The Leadership Consultant Program (LCP) has been a long standing program provided to the undergraduate chapters of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. Over the past three years, the LCP has undergone significant revision. This revision has been due, in large part, to the continued evolvement of the strategic plan of Sigma Nu. This strategic plan has placed an increased responsibility on the General Fraternity to provide a level of service to each undergraduate chapter that ensures all chapters are capable of providing a positive fraternity experience, directed at the fulfillment of the mission of Sigma Nu.
Put simply, the LCP is a model of consulting that integrates the numerous programs and services provided by the General Fraternity. At the forefront, though, the LCP provides each undergraduate 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. Each and every day Leadership Consultants work with our undergraduate chapters by assisting them in dealing 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 (undergraduate 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 vitally important our constituents understand that the Fraternal Staff exists to assist the chapter in any reasonable way possible. The LCP has not been developed lightly and it is constantly under review; it is a service provided to the undergraduate chapters unlike anything else the General Fraternity can provide to the membership of Sigma Nu.
The current LCP has developed into what it is today thanks to the continued recognition by the Sigma Nu membership that in order for Sigma Nu 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, 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 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
In 2002, the LCP was an established program of the General Fraternity whose primary role was to assess and support the further development of the undergraduate chapters of Sigma Nu. It was overseen by the Director of Risk Reduction and the Director of Chapter Programs. Two to three days would be spent at each chapter with the Leadership Consultant going down a checklist of items that we hoped chapters were fulfilling. While there are some items that remain from that version of the program, the LCP has come a long way. Today, the LCP is managed by the General Fraternity’s Education Department and its primary role is not to simply evaluate but, rather, to educate, train and assist chapters in providing a positive Fraternity experience for the members. More specifically, the LCP is overseen by the Director of Leadership Development. 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 and visiting face-to-face with a chapter.
TRAINING
All Leadership Consultants receive a complete and thorough training to ensure they are fully capable of fulfilling their job responsibilities. The training is designed in such a manner to provide a complete understanding of the various programs and services available to the Sigma Nu members, especially the undergraduate chapters.
THE CONSULTATION
There are two components that make up the chapter consultation: The "Must Haves" and the "Menu." Both of these components are geared toward the improvement of the chapter. However, the primary difference between the two is that the "Must Haves" establish a minimum standard of expectations for the Leadership Consultant and our chapters in regards to what must be done at each, and every, chapter consultation. The "Menu" provides chapters with an opportunity to personalize the consultation and address issues that they feel are important to them.
The "MUST HAVES" of the LCP
OFFICER MEETINGS: In their work with undergraduate chapters, one of the most important things a Leadership Consultant can do to assist the chapter is to put them in a position to operate efficiently and effectively.
Per the LCP, Leadership Consultants meet with the following officers:
- Commander
- Lt. Commander
- Treasurer
- Recorder
- Marshal
- LEAD Chairman
- Recruitment Chairman
- Risk Reduction Chairman
Although these are not the only chapter officers a Leadership Consultant can meet with, our consultants are expected to meet with these eight officers at a minimum. These eight officers have been included in the "Must Haves" because these eight offices 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 applicable, and based on if the chapter has a candidate class that semester
- 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
The "MENU" of the LCP
If the previously mentioned "Must Haves" establish a minimum expectation for chapter consultations, then the "Menu" is icing on the cake. 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 issues the chapter believes are important. 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.
Consultation "Menu" in brief...
Our Consultants share the "Menu" with chapters early in their pre-consultation communications. Further, chapters are directed to communicate their "Menu" choices back to the consultant within one week of their receipt of the "Menu." 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.
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 are in addition to the "Must Have" officer meetings.
The additional officers chapters may choose to have their consultant meet with are:
The additional officer meetings are to be one-on-one with the selected officers, but may include any committee members overseen by that officer. Further, these additional officer meetings focus on officer duties and responsibilities, as well as any specific issues that are communicated to the consultant prior to his arrival.
APPETIZERS: These "Menu" items require the presence of at least two officers/individuals. Further, some of these options require pre- and post-consultation work by the consultant and the chapter.
ENTREES: These "Menu" items will require the attendance of chapter officers AND their committees. If an officer does not have a committee, then at least three other chapter members should be in attendance. Further, some of the following workshops and sessions may be directed toward candidate classes or the chapter as a whole.
For additional information regarding the Consultation "Menu" click here.
THE END RESULT
No two undergraduate chapters will have the same experience in working with their assigned Leadership Consultant. Some may be similar, but none will be exactly the same. Generally speaking, every undergraduate chapter of Sigma Nu has the potential to become a Rock Chapter. The reality is that many chapters do not realize their potential and, therefore, they fall back on "tradition." Leadership Consultants are tasked with the difficult job of working with chapters so that they (the chapter) might realize their potential. That is the ideal result of the work our consultants do with chapters. It can be frustrating at times, thankless at others, and life changing at other times. Regardless, our consultants and chapters must realize that the work they do together is THE most important service the General Fraternity offers.
Leadership Consultants are the bridge between the undergraduate chapters and the General Fraternity. They are the means to the ultimate end that the General Fraternity is tasked to work toward everyday: Fulfillment of the Mission of Sigma Nu.
