"Now that I have been through it, I'm not sure
how I could ever have done a decent job without it."
Kappa Alpha Order held its first ever conference for newly elected Number I's on January 3-5, 2003. Fifty-nine Number I's and the National Undergraduate Chairman came together from across the country to participate in the Number I's Leadership Summit. The Summit took place in Greensboro, N.C., at the Caraway Conference Center - an Christian conference center designed for meetings for non-profit organizations. The facility and premises were alcohol free which helped provide an appropriate learning environment for the intense two and a half day conference.
The focus of the Summit was to educate and empower the Number I's to understand their role and responsibility as the chapter's highest elected officer, recognize the tools and support systems provided, and to understand the standards and policies of operating an active chapter of Kappa Alpha Order.
The Summit was designed for large group sessions that lead to facilitated small group council discussions. The topics ranged from The Kappa Alpha Laws, leadership, risk management, ritual, confrontation, officer transition, and goal setting.
"I learned twice as much as I did at NLI in Albuquerque. I also made some great relationships with Number I's with the same problems," said one participant.
Over 18 months ago, the Executive Council identified a need for training our Number I's ,finding that the amount of hours available for Number I's at NLI was only 8-10 , with the exception of the most recent NLI in Albuquerque. They also found it nearly impossible to train everyone at the same time because of staggered election dates. Knight Commander David M. Warren appointed Councilor Mike Duncan to find a solution to better train our chapter leaders.
Councilor Duncan looked at providing a forum where newly elected Number I's can truly understand and immerse themselves in their roles and learn how to be an effective Number I. Duncan related his idea to a thriving fast food franchise.
"A large franchise takes their time to train its individual store managers so that their product is successful. Just like our franchise, it is important for our individual store managers, Number I's, to receive the best training before they take office."
The Number I's Leadership Summit was a huge success as the Leadership Summit faculty worked well together and helped provide the Number I's with a positive influence to be an effective leader. The goal for next year is to make the summit available for every newly elected Number I.
