Campus Spotlight: IUPUI
Like so many College Panhellenics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’ (IUPUI) Panhellenic Association recently adopted the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, but from there they did not know where to go. How should we raise funds? How should we educate? Who is going to take this on as their primary responsibility? The Panhellenic Association added the vice president of service to their Panhellenic Executive Council this past year, so it has been new for this community. With that came a lot of challenges and a lot of excitement. How are we going to make our contribution? What kind of events can bring our community together?
The Panhellenic decided that their goal for their first Circle of Sisterhood event would be education. It isn’t always about how much money you can raise. You need to gain buy-in and increase awareness from your Panhellenic community so that they are excited to donate and participate in events that contribute to a cause they have grown to love. The IUPUI Panhellenic chose to bring all of the sororities together as sisters and teach them more about what the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation is and why it is important that we as sorority women help. Each sorority individually has their own philanthropy event, and that competition can get the best of us. It is so important to look at the big picture and how we can all work together to make the world better.
Thus, the Panhellenic decided to host an affordable and fun volleyball tournament. It cost $1 to play in the tournament, and $1 to watch. Community members from sororities and fraternities alike came to the tournament and helped out. Before the tournament started Aimee Ash, a volunteer for the Circle of Sisterhood, was invited to speak to the players and attendees. By having someone invested in the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation be a part of the event, the Panhellenic was able to share the good word about Circle of Sisterhood to the community; it was really eye opening.
After the first small event this last spring, IUPUI’s Panhellenic plans on hosting another event in the fall that they hope will grow annually!
This Campus Spotlight was brought to you by Alyx Durachta. Alyx is a senior at IUPUI, where she is studying criminal justice. She is vice president of service for Panhellenic and continues to be a dedicated member of Phi Mu. She is from Crown Point, Indiana.