No Man is an Island -- Reflections from a College of Chapters Participant Geoff Willeke (Drury) was already sold on the value of College of Chapters when he arrived at the airport en route to Virginia this summer. As a LEAD facilitator he's familiar with the quality leadership programs that Sigma Nu offers its members, but that's an experience the other Sigma Nu undergraduates Geoff met at the airport had yet to encounter. He comments that they were less than pleased to be giving up a short week of their summer vacation for a leadership conference. They likely expected College of Chapters to be similar to other conferences they had attended in the past: long, boring,

uninteresting sessions among participants with whom they had little in common. They had no idea what was waiting for them when they arrived in Lexington.

Despite the feelings of his traveling companions, Geoff came to College of Chapters with a very different attitude. He says he arrived with high expectations, hoping to learn more about the current vision of the Fraternity and gain insight from his peers and facilitators about how to handle specific challenges that his chapter is facing. Early in the week he was already commenting on the value of the Phase IV workshops that gave him useful tools for effective communication with brothers and future prospective employers.

Even with high expectations and previous leadership training, at the end of the week Geoff says he came away with many new ideas and strategies. He says he grew as a leader in discovering that "the one way I do things is not necessarily the right way. You can accomplish more through synergy and the help of others than if you try to do it all on your own," he says. He also commented that being at College of Chapters with other brothers provided an environment in which they could learn from one another and rely on each another. "It helped me to know that I need a support team if I really want to be the best that I can be."

One thing Geoff says he wants to take back to his chapter is how important the LEAD program is at the chapter level. "I want to go back and share how ALL of the brothers came together at College of Chapters and how they ALL participated, liked it and learned something from it." The other College of Chapters attendees knew that Geoff was a LEAD facilitator, and he says they were constantly asking him questions about LEAD. And even though he was seen as a resource by the other participants, he was actively learning as well and comments that, "hopefully we'll be able to solve some of the problems [in my chapter] based on learning how other chapters have conquered theirs."

Geoff says that the opportunity to serve in the LEAD program has been a turning point for him. All his life he has wanted to help others and LEAD finally gave him that chance. "It opened a giant door for me, and I stepped through it. It has allowed me to help others solve their problems, help their chapter, and further Sigma Nu. It brings me joy and has helped me grow as a student, as a leader and as a teacher," says Geoff.

As a donor to the Foundation Geoff says he contributes because the financial support makes programs like LEAD and College of Chapters available to more men. "The more institutes we can have, the more brothers we can help. As a collegian, I see the need, and I'd like to help out as much as I can," he says.

When asked about the perspectives of his peers at the end of College of Chapters compared to when they arrived, Geoff said they had a great time. Even the guys who had a poor attitude in the airport had a 100% change of heart by the end. "They are all glad they came. We learned so much and are excited about going back and changing our chapters. We're here with 300 brothers from different chapters and different backgrounds, yet we're all Sigma Nus. We share the same beliefs. You can see it in how we click with each other. There's not really a separation. Everyone's your brother. Everyone's your friend. It's a great brotherhood event and a great learning experience."

Geoff Willeke is a graduating senior and Commander of his chapter at Drury University.