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Send a UIFI 2012 Postcard!
Tags: UIFI, Leadership, Programs
The 2012 Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute:
It's Your Time To Act
The four students below are among over the 10,000 who have attended UIFI over the last 22 years and gone on to elevate their chapter, council, or community.
It's your time to act.
UIFI is the premier leadership development experience for fraternity and sorority members.
It is a five day journey that is interactive, fun, challenging, intentional, and is an experience unlike any other.
After UIFI, you will have a new appreciation of fraternity and sorority and be armed with the awareness, motivation, and skills necessary to elevate your chapter, council, and community.
NIC to Restore Affiliation with IFCs
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The North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is pleased to announce it will be restoring its historical affiliation with Interfraternity Councils (IFCs). Given its unique position in the industry, the NIC has a responsibility and an opportunity to utilize its collective knowledge and experience to reconnect with IFCs in order to assist in their development of optimal operations and effective educational opportunities. It is our hope that our efforts to raise each local fraternity community will collectively raise the global fraternity community.
Overview
Our goal is to bolster the level of support and resources interfraternity leaders receive to advance the local fraternity community. The NIC will provide increased staff, resources, and services to assist Interfraternity Councils in instituting optimal operations, officer competencies, and best practices. At any host institution where two or more NIC Member Fraternities have established undergraduate chapters, an Interfraternity Council shall be established which will be chartered by the NIC. An IFC will be composed of all undergraduate chapters of NIC Member Fraternities present at a host institution.
Benefits to Interfraternity Councils & Host Institutions
Through direct interactions with IFCs, the NIC will be able to work with councils and host institutions to:
- Develop optimal IFC operations through dedicated staff (Coordinators of IFC Services) and volunteer positions (Regional Advocates) responsive to IFC operational needs, advocacy concerns, and policy inquiries from students and/or host institutions;
- Deliver base-level training and education, and ongoing services for all IFCs and IFC officers;
- Provide guidance and support in constitution/bylaws/policy changes, recruitment processes, and officer transitions;
- Develop resources and tools to assist IFCs with recruitment, marketing, and public relations to augment interest in joining fraternity, to better educate the potential recruit and his parents, and to promote fraternity on campus;
- Assist IFCs in crisis intervention and response, brand management, and values-based decision-making;
- Offer guidance in identifying and preempting impending issues concerning campus relationship statements, recognition agreements, and indemnification clauses;
- Provide all IFCs with IFC best practices, NIC Standards education, and other generally accepted industry policies established by the NIC through attendance at IFC Academy at least once every two years;
- Provide host institutions with highly qualified volunteers who have close proximity, local expertise, and institutional knowledge;
- Establish formal reporting mechanisms for campus data and statistical information to better track industry information and trends for use by IFCs; and
- Discounts on NIC educational programming (UIFI, Futures Quest, IMPACT).
Staff & Volunteers
The NIC Staff will be responsible for the successful implementation and execution of restoring the affiliation of IFCs with the NIC.
- Jameson Root, Director of Student Affairs, will manage day-to-day operations and provide strategic leadership for the initiative.
- Wade Lowhorn, Director of University Relations & Public Policy, will supervise IFC advocacy efforts, NIC Standards and policy compliance, and monitor and respond to industry trends.
- Will Foran, Vice President of Education, will lead the development of innovative IFC educational resources and program curriculum.
In addition to current NIC Staff, we will be hiring additional professional staff, through the newly created Coordinator of IFC Services position, to provide ongoing education, training, and serve as points of contact for IFC officers and host institutions. At least one Coordinator of IFC Services will be hired for the 2012-13 school year, with the hope of adding 1-2 additional Coordinators for the 2013-14 academic year. This position announcement can be found here.
The NIC will also solicit and train volunteers to serve local IFCs in a designated region, called Regional Advocates. These volunteers will assist NIC staff by providing local expertise and resources to IFCs and host institutions. Regional Advocates will be recruited and selected from experienced alumni of NIC Member Fraternities, such as former headquarters staff, board members, and veteran campus-based professionals. This volunteer announcement can be found here.
What does an IFC need to do to affiliate?
Current INTERCHANGE campuses will automatically be transferred to the new program at the start of the Fall 2012 academic year. You will receive your IFC charter, policy manual, officer guides, and other resources. The updated dues structure can be found on the FAQs page. Non-INTERCHANGE campuses will need to remit payment of IFC dues before receiving the official IFC charter and resources.
The NIC will provide IFCs with an IFC Policy and Operations Manual and will assist IFCs in reviewing and establishing governing documents that are in accordance with NIC Standards and policies and do not infringe upon the sovereignty of Member Fraternities and their chapters. At a minimum, IFCs will establish officer positions performing the following functions: President, Judicial, Recruitment, Finance, Scholarship, Member Education, and Marketing. Additional resources and materials will be developed and provided to IFC officers and host institutions to assist with officer competencies, transitions, goal setting, and general operations. The NIC will also be forming an IFC Resource Group comprised of campus-based professionals and headquarters staff to offer comments on emerging resources and services for this initiative.
What are students saying?
"I believe that this initiative comes at a perfect time. The opportunity for Interfraternity Councils to work directly with the NIC on a regular basis will promote operations and growth at each respected campus. This is exactly what IFCs need to help promote the values and standards we strive for through fraternity life." -Kyle Franz, University of Cincinnati
"The NIC's commitment to excellence and guidance lays out the foundation for a highly collaborative and self-governing Intefraternity Council. A stronger partnership with the NIC can only benefit an IFC's cause for a better fraternity community." -Brian Titus, Carnegie Mellon University
Additional Information
We are excited to restore this partnership with Interfraternity Councils and we will be communicating more information about the initiative throughout the summer. If you have not updated your IFC contact information, please do so here. If you have any questions, please review the FAQs page or contact Jameson Root, Director of Student Affairs, at the NIC office 317-872-1112 or Root@NICindy.org.
Position Announcement - Coordinator of IFC Services
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The North-American Interfraternity Conference invites candidates to submit an application for the newly created Coordinator of IFC Services position. The coordinator will work closely with NIC staff in restoring the historic affiliation between Interfraternity Councils and the North-American Interfraternity Conference.
The North-American Interfraternity Conference invites candidates to submit an application for the newly created Coordinator of IFC Services position. The coordinator will work closely with NIC staff in restoring the historic affiliation between Interfraternity Councils and the North-American Interfraternity Conference. The coordinator will join a highly energized and committed team. The successful candidate will be able to prove a strong work ethic and commitment to working on behalf of a dynamic fraternity industry.
Job Responsibilities and Expectations
- Assist in the development, implementation, and execution of programs, resources, and support for Interfraternity Councils.
- Deliver base-level training, education, and ongoing services to Interfraternity Councils and officers.
- Engage and educate students, volunteers, and administrators on Interfraternity Council best practices, industry standards, and optimal operations.
- Provide ongoing support and assistance to Interfraternity Council officers in regards to constitution/bylaws/policy changes, recruitment processes, and officer transitions.
- Assist in the creation of tools to assist Interfraternity Councils with recruitment, marketing, and public relations to augment interest in joining fraternity and better educate potential recruits and their parents.
- Collaborate with students, administrators, and higher education partners to not only understand local campus cultures and critical issues, but also assist in the development of unique solutions to address those issues and concerns.
- Other projects, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Effective presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
- Progressive undergraduate leadership experience.
- Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, group facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to organize and track multiple, ongoing projects.
- Ability to travel (including weekends).
- Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
- Affiliation with an NIC Member Fraternity.
- Experience working with inter/national headquarters.
- Awareness of the industry's standards and best practices.
This is a 9-10 month position located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Membership in a fraternal organization is not required; however, a commitment to the ideals and purpose of fraternities is expected. Starting date no later than August 1, 2012.
Review of candidates will begin by June 15, 2012 and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit a letter of application (specifically detailing interest in working at the NIC), current resume, and names and contact information for at least three professional references.
Submit information to:
Pete Smithhisler, President & CEO
3901 West 86th Street Suite 390
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317.872.1112 Office
317.872.1134 Fax
pete@nicindy.org
