Summertime brings in a wave of change for our Fraternity. Every June, a team of new regional directors (RDs) travels to Richmond, Virginia, for a 10-week intensive training program. During their summer development, your RDs spend time learning about SigEp chapter operations, project management, verbal and written communication skills, and public speaking, among several other skills.

Regional directors leave Zollinger House fully prepared to help chapter leaders like you improve their chapter’s operations. However, one of the most important ways regional directors prepare for their upcoming year is by getting to know the chapters, and men, they’ll be working with — so, after nine hours of training in Zollinger House each day, regional directors spend evenings calling chapter leaders, alumni and volunteers.

If you’re reading this, odds are your regional director will call you this summer. Here are some expectations you should have for this phone call:

Have a conversation. Yes, he really does just want to talk. The primary purpose of the introductory phone calls is just that — an introduction. You can certainly dive into chapter operations if you’d like (see below for more), but for now, the regional director wants to get to know the people he’ll be working with.

You can ask questions. All regional directors were outstanding undergraduates, and every one of them brings something special to the role. Get to know your RD’s backstory and find out what the two of you may have in common.

Share the enthusiasm. While the RD job builds a host of professional skills, an incredible network and a unique life experience, regional directors accept their position because they’re passionate about building great SigEp chapters. Expect your RD to be ready to help you from Day 1.

Continue ongoing projects. Good SigEp chapters use the summer to prepare for the upcoming year — to tweak development programs, set recruitment standards and run the Balanced Man Scholarship, among other things. Your RD wants to know what you’re working on, and he’ll even be able to give a few pointers.

Establish early priorities. Next semester, do you want to focus on recruitment? A new set of bylaws? A big new philanthropy? Let your new RD know your priorities right away, and he can help you achieve them.

Put a face to his name. If you go on the SigEp website you can read a little about your new RD, and see his photo, before you ever talk with him.

Follow up. Look forward to an email following the call with your RD’s contact information. He will be your chapter’s biggest resource and advocate. Keep in touch throughout the summer!

Make the investment. Your time is valuable, and so is a call with the regional director. Challenge yourself to see what something as short as a 15-minute conversation with an RD can lead to.

When you see the Richmond 804 area code show up on an incoming call this summer, think about the potential impact just a short amount of time on the phone could have for your chapter the next year.