This post is part of a larger series to address the most common myths, misconceptions, and excuses that chapters and members have regarding the LEAD Program. Follow the entire conversation and get caught up on each of the issues we are addressing by clicking here.
Myth 7. LEAD Phase III is hard to implement
It is true that Phase III is unlike any of the other phases. It does not utilize workshops and is not designed to require regular meetings of participants.
Due to these differences, Phase III may actually be one of the easier phases to get started and work into participants schedules.
Phase III participants – typically third year students – are an especially busy bunch. They are heavily engaged in their major field of study, likely to have off- or on-campus jobs and internships, and are likely involved in and serving as leaders of other organizations.
The content of Phase III is designed to address and be utilized in these same areas in which the participants are already involved. The pace of the phase allows its busy participants to work at their own pace, selecting projects and learning experiences they can directly apply in the classroom, in other campus organizations, and in their advancing career search.
Meeting at various intervals throughout the year, participants will discuss what they have learned through the completion of projects. Each module of content includes a brief introduction to the topic and a “choose your own adventure” style of project options to be completed prior to the next group meeting. Working at their own pace, participants will complete the projects that are most relevant and interesting to them.
At each group meeting, participants will share their experiences and lessons learned. Due to the nature of the “choose your own adventure” selection of projects for each module of content, participants will have an opportunity to not only tailor their specific experience but to learn from other participants’ project experiences.
In this way, it is not uncommon for a single participant to experience – at least secondhand – every project option from a module while having only done between one and three himself.
Another thing that makes Phase III different from the others is that it is managed by an alumnus or someone else outside of the chapter, in the form of a LEAD Coach.
The LEAD Coach guides discussion at group meetings and keeps participants on task and engaged throughout the year. In many cases, Phase III participants will conduct their group meetings over dinner at a local restaurant, in the home of the LEAD Coach, or in some other informal setting, as opposed to in a more traditional or classroom setting that many of the other phases utilize.
Learn how to recruit a LEAD Coach/Advisor and review some scheduling models in the LEAD Phase III Introduction and Coach’s Manual.
Serve in the Light of Truth 