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LEAD Session Descriptions
Phase I Sessions
Fraternity
What is fraternity?
Why do fraternities exist? What stereotypes of fraternities do you bring with you from high school and the media? Participants will learn about the origin and history of fraternities, the responsibilities that come
with fraternity membership and hot topics in Greek life.
History
Learning the history of Sigma Nu and why we were founded is the core of our fraternity.
Participants will learn about the three founders, the challenges they faced in establishing Sigma Nu and fighting hazing at VMI Emphasis will also be given to the history of the local chapter. Actives and alumni
will share what makes them proud to be brothers of Sigma Nu.
Ethics: Challenges and Choices
What are the basic expectations when it comes to fraternity
membership? How should we act? What is acceptable? What isn't? Participants will learn about the NIC Basic Expectations, face a number of ethical dilemmas and come up with solutions and discuss the Sigma Nu
lifestyle.
International Organization and Chapter Organization
Sigma Nu is bigger than you-bigger than your chapter. This session will focus on the entire
brotherhood-more than 200 chapter and 0,000 active members strong. Participants will learn how Sigma Nu's governing board is organized, how headquarters operates, how their chapter runs, how chapter elections are
set up and duties of chapter officers.
Project Management
The success of all projects is determined by attention to details and teamwork. Participants will
examine their experiences in project planning and learn the essential steps in planning. We will also investigate roles group roles and engage in a project planning simulation. Upper-class brothers will share their
experiences with project planning in the chapter.
Values
What values are most important to you? How did you develop your values? How do the values of Sigma Nu
(love, truth and honor) fit into your life? Participants will examine their values and how they can better live up to them on a daily basis.
Leadership: The Basics
What is leadership? Is there a difference between leadership and a leader? How is leadership being defined by Sigma Nu? How important are followers in the leadership process? These are just a few of the
questions that will be addressed in this session. Before you can grow and improve as a leader, it is important to have a better understanding about the topic of leadership. This session will provide you with
some history of leadership as well as introduce you to the most current thoughts and views about effective leadership.
Leadership and Groups
Learning to work
together as brothers and as a candidate class is vital. It will determine your success in individual leadership positions and as a chapter. Communication. Teamwork. Learning about each other. You will
experience all this and more as you complete an outdoor teams course. The course will have 8-10 individual "stations" that your group will visit. You'll learn how to work together as an effective team to
solve challenges in the teams course.
Risk Reduction
What exactly does Risk Reduction policy entail? Why are we going to alcohol free housing? How do we plan a
party that meets the risk reduction guidelines? Participants will learn the basics of Sigma Nu's risk reduction policies, test their knowledge and participate in a simulation to learn more about the effects of
alcohol (Alcohol 101) or plan a social event that meets risk reduction policy.
Community Service
What is the difference between community service and
philanthropy? Why do we do service? What kind of impact are you making when you give your time to others? Participants will reflect on a recent community service experience, focus on why service is important to
being a brother in Sigma Nu and learn how they can benefit from their service experiences.
Ritual: The beginning
Think back to your candidate ceremony.
What do you remember most? What have you learned about Sigma Nu that you feel most strongly about? What did you think the different lines in the ritual meant then? What do they mean to you now? Why do you really want to become a Sigma Nu? What can you add to the brotherhood? Participants will reflect on their experience as a candidate in Sigma Nu and what is possible in their journey to knighthood. It's time to put everything you've learned to use and make your chapter and Sigma Nu what is can truly be.
Building Pride in Sigma Nu (optional session)
You're feeling anxious about exams and kind of burned out. You really don't realize what you have in Sigma Nu.
Participants will identify what makes Sigma Nu unique and special compared to other fraternities, select the best experience as a member thus far and make a commitment to higher involvement for next semester.
True Colors (optional session)
Do you ever wonder why someone approaches a situation head on, while others want to think about things first? Participants will learn
about people's "True Colors," the personality traits that make up who they are and their work styles.
Time Management (optional session)
Are you
overwhelmed? Can't find time to get everything done? Participants will learn how to effectively manage their time by balancing academics, work and their social activities. Tips will be given on how to prioritize and
how to best use personal planners.
Phase II Session Descriptions
Comments from workshop evaluations (from past Grand Chapters or College of Chapters) are
included with some sessions.
Caribbean Survival Simulation
What does it take to survive a shipwreck? Work together as an effective group? Participants will
rank order the items they will try to salvage from the wreck as well as the action steps they'll take in order to survive. Participants will learn how to build an effective team and the four types of decision-making
strategies. Through interactive exercises, participants will practice consensus building and learn about team roles.
The Leadership Challenge
What does it take
to become a better leader? How can you make a difference in your chapter? Through interactive exercises and sharing, participants will learn the five practices of exemplary leadership. Participants will complete an
inventory to determine how often they use the five key leadership practices. Ideas will be shared on how to improve as a leader in each of the five areas.
"This was excellent." "Great
ideas that can be implemented in my chapter." "This workshop is a must for chapters who are struggling with motivation." "Interesting, informative, and useful." "Made me examine my own
leadership and how I can improve."
"I really learned what I can do to be a more effective leader…not just theories but real ideas." "The inventory really serves as an indicator of areas in which your leadership skills may be lacking and need more attention." "Great information." "I have a lot of ideas to take back to my chapter."
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Are you living your life the way you want to? Do you feel balanced? Are you living up to your potential? This workshop
will focus on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The Seven Habits are an effective tool in helping people take a closer look at who they are and who they want to be. Participants will create their personal
mission statements, draft a weekly plan based on the Seven Habits and discuss and how to apply them to daily life. "Really helped me take a look at where I was and get a plan together for getting my act
in gear."
Visionary Leadership
Do you know where your chapter is headed? Is your chapter spinning its wheels? Sliding backwards? This workshop will focus
on vision, why it is important to an organization, how to create an effective vision and how to have others take ownership of the vision. Participants will create the short and long term vision for the chapter.
Information on how to use the vision to create a strategic plan will be shared.
"Helped me to really see where my chapter is". .."I learned how to set a vision for my chapter, using all the
members ideas…great!" "I realized that my chapter really does need a new vision, it's the only way we are going to improve."
Living our Values
How well are you living up to the principles of Sigma Nu? This session will focus on the values that make Sigma Nu unique. Participants will identify those actions they have taken recently to live by the ideals
of Sigma Nu and situations where they did not. Discussion will focus on what makes living an ethical life challenging and what you can do to be more honorable.
Myers-Briggs
Are you sometimes frustrated with other members or officers in your chapter? Does it seem that certain brothers just approach situations differently? This session will focus on the Myers-Briggs
Inventory. The Myers-Briggs is an inventory that measures personality types. Participants will learn about different personality types and how to work effectively with others.
Confrontation
Have you ever had problems with officers or committee members not doing their jobs? Have you ever had to discipline a brother or confront someone who had an alcohol problem?
This session will focus on the steps to effective confrontation. Participants learn about the three types of confrontation, effective confrontation skills and how to use them in their daily life or roles as chapter
officers. Includes role-playing and discussion. Based on information from the National Interfraternity Council.
Optional Phase II Sessions
*Recommended for
those chapters who have utilized the complete Phase II for at least two years. Some of these sessions are still being developed.
Ropes Course
Build your
confidence and learn to work with others in a group. This optional session involves challenge activities where participants walk a rope 50 feet in the air, ride a zip line and take a "leap of faith." For
more information on local ropes courses, contact your University's Student Activities Office.
"He said…She said"
What do women look for in a guy?
What do they expect on a first date? What do they want out of relationship? What turns them off? Through an interactive format, this session will focus on relationships in college. A sorority is invited to
participate in the workshop.
The Sigma Nu Creed
What is your favorite part of the long creed? What does it really mean to you? Participants will review the
long creed and select their favorite section. The facilitator will lead the participants through a discussion about the creed and relate it to everyday life as a brother.
Life after Sigma Nu (Introduction to Career Services)
Participants learn about services available to them through the University's Center, discuss networking techniques, interviewing tips and have opportunity for a tour and question and answer period.
How to work a job fair & resume review
Participants will learn tips and techniques for working an on-campus job fair. Session will include a review of what
makes a great resume. Motivation-how to keep it once you've found it.
What motivates people? What techniques can you use to motivate the brothers and officers in your chapter? This session will focus on motivation and how to understand others. Participants complete the Strength Deployment Inventory and learn more about their motivational level.
Roberts Rules of Order
Session is a review of Robert's Rules of Order. Includes role playing to demonstrate using rules properly and a question and answer
session.
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