Proposal-20110618-vpcd-02
- Council Member Name: Kyle M. Williams
- Council Position—Proposal Number: VPCD-02
- Meeting Date for Proposal: June 18th, 2011
- Objective this proposal falls under:
- What costs are associated with this proposal?: None
- Additional Pertinent Information: See below
- What is the motion to be made on this?
I move to create the Five Star Regional Conference Program
Contents
MISSION
The Five Star Regional Conference Program shall encourage and facilitate the development of Outstanding Regional Conferences while recognizing those events that exemplify the ideals of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity.
DEFINITION
The Five Star Regional Conference Program is a proposed rating system for Phi Sigma Pi Regional Conferences. The rating system will be used as a metric for identifying strong and weak regional events, used as a blueprint for improving the overall quality of our regional events, as well creating metrics that maybe utilized for potential awards and recognition of outstanding events. Conferences will be rated based on the following:
- Five Star (Outstanding. Meets and exceeds expectations for a Phi Sigma Pi Regional Conference. Outstanding attendance, planning, programming and event execution. )
- Four Star (Great. Meets and exceeds expectations of a Phi Sigma Pi Regional Conference. Could see some improvement in areas, but otherwise exemplary of the ideals of the fraternity.)
- Three Star (Good. Good event planning, decent execution. Meets minimum expectations. Improvement is needed in areas.)
It is suggested that any Conference that does not meet the criteria as established by Phi Sigma Pi will not receive a star rating. Events that fail to receive a rating will be identified as at need and support being given to these regions as deemed necessary by the National Staff.
BACKGROUND
As of 2001, Regional Conferences have been an official part of Phi Sigma Pi. Since becoming Vice President of Chapter Development, it has been my dream to see that our Regional Conferences are not only a key part of our fraternity and chapter development, but to also see that our Conferences are the pinnacle of student planned and led Conferences within the field of higher education.
To accomplish these goals, efforts have been launched to facilitate conference planning, improve internal regional relations, strengthen event programming, ensure that regions follow proper risk management, and see that both regions and regional conferences are a key element to chapter and member development.
With the five star program, we have the opportunity to see that Regional Conference Planning and execution is further heigntened. With this program, we will be able to more clearly articulate what defines an exemplary regional conference and we will develop a clear blue print for Regional Conference excellence.
PURPOSE
With the Star rating system, it is our intention to:
- Clearly state the National Fraternity’s expectations for Regional Events
- Raise the National Fraternity’s expectations for regional conferences
- Create a culture of excellence in which Regions will be able to use to strengthen regional conferences and regional relations.
- Strengthen Regional Conference Event programming.
- Provide regions a blue print for planning strong regional events
- Recognize those regions that had good, great, and outstanding regional events
- Identify “at need” conferences and provide these conferences a clear and explicitly stated understanding as well as resources and support that will help improve their events.
- Identify those strong regional conferences so that their events can be used as a benchmark for future events.
- Provide the brotherhood a clear metric as to why an event is selected as an “Outstanding Regional Event.”
- Provide incentive for Conferences to build upon and/or improve their Regional Event
IMPLEMENTATION
Once this proposal is approved, National Staff will be empowered to develop metrics that will fairly rate Regional Events. With the star rating system, regions will be provided the metrics of the ratings for their conference by the National Organization. This provides a roadmap for what their respective conferences need to accomplish in order to be an exemplary event. Resources on how to develop 5 star conferences will be created and made available on the National Website and to the Regional Delegates.
Those Regional Conferences that fall under the criteria of either 3 star, 4 star, or 5 star will be recognized for their achievements as determined by the National Staff, Vice President of Chapter Development and National Secretary with final approval of the National Council.
Conferences failing to reach these levels will see no recognition and be identified as an “at-need” conference. These at-need conferences will be provided the necessary support and resources as deemed best by the National Staff.
METRICS
The following metrics are an example of potential Five Star Regional Conference Criteria. If this framework and proposal is approved, National Staff will be empowered to develop the finalized and specific criteria that will be used to measure Regional Conference Growth and development for the Five Star Program. The final metrics will be developed in such a way that they are most fair for all fraternity regional conferences.
Five Star Regional Conference Potential Criteria
To reach five star recognition, the conference must achieve all four star and three star requirements as well as the following goals.
- 100% of Chapters from Region in Attendance
- Leadership in Action Module Hosted (Conference Attendee attendance optional)
- 100+ brothers in attendance
- Effective Roundtable Discussion (Minimum 2 hours allotted)
- Effective event programming (leadership, fellowship)
- Followed Proper RM Procedures
- Leadership in Action Facilitator training made available
- Hosted additional Breakout Session (keynote speaker, great ideas expo, hot topics discussion, TFA presentation, etc)
- Location for the following regional conference set by the end of the Spring Semester
- Delegates for each chapter within the Region selected by the end of the Spring Semester
Four Star Conferences Potential Criteria
To reach 4 star recognition, the conference must achieve all 3 star requirements as well as the following goals.
- 75% of Chapters in attendance
- Leadership in Action Module Hosted (Conference Attendee attendance optional)
- 75+ brothers in attendanc
- Effective Roundtable Discussion (minimum 2 hours allotted)
- Effective event Programming (Scholarship, leadership, fellowship)
- Followed Proper RM Procedures
- Hosted additional Breakout Session (keynote speaker, great ideas expo, hot topics discussion, TFA presentation, etc)
- Location for the following location set by the end of the Spring Semester
- Delegates selected in the Spring Semester
Three Star Conferences Potential Criteria
- 75% of Chapters in attendance
- 50+ brothers in attendance
- Effective Roundtable (scholarship) Discussion (minimum 1.5 hours alotted)
- Effective event programming (Leadership, fellowship)
- Followed Proper RM Procedures
- Location for the following Regional Conference set by the Spring Semester
- Delegates selected in the Spring Semester
Any Conference not falling under the above three metrics will receive no recognition and can be identified as an “at need” conference.
RECOGNITION
It is suggested that Regional Conferences that reach 5 star status be recognized at the National Convention Awards Banquet. This to give recognition to the outstanding efforts to those who planned and executed exemplary regional events. Upon approval of the framework, it will fall to the National Staff, National Secretary and Vice President of Chapter Development on how to recognize regions who achieve Star status. Potential recognition for 5 star, 4 star, and 3 star conferences are as follows:
Five Star
- Recognized at the National Convention Awards Banquet with Certificate
- Recognition in the Purple and Gold Magazine
- Recognition in the Collegiate E-Newsletter
- Recognition on the National Website
- Recognition in other Phi Sigma Pi online resources (Facebook, twitter, wiki)
Four Star
- Certificate sent to the chapter indicating Four Star Status
- Listed in the Purple and Gold Magazine
- Listed in the Collegiate E-Newsletter
- Listed on the National Website
- Listed on other Phi Sigma Pi online Resources (Facebook, twitter, wiki)
Three Star
- Listed in the Purple and Gold Magazine
- Listed in the Collegiate E-Newsletter
- Listed on the National Website
- Listed on other Phi Sigma Pi online Resources (Facebook, twitter, wiki)
AT NEED CONFERENCES
It is suggested that we continue current efforts to assist all Regional Conferences, regardless of rating, as has been done in the past as per Standard Operating Procedure. However, in the event that a conference is designated as at-need by National Staff, additional resources and support maybe provided to the committee delegates as determined by the National Staff and Region Consultant who serves as liaison.
ACTION STEPS
Upon approval of the framework, several action steps will be taken so that the final initiative can be rolled out to Regional Conferences.
- Creation of the Five Star Regional Conference Development Plan approved by Council
- Staff and VPCD to determine Final metrics and Criteria for FSRCD
- Development of a time table to launch initiative.
- Create online resources to help chapters develop according to the five star plan
- Develop Strategy for Program Launch (web announcements, email, e-newsletter, etc)
- Staff, VPCD and NS to develop a plan to recognize regions within the FSRCD
- Final Program rolled out to Regions
