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Carlson Leadership Academy

Southeast - Atlanta, Jan. 31 - Feb. 2
Northeast - Parsippany, N.J., Feb. 7-9 
Midwest - Chicago, Feb. 14-16
 Southwest - Dallas, Feb. 21-23
West - Woodland Hills, Calif., Feb. 21-23

 

The Carlson Leadership Academy provides interactive leadership training to over 2,000 undergraduates and volunteers annually. Many undergraduates run for executive board positions because they have great goals and visions for their chapter. Attending an Academy ensures an officer will have the skills to manage a committee and follow through on those goals. This program also helps executive boards work together to ensure they all have goals consistent with a unified vision for the chapter.

The Academies are held in the spring, soon after most officer elections, and chapters are encouraged to bring all new officers, rising chapter leaders and engaged volunteers to the Academy closest to their university.  

Carlson is also a celebration of all that SigEp chapters have accomplished over the previous year. It provides a venue for the presentation of awards, recognizing chapters and individual undergraduates and volunteers for notable achievements in recruitment, development and scholarship. Nominations for awards for SigEp chapters, undergraduates and volunteers are due Nov. 8, 2019.

Who should attend, and what does programming include?

Undergraduates and volunteers:

Carlson provides education for each specific executive officer position, as well as strategic planning and goal-setting for effective chapter leadership. The programming emphasizes the use of each officer’s individual strengths to build a complete team. Participants spend time on chapter analysis, large and small group sessions, and informal interactions with other chapters. Participants will enhance their skill sets and leadership abilities to help them as chapter officers, in other leadership roles, in group projects and, eventually, in the workforce for the rest of their lives.

For undergraduates who have recently been elected to their chapter's executive board, officer training tracks are available for each of those positions: 

  • President
  • Vice president of member development
  • Vice president of recruitment
  • Vice president of programming
  • Vice president of finance
  • Vice president of communications
  • Chaplain

In addition, three tracks are also available to undergraduates that do not currently hold an executive board position, that provide additional skills that will help them throughout their college career and beyond:

  • Balanced Man Program (BMP) for BMP challenge coordinators and member development committee members
  • Recruitment skills for BMS chairmen and recruitment committee members 
  • Rising leaders for all other chairmen and up-and-coming leaders who want to further develop their skills before holding an executive board office
  • Senior Track (Chicago only) for members who are near graduation and are looking to build the skills necessary to successfully make the transition to their life and career after college.

Designed for talented young brothers with the desire to step into chapter officer positions, SigEp’s Rising Leaders program at the Carlson Leadership Academy prepares members to take ownership of the future, for themselves and for their Fraternity. Thanks to the generosity of Kent B. Hickman, Colorado ’61, 60 brothers will receive complimentary registration and lodging as well as an elevated travel stipend of $0.20/mile. Hickman Scholar applications open in September, close in early November, and are announced later in November. 

The senior track will be held only at our Chicago Carlson, as a pilot, and will focus on preparing undergraduates for the biggest transition in their life up to this point. In the senior track, participants will learn how to:

  • Successfully articulate the talents and attributes that make them stand out
  • Present themselves in an impressive and authentic way
  • Understand what motivations will drive them throughout their lives
  • Handle the ebbs and flows of life transitions
  • Effectively seize the opportunities in front of them

Volunteers:

Any volunteer who has been serving from 1 week to two years in an undergraduate-facing role is encouraged to attend the Philip A. Cox Volunteer Institute that takes place at each Carlson Leadership Academy. The Cox Institute has programming that is specific for volunteers in mentor roles, including chapter counselors and balanced man stewards

There is also specific Carlson programming for our more veteran volunteers that includes relevant and dynamic education to guide volunteers to support their local chapters and AVCs. This programming is open to all alumni and volunteers who attend Carlson Leadership Academy. 

Each chapter is eligible for one free designated volunteer registration for either the Cox Institute or general volunteer programming. This registration has been pre-paid in the undergraduate chapter’s fall bill. 

FAQs

Each chapter has five pre-paid and two discounted spots available through the fall bill. The discounted registration rate is $95/man and any additional registrations are at $225/brother. That means seven men can attend for $190 total. The registration fee for one volunteer for each chapter is also covered. Additional volunteers (over and above the one pre-paid spot per chapter) and all general alumni are charged a registration fee of $250. The prepaid spot can be used for a volunteer attending either the Cox Institute or general volunteer training. Registration is complimentary for Carlson faculty, National Directors and Trustees, and district governors.
You can cancel your registration and receive a refund up until five days prior to the program. After that point, no refunds are available. However, you can send another brother in your place at no additional cost.
Yes. The cost is $225 per brother, unless he is one of the men the chapter is sending in one of the pre-paid spots. Please note that the discounted rate of $95 per man is only available if registration is completed online prior to the program; it is not applicable for any on-site registrations.

It is possible, depending on space at the hotel. Please email the Headquarters staff at events@sigep.net to let staff know your preference, and we will work with you on options.

Registration closes the Sunday prior to the start of the program (five days before). All registrations after that date must be made on-site.
Each chapter has one pre-paid volunteer registration for an engaged volunteer to attend either the Carlson Leadership Academy or Cox Institute. The registration fee for this person has already been paid for in the chapter's fall bill. A travel and lodging stipend is also included in this registration. The travel stipend is equal to $0.15/mile, roundtrip, between the volunteer's home and the program hotel. The volunteer can request this stipend using an electronic form which will be sent out at the conclusion of the program. Additionally, when registering, the volunteer can choose for the Fraternity to make his/her lodging arrangements. If they so choose, the Fraternity will room him/her with another volunteer and the room/tax for two nights will be paid for directly by the Fraternity. If the volunteer would prefer to make his/her own arrangements, they can submit a reimbursement equal to one night's room/tax post-program.
No, but it is strongly recommended. Staying in the hotel provides a lot more opportunities to meet with brothers from other chapters. Attendees must be sure to arrive at sessions and meal functions on time, which is easier when you stay in the hotel. SigEp has negotiated discounted hotel rates; please see your program-specific website for more information on how to take advantage of this deal.
Undergraduates and general volunteers/alumni must make their own reservations directly with the hotel and are responsible for those costs. Carlson faculty, National Directors and Trustees, district governors, and designated volunteers using the prepaid spot have two options: (a) The Fraternity will make your reservation directly with the hotel. You will be roomed with another volunteer and the room/tax for two nights will be paid for by the Fraternity. (b) You can make your own arrangements directly with the hotel and cover the cost. After the program, you can submit a request for reimbursement equal to one night’s room and tax. You will be presented with these options during the registration process.
Each program's host hotel has a cut-off date which is listed on the individual academy web page. In order to receive the negotiated discounted SigEp room rate, one must make your reservation directly with the hotel by that date using the personalized reservation site.

Contact the hotel and see if they will still take your reservation at the discounted rate. Note that they are not required to do so. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to events@sigep.net.

Each undergraduate chapter is eligible for one travel stipend equal to $0.15/mile traveled, roundtrip. In order to request these funds, you must complete an online form; you will receive a link to the form the week of the program. All forms must be submitted within two weeks of the program's conclusion. Carlson faculty, National Directors and Trustees, district governors, and pre-paid volunteers attending Carlson or the Cox Institute are also eligible to the same travel stipend with the same stipulations.
No. Each chapter receives one travel stipend regardless of the number of cars or people attending.
The opening kick off begins promptly at 8:00 p.m. on Friday. You should plan to check in no later than 6:00 p.m. The program will end on Saturday evening, after dinner (typically around 9:30 p.m.). Most attendees will stay Saturday evening at the hotel and depart at their leisure on Sunday.

For questions regarding registration or travel, contact Laura Curzi.

For questions regarding faculty, contact Matt Wallace.

For questions regarding volunteer programming or the Cox Institute, contact Tim Laboy-Coparropa.

For questions regarding the hotel or other general questions, contact Stacy Nicodemus.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

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