Pi Omega Chapter Danville Area Community College Danville, Illinois Written by Ruth Molokwu

Leadership of Substance

"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision."
-Theodore Hesburgh

"Leadership is action, not position."
        - Donald H. McGannon

As Regional President, we developed and launched two new regional programs:

• Illinois Chapter Mentoring Program and
• Illinois Sister Chapter Program.

We also launched the Illinois Sister Chapter Program that matched each chapter with another, and that chapter with yet another.  Sister chapters were intentionally selected from different parts of the state to increase communication throughout the region, making us more aware of the great differences within our state and bridging the gap between Chicago-area chapters and the other half scattered elsewhere.
 

We launched these programs with a two-sided flyer at the International Convention. Both programs are designed to improve Illinois' success and strengthen our efforts through unity. Each chapter was assigned a sister chapter, but the Chapter Mentoring Program is voluntary. Our hope is that chapters will continue, as in the past, conducting activities with nearest neighbors. We added to that a tie to another chapter from afar, and even more chapters are drawn together through chapter mentoring.

"Leaders grow; they are not made."
        -The Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management
 

The 2004 International Convention was a great avenue for leadership growth. Our Advisor, a 2004 Faculty Scholar, attended the Advisors Preconference. Our President attended the Regional Officer Academy while a member attended the Chapter Officer Academy.  Our President also served as the Illinois Region's flag bearer during the Parade of Flags and performed in a chorus with all Regional Officers.  She conducted two Regional Officer meetings and Advisor Garrett attended her first Illinois Advisory Committee meeting and was asked to develop a workshop on the International Honors Institute and becoming a Faculty Scholar. The convention was an opportunity to hone the leadership skills of our incumbent leaders and empower them with tools for continued excellence.

"Leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing.
        - Mary D. Poole

As the leading student organization, we are the first group called upon to assist with campus activities. The NJCAA Basketball Tournament is one such activity. Members of Pi Omega rise to the occasion and assist with various tasks. Members appeared as Spot Less, a dog with a message, handing out litterbags and pencils promoting conservation and recycling to youth groups. The annual Ag Day at DACC brings hundreds of people to campus.  Pi Omega directs traffic and leads children's groups through the displays. We assist with Eagle Day, an educational program featuring birds of prey, for over 1000 fourth-graders, and with Academic Challenge, a high school academic competition.

We are also highly visible in the community. This year, members attended meetings for Keep Vermilion County Beautiful and Relay for Life. Several members are on this year's Relay for Life Steering Committee and hold key positions:

• Recruitment Chair,
• Publicity Chair,
• Luminary Chair, and
• Logistics Chair.

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
        - John F. Kennedy.

In April, two members were recognized as All-Illinois Academic Team members. These students exhibited academic excellence and were honored at a Phi Theta Kappa/ICCB Student Advisory Committee/All-Illinois Recognition Banquet. One was also recognized for serving on the ICCB Student Advisory Committee and their Awards Committee.  Advisor Garrett was named to the 2004 Illinois All-Advisor Team.

The following day was Student Lobby Day, and it was unforgettable. We met with six legislators to discuss concerns over a possible shift in state equalization funds to assist 7 colleges at the expense of 27 others.  From this, we launched a campus-wide petition drive and letter-writing campaign.  The petition received over 500 signatures in a week and was mailed to all members of the state House Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, the Governor, and our legislators. The shift was defeated. The College President invited us to the Board of Trustees meeting to report on our experience.
 

As leaders, we cannot stop just because school is out. We attended the Regional Leadership Conference in June and received the following honors:  Five Star Chapter, Leadership Hallmark, Fellowship Hallmark, Outstanding Chapter Officer (Laurie Little), Honorable Mention medallion (Donna Davis), and Region's Most Distinguished Chapter Advisor (Lori Garrett). We held our first Officer Training Academy during break, in July. To further instill the duty of leadership, new officers are sworn in by leaders- our Inductions had as guest speakers former International President Warren Jackson, Regional Coordinator Jennifer Langland, and DACC President Jacobs.

The highlight of 2004 was the Illinois Regional Convention we hosted in October. A total of 171 members and 26 advisors from 32 chapters made the trip. Counting all participants, we hosted 220 people for this huge event.   Phi Theta Kappa Board Member, Dr. Virginia Stahl, and Division III International Vice President, Brandon Marsh, attended.  We brought in leaders of local organizations to discuss our roles with them to provide attendees implementation ideas for home.  Friday's session spotlighted leadership. DACC's Foundation Director and Danville's Mayor both spoke.  A DACC Board member welcomed us and our Board Chairperson dined with us. Regional officer candidates gave campaign presentations.  We had a guest appearance from Spot Less, the giant Dalmatian mascot for Keep Vermilion County Beautiful, along with the Director who discussed our leadership through Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Spot programs, Great American Cleanup, and attending KVCB Board meetings.   We also held a Regional Officer Candidate forum Saturday.  On Sunday, election results were in. Pi Omega is now Illinois Regional Secretary, in charge of maintaining records and the website.

Through our diverse involvements, Pi Omega strives to be an incomparable leader. We seek opportunities to improve our leadership abilities, take our responsibilities seriously, and have become leaders on campus, in the community, and at the regional level. We have forged new bonds between regional chapters, initiated challenging programs, and assisted with major events at all levels. Pi Omega continues to produce results with continued leadership growth. Through continuous training and support, Pi Omega produces well-seasoned leaders dedicated to serving.