CONTRIBUTORS

Elevating Sigma Pi to the Next Level

How the Organization Is Enhancing the Assortment of Tools, Resources, Programming, and More That Is Provided to Chapters

by The Emerald Staff T he impact of change in 2019 was felt across the organization. In a year, the international organization has introduced new departments at the Executive Office, gained new partners, moved the Executive Office, and so much more. Within the staff, we have had many changes; some previous staff moved on, while new staff members were added. Additionally, some staff members gained spouses while others welcomed little ones to the world.

Now, the Executive Office would like to share the leaps and bounds our departments have been working on in 2019 and plan to continue through 2020.

Education and Programs

With the implementation of the Education and Programs Department in April, there have been major developments in tools and resources for not only undergraduates, but alumni and volunteers, too. This department has outlined what it means to live a life of excellence as members are receiving materials that better aid them in financial management, diversity and inclusion training, and strategic planning to name a few. With the development of the department, one of the major changes was redeveloping undergraduate resources. These resources range from officer manuals for chapter leaders to health and safety training and enhanced educational conference curriculum.

One of the most impactful trainings our Education and Programs Department started was the Plaid Tightrope modules, which encompasses training for our members on drugs and alcohol, hazing, mental health, and sexual misconduct. Since its inception in August 2019, nearly 4,000 undergraduate members have completed the Tightrope program, leading the way toward a better, safer college experience. (Learn more about the Tightrope program on page 12) In addition to these educational programs happening at our chapters across North America, the Education and Programs Department has re-envisioned the MidYear Leadership Conference curriculum to align with the undergraduate desires.

The 2020 Mid-Year curriculum focused on Executive Council members' roles as leaders for their chapters. This included materials on running your chapter, crisis communication, financial planning, stress management, and much more.

Attendees at the 2019 Province Archon Summit in New Orleans

The resources that undergraduates received during the conference will not only benefit them throughout their time as undergraduates, but also into their professional careers as well. The educational resources do not stop with our undergraduate members as volunteers have all received enhanced training in 2019. Volunteers at Sigma Pi have the opportunity to receive training on courses ranging from mentoring college students to hazing prevention.

The volunteer manuals for chapter directors, province archons, alumni advisory boards, and alumni associations have all been updated to reflect most accurately the position of volunteers today. Additionally, the manual provides best practices on how to be involved with their respective groups from the elements of mentorship to operational procedures. In October, the Education and Programs Department held the Province Archon Summit. Topics at the summit included crisis communication, volunteer success resources/education, growing a province, risk management policies, membership reporting, and more. For the first time in the last 20 years, Sigma Pi has a record number of Province Archon positions filled, which is a great accolade for the Fraternity. The future is bright for members, as the Education and Programs Department will be launching a new mental health campaign rolling out late 2020. The Tony Siress Leadership Summit will also be launching summer 2020. The focus of this event will revolve around experiential learning for rising sophomores and juniors who will be in roles of leadership for their respective chapters and campuses. Communications

The Communications Department has hit the ground running in 2019 and has not slowed down. In February, the Communications Department rolled out the #whyibelieve campaign which has continued to be a huge success throughout the year. The #whyibelieve campaign captures the positive influence being in a fraternity has had on your life, and is centered around the idea that there is more to the fraternity experience than meets the eye.

This campaign encompasses member involvement with overwhelming submissions in addition to high engagement rates on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Testimonies like “Sigma Pi gave me unique leadership opportunities and