Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members from Northwestern State University are returning to campus with a road map for success in 2018. Over the weekend of Jan. 5-7, members of the Beta Omicron Chapter joined more than 370 fellow Pi Kapps from 37 chapters to take part in Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Fraternity’s officer training institute prepares newly elected and re-elected officers and key committee chairmen for their roles as leaders of their chapter. Each year more than 1,900 undergraduates receive training at five regional locations — also including Pittsburgh, PA; Charlotte, NC; Kansas City, MO; and Los Angeles, CA.

Each chapter sends ten delegates, who follow unique educational tracks. Offered tracks include Archon, Vice Archon, Treasurer, Secretary, Warden, Historian, Chaplain, philanthropy chairman, risk management chairman and standards board chairman.

NSU students David Johnson, Logan Ethsay, Jordan Mitchell, Jacob Guidry, Char Wilson, Noah Baudoin, Blake Blanchard, Kenyon Johnson, and Kyle Lacks attended the conference. These newly elected officers were challenged to think about how they will demonstrate the courage to make positive choices, act on their values, and develop a commitment to excellence.

Student leaders also received training on effective recruitment techniques, living the ritual, making ethical decisions, and putting service before self. Students also attended various leadership breakouts: Motivating Your Members, Leading Engaging Meetings & Tips for Effective Facilitation, Ultimate Respect & Accountability, Leveraging Your Leadership Experience in the Job Search, Courageous Conversations, Tentpole Leadership, Using The Ability Experience in Chapter Operations, Leadership Challenges roundtables, and an Advanced Ritual Debrief.

Chapters that found success in chapter operations in 2017 were recognized at Pi Kapp College. The Beta Omicron Chapter at NSU received ‘Master Chapter’ status for achieving a composite score of Three Stars on the Seven Objectives of Chapter Excellence report, indicating top performance in the areas of Member Experience and Governance. The chapter was also recognized for excellence in retention of membership, with a rate of 90 percent.

Beta Omicron Chapter alumni also served in support roles, volunteering as facilitators. Wes Breeden facilitated the archon track at the Birmingham conference, while Lane Luckie led the Chaplain track in Charlotte and the Standards Board track in Birmingham. Alumnus Zack Cockerham served on the headquarters staff at both conferences.