This past month’s Conclave in Nashville brought an incredible excitement and thirst for knowledge on how to take a chapter’s Balanced Man Program to the next level. As a presenter, walking into jam-packed rooms filled with both undergraduates and volunteers ready to learn was exciting. More importantly, it identified there is a need for more learning opportunities to support the program, as well as a need to continue sharing tips to be successful. Here are some best practices that arose during BMP training workshops in Nashville this summer that will help you elevate your BMP:
  1. Everyone is in a different place on the spectrum of implementation and we must all take steps to continually assess and improve. Work with your local volunteers and regional director to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your chapter’s BMP. Then map out the next steps and define goals to move towards the ideal.
 

Pro Tip: Need a quick activity to assess your chapter’s BMP? Draw a sailboat on a flipchart. Have your stakeholders identify the following:

The anchor: These are the things you are doing that are holding you back. The ship: This is what you are doing well that is keeping it afloat and you want to keep doing. The sail: These are the things you need to do more of to push you forward.
2. Education and understanding the philosophy and value of proper implementation are essential for chapters. In order to get full buy-in we need to help our brothers understand the “why” behind the what. Take time to dive into the five philosophical tenets (Equal Rights and Responsibilities, Continuous Development, Accountability, Living the Ritual and Mentoring) with both new members and older members to help them understand why the program is important.
  Pro Tip: Need more advocates and experts? Ask five influential brothers who are role models in the chapter to present on one of the philosophical tenets during a chapter meeting. It makes it more of a community effort and creates a deeper understanding among more members.
3. Support and resources are there for you.There are a ton of resources available to you to help you implement the BMP including: The Balanced Man Program Guide – In depth document that walks through the ins and outs of the entire BMP. The BMP One Page Guide – Overview that outlines the history, philosophy and programming of the BMP on a single page. Your regional director can also serve as an incredible resource and provide additional resources to support program implementation. 
  Pro Tip: Sell the BMP. Use the BMP One Page Guide as a recruitment tool for potential new members as well as an educational tool for parents and your university/host institution.
4. Engage outside experts to provide improved programming. A 21 year old is not always the best expert to teach 20 year olds about life after college. Recruit alumni and volunteers to do workshops and provide expert knowledge and utilize resources provided by your university to provide strong programming for brothers in your chapter.
 

Pro Tip: When you invite people to engage with the chapter as a resident expert make sure to:

Set a reasonable time expectation for their first time and stick to it. Reach out to them prior to their programming and make sure they know what information needs to be covered. Follow up with a thank you card.
5. Keep older members engaged by asking them to help build the challenges and develop fun and relevant programming. Sit down with older members and have a brainstorming session to find fun activities that will prepare them for life after college. Use the BMP App and resources for ideas and make sure you are budgeting money to put on unique and fun experiences like golf lessons, white water rafting trips, etc.
 

Pro Tip: Don’t know what they want so things are fun and relevant? Just ask!

Formal surveys via Survey Monkey are simple and free. Informal surveys in person are engaging and reduce the feedback loop.

The Balanced Man Program set our Fraternity apart as an innovator in the Greek world over 20 years ago. Today, we must continue to build upon the legacy of excellence that our Founders envisioned. We must create strong member development programming at the local level by ensuring equal rights and responsibilities among all members. We must also provide unique and relevant opportunities for them throughout the duration of their college experience.

You can do it! There are so many people on your side and resources at your disposal. Take advantage of them and help SigEp continue to be a valued partner in higher education by providing the premiere student on your campus.

Learn more about the Balanced Man Program Implementation or contact your regional director.