropy projects, scholarship desserts, public speakers, education lectures, social functions, Greek Week and membership recruitment are just a few of the many activities that Panhellenic coordinates.
Officers
President: Maggie Reid
The Panhellenic President is the spokesperson for the sorority system and serves as a communication link between the College and the Greek women. Weekly responsibilities include leading the Panhellenic Executive Council meeting, attending the Greek Leaders meeting and meeting with Barbara Maxwell. Once each semester the Panhellenic President, in conjunction with the IFC President, leads social circus and is responsible for educating Greek members on the Greek social policy. Motivating the officers, delegating responsibilities, and generally ensuring the success and completion of Panhellenic endeavors are also aspects of this office.
Vice President: Shayna Tivona
The Vice President plans Greek Week with the IFC Greek Events Coordinator in the spring. This includes selecting and planning activities during the week and ordering T-shirts. In the fall, the Vice President is responsible for planning events that are of mutual interest to the sororities or classes within the sororities (senior nights, sophomore study breaks, etc.)
Recruitment: Rachel Wallace
The Recruitment Coordinator is responsible for working with the three chapter's recruitment chairs to plan and execute all aspects of fall formal recruitment. This includes setting dates and times, updating the rules, ordering T-shirts, coordinating the orientation meeting and recruitment sign-ups and overseeing the printing of the recruitment handbook. The Recruitment Coordinator works with the Assistant Recruitment Coordinator on the Rho Chi program.
Assistant Recruitment: Sara Wade
The Assistant Recruitment Coordinator assists with all aspect of the recruitment process. In addition, the Assistant Recruitment Chair is responsible for selecting, training and supervising the Rho Chis (Recruitment Counselors). In the spring this includes advertising the position, distributing applications, scheduling interviews and making selections. In August, the Assistant Recruitment Coordinator plans a training program for the Rho Chis and then works with the Rho Chis throughout the recruitment process.
Secretary/Treasurer: Emily Krall
The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for taking minutes at the Panhellenic Executive Council meetings and distributing these minutes to presidents, officers and advisors. The Secretary/Treasurer also handles Panhellenic correspondence such as thank yous, congratulations, etc. The Secretary/Treasurer keeps track of the financial records, distributing and collecting dues, and keeping the overall budget balanced. The Secretary/Treasurer is Panhellenic's ASWC representative and budget contact which entails attending House of Club Representatives meetings as well as writing up a budget proposal to present for the finance committee in the spring.
Publications: Laura Powell
The Publications Coordinator works with the other Panhellenic Officers to promote Panhellenic events and activities, which involves making signs, flyers, posters, etc. The Publications Coordinator also works with the Recruitment Coordinator to design and publish the Panhellenic rush handbook. The Publications Coordinator designs and distributes one newsletter each semester for faculty and staff.
Women's Issues: Katrina Schenck
The Women's Issues Coordinator focuses on the problems and concerns of women within the sorority system. It is a very self-directed and self-defined office; the office holder essentially chooses what she wants to make out of it. Past projects have included newsletters in bathroom stalls, a joint project with the Coalition against Homophobia regarding homophobia and heterosexism in the Greek system, body image workshops, and other educational projects.