Coordinated by FEA and FFE

fraternal industry

CSO-Board Chair Symposium

The Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) are partnering to host an executive leadership and governance-focused symposium in August in Indianapolis. This event will connect leaders from the fraternity, foundation and housing arms in one space with a focus on partnership and best practices with programming provided by the Association Management Center (AMC).

  • Who: Chief staff officers and board chairs of fraternity/sorority membership organizations, foundations and/or national housing corporations
  • When: Sunday, August 30, 2026
  • Where: Indianapolis, Indiana, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
  • Registration: $300 for the first two organization representatives to attend; $175 for each subsequent organization representative*; working lunch included
  • How to Register: Log in to FS Central and complete the 2026 FFE-FEA CSO-Board Chair Symposium form under the Events tab
  • Registration Deadline: August 14

*Any representative under the enterprise umbrella (membership/foundation/housing) counts towards the multiple attendee discount structure. For expanded information see the FAQs.

To register three or more organization representatives, please register the first two through FS Central, then contact FFE Executive Director Will Foran to register additional representatives.

Programming

With 50 years of experience managing associations and working with boards and executives, Association Management Center (AMC) is well known in the association community for its governance expertise. Through published articles in industry publications and presentations at association events, their experts are frequent contributors to thought leadership related to high-performing Boards and effective nonprofit leadership.

The CSO-Board Chair Symposium will provide an opportunity for executives and their board chairs to collaborate on annual priorities and determine how to work best together in the coming year. Participants will gain insight into challenges facing contemporary association leaders; understand the value of informed policy and strategy as primary tools of the leadership team; and learn how to foster effective governance through best practices related to board organization, structure and operations. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in cohort discussion with peers in similar roles to build relationships and collaborate on industry trends and challenges.

Facilitators to be announced

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Learning Outcomes

  • Best practices for staff/board partnership 
  • Best practices for entity partnership  
  • Greater understanding of board chair role in executive’s success 
  • Governance best practices  
  • Peer networking/relationship building by cohort  

Location & Lodging

Hotel Information

Join us in Indianapolis for executive leadership, collaborative education and crucial peer networking.

  • Block room rate: $189 per night
  • Address: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225 (Map)
  • Parking: $75 per day in the Marriott self-park garage or valet. Additional options available nearby.

DEADLINE

Hotel room block closes August 17.

BOOK HOTEL STAY

Additional programming opportunities

You're Invited

You’re invited to join us for more fraternal programming. The opportunities below will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown following the CSO-Board Chair Symposium:

    • NIC Annual Meeting of Members: Monday, August 31. | Learn more
    • FFE Seminar: August 31 – September 1 | Learn more

 

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m an executive of one or more of our organization’s entities. Am only I invited or can I bring others from my team?

It’s up to each organization to make this decision based on what’s right for its leadership. Organizers encourage attendance from each/all chief staff officers who lead the respective entities. This may mean one organization sends up to three representatives (i.e. President and CEO, Foundation Director and Housing Director). Registration deadline for all attendees is August 14.

Can only my board chair attend?

It’s up to each organization to make this decision based on what’s right for its leadership and success planning. Organizers encourage attendance from board officers who lead the respective entities. If a board chair is unavailable, but the chair-elect or other officer would like to attend in their place or in addition that is acceptable. Registration deadline for all attendees is August 14.

Who is considered an organization representative for the registration discount to apply?

Any representative under the enterprise umbrella counts towards the multiple attendee discount structure. For example, if Beta Beta Beta registers their fraternity CEO and board chair at $275 per person, Beta Beta Beta Foundation and Housing CEOs, board chairs or related representatives qualify for the reduced rate at $150 each.

I don't plan to attend the NIC Annual Meeting of Members or FFE Seminar, can I still come to the CSO-Board Chair Symposium?

Yes, we'd love to have you join us for this day of interfraternal programming.

Who is FEA?

The Fraternity Executives Association is the professional association of men’s and women’s fraternity executives. FEA provides for the professional development of its members while promoting the values and success of the fraternal movement. Learn more at fea-inc.org.

Who is FFE?

Foundation for Fraternal Excellence’s membership consists of more than 65 fraternity and sorority foundations, including their professionals and volunteers. FFE offers critical and pointed services to the representatives of our member foundations and the industry. Learn more at foundationfe.org.

I’m a vendor/partner. Can I attend the event?

This event is intended to be intimate and will therefore have a limited guest list of chief staff officers and board members.

For additional questions or help, your contacts are:

For help with registration, contact FFE Data Project Manager Gretchen Foran.
For questions related to the hotel, contact FFE Director of Programs Desiree Paulhamus.
For questions about curriculum, contact FFE Executive Director Ashley VanDewark.