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2016 National Archives Conference for Fraternities and Sororities

Miriam Centeno, Collections Care Coordinator, leads a hands-on exhibits workshop
Miriam Centeno, Collections Care Coordinator, leads a hands-on exhibits workshop

Written by Anna Trammell

Maintaining and preserving an organization’s archives in tight economic times can be a challenge. Many national fraternities and sororities rely on staff whose primary responsibilities and expertise are in other areas. Others are fortunate to have volunteers who care for the archives. A smaller number employ a professional archivist. To assist national Greek organizations with their archival programs and to foster communication among these organizations about their archival activities, the Student Life and Culture Archives offers a national conference every other year at the University of Illinois campus that is designed to meet the archival needs of national fraternities and sororities.

Attendees break into small groups for discussion during a presentation on outreach
Attendees break into small groups for discussion during a presentation on outreach

This year’s conference was held June 2-4 at the iHotel and Conference Center in Champaign. Session topics included “Capturing and Preserving Your Organization’s Digital History” with Assistant University Archivist Chris Prom, “Copyright for Fraternity Archives” with Kappa Alpha Theta Archivist and Attorney Lisa McLaughlin, and “Exhibits 101 Workshop” with Collections Care Coordinator Miriam Centeno and Curator for Rare Books and Manuscripts Anna Chen. A complete schedule of events can be found here. Continue reading “2016 National Archives Conference for Fraternities and Sororities”