Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.'s Leadership Consultant Program (LCP) has been a long standing service provided to the collegiate chapters of Sigma Nu. Over the past several years, the consultant program has undergone significant revision. This revision has been due, in large part, to the continued evolvement of the Fraternity's strategic plan. This strategic plan has placed an increased responsibility on the General Fraternity to provide a level of service to each collegiate chapter that ensures all chapters are capable of providing a positive fraternity experience.
NUTS & BOLTS OF THE PROGRAM
TRAINING
THE CONSULTATION
The "MUST HAVES" of the LCP
The "MENU" of the LCP
THE END RESULT
Put simply, the Sigma Nu's program is a model of consulting that integrates the numerous programs and services provided by the General Fraternity. At the forefront, though, it provides each collegiate chapter with a face, a name, and a personality that is representative of the General Fraternity. Leadership Consultants are the "frontline" of the General Fraternity. Every day Leadership Consultants work with our collegiate chapters by assisting with various issues from risk management to recruitment to social programming and scholarship. As go the Leadership Consultants, so goes the ability of the General Fraternity to properly service its constituents (collegiate chapters, alumni, volunteers, and university officials).
In the mind of many of these constituents, the Leadership Consultant IS the General Fraternity. For those constituents, their opinion of the General Fraternity will be tied directly to the consultant; therefore, it is vital our constituents understand that the General Fraternity staffers exist to assist chapters in any reasonable way possible. The leadership consultant program has not been developed lightly and it is constantly under review; it is a service provided to the collegiate chapters unlike anything else the General Fraternity can provide to the membership of Sigma Nu.
The current leadership consultant program has developed into what it is today thanks to the continued recognition by the Sigma Nu membership that in order for the Fraternity to remain a relevant entity in today's world it must establish benchmarks for itself. Further, the membership has recognized and established specific processes for holding accountable those members, or groups of members, that do not meet the minimum standards of this organization. Programs such as Pursuit of Excellence and policies like the Risk Reduction Policy & Guidelines with regard to conclave attendance and academic performance are just a few examples that illustrate how the Sigma Nu membership has collectively voiced their emphasis on continual improvement and accountability to minimum expectations. It is with these parameters in mind that a Leadership Consultant conducts his work with each of his chapters.
NUTS & BOLTS OF THE PROGRAM
The leadership consultant program is managed by the General Fraternity's education department and its primary role is to educate, train, and assist chapters in providing a positive Fraternity experience for the members. Additionally, the focus of the program and direct communication and service to the chapters extends far beyond the two to three days a consultant is on-site.
TRAINING
All Leadership Consultants receive thorough training to ensure they are capable of fulfilling their job responsibilities. The training is designed to provide a complete understanding of the various programs and services available to the Sigma Nu members, especially the collegiate chapters. Leadership Consultants complete an extensive training program that includes hands-on experience with each of the Fraternity's educational programs and interactive simulations to prepare them for addressing the needs of each individual chapter.
Learn more about the training, responsibilities, and work of our Consultants.
THE CONSULTATION
Two components make up the chapter consultation: The "Must Haves" and the "Menu." Both of these components are geared toward the improvement of the chapter. While the "Must Haves" set a minimum expectation for meetings, the "Menu" allows chapters to personalize the consultation to address issues they feel are important to them.
The "MUST HAVES" of the LCP
OFFICER MEETINGS: One of the most important things a Leadership Consultant can do to assist the collegiate chapter is put them in a position to operate efficiently and effectively.
Leadership Consultants meet with and train the following officers:
- Commander
- Lt. Commander
- Treasurer
- Recorder
- Marshal
- LEAD Chairman
- Recruitment Chairman
- Risk Reduction Chairman
- Scholarship Chairman
Although these are not the only chapter officers a Leadership Consultant can meet with, our Consultants are expected to meet with these officers at a minimum. These officers have been included in the "Must Haves" because they most directly affect chapter operations AND the Fraternity experience provided within the chapter.
NON-OFFICER MEETINGS: In addition to the chapter officer meetings, Leadership Consultants also conduct the following meetings/workshops:
- Executive Board/Council/Committee
- Chapter (as a whole) – if applicable
- Candidate Class – if the chapter has a candidate class that term
- University Personnel (i.e. Greek Advisor)
- Chapter Advisor(s)/Alumni Advisory Board and/or Board Chairman
- Division Commander
- LEAD Session Facilitation – sessions can be conducted for Executive Boards, Candidate Classes, phase participants, or the chapter as a whole
Must Have Meetings and Descriptions
Review the above to learn more about the structure and expected outcomes for each of the "Must Have" meetings.
The "MENU" of the LCP
The "Menu" is a listing of various workshops and meetings chapters may choose from to include in their consultation. The "Menu" allows chapters to personalize the consultation and, therefore, be secure in their feeling that the Leadership Consultant will address the most important issues to the chapter at a given time. Moreover, the "Menu" gives chapters ownership in the consultation and puts the responsibility of ensuring the chapter benefits from the meetings and workshops on the officers and members.
A brief description of the "Menu" is below. If you would like to see the full "Menu", including descriptions of each item click here.
Our Leadership Consultants share the "Menu" with chapters early in their pre-consultation communication. Chapters should complete and return the "Menu" order form as part of the meeting schedule process. This communication timetable helps to ensure that the Consultant and chapter will have ample time to further discuss the consultation agenda and any specific issues that may exist within the chapter related to the chosen "Menu" items before the Consultant ever arrives on-site.
Review the "Menu" order form to prepare for a chapter consultation.
Consultation "Menu" in brief...
ADDITIONAL OFFICER MEETINGS: Through the "Menu," chapters will have the choice of adding officer meetings to the consultation schedule. The expectation is that these one-on-one officer meetings supplement the "Must Have" officer meetings.
The additional officers chapters may choose to have their Consultant meet with and train include:
These additional one-on-one officer meetings may include members of the corresponding committee. Further, these additional meetings focus on officer duties and responsibilities, as well as any specific issues that are communicated to the Consultant prior to his arrival.
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM WORKSHOPS: These workshops are designed to help a chapter improve in areas directly related to the Pursuit of Excellence Program.
- Pursuit of Excellence Program Strategy Session
- Pursuit of Excellence Program Self-Assessment Session
Remaining workshops are aligned with the corresponding Pursuit of Excellence Program (and operational) subcategory.
Service and Philanthropy
- Helping Hand Initiative
Campus Leadership
- Response Ability
- A Different Look at Hazing
Values Congruent Environments
- Living the Ritual
- Value of Fraternity
- What is hazing? What is not?
Intellectual Development
- Scholarship Planning
Candidate Development
- Candidate Education
Brother Development
- Chapter Retreats
- LEAD Planning
- Teambuilding
Alumni Development
- Alumni Relations
Recruitment and Manpower
- Chapter-Level Recruitment
- Recruitment Committee
- Recruitment Skills
Chapter Operations
- Budgeting
- How to Create a Functioning Committee
- Officer Transition
- Motivation
- Goal Setting
- Strategic Planning
Governance and Accountability
- Honor/Judicial Boards
For additional information regarding the Consultation "Menu" click here or download the "Menu" order form form below.
THE END RESULT
Leadership Consultants are the bridge between the collegiate chapters and the General Fraternity. They are the means to the ultimate end that the General Fraternity is tasked to work toward every day: fulfilling the mission of Sigma Nu.
No two collegiate chapters will have the same experience working with their assigned Leadership Consultant. Some may be similar, but none will be exactly the same. This is a tribute to both the unique nature of individual chapters and the adaptive nature of our leadership consultant program and staff.
Every collegiate chapter of Sigma Nu has the potential to become a Rock Chapter. The overall goal of the Fraternity's leadership consultant program is to facilitate chapter success by educating, training, problem-solving, counseling, and providing necessary resources. Ultimately, the work our chapters and Consultants do together is THE most important service the General Fraternity offers collegiate chapters in their continual pursuit of excellence.
