2025 Clark-Thompson Presidents' Academy, Officers' Institute, & Emerging Leaders Initiative

The Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda proudly provides annual training for incoming chapter presidents and officers every January. The Clark-Thompson Presidents’ Academy is generously supported via a grant from the AKL Education Foundation. In 2007, the Mu Chapter Alumni Corporation decided to graciously support the AKL Education Foundation and this program specifically through an endowment in honor of two of their alumni, Dean Clark and Harry Thompson. The Officers’ Institute was added in 2014 to train and develop effective leaders in the chapter. In 2022, the Fraternity hosted the inaugural Emerging Leaders Initiative, a program designed to motivate and train those members with aspirations of future leadership positions.

Dates, Location & Registration

• Date: January 24 – 26, 2025
• Location: Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel in Carmel, Indiana (11925 N Meridian St, Carmel, IN 46032)
• All officer elections should be completed and reported no later than December 2, 2024
• All registrations must be completed by December 16, 2024

Clark – Thompson Presidents’ Academy & Officers’ Institute

• All newly elected Chapter Presidents are required to attend.
  • To be eligible and serve as Chapter President, that member must be able to attend the Presidents’ Academy.
• All newly elected Vice-Presidents/Risk Managers, Treasurers, and Recruitment Chairs are strongly encouraged to attend.

Tentative Schedule

This does not reflect exact programming or specific details of the final schedule. A “Proof of Attendance” letter can be provided upon request.

Emerging Leaders Initiative

Becoming a leader is impactful and helps you grow as a person.  The Emerging Leaders Initiative is geared towards our most motivated members who are looking to take on leadership within their chapter, on-campus, or in the larger community. This leadership development training program focuses on each participant’s strengths as a leader and how to leverage those to be a leader and teammate while developing professional development skills. This training is open to any member with a desire to hold a future leadership position within the chapter or campus community.

Attire

• Attire is business casual for the entire duration of the event. (at a minimum, slacks and/or khakis, button-down shirt). Jeans, gym shorts, and t-shirts are not appropriate during any scheduled programming.
• There may be some time in the evening to relax and enjoy the comforts of the hotel. The hotel does have an indoor pool and fitness center. Pack accordingly if you wish to use either.
• Be aware, Indianapolis has an average low temperature of 18 and a high of 35 in January. There is a very high chance there will be snow on the ground.

Personal Items

• The Truth and The Word: Each attendee should bring their copy of “The Truth and The Word” to add to your Membership Collection. Copies will be distributed to those who do not have one. 
• Computer- Each attendee may bring a laptop or tablet but Chapter Treasurers are highly encouraged to bring a computer which will allow for an easier time working with OmegaFi on your account.
• Credit Card: You must swipe your credit card for incidental charges to your hotel room. The National Fraternity will not cover any damages or extra charges to a room.

• Plan for your flight to arrive no later than 2:30 on pm Friday. Your flight should depart no earlier than 2:00 pm on Sunday to allow for travel time to the airport.
• For chapters traveling from the east coast or the far western portion of the US, a hotel can be provided on Thursday if needed. Please notify staff if you are arriving on Thursday.
• If your flight is delayed, please contact a staff member when possible. We will also be tracking flights, so do not panic if delayed.
• Uber and Lyft are available from the airport and run roughly $25 – $35. This cost must be covered by the chapter. 
• If you have an afternoon or evening flight on Sunday, make sure to bring extra spending money as lunch and dinner will not be provided. The airport has numerous restaurants both before and after the TSA checkpoint.

• Plan to arrive no later than 2:30 pm on Friday. Plan to depart the hotel no earlier than 12:00 pm on Sunday. 
• If a chapter chooses to depart on Saturday, they will miss out on programming and they will be charged the cost of one hotel night and all registrations fees. All attendees are expected to remain through the entire program, including Sunday morning.
• If weather conditions call for snow along your route, plan to leave Thursday or early Friday so you can still attend. A hotel can be provided on Thursday if needed. Please notify staff if you are arriving on Thursday. 
• There is no charge for parking at the hotel.