By Sally Cutler (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Historian and Archivist
As Alpha Chi Omega has grown and evolved, our volunteer leadership positions and roles have changed along the way, as well. An important example of this – and the collaborative spirit that was required to make the change – took place in the late 1990s.
For much of the 20th century, each National Council officer was responsible for a particular area of Fraternity operations – such as alumnae, collegians, finance or membership. While this model of management worked effectively for many years, as the century came to a close, it was becoming clear to the Fraternity’s leaders that change was needed for a number of reasons. And while many other National Panhellenic Conference member groups ultimately came to a similar conclusion, Alpha Chi Omega was among the first to take bold action and enact change.
The 1998-2000 National Council: Seated, from left: Jan Manning Crandall (National President), Kathy Wilson Felt (National Vice President), Julie Cain Burkhard (National Vice President). Standing, from left: Aggie Smith Steiner (National Vice President), Holly Hart McKiernan (Executive Director and Counsel), Diane Wilson Blackwelder (National Vice President) and Donna McGrath Klinge (National Vice President).
Holiday (Holly) Hart McKiernan (Alpha, DePauw University) served as Alpha Chi Omega’s executive director and counsel from 2000 to 2003. In the summer 2002 issue of The Lyre, she explained, “With an increasingly complex legal environment, with changes in volunteer engagement and participation, and with the changes in the issues facing Alpha Chi Omega, the role of the National Council needed to evolve to meet the demands of the world in which we found ourselves.”
Alpha Chi Omega responded to these challenges by evaluating existing practices and testing new ones – in particular, a governance model. In 1996, convention delegates voted in favor of piloting a board structure that would include the National President and five national vice presidents. This unique National Council worked together to try something innovative, analyze the opportunities and challenges, and forge a new direction.
As a result of this inclusive, collaborative effort, Alpha Chi Omega was able to present a strong case for moving from the pilot stage to a permanent change. Delegates to the 1998 National Convention, which featured the appropriate theme “Charting the Course,” approved the board structure. This decision created a path forward for Alpha Chi Omega, allowing the National Council to work strategically to set the course for the organization’s future. The National Council would determine priorities and set goals, while operational volunteers and staff members would work together to implement these priorities and goals.
Julie Cain Burkhard (Beta Sigma, University of Georgia), who served as National President 2000 to 2004, offers her insights regarding the implementation of this new governance model and board structure in this brief video clip [see suggested clip below]. As Julie states, “We had to learn what did this governance model mean for the leadership of Alpha Chi Omega, for our staff, for our volunteers - and how that then impacted the undergraduate experience.”
As Holly also shared in 2002, “Is Alpha Chi Omega’s board governance model perfect? No, but our board structure does give Alpha Chi Omega the ability to make decisions quickly, to meet challenges as they arise, to utilize volunteer time and talent wisely, and to take advantage of situations that have a narrow window of opportunity.”
Today, Alpha Chi Omega continues to benefit from a governance model of leadership, with board members strategically guiding the Fraternity, the Foundation and the National Housing Corporation. These dedicated sisters serve as visionary, collaborative leaders and ambassadors of the Alpha Chi Omega experience.
Are you interested in pursuing a volunteer role with Alpha Chi Omega? Explore the many opportunities available to you! And learn more about board service.