Leadership and Training

GREEK EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM (GEL)

GEL is geared towards freshmen and sophomore members of the Greek community who are interested in getting involved on campus, in the fraternity and sorority community, and in developing their own leadership skills. There are six educational sessions held throughout the semester. Participants are nominated by the chapter presidents of their respective organizations to participate. GEL is facilitated each semester by Peer Leaders. Students who participate in this program will experience the following:

  • Exhibit effective collaboration skills through various teamwork activities.
  • Examine the importance of ethical leadership through evaluating their own personal values and those of their organizations.
  • Learn to be proponents of positive change within their community and the University community.
  • Learn to understand and appreciate the background of their peers as well as their own environment through diversity activities, readings and discussions.

GREEK LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (GLI)

GLI is held every January and provides new chapter presidents and other leaders the training and information we believe is necessary to be a successful peer leader in our community. Participants  have the opportunity to collaborate and discuss issues in our community, learn how to facilitate change and face challenges as a leader, learn the logistics of effective fraternity and sorority leadership and brainstorm ways to help enhance the quality of our values-based organizations. The purpose of the GLI is to give Greek leaders the opportunity to:

  • Establish relationships by collaborating with their peers.
  • Provide participants with a set of leadership tools, determine individual leadership styles, and apply those skills to daily chapter management.
  • Enhance communication skills between peers and form a collaborative and functioning fraternity and sorority community.
  • Adopt a clear, concise, and supportive vision for the direction of the fraternity and sorority community at the College of Charleston.

All chapter and council presidents and one other member from the chapter’s executive board are required to attend this program.

PRESIDENTS’ MEETINGS/TRAINING

Presidents will have approximately five or six meetings a semester hosted by the Higdon Center Staff covering a variety of topics intergral to the fraternal experience. Some topics include: Title IX Rights and Reponsiblities, CofC Academic Resources, Utilizing campus reporting structures, Building relationships within the FSL and larger CofC Commmunities, etc.

OFFICER TRAINING DAY

The Higdon Center coordinates staff from across campus to educate incoming chapter and council officers on their roles and the expectations from the College each January. 

NEW MEMBER CONFERENCES

Each semester councils have a seminar for all new members of the community called the New Member Conference.  The format and presentation of these seminars vary each semester but always provide new members in the Fraternity and Sorority Community the opportunity to:

  • Meet the council officers and learn about each council
  • Get to know new members from other organizations as well as other student leaders in the community
  • Understand their role in the larger community
  • Gain an understanding of what it means to be a member of a values-based organization and how to live those values on a daily basis  
  • Learn the importance of promoting a positive image within the College and larger community
  • Become familiar with policy and learn the importance of adhering to national policies and state and Federal laws

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