FGA Symposium

August 18, 2024

The NIC’s Fraternity Growth Accelerator (FGA) provides emerging fraternities with the platform to collaborate on necessary resources and services. This effort will support their continued growth and development within the North American Interfraternity Conference and the fraternal movement. 

The FGA Symposium is an opportunity for all FGA organizations to meet and collaborate on common topics for members of the Fraternal Growth Accelerator. All FGA members are welcome to attend the Symposium which is held in conjunction with the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and FFE Seminar. The 2023 Symposium was held in person at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. 

Benefits of Attending

I highly recommend this program as a tool to both educate and motivate yourself as well as other staff / volunteers from your fraternity. This is a unique opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. I hope you consider attending the FGA symposium.

Timothy A. Smith, MBA, Executive Director, Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The FGA symposium is a great opportunity for members to meet similar counterparts in a collaborative environment focusing on issues that affect smaller/specialized fraternal organizations. The educational sessions along with the round table discussions are tailored to input received directly from FGA members. 

FGA Symposium attendees will engage in educational content during the day as well as a short business meeting where FGA dues rates will be discussed and an NIC Governing Council representative will be elected.  

2023’s priority discussion topics:

  • Marketing and growth
  • New research findings
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • FGA membership priorities
  • Future programming needs

FGA members are also encouraged to attend the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and/or FFE Seminar.
Read more about the Dual Experience if you are interested in attending both.  

2023 Schedule-at-a-Glance

The 2023 NIC Educational Symposium lineup highlighted critical topics including a bold set of solutions for the problems of the modern male, timely fraternity research update and building a brand that matters. By attending NIC Annual Meeting of Members, volunteer leaders and staff for FGA fraternities accessed timely and relevant education that offered direct application to further each organization.

Sunday, August 27
FGA Symposium (FGA members only)
– Opening / Welcome / NIC Update
– DEI discussion / Working group update
– GR / Legal Update – Clark Brown
– Lunch
– Recruitment / Growth Trends – Phired Up
– Group Discussion 		9 – 4 p.m.
NIC Governing Council meeting (Invite only)1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Interfraternal Happy Hour (Open to all fraternity and foundation executives, fraternity and foundation board chairs; to register complete the “2023 FFE Research Campaign Events form) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, August 28
Educational Symposium I: Of Boys and Men9 – 10:15 a.m.
Educational Symposium II: Research Update and Discussion10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Welcome Luncheon12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Educational Symposium III: Building a Brand That Matters 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
NIC Meeting of Members (NIC members only)2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
NIC/FFE Networking Reception5 – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 29
Research Breakout Session: Vector Solutions9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Research Breakout Session: Plaid11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

2023 Educational Symposiums

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I – Of Boys and Men | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It 

Richard V. Reeves, Senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of ‘Dream Hoarders’ & ‘Of Boys and Men’ 

What is happening with so many of our boys and men? Economists lament inexplicable drops in male labor force participation. Public health officials point to disproportionately male “deaths of despair” from suicide or overdose. Parents see their sons struggling and worry what it means for their future. In a compelling presentation, Richard provides a groundbreaking, personal and engaging diagnosis of the contemporary male malaise that is pro-equality as well as pro-male. As he says: “We can hold two thoughts in our head at once. We can be passionate about women’s rights and compassionate toward vulnerable boys and men.” Drawing on years of deep research as well as his personal experience as a father of three sons, Reeves offers a compelling diagnosis of the problems of boys and men-and a bold set of solutions.

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II – Research Update and Discussion | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Research Update and Discussion: Peer Accountability, The Junior/Senior Experience, and the Fraternity Growth Index 

NIC Research Committee & Research Team 

In this session, we will present and discuss results from recent projects on Peer Accountability, the membership experiences of Juniors and Seniors, and fraternity membership trends. This can’t-miss discussion will focus both on implications for practice as well as an overview of how these findings relate to other recent research projects. 

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III – Building a Brand that Matters | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Building a Brand that Matters

R. Ethan Braden, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Purdue University and Purdue Global 
 

Great brands don’t just happen. Rather, they are intentionally and purposefully built over time on certain bedrocks, including a great story and position. And how well a brand is delivered externally depends on how well it is understood internally. As a member of Beta Theta Pi, former staffer, and dedicated volunteer, Ethan has developed a flourishing marketing expertise and career with a rare combination of leadership roles across critical and complex industries: the Federal Government, healthcare, consulting, public higher education, and non-profit. He has demonstrated that the keys to building remarkable brands transcend sectors, demographics, and unmet needs. Join us as he shares stories, lessons, and best practices from remarkable brands that have enchanted audiences and changed lives, leaving you inspired and better equipped to ensure your brand truly matters. 

MEET THE EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS

2023 Registration & Costs

  • Registration for the Symposium costs $50 per attendee and includes lunch and programming.
  • FGA members are also encouraged to attend the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and/or FFE Seminar at a 50% discounted rate. To access the discounted rate for the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and/or FFE Seminar, contact Will Foran for your discount code.
NIC Annual Meeting of Members
Early-Bird Registration: Deadline June 30$150 per FGA attendee
Standard Registration: July 1-July 31$200 per FGA attendee
Late Registration: August 1-15$250 per FGA attendee
FFE Seminar
Early-Bird Registration: Deadline June 30$250 per FGA attendee
Standard Registration: July 1-July 31$300 per FGA attendee
Late Registration: August 1-15$350 per FGA attendee
Dual Meeting Experience
Early-Bird Registration: Deadline June 30$275 per FGA attendee
Standard Registration: July 1-July 31$325 per FGA attendee
Late Registration: August 1-15$375 per FGA attendee

Who Should Register

  • All volunteer leaders and/or staff of FGA fraternities are welcome to attend the FGA Symposium and NIC Meeting of Members.

How to Register

  • Register to attend the FGA Symposium by clicking the button below, logging in to FS Central and selecting the 2023 FGA SYMPOSIUM registration form.
  • If you would like to attend the FGA Symposium as well as the 2023 NIC Meeting of Members and/or FFE Seminar you must also contact Will Foran for your FGA discount code and register through the respective FS Central form.

If you have questions or concerns about registration or the FGA Symposium, please contact Gretchen Foran at gretchen.foran@fraternalexcellence.org.

Questions?

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