Sept.01

American Leadership Academy

The ALA Board and staff are working hard to ensure the 2010 sessions are the best yet. Some of our highest rated speakers are returning and we have new dynamic presenters on line to provide attendees with the best experience possible. Will you be there? Here are some hints on how to prepare for the 2010 season and make sure your campus is represented.

Chapters/Campus Groups

1. Designate a Chapter/Campus Contact – one student to be the liaison with the ALA to receive and pass on information, and help register your attendees. He should start by making announcements about the program at your meetings and making a list of those interested to attend.

2. Plan attendance from your chapter. Select the most promising young members, who will get the most from the program and return to campus to lead for the next two years or more. Freshmen and sophomore students receive priority for available spaces, but juniors are eligible also.

3. Work with your alumni to raise funds or collect air miles to help with airfare. Make sure your members are able to attend – your group will benefit far beyond the Spring. Don’t forget the funds available from the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation.

Alumni & Volunteers

1. Discuss the program with your group, as well as the potential benefits of attendance. ALA can provide you information and assistance.

2. Work to select the right men to attend, Learn, Return & Lead. This isn’t a free Spring Break, it’s a leadership program that can make your group stronger. You may want to create an application/selection process to help select men or merit or need.

3. Recruit other alumni to help with travel costs for attendees. If you pay their way, you can help select the best men to attend. Even air miles can help, if you start the process early enough.

Planning Calendar

By September 15 – Announce the program and discuss at a chapter dinner or meeting. If you have a process for selection, take applications now. Campuses may apply to send as many as twelve men per session – maybe more, if space is available.

By October 15 – Select/Elect attendees/alternates and submit a reservation request form to ALA to ensure space is available. ALA will confirm space and send E-mail to all approved attendees, with instructions to purchase tickets and how to register online. DO NOT purchase tickets until you have received this confirmation – we don’t want anyone to get stuck with tickets they can’t use.

November 1 – Registration deadline for January session.

December 1 – Registration deadline for March sessions.

February 1 – Deadline for March session “Adds & Drops”. This is an opportunity for cancellations and substitutions only. Everyone must have final flight information in order to register online. We are not able to hold space for those who “might” attend.

Almost everything you need can be found online or will be sent by E-mail, so it’s a simple process. The hard parts are selecting the right attendees to represent you and getting their airfare locked-in far in advance. A new travel partner can help this year.

Remember, all attendees must have passports!

Please contact me with any questions you have. Thanks and I hope we’ll see you in Cabo!

Tom Pennington, Executive Director
TCP@AmericanLA.org

(Article adapted from our August, 2009 newsletter. Get the full newsletter HERE)