2020 VIRTUAL SHONK UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Is the Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School occurring this summer?

The Grand Council has made the decision to transition the in-person event previously scheduled for July 23-26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana into a virtual format during the same time period. This decision is in the interest of the safety and well-being of our brothers.

What is the Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School?

Brothers from across the country will gather this summer virtually to develop leadership skills, learn about recent Fraternity initiatives, and network with undergraduate and alumni brothers. The main focus of the 2020 Leadership School is educational programming for undergraduate brothers, providing intentional training in member recruitment and retention. Additional virtual sessions will occur that will be encouraged for Chapter Presidents and Chapter Advisers to attend, but open for any undergraduate or alumnus member.

What is the schedule of events for the virtual Leadership School?

You can click HERE to view full description of sessions offered. Below is a quick-glance view of the webinar sessions available to any brother who registers!

Recruitment track participants will also take part in small group sessions that will be scheduled by their small group facilitator.

Adviser track participants will have three sessions, occurring the following times:

  • Advisory Support in Chapter Recruitment & Debrief of AMS Data, Thursday, July 30, 8:30 pm EST
  • COVID-19 and Fall Operations, Thursday, August 6, 8:30 pm EST
  • Understanding Gen Z, speaker TBD, Thursday, August 13, 8:30 pm EST

Who participates in the virtual Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School?

There will be virtual events geared toward a variety of brothers. The schedule above describes the intended audience for each session, but all brothers (undergraduate and alumnus) are able to attend any session that interests them.

Local chapters are expected to send at least one leader from their chapter to participate in the recruitment programming. All participants must register prior to attending the event (more details to come when registration is available).

  • When the chapter is identifying someone(s) to attend, keep this in mind:
    • Delegates should serve as the chapter’s Recruitment Chairman or have an interest/influence in recruitment and retention of members
    • Delegates should be interested in attending ALL sessions to learn and better themselves as leaders and to better their local chapter
    • Delegates should understand their responsibility to bring information back to their chapter

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Do I need to register for the virtual Leadership School?

Yes. All undergraduates and alumni who are interested in attending ANY session for Leadership School will need to register in order to access the Zoom links.

The deadline for everyone to register is July 5, 2020.

How do I register for the virtual Leadership School?

Any undergraduate or alumnus member can register by logging into myPhiSig. Current undergraduate members should already have access to myPhiSig. You likely created login credentials as an associate member to access GreekLifeEdu. If you forgot your username or password, you can reset either from the login page.

If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for one on the login page. You will need to know the chapter you were initiated into and the year of your graduation.

If you need any assistance with myPhiSig, please email support@phisigmakappa.org.

Do I need to save specific dates/times for the virtual Leadership School?

You can click HERE to view a schedule of events.

Recruitment track participants should save Thursday, July 23, 4:00 pm PST/5:00 pm MST/6:00 pm CST/and 7:00 pm EST for a Leadership School Kick-Off. During this Kick-Off, participants will hear an update on the State of the Fraternity, as well as learn more about the programs following the Kick-Off. Recruitment track participants will also get to meet their small group members and facilitator.

You can click HERE to view a tentative schedule of events. Events are subject to change and more will likely be added in the coming weeks.

What if my local chapter cannot send anyone to the virtual Leadership School?

Each chapter is expected to have at least one member participate in the recruitment programming track. We hope that without the barriers of travel and associated costs, as well as a very minimal time commitment, all local chapters can find at least one person to attend. However, if this is not the case, please contact Grant Carpenter, Director of Chapter Services, at grant@phisigmakappa.org.

PROGRAMMING INFORMATION

How will the virtual Leadership School be structured?

There are large group webinar sessions that are available to any brother (undergraduate or alumnus). Participants can pick and choose which sessions they attend.

Recruitment track participants will be assigned to small groups with other leaders from similar chapters. Participants will take part in several webinars with their small group, led by a volunteer and/or alumnus facilitator.

    • We know our undergraduate leaders enjoy networking with each other, especially those from similar chapters.
    • We felt this structure would be the most effective and beneficial for our members.
    • The dates/times for these small group meetings will be decided at a later date.

Advisers will have their own sessions where they can idea-share with other advisers. Other chapter officers should be on the lookout for similar webinars/calls in the fall semester/term.

On which topics will educational programming focus?

    • The recruitment track programming will focus on recruitment and retention of members and idea sharing among similar local chapters.
    • Additional sessions are available that focus on a variety of topics, presented by partners of Phi Sigma Kappa who are experts in their industry.
    • Additionally, Phi Sigma kappa has partnered with Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity to host a webinar series focused on personal and professional development that will be available to all undergraduate and alumni members. Click HERE to see those details.

Are there any sessions specifically for Chapter Advisers and Alumni Advisory Board members?

Yes. Advisers are invited to attend any large-group webinar as outlined in the schedule above. Adviser track participants will also have three sessions, occurring the following times:

    • Advisory Support in Chapter Recruitment & Debrief of AMS Data, Thursday, July 30, 8:30 pm EST
    • COVID-19 and Fall Operations, Thursday, August 6, 8:30 pm EST
    • Understanding Gen Z, speaker TBD, Thursday, August 13, 8:30 pm EST

Advisers will specifically benefit from the webinar held on July 28, 8:30 pm EST/5:30 pm PST with Dr. Gentry McCreary, reviewing the Annual Membership Survey data, as well as the session on Wednesday, July 29, 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST with EVERFI, reviewing GreekLifeEdu data.

Are there any sessions specifically for Chapter Presidents?

Yes. Presidents will specifically benefit from the webinar held on July 28, 8:30 pm EST/5:30 pm PST with Dr. Gentry McCreary, reviewing the Annual Membership Survey data, as well as the session on Wednesday, July 29, 3:00 EST/12:00 pm PST with EVERFI, reviewing GreekLifeEDU data.

If a President wants to participate in a recruitment track programming small group, he needs to register for the recruitment track, not the President track.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Does it cost any money to participate in the virtual Leadership School?

There will be no registration fees for brothers (undergraduate or alumni) to attend the virtual events.

  • Undergraduate leaders’ costs will be covered through their Leadership School assessment fee already paid by the chapters.
  • We ask alumni to consider donating to the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation as a gift of gratitude and to help the Fraternity continue fostering brotherhood through educational programs.

How much money is my local chapter saving?

By not having an in-person event, local chapters will not have to pay the following:

  • Registration fee that would have covered meals, materials, and gifts
  • Travel for two brothers (mileage or air travel)
  • Lodging for two brothers (hotel night for three nights)

What should my local chapter do with the money not spent on an in-person Leadership School?

We suggest saving the money for future Phi Sigma Kappa programs and/or educational initiatives for your members. The 68th General Convention is currently planned for summer 2021, in Phoenix, Arizona. We suggest saving this money so your chapter can be financially prepared for the next in-person event.

Does attendance at the virtual Leadership School affect my local chapter’s insurance rate for next academic year?

No. Chapters will not receive any additions to their insurance premiums by not having at least one member in attendance at the virtual Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School, as listed in the Premium Allocation Guidelines. Conversely, no discounts to chapter’s insurance premiums will be given to chapters who send more than the minimum one member that is expected to attend.

OTHER

What is happening with the Zillgitt Leadership Institute?

The Zillgitt Institute is still occurring virtually during the same time period as previously scheduled, July 20-23. At this time, the application and selection period is closed.

Leadership training in chapter management, as well as personal development, is provided in annual leadership schools. Named for Court of Honor member and past Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation President Albert D. Shonk, Jr., the Shonk Undergraduate School is held in conjunction with the General Convention every other year.

This learning opportunity brings together undergraduates and officers for a refresher course in their duties as fraternity leaders and provides a clearinghouse for new ideas on chapter life in general. The leadership school was inaugurated at the 1952 General Convention, and subsequent sessions have seen the program expand and grow to the point where it has become one of the most vital parts of the Fraternity.

Slated as an annual meeting beginning in 1988, the Shonk Leadership School features only the best in educational programming for our undergraduate members.

The next Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School will occur online in late July.