Iota AcademyPersonal and Professional Empowerment

SHARED VALUES

Iota Academy

CORE PRINCIPLES1

Personal and Professional Empowerment

We are proud to present the mission statement, vision statement, core values, goals and objectives of the Iota Academy. The Iota Academy is meant to effectively and efficiently deliver shared professional services and templates to accelerate our impact while building the strong, sustainable traditions we can be proud of. As an official partner of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., we hope to enhance the training and networking efforts of the Fraternity.

We firmly believe this program can reposition the Fraternity to better serve its members and their respective jurisdictions, better attract future members, and produce a greater number of high-quality, successful members of society.

The approach presented in this booklet resulted from a thorough examination of internal and external operations, the current andfuture challenges of the organization, and our role as a minority owned business. Each goal, objective, and the recommended action contained in this booklet serve as a guide to aligning our Strategy, Network, Training, Accounting and Public Service.

We encourage all members of the Iota community to engage in the implementation of the many excellent ideas and initiatives developed as a part of the Iota Academy. At the same time, we caution you not to think of this plan as the end of planning and engagement, but as only the beginning of a living document that will be molded and revised in the years to come in anticipation of the ever changing societal landscape and needs of the targeted communities we serve. The Iota Academy will not eliminate the present and future challenges that we might face on the path to greatness; instead it should be recognized as a valuable template on how to turn these obstacles into objectives, and in the end, deliver on our promise to keep building traditions in the African American community and beyond.

About the Iota Academy

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The Iota Academy is a pacesetter in workforce development and entrepreneurship offering accessible and effective personal and professional development opportunities to socially conscious leaders and their respective workforces. We will be a preferred partner in continuing education, economic empowerment and community development for all residents of the District of Columbia. Comprised of pre-dominantly black organizations, we always have a responsibility to build a diverse, multi-generational community of civically engaged developers and leaders within the African American community nationwide.

To be a consortium of aligned professionals who share human capital management services to build a network of critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, effective communicators, and service-driven leaders within the workforce and in their respective families or communities.

MISSION STATEMENT

VISION STATEMENT

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GOAL ONE LEADERSHIP

Publically encourage and promote the performance-based academic publications, professional credentialing, community outreach, and creative achievements of leaders and partners.

1OBJECTIVE

Target developers, leaders and managers engaged in high-demand disciplines that address pressing urban issues of the 21st century.

2OBJECTIVE

Celebrate the successes of our participants with a sharpened focus on “adopting best practices” and perpetual development.

3OBJECTIVE

Identify cross-promotional news and highlights to increase member engagement via social media and consistency across technology platforms.

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STRATEGIC SUMMARY

The Iota Academy celebrates professionals committed to advancing shared principles through enterprise-level research, development and implementation within underserved communities of color. The Iota Academy provides the foundation to enhance educational opportunities in high-demand fields, streamline ways to reach those in our community, and celebrate those in our circle who are actively engaged in building positive traditions in new and creative ways.

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GOAL TWO BROTHERHOOD

Maintain a professional, member-centered, communal environment through technical infrastructure enhancements and member engagement opportunities through a directory of thousands of professionals.1OBJECTIVE

Grow and promote our nationwide directory of industry-specific professionals to increase networking and fellowshipping opportunities between members.

2OBJECTIVE

Recruit strong and effective leaders, managers, trainers, and advisors who act in a fair, ethical and transparent fashion.

3OBJECTIVE

Position ourselves to acquire and maintain a shared physical space that show a long-term commitment to the community, accessibility, and sustainment.

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COMMUNAL SUMMARY

The Iota Academy recognizes our success is built upon the strength of our people, processes and places. Key investments in member and organizational development will be made to foster a new culture of excellence and accountability focused on cutting the red-tape and better serving our members through the Iota Academy. The Iota Academy benefits are communal in nature, allowing members to enjoy educational, networking or fellowshipping opportunities from the comfort of their home or through local meetings and activities as their schedule permits.

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GOAL THREE SCHOLARSHIP

Offer a comprehensive, effective, flexible, and accessible training program through the Iota Academy that merges fitness and online training to prepare participants for success in the 21st century in a safe and productive environment.1OBJECTIVE

Maintain a member-centered learning environment that develops career-ready, civically engaged individuals and enlightened leaders.

2OBJECTIVE

Create and maintain fitness guides, training, assessments and reporting resources to mitigate the risk associated with poor physical health.

3OBJECTIVE

Align educational offerings across the organization to respond to member interests and the community’s economic priorities.

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TRAINING SUMMARY

The Iota Academy will advocate investment in low overhead, high-demand, high-performing programs that meet our economic development needs. Iota Academy investments will be made, in part, through cost savings generated from the consolidation or elimination of outdated or low demand activities. With a large increase in the amount of services offered online, participants can learn in new ways and in new places. Academy participants will have the necessary tools to thrive during their lifetime and meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

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GOAL FOUR FIDELITY

Adopt best practices to create and maintain a culture of accountability via transparency in governance, administration and operations.

1OBJECTIVE

Ensure autonomy and transparency between partnering organizations to encourage accountability, collaboration and compliance.

2OBJECTIVE

Monitor our system of continuous feedback and streamline communication with each of our stakeholders.

3OBJECTIVE

Engage in honest, open dialogue with all members on a regular basis to determine personal, professional and paternal priorities.

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ACCOUNTABILITY SUMMARY

The Iota Academy will provide the appropriate amount of support and flexibility that recognizes its unique mission within our respective communities. Financial statements and decision making across all partnering organizations and divisions will be improved, with formalized processes that promote autonomy, transparency, communication, and fairness in our operations.

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GOAL FIVE CITIZENSHIP

Position the Fraternity to be a trusted partner with businesses, non-profit leaders, residents, and public officials.

1OBJECTIVE

Increase our focus on social justice and equality for residents to stay relevant in today’s changing society.

2OBJECTIVE

Establish strong bilateral relationships with government, business, non-profit, and private employers.

3OBJECTIVE

Raise philanthropic giving goals as part of an effort to diversify revenue sources.

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SERVICE SUMMARY

The Iota Academy will be an active and valuable partner in the District of Columbia community. Always a champion for social justice and equality, the Iota Academy will seek new partnerships to bring our vast and varied expertise to bear on today and tomorrow’s uniquely urban challenges. To generate the resources necessary to maintain these important services, the Iota Academy will attract new sources of support and better engage our community connections.

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3 Ways to help the Iota Academy in 2016!Contributing Money Contributing Time Contributing Expertise

Paying your Chapter Dues is the most common way to

contribute financially. Chapter Dues are $150 per year in DC.

Log on to www.DCIotas.org/paymyduesto get financially active today. There are also ways you can

support our organization on a tax-deductible basis by

contributing to B.O.S.S., Inc. or the National Iota Foundation.

Contributing your time can be quick as sharing success

stories through your social media network, attending an

event or volunteering to mentor younger members.

Log on to www.DCIotas.org/calendar to

keep informed about upcoming events and

activities in the DC Metropolitan area.

Growing our network of industry-specific professionals is a critical part the Tradition Builder Committee. Log on to

www.DCIotas.org/expertise to complete a quick survey that

includes your area(s) of expertise. You’ll be added to a

our directory and have the opportunity to network and

fellowship with other Professionals or get help

building your own tradition.16

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.23rd Eastern Regional Conference

April 14th – 17th , 2016Metro Points Hotel

8500 Annapolis Road, New Carrollton, MD 20784

For More Information or to Register, visit www.easterniotas.iotaphitheta.org

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Iota Academy

Sponsored by

Alpha Tau Alumni AssociationAddress: 419 7th Street NW, 3rd Floor

Washington, DC 20004 Website: www.IotaAcademy.org

Phone (202)340-5078 Email info@IotaAcademy.org

Personal, Professional & Paternal Empowerment