2004 Leadership Conference
Houston, Texas • September 24-26

The Leadership Conference is an opportunity for leaders from Alpha Rho Chi's chapters and colonies to meet and share ideas with each other and the officers of the national fraternity. The conference features a keynote speaker and workshops on issues important to the active chapters of APX.

This year's Leadership Conference will be held in Houston, home of the Cleisthenes Chapter. In true Texas style, this year's event is shaping up to be the largest yet, with over 60 students and alumni participants.

The Grand Council hosts this event and covers the transportation costs for one representative from each chapter as well as Regional Directors and Grand Council Officers. Additional participants are welcome, but they will need to arrange and pay for their own transportation.

Hotel Information

University of Houston Hilton
4800 Calhoun Street
Houston, TX 77204-3028
Tel: 1-713-741-2447
Fax: 1-713-743-2498

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mari Ann Callais

Dr. Mari Ann Callais takes a unique approach to student education. Using music and storytelling, she shares a message about values, ritual and the responsibilities of lifetime fraternity and sorority membership. "I try to help students see that ritual can be a very real way of sharing what is important, and why making the lifetime commitment to our organizations and Greek Life as a whole is so important," Callais said.

Through her dissertation research, working with students on multiple campuses, and presenting at various conferences, Callais has gathered ideas about how to educate students on performing, living and using ritual as a means of making the fraternity/sorority experience beneficial, fun and positive for everyone.

Fraternity and sorority life has been under fire for the past few decades due to risk management issues such as alcohol and hazing. Many of the national offices and volunteers, as well as university officials have looked for solutions to these challenges. Callais believes ritual can be the answer. "The response to the concept of ritual as the central focus of our education has been amazing," Callais said. "Most students are tired of hearing about risk management, hazing and alcohol concerns.

"In working with students, I have learned how to address these issues by focusing on ritual and values." These statements of timeless values written by the founders of fraternity and sorority organizations, many a century or more old, can be used to remind students of what is important in their organizations." Sometimes they just need to be challenged and given the tools, and they can take it from there," she said. "They really want to do the right thing for the most part. We just need to point them in the right direction."

Callais served as the Director of Student Organizations and Greek Life at Southeastern Louisiana University for 13 years. She has served as the National Panhellenic Delegate for Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity, and is currently serving as the Fraternity's National President. She received a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University, earned a Master's degree in Education Administration from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, and received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research from Louisiana State University. In 1997, Callais received the Louisiana Youth Seminar Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 1996 and 2001 she was named the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference Advisor of the Year. She has also been honored as the 1995 Sigma Sigma Sigma Greek Advisor of the Year, the Theta Chi Fraternity Outstanding Greek Affairs Professional Award in 2002, and the Theta Phi Alpha National Achievement Award in 1996.

Workshop: Budgeting

In response to several requests, we will be having an organizational budgeting workshop with all the participants. The process of planning your organizations income and expenses is critical to your ultimate success. Unfortunately, most of us find the process onerous and downright boring. Besides, who wants to get tied down in all those numbers? We will take some time to debunk the mythology surrounding budgets (they're not just for the WGEs) and discover how they can be used as a great planning and organizational tool. All participants should bring data for their budget such as, what you charge your members, what events and programs you produce and estimates on how much you spend on same.

Workshop: Fundraising and Events

After discovering in our Budgeting Workshop that our expenses are greater than our income (they always are!), we'll delve into how to make up the difference without opening up your own wallet. Nicole Dress, the Development Director for APX and the APX Foundation, will present a workshop covering: Overview of Fundraising/Development within APX, Choosing the Correct Fundraising Method, and Planning Special Events. Bring your creativity!

Breakout Sessions: Regional Planning

Our Regional Directors are chomping at the bit to get everyone in their regions together. We will take some time, break off into our respective regions, and do some planning for the year. Ideas and participation are all you need to bring.