Delivering on NIC 2.0 Priorities
CAMPUS SUPPORT WHAT DID WE DO?
Establishing the Campus Support Model 195 Basic
We developed the Campus Support Model to foster strong connection with and support of local fraternity communities, which includes:
15 Silver 6 Gold 5 Platinum
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As of Aug. 15, 30 schools have joined the model at a medallion level for the 2017-2018 academic year, including 3 at the Diamond-level: Texas State University; Clemson University; and University of California, Berkeley.
We looked at everything we were already doing and saw a great benefit to use the Diamond level to continue doing what we had planned for the coming year and actually save money in the long run!
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We are excited to continue the relationship with the NIC and keep moving forward with culture change here at Texas State! — Bob Dudolski, Assistant Dean of Students
Building Relationships Across Higher Ed We focused on building relationships by actively seeking opportunities to meet with key stakeholders. We: • Hosted an AFA program for 400 campus professionals to outline the Vision for Fraternity Communities and Campus Support Model. • Partnered with NASPA to host a Summit for 150 interfraternal partners and Vice Presidents of Student Affairs. • Visited and presented at meetings of campus professionals for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Big 12 and the state of Florida, as well as three regional AFA “drive-ins.”
• • • • • • • •
NIC consultations Assessment Attendance at NIC programs On-campus programming Resource library Crisis communication support Alumni engagement Access to the IFC Insurance program
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Discounted services from 10 NIC partners, which provide tools for recruitment, programming, PR, fundraising, and philanthropic engagement
For the 2017-2018 academic year, we added a Diamond-level to the Campus Support Model. This package includes the ability to bring up to three of more than 40 programs to campus, which focus on topics critical to fraternities and sororities.
$350K:
The NICF raised funds to assist with schools engaging in the NIC’s Campus Support Model.
We created an IFC Insurance Program to protect students, volunteers and staff as they implement peer governance. In the first year of this program, 18 campuses purchased IFC Insurance.
WHAT’S COMING IN 2017-2018?
We are collaborating with interfraternal organizations on campus response protocols for discipline and crisis management situations. We will develop a campus-wide fraternity/ sorority assessment tool that campuses can use annually to identify needs and programming gaps, as well as measure peer governance.
On the Ground
This year, the Campus Support team made more than
This fall, 5 regional staff will work with campuses. Together, they have
visits to colleges and universities.
years of experience working with fraternities.
50
55
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? In the first year of piloting our Campus Support Model, we have learned a great deal. • While always a challenge, we must better balance reactive response with implementing proactive solutions. • We will continue to improve our listening post to learn about critical campus issues to increase our ability to respond efficiently. • This means enhancing communication to member fraternities on important campus situations — even when they do not have a chapter represented.
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We need to more effectively engage fraternity alumni and volunteers in support of the undergraduate experience.
We need to continue improving personal connections with Council leaders, local alumni and campus professionals. To support local fraternity communities, we need to continue the development of our Alumni IFC model.
We will develop an enhanced, online resource library for Council officers and alumni. For the 2017-2018 academic year, campuses will be able to fully customize the offerings they choose within each level of the Campus Support Model, best utilizing the resources that fit their needs.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Reinforce the expectation that chapters need to belong to an IFC connected to the NIC’s larger vision of advancing all fraternities. Promote and encourage students to attend our full menu of educational programs: PRIME, IFC Academy, IMPACT, LAUNCH, UIFI and Alumni Summits. As we work to assist with issues in fraternity communities, we need efficient response and support from member fraternities to make local connections with volunteers and important alumni. To streamline reporting of campus issues, you can now notify the NIC by emailing campus@nicindy.org, which goes to the entire Campus Support team. Please integrate the NIC 2.0 priorities into your organization’s messaging and programming. This could include providing updates in newsletters, training on the Vision for Fraternity Communities for staff or leaders, or inviting the NIC to speak at a program.
EDUCATION WHAT DID WE DO? Continued Success with Programming Staples IFC ACADEMY By the Numbers
14 919 226 150 sessions
We trained 600 Interfraternity Council leaders through 4 regional IFC Academy programs, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity in partnership with: • Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV) • Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) • Southeastern Interfraternity Conference (SEIFC) • NPC, which hosted its College Panhellenic Academy alongside IFC Academy at 2 locations
18
campuses facilitated the IMPACT program, which helps communities come together to identify challenges and establish relationships to collaborate on solutions.
student attendees
facilitators
95%
believe they are a better leader because of UIFI.
93%
believe as a result of UIFI, they will positively impact their community.
Improvements Focused on recruitment and in-person training for Lead Facilitators. Asked a committee of curriculum designers and thought leaders in the fraternity/ sorority community to provide feedback on the program. Included enhanced curriculum on identity and privilege, NIC 2.0, and responsibilities and rights of the interfraternal experience.
scholarship providers, including 20 NIC groups
Introducing New NIC Programs
LAUNCH We developed LAUNCH, a one-day, on-campus program to facilitate chapter president and council officer transitions. We held LAUNCH programs at four campuses in spring 2017: • Clemson University • Marshall University • Muhlenburg College • Stevens Institute of Technology
ALUMNI SUMMIT
PRIME
In partnership with Pennington & Company and CSL Management, we hosted the first Alumni Summit at Oregon State University, a new oncampus training program for alumni volunteers in the areas of: • Advising • Fundraising • Safe housing
In partnership with the regional conferences, we announced a new NIC program, PRIME: The Summit of Interfraternity Council Presidents, where leaders take a deeper look at what makes a high-performing IFC.
We revamped the distribution of the NIC Awards of Distinction to elevate and personalize the recognition by honoring recipients on campuses and at member events.
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? Despite the program’s enhancements and success, we had several spots available in UIFI sessions as well as organization scholarships that went unused. We are considering how to adapt our messaging and change the timing of our sessions to better reflect the reality of time-pressured students.
We are also actively reviewing all educational programs to assess how they directly connect with today’s college fraternity man.
WHAT’S COMING IN 2017-2018?
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
In partnership with AFLV, we will pilot regional UIFI sessions to make the program even more accessible to students. We hope to host at least five campus Alumni Summit programs. We will host an in-person training for Lead Facilitators for all NIC programs, sponsored by Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
The inaugural session will take place in Indianapolis Jan. 5 to 7.
We need to bolster support for Councils and their leaders, which is why we have focused efforts on expanding IFC Academy and developing LAUNCH and PRIME.
We need your help recruiting fraternity men for programs: • Solicit support to provide UIFI scholarships for members, and market opportunities to members. • Encourage the IFC President to attend PRIME. Registration will open October 2. • UIFI registration will open March 1. Make plans to fund and fill scholarships through engaging outreach and direct communication to chapters. • IFC Academies take place in February and April in conjunction with four interfraternal regional leadership conferences.
PUBLIC RELATIONS WHAT DID WE DO? Improving Response to Crises To advance sophistication in fraternities’ ability to respond to issues, in partnership with our PR firm Edelman, we developed industry-wide crisis communication protocols. This allowed fraternities to swiftly show accountability and action. • Conducted a full-day, in-person training for NIC fraternities. • Implemented an online media and social media monitoring dashboard for the NIC and all member fraternities allowing each to monitor its brand. • Worked with fraternities to develop targeted PR campaigns at Belmont University and Harvard University to bring awareness to issues around student rights.
Vision for Fraternity Communities Drawing from the work of the NIC Presidential Commissions and NIC 2.0, we developed the Vision for Fraternity Communities, which outlines a phased, campus-by-campus approach to creating change in fraternity communities. With a goal to reach 25,000 people in 2017, we have visited conventions and campuses to share the VFC and NIC 2.0 priorities. Five member fraternities and AFA have run articles on this topic in their magazines reaching a broad audience.
By the Numbers
NIC staff and Edelman worked with fraternity staff and volunteers, as well as IFC officers and campus professionals to develop and disseminate messages when issues emerged. We assisted in:
110 35 16 situations
member fraternities
Interfraternity Councils
DATA WAREHOUSE WHAT DID WE DO?
As we develop a strategy and tools to foster data-driven decision-making in the NIC and industry, we have planned the project in two phases:
New NIC and NICF Websites
We rolled out new websites for the NIC and NICF, designing and implementing them in-house, which saved resources and will best enable us to adapt to technologies of the future.
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? We have made progress on reactive communication — managing crisis. We now need to focus on proactively telling the story of the fraternity experience. We are cultivating a group of third-party advocates and experts to serve as sources or craft op-eds that share the values and benefits of fraternities. With so much positive movement on NIC 2.0 priorities and initiatives, it’s critical that we regularly communicate about our progress to our constituents.
WHAT’S COMING IN 2017-2018?
We will engage in a full rebrand for the NIC and NICF to better align the organization’s identity with members today and the needs for fraternities and sororities in the future. With our PR partner Edelman and key stakeholders, we will begin planning for our proactive, positive approach and campaign to reclaim the “fraternity” brand. To provide progress and programming updates, we plan to introduce regular e-newsletters and communication touch-points for fraternity/ sorority professionals and IFC officers.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Keep the NIC apprised of crises and/or issues your chapters, councils and organizations face, and do not hesitate to reach out for PR support — message crafting, media contacts, monitoring, etc. When we solicit information or sources for articles that impact the industry, consider and contribute to our knowledge base.
1 2
Phase 1 will focus on the development of a database for the NIC. Other interfraternal umbrella organizations may join the NIC as we confirm a database partner and build the system. Phase 2 will focus on the creation of a data “warehouse,” where member fraternities and interfraternal organizations could send and receive data, allowing the identification of industry trends.
To prepare for Phase 1 and the selection of a database vendor, we conducted a needs assessment and researched industry standards and data collection best practices both inside and outside of higher education. We requested proposals from database providers with experience within the fraternal market and beyond. AFA, AFA Foundation, AFLV, FEA and NPC joined the NIC and NICF as we reviewed proposals; we hope to create economies of scale across the industry by engaging these partners.
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER?
We had hoped to move faster in the development of this critical tool to best serve NIC member fraternities and identify industry trends. Maintaining contact lists is challenging without a reliable database, which complicated communicating to NIC audiences.
WHAT IS COMING NEXT YEAR?
We hope to hire a Chief Information Officer to coordinate the integration of multiple data systems and analysis. We will select a database provider and complete Phase 1, implementing a database for the NIC and potentially committed interfraternal partners. We will begin working through Phase 2 development. In Phase 2, we will identify potential trends and connections we hope to measure, like membership, academic performance, philanthropic efforts, retention, graduation rates, housing, campus staff support, and services by campuses and organizations.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Please be patient as this project is going to take time to build given its size and complexity and our resource constraints. Submit the annual NIC data collection survey, which enables us to compile key statistics to chart growth and involvement. We utilize aggregated data throughout the year for media and university inquiries. We will follow up with a request for critical organization contact information as we launch the NIC’s new database.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WHAT DID WE DO?
2 Types of Advocacy
Establishing NIC Priorities for Advocacy Providing focus for our advocacy efforts, we established the NIC’s core priorities for government relations. These are grounded in preserving the fraternity experience for the future.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Single-Sex/Gender Experience: Ensuring all students have self-determination rights to belong to a single-sex/gender organization and advocating that these rights apply if an organization accepts transgender students.
Freedom of Association: Ensuring students have selfdetermination rights to decide when and how it is best for them to join a student organization. Due Process Protections: Ensuring students and our organizations are afforded basic due-process rights in campus disciplinary hearings. Tax-deductible gifts for chapter houses (CHIA): Ensuring college affordability and safe living environments by allowing alumni to donate tax-deductible gifts to house corporations just like they can for campus residence halls. Improper Reporting Requirements: Ensuring students continue to feel comfortable having personal conversations with chapter volunteers and peer leaders. The designation of our members and volunteers as Campus Security Authorities by some higher education administrations is having a chilling effect on recruiting and retaining leaders who serve on the front line of defense for student safety. Anti-Hazing Measures (REACH Act): Ensuring comprehensive hazing prevention measures — proactive education, transparency and accountability around standards — are addressed through federal legislation, in complement to additional organizational and university efforts.
Grassroots: Encouraging constituents to contact their legislators about an important issue they care about.
Seeking focused advocacy from individuals who have personal relationships with key lawmakers on an issue.
Using a cutting-edge online platform, we launched our first interfraternal grassroots campaign, in which NIC and NPC organizations asked members to encourage legislators to include CHIA in upcoming tax reform.
To initiate grasstops efforts, we conducted the RAP Index, a survey that identified fraternity and sorority members’ connections to elected officials at every level of government.
3,804
13,204
100 student and 125 alumni fraternity and sorority members lobbied on Capitol Hill. They met with Representatives and Senators to discuss college affordability and tax deductibility for chapter house donations (CHIA).
The RAP Index allowed us to engage alumni who have relationships with members of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees, which work closely on tax reform – a potential vehicle for CHIA.
members from 48 NIC fraternities sent 9,350 messages to lawmakers in the CHIA campaign
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? While we had great progress with more organizations supporting our effort, we need everyone engaged in advocacy for the fraternity experience. Further, we must engage the full diversity of NIC member fraternities, as well as interfraternal organizations in advocacy efforts.
Grasstops:
members from 42 NIC fraternities participated in the RAP Index
While we had a positive start to our grassroots campaign, participation did not reach the same adoption as other efforts. To effectively gain the ear of lawmakers, we need far wider reach. Providing more consistent communication to a broader fraternity/sorority population will pave the way.
Supporting Anti-Hazing Legislation
Because of our long-cultivated relationships, lawmakers reached out and asked us for input on and support for the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act, bipartisan federal anti-hazing legislation. Once Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA, Beta Theta Pi) and Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH, Delta Sigma Theta) introduced the bill, we rallied collaborative, interfraternal support for the REACH Act from all six “umbrella” organizations, the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values.
Critical Partnerships for Advocacy As part of the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC), we partner with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC) and Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund (FSAF) to strengthen our advocacy efforts. The Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee is a bipartisan organization that provides financial support to candidates who defend and enhance the fraternity and sorority experience. The Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund exists to provide grants to NIC and NPC for initiatives that support the legislative priorities of each organization. This year, the Action Fund has provided three grants to help us advance our priorities: • Online platform utilized for grassroots advocacy • Use of the RAP Index survey • Judicial review of fraternities/sororities’ single-sex/gender status
WHAT’S COMING IN 2017-2018?
We plan to broaden engagement of interfraternal partners from other umbrella organizations. Congress estimates that tax reform legislation is on the horizon, a potential vehicle for CHIA’s adoption. We will need commitment to grassroots and grasstops efforts to encourage lawmakers to include CHIA. Organizations and students are increasingly seeking to engage in advocacy efforts. We received a record 850 student lobbyist applications. We are considering how to expand our Capitol Hill Visit program to capture greater participation from this captivated audience.
When situations arise on campuses that relate to NIC advocacy priorities — specifically student rights — our Chief Legislative Officer and Government Relations Committee will work in coordination with our Campus Support team to navigate the challenges.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Push out correspondence about our legislative priorities and grassroots efforts. You can expand our reach and success by prompting members to contact their legislators at critical junctures.
Encourage students to apply to lobby at our upcoming Capitol Hill Visits on April 23-25, 2018.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WHAT DID WE DO?
Enhancing Educational Programs
A Focus on the Fraternity Growth Accelerator In partnership with our emerging and culturally-based member fraternities in the Fraternity Growth Accelerator (FGA), the NIC hired a part-time director to oversee the execution of four priorities specific to the needs of these organizations: • Develop initiatives to support knowledge sharing and learning. • Enhance advocacy efforts within higher education and government relations. • Facilitate increased sharing of professional services and group purchasing through an interfraternal cooperative. • Provide 501c(3) community foundation services for emerging fraternal foundations. We hosted an inaugural Summit for fraternities in the FGA in August 2017. Programs and roundtables covered topics including effective board practices, volunteer management, alumni engagement, student mental health, advocacy, and others across the landscape of higher education. We established a Transgender Inclusion Working Group to provide legal guidance and leading practices to the industry. This group hosted webinars on its progress and will deliver its report in early fall.
Interfraternal Collaboration We have actively sought to collaborate with interfraternal “umbrella” organizations across the fraternity and sorority community by: • Planning an interfraternal summit before the NASPA Annual Conference, where organizations’ representatives could meet with Vice Presidents of Student Affairs. • Coordinating unified, collective support from all umbrella organizations for the REACH Act, federal anti-hazing legislation. • Coming together to fight a breach of student rights at Harvard University. • Providing support for all members and councils across campus communities through facilitating the programs and resources in the Campus Support Model.
We enhanced undergraduate educational programs by: • Implementing an officer track on diversity and inclusion at IFC Academy. • Adapting UIFI to include an exploration of privilege and identity. • Updating curriculum for all programs to be more inclusive. • Providing cultural competency training for Lead Facilitators. To increase access to our premier leadership program, the NIC funded UIFI scholarships for students from culturally-based and emerging NIC fraternities, as well as students with financial needs.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS RECORD-HIGH ALLIANCE PARTNER SUPPORT
WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? We must continue to offer value to FGA organizations by providing education, services and guidance that support their continued growth and development within the NIC. This means better integrating FGA needs and initiatives into our every-day work. We need to develop a stronger connection with interfraternal organizations — especially our brothers and sisters across other councils. With this important topic evolving rapidly on college campuses, we had hoped to expedite the work of the Transgender Inclusion Working Group. Through research and meeting with experts, the Group realized new complexities with a connected topic — the juncture of Title IX and single-gender nature of fraternities and sororities — that required in-depth exploration. The Group held webinars, as well as met with member fraternity boards/staffs on request, to show its progress and provide education on the topic. It will introduce an informative report to the membership in early fall.
WHAT’S COMING IN 2017-2018?
We are looking at a funding model for a full-time director within the next 2 to 3 years to increase support to FGA members. We need to seek consistent opportunities to collaborate with the other interfraternal umbrella organizations.
NIC
Our partners have stepped up to support for the fraternal movement at an exceptional level. Their investment allows us to achieve our priorities and deliver impactful programs and services for the fraternity/sorority community. Diamond BillHighway* ChapterSpot CrowdChange* CSL Management EverFi Fraternal Law Partners* Gameday XP Holmes Murphy memberplanet/Greek Bill * Pennington & Co.* Phired Up/TechniPhi/Innova Plaid* RISE Partnerships Student Connections Platinum GEICO James R. Favor & Company Omega Fi*
Alliance Partners
Silver Affinity Consultants Herff Jones Bronze Beginning of a Journey Campus Culinary Solutions Dimensions Learning GRADUWAY Helper Helper Kognito Krittenbrink Architecture LegFi Limberlost Consulting, Inc. Nationwide Affinity Solutions Shelle Design, Inc. * Denotes “Distinguished” partners, who support both the NIC and NICF at that level
ESTABLISHED THE CENTER FOR FRATERNAL EXCELLENCE
Include diversity and inclusion training in your fraternity programming.
Providing streamlined services across the industry leads to better supported fraternity and sorority communities. We are building a model that increases industry standards, operational sophistication and efficiency. We established the Center for Fraternal Excellence, Inc. (CFE), a for-profit entity that enables our team to develop and offer business services for our member organizations and interfraternal partners.
Support the Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund (FSAF) which advocates for strong single-sex protections, including protecting member selection rights for organizations that accept transgender students.
CFE is partnering with the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), AFA Foundation and Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, to provide accounting, finance and human resource services.
Support the NICF, which is working to build a community foundation infrastructure for emerging fraternities.
GOOD STEWARDS
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The NIC and NICF dramatically improved transparency and efficiency of financial operations by implementing advanced accounting systems and financial controls over the past 12 months. The NIC moved its office and leases space from Theta Chi Fraternity in Carmel, IN. By downsizing our physical footprint, we are able to focus greater resources on our efforts to transform fraternity communities.
SUPPORTING YOU Campus Support Packages Bundle Critical Resources Programming, leadership development, coaching, consultation, alumni development, recruitment resources, crisis communication support, training and assessment — in our Campus Support packages, we have bundled the critical tools councils need to be successful. These packages allow you to increase support and opportunities for the fraternity/sorority community while maximizing valuable resources.
New this academic year: • If you’re interested in blending the options below into a custom package, reach out to the NIC staff. • Save 10 percent on packages with a two-year commitment.
PLATINUM
BASIC
SILVER
NIC staff support for IFC and fraternity community development
Coaching Calls
Coaching Calls
1 Visit/yr & Coaching Calls
2 Visits/yr & Coaching Calls
2 Visits/yr & Coaching Calls
NIC staff guidance for creation and ongoing support of Alumni IFC
Coaching Calls
Coaching Calls
1 Visit/yr & Coaching Calls
2 Visits/yr & Coaching Calls
2 Visits/yr & Coaching Calls
Choose One
Both
Both
Both
2
5
5
8
8
Facilitated
Facilitated
SUPPORT SERVICES
GOLD
DIAMOND
Community culture and brotherhood assessment Selection of programs from NIC’s education catalog−topics: social norming, bystander intervention, sexual misconduct prevention, and rites of passage
Local training summit for alumni relations, advising and housing led by industry professionals
Crisis communication support for IFC in coordination with NIC PR partner
Discounts for NIC educational programs Community-building leadership programs: IMPACT & LAUNCH Complimentary Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) registrations Complimentary IFC Academy registrations Complimentary registration to an interfraternal professional development opportunity for fraternity/sorority campus professional Access to IFC Insurance Program (purchased separately) Access to IFC online resource library IFC Operational Audit Technology that powers recruitment and assists in chapter growth
Self-Directed Recruitment Registration Engine
Self-Directed
ChapterBuilder IFC Dashboard ChapterBuilder IFC Dashboard AND CampusDirector OR CampusDirector
FLAT FEE $5,000/Campus (Inclusive of dues)
Technology that streamlines IFC billing, collections and fundraising
Facilitated
FLAT FEE $10,000/Campus (Inclusive of dues)
ChapterBuilder IFC Dashboard ChapterBuilder IFC Dashboard AND CampusDirector AND CampusDirector
FLAT FEE $15,000/Campus (Inclusive of dues)
IFC website development resources and assistance
DISCOUNTED SERVICES FROM NIC PARTNERS NIC partners provide a wide variety of discounts to IFCs in the Campus Support Model, offering tools for recruitment, programming, PR, fundraising, philanthropic engagement and alumni training. Discounts increase across the levels. Visit nicindy.org/ifc/campus-support for a list of discounted services.
ANNUAL COST FOR CAMPUS SUPPORT PACKAGES
PER CHAPTER DUES $25/NIC Chapter; $50/Non-NIC Chapter
FLAT FEE $5,000/Campus (inclusive of dues)
FLAT FEE $10,000/Campus (inclusive of dues)
FLAT FEE $15,000/Campus (inclusive of dues)
FLAT FEE $30,000/Campus (inclusive of dues)
IFC Insurance Program: Recent high-profile situations have reinforced that IFCs need coverage. The NIC IFC Insurance program
ensures an IFC has proper protection as it carries out the work of governing the community, while saving an IFC more than 50 percent on insurance compared to what it could purchase on their own. Campus administrators and the university can be added as additional insured.