Greek Leaders Attend Regional Conference
Westminster College fraternity and sorority leaders attended the Association of Fraternal Leadership (AFLV) Central Conference Feb. 8-11 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The four-day conference brings more than 3,000 participants together to create the ideal setting for networking and idea sharing. This is the largest gathering of undergraduate fraternity and sorority leaders from councils and chapters in the United States.
Those from Westminster attending included Axel Izaguirre, ’19 ΔΤΔ from Gravette, Arkansas; Eric Woytus, ’19 ΦΔΘ from Ellisville, Missouri; Andrew Bennett, ’20 KA from St. Louis, Missouri; Will Braley, ’19 ΔΤΔ from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; John Martin III, ’19 ΣΑΕ from Houston, Texas; Missy Rolseth, ’20 AΓΔ from Owasso, Oklahoma; Madison Loescher, ’20 KKΓ from Kansas City, Missouri; and Nicole Elliott, Director of Campus Life.
“Listening to speakers like Vice President Joe Biden and Lawrence Ross gave me a whole new understanding of the role Greek life has on college campuses and the change we can create as campus leaders,” says Missy Rolseth.
The conference program featured joint workshops and presentations as well as a curriculum that addressed the many issues facing councils within fraternal communities. The event allowed for inclusive programming and collaboration between campus administrators, national organizations, and students as they addressed issues such as risk management, intake, intra-council relationships, and liability issues.
“I especially enjoyed an education block called ‘Having Difficult Conversations’ by Catherine Mathews from Indiana Maurer School of Law,” says Eric Woytus. “She explained techniques that are important to use when you have to address uncomfortable issues in a chapter. Every session was informative, captivating, and inspiring. The best part is now I have these experts to contact if ever I need help.”
The program also included specific information about current events and issues that impact the fraternity/sorority community on campus.
AFLV exists to stimulate the growth and development of fraternity/sorority councils, chapters, and members by promoting leadership, educational and value-based experiences, and resources for student leaders, their advisors, and the larger fraternal market.
The national organization works toward its mission of helping fraternity and sorority members to exemplify and live ethical values by cultivating students and professionals through cutting-edge events and services, including conference and institutes, service immersion experiences, leadership resources, and multiple venues for networking with peers and colleagues who support the advancement of the fraternal movement.
“At AFLV, I found great comfort in realizing that people from different Greek organizations all across the country have experienced similar problems,” says Woytus. “It was a uniting experience. The insightful presentations given by experts on addressing problems in Greek life inspired me to make structural changes in my own organization to improve recruitment, new member education programs, and general motivation.”
Learn more about Greek life at Westminster here.
