Submission Tips + FAQ’s

We’re here to help you shine!

Explore this page for tips to make it to the awards stage at AFLV Central or AFLV West.

Tips for a Strong Submission

  • Be Clear.

    Remember that reviewers have never been to your campus.

    Provide enough context for them to understand your council, highlight important information within your supporting documents, and include direct links whenever possible.

  • Nobody's Perfect.

    There's no perfect council! You may realize you do not have answers for every question. That is ok!

    Council Compass is designed to recognize accomplishments and provide meaningful feedback. Answer each question honestly and view the process as an opportunity to reflect, grow, and strengthen your community.

  • Start Early.

    The strongest applications are built over time.

    Don't wait until the deadline to begin. Use the fall semester/quarter to gather documentation, celebrate accomplishments, and work through the application as your council completes its initiatives.

  • Ask for Help!

    Your fraternity & sorority life advisor can be a valuable resource throughout the process.

    If you have questions about the application, required materials, or the online portal, contact Awards@AFLV.org. We’re happy to help!

Council Compass Question Bank

Each recognition level includes 3–5 open-ended essay questions along with any required supporting documentation.

The 2027 Council Compass Question Bank includes every potential question that may appear in the application. While your council won't answer every question listed, reviewing the Question Bank early will help your team determine which achievement level to pursue, begin gathering supporting materials, and prepare stronger submissions.

View the Question Bank by downloading the PDF below or by continuing to scroll through this page.

Recognition Levels

⭐ One Star

⭐⭐ Two Star

⭐⭐⭐ Three Star

Directional Areas

Accountability

Collaboration

Education

Innovation

2027 Main Question Bank

Basic Council & University Info

All applications must include:

  • Contact information

  • Awards applicant name

  • Council president name

  • Fraternity/sorority life advisor

  • Council constitution and bylaws

  • Institution-specific statistics

  • Academic statistics

  • Number of local/national/international organizations

  • Dues/fee structure

  • Council Position Descriptions

  • Council Meeting Schedule

  • Letter from the fraternity/sorority life office recognizing the council as a student organization in good standing with the university

Accountability

Accountability icon

Ability to follow through, manage responsibly, and expect high standards from the community it governs

    • Identify the minimum standards/requirements for members to serve the council in a leadership capacity.

    • Describe what the council has established as minimum standards for chapters to be considered in “good standing.”

    • Explain how the council holds chapters accountable to the above outline of minimum standards. What occurs if a chapter is unable to meet one of the standards? How is the chapter held accountable?

    • Define the academic success plan the council created to meet the needs of the council.

    • Illustrate the outlets/ways member chapters and chapter leadership provide feedback to the council and member organizations.

    • Explore the ways in which the council provides positive recognition to member chapters and leaders.

    • Describe the council’s practice of providing peer-to-peer feedback, evaluation, and/or communication. This can include formal and informal methods of feedback.

    • Describe the crisis management process the council has created. Please include how officers and member chapters receive education about the crisis management process.

    • Identify how the council assists chapters in completing educational expectations as it relates to forms of accountability.

    • Describe how the council standards/judicial board is trained. If your council does not have a standards/judicial board please explain what mechanism is used to hold groups accountable, and how that entity is trained.

    • What type of training does the council provide to help students/chapters/leadership to foster peer governance membership accountability? 

    • Explore the accountability methods the council utilizes outside of punitive measures. How do council leaders identify and fix mistakes or implement restorative justice practices? Please include measures outside of fines, non-involvement, etc.

    • Illustrate how the council holds chapters accountable to university expectations. How does the council work with the university conduct office when an incident occurs involving a policy violation?

    • Explore how the council assesses internal policies to ensure it is meeting the needs of the community.

    • Describe the different training opportunities provided to chapter standards/judicial boards.

    • Describe the scope of responsibility associated with the council standards board. Within this response, please illustrate how peer governance is interwoven.

Collaboration

Collaboration icon

Ability to work successfully among the council, chapters, staff, and larger community

    • Describe how the council collaborated with another campus organization to provide co- sponsorship in some capacity (ex. time, financial support, resources, volunteers, etc.)

    • Describe the existing relationship the council has with umbrella organizations, graduate chapters, local and/or national volunteers.

    • Describe the ways the council collaborates with peer governing councils to ensure that all council members can attend regional leadership conferences, if applicable (ex. AFLV Central, NBGLC, AFLV West, NCGLC, IFC Academy, College Panhellenic Academy, etc.).

    • Illustrate how the council creates opportunities to connect like officers from all member chapters to share ideas and resources.

    • Define the methods the council uses to collect and communicate chapter member events.

    • Describe a way in which the council promotes and highlights, through council website or social media pages, individual member chapter websites, or social media pages.

    • Describe the printed and/or electronic marketing materials the council created the showcases all peer councils.

    • Describe an event in which the council provides co-sponsorship. This could be in the form of financial sponsorship, creation of the marketing campaign to encourage student attendees, and/or level of participation from member chapters.

    • Explore how the council works with peer councils and/or other organizations on campus to host a community service event or philanthropy event for members, community members, grad chapter members and/or advisors.

    • Illustrate how the council encourages member chapters to collaborate in the planning and execution of events with other member chapters to decrease over-programming.

    • Identify and explore ways the council collaborates with faculty, campus professionals, university police, and/or other university department to provide programs or events for members.

    • Describe how the council works with the service office on campus and/or local non-profit agencies to educate chapter officers and members on the purpose and value of community service.

    • Describe how the council collects accurate information about member chapters for use on council website and/or social media platform.

    • Explore how the council utilizes partnerships with campus-based professionals and offices to develop a long-term strategic plan. How is this plan shared from year to year?

    • Describe how the council collaborates on events or programs by contributing financial support and/or resources in addition to helping plan, implement, and execute the event or program.

    • Describe how the council partners with qualified fundraising professional(s) to educate member chapters on ways to enhance their philanthropic or fundraising efforts.

    • Describe how the council assesses the current academic climate with specific initiatives for improvement and support.

    • Identify and describe the council partnerships with non-profit agencies around the community to provide ongoing service opportunities to members/member chapters.

    • Explore how the council fosters and enhances relationships within the fraternal community.

Education

Education icon

Ability to educate all council members about necessary, relevant, and progressive topics

    • Describe the educational initiatives the council is most proud of, and why. Please include what made the educational initiative impactful.

    • Explore the ways in which the council educates member chapters, including: educational topics, content, and delivery.

    • Explain how campus policies or state/federal laws have influenced your bylaws. How have you educated chapter leaders and members about this intersection?

    • Describe the ways in which the council educates potential members and their families on pertinent information pertaining to the membership experience.

    • Explain a development experience the council provided. Response should explore the entire experience including what the membership gained as well as what the council learned through the process.

    • Identify and explain the educational resources the council utilizes to ensure member development.

    • Describe how the council educates themselves about current events/issues that may impact the way they lead/govern their council.
      *Note, this is specific to the individuals on the current council leadership board.

    • In what ways does the council support member organizations to provide educational opportunities for their respective members?

    • Explain the topics/national trends specific to the fraternity/sorority experience that are driving conversation within the current council leadership. What action is the council taking?

    • Define the ways in which the council educates member chapters about health and safety (ex. alcohol abuse, drug use, sexual assault, etc.)

    • Describe the methods the council used to determine the most relevant and necessary educational programming for your constituents.

    • Identify the way in which the council fosters membership development for upperclassmen members.

    • Describe how the council incorporates technology into educational programming.

    • Describe how the council educates members of the community about current events/ issues that may impact members of the community.

    • Illustrate the ways the council evaluates the effectiveness of educational programs provided to member chapters or the community. Please include what was learned through the evaluation process and how the information led the catalyst to change and/ or advance the educational programming offered.

    • Explain how the council incorporates cross cultural competencies into leadership development.

    • Explore how the council educates members about preventative measures as they relate to campus needs.

    • Describe something the council has done, supported, or implemented in the area of education that fostered change-enabling experiences and an overarching positive impact within the council community and beyond.

    • Explore how the council uses national trends to inform and advance educational programs.

    • Describe the role the council takes in addressing current events/issues related to social and racial justice on your campus.

Innovation

Innovation icon

Ability to go beyond what has been created or achieved before; critical and creative thinking that leads to cutting edge programs and initiatives

    • Identify and explore the innovative or unique approaches the council infuses into the recruitment/intake process.

    • Identify and explore the innovative approaches the council infuses into new member retention to foster a sense of belonging.

    • Explain how your council infuses new thinking into existing traditions.

    • Explore how the council has taken a new approach to service projects/events.

    • Describe something the council supports or implements that creates a positive impact on the campus, community, or within the council.

    • Illustrate how council programming changes or evolves from previous years.

    • Describe how the council infuses innovative technology into organizational operations.

    • Explore how the council works with university administration or community members to provide students with innovative programs or initiatives.

    • Describe something the council attempted that didn’t work out as planned or wasn’t successful. Please include what was learned through the process.

    • Identify and illustrate the marketing techniques the council utilizes to reach a diverse audience.

    • Explain how the council challenges the status quo within the ongoing council operations.

    • Describe the program(s) the council developed that catered to a new or previously unmet need(s) of the council.

    • Describe how the council has demonstrated opportunities for members to contribute as a global citizen.

    • Describe how the council provides programming that caters to the various needs of the community.

    • Explore how the council advocates for its members and constituents within the university setting and the larger community.

    • Describe how the council challenges the status quo of existing campus wide practices/ traditions. How does the council influence campus progress and drive community wide innovation?

    • Describe what the council learns from the process of trying and creating new programs and initiatives that may have been unsuccessful along the way.

    • Define how the council utilizes assessment tools to influence practices, to understand the needs of their community and constituents, and better inform their brand.

    • Explore how the council collects feedback from constituents and stakeholders in order to improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Students & Council Leaders

  • Applications should be completed and submitted by student leaders. Applications should reflect the authentic work, experiences, and voice of your council.

  • Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

    Late submissions will not be accepted, so we encourage councils to submit well before the deadline.

  • Applications should focus on accomplishments from the current calendar year. For the 2027 Awards + Assessment process, this includes work completed from January 1, 2026 through the application deadline.

  • Yes. Awards + Assessment is an exclusive benefit of AFLV Campus Subscription. Your institution must be a current Campus Subscriber.

  • Absolutely. Councils are encouraged to participate in any Awards + Assessment opportunities that reflect their accomplishments, including:

    • Council Compass

    • Marketing + Media Showcase

    • Individual Awards

  • Review the Main Question Bank and select the achievement level that best reflects your council's accomplishments.

    If you find you're unable to answer all of the required questions within a level, consider selecting a different achievement level that more accurately represents your work.

  • If a question truly doesn't apply to your campus (for example, your institution does not have fraternity housing), you may use N/A where appropriate on the General Information section.

    Within Council Compass categories, every required essay question must be completed for the achievement level you select.

  • Yes.

    If multiple councils collaborated on a program, each council may include it in their application. Be sure to explain your council's specific role and provide documentation that demonstrates your participation.

  • Supporting documents should strengthen your application and help reviewers understand your story.

    Remember that reviewers have never been to your campus, so provide enough context to explain your programs, accomplishments, and impact.

  • Yes. The application portal allows you to save your progress and return before submitting.

  • Yes. Each Marketing + Media Showcase category requires its own application within your councils login. If you're submitting work in multiple categories, you'll need to complete a separate application for each one.

    The only exception is the first Marketing + Media category, which is accessed through your Council Compass application. Any additional Marketing + Media entries must be submitted separately to allow your attachments to be saved.

  • We recommend that one student leader creates the account on behalf of your council and shares the login information with the other officers working on the application. This makes it easier for multiple students to collaborate, review drafts, upload supporting materials, and submit the application together.