Establishing Connections at Ignite

Since I joined the Fraternity, very few things have impacted my life as positively as the leadership experiences it offers. This was no different when I recently had the opportunity to help facilitate an Ignite session at Camp Westminster in Conyers, Ga.

One of the less-advertised benefits of the consultant role is that you have an opportunity to establish connections with a vast network of alumni. Ignite is facilitated by some of the brightest minds the Fraternity has to offer, so I felt very fortunate to spend time with some of them during the four-day period in which we went through training and facilitated the experience soon-to-be initiates of Delta Tau Delta.

Despite some inclement weather during the program’s culminating event, this was one of the experiences I’ve enjoyed most during my time on the road, and it helped to break up some of the monotony that comes with moving from chapter to chapter every few days.

Ignite itself is designed to help the newest members of the Fraternity begin to cultivate their leadership potential through the lens of a retreat in a camp setting. Men enjoy teambuilding activities and thought-provoking discussions, ultimately leaving the experience with action plans to bring positive change to their chapters. Seeing key concepts resonate with attendees reinforced my belief that I work for an organization devoted to improving its members’ lives. The consultant role itself places much focus on this very thing for those wishing to maximize their time in it through opportunities to attend professional development experiences, as well as having the opportunity to facilitate at experiences such as Ignite and division conferences.

I could not be happier with my experience helping young men begin to realize their passions and abilities.

#IgniteTheCharge

- Jack Mattern (Albion College, 2016)