Integrity is a word often heard throughout our history that has been associated with great leaders in Kappa Alpha Order. Robert E. Lee (spiritual founder), George C. Marshall, Samuel Zenas Ammen, William Sprigg Hamilton, Richard T. Feller, and William E. Forester were exceptional leaders, to just name a few. They all possessed consistent leadership styles that displayed their integrity. Integrity means to “do the right thing all of the time especially when no one is looking.” This message is carried on to our Number I’s as they begin their term of office.
Since Kappa Alpha Order is military in organization, we greatly differ from other rival organizations. The Number I holds complete authority over his chapter and has to sometimes make hard decisions that might not be very popular. Senior Councilor Mike Duncan (Dean of the Institute) instructed the Number Is at the Number I’s Leadership Institute that sometimes you have to dig down deep inside and really think about your role as the Number I while understanding that it is your responsibility to make the right decision. His point rang clear as he referenced the Kappa Alpha Laws and more importantly the customs of the Order. This point emphasizes the importance of training all of our Number Is so that they understand their role and expectations for that office.
The third annual Number I’s Leadership Institute was held January 14-16, 2005, just outside of Greensboro, N. C., at the Caraway Conference Center, a Baptist affiliated center. The facility and premises were distraction free with no alcohol, no room phones, and only one television. It provided a positive, learning atmosphere for the intense conference. The opportunity to attend the Institute was provided at no expense to the participants, including their travel, manuals, meals, and lodging.
Number Is from 122 chapters came together before their actual term began to start their weekend training in the mountains of North Carolina. Highlights of the weekend included a mock major offense trial, ritual presentation by Russell Brown, Knight Commander Ben Satcher’s inspirational address, resource summit, and a healthy debate from the Number Is about their most important duty as Number I.
The goals of the Leadership Institute are to educate and empower the Number Is to understand their role and responsibility as the chapter’s highest elected officer, recognize the tools and support systems provided, and understand the standards and policies of operating an active chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. The main objectives reinforced throughout the entire Institute dealt with explaining, examining, and defining leadership characteristics of the Number I. The purpose of the program is to provide proactive education to the chapter leaders, so they feel empowered to act, will act based on the values of Kappa Alpha Order, and be connected to resources that they need when the job becomes difficult.
The Institute was composed of large group educational sessions followed by small group meetings facilitated by pairs of Kappa Alpha volunteers and staff members. The National Administrative Office would again like to thank everyone that made the Number I’s Leadership Institute a success.
The Number I’s Leadership Institute is schedulednext year at the Caraway Conference Center on January 6-8, 2006.
2005 Faculty:
Dean of the Institute: J. Michael Duncan
Lead Facilitator/Programming: Brent Fellows
Logistics Coordinator: Jonathan Cofer
Intern: Morgan Marvelli (Epsilon Xi – UNC Charlotte)
Accounting & Registration: Donna K. Winge
Speakers: Knight Commander Ben W. Satcher, Jr.,
Russell C. Brown, Larry S. Wiese
Facilitators: Blair Bailey, David Barksdale, John Bolton, Matt Bonner, Paul Burns, Andrew Carr, Michael Citro, Tom Faircloth, Parker Griffith, Cas Heilman, Lance Laubach, Jeff Love, Jesse Lyons, Chadwick McFarland, Jon Mundorf, Mitch Sheaffer, Todd Shelton, Erik Showalter, Len Williams, and Michael Wilson
