My College of Chapters Journal (Northwestern)
College of Chapters
Editor's Note - Over the duration of the 2019 College of Chapters, we enlisted several attendees to journal their four-day experience through Sigma Nu's premier leadership training program. Participants chose from several prompts provided and answered their selections at the end of each day.
This journal comes from Gamma Beta Chapter (Northwestern) Commander, Jayden Logan.
Day 1 - Arrival
What was your journey like to Roanoke for College of Chapters?
My journey to College of Chapters started at 5:00 a.m. so that I could get to the airport to catch my flight to Charlotte, N.C. After a three-hour flight, I had an hour delay before riding in the smallest airplane I had ever seen, that would take me and fellow Sigma Nu Commanders to Roanoke, Va.
Coming into College of Chapters, what are some of the challenges that your chapter faces? What do you want to improve on this semester?
One of the main challenges my chapter is currently facing is an identity crisis when it comes to the direction the fraternity wants to head in and the candidates it would like to recruit. I would like to improve this during my term by providing a single vision and purpose for my chapter which will allow us to find an identity and move forward with a common goal/interest in mind.
What was your first chapter meeting like at College of Chapters? What chapters were represented in your chapter group? Who were your chapter facilitators?
Our first chapter meeting was interesting, because not only did we get an introduction to College of Chapters, but we also got to introduce ourselves and talk about some of the things we would like to learn and gain during our time in Roanoke. The chapters in my group were all from the Midwest and primarily consisted of Big Ten schools. Our chapter facilitators were alumnus James Ehrmann and Sigma Nu staff member Joe Thomas.
Day 2 - Curriculum
What were your chapter meetings like today? What was the focus of the chapter meetings? What did you work on? What were your "Ah Ha" moments?
The focus of the chapter meetings today were centered around helping us finalize our vision statements and allowing us to compare these statements, goals, and strategies that we’re going to try to implement with the other Commanders in our groups. The “Ah Ha” moments I had came from when I finally found a simple way to articulate my vision, which also facilitated coming up with goals and strategies to achieve it.
What ideas have you picked up from other Commanders at College of Chapters?
I have picked up several ideas from different commanders, including ideas on how to improve sorority relations and overall campus image. I also learned ideas on more direct issues related to the brotherhood like apathy and keeping brothers involved and invested in the fraternity.
What do you want to see your chapter become? How did the session on Vision help you create a compelling vision for the chapter?
Very simply put I want my chapter to become the best fraternity on our campus and I want us to set an example for the other fraternities. The sessions on vision have been extremely helpful in allowing me to better articulate what I want to achieve and have also been helpful in teaching me the importance of goal setting and having the chapter agree on the vision and direction they want to go in.
Day 3 - Pilgrimage to Lexington, Va.
What are three words that you would use to describe your College of Chapters experience?
Necessary, Rewarding, Challenging
What is one thing that you didn't know coming into College of Chapters that you feel will make an impact on the success of your chapter in the upcoming semester/quarter?
One thing I didn’t know coming into College of Chapters was the kind of support system I would have that can help me during my entire term as Commander. It is so relieving to know that you don’t have to carry this great responsibility by yourself and that there are other people who want you to succeed and are willing to do whatever they can to help you.
What did you think of the closing keynote from Bill Courtney? What messages stood out to you from his remarks?
I thought Mr. Courtney’s (or “Coach Bill’s”) remarks were extremely relevant and motivational. The message that stood out the most for me was, “why are you here?” This really caused me to reflect on my motivations for becoming EC and think about what I really wanted to see happen during my term, and how I wanted to be remembered by my chapter.
Day 4 - Departure
What have you realized about your role as Commander from your time at College of Chapters? What have you learned about yourself?
I have realized that my role as Commander is not only a privilege, but also something that is going to be fun and beneficial to my growth as a person and something that I shouldn’t be nervous or scared to do.
What kind of network did you build from attending College of Chapters?
I built a great network that includes not only fellow commanders from all around the country, but also staff members and alumni. College of Chapters was great at providing resources and a community that can help us lead our chapters.
What did you expect College of Chapters would be like coming into Roanoke on Thursday? How were your expectations correct? Incorrect?
Honestly, I expected College of Chapters to suck because I viewed it as a chore that would just be a bunch of busy work that would end up wasting my time. I was correct in the fact that it was an extremely busy weekend, but I was wrong because College of Chapters was far from a chore and a waste of time. It was very beneficial and I am happy that I had the privilege to attend.