November signals a shift for many of us. We begin turning our attention toward wrapping up the fall semester, reflecting on the needs of our organizations and communities, and considering what lies ahead.
It also means the AFA Annual Meeting is right around the corner, and this year’s gathering will be significant in many ways. As we come together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors, we have an opportunity not only to reflect on how far our profession has come, but also to consider what the next 50 years will require of us.
We’ve recently been reminded of the importance of relationships, the value of meaningful dialogue, and the complexity of the work we do. Conversations surrounding campus recognition, organizational accountability, prevention, and the implications of losing institutional recognition have challenged us to think critically about the structures we rely on and the roles we play in shaping healthier communities. These are not easy conversations, nor are they ones we should navigate in isolation.
One of the things AFA does particularly well is bring people together. The Annual Meeting creates space for campus-based professionals, inter/national headquarters staff, volunteers, and partners to learn from one another, challenge one another, and consider new approaches to the work ahead. Through educational programming, meaningful dialogue, and the relationships built along the way, we leave better prepared to serve our organizations, institutions, and, most importantly, the members and communities who depend on us.
As I prepare to conclude my service on the AFA Board following this year’s Annual Meeting, I find myself reflecting on the importance of that collective work. We can do this work together, or we can do it separately. But I am continually reminded that when we approach our challenges together, we are better.
As we celebrate 50 years of AFA, I hope you will arrive in Chicago ready to celebrate what we have accomplished, engage in the conversations that matter, and consider what you can contribute to the next chapter of our profession. The work ahead is important, and it is work worth doing together.