First things first, there are a few National Fraternities that are straying from their traditional paper based systems.  Almost everything in the organization is being converted into electronic formats to better cater to the students needs as well as cut down on the time it takes to submit.  Since member satisfaction is ranked highly among these organizations, the fact that the organization is adapting to the member’s needs can go a long way.

Another route that these organizations are looking at using is the adoption of electronic scanners at conferences.  One fraternal organization in town is implementing an electronic scanner at their conference this summer to ensure that the members who are in attendance come ot every meeting as is outlined in the guidelines for attending.  Fraternities want to ensure that those attending conference who have been paid for by their chapters are making good use of the time and money put into their visit.  Electronic scanners are just one way to make certain that the members are attending sessions. USB stick with transferring contact information

There are several IT services that are being reviewed and talked about for the future of these organizations.  Some of these services include putting the entire reporting processes online, having all resources on a printable format for students to retrieve easily, webinars that include training for officer transitions, virtual game online training courses, as well as web chats that allow the students to talk virtual “face-to-face” with the top executives of the fraternity.

What would it mean to your organization if you were able to utilize some of these IT tools?  What potential do you see in a cost-benefit analysis of these tools in terms of tangible and intangible benefits?  Is your organization currently using any of these options?

I first heard about online accreditation process through research on the web.  I saw a link on a local National Headquarter’s website that led me to an online platform. I immediately set up an appointment with their Associate Executive Director of Educational Services. During the meeting I gained much more knowledge into their process. The fraternity realized a couple years back the importance of accreditation/assessment for their members.  They have turned their accreditation processes to the online forum so that their students are more easily engaged in the process and so there is a centralized location for their resources.

Students are able to easily access the platform to upload their information without spending time on stamps and pages of paperwork.  In turn, the National is able to have all of their information in a central location that is organized and easy to peruse through.  How much more likely would a fraternity or sorority member be to upload accreditation information if it were on the web?  What is stopping your organization from transitioning to online platforms such as this?

“Behavior in the fraternity houses is a periodic snag with the University administration and the trustees,” Trustee Alston Gardner ’77 told the board in an article on UNC’s General Alumni website. With the death of a DKE fraternity brother, along with other numerous charges involving drugs and alcohol, a review was vital.  Jordan Whichman, who currently resides on the board of directors, decided to analyze the current systems in a 4 month study.  The study allowed him to discover the areas in which the Greek system was struggling and then provide positive recommendations to the university that will enable a much more productive and beneficial Greek system for UNC.

These reviews are becoming more and more common as University administration looks for ways to improve their campus overall.  If the Greek system is destroying their image as opposed to enhancing more students to come there, then the administration is going to be left with no option but to get rid of them.  With more and more universities starting to conduct reviews of the current Greek system, what are you currently doing to ensure that your fraternity remains on campus?

Learn more about what is happening at UNC here.
For more articles concerning Greek Reviews click here.

Full report can be found here.

See full article at New York Injury News.
Additional details to the story may be found here.

Universities, campuses, NIC and the National Fraternities alike are probably feeling frustrated when examining the future of these organizations.  What began as a means to better mankind and benefit society as a whole has turned into a way for youth to indulge recklessly.  Who is accepting responsibility for these organizations after they have abused the system so many times?  How is your organization illustrating to Universities and parents alike that the students your organization is producing are better leaders?

Through countless interviews I have encountered with executive directors, the NIC, and university officials, it seems that everyone is aiming for Greeks to have standards.  The problem is that the organizations do not know how to go about creating them. Many universities already have standards for their campus’ Greek system and employ Greek advisors to enforce them.

Accreditation allows National Greek Organizations to understand where they are in comparison to other organizations.  Just as accreditation in other industries allows consumers to know which companies are trustworthy and following guidelines or protocols, the same method should be carried over to potential students looking to join a fraternity.  Is your organization looking for ways to make good on the promises you offer about your Fraternity?

While most fraternities and sororities understand the need to interpret and measure their chapter’s data they are questioning where to begin.  The task itself seems so daunting that many people at the National level may feel there are other more important obstacles to deal with.  While working with Phi Kappa Theta we have come across how important it is to measure what data you are receiving.  Phi Kaps has the capability able to see which chapters are failing and get to them before they are in the red zone and likely to be kicked off campus.  By being able to interpret the data they are receiving in a timely manner, they are able to equip their members with better tools that assist them to succeed.

What are you doing with the information you collect from your members?   Achieve Applications core purpose is to assist those who are looking for statistics and data to show others.  Review the dashboards section to learn more.

If the National weren’t monitoring the operations in their chapters, there would be almost no guidelines for a chapter to host a philanthropy or pay their dues on time.  Advisors are volunteers that range from alumni to Greek faculty working for the University.   Advisors are not always present at rural colleges or smaller chapters, which leaves some chapters without any advisor at all.

The purpose of an advisor is to assist the chapters and their members.  They see the need to ensure their members are paying their dues on time, but what is the benefit and incentive for them to make sure their members are following through on these processes?  There seems to be little motivation at the local chapter level for advisors to inspire and motivate their members to push for more.  This can be linked to the fact that at the National level, most Executive Directors simply don’t have the time to encourage their advisors and members to reach their goals at a personal level.   They are swamped with budgets and exploring new innovative technologies.  This is why the role of the Advisor is so important.   National should start to analyze how they can better utilize advisors to encourage their members to set goals and reach them.

How are you currently training your advisors to properly instruct your members?  What tools and resources are you equipping them with?   Do you know if your current methods are effective?