Advocacy. Education. Standards. Insights.
he four points on a compass—North, South, East and West—guide a traveler on his journey. They give him direction and help him navigate what’s ahead, whether a well-beaten path or rough seas. Like the compass, the NIC provides direction and vision for the broader fraternity community. It serves as the captain, with four points showing the way: Advocating for the fraternal experience at every turn. Educating, across a member’s interfraternal experience. Elevating standards and accountability to shared fraternal values. Sharing insights—research, data and stories to inform the future. Guiding fraternity. That’s what the NIC does. This report explores how.
Guiding frate
Advocacy Standa
ernity.
y. Education. ards. Insights.
CAMPUS SUPPORT ENHANCING FRATERNITY COMMUNITIES: Both proactively and when challenges arise, the expert consultation, programs, assessment and resources in the Campus Support Model combine to enhance fraternity communities. Our experienced team provides an extra layer of support and serves as a collaborator and convener for student leaders, campus professionals, member fraternities, and alumni, focusing on critical issues and opportunities in their communities. Adoption of the Campus Support Model has grown each year, proving campuses value this relationship with the NIC.
The Campus Support Team made 130 visits to colleges and universities, Served as a conduit and convener for stakeholders helping to bring campus professionals, alumni, organizations and students together.
4 Diamond
2.5 times more than last year.
210 Basic
25
joined Campus Sup
15
Customized campus visits to address needs and meet stakeholders where they are.
more than
Advocated for NIC Standards and positions that positively enhance the fraternity experience. Provided immediate, on-the-ground support to campuses after significant events to bring stakeholders together to navigate difficult situations in an authentic, meaningful and caring way.
Developed and used resources and tools in consultation that enable the IFC to get or stay on track.
“Over the past year, the NIC has helped coach our IFC leaders through the challenges of peer-governance so they can perform at a higher level.”
Facilitated 55 campus-based educational programs— IMPACT, LAUNCH and UIFI— to train Council, chapter and emerging fraternity and sorority leaders, a 111% increase over last year.
6 Platinum 14 Gold
55
Partnered with Dyad Strategies to develop and implement an IFC assessment tool.
21 Silver
66 campuses benefited from the IFC Insurance Program
d the pport Model
which protects students, volunteers and staff as they implement peer governance—more than three times as many as last year.
5%
n last year
Strengthened partnerships across higher education through participating in meetings of fraternity/sorority advisors in the Big 12, Pac 12, SEC and Big 10. Hosted an Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors program to explore critical issues.
Coming This Year IFC Quick Reference: Resource guide for IFCs that better outlines the Council’s role and provides a framework for operating as a high-performing IFC.
How to IFC: A reimagined, interactive online resource library with NIC tools and idea sharing from IFCs around the nation.
Collaborated with NASPA and NCAA.
EDUCATION
CONNECTING THE DOTS: In developing educational touch points that reach interfraternal leaders throughout their journey, we are strengthening connections with campuses and elevating the role of Councils. Programs are yielding positive results in both personal development, as well as providing an extended support network for leaders and campuses. Students and alumni are seeking and finding new human resources in their peers and the NIC team.
59
686
1,085
IFC Presidents attended inaugural program
IFC officers trained
Chapter and council leaders on 24 campuses
The Summit of IFC Presidents
Elevating the Role of the IFC
Preparing to Lead Communities
Introduced this year, PRIME focuses on the enormous job of an IFC President, who is asked to lead his council effectively, establish campus relationships and create a shared vision toward positive change.
This program is targeted to the Council’s role across the broader fraternity/sorority community. Academy is hosted at regional leadership conferences in partnership with: • Association of Fraternity Leadership & Values (AFLV) • Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) • Southeastern Interfraternity Conference (SEIFC)
“Our campus had a great experience in hosting LAUNCH. Our facilitator was skilled at including examples that transcended all chapters and councils and facilitated powerful dialogue. Our team was impressed by the relationship building and content able to be covered in a one-day experience.” — Erin McHale, University of Iowa
“I really enjoyed PRIME weekend and learned a lot of things to take back to my Council. The assessment we took opened my eyes to areas we can improve.” — Hayden Park, Mississippi State University
Registration for Jan. 4-6, 2019, opens in October
Coming This Year
We are updating the format to increase student-to-student interaction and sharing.
Coming This Year
Incorporating feedback, we are working with Rise Partnerships to focus the curriculum on building the skills these students need most to lead their communities.
1,066
20,000 UIFI graduates in its 29 years
Campuses hosted Summit in its first year
Driving Action on Your Campus
A Blueprint to Better
Supporting Alumni Development
“Our IFC came away from IMPACT with a commitment to make the community safer and worked together to create shared expectations. This is absolutely an IMPACT success story. The men were nowhere near the point of making these decisions before our session.” — Liz Schafer, Tulane University
This year, 795 students from 189 campuses in 104 organizations participated in 2 campus and 8 sold-out national sessions of UIFI.
This new program brings fraternity/sorority housing volunteers together from across campus to train on managing facilities, fundraising for the future and supporting student residents.
Students at 22 campus sessions
Coming This Year
We have revamped the program to emphasize action, including closing with a shark-tank activity to prompt innovative solutions. We are introducing dynamic new student workbooks and program materials.
“UIFI is perfect for leaders who want to advance themselves, their chapters and communities. I left with a blueprint to better my community and a support system that genuinely cares for my development as a leader and student!” — Caleb Williams, Millikin University
Coming This Year
To further enhance the UIFI experience, we will be working with a curriculum committee— that for the first time, includes students.
7
“There was open discussion on topics that apply to each of the fraternity and sorority houses.” — La Wanna Dunn, University of Southern California, Alpha Gamma Delta
Coming This Year
We are piloting an Advisor Summit, with curriculum designed in partnership with Plaid.
HEALTH & SAFETY NO SILVER BULLET: Critical issues deeply rooted in the campus culture aren’t solved with quick fixes. When students, alumni, community members, national organizations, and campus professionals collaborate to create measures and infrastructure, there is greater ownership and accountability to the change. The NIC’s Health & Safety Initiative (HSI) brings people together to create shared expectations and implement measures that truly make communities safer.
The NIC hires a Director of Health & Safety to coordinate initiatives.
• The Campus Support Team integrates critical conversations around Health & Safety into IFC/community consultations.
• •
The team establishes goals for the HSI pilot: Reduce dangerous hard alcohol in the fraternity experience. Provide a more balanced, academic-centered fraternity experience. Foster safer social events for members and guests.
Fall 2017
The 66 NIC member fraternities come together to pass critical new Health & Safety Standards that build upon fraternal prevention efforts and programs. Each NIC member fraternity will: • Adopt and implement a Medical Good Samaritan Policy. • Provide all chapters with baseline health and safety educational programming. • Support a pilot program for campus implementation of new HSI policies, event procedures to reduce alcohol abuse, and other measures to enhance safety.
Nail It, Then Scale It: We seek to figure out what really moves the needle, then put the pedal down hard. The NIC is testing different measures on different campuses, based on their needs. This pilot approach blends policy rooted in research, best practices in education, enhanced procedures to make events safer, and consistent assessment to measure the effectiveness of these interventions.
Implement SocialSafe, an event management platform and mobile app.
Evaluate the new member process, including testing shortening new member periods, engaging advisors and developing meaningful rights of passage.
Adopt HSI policies to reduce the presence of hard alcohol, improve event management and develop consensus around standards.
Recruit and train chapter advisors.
Enhance accountability through community Re-commitment Process and standards board development.
“We could not move at the pace we are without this partnership. Working with the NIC team has created unique connections and national support for our organizations, allowing for a higher level of functional peer-governance.”
Guest list management Real-time capacity tracking
Licensed, insured vendor registration
The NIC works with The University of Tennessee-Knoxville to develop assessment tools to test the efficacy of HSI measures.
Event registration and review
The team develops SocialSafe, an online event management platform and mobile app. This cutting-edge technology will streamline event planning and management to focus greater attention on what matters most—safety.
Fall 2018
Spring 2018
20+ IFCs shift policy to eliminate hard alcohol from fraternity houses or express they are considering it.
The NIC partners to pilot HSI measures on two campuses: Iowa State University and Washington State University.
Educational messaging around events—real-time social norming
The pilot expands to two new campuses (four total): Mississippi State University and the University of Iowa.
To address hazing, the NIC partners with parents who have lost their sons to hazing and interfraternal organizations to create model state legislation, educational programs and awareness.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
RAISING OUR VOICES: Through interfraternal partnerships, our advocacy focuses on real issues that impact fraternities and sororities. We have become a sought-after counsel to lawmakers on these concerns. Now is the time to amplify this reach through bringing our voices together in a grassroots movement to let lawmakers know the value of fraternities and sororities and where we stand on critical issues.
Federal As we seek to develop men of character, fraternities are more important than ever. Yet, several universities are imposing policies aimed at forcing men’s and women’s organizations to become co-ed. Our efforts have focused on advocating for strengthened protections for students to have the choice to join a men’s or women’s organization. • 235 members advocated on Capitol Hill for these protections and anti-hazing legislation. • 25,000 contacted their legislators through an interfraternal grassroots campaign. • The House included protections in the higher ed legislation it introduced.
State The NIC is working to strengthen hazing laws both on the federal and state levels. We are actively partnering with parents who have lost their sons to hazing, as well as other interfraternal organizations, to advocate for state legislation that: • Increases criminal penalties for those who haze • Enhances transparency in reporting • Puts measures in place to encourage people to call for help when needed • Calls for education for every student We will need your help to mobilize thousands of fraternity and sorority members in a grassroots effort to contact their state legislators.
Local At the local level, government relations intersects with Campus Support as we advocate for students responsibilities and rights, while always seeking to enhance fraternity communities. We focus on relationship building and educating on our positions and priorities, engaging stakeholders around issues that impact fraternities from city zoning to student choice. We look forward to engaging students and alumni in grassroots efforts around these issues, which positively teaches civic engagement.
NIC Priorities for Advocacy Single-Sex/Gender Experience Ensuring all students have self-determination rights to belong to a men’s organization and advocating that these rights apply if an organization accepts transgender students.
Freedom of Association Ensuring students have self-determination 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.
Anti-Hazing Measures Ensuring comprehensive hazing prevention measures—proactive education, transparency and accountability around standards— are addressed through federal and state legislation, in complement to additional organizational and university efforts.
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.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AMPLIFYING THE STORY OF FRATERNITY: While the public perception of fraternities shaped by the media primarily focuses on negative incidents, we know the positive value men gain from their fraternity experience is an often untold story. It’s time to amplify the stories that show the true value of the fraternity experience.
Advancing the Fraternity Brand Developed proactive #myFraternity campaign to engage members to raise the volume on the hundreds of thousands of positive stories of fraternity; launching Sept. 12, 2018. With our PR firm Edelman, provided crisis/PR support on more than 125 issues, assisting fraternities and IFCs, allowing them to swiftly show accountability and action. Provided a cutting-edge online media monitoring dashboard for member fraternities, so each can monitor its brand. Offered service to other sororities and interfraternal organizations. Trained NIC fraternities on industry-wide crisis communication practices to enable preparedness when challenging situations arise. Introduced grassroots campaigns to engage members in advocating for the fraternity experience when needs arise on campus and in local communities.
A New Look for the NIC The NIC developed a new visual identity for the Conference, its programs and Interfraternity Councils. This rebranded look emphasizes the NIC’s role in guiding fraternities.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
ACCESS, EXPLORATION & SUPPORT: At the student level, the NIC fosters inclusion and identity exploration through its programs, and at the national level, the Conference focuses on supporting and developing culturally-based and emerging fraternities through education and resources for the Fraternity Growth Accelerator (FGA).
Programming • •
• •
Refined UIFI and IMPACT curriculum components. Brought in content experts to facilitate the diversity/inclusion track at IFC Academy, and continued to update all NIC programs to enhance inclusivity across identities and Councils. Provided cultural competency training for NIC program Lead Facilitators. Continued to create access opportunities to UIFI, the NIC’s landmark leadership program. Provided scholarships to members of culturallybased and emerging fraternities.
Leadership Added seats on the NIC Governing Council to enhance representation in Conference leadership. • The FGA elects its representative. • New this year: The National PanHellenic Conference (NPHC) organizations in the NIC also have a representative, with the first being the Executive Director of Iota Phi Theta.
Development •
• •
Hosted an inaugural Summit for FGA fraternities in August 2017, and have expanded that offering in 2018. Programs topics include member retention strategies, trends in fraternal law, generational trends, and organizational growth. Partnered with FFE to provide tailored assessment and coaching for emerging fraternal foundations. Seeking opportunities and partnerships to provide FGA organizations valuable educational programs for their members at collectively discounted rates.
INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS THAT DRIVE POSITIVE MOVEMENT: The NIC strives to innovate systems that help the industry make data-driven decisions and streamline services to focus resources on what’s most important to guide fraternities.
FS Central: Vision of Big Data
Maximizing Industry Resources Providing streamlined services across the industry leads to better supported fraternity and sorority communities. Through the development of the Center for Fraternal Excellence, a for-profit entity, our team offers business services for our member organizations and interfraternal partners.
The NIC hired a Chief Information Officer to coordinate the integration of multiple data systems and analysis. The NIC is collaborating with the National Panhellenic Conference and ChapterSpot to build FS Central, a data warehouse that will help track trends like academic performance, housing, campus staff support, membership, service, and philanthropic contributions.
CFE is partnering with the Association of Fraternity/ Sorority Advisors, AFA Foundation and Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values to provide accounting, finance and human resource services.
This fall, the NIC will work with member fraternities and NPC sororities, as well as campuses and Councils, to input initial contacts and data.
CFE created a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which provides consolidated payroll and 401K services at a reduced rate. We are finalizing adding healthcare and other employee benefits.
Students, alumni, staff members and others will create an FS ID, a single-sign on that in the future, will conveniently be used across various fraternity/sorority technologies, including SocialSafe.
Currently, 13 member fraternities are participating in the PEO, providing benefits to 175 employees, at a cost savings to organizations.
The next phase will focus on the “warehouse” development, where member fraternities and interfraternal organizations could send and receive data, allowing the identification of industry trends.
Alliance Partner Support at Record High
NIC
Alliance Partners
FFE
Alliance Partners
Once again, our partners have stepped up to provide recordbreaking support for the fraternal movement. Their investment in the NIC and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) allows us to achieve our priorities and deliver impactful programs and services for the fraternity/sorority community.
6 Diamond and 1 Platinum Alliance Partners are “Distinguished,” providing support at that level to both the NIC and the FFE.
REIMAGINING THE FOUNDATION
A NEW CHAPTER: This year, an NIC Foundation task force took a deep dive, seeking member feedback into how the organization could best serve its fraternal foundations, so they, in turn could best serve their members. And the result is a reimagined foundation—right down to the name. The NICF is transitioning into the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) with a rebranded identity, revised strategic priorities, are-tooled programming plan, and a focus on collaborating to enhance and preserve the fraternity/sorority experience for members to come.
New Strategic Priorities Culture of Care Goal: To be the hub of organizational and professional development for fraternal foundations, growing the collective sophistication and impact of fraternal philanthropy Initiatives: Educational programs and events, online knowledge center, continuing education webinars The Foundation aims to provide top-notch programs and resources for fraternal foundation members because we care about their development and interfraternal experience. Donations support continued growth of existing educational programs and creation of new experiences, all to ensure premier continuing education and skillbuilding for fraternal foundation professionals and volunteers at all levels of experience.
Community
Capacity Building
Goal: To provide grants and scholarships to advance the industry’s educational priorities
Goal: Providing cooperative service to support fraternal foundations
Initiatives: Broad-reaching industry resources, UIFI scholarships, Balfour Fellowships
Initiative: Community Foundation Model
Fraternal foundations impact the success of fraternities and sororities. Similarly, the FFE is uniquely positioned to support initiatives that benefit campus fraternity and sorority communities and their students, as well as create resources that impact the entire industry. This includes projects like the NIC Health & Safety Initiative to address hazing, drugs and alcohol abuse; UIFI scholarships; or research that will inform data-driven decisions for growth and change.
The Foundation is committed to increased interfraternal granting and support through adopting a Community Foundation Model, which will also operationally assist emerging foundations. This year we hosted the firstever philanthropy-focused workshop for new and developing fraternal foundations. The FFE is also securing key partnerships for member foundations that increase operational excellence and grow fundraising capacity, such as offering DonorSearch for a free capacity screening.
Programs Provide Diverse Professional Development Avenues Formerly THE Foundations Seminar
434
Formerly Institute for Greek Advancement
55
Attendees in 2017, a 21% increase
Formerly Greek Retreat
75
Participants in 2018, a 22% increase
Participants at revamped program
New Energy Through Synergy
Program Satisfaction Soars
Skill-Driven Focus Finds Success
“This meeting has elevated the way we operate, because it has accelerated the education of our new Trustees. The learning curve is not so steep.”
“This was one of the most beneficial professional development opportunities for me and the organization I lead. I met people willing to share not only their successes, but also their failures. I walked away really encouraged that we are laying the foundation of a great organization for the future. This is a can’t-miss event because the opportunity to connect with other industry professionals is unmatched.”
“This was one of the best Foundation educational programs I have attended. The new workbooks were amazing and remained helpful after I returned to the office. Sessions were packed with usable nuggets, and the networking was outstanding-as always.”
Who Attends: Foundation professional staff and volunteers from all experience levels; Alliance Partners Format: Blocked educational programming rooted in the FFE Curriculum Plan Focus: Programs selected to cover Curriculum Plan areas including communications, engagement, fundraising, management and stewardship For the first time last year, we held Seminar in conjunction with the NIC’s Annual Meeting, advancing important synergy between foundations and organizations.
Who Attends: Top 1-2 professionals of a fraternal foundation; Alliance Partners Format: Think-tank atmosphere Focus: Executive-level leadership and fundraising The 2018 program saw the highest reviews ever for this long-time Foundation staple. We continue to refine this experience to be a must-attend program for executives.
Coming Next
Progress Points • •
•
• •
51 professionals participated in our first three programs in the Continuing Education Webinar Series. 42 organizations participated in the Industry Survey, an increase over 2016, where enhanced results reports provided new insights. FFE worked with important partners in the fundraising industry to bring discounted services to members, like DonorSearch and Wealth Engine. The revamped Resource Center served as a hub for all program resources. The monthly Foundation Focus newsletter shared best practices, highlighting campaigns and programs from member foundations.
• • • • •
Ramping up fundraising efforts to grow the impact of grants and programming offerings. Piloting an Advance track for traveling fundraising professionals who focus on major gifts and planned giving. Hosting a campaign to grow the UIFI endowment, celebrating the 30th year of the program. Introducing a welcome packet to new fraternal foundation members to better connect them with opportunities. Piloting the Community Foundation Model.
Who Attends: Professionals with a direct role in fundraising; Alliance Partners Format: Skill-building workshops with bestpractice sharing and peer networking Focus: Two tracks for annual giving strategy and components; major gifts fundraising and planned giving This program saw a complete revamp, providing beginner and advanced-level training to fundraising professionals. A new workbook provided practical take-aways.
Impactful Granting The FFE reviews grants from two lenses: 1. How we can further advance fraternal foundations, so they can better serve their members? 2. How we can bring people across the industry together to support initiatives that address critical issues and preserve the fraternity/sorority experience? In 2017-2018, the FFE granted: • $150,000 to NIC for Health & Safety Initiatives, from restricted funds • $4,500 for Fraternity Growth Accelerator education • $10,000 for Balfour Fellowships • $2,500 to Fraternity Communications Association Annual Meeting education