At Boardable, we’re more than just a software provider; we are a committed partner to educational foundations dedicated to making a lasting impact. Born from firsthand experiences in nonprofit board management, we deeply understand the unique challenges faced by educational foundations — ranging from engaging diverse stakeholders to managing complex governance structures. Our platform is designed to remove operational friction, allowing you to focus more on your educational mission. 

By streamlining your board’s activities, Boardable enables you to focus on what truly matters — enhancing educational outcomes. We simplify meeting management, centralize critical documents, and improve communication, empowering you to operate more effectively and engage deeply with your strategic goals. Whether organizing on the ground or crafting high-level strategies, Boardable adapts to your needs, ensuring every decision supports your organization’s objectives. 

A Story of Impact: Indiana University Alumni Association’s Journey with Boardable 

The Indiana University Alumni Association (IUAA) faced significant challenges in managing its widespread board, comprising over 100 members who played crucial roles in shaping the organization’s direction. Prior to adopting Boardable, IUAA struggled with inefficiencies that hampered its decision-making and engagement processes, primarily due to the geographical dispersion of its board members and the cumbersome nature of its previous management tools. 

Here is a breakdown of the challenges that IUAA was facing without a board management solution: 

• Dispersed Membership: With board members spread across various locations, coordinating meetings and ensuring high participation was a logistical nightmare. 
• Inefficient Communication: The reliance on multiple tools for different aspects of board management, such as email for communication and separate services for document storage, led to disjointed interactions and information silos. 
• Lack of Engagement: The cumbersome processes and scattered information flow made it difficult for board members to stay engaged and actively participate in decision-making. 

Boardable stepped in as a comprehensive solution that transformed the way IUAA managed its board. The platform’s ability to centralize communication, documents, and scheduling in one intuitive interface profoundly changed the organization’s operations. 

1. Centralized Information Hub: Boardable was a single source of truth for all board-related information. This centralization helped eliminate the chaos of email chains and multiple document versions, making it easier for members to quickly find and refer to pertinent information. 
2. Enhanced Meeting Management: The platform streamlined meeting scheduling and management. Features like the meeting scheduler, agenda builder, and minute taker simplified the logistics of organizing meetings, which was particularly beneficial for a board as large as IUAA’s. 
3. Increased Member Engagement: Tools designed to facilitate discussion and decision-making, such as polls and discussion boards, allowed board members to easily contribute their thoughts and vote on key issues regardless of their physical location. This feature was crucial in fostering a sense of involvement and community among the members. 

The transformation was evident almost immediately. The IUAA board members report significantly improving their ability to stay informed and contribute meaningfully to the organization. Boardable’s intuitive nature reduced the learning curve, allowing members to adapt and utilize the platform’s full capabilities quickly. 

This case exemplifies how Boardable’s specialized features can address the specific challenges faced by educational foundations like IUAA, transforming cumbersome processes into streamlined, engaging, and effective board management experiences. By partnering with Boardable, the Indiana University Alumni Association not only overcame logistical hurdles but also elevated the impact of their governance practices. 

Why Boardable Stands Out for Educational Foundations 

Our expertise with nonprofits, especially educational organizations, enables us to offer a platform that intuitively meets your needs. Boardable is designed to be inclusive, accommodating diverse communication styles and technical skills, ensuring every board member is engaged, regardless of location. 

We pride ourselves on our user-friendly software, which empowers organizations like yours to: 

• Streamline Management: Efficiently organize meetings, documents, and communications. 
• Enhance Engagement: Utilize intuitive tools to improve collaboration among members. 
• Maintain Governance Standards: Achieve and uphold high compliance and governance standards with ease. 

Partner with us on Your Board Journey

Are you ready to enhance your board’s effectiveness and focus more on achieving your organizational goals? Start with a 14-day free trial and discover firsthand how Boardable can transform your board management. Visit our website to explore our solutions, read inspiring success stories, and begin your journey toward more streamlined board management. 

Whether you want to manage your board more efficiently or engage more deeply with your mission, Boardable is here to help. For an in-depth look at our platform, check out our latest feature updates or connect with our team directly. We’re here to support you every step of the way, making your board management tasks smoother and more impactful. 

INDIANAPOLIS, June 19, 2024 – The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is pleased to announce two 2024 Gold Medal honorees: Allen W. Groves and Dr. Richard N. McKaig. 

One of the oldest traditions of the NIC, the presentation of the Gold Medal dates to 1940. The Gold Medal is presented for lifelong service to the interfraternal community and is the highest interfraternal honor the NIC can bestow. 

Allen Groves is an ardent supporter of the fraternal experience. He began his membership journey in 1979 when he was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha’s Delta Upsilon chapter at Stetson University; following graduation, he spent time on the PIKE staff, quickly rising to the role of Executive Director, serving from 1984-87. After his tenure at Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Headquarters, he began a 16-year career as a litigation attorney, over time becoming nationally recognized for his work.  

Upon retiring from his legal career, Groves seamlessly transitioned back to student affairs at the University of Virginia where he served in various capacities for 15 years. In 2021, Allen began serving as Syracuse University’s Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer.   

“Allen has provided encouragement, comfort, wise counsel and at times tough love to more fraternity men than one could possibly remember. In my over 25 years working with fraternities and fraternity men, there are very few men who match both the experience, character and intellect of Allen Groves.” said Justin Buck, Pi Kappa Alpha Executive Vice President and Chair of the NIC Governing Council. 

Above and beyond his professional roles supporting the fraternal experience, Groves boasts an extensive volunteer resume. His service spans 10 years on Pi Kappa Alpha’s International Fraternity Supreme Council, including as International President from 2004-06; six years on the NIC Board of Directors, serving as Board Chairman from 2012-14; Virginia’s Governor’s Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Assault from 2014-15; Stetson University College of Arts & Sciences Board from 2013-18; and more. 

A staunch advocate for fraternity, Dr. Richard N. McKaig, a Delta Chi initiate from Ball State University, worked tirelessly to advance the fraternal experience throughout his impressive 40-year career in higher education. Retiring from Indiana University in 2009 as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the impact of his leadership can still be seen throughout IU, Delta Chi and the interfraternal community.  

While at Indiana University, Dr. McKaig was instrumental in the work of the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity, serving as its executive director for more than 30 years. In his role with the Center, he advocated for the need to research the benefits of the fraternity and sorority community. Today, the Piazza Center at Pennsylvania State University builds off the research and work of the Center that he so carefully stewarded. Additionally, for more than 35 years, Dr. McKaig served as the Director of the Interfraternity Institute (IFI), a program co-sponsored between the Fraternity Executives Association and IU, mentoring hundreds of campus and interfraternity leaders. 

“Dr. Richard McKaig is the most committed and ardent supporter of the fraternity community, and he embodies the qualifications of the NIC Gold Medal. His 40 years of service has elevated the fraternity experience by using research, collaboration, and good will,” wrote Patrick Alderdice, Delta Chi’s International President, and Karl Grindel, Delta Chi’s Executive Director & CEO, in support of his nomination. 

In addition to serving the interfraternal community, Dr. McKaig’s volunteer leadership to Delta Chi includes two terms on the Fraternity’s Board of Regents; serving as an advisor to the Educational Foundation for 20 years; and co-chairing the President’s Anti-Hazing Task Force. 

The NIC is thrilled to honor Allen Groves and Dr. Richard McKaig with Gold Medals and looks forward to recognizing them alongside their respective organizations this summer. 

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Founded in 1909, the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is a trade association that represents national and international men’s fraternities, including a diverse range of culturally and religious-based organizations, on campuses in the United States and Canada. The NIC is committed to supporting opportunities for young men to seek and form positive, enriching fraternal bonds. The health and safety of students guides our advocacy, standards and education. 

Media Contact: awards@nicfraternity.org 

The Foundation for Fraternal Excellence and the North American Interfraternity Conference are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Men’s College Scholarship which is designed to identify and reward outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in the fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities and community involvement.

Men are going to college with less frequency than in the past, and not persisting to graduation at the same rates as women. According to The Wall Street Journal, at the close of the 2020-21 academic year, women made up 59.5% of college students, an all-time high, and men 40.5%, according to enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit research group. Recent data points show that there are now 2.4 million more female than male undergraduates on U.S. campuses (8.9 million women compared to 6.5 million men).

To inspire college attendance and academic success by young men, in 2022 a diverse group of fraternity alumni founded the Men’s College Scholarship. A college education is important and opens numerous opportunities to students including the many potential benefits of fraternity membership, including a sense of belonging on campus which furthers students’ wellbeing and chances of graduating. Research actually shows that fraternities foster positive mental health, serve as a success accelerator for students, and engender tremendous loyalty and connections among alumni to support their alma mater.

We believe in the fraternity experience and know the value it provides to undergraduates and alumni. Fraternity members can tap built-in alumni networks, finding jobs more quickly than their peers. Research shows almost half of members had a brother who helped them find an internship or job and provided them with career advice. And fraternity alumni report being more fulfilled in their careers and lives in every aspect of wellbeing measured, from career to community and financial to physical, because of the relationships and resources they can leverage.

After reviewing more than 4,050 completed applications from young men across the United States, the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence is thrilled to award 72 scholarships totaling $41,000.

Recipients represent various backgrounds and hail from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with 46% identifying as first-generation college students. We look forward to seeing this program continue to grow in future years and thank all Fraternities Matter Campaign donors for making this scholarship a reality.

2024 Scholarship Recipients:

If you would like to donate to the Fraternities Matter Campaign: download a pledge form, make a gift online or contact NIC President & CEO Judson Horras.

At Greek University we help organizations solve complex campus problems through keynote speakers and workshops for your fraternity or sorority members. Our speakers, facilitators and partners are more than just educators; they are architects of change. Since 2018 we have partnered with Culture Shift Team (CST) who specializes in helping organizations navigate the complicated landscape of membership and campus demographic shifts, crafting strategies that empower people and cultivate vibrant cultures.

The Client Challenge:

Picture this: A national sorority standing at a crossroads. Amidst the chaos of extreme political polarization and stark differences in lived experiences, maintaining safe and productive spaces for dialogue seemed insurmountable. Despite understanding the benefit of genuine connections across differences, they found themselves stumbling over sensitive topics like race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and socio-economic status. The absence of dialogue stifled progress towards building a stronger community, stalling their overall inclusion efforts. They asked us for a tool to help them reinvigorate their sense of community and propel organizational growth.

Introducing the Dialogues Across Difference Experience:

Enter the Dialogues Across Difference Experience, created by Greek University speaker and CST Co-Founder, Robert Lawrence Wilson. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill workshop; it’s a transformative journey aimed at igniting dialogue across diverse identities within organizations. Combining an interactive 1-hour participant self-exploration into identity and bias with our Reflective Listening tool, participants embark on a journey to navigate tough conversations while strengthening their sense of belonging.

Highlights:

• Duration: A 2.5-hour immersive experience customized for students or staff participants
• Interactive: Dive into lively and engaging discussions with peers, whether in-person or virtually.
• Group Dynamics: Join a dynamic cohort of 50+ participants, each bringing a unique perspective to enrich the dialogue.
• Simulation Exercise: Brace yourself for our Reflective Listening simulation — a deep dive into real-world issues, creating a space where everyone is listened to and understood.
• Professional Facilitation: Delivered by Robert Lawrence Wilson and internally trained hosts, we create a structured and psychologically safe environment.

Benefits:

• Trust-Building: Witness the emergence of trust and understanding among participants.
• Enhanced Listening: Sharpen the active listening skills essential to nurturing inclusive environments.
• Qualitative Insights: Datamine insights gleaned from participant responses captured via a pre-close survey to identify future organization priorities and actions.

Outcomes:

• 91% of collegiate participants strongly recommend the Dialogues Across Difference Experience for their peers.
• Identify your top 5 priorities and key actions from participants to overcome personal and organizational barriers to inclusion and belonging.
• Participants show significant post-event improvement in:

• Comfort initiating conversations around religion, race, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation
• Understanding how their lived experiences contribute to the experiences of others
• Understanding how to navigate differences in identity to improve  belonging

• Participants walk away with practical tools for creating safe and supportive environments that extend far beyond the workshop session.

The Dialogues Across Difference Experience is more than just one experience — it’s a catalyst for meaningful change! Let us help your organization reshape conversations and transform your culture for the better! Intrigued? Visit www.greekuniversity.org/robert for more information.

Contact Mike Ayalon at Greek University to book educational programs or services for your organization by calling 203-58-GREEK or email: bookings@greekuniversity.org

Indianapolis, April 23, 2024 – The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) has selected six individuals to join the 2024-2025 IFC Advisory Council. These undergraduate students are fraternity men who have held numerous chapter and campus leadership positions and currently serve their respective Interfraternity Councils. Council members include Griffin Forbes, Oklahoma State University; Jackson Gordon, Southern Methodist University; Sean Hoffmans, Kansas State University; Johnathan Martinez, University of Missouri; Sawyer McClure, Michigan State University; and Miguel Sobera, Florida International University. Learn more about each below.

“We commend these young men for their dedication to a positive fraternity experience,” said NIC Chief Operating Officer Will Foran. “I am excited to work with this group over the next year as they provide strategic feedback to support IFC resource development and engage with fraternity leaders, each providing their unique campus perspective.”

The IFC Advisory Council is a unique opportunity allowing undergraduate fraternity members to engage with industry leaders while helping to influence and shape the fraternity experience. They will assist with developing IFC resources, inter/national policy and mentoring other IFC officers. Service begins with orientation in mid-May and concludes after one year.

Griffin Forbes, Oklahoma State University

Griffin currently serves as OSU’s IFC President and is a member of Sigma Chi, having served in many chapter positions. In addition, he has served in numerous leadership roles with campus organizations including the Oklahoma State University President’s Leadership Council, Junior Greek Leadership, Greek Wide Student Ministry, Camp Cowboy and more.

Jackson Gordon, Southern Methodist University

Currently serving as Interfraternity Council President at Southern Methodist, Jackson previously held the role of IFC Vice President of Recruitment and is FSLead trained. A member of Sigma Nu, Jackson served his chapter roles including Ethics Chairman and Risk Reduction Chairman.

Sean Hoffmans, Kansas State University

Sean, current IFC Vice President of Recruitment Operations and Fraternity-Sorority Life Ambassador, is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He is involved with K-State’s Student Governing Association previously holding roles of Senator of the College of Business and Director of Academic Affairs, interning for the Staley School of Leadership and participating in the University’s Homecoming Committee.

Johnathan Martinez, University of Missouri

A member of Phi Kappa Theta, Johnathan presently serves as Mizzou’s Interfraternity Council President. In addition to leading the IFC and contributing to his chapter, he actively participates in and holds leadership roles with the Association of Latin American Students, Missouri Student Association and First Generation Club.

Sawyer McClure, Michigan State University

Sawyer currently holds the role of IFC Vice President of Programming, serving the prior term as President. While IFC President he updated the council’s governing documents and implemented a men’s mental health program called MANUAL — where he continues to devote his time supporting the IFC’s programming. Sawyer is a member of Theta Delta Chi.

Miguel Sobera, Florida International University

Miguel previously served as IFC Vice President of Scholarship and Vice President of Recruitment and presently serves as IFC President. Before his IFC service, Miguel held various roles with his Pi Kappa Alpha and served as the Recruitment Chair for FIU’s Neon Nights which supports mental health education for students.

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The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is the trade association representing national and international men’s fraternities, including a diverse range of culturally and religious-based organizations. The NIC’s member organizations boast more than 6,000 chapters located on more than 550 campuses in the United States and Canada, with approximately 250,000 undergraduate members and nearly 4.2 million alumni.