Reactive to Proactive – Risk Management Best Practices

Common Sentiment: “Our Chapter has procedures in place to help our members after a situation has occurred. Our Chapter does not educate every member; the officers are responsible for learning that information.” 

Fact: Since August 2022, Sigma Pi Fraternity has experienced a 44% decrease in overall health and safety allegations, while experiencing a 21% increase in education completion, and a 24% growth in new member-to-initiate retention. 

Risk is ever-looming, but prevention and mitigation present “barriers to entry” for the Chapter to be affected. Preventing risk from occurring and mitigating damage from a risk that has occurred are key components of chapter leadership in general, but should be the responsibility of the entire Chapter. It is no secret that knowledge and education decrease potential risk, while also increasing the quality of the Chapter – but how have Sigma Pi Chapters across the nation transformed from reactive to proactive? Three key foundations: Education, Communication, and Re-Evaluation. 

Education is the basis of prevention and mitigation when dealing with risk management. Proactive Chapters prioritize training for all members, not just officers, emphasizing the importance of the role each individual member plays in day-to-day operations. This training and education involves alcohol/drug training, hazing prevention, leadership workshops, and scenario-based discussions that encourage members to think critically about real-life situations that the Chapter may encounter. By normalizing conversations about risk management and best practices, the Chapter can create a culture where open communication and safe decisions are the default, not the exception. 

Communication between the executive council, committee heads, advisors, and the general membership determines the effectiveness of any education presented or procedures implemented. Simply put, communication has to be purposeful and consistent. Risk prevention and mitigation efforts are strongest when transparency and collaboration are at the forefront;  explaining the purpose helps to explain the practices. Open dialogue between advisors, previous leaders, alumni, campus professionals, and even other peer organizations on campus assists in ensuring that information is accessible and flows freely. Consistent open dialogue also helps members feel comfortable and confident when communicating any concerns that may arise. 

Re-Evaluation of chapter policies, bylaws, procedures, etc., on a semester-by-semester basis helps ensure that practices remain effective and relevant. The re-evaluation process allows Chapters to identify outdated previous practices, adapt to new Sigma Pi and university policies, and respond to any recent or emerging risks. This process also assists chapter leadership in setting goals, so the progress can be measured consistently over time. Finally, re-evaluation serves as a “checkpoint” for assessing whether existing or recently implemented education and communication strategies are meeting their set goals. Continued re-evaluation allows the Chapter to assist each member in finding their purpose.

These three key foundations create the Chapter’s “barriers to entry” against risk, making it increasingly more difficult for unforeseen situations to arise. By embedding education, fostering open communication, and committing to continuous re-evaluation, Chapters shift from simply reacting to problems to actively preventing them. In doing so, the Fraternity and your Chapter not only protect its members, but also strengthen its reputation as a forward-thinking, values-driven fraternity. Change is a common factor in any organization, but prevention and communication pave the path to consistency.