NMC Mondays-Lesson B

Hi Girls
Hope everyone had a great weekend. I know some of you have gotten new members this past weekend and congrats to you! If you haven't already done so-go back and check out the post I did last week for the NMCs. Let's dive on into Lesson B-this should be during your second week of your NM period.

This week the NMC starts introducing Values of the Week. Your first one is Honor and Respect. If you follow your program guide there are talking points to help you facilitate a interactive conversation about the Value.

Idea to Steal: One chapter names the handout section of the New Member binders "Wings Work". In addition to their homework they receive weekly handouts when going over the values. Each Value Refresher sheet contains 3-4 questions pertaining to the particular value and how it relates to our chapter and their daily lives. In addition to writing their thoughts on the handout, they engage in a group discussion about why the value is so important as a Pi Phi

Other Officers Involved in Lesson B
VPFD: she is going to cover Fraternity Heritage
VPMD: time to discuss GreekLifeEdu if she hasn't already done so. All VPMDs have been sent login and password information for the system. It is their job to introduce and monitor this program for the new members.

Reminders:
Please send out the Parent Letter by the end of week 2-send it to your Programming Specialist for prior approval

VPFD Thursdays-LOV Values Refresher

Did you know that the requirement for your 2009 Values Refresher is to present the LOV workshop to the whole chapters?

What does this mean?
If you didn't present the workshop in the Spring you MUST do it this Fall in order to fulfill this CE requirement. NM and initiated members can do the workshop together or you can wait until post initiation to perform the refresher.

I can't find the LOV Workshop?
That is because it has been revised and the name has changed! It is now called "Values Refresher Workshop" and can be found in the Members Only Section of the VPFD Resources.

If you have any questions about the Values Refresher Workshop please contact your Programming Specialist.

MAKE SURE TO WRITE ABOUT YOUR VALUES WORKSHOP IN YOUR MONTHLY REPORT.

VPMD Wednesdays-This Week-GreekLifeEdu

Well after this post I will be all caught up! VPMDs-I sent out two emails earlier today about GreekLifeEdu. If you did not get them-please let me know ASAP. These emails contained important information about:
-instructions for your NMs to login to the system
-your username and password to monitor the NMs
-instructions for you for the program

Here is the link to the GreekLifeEdu site for you to monitor the progress

http://www.outsidetheclassroom.com/

Important to Remember about GreekLifeEdu and the CE-
you need to set a date for your NMs to complete Part 1 of the program-THIS HAS TO BE BEFORE INITIATION!!! I would set the date at least 1 week before initiation.
Everyone must complete Part 2 of GreekLifeEdu to receive credit on the Chapter Evaluation. If everyone is not complete you will not receive credit for that requirement! It can take up to 30 days from the finish of Part 1 to receive the email to continue to Part 2-make sure you allow ample time for everyone to finish both parts.

Best Practices Regarding GreekLifeEdu
-hold a few GreekLifeEdu sessions after NM meetings where everyone brings their laptops and can work on the program at the house. You might even have pizza or snacks!
-Rent out a classroom in the Computer Center and allow everyone to do their GreekLifeEdu at one time.
-hold a prize drawing for each week for all NMs who have finished Part 1. Positive Reinforcement goes a long way!
-host a ice cream sisterhood after all NMs are finished with Part 1

VPP Tuesdays-Speed Reads

Hi girls-Tuesdays will be dedicated to the VPPs and this weeks topic is SPEED READS!

Awhile back I wrote a post about using the First Book website to collect proceeds before, during and after your Speed Read. Please check out that information here...http://region6post.blogspot.com/2008/09/speed-reads.html.

There is a big change from the last time I wrote:
I said chapters don't have to use the FB website for fundraising. Now chapters are being strongly encouraged to use the website. How great would it be for Region 6 to lead the charge in using the FB website. Currently, we only have ONE chapter in Region 6 that used the website...WAY TO GO TX ETA!!!
You know what else is great about the FB website...if you are one of the top 5 money raising chapters from the website-your chapter name is displayed on the website for all Pi Phis to see! So use the website and get some free chapter publicity!!!

Did you know that all chapters already have a username and password set up for the FB website and that your page is already made for you? That's right-now you can plug in some minor details and personalize if you want and you are ready to start raising funds! I sent emails in the Spring with everyone's username and password to the VPPs. If you need me to resend-just send me an email.

Important Reminders about Speed Reads:
-all funds raised directly from a Speed Read need to go to First Book
-for me to give you credit on the CE your Speed Read must be CAMPUS/COMMUNITY WIDE
Speed Reads during chapter meeting do not count for the CE Requirement. If you have questions if something will count please email me.

Now why don't you go over to the "Community" area on the left and we will be discussing ways to raise money at your Speed Read

NMC-Lesson A and Checklist

I wanted to post a short checklist of items that need to take place/be done before you dive right into the first week of NM meetings.

PLEDGE CEREMONY: Coordinate w/ the VPFD and/or VPEP. Right after the ceremony, when all the new members are together, this is a often a good time to get contact information from all the nm's that can then be given to the VPA to go on the official New Members List. It's also a great time to make sure the new members know about nm meetings, and when/where the first one will be held.
NEW MEMBER LIST: Completed and turned in via E-Reports by the VPA. Help the VPA to get all the contact information asap and to make sure the list is filed electronically w/ Headquarters so that you will receive all the necessary nm materials.
NEW MEMBER PROGRAM: As per the New Member Binder w/ updates as posted on-line...be sure to download new version! Be sure to have reviewed the entire program, especially for any changes this year (including the option of using either the Sam Spady dvd OR the new Hazing program presented at convention. Go over the program w/ your AAC counterpart and coordinate the schedule for meetings, events and activities from pledge ceremony through initiation. Any questions or issues, contact me asap.
LETTER TO PARENTS/LOCAL PAGES: To be approved by the programming specialist (me) prior to going out. Samples of letters are on-line. Please email me a copy of your letter and any individualized, local pages you plan on passing out asap.
CALENDAR: Meetings, retreats, activities from pledge ceremony through initiation should be mapped out and determined in advance, approved by AAC and then distributed to every New Member as early as possible--at the first New Member Meeting, if possible. Please send me a copy of this calendar as soon as you're able to distribute it to the new members.

Now that we got those things out of the way why don't we talk about your week one meeting-Lesson A! I won't go into major details about the whole meeting on the blog. I expect that every NMC has an updated copy of the NMC program guide and is using it for more details explanations. This is just a place where I will place emphasis on things and throw out some best practices!
At this meeting you want to
-hand out your local pages/manual
-hand out a chapter calendar
During this week you will have lots of introductions. AAC and Exec will need to come. Don't let the meeting get out of hand and too long. In your guide there are talking points about what needs to be covered by what officer. Give the officers these talking points ahead of time so they can prepare.

Catch Up Day

Hi Everyone, welcome back to the Region 6 blog. Today I am going to do a little catch up work and let you know what is going to be going on this semester on the blog. I am going to try to write a post each day Monday thur Thursday-sorry, I don't want to write on the weekends! Each day will be dedicated to a different programming officer and some ideas that officer can use in their chapters. Line up will be as follows:
Mondays: NMCs-we will be going through the NM program each week and giving you ideas for each lesson
Tuesdays: VPPs-I am going to write about Speed Reads, Philanthropy events, CAR to name a few
Wednesdays: VPMDs-we will touch on academic programs, academic incentives, GreekLifeEdu, Cultural Programs, Wellness and Safety, and Mentoring Workshops
Thursdays: VPFDs-we will talk about your job with the NM program, Values Refreshers, Fraternity Heritage-this semester's module, and chapter events you plan.

I hope after all of our little talks that everyone will be able to "ace" their CEs...I know our region is full of rankable chapters!
Is there a topic you would really like to see me discuss...send me an email and I will put it on the schedule.
I will also be using the "Community" over on the left hand side to make the blog more interactive and help to facilitate idea sharing. All it takes is a very short registration time and you are ready to participate in the Region 6 Community.

Pi Phis in the News

OK Beta's doing great things on their campus!
http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/local/local_story_226235248.html

The University of Arkansas brags on the AR Alpha chapter
http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/15432.htm

Region 6 Team does have some fun!

Your regional team got together this weekend for training. Suzanne and Emory were happy to welcome the rest of the team members to Memphis. Here are a few pictures of us from Friday night. We ate downtown and then took everybody up on the roof of the Peabody.

From left to right: Lisa, Emory, Suzanne, Brenda, Holly and Karen