General Information
IMPACT is a campus leadership institute designed to help fraternity and sorority communities establish an agenda for their future and attain great success. IMPACT is designed to foster improved relationships among campus leaders through an intensive, interactive two and one half day program. The IMPACT curriculum emphasizes problem solving, leadership development, values-based decision making, effective communication, and community development.
Participants are expected to be active learners and teachers throughout the program.
Through large group sessions, complimented by small group discussions, each participant has the opportunity to personalize the IMPACT experience. All sessions offer hands-on experimental activities and ample discussion time to address individual concerns. The sessions are led by two experienced presenters (identified by the NIC) and several small-group facilitators (identified by the host campus).
It is expected that change will be the result of an IMPACT weekend. Participants determine what that change is by participating in the program's entirety. IMPACT can be scheduled at any time of the year with great success. Campuses should take into consideration officer transitions, holiday breaks, university scheduled activities, and/or peak exam times to ensure high student participation.
10 Reasons to Host an IMPACT
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To build community among fraternity and sorority leaders.
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To see what the future holds for your community.
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To tackle the tough issues facing your fraternity/sorority community.
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To increase the effectiveness of communication between leaders.
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To agree upon an agenda for change.
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To identify the leaders of tomorrow for your community.
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To discuss fraternal values and expose common bonds.
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To work for the good of the whole.
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To challenge your fraternity/sorority leaders to be bold and leave a legacy of hope for future generations.
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To have a fun, motivational, and inspiring fraternity/sorority experience
It is the goal of the NIC to design an IMPACT program that will meet your needs. Through surveys and conversations, a set of objectives and learning outcomes will be developed for your IMPACT. Thus, while some standard educational pieces will exist, the curriculum can look different for each campus. The general structure of an IMPACT includes experiential activities, interactive presentations, and both large and small group sessions.
IMPACT Curriculum Highlights:
DAY ONE
Once facilitator training is complete and the participants have arrived, IMPACT begins with introductions and a series of teambuilders designed to bring the community together. General leadership and communication principles are explored in a fun and interactive way. The small groups (chapters) are established and trust is developed.
DAY TWO
Because it is a full day, most of the work of IMPACT is accomplished on Day 2. The community is challenged to identify the issues that threaten the future for Greek life on their campus, as well as the values that can bring the community together. The issue of competition and rivalry in the community are addressed, and the importance of fraternal values and Ritual are examined. The day concludes with action plans to address the critical issues faced by the community. There is a mix of full-group sessions and chapter meetings.
DAY THREE
The program concludes with presentations by the students, showcasing what they plan to accomplish as a result of IMPACT. Participants and facilitators are recognized, and the path for the future is established.
IMPACT is substance free in order to enhance the outcomes of the program. All participants must agree to refrain from using alcohol and other illegal drugs during the entirety of the program.
What does the NIC provide?
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The IMPACT curriculum.
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Two lead facilitators on-site to lead the program.
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Curriculum materials for all participants including resource notebooks, leadership assessment tools, team building supplies, graduation materials, and name tags.
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Thorough training for facilitators.
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Pre-Institute materials to ensure successful planning.
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Evaluation materials.
What is the host campus responsible for?
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Recruiting participants.
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Recruiting small group facilitators.
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Securing funding for all aspects of IMPACT.
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Arranging for lodging, workshop space, meals, and transportation.
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Providing presentation supplies, including flip charts, LCD projector, TV, etc.
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Providing small group supplies such as markers, flip charts, etc.
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Communicating expectations of IMPACT to all participants.
Where is IMPACT held?
Campuses are responsible for finding an off-campus location to host the program and accommodate all participants. The site should have facilities large enough for all group programs and have space for small group discussions. In addition, the facility should be able to accommodate meals and lodging for student participants and facilitators. Campuses should also ensure that transportation is available to and from IMPACT. Each campus also coordinates meals and snacks. Typical locations include YMCA or Scout Camps, Nature Centers, Retreat Centers, etc.
How long is IMPACT?
Impact is an intense two and one half day program that begins with dinner on day one and ends by Noon on day three. Participants should be prepared to work and play hard during the process.
Who should attend IMPACT?
Anyone who has a commitment to improve his or her fraternity and sorority community should be invited to attend. Typically, a combination of IFC, NPHC, NALFO and Panhellenic leaders, chapter officers, emerging leaders, and influential members of the community are included to ensure success of IMPACT and sustained commitment. Size of IMPACT can range from a minimum of 40 participants to the maximum of 80 participants.
Who can serve as a facilitator?
Campus administrators, fraternity/sorority professionals and volunteers, faculty, alumni advisors, house corporation officers, local businesspersons, and parent's club volunteers should be tapped to participate in IMPACT as small group facilitators. IMPACT requires two facilitators for every 10-12 student participants. Undergraduates, no matter how experienced, should serve not as facilitators, but as active participants.
What are the costs?
Campuses that host an IMPACT are making a serious investment in the future of the fraternity/sorority community. There is an initial $3000 fee for the IMPACT program, in addition to travel expenses for the NIC staff member who serves as one of the Lead Facilitators. Other costs associated with the program include lodging, meals, small group facilitator gifts, small group supplies, TV/VCR rental, LCD projector rental, mid-day and evening snacks, transportation, etc. Campuses who have hosted an IMPACT indicate that total budgets have ranged (including the IMPACT fee) from $6000 to $12000 depending on size of the program. The average cost for IMPACT has been $7500. Campuses can seek funding from a variety of local sources including student governments, campus activities, campus programming, vice president for student affairs offices, alumni groups, and/or local businesses. Some campuses have received grants that cover the total cost of the program.
Are there prerequisites to hosting an IMPACT?
IMPACT should not be the first or last leadership experience a campus provides. Campuses should have leadership programs in place that provide challenge and support to the fraternity/sorority community. In addition, there must be a campus advisor in place, the campus should support the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute and/or Futures Quest, and have the financial resources secured to host the program.
Please note: Campuses should consider a minimum of two months to successfully coordinate an IMPACT program.
IMPACT Campuses and Testimonials top of page
Campuses that have hosted IMPACT:
Auburn University
California State University, Chico
Clarion University
Denison University
DePauw University
Eastern Michigan University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida Southern University
Hamilton College
Indiana University
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Miami University
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
Northern Illinois University
Northwestern State University
Saint Leo University
Saint Louis University
Syracuse University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Maryland
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Nebraska-Kearney
University of North Dakota
University of Oregon
University of South Dakota
University of South Florida
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee
University of Texas, Arlington
University of Washington
Villanova University
Washington and Jefferson College
Washington University
Western Michigan University
Advisor Testimonials
“This is the first year we have held IMPACT at UT and we will definitely be doing another one in the near future. IMPACT weekend was the best investment of time and money for our 80 students that participated. The students continue to refer back to skills they learned that weekend.”
Megan Fields
Panhellenic Affairs Advisor
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
“The IMPACT experience really allowed our students to see that change is possible. By the end of the weekend, they believed that our fraternity and sorority community could be better and that they could make that change. The students were able to understand the true values of incorporating the basic core values for Greek Life into various aspects of their chapter's operations and their personal leadership.”
Lauren Elliott
Program Advisor for Fraternities & Sororities
University of Connecticut
“Students were challenged to take individual ownership for closing the gap between their espoused values and their enacted behaviors. They really broke through the surface level discussions and started to engage in some real dialog on the issues that are holding their community and their organizations back.”
Noah Borton
Greek Life & Student Organizations Coordinator
Eastern Michigan University
“IMPACT is a great combination of community building and education. I have found that IMPACT weekend gives our entire Greek community a common direction for the following year or two -- a direction based on values based change.”
Cami Wacker
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Student Testimonials
After attending UIFI and feeling alone about making change and thinking on one cared about the future, I now see 70 people who hope for a stronger community like I do. I got to meet more people on my campus that I might never have talked to if not for IMPACT.
- Participant, Gettysburg College
I loved the people I met and the connections I've made at IMPACT. I've learned more at IMPACT than in the three years I've been Greek.
- Participant, Florida State University
The ritual discussion this weekend was very important. It is easy not to think about ritual. IMPACT forced it back into the forefront.
- Participant, Florida International University
I gained leadership skills here at IMPACT that I will use not only with my chapter while I'm at school, but in life as well. This weekend, we identified what we want to change, created a list of things to do, and agreed on how to do them. I hope that this has hit others like it did me.
- Participant, Western Michigan University
