Alphabetical Listing of all Programs

Advising for Success: Strategies for Empowerment
Tired of hitting your head on the desk? Gotten a bit too much "feedback" lately or feel like your efforts really don't matter? Learn how to be a more effective supervisor, advisor or mentor by empowering students to own their success, failure and future. Using concepts from First Break All The Rules, the presenter (a former student affairs practioner turned professional educator) offers various strategies for working with today's student leaders and professional staffs through an exploration of what truly motivates and encourages productivity, customer satisfaction, profitability and retention.

The Art of Organization
1 hour
Where did I put that? How many times a day do you ask yourself this question? If at all, consider the value in knowing mail should only be handled once, a filing system serves many functions, your calendar is way under-used... This program teaches useful tips on how to organize your time, set priorities, systemize your paperwork, and more! Be careful, you might just use what you learn...

Being an OL for the Fun of it!
1 up to 8 hours
The OL makes a Difference! Numerous exercises and opportunities for interaction provide participants with the skills needed to be more effective orientation leaders with a better understanding of the issues facing new students and parents. Depending upon the desired length of training, this session covers the profile of new students, communication skills in depth, parent concerns, motivation, and other issues as requested. Team building for OL staffs and how to do ice-breakers for new students is also available.

Believe Me... It's You! Strategies for Dealing with Difficult People
Is there someone on your staff or in your life that seems hard to "get?" Does everyone else seem to be on the same page - yet this ONE person consistently appears to have their OWN agenda? Wait! Is it possible that YOU are the difficult one? Is it possible that your skills of conflict management and interpersonal communication aren't as sharp as needed? This practical skill building session will discuss why people are sometimes hard to understand while providing practical tips on how to alter your point of view around confrontation, challenge inappropriate comments and behaviors, and inspire you to see the value in "difficult" people.

The Charismatic You
1 or 2 hours
Are you afraid a "Do Not Disturb" sign will appear on the foreheads of your workshop participants or presentation audiences? Does the very thought of getting up in front of people make you anxious? This session will help! A professional national leadership trainer and speaker will share with you her tips on how to give successful workshops and presentations in a humorous and informative style that will allow you to take what fits. You will be given a proven format to follow and ideas on training techniques that have proven positive results. You will also hear personal stories of techniques that didn't work! Significant time will be given to individual participant's personal questions and experiences presenting. As a result of attending this very interactive and experiential session you will have everything YOU need to present and speak on ANY topic - all you have to do is supply the confidence or desire to try!

Civility, Leadership and College Life
Is that your tray left for someone else to pick up? Did you just interrupt your professor? Is it cheating if everyone else is doing it? These are actually questions of character. As college students the expectations for positively contributing to your community include enhancing - not distracting - from a high standard of civility characterized by your integrity, intelligence and inspiration. At the core of your civility are three constructs: compassion, consideration and concept of self. Using humorous examples and a non-judgmental style of presenting, this session offers original ideas around the notion of "courteous and kind" behaviors with assessment tools and original handouts. It is designed to challenge you to fully accept the many contributions you can make to your campus community and why college is "higher" not "lower" education. Watch out! You've got potential.

Community as a Context for Sensitivity Training
1 or 2 hours
The many notions surrounding "community" can be valuable tools for training in the areas of sensitivity, diversity and multiculturalism. This session is an opportunity for professionals who do training to gain sensitivity presentation tips from a professional trainer including activities, resources and processing techniques. A complete handout assists participants in designing their own workshops and style of presenting.

Community, Synergy, and Team Building
1 or 2 hours
Have you ever wondered what it would take to work in an environment that fosters personal development, provides quality services to "clients" and values team work? Sometimes this ideal isn't that far away. With minor adjustments and a greater knowledge of working "in community" participants will be encouraged to evaluate their role in making a staff productive. The motivation to work towards greater group cohesiveness and better intra-group communication will be explored along with accompanying skill building lessons.

Consider Yourself Creative!
1 or 2 hours
Did your last great idea hit you while in the shower? Why is it that this location is known to generate thousands and thousands of wonderful ideas, inventions, solutions and designs? The answer: The shower is a relaxing place... Once you are relaxed and give yourself permission to be creative all you need are the various tools to creative thinking. Anyone has the ability to be creative - just not the confidence. This session will help to demonstrate your hidden creative genius and suggest ways of "thinking differently" about your relationships, academics, professional positions, tasks and problems! Five tips for better creative thinking are explained and practiced. Watch out! "Wicked good" ideas to follow...

Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!
1 to 3 hours
"You want it when?" followed by hysterical laughter is not the kind of behavior human beings in the "business" of helping other human beings want to emulate. In fact, knowing how to do your job effectively while dealing with "clients" and "customers" with significantly different needs, backgrounds and expectations can be extremely difficult - not to mention frustrating! This session will take a look at the basic components of effectively doing your job. The components of effective service will be reviewed along with the opportunity to explore the "customers" you deal with on a regular basis. Techniques to better serve your external and internal "customers" will be presented along with skill building opportunities. The customer may not always be right but you can be!

Defining Diversity Differently
minimum 2 hours
It's time to move beyond "tolerance" the different cultures, interests, sexual orientations, races, physical appearances, etc. found in today's society to "celebrating" such differences. This session challenges individuals to examine their level of understanding of a variety of populations through a host of individual and group exercises and experiences. How to give a caring response to inappropriate behaviors, factual information about the diversity in our lives, and the motivation to become understanding makes this training an essential component of staff development, educational programs and employee enhanced efforts.

The Future is Yours to Create!
1 hour
Hey, wake up! This is your life we're talking about here! Do you find yourself going through your classes, relationships, leadership positions, etc. in the "uninterested student position" where you assume the "Check me off, I've shown up" personality ? Do you need a little "kick in the butt?" to re-energize and re-focus on those things in life that are important to you? This session is about YOU and what it takes to motivate yourself into action. Through a host of self-exploration and interactive exercises you will be challenged to consider the meaning IN your life not the often sought after and never found meaning OF your life. You will even be taught the "interested student position" that can change your entire outlook on life. Watch out.... you've got potential!

The Future is Yours to Create! A Look at Life and Leadership
1 to 8 hours
Life and leadership go hand in hand. It's all connected. This extensive training experience will focus on the individual as well as the group. Through the use of interactive exercises, self-explorations, group discussion, inspirational music, individual skill building exercises and a host of other FUN training techniques participants will learn about what it takes to lead, contribute and make a difference. Essential to this mission is a discussion of one's content of character. This program also includes a six minute video, "The Future is Yours to Create." (Depending on the amount of time desired topics to be included through out this training experience might include creativity, group development, program planning, public speaking, communication skills, time management - just to name a few.)

Holding Others to Higher Standards
"How low can you go?" Or, is the more fitting questions for Greek leaders: "How hard are you willing to work to be leaders of character?" This interactive and enlightening session will discuss the challenges of challenging attitudes and behaviors contrary to the ideals of being a leader. Practical strategies for being men and women of high moral, ethical and civil standards will be offered along with the comfort in knowing YOU MIGHT JUST BE RIGHT!

How to Zing! Your Life and Civic Leadership
Gandhi said, "WE must be the change we wish to see in this world." His words don't suggest we sit around talking about making a difference in the world, they call us to act. Zing! is the energy it takes to override competing forces to positively influence others towards a greater social good. Leadership is the making of a difference. Zing! represents a mind set for productive, intelligent and compassionate involvement by citizens of all ages, races and beliefs with the reminder one's vision of the world must be 20/20. Using personal explorations, interactive experiences, stories and shared gifts, audience members will learn what Martin Luther King, Jr. meant when he said, "There comes a time when your silence is betrayal." Various strategies for thinking globally and acting locally will be presented along with the inspiration to change the world... one person at a time. It's always Zing! time.

Is a Program Successful if No One Comes?
1 or 2 hours
How differently can you think about a "program?" Is it a person, place or thing? This session offers a variety of ways to look at what a program is and then takes participants through the process of programming. Key to having a successful program is knowing what "successful" means. Also discussed is a formula for defining and getting clear on your overall program goals. As time permits, attention is given to promoting your events and making the promotion part of the program. This creative and very interactive session focuses on developing a theme and coming up with ways of carrying out the program and promoting it! Be careful! You must be willing to think!

It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It
1 to 3 hours
We learn how to communicate at a very early age and then forget to keep learning this highly complicated and significant skill. This session will offer actual skill building exercises in a variety of areas, including assertion theory, conflict resolution, non-verbal communication, two-way communication and listening. Learning how to say what you want or what you are feeling and hear what others are saying and feeling is a significant part of this training experience. Wayne Dyer said, "People treat us the way we teach them to treat us." He is right. This session will challenge you to consider your current level of effective communication and provide you with useful tips on how to be even more effective. Is there room for improvement?

Life by Design
1 to 2 hour
Based upon the speaker's first motivational book, Life by Design, this extended session is about YOU and YOUR life! It is about where you see yourself now (point a) and where you'd like to see yourself in the future (point b). Using a "life" to "house" analogy, the original concepts presented will assist you in identifying your definition of "having it all" and what changes you need to start working on NOW to achieve a "dream" life that for YOU is fulfilling and meaningful. Are you really content with your relationships, communities, job, health, family, financial situation, or career choice - to name a few? Do you control your destiny or do you feel that you're going through the motions - living everyone else's definition of "having it all?" Self-exploration techniques will be presented that will assist you in figuring out HOW to make the desired changes in your life not IF you will ever make them. Be careful, there just might be some work to be done on your life!

Laughter, Living, and Learning: The Use of Humor
20 minutes to 1 hour
"What's so funny?" If you work in education the answer to this question is simply..."Plenty" Learning the role of humor in significant and often serious situations is a valuable (and often under used) method of finding clarity, opening lines of communication and identifying a potential source of creative solutions to complex problems. This inspirational talk will explore the concept of humor and discuss how having a sense of humor can enhance the profession of education. Tips on how to have serious fun will be shared.

The Making of Community
2 to 8 hours depending on additional topics
A goal of every campus is to find true "community." So, what is it? This session will present "community" as a feeling not as a thing - as a set of conditions and expectations that make its members feel included, welcomed, safe, free to be themselves and challenged - to name a few of the benefits. Through a host of interaction exercises, self-explorations and lessons, participants will explore first hand the communities in their own lives and discuss the desired communities they hope to foster on their campus. Many of the notions of M. Scott Peck are offered along with his stage model of community building. "The many gifts of community are felt when proximity is given value." This session is about living community not just talking about it!

The Making of a Leader and Contributor
1 or 2 hours
How many people in an organization can be the president, top dog, chief mucky-muck or CEO? Only one but how many can contribute? Everyone! This revealing look at the meaning of "leadership" will allow you to examine what kind of a leader you want to be and how to get there! The characteristics of effective leadership will be explored along with a "self-assessment" tool of YOUR perceived leadership behaviors. This session is designed to demonstrate that a leader is "someone who makes a difference!" The motivation to "do leadership" in your life is an added bonus to this session!

Membership Strategies: Recruiting Future Chapter Leaders
In this highly engaging session participants will learn what it takes to attract and keep volunteers focused, inspired and involved. Taking volunteers from the stage of "no bodies" to "some bodies" is a learnable skill. You can make adjustments to what you do and how you do it that will result in a volunteer pool self-motivated to get their feet wet! One person at a time is how to change the world. Jump in and join in - Viva! The Volunteer.

The Mess of Stress
1 or 2 hours
Being in a state of consistent stress is bad. There's no other way to say it! Stress needs to be controlled so that it doesn't control you. This session is an opportunity for participants to take the needed time to explore the stressors in their lives and ways of dealing with them. Information about the effects of stress on your body and ability to function are covered along with numerous stress reduction techniques. Actual practice time is devoted to trying out the various stress reduction exercises such as programmed visualization and deep breathing. Walk away relaxed.

The Mirror Has Two Faces: Self-Esteem Building
1 or 2 hours
Based upon the presenter's book, Life by Design, original concepts on self worth become the foundation of this session. What did you see the last time you looked in the mirror? And did you like what you saw? This self-exploring session is about building your self-esteem and how that changes who you are and what you do. Numerous skills to enhance self-esteem are demonstrated with the inspiration to get to work! "Gee, you've got potential!" Now the response to that compliment is "Thank you! You're very perceptive." Without a healthy well of self-worth all aspects of your life - from job to family - are affected. Change for the better is not possible, moving forward is not possible. This session explains how to get busy working on your self-worth.

P.R. is Everything You DO: Public Relations for Greeks
1 to 4 hours
How many community service projects do you have to do to balance out the occasional noise complaint? Interesting question. Interesting answers can be found in this self-exploratory and interactive session on the true definition of "public relations." How to have better public relations by individual chapters and the entire system is also addressed. Public relations is "everything" you do and don't do. So, what do you promote? What strategies can help your chapter and entire system put their best foot forward?

Say IT with Style and Substance: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
Because it's your job! Because you want more Zing! in your life! Because other people might start to take you more seriously! There are many reasons for becoming more effective at giving presentations or standing behind a podium. From business professionals to educators, from students to CEOs, your ability to communicate publicly is a reflection of your mission, vision and potential leadership. Sharing personal experiences and relevant strategies, the presenter offers up her own tips (not trips) on improving your confidence, competence and learning outcomes as a speaker.

Self-governing Greek Systems: The Myth and The Reality
1 or 2 hours
The notions of accountability, trust, community and governance are addressed in this very hands on and interactive session designed to give Greek leaders and potential leaders the tools needed to take true ownership of their destiny as a Greek community. Potential challenges, notions on change and motivation are presented to assist participants in understanding the tools needed to support a Greek system and ensure its survival! This session deals openly and honestly with the challenges students need to address and offers practical solutions.

Staff Synergy: To Be or Not To Be?
1 or 2 hours
Have you ever wondered what it would take to work in an environment that fosters personal development, provides quality services to "clients" and values team work? Sometimes this ideal isn't that far away. With minor adjustments and a greater knowledge of working "in community" participants will be encouraged to evaluate their role in making a staff productive. The motivation to work towards greater group cohesiveness and better intra-group communication will be explored along with accompanying skill building lessons.

Staying Motivated to Work in Higher Education
1 or 2 hours
Does the "Just Expired" sign go up on your forehead every time a student or colleague (maybe even friend, spouse, boss, etc. ) walks into your office? Is it frustrating when you recognize that the methods, practices and policies that used to work effectively just don't get the same results? Has the push for providing better "customer service" left you wondering where "student development" fits in? This session is designed to allow participants to become re-energized by providing motivational strategies, information about reaching today's college student and tips on being student consumer oriented. You make a difference.

Taking Care of Business: Motivating Strategies for Life
How's your life going? Parenting, working, running, shopping, dealing with difficult people... the stresses of every day life. Are you in need of a reality check? Take an evening to get into the moment and focus on what needs to be repaired, remodeled, renovated or rebuilt in your life. This "do-it-yourself" approach to bringing back the balance in your life is offered by the author of Life by Design: A Do It Yourself Approach to Achieving Happiness. In an upbeat, inspiring yet content driven program, a five phase process of living the life you want will be shared along with fun self-assessment opportunities and humorous takes on life. Let's face the first reality - if you aren't happy or content with your life, odds are you are making the people around you miserable. It's time to take care of business!

Teaching and Training for Community
1-4 hours
The many notions surrounding "community" can be valuable tools for training in the areas of sensitivity, diversity and multiculturalism. This session is an opportunity for professionals who do training to gain sensitivity presentation tips from a professional trainer including activities, resources and processing techniques. A complete handout assists participants in designing their own workshops and style of presenting.

Team It!
1 hour
Do you have a group of individuals who need to get to know each other better? This session is a series of interactive activities and exercises designed to get participants to be more comfortable with each other as well as to be more motivated to work productively and cooperatively together. People really need people yet, people can really annoy people. Tips on how to better your interpersonal skills and build relationships will also be offered.

A Time of Holding On and A Time of Letting Grow
Your student is anxious, excited, ready, unprepared, nervous, thrilled... and the list goes on! Strangely enough, so are you. The transition between high school and college is exactly that - change. Not only are there important developmental stages unfolding in front of your very eyes, but you are in a unique position to assist (rather than resist) your "soon to be college" student. In a humorous and conversational approach, the speaker seeks to provide realistic expectations around the transitioning college student, while suggesting rather forwardly - it's time to hold on... while letting them grow. Tips for parenting a college student will also be offered for those open to "parenting and partnering" with whatever institution of higher learning awaits your student. One of the greatest outcomes of this program is the opportunity for parents and guardians - who have gone through it already - to share their expertise!

A Time of Holding On and A Time of Letting Grow - HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR YEAR
As your teenager begins to shift gears from "high school senior" to "college freshmen" you may begin to question how to respond, when to respond - or whether you should have a response at all! Not uncommon. You may also find yourself wondering what's the "best" college for your student, how many college visits are "enough," and how much of your opinion on their selection should be shared. Although there aren't any absolutes, there is a way of approaching this time of transition in a manner that invites your child to take responsibility for their future. This interactive discussion will encourage the "experts" to share their experiences, while the presenter offers tips - not trips - on this exciting time of holding on while letting GROW!

A Time of Officer and Organizational Transition
1 hour
This very practical session looks at the four elements to be concerned about when officers of organizations are leaving office and new officers are taking over. Various skills are introduced and practiced along with notions of motivation and communication. As a result of attending this session you will better understand the value of paying attention to issues of transition and how this will advance your organization from year to year. Why start over when new officers start?

Tradition, Change, and the Future of Fraternities...
1 to 4 hours
Where have you been and where are you going? Not an easy question for individuals charged with directing and leading a Greek system in to the 21st century. This upbeat and inspirational session offers the Greek leader a national perspective on Greek life from which to compare and contrast their own Greek system and its direction. The processes of accountability, change implementation and motivation will be taught as essential tools for survival.

Viva' the Volunteer!
1 to 2 hours
Keeping civic group members, alumni volunteers, other type of volunteers inspired to make a difference in light of the many other demands on their time is a challenge, it's also a skill. This session recognizes the volunteer and teaches them how to recognize what they do and why they do it. Team building and committee productivity can be included in this session. The latest research on what truly motivates is translated into practical tips for rewarding, motivating and recognizing volunteers.

Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk
1 to 3 hours
We've been "talking" for most of our lives but are we really any good at it? Have you been at a loss at times wondering how to communicate what you want or confront because you care? This experiential skill building session will challenge you to be more confident in your role as "helper." It will teach you how to be a more effective communicator and do a better job (if possible) of walking the walk and talking the talk.

We Want More! Recruitment and Retention for Student Groups
1 or 2 hours
Quality not quantity only goes so far. This highly active and engaging session will take a look at those things that attract members to your organization and those retention strategies that keep members dedicated and enjoying their experience. Have you ever considered why people join organizations? Has the notion of planning a year long recruitment campaign ever been "entertained?" Do you truly value and understand the members who do show up? This session will not only motivated YOU to think differently about recruitment and retention but it will provide you with the tools (and handouts) to attract more members and help them make their experience a meaningful one!

What Did You Say? Gender Issues in Communication
1 to 2 hours
Ever feel as if you were speaking a different language? Ever desire to be more informed about the influence of culture and gender on how you interact or do business with others? This informative and practical session will present the research on gender differences in communication and how these generalizations - once recognized - can interfere or assist you - in getting your goals accomplished. Considerable demographic data is offered to enhance participants understanding.

You Make a Difference
1 hour
When the words "thank you" don't seem to mean enough, what else can you say or do? There's plenty. Providing recognition is a valuable source of acknowledging one's contributions while inspiring future efforts. This program says "thank you" in a variety of ways and allows for the "personalization of gratitude." Special posters by the same title compliment this talk and leaves a lasting symbol of appreciation.

You Want Me to Do What? Change Implementation Strategies
1 to 2 hours
Change this! Not everyone embraces change. How do you get others to buy into it? How do you light a fire under those needed to make change happen? In order to inspire, educate and lead your "team" or group into action you (and your team) need to know more about the Denney Change Theory and how to apply it to your personal or professional needs. This session will present a few strategies on how to implement change and review what conditions are needed in order for others to consider implementing change. Tips on how to motivate others will be shared along with a self-analysis of how well you respond to change. Self-exploration exercises and worksheets help participants understand the "personality" of change.

ZING! Your Life and Professional Influence
Ever notice how some people have "it" and some wonder what "it" is? Have you started to wonder why some people get noticed and you only get passed by and passed up. In a highly humorous and engaging presentation style, Nancy Hunter Denney presents her original Zing! Impact Equation demonstrating it's never just one thing, rather a combination of the person, environment, skill level and minimization of distractions that determine the level of one's potential influence or charisma. Zing! is the thing that allows you to "override competing forces to positively influence others." Zing! is living life and leadership with an exclamation point and comes from the fundamental belief, "the energy you put out there, is the energy you get to draw from." Within the context of "professionalism" Zing! is the standard effort and attitude needed to be consistently applied in order to effectively accomplish a shared mission. Relevant "insights" ranging from self-inspection to humility offer the road map to Zing! and enhanced happiness. You always know what time it is when you accept your aptitudes as a means of demonstrating your gratitude! From this moment on: It's Zing! time...

Zing! Your Life and Leadership: For Women Only
Do you have it? That thing called "Zing!"? This engaging and inspirational session is about female influence, charisma and leadership. It's about raising the bar on your life and leadership through the use of various "insights" as offered in Zing! Your Life and Leadership: 21 Insights on Maximizing Your Influence. Learn what time is really is - all the time! (It's Zing! time!)