Many Fraternities and Sororities (and Schools) like Alpha Kappa Lambda host an annual leadership college or Presidents’ Academy in January. It is a time to bring in new chapter officers to prepare them for the next 12 months when they will be at the helm of their chapters.
At first blush one would think this is simply a operations and process task. One would assume that we do this so the men and women know how to handle paperwork, run a chapter meeting, improve their programs and so on. While all of these activities do happen this really isn’t the primary purpose of these events. The primary purpose is securing the future of our organizations.
The scary and at the same time exciting reality is that the future and face of our organizations rest squarely on the backs of these new chapter officers. These men and women that are normally between the ages of 19 and 22. We place ours hopes and our history on them and ask them to carry it all for at least the next 12 months. What other 100 year old businesses would do this with people so young? I would venture to guess not many. That is what makes Fraternity and Sorority so great!
So the reality is we hold these events to meet these men and women. We challenge them at these events to do their best. We tell them how we are going to support them. We give them tools, we remind them of purpose. We challenge them to change things for the better no matter how good things already are. We do this because they are our future and we must secure it.
I could not have been prouder this past weekend of the men that attended AKL’s Presidents’ Academy. They came in with open minds, energy and belief in our Ritual. I am excited for the year. As I followed other organizations via Twitter and Facebook I believe others had similar experiences. I hope, for the sake of our futures, these men and women do the great things they appear capable of this year.
Congrats to all of the new officers in Fraternities and Sororities across the country. Make us proud with the future you now lead!
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